Leland+ for Master’s Programs

How to Choose the Right International Career Move [6/10/2026] (Recording)

If you're considering a move abroad, a degree in another country, or a pivot into a more international career, the hardest part is often not ambition: it's choosing well. A lot of smart professionals get stuck between several “good” options: stay where you are and keep building, go abroad for a master's, switch markets, accept a less obvious opportunity that may open bigger doors later, or wait for a clearer path. This webinar is designed to help you think through those decisions more strategically. In this session, we'll look at how to evaluate an international move in a way that goes beyond excitement, fear, or generic expat advice. We’ll cover how to weigh career upside against cost, visa realities, employability, timing, and quality of life, and how to identify which option actually fits your long-term goals. In this webinar, you'll learn: - how to evaluate whether an international move is strategically worth it - when a degree abroad makes sense and when it probably doesn’t - how to compare countries, cities, and career markets more realistically - what people often underestimate about visas, employability, and timing - how to choose between a safer path and a more ambitious one - how to make a move that is not just exciting, but coherent By the end of the session, you’ll leave with: - a clearer framework for evaluating your next international career step - better questions to ask before committing time, money, or energy - a more realistic understanding of what makes a move viable - more clarity on whether your best next step is to relocate, study, stay put, or reposition first This webinar is for professionals who are: - considering relocating for work - debating whether to pursue a master’s or MBA abroad - trying to break into a new international market - weighing multiple career paths across countries - looking for a more strategic way to plan a global career move Whether you're early in the process or already deciding between specific options, this session will help you think more clearly and move forward with a stronger strategy.

Nailing the CBS MBA Essays w/ New 2026 Tips! [8/4/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle the Columbia Business School MBA essays with confidence? Join me, Melanie, for an exclusive session where we'll dive into the latest tips for the 2026 application cycle. With my background as an MBA Admissions Interviewer at CBS and an MBA alum from both Columbia Business School, I have the insights you need to craft compelling essays that stand out. In this session, we'll cover proven, actionable strategies specific to each of Columbia's essays. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or a dual degree program, this event is designed to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you on your journey to CBS!

Public Policy / Government in the Era of AI Disruption [6/9/2026] (Recording)

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how governments operate, how policy is designed, and what future public leaders will be expected to navigate. From regulatory challenges and workforce disruption to national competitiveness and public sector modernization, policymakers must be prepared to lead through rapid technological change. This session will explore how AI is transforming the public sector and how applicants to top policy and government programs can position themselves as future-ready leaders in this evolving environment.

Cómo posicionarte para una búsqueda de empleo internacional [6/22/2026] (Recording)

Buscar trabajo en un contexto internacional no consiste solo en traducir tu CV al inglés o postular a más ofertas. Muchas veces, el verdadero problema es otro: tienes experiencia, capacidades y criterio, pero tu perfil no se entiende con claridad fuera de tu mercado, tu sector o tu país. En este webinar veremos cómo posicionarte mejor para oportunidades internacionales, para que tu experiencia tenga más sentido para recruiters, hiring managers y programas en entornos globales. Hablaremos de cómo presentar tu trayectoria de forma más clara, cómo destacar lo que realmente importa y cómo construir una narrativa profesional que resulte creíble, relevante y competitiva. En este webinar aprenderás a: - entender por qué un perfil sólido puede perder fuerza en un proceso internacional - identificar qué partes de tu experiencia no se están traduciendo bien fuera de tu contexto local - presentar tu trayectoria de una manera más clara, estratégica y atractiva - construir un perfil que conecte mejor con empleadores internacionales - mejorar la forma en que explicas tu experiencia en tu CV, LinkedIn y entrevistas - evitar errores comunes al postular a oportunidades globales Al final de la sesión, saldrás con: - una idea más clara de cómo posicionar tu perfil para el mercado internacional - un mejor marco para explicar tu experiencia y tus fortalezas - más claridad sobre qué cambiar en tu CV, LinkedIn y narrativa profesional - una forma más estratégica de presentarte para oportunidades fuera de tu país o sector actual Este webinar es para profesionales que: - quieren acceder a empleos en empresas internacionales o en otro país - están intentando reorientar su perfil hacia un mercado más global - sienten que su experiencia tiene valor, pero no está “aterrizando” bien en procesos internacionales - quieren presentarse con más claridad, confianza y estrategia - están aplicando a roles globales, programas internacionales o posiciones en inglés Tanto si estás empezando tu búsqueda como si ya llevas tiempo postulando sin conseguir la respuesta que esperabas, esta sesión te ayudará a entender cómo hacer que tu perfil sea más claro, más legible y más competitivo en un contexto internacional.

Admissions Insights Part 2: Are You Quant Enough? [7/13/2026] (Recording)

Are you quant enough to get into a top MFE program? This is Part 2 of my 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 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!

Nailing the CBS MBA Essays w/ New 2026 Tips! [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle the Columbia Business School MBA essays with confidence? Join me, Melanie, for an exclusive session where we'll dive into the latest tips for the 2026 application cycle. With my background as an MBA Admissions Interviewer at CBS and an MBA alum from both Columbia Business School, I have the insights you need to craft compelling essays that stand out. In this session, we'll cover proven, actionable strategies specific to each of Columbia's essays. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or a dual degree program, this event is designed to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you on your journey to CBS!

