Leland+ for MBA

Chicago Booth Personal Essay – Outside the Office

A personal essay on improv comedy, community, and how life outside of work shaped my adaptability and perspective.

Successful Admits Panel

Curious what it really takes to get into a top deferred MBA program? In this panel, you’ll hear directly from successful admits who used Leland to gain acceptance to programs like Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, Wharton, Booth, and more. They’ll share their candid experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and how they leveraged coaching, strategy, and storytelling to stand out in an ultra-competitive applicant pool. Whether you’re just starting to explore deferred programs or gearing up to apply this cycle, this session will give you actionable insights, real-world advice, and inspiration from students who’ve been exactly where you are now.

Tuition, Cost of Living, and ROI

Real budgets, affordability planning, Deferred Tuition education

The "American Style" Application

Directness, reflection, vulnerability—all without oversharing

Telling Your Story

Build Your Own Personal Brand

Financial Aid for International Students

Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, Prodigy/MPower loans, sponsorship options

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays (with Top Leland Coaches)

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. This event will draw 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. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Booth's top-flight MBA program.

GSB & HBS Admit: Letter of Recommendation Example

See a successful letter of recommendation that helped an applicant gain admission to Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School. Learn what makes a strong MBA recommendation!

Visa Strategy

F-1 visa basics, OPT, STEM extension, sponsorship challenges, school support

AdCom Insider Tip #1

Why International Applicants Get Misread in the U.S. MBA Process

Storytelling vs Reporting

Avoiding resume repetition, writing essays that resonate

Letters of Recommendation

Who to choose globally, coaching recommenders ethically

LinkedIn & Online Presence

Strengthening credibility and recruiter alignment

HBS Personal Statement: A Strong Example

See a compelling personal statement that helped an applicant gain admission to Harvard Business School. Learn what makes a powerful MBA essay.

Real-World ROI for MBAs

​For many applicants who are considering getting an MBA today, a key question is whether doing so is worth it and, if so, what the anticipated return on investment (ROI) will be. During this free event, four Leland coaches who have their MBAs from M7 programs share their perspectives on the ROI they've seen so far from their MBA experiences. ​Meet our hosts: ​- Alex M. - current MBA candidate at Kellogg, current Forte Fellow ​- Elizabeth J. - current Citi SVP, Dartmouth (Tuck) MBA, former Forte Fellow, former BLCK VC Fellow ​- Patricia M. - current Zillow PM, former Product Ops at LinkedIn, Duke MBA, former Forte Fellow - Sowa I. - Stanford MBA, former Accenture/BCG consultant

Résumé for U.S. MBA Applications

One-page rules, U.S. formatting, action verbs, metrics

A Different Take on the HBS "What Else?" Essay

A top MBA admissions experts example of a successful essay for Harvard Business School, showing how to answer the "what more would you like us to know?" prompt with a unique personal story.

Demonstrating Cultural Adaptability

Global perspective + U.S. fit

Finance to MBA: Showing Impact and Proving Passion

Breaking into an MBA program from a finance background takes more than strong credentials—it’s about showing real impact and authentic passion. In this session, Leland coaches John N. (Kellogg MBA), Faisal K. (Booth adcom), and Kelsey K. (CBS adcom) will share how to differentiate yourself, connect your experience to your goals, and stand out in essays and interviews. Perfect for finance professionals aiming to make a powerful impression in Round 2.