Stanford University Admit: Deferred Essay Examples
Read the deferred essay responses that got me into Stanford based on the 2024 prompts.


College Workshop: Three-Month Application Plan to Land Your Early Decision School
Are you a high school student aiming to apply Early Decision (ED) to your top-choice U.S. university? Join Kevin P. for an interactive session that lays out a focused three‑month plan—from now to the Nov 1–15 deadlines—so you can craft a standout ED application on time and with confidence.With over a decade of experience supporting students across the world, he will guide you through the essentials—from weekly milestones and essay drafting to coordinating recommendations, understanding ED’s binding and financial implications, polishing your activities list, and building a smart backup plan for EA/RD. Topics include: 90‑day ED timeline and task checklist (mid‑Aug → Nov 1–15): essays, supplements, testing, recommenders, and school documents Standing out fast: personal statement and “Why Us?” strategy, activities impact, and recommendation packets Readiness and backup: score strategy, financial/aid planning for ED, portal tracking, and an EA/RD contingency if ED doesn’t land


Video Walkthrough: GMAT Data Sufficiency
Comprehensive video walkthrough of examples for GMAT Data Sufficiency questions

3 Tricky GRE Quant Questions
Example of 3 tricky quantitative GRE questions

The Smart Outreach Guide: Questions to Ask MBA Alumni and Students
Guide to help users make the most out of outreach to alumni and current students of their desired program


DIY Your Stand-Out Summer Program or Project that Colleges Notice
Can't afford fancy summer programs? Didn’t get around to applying to summer programs? No problem! Create a summer experience that turns heads in admissions offices ands fuels your personal interests. This workshop reveals how to design and execute impressive self-directed summer projects that both strengthen college applications and deepen your unique interests. Learn how to transform curiosity into meaningful action without expensive programs. Perfect for ambitious high schoolers seeking authentic growth opportunities that naturally translate to applications that shine.


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.


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. 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 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.


Unlock Your Story: Writing a Powerful BYU Essay #4
Essay #4 is one of the most important—and most personal—parts of the BYU application. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform your experiences, values, and aspirations into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions officers. We’ll cover what BYU is really looking for in this essay, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical strategies to make your writing authentic, memorable, and powerful. The session will be led by Darla T., a Leland coach with extensive experience guiding students through competitive admissions processes. She’ll share frameworks and actionable tips to help you unlock your story and approach Essay #4 with confidence.


Blank Page to Clear Outline: Get Unstuck on Your Personal Essay
Feeling stuck on your personal essay? You're not alone. Trust, you are not the only senior who keeps putting off writing their application essay. You're sure you'll be able to finish once you start. You just need to put something - anything - on the page, but going from 0 to 1 feels harder than going from 1 to 100. And advice like "just start!", "show who you are," "brainstorm some ideas," isn't working, right? Join Isamar V., a former Stanford admissions officer and college application coach, in this workshop where she will guide you as you complete 3 exercises to go from a blank page to a clear essay outline in 1 hour. Get your pen and paper (or laptop) ready because this isn't just a lecture. You are going to put in the work in this workshop. If you have no idea what you want to write about --> You'll leave with several ideas, topics, and stories to choose from If you have an idea or story but don't know if it's good --> You'll leave with personal reflections to make it good If you have a story that you're excited about, but just haven't sat down to write --> You'll leave with an outline If you already have an outline, but just no written draft --> You'll have a dedicated hour to write You'll also get some tips for how to go from outline to a first written draft. Whether you're just starting or need a fresh perspective, the goal for you is to feel unstuck and excited to write your story.


Cracking the Common App: A College Admissions Panel
The Common App can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. Join this session with Isamar V., former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford University, and Raina M., a Cornell University student. We’ll break down key parts of the application, offer guidance on how to approach each section strategically, and share insights to help your application stand out. From personal statements to activity lists and supplemental essays, this panel will offer practical tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and advice to help you move forward with confidence, wherever you are in the process.


GMAT or GRE: Which Test to Choose and How to Decide
GMAT vs GRE - which test to choose and how to decide

The Amy Approach: A Real Talk Guide to Picking the Right College
A step-by-step guide to picking the right college.


From Strong to Unforgettable: Crafting Essays That Break Into the Ivies
Applying to college can feel overwhelming—but with the right strategy, your application can truly stand out. In this workshop, Abigail L.—a Harvard-educated admissions consultant who has guided 600+ students to top schools including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT—will share what sets successful applicants apart.


FAFSA 101
Leland is excited to partner with CareerVillage to host this free event on navigating FAFSA! Paying for college or graduate school starts with understanding financial aid—and that means knowing how to navigate the FAFSA. In this session, Leland coach Loubna B., who has years of experience guiding students through competitive admissions and funding opportunities, will walk you through the FAFSA process step by step. You’ll learn how to complete the application accurately, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your FAFSA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your financial aid journey.

Stanford Accepted Personal Statement: Crafting a Story of Identity
A deep dive into a powerful personal statement. Learn to craft a unique, compelling narrative from your own life experiences to stand out to admissions.

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.

UC Essay Examples
A deep dive into the essays that earned a spot at a top UC school. Learn how to craft a compelling narrative that stands out to admissions committees.