Before You Apply: The Foundation Every First-Time Graduate Applicant Needs [6/25/2026] (Recording)

You already have everything you need to apply to graduate school. What most first-time applicants are missing aren’t stronger credentials, a more impressive resume, or more time. It's actually the inner work — a clear, grounded foundation that addresses the most important questions in the graduate application process: 🔍 What do you actually want? 🔍 Why is graduate school the right next step? 🔍 And what are you passionate about? Without that foundation, even the most qualified applicants jump straight into researching programs and drafting essays, trying to sound impressive instead of sounding authentic. The result is an application that's technically fine, but not very compelling. Most graduate applicants write from the pressure to sound impressive. In trying to present a version of themselves they think admissions wants to see, they lose what makes them unique. Without a clear foundation, every draft, every decision— will be met with self-doubt and more confusion. This session is about taking a different approach. No outside noise. No external pressure. In this masterclass, you’ll learn how to slow down long enough to find what's actually true about your story: what you want, why it matters, and where you’re headed. You’ll learn how to say it in a way that actually sounds like you, not a performed version of you trying to meet expectations. After the session, you'll walk away with more clarity on your direction, more confidence in your story, how to identify the core themes in your narrative, and a foundation for an application that feels intentional, grounded, and real. In a sea of overly polished applications that all sound the same, authenticity will set you apart. By end of this masterclass, you’ll walk away with: ✨ A clear sense of whether graduate school is the right next step and why 💡 An understanding of what you’re actually looking for in a program beyond rankings and prestige 🌱 The foundation of your narrative — the story that already exists that your application should tell 📋 A simple framework for making decisions with intention and clarity

MBA Personal Statement Strategy: Crafting a Compelling Personal Narrative [8/13/2026] (Recording)

MBA applications often include at least one essay prompting applicants to describe themselves and their personal stories through experiences that go beyond the applicant's resume, forcing the applicant to be introspective and reflect on different aspects of their personal, professional, and academic lives. If these essay prompts are not blatantly identified as personal statement prompts, how can we identify them? Additionally, since we all have so many personal stories that define different aspects of our identities and lives, how do you choose the right stories to tell the admissions committee? Furthermore, how do you keep these deeply personal stories limited to within the confines of strict word limits? And how do you ensure that these stories complement the rest of your application? Walk through solutions to these important questions and more with me during this livestream focused exclusively on drafting stronger personal statements. After the livestream concludes, participants will have acquired actionable strategies to take their stories from raw ideas to polished personal statements that will clearly and emphatically express to admissions committees why you are an ideal candidate.

How I got into a dual program at Harvard and MIT [9/7/2026] (Recording)

How did I manage to be admitted into two of the best schools in the country - and into a dual degree program where I am attending both? Join me before MBA week kickoff for a session where I break down exactly what I did to be admitted to Harvard, MIT, and other M7 / top schools.

The International Applicant’s MBA Blueprint [7/21/2026] (Recording)

Applying to a U.S. MBA program as an international candidate presents both unique opportunities and unique challenges. While international applicants bring valuable global perspectives, cross-cultural experiences, and diverse professional backgrounds, they also face a highly competitive admissions environment and must effectively translate their experiences to a U.S.-based audience. The most successful international applicants do more than present impressive credentials. They demonstrate leadership, articulate a compelling career vision, and clearly communicate how their experiences, goals, and perspectives will contribute to the MBA community. This workshop explores how international candidates can navigate the admissions process strategically, build a compelling application narrative, and identify programs that align with their professional ambitions. By the end of this session, you will be able to: * Understand how U.S. MBA admissions committees evaluate international candidates. * Identify the key factors that distinguish successful international applicants. * Translate your professional accomplishments into language and examples that resonate with U.S. admissions readers. * Craft a career vision that connects your pre-MBA experience, MBA goals, and long-term aspirations. * Understand how academic performance, test scores, and professional experience are evaluated in an international context. * Avoid common mistakes international applicants make in essays, resumes, interviews, and recommendations. * Leave with a practical roadmap for strengthening your candidacy and maximizing your chances of admission.

Navigating Dual/Concurrent Degrees: MBA + Policy, Education, and STEM [6/11/2026] (Recording)

For some applicants, a traditional MBA is not the only path. Joint and concurrent degree programs can offer powerful ways to build interdisciplinary expertise, but they require careful strategic consideration. This session will explore when pairing an MBA with another graduate degree makes sense, how to evaluate program structures and tradeoffs, and how to determine whether a dual-degree path aligns with your long-term goals. Attendees will also learn how admissions committees assess dual-degree applicants and what makes for a compelling rationale.

Statement of Purpose Dos and Don'ts for STEM Masters & PhDs [8/6/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to position your research background and technical experience as a narrative rather than a list of credentials. We'll cover the structural mistakes that consistently weaken STEM statements of purpose, how to frame your "why this program" section with specificity that admissions committees actually respond to, and what distinguishes a compelling research fit statement from a generic one. Attending live means you can bring your specific situation, whether you're writing for a thesis-based PhD or a professional master's, and get a direct answer rather than general advice. This coach works with STEM applicants daily and will share the patterns that separate the statements that move applications forward from the ones that don't.