Leland+ Content Library

Personal Project Timeline: From Idea to Impact

This example timeline shows how a student can deliver a self driven project over time, from early ideation to meaningful outcomes, and why colleges care. Thoughtful, independent work demonstrates initiative, depth of interest, and leadership.

Crafting Strong Behavioral Stories for Consulting Interviews

Behavioral interviews can make or break a consulting offer. In this session, top Leland coach and ex-McKinsey EM Alan W. will walk you through how to craft clear, compelling stories that demonstrate leadership, impact, and problem-solving under pressure. You’ll learn how to structure your answers, avoid common pitfalls, and adapt your stories to different firms so you can show up confident and interview-ready.

Job Search Week Kickoff: Hiring Manager Round Table

Job Search Week is here—and this kickoff session sets the tone for a focused, intentional approach to finding your next role. Join us for an opening event designed to help you start your search with clarity and momentum. In this session, we’ll outline how to approach the job search strategically, share key principles for staying organized and motivated, and highlight what to focus on in today’s market. Whether you’re just starting or resetting your search, this kickoff will help you move forward with purpose.

From Overwhelmed to In Control: Your Job Search Game Plan

Job searching today can feel overwhelming, whether you’re just starting to explore, actively applying, or navigating an unexpected transition. With endless advice, conflicting strategies, and pressure to move quickly, many professionals find themselves stuck in reactive mode, unsure where to focus or how to build momentum. As we kick off Job Search Week, Amy will walk you through her practical Dream. Plan. Do. Live. framework, a step by step approach shaped by her experience as a hiring manager and senior leader in tech, and refined through what has consistently helped her clients land roles and advance in this market. You’ll leave with a simple, practical game plan that brings clarity, structure, and intention to an otherwise overwhelming job search process.

Making Big Pivots: Breaking into a New Industry

Thinking about a major career change but unsure how to make the leap? This session is designed for professionals considering a big pivot—and looking for a clear, strategic way to break into a new industry. In this panel, we’ll unpack what it really takes to successfully transition careers, from identifying transferable skills and reframing your experience to building credibility in a new field. You’ll learn how to tell a compelling career story, network with intention, and avoid the most common mistakes career switchers make. Whether you’re coming from consulting, finance, education, operations, or another background entirely, this session will give you practical frameworks and real-world strategies to help you pivot with confidence and land your next role.

Ace Your MBA Interview!

Congratulations on getting selected to interview! Now what? During this session, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to start preparing for your interviews. - Qualities your interviewer will be assessing you on - Common interview questions - How to structure your answers - Preparation techniques - Tips on conquering interview anxiety

MBA Reapplicant Guide

While it is disappointing to have put so much effort into applications and not get into the school you wanted, there is still hope! Admissions committees tend to look favorably upon reapplicants, provided you can show that you’ve improved your candidacy. During this session, we will discuss how to navigate the MBA admissions process as a reapplicant. We will discuss common reasons people are rejected, how to show growth and MBA readiness, and other ways to improve your chances this time around. We will have tips for those who have applied recently, as well as those who are reapplying again after a break.

Tackling the "Why This School" MBA Essay

Most MBA programs will have an essay along the lines of: "Why MBA; Why this school?" This is one of the most impactful parts of your application and is often the difference maker between getting an interview and getting a rejection. During this free session, I'll walk through: - What schools are actually looking for in this essay (explicitly and implicitly) - Common mistakes applicants make in this essay - How to structure this essay - Additional tips on crafting a standout essay

Wanna Work Abroad? Unlocking International Jobs

Curious about building a career beyond your home country? This session dives into what it really takes to pursue international roles and position yourself for global opportunities in today’s market. We’ll break down how to approach overseas job searches strategically, share key principles for navigating cross‑border hiring, and highlight what employers look for when recruiting internationally. Whether you’re exploring the idea of working abroad or actively preparing for a global move, this session will help you move forward with clarity and purpose.

From Freshman to Senior: Extracurricular Roadmap

A clear, year-by-year guide to help students build a stand out extracurricular profile. Learn what to focus on at each stage of high school -- from exploration to meaningful impact -- so you can make confident decisions and build an extracurricular profile that demonstrates what makes you unique.

Do’s and Don’ts of AI in Recruiting

AI is rapidly reshaping how companies source, screen, and hire talent—but using it effectively requires knowing where it helps and where it can hurt. In this session, you’ll learn the key do’s and don’ts of using AI in recruiting, including where it adds real efficiency and how recruiters and candidates are expected to use it responsibly. Whether you’re a recruiter, hiring manager, or candidate navigating AI-driven hiring processes, you’ll leave with clear guidelines to use AI thoughtfully, ethically, and credibly.

GRE Quant Strategies for Math 'Fraidy Cats’

If GRE Quant makes you anxious, you’re not alone, and you don’t need to be a math genius to succeed. This session focuses on confidence-building strategies, pattern recognition, and efficient problem-solving approaches designed specifically for test-takers who feel intimidated by quantitative sections. You’ll learn how to simplify complex problems, avoid common traps, and develop a calm, structured approach that improves both accuracy and speed.

Acing the Sales & Trading Internship

The Internship Playbook: 5 Principles That Separate Great Interns from Good Ones — A concise, no-fluff guide covering the habits that actually matter during your internship: reliability over brilliance, sharing real insight (not just headlines), thinking like a principal, building genuine relationships with fellow interns, and remembering to evaluate the firm while they evaluate you. Written for anyone heading into a finance internship who wants to stand out for the right reasons.

What Wharton is REALLY testing in the TBD

Most candidates misunderstand the Wharton School Team-Based Discussion (TBD). Learn how to stand out! They think it’s about being the loudest voice in the room. Or about presenting the “best” idea. It’s not. In this masterclass, I break down what Wharton is actually evaluating in the TBD - from leadership signals to collaboration dynamics - and how you can position yourself strategically without dominating or disappearing.

Harvard Essay 1 Example

Harvard Essay 1 example of a female from a CPG start-up accepted into the class of 2028.

Personal Project Blueprint: Build Something Colleges Notice

Learn how to design a thoughtful, student-driven project built around your genuine interests. This blueprint shows how to develop curiosity ce into a meaningful initiative that reflects depth, leadership, and purpose.

Deferred MBA Planning — Preparing for a Successful Application [3/5/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for the deferred MBA application process sometime in the next couple of years? Join me for a session dedicated to making sure you are well prepared when application season rolls around. I'm John, CEO of Leland, and I'll be your host for this session. Prior to Leland, I was admitted to HBS 2+2 and Stanford GSB deferred, and then founded Deferred MBA Consulting. In the past 8 years I have helped thousands of people with their deferred applications. Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Beyond the Checklist – Shadowing, Volunteering & Experiences That Actually Matter

Dental schools look for far more than hours logged on a checklist. In this session, expert Leland coach and former Dean at Columbia Ellen W. will break down which shadowing, volunteering, and hands-on experiences actually move the needle in admissions—and how to approach them with intention. You’ll learn how to choose opportunities that align with your story, reflect on them effectively, and avoid common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications.

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.

Columbia Business School: Brand and Culture

An overview of Columbia Business School's brand and culture.