Leland+ for MBA

Strategizing MBA Options for Experienced Candidates (EMBA Focus)

A resource for mid-career professionals exploring Executive MBA programs, with guidance on timing, program fit, and aligning your MBA choice with long-term leadership goals.

Ace Your Interview!

A high-level guide to interview preparation, offering tips on confidence, structure, and storytelling to help you make a strong impression across MBA or job interviews.

Why Stanford For You - Mental Health Focus

Check out a top-flight Why GSB essay from a successful 2024 MBA applicant with a vision for mental health

MBA Resume: 3 Tips for Success

Craft an MBA resume that gets noticed. We break down three essential tips to help you highlight your experience and land an interview.

Intangibles

It's all about the hustle. We break down the "intangible" factors that can set your MBA application apart and help you get accepted.

Kellogg Interview Tips

Get into Kellogg! Learn what to expect, common questions, and how to impress the admissions committee with a guide to key strategies and expert tips.

MBA Resume: Community Service & Leadership

Learn how to showcase your community service and leadership experience on your MBA resume to make a lasting impression on the admissions committee.

Fuqua School of Business: 25 Random Things Example Essay From An Admitted Applicant

Explore a unique "25 Random Things" essay from an admitted Fuqua applicant, revealing personality beyond the resume.

Ultimate MBA Networking Template Guide

A complete set of customizable email and LinkedIn templates for every stage of MBA networking—from cold outreach to post-interview follow-ups and status updates.

Differentiate Your MBA Application: The Power of Deep School Research

How thorough school research can elevate your essays, interviews, and overall application strategy.

HBS Example Essay – Breaking Cycles and Building Opportunity

A powerful reflection on overcoming systemic inequality, founding a nonprofit, and using impact investing to drive change for underrepresented communities.

NYU Stern Example – Activities and Achievements List

A sample of curated extracurriculars and accomplishments designed to strengthen an MBA application by showcasing leadership, initiative, and impact.

Chicago Booth Interview Guide

Get interview-ready with expert strategies, sample questions, and insights to shine in your Booth interview.

(Jun. 2024) Former AdCom Evaluates an MBA Application

An insider session where a former admissions committee member walks through a real or simulated MBA application, sharing evaluation criteria, red flags, and tips to strengthen your materials.

GMAT/GRE Behind the Curtain: What are they really testing?

A deep dive into the purpose behind each section of the GMAT and GRE, uncovering the core skills schools care about—and how to align your prep accordingly.

5 Tips for MBA Applicants from a Former Stanford Admissions Director

Insider advice on how to strengthen your MBA application—from storytelling and school fit to strategic positioning—straight from a former GSB gatekeeper.

Manage Your MBA Application Stress

As someone who works closely with dozens of MBA applicants every year, one of the biggest differentiators among successful candidates is their ability to manage anxiety from multiple angles. Recommender hasn't gotten back in two weeks? Not sure where to begin on essays? Have to take the GRE or GMAT again after a tough score? Read something on Reddit that made you feel you're destined for rejection? It's a lot. Tons of moving parts, some not entirely within your control. From start to finish, I've seen candidates struggle with everything from sleep to self-worth. But that doesn't have to be you. Taking on the part-time job of MBA applications doesn't mean you have to sacrifice your well-being. This is where functional research and getting a grip on our health can make a world of a difference. Partnering with Rachel—a Certified Health Coach and nutrition expert—to tackle my own health has given me a deeper understanding of how my body works, and how to make good choices. After we speak to the sources of our stress, Rachel will walk us through some key physical and behavioral signs we should be aware of, and targeted strategies to keeping you healthy during (and likely long after) your MBA apps are in. We're hoping to build this event into a long-term series, so this should be the first of many. Look forward to de-stressing with you, and hopefully having some fun too.

How to Approach the GSB 'What Matters Most' Essay

The Stanford GSB “What matters most to you, and why?” essay is one of the most challenging—and important—prompts in MBA admissions. In this session, you’ll learn how to break down the question, uncover the deeper themes in your own story, and craft a response that is authentic, personal, and compelling. ​Led by Andy P., a Leland coach who has guided countless applicants to top MBA programs, this workshop will give you practical strategies, real examples, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re just starting your first draft or refining your narrative, you’ll leave with a clearer framework to tackle this iconic essay with confidence.

Getting Into a Top MBA Program: Strategies for Success

An overview session covering key tactics for building a standout MBA application—from defining your story and choosing schools to optimizing each component for maximum impact.