Leland+ for College

"What Will You Bring to Our School?": A Guide

A comprehensive guide to answering the "contribution" question on your application, with tips for crafting a unique and authentic response.

Best Practices for Supplemental Essays

Master the art of supplemental essays with expert tips and strategies for crafting compelling, authentic responses that strengthen your application.

Awards & Honors: An Overview

Learn how to effectively showcase your achievements on your application, with tips for formatting, context, and standing out.

Ask a Former Adcom: How to Get Into BYU

A former BYU admissions officer breaks down the holistic review process and shares what they're really looking for in applications.

Additional Info Essay 3: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown of a compelling additional information essay.

Additional Info Essay 2: Example & Analysis

An in-depth analysis of an "additional information" essay.

Additional Info Essay 1: Example & Analysis

Learn how to use the optional "additional information" essay to strengthen your application and address weaknesses.

Oxbridge Degree Application Tracker

Manage your Oxbridge degree application with ease. Stay organized and on track for Oxford & Cambridge admissions!

The Amy Approach: What Parents Need to Know About the College Search Process

A guide to help parents help with the college-search process

Stanford & MIT Essay: Engineering for Global Impact

A powerful story of building a biodigester in Costa Rica and discovering a lifelong passion for sustainable engineering and social equity.

College Application Timeline Tracker

Stay organized with key deadlines and milestones to manage every part of your college application process.

Choosing the Right Recommenders

Learn how to pick recommenders who will advocate for you and elevate your application.

Vanderbilt Personal Essay – Growing Up on Her Own Terms

A coming-of-age story about medical uncertainty, self-advocacy, and redefining adulthood through confidence, curiosity, and inner growth.

What Top College Admissions Officers Look For [7/7/2026] (Recording)

College admissions can feel like a black box when you're trying to understand what actually makes one applicant stand out over another. This session is designed for students and families who want a clearer understanding of how applications are evaluated and what admissions officers prioritize throughout the review process. You’ll learn how admissions readers assess academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal storytelling, as well as the common traits that appear across compelling applications. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions directly and get real-time answers about your own admissions strategy. The speaker has extensive experience evaluating applicants and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with what they look for when reviewing applications in practice. If you want a better understanding of how admissions decisions are made and how to strengthen your candidacy, it’s worth joining live.

Ask Me Anything: The Personal Statement [8/7/2026] (Recording)

Join me, Chris, for an engaging "Ask Me Anything" session focused on crafting the perfect personal statement for your college applications. With a rich academic journey through UC Berkeley, NYU, and Harvard, and experience as a Creative Writing and Personal Statement Coach, I've helped over 60 students gain admission to their dream schools, including Stanford, Harvard, Yale, Columbia, and Brown. Whether you're just starting your application journey or refining your essays, this is your chance to get personalized advice on essays, editing, school selection, and more. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make your application shine—RSVP now to secure your spot!

What BYU Admission Officers Actually Want to See From You [7/14/2026] (Recording)

Getting into Brigham Young University takes more than strong grades and test scores. The strongest applicants understand how to present a compelling story that shows character, potential, and alignment with what the university truly values. This session is for students applying to BYU who want a clearer understanding of what stands out in the admissions process. You’ll learn what admissions officers actually pay attention to, how to strengthen your overall application, and the subtle factors that can help you rise above other qualified candidates. Join live to hear from a BYU graduate with deep admissions expertise and firsthand experience earning full-tuition and full-ride scholarships. The speaker will share the patterns they see across standout applicants, common mistakes to avoid, and practical ways to position yourself more competitively. Expect actionable advice and insider insights you can immediately apply to your application.

BYU Applications Open Today! Let's Get Started Together [8/26/2026] (Recording)

Opening your BYU Application when it opens on August 26? You've come to the right spot. We'll talk through the best ways to start your application and how to create a timeline that gets your submission in by the priority deadline. Parent of a BYU hopeful? This is a great session to join to learn how to partner with your student on this next big step.

Applying to College in 2026? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Each Month [8/10/2026] (Recording)

In this session, former admissions director, Loubna Bouamane, will walk students and parents through the real college admissions timeline from May through December — including what actually matters each month if you're aiming for competitive U.S. universities. We’ll cover: How to build a balanced college list strategically When students should start essays (and why waiting until September is risky) How extracurriculars and summer activities should be positioned What admissions officers notice early in the review process Common mistakes students make over the summer Testing timelines, recommendation strategy, and application planning How to avoid creating an application that feels overly polished or AI-generated This session is especially helpful for: Rising seniors applying in Fall 2026 International students navigating the U.S. admissions process Families targeting selective colleges and universities Students feeling overwhelmed or behind