Leland+ for MBA

Why Round 2 Could Be the Smart Move for Your MBA Application

An overview of why you might consider round 2 as the potential sweet spot for MBA admissions

MIT Sloan: Overview and Application Breakdown

An overview of MIT Sloan and its application components.

Start Now: MBA Applications Week Kickoff

MBA applications reward bold, strategic action. The strongest admits do not wait for motivation to strike. They take control early, define a powerful story, and build momentum long before deadlines hit. In this kickoff session, we will show you exactly how to separate yourself from the crowd. You will learn how to sharpen your narrative, clarify your goals with precision, position your experiences for maximum impact, and build a timeline that keeps you ahead and confident. This is not about filling out forms. It is about architecting a compelling case for admission. If you are serious about turning ambition into an admit letter, this is your launchpad.

MBA Recommender Outreach Template

Take the guesswork out of managing your MBA recommendations. This plug-and-play template gives you a ready-to-send communication package to share with your recommender. It covers everything from timeline management to content guidance, so they can write the strongest possible letter on your behalf. What's included: - A professional email template to send to your recommender, with built-in instructions on the recommendation process and submission timelines - School-specific question breakdowns for Stanford GSB, Harvard HBS, and Wharton, with coaching notes on how to guide your recommender's responses - A strengths framework to help your recommender highlight your leadership, strategic thinking, and growth mindset with concrete examples - A structured section for the constructive feedback question, one of the trickiest parts of any recommendation, with a fill-in format for situation, reaction, and results

Crafting Powerful Narratives for MBA Applications

Many MBA applicants have strong experiences but struggle to turn them into a clear, compelling story that resonates with admissions committees. This session is designed for candidates who want to understand how to connect their past experiences, leadership moments, and career goals into a cohesive narrative that strengthens every part of the application. You’ll learn how successful applicants frame their impact, choose the right stories for essays and interviews, and communicate a believable path from where they are today to where they want to go.

Crafting Compelling GSB Leadership Vignettes & Additional Info Essays

GSB calls the impact essays optional. Competitive applicants shouldn't treat them that way. Most applicants pour everything into their WMM essay and leave the short answers as an afterthought and that's exactly the gap this guide closes. I cover how to choose your stories, how to structure them within the ~200 words you have, and how to make sure they're doing something your main essays can't. You'll also get a before-and-after rewrite, a clear framework for the Additional Information field, and the honest read on what AdCom is actually looking for when they open this section! If you're looking for 1:1, personalized support, check out my Async Essay Review package: https://www.joinleland.com/coach/angela-c-1/p/draft-to-done-async-essay-revisions

Crafting Your Throughline

Distill your story into a central theme or “throughline” that ties together your experiences and goals.

Intro to MBA Essay Writing

Translate your narrative into compelling MBA essays that demonstrate clarity of purpose, authenticity, and school fit.

Tailoring Your Story for Different Schools

Adapt your core story for different MBA programs while maintaining consistency and authenticity.

MIT Sloan: Application Breakdown

A deep dive into the MIT Sloan MBA application.

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. Reference the slides from a past event that draws from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world.

Work With Me!

Learn about personalized coaching options to refine your essays, story, and overall MBA strategy. Get an overview of the personalized coaching options Joshua can offer to refine your essays, story, and overall MBA strategy.

Resume: Army Veteran Admitted to Duke Fuqua MBA

This resume showcases an Army veteran from a non-traditional background who earned Early Action admission to Duke Fuqua MBA.

Stanford Knight-Hennessy Scholar Letter of Rec

Sample letter of rec for military vet selected as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar.

Mapping Your Strengths to Kellogg’s Values

Assess your personal alignment with Kellogg’s environment and define how your experiences, strengths, and leadership style connect to its values.

The Truth About Deferred MBA Essays: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why

In this session, Leland Coach Kristen H., a HBS and GSB deferred admit and expert in early-career MBA strategy, will pull back the curtain on what separates successful essays from forgettable ones. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to approach each essay prompt strategically — and how to make your essays stand out in a competitive Deferred MBA cycle.

Wharton 2025-26 Example Essays

Example essays answering the latest Wharton 2025-26 essay prompts. Asian Male candidate with consulting background.

Kellogg’s Core Identity

Explore what “high impact, low ego” really means and how this principle shapes the school’s culture, from classrooms to recruiting.

Top 10 Kellogg Facts Every Applicant Should Know

Learn the top 10 facts about Kellogg that applicants should be aware of during the application and interview process.

Sample Outreach Messages

Sample emails and LinkedIn messages to help you confidently connect with Kellogg student and alumni for networking and insights.