Leland+ for Master’s Programs

Sample Harvard MPH Global Health: Statement of Purpose

Learn from a successful statement of purpose for the Harvard MPH in Global Health program and discover how to write a compelling personal essay.

Crafting a Resume That Wins Fletcher School Admissions

See the actual resume that got one student accepted into The Fletcher School at Tufts University.

Personal Statements: A Guide to Getting Started

In this quick guide, you'll find top tips and guidelines on how to get started writing your personal statements for your graduate school applications.

How to Stand Out in the Schwarzman Scholars Application [8/16/2026] (Recording)

The Schwarzman Scholars program attracts exceptional applicants from around the world, making a thoughtful application strategy essential. This session is for anyone planning to apply who wants to understand what distinguishes successful candidates and how to present their experiences in the strongest possible light. You'll learn what the selection committee values most, the common mistakes applicants make, and practical ways to strengthen every part of your application. Join live to hear from two Schwarzman Scholars who have successfully navigated the highly competitive admissions process. They'll share firsthand insights into crafting a compelling application, preparing for interviews, and showcasing the leadership, academic excellence, and global perspective that the program looks for. Expect actionable advice and the opportunity to get your questions answered live.

Avoiding Hard Algebra [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Many GMAT quant questions look harder than they actually are, and top scorers often solve them without heavy algebra at all. This session is for test takers who want faster, more efficient ways to approach quantitative problems under time pressure. You’ll learn how to recognize opportunities to simplify questions, apply strategic shortcuts, and avoid the slow calculations that commonly trap candidates on test day. Join live to work through problems in real time and see how a 790 scorer approaches the GMAT efficiently. The speaker is an experienced GMAT coach who regularly helps students improve both speed and accuracy on the quant section. They’ll share the patterns they see across high scorers and the kinds of strategies typically covered in focused 1:1 prep sessions.

Crafting a Standout Personal Statement for Master’s Programs [6/25/2026] (Recording)

Writing a personal statement for master’s programs can feel difficult when you’re trying to balance your experiences, goals, and qualifications into a story that feels both authentic and compelling. This session is designed for applicants who want to understand what separates a solid personal statement from one that leaves a lasting impression on admissions readers. You’ll learn how to structure your narrative, connect your experiences to your future goals, and avoid common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications. Attending live gives you the chance to ask questions about your own essay ideas and get real-time feedback on challenges you’re facing in the writing process. The speaker works closely with applicants and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with what they look for when evaluating personal statements in practice. If you want a clearer framework for approaching your essays, it’s worth joining live.

AMA: Prepare NOW for Admissions This Fall - MFE & STEM Master's [6/5/2026] (Recording)

Thinking about an MFE, MSCS, Data Science, Analytics, or other STEM master’s program? Join this AMA for honest advice on admissions, competitiveness, recruiting, career outcomes, and whether a program is actually worth it. We’ll cover: - School selection - Resume & profile positioning - Career changer applications - Essays & materials - Networking as part of your strategy Bring your questions — especially if you’re targeting Financial Engineering, quant finance, AI/ML, or technical career pivots.

How to Make a Big International Career Move Without Wrecking Your Momentum [7/11/2026] (Recording)

Most international moves are planned as logistical exercises of visas, postcodes, and shipping boxes. But for high-performing professionals, the real risk isn't the paperwork; it’s the loss of career momentum. Whether you are choosing between staying where you are, applying for a degree abroad, or making a direct leap into a new market, the stakes are high. In this session, we move beyond the "backpacking expat" advice. We will look at how to evaluate international opportunities through a strategic lens, ensuring your next move compounds your future rather than interrupting it. We’ll discuss the exact frameworks used with mid-career professionals and high-achieving students to choose between cities like Copenhagen, Vienna, or Sydney, and how to know when a degree is a bridge, and when it’s just expensive avoidance. By the end of this livestream, you will be able to: 1. Apply the 4-Part Decision Lens: Evaluate any move based on career upside, visa/work-right reality, ROI/financial runway, and emotional sustainability. 2. Audit Your Path: Determine whether a direct job search, a Master’s/MBA bridge, or a hybrid strategy is the most viable route for your specific career stage. 3. Identify Momentum Killers: Recognize the common mistakes (like over-researching or under-translating experience) that cause high-performers to stall during relocation. 4. Draft a Post-Move Narrative: Begin framing your move so it fits into a coherent professional story that international recruiters actually trust. Outcomes 1. A Clearer Go/No-Go Framework: A structured way to stop second-guessing your choice between staying or going. 2. A Bridge Audit: Clarity on whether that degree you're considering is actually necessary for your target market's visa and hiring rules. 3. The Translation Checklist: A list of what in your current background needs to be pruned or massaged to make sense to an employer in a different system.

