Leland+ Content Library

Round 2 MBA: What You Need to Do Between Now and the Deadlines

Round 2 MBA deadlines are just around the corner—and what you do in the next few months can make or break your application. In this session, you will learn how to prioritize your time, strengthen your materials, and fill any remaining gaps in your candidacy. ​Faisal K. brings admissions experience from Chicago Booth, Oren M. previously served in Wharton’s admissions office, and Jenny R. is a former Stanford GSB Admissions Officer—together, they’ve helped hundreds of applicants gain admission to top programs. ​You’ll learn exactly where to focus your energy—from refining your essays and securing powerful recommendations to polishing your resume and prepping for potential interviews. Whether you’re just starting your Round 2 applications or putting on the finishing touches, this session will help you create a clear, actionable plan to submit your strongest possible application.

AMA: What Every Buyer Should Know About Financial Due Diligence & QofE

Ever wondered what really happens behind the scenes of financial due diligence? In this AMA-style session, you’ll hear questions answered by an experienced deal professional and Leland coach Patrick M. anything about the process—from understanding Quality of Earnings reports to spotting red flags before you buy. ​This open conversation is designed for aspiring acquirers, search fund entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the M&A process.

Tips for Success: Navigating the Deferred MBA recommendation Process

Applying to deferred MBA programs is a unique challenge—especially when it comes to securing strong recommendation letters. Your recommenders can make or break your application, but knowing who to ask, how to prepare them, and what schools are really looking for can be tricky to navigate. Join Claire R., a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford GSB and MBA graduate of Yale SOM, for an insider’s guide to navigating the deferred MBA recommendation process. Drawing on her experience evaluating applications at one of the world’s top programs, Claire will share how to select the right recommenders, guide them to highlight your strengths effectively, and ensure their letters complement—not duplicate—your essays and resume.

Situational Questions: Handling “Tell Me About a Time...”

Master the STAR+ framework for behavioural stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result + Reflection). Tackle common questions around leadership, failure, teamwork, and ethical dilemmas.

The Funnel Framework: A Tool for Any Technical Question

Use this simple but powerful 3-step thinking structure to break down any investment or business analysis question (e.g., "Would you invest in XYZ?", “How would you evaluate a company?”).

Mapping Your Strengths to Kellogg’s Values

Assess your personal alignment with Kellogg’s environment and define how your experiences, strengths, and leadership style connect to its values.

Building a Strong Narrative

Learn a step-by-step framework for identifying your Kellogg “MBA Story”: your cohesive story across essays, resume, and interviews.

Core MBA Story Worksheet

A step-by-step worksheet that helps you articulate your core MBA story to connect your past experiences, goals, and values into a compelling narrative.

Essay 2 Brainstorm & Structure Worksheet

A guided worksheet designed to help you brainstorm impactful stories, identify key themes, and structure your Kellogg essay 2 with clarity and purpose.

Addenda Final Editing Checklist

Surely editing my addenda should be simple? Think again! Editing is critical to showing your attention to detail, a critical lawyerly trait. Use this checklist to reach perfection.

Writing Strong Statements for Graduate Applications: Purpose, Diversity, and Research

​Your graduate application statements are a critical opportunity to show admissions committees who you are, what drives you, and how you’ll contribute to their program. In this session, expert Leland coach and former UC Irvine Program Director Bryan M. will guide you through crafting essays that effectively convey your purpose, highlight your unique perspective, and showcase relevant research or professional experiences. ​By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to write statements that stand out and make a lasting impression on admissions committees.

Stop Guessing: Real AI Use Cases for Growing Your Business

AI is no longer just a buzzword—it’s a powerful tool that can unlock growth, efficiency, and insight when used strategically. In this session, Matthew W. a Leland coach, AI expert and 2x Founder with a background from Meta and Stanford, will walk you through real-world examples of how companies are using AI to drive measurable results—from automating operations and optimizing marketing to enhancing customer experiences and decision-making. ​You’ll learn how to identify high-impact opportunities for AI in your own organization, evaluate the right tools, and avoid common implementation pitfalls. By the end of the session, you’ll walk away with practical frameworks and inspiration to start applying AI thoughtfully and effectively to grow your business.

2 Must-Haves for Round 2 And What To Do Right Now!

​Round 2 deadlines are right around the corner - is your application ready? Bruce H. and Betsy M. have over 30 years of MBA admissions experience and they will share the 2 essential things you MUST have in your application. ​Deadlines are coming up fast and Betsy and Bruce will give you their best advice on what you should be doing RIGHT NOW to produce your strongest application by January. They will also talk about whether it is better to apply this year or if waiting until next year will give you a better chance of attending your dream school.

McKinsey PEI - Story Development Worksheet

This worksheet helps you develop and structure a strong PEI story in three steps. First, it focuses on the key takeaways you're communicating to the interviewer about how you embody the theme in question. Then, it uses vignettes to showcase how you demonstrate the trait. Finally, it uses the pyramid principle to structure the whole story to lead with the answer.

Equations, Coordinates, and Inequalities Examples

This deck explains the core concepts of integers, quadratic equations, coordinate geometry, inequalities, number lines, and absolute values as seen in the GMAT and GRE. It includes practice problems similar to those on the exam. Concepts and problems are explained in a video walkthrough by the author in "Equations, Coordinates, and Inequalities for the GMAT and GRE".

Inside Deferred Admissions: AMA with a Founder of the HBS 2+2 Program

Few people understand Deferred MBA admissions better than Kerry P., who helped launch the Harvard Business School 2+2 Program and has since guided countless candidates into top deferred programs. In this exclusive AMA, Kerry will pull back the curtain on how Deferred MBA programs really evaluate applicants — from what schools look for in undergraduates to how they assess potential and fit.

Writing Standout DMBA Essays

Your Deferred MBA essays are your chance to show top programs who you are — but with limited experience, it can be hard to know what stories to tell and how to make them stand out. In this session, Leland Coaches Ben L., Melanie E., and Olivia P. — who have helped dozens of early-career applicants get into programs like HBS, GSB, and Wharton — will break down what makes a winning essay. They’ll share proven strategies for identifying your strongest themes, crafting a clear and authentic narrative, and avoiding the common pitfalls that hold candidates back. You’ll leave with a sharper sense of how to approach each prompt, connect your story to your goals, and position yourself as a must-admit candidate in this year’s Deferred MBA cycle.