Leland+ for MBA
Popular on Leland+
Great Alternatives to the US for Grad School
For many applicants, top graduate programs outside the United States offer world-class education, strong career outcomes, and more accessible pathways to admission and visas. This session explores leading international destinations for grad school, how their application processes differ from the US, and what to consider when evaluating cost, career mobility, and long-term goals. You’ll leave with a clearer view of global options and practical guidance for building a competitive international application strategy.
Sample Consulting to MBA CV
Example of a CV from someone with Consulting experience for MBA applications.
One Month to Deadlines AMA: What do Admissions Officers Recommend?
You've been working hard for months now and the finish line is almost in sight. There is a lot of information out there, but you have burning questions that you want to ask Admissions Officers who have experience admitting applicants to every top business school around the world. Join Faisal and Christine! During this session, we'll cover all your questions in a live AMA ("Ask Me Anything") format. Everything from essays and application strategy to interviews and recommendations.
Stanford GSB Essay: ‘What Matters Most to You, and Why’ (Admitted)
The essay that got me into Stanford GSB. A clear, introspective response to “What matters most to you, and why,” centered on reflection about leadership under pressure, initiative, and building trust in uncertain environments.
M7 MBA Applications: How to Tell Your Story
Are you applying to an MBA program at a top business school? Then you already know your essays are the most important part of your application. In this session, we’ll break down why essays matter so much to admissions committees, what they reveal about you beyond your resume and transcript, and how to craft a narrative that sets you apart. From writing a compelling “Why MBA” essay to tackling the community essay with authenticity and confidence, this event will give you a clear, structured approach to presenting your best self. I’m Mihir, your guide for this event. As an admit to both Columbia Business School and Chicago Booth, I bring firsthand experience and insider knowledge to help you stand out in your applications. With a background in Biochemistry, English, Business, and Computer Science, and professional stints at Capital One and Moderna, I offer a well-rounded perspective on crafting compelling applications. I’m thrilled to co-host this session with Claire, a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and Stanford GSB alumna. Claire has mastered the case interview process and earned a full-time role at Bain & Company, later moving into private equity and venture capital, and most recently global brand strategy at Nike. Her story highlights how mentorship, grit, and openness to opportunity can completely transform a career trajectory. By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with concrete strategies for structuring your essays, a framework for telling your unique story, and examples that highlight what works—and what doesn’t. Whether you’re drafting your first outline or polishing your final version, this workshop is designed to help you approach every essay with confidence and clarity.
MBA Essays That Get You Admitted: Do’s and Don’ts from an M7 Expert
MBA essays are where strong candidates separate themselves, but many applicants struggle to turn their experiences into a clear and compelling story. This session is for MBA applicants who want to approach their essays with more strategy and confidence. You’ll learn what makes an essay memorable to admissions readers, common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong profiles, and how to structure your story so it aligns with what top programs are looking for.
Essays (3): Duke Fuqua MBA Admitted Army Veteran
These are the 3 application essays of an Army veteran who secured Early Action admission to Duke Fuqua MBA.
Comprehensive Guide to Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation can make or break a graduate school application—but too often, applicants underestimate their importance or don’t know how to manage the process strategically. In this session, we’ll cover everything you need to know: whom to ask, when to ask, how to prepare your recommenders, and how to ensure your letters complement and strengthen the rest of your application. You’ll also learn how to approach potential recommenders with confidence, provide the right context and materials, and avoid common pitfalls. With clear guidance from Jennifer P., a Harvard master’s graduate and experienced coach, you’ll walk away with a roadmap to securing strong, authentic recommendations that highlight your strengths and align with your overall story.
Leveraging Events & Resources
How to make the most of info sessions, AdCom events, and student panels to build your story.
Optional MBA Essay Example – Low GPA
MBA Optional Essay Example addressing a low GPA and mental health challenges. Asian Male.
MBA Application Strategy: The Six Pillars
A clear definition of the Six Pillars MBA admissions use to evaluate candidates, with guidance on how to demonstrate each through your experiences.
BSchool blogs and newspapers
A curated list of top business school blogs and student newspapers to help candidates stay informed on programs, culture, and admissions insights.
MBA Essay Development Requirements
A structured framework for developing compelling MBA essays that align your stories to admissions criteria and post-MBA goals.
MBA Goals Worksheet
A concise worksheet to clarify your MBA career goals and articulate the “why MBA, why now, and why this school” with precision.
MBA Interview Prep Guidelines
A concise MBA interview prep guide focused on storytelling, school fit, and nailing the questions that drive admissions decisions.
Tech to MBA Panel Pt 2
Are you working in the tech industry and thinking about applying to an elite business school? Join the Leland team for this FREE event specifically designed for tech professionals aspiring to get into top MBA programs like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, The Wharton School, and more. During this event, our expert panelists will answer the most frequently asked questions related to the business school application process for tech professionals and discuss how to: ⭐️ Transition from a tech career to an MBA program ⭐️ Think about your application strategy ⭐️ Get your MBA resume prepared ⭐️ Write winning essays ⭐️ Stand out throughout the interview process Meet our panelists: Maaz K., Ross MBA, former Google, Amazon, and Square, supply chain management professional with 10+ years across diverse industries including tech, CPG, and construction, experience aiding others regarding career advice, MBA and grad school admissions. Tory V., Harvard MBA, Google and TikTok, who's passionate about guiding people through their career and academic goals, including resume/LinkedIn reviews, application reviews, and mock interviews. Don't miss this unique opportunity to acquire top-tier knowledge and strategies for successfully applying to MBA programs as a tech professional.
Roadmap to R1: A Step-by-Step Plan to Apply Without Losing Your Mind
Applying to MBA programs isn't just about checking boxes, it's about telling your story, managing MANY moving parts, and doing it all while keeping your head above water! In this 40-minute presentation, admissions coach and former CBS Admissions Officer Kelsey Kephart will walk through the essential phases of the MBA application journey; what to tackle when, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to build momentum without burning out. The second part will be an Ask Me Anything (AMA) style session where you can ask questions!
Developing a Differentiated Personal Narrative
Standing out in the deferred MBA pool requires more than strong credentials. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to craft a clear, differentiated personal narrative that ties your experiences, goals, and values into a cohesive story that resonates with HSW and M7 admissions committees. Led by Leland coach Angela C., a storytelling expert with a 100% package success rate who specializes in HSW and M7 deferred admissions, this session will break down how top applicants define their core themes, position early-career impact, and avoid the generic narratives that hold many candidates back. You’ll leave with practical frameworks and concrete next steps to start shaping a compelling, authentic story for your deferred MBA applications.
“Tell Me About Yourself”: The FIT Framework
Master the most common interview question with our FIT Framework. Structure your story, nail the answer, and land the job!
Deciding Anecdotes for HBS Essays
With the new HBS essays, many candidates wonder "how do I decide what stories to tell for what essay?". This guide will walk you through the answer.
