Leland+ Content Library

The Fit Formula: How to Choose Your Target Schools

Are you an MBA applicant wondering how to choose the right schools for your unique profile and aspirations? Join me, Ellin L., for this session, where we'll dive into the art of school selection and application strategy. Choosing where to apply isn’t just about rankings. It’s about finding the right match for you. In this session, we’ll walk through a simple, diagnostic framework (The Fit Formula) that helps you evaluate programs based on what actually matters: alignment with your goals, competitiveness of your profile, and long-term career potential. With over a decade of experience and a 98.9% success rate, I've guided hundreds of applicants to top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. As the founder of Ellin Lolis Consulting, I specialize in helping you stand out by crafting a powerful personal brand and connecting your story to each program. In this session, I'll share my proven methodology to simplify the process and maximize your results. Whether you're considering a traditional full-time MBA, deferred, executive, part-time, or online MBA, this event is designed to help you make informed decisions and build a compelling application.

Your 3 Month Application Prep Plan with ex-GSB Admissions Director

With three months remaining to the first application deadlines in the 2026 cycle, there are several steps and approaches you can take to strengthen your application. Understanding what you can adapt (the content of your application) and what you can't (where you have worked, where you went to school, your GPA, etc.) needs to be evaluated strategically. Having worked in admissions at Stanford for more than a decade, I will offer tips to help you begin your business school learning journey now, using what you incorporate in your essays, recommendations and resume to tie together other aspects of your application and story.

Develop Your Plan of Attack: Breaking 705 on the GMAT

Crushing the GMAT isn’t about memorizing facts—it’s about sharpening logic, mastering time pressure, and building test-day readiness. In this session, we’ll walk through how to practice effectively, which prep resources to trust, how to simulate the real exam environment, and how to craft a weekly study plan that builds stamina and precision. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap to cross the 705 threshold with confidence.

The Amy Approach: Grad School Starter Kit

Checklist and prompts to get you started on your grad school search!

Wharton 2025 Admit - Essay Set - Finance

Read a set of essays from a Wharton admit and see how you can apply these example essays to the new Wharton essay prompts.

From Personal Struggle to Public Interest Law: A Personal Statement Example

Discover how a personal journey of resilience and community sparked a passion for public interest law and a commitment to social justice.

Columbia Business School: Essay 2: Career Goals

Example of a Short & Long Term Career Goals essay that got the applicant into Columbia Business School.

Columbia Business School Example Essay: Inclusive Leadership

Example of an Inclusive Leadership essay that got the applicant into Columbia Business School.

MBA Application Process: Questions to Ask

A list of questions to ask during your interview–or a chat with students/alumni–when going through the MBA application process to help you standout

Preparing for a Kira Interview

A KIRA interview is an online, asynchronous video interview used in dental admissions to assess communication, professionalism, etc.

Columbia Sample Essay - Favorite Book

Favorite book essay for successful admit application to CBS.

Columbia Sample Essay - PPIL

PPIL essay response for successful admit application.

Comprehensive Guide to Dental Specialties

A comprehensive guide to dental specialties.

Comprehensive LSAT Study Plan: 170+

Follow this tried and true study plan to guide your efforts on the LSAT.

CBS MBA Example Admitted Essays

Check out these examples of CBS MBA Example Admitted Essays.

MBA Resume Example - Admitted M7

Explore this MBA Resume Example from an Admitted M7 student

Cracking the Common App: A College Admissions Panel

The Common App can feel overwhelming, but you don’t have to tackle it alone. ​Join this session with Isamar V., former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford University, and Raina M., a Cornell University student. We’ll break down key parts of the application, offer guidance on how to approach each section strategically, and share insights to help your application stand out. ​From personal statements to activity lists and supplemental essays, this panel will offer practical tips, common pitfalls to avoid, and advice to help you move forward with confidence, wherever you are in the process.

Elevate Your Common App: Craft a Powerful Activities List

Are you applying to college and nervous about how to talk about your activities? Join Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, for this live workshop focused on helping you highlight your story through your activities list. This workshop will help you craft a powerful Common App activities list that showcases your unique interests and accomplishments beyond superficial activity descriptions. Learn 3 strategies to ensure that your application makes a compelling impression on admissions committees, captures your essence, and maximizes your chances of standing out in the admissions process. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your application! Who is leading the workshop? As a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford, Isamar personally reviewed over 7,000 applications. As an admissions consultant, she coached students to gain admission to universities like Yale, Harvard, Stanford, UC Berkeley, Georgia Tech, UVA, Pomona, and more. She has supported both US and international students, as well as first-gen students. Isamar’s personalized, empathetic, and strategic approach ensures that your unique strengths and experiences shine through in your application. Her goal is for you to feel that you are applying as your best self, no matter where you’re applying. Isamar is a proud first-generation college graduate with a BA and EdM from Harvard, and an MBA from Oxford.

Ask. Me. Anything. AMA with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional.

Ask Me Anything with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional. Note: Feel free to ask about any college admissions topic, regardless of your target school. This AMA is not exclusively focused on Stanford admissions.