Insider Tips for the Harvard Kennedy School App from Former AdCom [8/18/2026] (Recording)

Applying to Harvard Kennedy School requires more than simply demonstrating policy interest or public service commitment. This session will provide insider perspective on how the HKS admissions committee evaluates candidates, what distinguishes successful applicants, and the common mistakes that undermine otherwise strong profiles. Attendees will gain practical guidance on how to position their experiences, essays, and career vision to align with what HKS looks for in future public leaders.

Should You Go to Grad School? [8/22/2026] (Recording)

Are you contemplating whether grad school is the right path for you? Ask yourself these 5 questions first. Here, I'll share my personal experiences preparing for (and going through) grad school, what has worked (and hasn't) for my students, and my perspective as a former AdCom member of Carnegie Mellon University's MSCF program (the #3 financial engineering master's in the US). Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Choosing your international master's: a decision framework [8/24/2026] (Recording)

Choosing an international master’s is rarely just about the degree. It’s a decision about country, cost, career direction, lifestyle, and whether the move actually improves your life. For many candidates, the real challenge is not collecting information, it’s making a clear decision when the options all sound plausible and every path has trade-offs. *If you’d like your decision to be considered live during the session, please contact me in advance with a brief summary of your situation and the options you’re weighing.* In this livestream, I’ll walk through a practical framework for evaluating international master’s programs with more clarity and less anxiety. We’ll look at how to compare programs across factors like academic fit, location, finances, post-study opportunity, long-term career value, and personal context. The goal is to help you move beyond vague excitement or fear and toward a decision you can actually stand behind. By the end of the session, you’ll know how to: 1. Evaluate master’s options using a decision framework, not just instinct 2. Weigh academic, financial, and lifestyle trade-offs more realistically 3. Understand what really matters when choosing to study abroad 4. Avoid common mistakes people make when they choose based on prestige alone 5. Make a more confident decision about whether, where, and what to study This session is ideal for international applicants, career switchers, and professionals considering a master’s as a strategic next step. Focus: Decision-making, program comparison, career strategy, and study-abroad trade-offs Outcome: Leave with a clearer framework for choosing the right master’s for your goals and circumstances

Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Strong master essays are built through strategy and revision, not first drafts. In this live workshop, attendees will watch a real-time transformation of an underwhelming master essay into a far stronger and more compelling submission. Along the way, the session will unpack the strategic thinking behind each edit, illustrating how top applicants improve storytelling, structure, reflection, and differentiation throughout the drafting process.

Funding Your Future: Fellowships & Scholarships for Masters Programs [6/18/2026] (Recording)

The cost of graduate school can feel daunting, but many applicants overlook funding opportunities that can dramatically reduce the financial burden. This session is for prospective MBA and master’s students who want to better understand the world of fellowships, scholarships, and competitive funding programs. You’ll learn where to find high-impact opportunities, how successful applicants position themselves, and what scholarship committees are often looking for beyond academics alone. Join live to ask questions about your own funding goals and hear directly from a Gates Cambridge Scholar with deep expertise in competitive programs and scholarships. The speaker has firsthand experience navigating highly selective funding processes and will share the strategies, patterns, and application insights that can help you maximize your chances of securing support for graduate study.

