Leland+ Content Library

MBA Application Strategy: The Six Pillars

A clear definition of the Six Pillars MBA admissions use to evaluate candidates, with guidance on how to demonstrate each through your experiences.

Nontraditional Pre-MBA Resume Template

Pre‑MBA resume template for nontraditional “alphabet soup” public‑sector folks, turning govt and advocacy experience into crisp, admit‑ready impact.

Deferred MBA Admissions Event Sprint Kickoff

Kick off Deferred MBA Week with an overview of everything you need to know to build a winning application strategy from start to finish. In this session, we’ll break down what makes deferred programs unique, what top schools are really looking for in early-career candidates, and how to use the rest of the sprint—panels, workshops, and AMAs—to your advantage. You’ll walk away with a clear game plan for essays, recommendations, testing, and timelines, plus guidance on how to prioritize your time based on where you are in the process.

Your Next Moves: How to Improve Your Odds Late in the Med School Cycle

If you’re applying late in the medical school cycle—or wondering how to strengthen your chances as the season unfolds—this workshop will show you how to make every move count. Led by Jessica A., a recent matriculant at UPenn’s Perelman School of Medicine who earned interviews from 18+ top programs and acceptances from Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Penn, this session breaks down how late-cycle decisions actually work and what applicants can still do to stand out. Drawing on her experience as both an admissions interviewer and mentor to students who’ve landed interviews at top-tier institutions, Jessica will cover high-impact improvements you can make now across secondaries, updates, letters, school lists, and communication strategy. Whether you're a strong candidate fine-tuning your odds or a reapplicant navigating gaps in your profile, you’ll leave with a focused plan for elevating your application.

MBA Interview Success: What Top Programs Look For

MBA interviews aren’t just about answering questions—they’re about showing who you are, how you think, and why you belong in a top-tier program. In this session, you’ll learn exactly how elite schools evaluate candidates, from behavioral depth and self-awareness to leadership potential and communication style. We’ll break down common interview formats (including blind interviews, behavioral deep dives, and scenario-based questions), teach you how to structure compelling answers, and share strategies for showcasing authenticity while still being polished and strategic. You’ll walk away with a clear playbook for standing out in any MBA interview setting.

Essays (2): Yale SOM MBA Admitted R1 Class of 2028

These are the 2 application essays of an applicant who secured R1 admission to Yale SOM full-time MBA.

The STEM Master’s Application Timeline: What to Do and When

Applying to STEM master’s programs is as much about timing as it is about qualifications, and knowing what to do when can give you a major advantage. This session breaks down the full application timeline, from early preparation and test planning to essays, recommendations, school selection, and final submission. You’ll learn how to prioritize tasks, avoid last-minute stress, and align your experiences and materials with competitive STEM programs. Whether you’re just starting to plan or already mid-cycle, this workshop will help you stay organized, proactive, and on track.

Valuations for Investment Banking

Valuation is the backbone of investment banking interviews and on-the-job analysis, yet many candidates struggle to explain it clearly and confidently. This session breaks down the core valuation methods used in banking, how to think about assumptions and trade-offs, and how to communicate your work the way bankers expect in interviews and live deal discussions. You’ll leave with a stronger conceptual framework for valuation and practical tips to sharpen both your technical accuracy and your delivery.

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.

What Deferred MBA Essays Need to Accomplish, and How to Get There

Deferred MBA essays are less about polished resumes and more about potential, clarity of goals, and long-term impact, and getting them right requires a very specific approach. In this session, you’ll learn what top programs actually expect deferred candidates to demonstrate, how admissions committees read these essays differently from traditional MBA applications, and how to structure your responses to show maturity, self-awareness, and trajectory. We’ll break down common pitfalls, winning themes, and practical steps to move from a blank page to a compelling final draft with confidence.

Creating Your Thriving Community - Workbook

Neurodivergent Series

Guide to Getting a Job at a Startup

From my first-hand experience and tons of soul-searching, learn how to get a job at a startup.

Leaving an Impression: Telling a Compelling Story for the McKinsey PEI

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview is designed to uncover how you lead, handle conflict, and drive impact, and your storytelling makes all the difference. This session will teach you how to craft clear, compelling PEI stories that demonstrate ownership, resilience, and results while staying authentic and concise. You’ll learn how interviewers evaluate responses, how to structure stories for maximum impact, and how to avoid common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong experiences.

Stanford Personal Growth Essay

A reflection on personal autonomy, architectural creativity, and bridging disciplines to drive innovative, cross-industry impact.

Managing Difficult Stakeholders

Learn the different archetypes and how best to manage and work with different stakeholders

Do Your Deferred MBA in Spain: Interview with IESE Admissions Director

Join Jesse L., a Leland Top 10 MBA coach for international applicants, for a live interview with Patrik Wallén, MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School (ranked #3 in the world by the Financial Times), followed by an open audience Q&A. This will be the first interview focused primarily on IESE’s Young Talent Path (YTP), IESE’s early-career, deferred-style pathway that ultimately leads into the full-time MBA. While the main focus is on YTP, this session will also be highly valuable for any applicant considering IESE, as it offers direct insight into IESE’s admissions philosophy, values, career development, and case-method-based MBA program. ✨ What makes IESE’s YTP unique Unlike most U.S.-based deferred MBA (DMBA) programs that require candidates to apply during their final undergraduate year or while completing a graduate degree, IESE allows applicants to apply both during their senior year and after graduation, with up to two years of full-time work experience. This makes YTP accessible to a broader group of early-career professionals who may not have been ready to apply as seniors. In this conversation, Jesse will interview Patrik on how YTP works in practice, how candidates are evaluated, and how YTP admits transition into the regular IESE MBA. We will also cover the support IESE provides to YTP admits during the deferral period, including engagement with the school, career guidance, and preparation for joining the MBA cohort. 📌 Topics will include: • What the Young Talent Path (YTP) is and how it compares to other deferred MBA-style programs • Who YTP is designed for and how candidates are assessed • Applying to YTP after graduation with less than two years of experience • What admission through YTP means in practice • How IESE supports YTP admits during the deferral period • How and when YTP participants join the full-time IESE MBA • What the IESE MBA experience looks like • Live audience Q&A 🎯 Who should attend This session is designed to give applicants real clarity on YTP and the IESE MBA, directly from the source.

Speaking Up for Your Success Workbook

Neurodivergent Series - Advocacy

Sample Resume Action Verbs

Using strong, impactful verbs is essential to crafting compelling bullet points on your MBA résumé. This guide includes a categorized list of powerful verbs to clearly showcase your skills and accomplishments.

Unlocking Innovation in High-Context Teams

Subtle, field-tested practices to surface hidden ideas, reduce friction, and build psychological safety, with a particular focus on East Asia.

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Writing

Many people have asked me a set of questions frequently. These questions will answer some of your questions quickly!