Hello

I’m Julie Leff, founder of Leff Premed Advising. I help premedical students—and their families—build strong, authentic applications with clear timelines, thoughtful strategy, and supportive coaching. My background in engineering and project management keeps our process organized; my years mentoring students keep it personal.

My Story

Supporting students toward medical school grew out of my own family’s journey. After helping my older daughter navigate a complex premed path, I began advising other students who wanted a thoughtful, organized plan and honest feedback. That work became Leff Premed Advising, a boutique practice where students work directly with me (and, when helpful, trusted collaborators) rather than a rotating team.

What I bring

Clear timelines, organized trackers, and actionable next steps
Strategic guidance on clinical training, experiences, service, and school fit
Coaching on personal statement, activities, and secondaries while preserving the student’s voice
Interview preparation (traditional and MMI) and ongoing accountability

I earned my engineering degree from Purdue University and an MBA from the University of Dayton. I am also a member of the National Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (NAAHP), a professional organization that supports high-quality pre-health advising. I live in Columbus, Ohio with my husband, John (a physician). Our younger daughter is a senior at Washington University in St. Louis studying business.

Let’s get started
Whether you’re mapping out your first premed semesters or polishing a ready-to-submit application, I’d love to help you move forward with clarity and confidence.

Meet the Team

Writing Consultant

Sue Afsari

Sue brings a decade of medical school admissions strategy and writing expertise to elevate your application. Working with the Leff team, Sue’s goal is to make you shine through your personal statement and secondary essays. She'll help you frame your essays with a strong hook, a thoughtful tone, and heartfelt themes. A great essay package will convey your passion for medicine and, most importantly, land interviews.

With a degree in English and an MBA from the University of Michigan, plus 20 years of experience as a professional writer and strategist, Sue excels in helping you create application essays that captivate admissions committees. Your personal statement and secondary essays are more than just words—they are some of the most important differentiators in the medical school admissions process.

Physican Advisor

John Leff, MD, FACS

Dr. John Leff brings the insights of a practicing surgeon into our advising and interview process. As the General Surgery System Chief at Ohio Health since 2023, Dr. Leff has an extensive history of clinical leadership, including serving as the Surgery Chair at Riverside Methodist Hospital from 2019 to 2023, and as their General Surgery Chair from 2011 to 2019.

You’ll have the support of the entire Leff team as you prepare for your medical school interviews, which includes mastering the content, understanding the psychology behind the questions, and refining your delivery. Once you’re ready, Dr. Leff, along with our team of physicians and medical students will conduct mock interviews, leveraging their real-world experience to help you polish your responses.

Dr. Leff obtained his medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency in general surgery at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus.

Contact

I'm thrilled that you stopped by and I'm looking forward to hearing from you. Whether you have questions about our services or simply want to chat about premed advising, don't hesitate to reach out.

jdleff@leffpremedadvising.com