Leland+ for MBA
Popular on Leland+
Top 10 Ways to Strengthen Your Profile While Waitlisted
• Examples of high-impact updates: promotions, certifications, quant coursework, new leadership roles • How to frame achievements for the admissions committee • How to show ongoing engagement with the school (events, conversations, visits) • Building credibility through thoughtful updates, not volume • Quick-reference chart: “Update ideas by category (Academic / Professional / Personal / Fit)"
Writing the “Why MBA?” Essay
Learn to clearly articulate why you need an MBA now, why each school fits, and how it connects to your long-term vision.
Connecting Your Personal and Professional Experiences
Learn how to weave together your personal motivations and professional experiences into a cohesive, authentic story.
MIT Sloan: Example Video Essay
An example of a video essay for the MIT Sloan MBA application.
Writing the STARR Essay
Master the STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection) framework to highlight your leadership, impact, and growth.
Columbia Business School: Recommender Guide
A template to ensure you have strong recommendations for your Columbia Business School application.
MBA Essays with AI the Right Way
AI tools are changing how applicants approach MBA essays—but using them effectively (and ethically) is the real challenge. In this session, expert Leland coach Eric L. will show you how to leverage AI to brainstorm, structure, and refine your essays while keeping your unique voice front and center. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make AI your ally in the application process and walk away with actionable strategies to craft essays that stand out to admissions committees.
Waitlist 101 Guide
• Mindset shift: from “waiting” to “strategic repositioning” • Common emotional pitfalls (panic, over-updating, disengagement) • How to maintain professionalism and perspective • Setting intentions for the next 4–8 weeks • Quick self-checklist: “Am I reacting or responding?”
Full-time or Executive MBA - That is the Question!
One question I hear again and again is, "At my age, and with years of experience, should I be aiming towards a full-time MBA or an Executive MBA?" Some candidates worry that they might be too young for an EMBA. Others fear that they are overqualified for a typical full-time program. Still others wonder if a part-time MBA might not be all that they need, and is it really worth pursuing the other programs instead? Each type of MBA program comes with its particular advantages and disadvantages, and each one has its standard cohort, with the expected outliers. The question is really, what are you looking for? Why do you want or need to attend that program? Which will truly be the best for your particular goals? In this webinar we will start to open up these questions to bring clarity to the issue.
Wharton TBD Example Pitch 2 - 2024
This is an example of a successful Wharton TBD pitch from 2024
AI and Your MBA Application: Do’s and Don’ts for School Research
Thinking about using AI tools to streamline your MBA school research and networking strategy, and want to do so efficiently and ethically? Join me, M, for a practical and candid session designed to help MBA applicants use AI as a powerful tool for uncovering insights, identifying fit, and guiding meaningful outreach, all while staying focused on authenticity and personal reflection. This session will show you how to integrate AI into your research process, without relying on generic outputs or missing key personal connections. Learn how to craft strategic prompts that help you dig deeper into program offerings, find school culture and values that align with your own, and uncover talking points for essays, interviews, and outreach. I’ll share examples of weak vs. strong AI prompts and how to adapt AI outputs into meaningful, human communication.
MBA Interviews Series: MIT Sloan
Get ready to shine in your MIT Sloan MBA interview with insider insights from current Sloan MBA and former BCG consultant Justin K. Join Justin for a deep dive into what makes Sloan’s behavioral interview unique—and how to stand out with confidence and authenticity. You’ll learn about the Sloan interview format, what qualities interviewers are looking for, and how to strategically prepare your stories using proven frameworks. Justin will share real-world advice drawn from his own experience at BCG, his acceptance into both MIT and Darden’s deferred MBA programs, and his success coaching candidates into MBB and top business schools. By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear game plan for your interviews—from structuring your answers to demonstrating leadership, curiosity, and analytical rigor—the qualities Sloan values most.
GRE - Speed Demon Word Problem
In this video a coach will break down a complicated word problem involving speed calculation for the GRE.
Finding Success as a Non-Traditional MBA Applicant
Learn how Coach Melanie E. went from Fashion to McKinsey as a successful non-traditional MBA applicant to M7 programs.
Networking with Students & Alumni
Strategies for meaningful outreach to Kellogg students and alumni.
Wharton 2025-26 Example Essays
Example essays answering the latest Wharton 2025-26 essay prompts. Female candidate with government/defense background.
Networking & Events Tracker
A customizable tracker to help you organize your Kellogg networking efforts and reference in applications and interviews.
MBA Resume Example - Admitted M7
MBA Resume Example - Admitted M7 - Asian Male - Consulting.
How to Create a Winning MBA Application
Getting into a top MBA program is more than strong test scores and a polished résumé—it’s about telling your story in a way that resonates. In this session, you’ll learn from Rifat M. (HBS), Ben L. (GSB) and Rob R. (GSB, admitted to all M7 schools) about what schools are really looking for and how to approach each part of the application, from essays to recommendations to interviews. Whether you’re early in the process or gearing up to submit, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to showcase your experiences authentically and put together an application that stands out.
Wharton TBD Example Pitch 3 - 2024
This is an example of a successful Wharton TBD pitch from 2024
