College Admissions Consultants, Events, & Resources

Hello! I've gone through the application process for getting into school 4 times in the past decades. I've earned degrees from Stanford University (BS), Georgia Institute of Technology (MS), and Harvard University (MBA and MS). I especially enjoy writing and editing essays; I had my undergraduate essay for Stanford featured in a book titled "50 successful Stanford Application Essays : Write Your Way Into the College of your Choice", was a finalist for the Boothe Prize for Excellence in Freshman Writing, and scored in the 99% percentile for verbal reasoning on both the GMAT and SAT. I've also had the honor and privilege of serving as an Admissions Interview Volunteer for my alma mater for a few years. As a result of all of this experience, I believe that I have a deep understanding of the college admissions process and what it takes to get into a great university. I have a track record of helping students achieve their goals, whether it's through mentoring programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters or facilitating workshops with organizations like /dev/color. I've had experience as a teaching assistant at Stanford and done research work in graduate education so I have a unique perspective on the challenges students face and how to overcome them. Let's work together to create a personalized plan that will set you up for success.

Shayna is published in the University of Pennsylvania's Undergraduate Admissions blog 💥 ✔️ Guest collab with UPenn's longtime Dean of Admissions, Eric Furda, on an article advising applicants about best essay practices. ✔️ UPenn alum - Go Quakers! - Currently serving on the Penn Libraries' Young Alumni Board AND as an alumni interviewer for the undergraduate admissions office. ✔️ Northwestern Law alum - Editor of the Journal of Law and Social Policy; Research Assistant; Published academic article on federal and state legislation re: school meals. ✔️ Lawyer admitted in the state of New York - I read, write, and edit all day long. ✔️ Moral Support - can provide references! Virtual cheerleading and hand-holding available upon request.

The way we are taught to write in school is wrong. You know the style—boring, wordy, and utterly forgettable! It takes hours to write, and the end product is gray wallpaper, which lacks story and blends in to every other essay. That won't get you where you want to go...unless as an academic you're publishing in a scientific journal that no one will ever read. I am a highly trained writer. I graduated in PR/Journalism, was named #1 senior in Journalism, and was a writer for 2 years for PR and Marketing departments through school. My writing helped me secure scholarships, internships, and a job for one of the largest PR agencies in the world. I thought I knew how to write. I was wrong. Years later, I was Global Brand Manager at P&G leading a $2B brand. In this $85B company, multi-million dollar decisions were made based on written one-pagers. Clear and compelling writing was vital. They taught, "Writing = Thinking. If you can't write clearly, you haven't thought clearly." I learned how to write for impact and do it in a fraction of the time. If you are applying for college admission, a specific program, or internship, I can help you to nail the writing, stand out, and secure your place.

Welcome to my profile! I'm a recent Boston College grad ('24), majoring in management with concentrations in Accounting & Finance. Having recently navigated the college admissions process, I'm very familiar with what's required to write strong essays (common app + supplementals), choose and prepare the right recommenders, and to help you submit compelling applications to top business / liberal arts programs. I'm also well-equipped to work with younger high school students in developing their profile as young leaders - I served as my high school's student body president and captained three varsity sports in my junior and senior years. Whether you're looking to build your overall profile or polish your applications to top schools, I'm here to help!

Applied to and was admitted to several UC and Ivy League schools during my undergraduate application process in 2019. I ultimately attended a local state school due to receiving a full scholarship and wanting to live locally. Before graduating from my undergraduate university, I again received admission to top graduate programs at schools such as UPenn, MIT, and Yale. I have had experience coaching/tutoring friends and family for years and love helping others through the platform Leland has built! Feel free to reach out with questions or for an intro call anytime. I also coach for deferred MBA admissions and management consulting on Leland. Have worked with dozens of admits into HSW, other ivies, top public schools, and top international schools. 2026 Top Coach: https://start.joinleland.com/top-coach-2026/college

I have a unique blend of experience and skills that make me a very strong admissions consultant. First, I have spent over 20 years in various senior management roles in marketing, product marketing and business development giving me a strong set of marketing and branding skills that are essential for any candidate to stand out. Second, I am a very strong writer and had publications published in various journals. That allows me to help applicants craft a strong, unique, differentiated and very well written story across all of the applications. Third, as a graduate of top schools such as Northwestern and Stanford I have had personal success in getting into top institutions and can speak from experience not just theory. I have also been an undergraduate admissions interviewer for Stanford admissions for 5 years, gaining valuable admissions qualifications experience. Finally I am very customer focused and task driven and always give a 100% effort to make sure my clients get the best results.

