Leland+ Content Library

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays

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. Reference the slides from a past event that draws 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.

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Booth

Learn what it takes to stand out in Chicago Booth’s highly selective Deferred MBA program. In this session, expert Leland coach and Admissions Fellow at Booth Tim F. will share insights on what Booth values most, from intellectual curiosity to leadership potential. You’ll walk away with clear strategies for crafting a strong application and telling your story with authenticity and impact.

Break Into MBB Consulting

Join top Leland consulting coaches who’ve helped hundreds of candidates land offers at McKinsey, Bain, and BCG as they break down what it really takes to break into MBB. They’ll walk you through the recruiting timeline, essential networking strategies, and how to stand out in both the case and behavioral interviews. You’ll leave with a clear roadmap—and insider guidance—to make yourself a top-tier MBB candidate.

The Deferred Blueprint: A Detailed Guide to Breaking into M7 as a Deferred Applicant

Applying to deferred MBA programs can feel like a black box—especially when it comes to the ultra-competitive M7 schools. In this session, expert coach Tim F. will break down exactly what it takes to stand out as a deferred applicant. ​By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step blueprint for building a competitive application and putting yourself on the fast track to an M7 admit.

The Top 10 Things That Matter in a Deferred Application

Applying to deferred MBA programs requires a unique strategy—strong academics and internships aren’t enough unless you know how to package them into a compelling story. In this session, Tim F., a Chicago Booth MBA graduate with high distinction and former admissions fellow who interviewed and evaluated nearly 100 applicants, will break down the ten elements that most influence AdCom decisions. Drawing on his experience helping candidates gain admission to top U.S. and European MBA programs, along with his professional background at Goldman Sachs and as a project leader at Boston Consulting Group, Tim will share how to communicate impact, craft a standout narrative, and position yourself competitively as an early-career applicant.

MBA Interview Series: Chicago Booth

​Jumpstart your Chicago Booth MBA interview prep with up-to-date insights and stage-specific strategies. As application deadlines approach, join expert coach Tim F. who will help you understand what’s expected, how to prepare, and how to stand out. ​You’ll learn about the format of the Chicago Booth interview, key evaluation criteria, and how to craft strong stories using frameworks, while balancing polish and authenticity. ​By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear action plan for your interviews—what to practice, how to outline your answers, and how to present your best self when your invitation arrives.

Making Your “Why This School” Essays Impossible to Ignore

“Why this school?” is one of the most common—and most poorly executed—application essays. In this session, expert Leland coach and former AdComs at Chicago Booth Tim F. will break down what admissions committees actually look for and why generic answers fall flat. You’ll learn how to research programs deeply, connect your goals to specific resources, and write essays that feel personal, credible, and impossible to ignore.

Chicago Booth Interview Series

Chicago Booth interviews are your chance to bring your application to life—and strong preparation can make all the difference. This interview series is designed to help you approach Booth interviews with confidence, clarity, and a compelling personal narrative. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or refining your approach, you’ll leave with practical strategies and greater confidence.

Start With Why: How to Build an MBA Strategy That Will Work

A strong MBA application starts long before you write your essays, it begins with clarity on your “why.” In this session, you’ll learn how to define your career goals, connect them to the right programs, and build a cohesive strategy that guides every part of your application, from school selection to storytelling. Whether you’re early in the process or refining your plan, you’ll leave with a structured approach to crafting an MBA strategy that feels authentic, focused, and compelling.

Final Tips Before You Submit Your Deferred MBA Application

In this session, you will leave knowing how to tighten your essays in the final hours, what admissions committees at top deferred programs actually look for in the "future vision" prompts, and how to self-evaluate your recommender package before you hit submit. These are the specific pressure points that separate competitive deferred applications from strong ones.

What Top Candidates do Well in the Booth MBA Interview [5/5/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to structure your responses to stand out in the Booth MBA deferred enrollment interview. We will cover the behavioral frameworks that successful candidates use to demonstrate self-awareness, how to articulate long-term goals convincingly at an early career stage, and the specific signals Booth interviewers look for when evaluating fit with the school's entrepreneurial culture. Attending live means you can ask how to handle the parts of your background that feel like liabilities, and hear real-time guidance shaped around your actual situation rather than a generic script. The coach works with deferred MBA candidates regularly and is sharing the patterns that consistently show up in strong Booth interview performances.

Deferred MBA Panel: Getting Started Early

​In this panel, expert MBA coaches Geri T. (Harvard Business School), Timothy F. (Chicago Booth), and Claire R. (Stanford Graduate School of Business) will break down what you need to know about applying to deferred MBA programs and how to set yourself up for success early. From understanding what top schools look for to planning your academics, internships, and extracurriculars, you’ll get insider guidance on how to build a competitive profile while you’re still in school. ​You’ll also hear strategies for writing compelling essays, securing strong recommendations, and avoiding the common mistakes that applicants make. Whether you’re a college junior, senior, or early-career professional exploring deferred programs, this session will give you the tools and confidence to start your MBA journey on the right foot.

How to get MBB Offers

​Breaking into McKinsey, BCG, or Bain is one of the most competitive career goals out there—but with the right preparation and strategy, you can set yourself apart. In this session, expert Leland coaches and former MBB consultants Alex S. (McKinsey interviewer), Tim F. (BCG Project Leader), and Ashwin S. (Bain Manager) will walk you through exactly what it takes to land an offer. ​By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step game plan to position yourself as a top candidate and maximize your chances of landing that coveted MBB offer.

10 Must Haves to Land Multiple M7 Admission Calls

​Maximize your chances of M7 acceptance! In this powerful session, expert coach Timothy F., a Chicago Booth alum who has guided over 100 MBA applicants into every M7 school, will use his years of MBA admissions experience to unveil the 10 key ingredients for a standout application. Timothy's expertise includes extensive admissions committee experience and a unique ability to coach applicants from non-traditional backgrounds. Increase your odds of landing multiple acceptance letters and securing your future at a top business school like HBS, GSB, Booth, or CBS.

Mastering Your MBA Internship

Turn your internship into a full-time offer with strategies for impact, visibility, and relationship-building.

Accenture Cover Letter – Education Leadership to Strategy Consulting

A tailored MBA internship cover letter detailing a transition from urban education to consulting, with a focus on organizational design, mentorship, and a strong cultural fit with Accenture’s development-focused environment.

Deloitte Cover Letter Example – Education Leadership to Client-Facing Strategy

An MBA internship cover letter showcasing a decade of experience in curriculum development and stakeholder management, with a strong case for why Deloitte’s collaborative, impact-driven environment is the ideal next step.