Insider Tips for the Harvard Kennedy School App from Former AdCom [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Applying to Harvard Kennedy School requires more than simply demonstrating policy interest or public service commitment. This session will provide insider perspective on how the HKS admissions committee evaluates candidates, what distinguishes successful applicants, and the common mistakes that undermine otherwise strong profiles. Attendees will gain practical guidance on how to position their experiences, essays, and career vision to align with what HKS looks for in future public leaders.

Overwhelmed by Graduate School Applications? Bring All Your Questions: AMA [9/6/2026] (Recording)

Thinking about applying to an Ivy League or other top graduate program, and suddenly realizing you have A MILLION QUESTIONS? Where do I start? Which schools should I even be looking at? Am I competitive? Do I need to take the GRE? Who should write my recommendations? What am I supposed to say in my essays? Am I already behind? Bring all your questions. SERIOUSLY. This Ask Me Anything is for anyone considering graduate school who feels overwhelmed, confused, stuck, or just wants to talk the process through with someone who understands it. You do not need to have your school list figured out, and you do not need to have written a single word of an essay. As a Harvard Kennedy School alumna with admissions committee experience, I will answer your questions, help you make sense of the process, and help you figure out what actually deserves your attention right now. We can talk about: How to figure out which programs are right for you How to position your background (especially if it's unconventional or you're changing careers) Where to start if you haven't done anything yet What matters most in a strong application What admissions committees actually care about Your story: why this degree, why now Essays, recommendations, résumé, testing, and timelines What to prioritize first and what can wait Come as you are, with whatever is swirling around in your head. No polished application required. No perfect question required. Bring the messy questions, the half-formed ideas, the things you've been Googling at midnight, and the decisions you can't seem to make on your own. The goal is simple: leave feeling less overwhelmed, and much clearer about what to do next.

The Family Business MBA Blueprint [7/24/2026] (Recording)

Joining a family business can be both an extraordinary opportunity and a unique challenge. Future leaders are often expected to preserve what previous generations have built while simultaneously navigating changing markets, new technologies, evolving customer expectations, and increased competition. Whether you currently work in your family business or plan to join after business school, this workshop will explore how to position your family business background effectively throughout the MBA admissions process and maximize the value of an MBA experience. We’ll discuss how admissions committees evaluate applicants from family businesses, how to demonstrate impact and leadership beyond family affiliation, and how to build a compelling narrative around your long-term vision for the business. By the end of this session, you will be able to: * Understand how top MBA programs evaluate candidates from family business backgrounds. * Develop a compelling narrative that demonstrates leadership, ownership, and impact—not simply family affiliation. * Articulate a clear “Why MBA?” and “Why now?” rationale as a future family business leader. * Position your family business experience effectively in resumes, essays, interviews, and recommendations. * Leave with practical next steps for strengthening both your MBA candidacy and your long-term leadership potential.

Personal Statement Office Hours: Advice from an Oxford Grad [8/23/2026] (Recording)

Join Zuwena V., a Master's graduate from the University of Oxford and an expert admissions and writing coach, for live virtual office hours to tackle the hardest part of the application process. Bring your personal statement drafts, outlines, questions, or prompts for live feedback, advice, and guidance on your master's and undergraduate applications! Together, we'll cover structure, flow, fit, and how to tell your story for maximum impact. Drafts will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Spaces are limited; register now to save your spot!

Are You Quant Enough for a MFE? [9/7/2026] (Recording)

Are you quant enough to get into a top MFE program? I'll share my perspective as a former AdCom member of Carnegie Mellon University's MSCF program (the #3 financial engineering master's in the US). I'll also share what I've learned coaching clients who have gotten into quant finance programs at Stanford, Columbia, UChicago, Cornell, Duke, and NYU. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Admissions Insights Part 3: Build a Compelling Narrative for Grad School Apps [7/20/2026] (Recording)

What makes a compelling narrative for grad school applicants with non-traditional backgrounds? Join me as I break down some of my insights in is Part 3 of this Admissions Insider Series, where I share my perspective as a former AdCom member of Carnegie Mellon University's MSCF program (the #3 financial engineering master's in the US). I'll also share what I've learned coaching 500+ applicants to graduate programs, including students admitted to Stanford, Yale, Duke, Columbia, UChicago, Cornell, and others. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!