I’ve helped dozens of applicants get into BYU with an almost 100% success rate, and I know what it takes to turn a good application into a great one, especially for students who don’t fit the traditional mold. As a published author and Duke MBA graduate, I specialize in storytelling and strategic positioning, helping applicants connect the dots in their experiences and craft compelling, authentic essays that grab the attention of admissions committees. I’m especially passionate about working with nontraditional and underdog applicants, those who may not have the “perfect” background on paper but have incredible stories to tell. I take the time to really understand each applicant’s background, aspirations, and strengths, so we can present their best and most authentic case for admission. I was also admitted into BYU's highly competitive nursing program and received my MBA in healthcare management, so I also have a unique perspective and ability to help aspiring healthcare applicants find ways to tell their stories. If you're trying to get into nursing, medicine, surgery, research, or any other field in healthcare, please reach out!

Hi! I'm Grant Russell, a senior HR leader and certified coach with a passion for helping people grow personally and professionally. I'm also a husband and proud dad to two young boys, which are my greatest source of joy and growth. For fun, I enjoy doing pretty much anything outside, especially if there are big trees, mountains, or bodies of water nearby! I'm also a big fan of LEGO and Survivor. I live in beautiful Provo, Utah. I hold a master's degree in Learning and Organizational Change from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in Business Management from Brigham Young University. I spent 10 years at Google, helping transform and lead many of the company's talent and leadership development programs. I accelerated learning and performance for thousands of employees at scale and instituted cultural practices to spur novel innovations like self-driving cars. I also coached over 100 colleagues in 1:1 career coaching sessions, helping them navigate transitions, overcome limiting beliefs, define values, clarify vision, and more. It was an exhilarating and rewarding ride. After a decade focused exclusively on growing individuals internally at Google, I’ve shifted my focus to help individuals thrive in their career regardless of where they work. The essence of my coaching is to empower growth, self-awareness, and self-belief in people like you! My background in psychology, adult development, business, and technology comes together in a unique way to help you make progress. Through proven, structured prompts, we’ll partner to reflect on your work and life experiences to identify what's worked (and why) and find ways to build on and harness your unique strengths. When necessary, we'll identify and reframe your limiting beliefs and develop new ways of thinking you can try in the future. You'll craft a powerful personal narrative so you can build a career that truly resonates with your values and goals. I also use the latest AI tools to supplement my human coaching. I deeply believe that with the right mindset and resources, you can overcome anything! My life experiences have taught me how to overcome significant challenges. In fact, my hardest obstacles have become my greatest learning opportunities. For example, shortly after we started dating, my (now) wife was diagnosed with a chronic medical condition. As a result, I now carry the bulk of our daily household chores and parenting responsibilities, on top of my full-time day job and coaching passion project. This has forged an incredible bond with my kids and a deep appreciation for life, health, and well-being. I have chosen optimism and resilience rather than defeat. I bring this same grit and positive thinking to my coaching practice. I’m passionate about creating a space where you can bring your whole self. My commitment to you is that I will do everything I can to help you make progress and find what you're looking for. My services: -> Career Coaching: Tailored sessions to help you land a new role or promotion, switch industries, or find a new direction. -> Leadership Coaching: Tailored sessions to help you build leadership skills (e.g. executive presence, communication), identify your blind spots, or assimilate to a new senior role.

Hi, this is Shawn! I graduated from the McCombs School of Business at UT Austin with my Bachelor’s degree in Canfield Business Honors & Finance. Having gained admission to top business schools like UPenn (Wharton), UT Austin (McCombs), UC Berkeley (Haas), and USC Marshall, I know firsthand what it takes to stand out. Over the years, I've successfully coached peers and students, helping them secure spots at prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Duke, UPenn, UC Berkeley, UT Austin, Northwestern, University of Chicago, and Rice University. I can help with school selection, resume review, essay and application support, interview preparation (including mock case & behavioral interviews), and any other part of your application you may need support in. I enjoy helping applicants highlight their strengths and passions through effective storytelling and setting them up for success in the interview process. I am here to help you reflect deeply on your experiences and guide you in the competitive college admissions process. Some of my qualifications include the following: - Received offers from Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Deloitte Consulting - Reviewed and provided personalized feedback for 150+ college application essays - Conducted 75+ mock behavioral interviews and revised 120+ resumes for candidates applying to top-tier undergrad institutions and M7 MBA schools - Coached 60+ people on breaking into management consulting and investment banking from business school with most receiving top offers at McKinsey, BCG, Monitor Deloitte, Strategy&, Accenture, Oliver Wyman, Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and more!

Hi! I’m Lulu, a Cornell University graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Applied Economics and Management, and currently an Associate at BlackRock. With a strong academic foundation and professional experience at a leading firm, I bring a wealth of knowledge to my coaching. Over the past five years, I have successfully guided numerous students through the college admissions process, helping them craft compelling applications that showcase their unique strengths. As part of my personalized approach, I take the time to understand each client as an individual—getting to know your interests, passions, and goals. This enables us to craft a cohesive narrative throughout your application that authentically represents you.The process is collaborative, and I view it as a true partnership where we work together to create a compelling story.