Leland+ for College

Interviews: Storytelling & Tone

Learn how to master the art of storytelling in your interviews, using a confident and engaging tone to make a lasting impression.

How to Prepare for Interviews

A comprehensive guide to preparing for interviews, with tips on researching the company, practicing common questions, and making a lasting impression.

Extracurriculars: Best Practices

Learn the best practices for showcasing your extracurriculars on your application, with tips for formatting, context, and standing out from the crowd.

Elevate Your Common App: Craft a Powerful Activities List

Are you applying to college and nervous about how to talk about your activities? Join Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, for this live workshop focused on helping you highlight your story through your activities list. This workshop will help you craft a powerful Common App activities list that showcases your unique interests and accomplishments beyond superficial activity descriptions. Learn 3 strategies to ensure that your application makes a compelling impression on admissions committees, captures your essence, and maximizes your chances of standing out in the admissions process. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your application! Who is leading the workshop? As a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford, Isamar personally reviewed over 7,000 applications. As an admissions consultant, she coached students to gain admission to universities like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UVA, Pomona, and more. She has supported both US and international students, as well as first-gen students. Isamar’s personalized, empathetic, and strategic approach ensures that your unique strengths and experiences shine through in your application. Her goal is for you to feel that you are applying as your best self, no matter where you’re applying. Isamar is a proud first-generation college graduate with a BA and EdM from Harvard, and an MBA from Oxford.

What Not to Include in the Additional Info Essay

Avoid the most common mistakes on the "additional information" essay, including using it as a third personal statement, making excuses for poor grades, or simply repeating information found elsewhere in your application.

The Interview: What Not to Do

Avoid the most common mistakes in your interviews, from poor body language to unprepared answers, to make a lasting and positive impression on your interviewer.

Optimizing for Success

Learn how to optimize your application for success with strategies for showcasing your unique strengths, crafting a memorable narrative, and making the best possible impression on admissions officers.

Letter of Continued Interest: How to Submit

Learn how to write and submit a compelling Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to a college after being deferred or waitlisted, including what to include, common mistakes to avoid, and where to send it.

Key Interview Question Styles

An in-depth guide to the different styles of interview questions, with tips on how to identify them and craft effective, tailored responses for each.

"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.

The Stanford Essays That Got Me Accepted

A deep dive into the essays that earned a spot at Stanford. Learn how to craft a compelling narrative that stands out to admissions committees.

"Why BYU?" Example Essay - Camp Experience

An essay responding to the prompt about why the student wants to learn at BYU, connecting a transformative camp experience to the university's spiritually strengthening environment.

"Tell Me About a Time...": Situational Question Guide

A comprehensive guide to answering behavioral and situational interview questions with the STAR method, with examples and tips for crafting compelling stories.

How to Ask the Interviewer the Right Questions

Learn how to ask strategic, insightful questions during your interview that demonstrate your interest and help you determine if the company is the right fit for you.

Additional Info Application Example: Turning Your Passions into a Resume

Learn how to transform your passions and accomplishments into a powerful 'additional information' document that makes your application unforgettable.

Example Activity List: Honors That Land Admissions

Learn how to showcase your extracurriculars and honors to build a compelling activity list that stands out to top admissions committees.

Ask Me Anything with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional. Note: Feel free to ask about any college admissions topic, regardless of your target school. This AMA is not exclusively focused on Stanford admissions.

Ask. Me. Anything. AMA with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional.

Ask Me Anything with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional.

BYU "Significant Needs in the Community" Example Essay - Coaching

An essay responding to the BYU application prompt about significant needs in the community, detailing how the student coached a youth basketball team to help improve local sports.