Leland+ for College

Ask Me Anything with Former Ivy League Admissions Reader + Journalist

What does it really take to get into an Ivy League? Watch questions being answered by a former admissions reader and journalist in this exclusive AMA!

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.

Stanford University Admit: Deferred Essay Examples

Read the deferred essay responses that got me into Stanford based on the 2024 prompts.

Awards & Honors: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful awards and honors list, with tips for showcasing your achievements and making a strong impression on admissions committees.

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 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.

BYU "Losing Track of Time" Example Essay - Avatar

An essay responding to the prompt about a topic so engaging it makes you lose track of time, focusing on the show "Avatar: The Last Airbender."

The Amy Approach: A Real Talk Guide to Picking the Right College

A step-by-step guide to picking the right college.

Extracurricular List 3: Example & Analysis

A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful extracurricular list, with tips for showcasing your impact and leadership in a community setting.

BYU Activities Example Essay - Leadership through United Sound

An essay responding to the BYU applicatino prompt about extracurricular activities, detailing participation in United Sound and how it developed leadership and communication skills.

UVA Choice Essay: Community with Quirks

This is a successful essay for an undergrad UVA applicant's choice essay about the quirks the applicant will bring to the community.

Stanford/MIT Essays: Examples & Analysis

An in-depth breakdown of successful application essays for Stanford and MIT, with a focus on what makes them compelling and how to apply those strategies to your own writing.

The Waitlist Strategy

A step-by-step guide on what to do after being waitlisted by a college, with strategies for writing a compelling Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) and maximizing your chances of admission.

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.

Honors List for the Common App [Prep Template]

Use the sheet (or the Google Sheets version) to draft your honors descriptions. Check your character count & list order before you paste to the app!

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.

The "Why?" Essay

A guide to mastering the "Why this school?" or "Why this major?" essay, with strategies for showcasing genuine interest, specific research, and a compelling connection between you and the institution.

What is an Extracurricular List?

An overview of the extracurricular list, explaining its purpose in the application process and how it is used to showcase your unique passions, skills, and personal growth outside of the classroom.

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.

Additional Info Essay 1: Example & Analysis

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