Leland+ for College

BYU "Falling Short" Example Essay - Mental Health

An essay responding to the BYU application prompt about a time efforts fell short, sharing a personal story about overcoming mental health struggles.

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."

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.

Stanford & MIT Essay: Learning Through Teaching

A National Honor Society student finds purpose and passion while teaching English—discovering the power of creativity, connection, and education.

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.

Why UChicago Essay – Economics, Research, and Community Engagement

A focused and well-researched supplemental essay outlining the applicant’s academic goals in development economics, interest in data analytics, and enthusiasm for UChicago’s research culture and civic-minded community.

UChicago Extended Essay – A Letter to a Bicycle and a Changing Neighborhood

A creative response to UChicago’s choose-your-own prompt, written as a heartfelt letter to a shopkeeper’s bike, exploring themes of community, technology, and personal impact through storytelling.

Northwestern Personal Statement – Dualities, Debate, and Discovery

A vivid reflection on navigating identity, politics, and academics through the lens of contradiction—where a mixed cultural background, love for both precision and ambiguity, and intellectual curiosity shape a unique worldview.

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.