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Columbia Business School: Essay Brainstorming Template
A template to help prospective applicants to Columbia Business School brainstorm essay ideas.
FAFSA 101
Leland is excited to partner with CareerVillage to host this free event on navigating FAFSA! Paying for college or graduate school starts with understanding financial aid—and that means knowing how to navigate the FAFSA. In this session, Leland coach Loubna B., who has years of experience guiding students through competitive admissions and funding opportunities, will walk you through the FAFSA process step by step. You’ll learn how to complete the application accurately, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your FAFSA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your financial aid journey.
Back to School for Pre-Dentals Panel
In this panel, you’ll hear from dental school experts Rachael K., Ellen W., and Amy L., as they answer key questions on how to prepare and position yourself as a strong pre-dental applicant. The conversation will cover everything from course planning and extracurriculars to application strategy, shadowing, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re just starting your pre-dental journey or gearing up to apply soon, this session will give you actionable insights and clear next steps to help you succeed in the classroom, on the DAT, and beyond.
Your Problem Statement: The Most Significant Issue You Care About Solving In Your Career
Identify the problem or opportunity that most motivates you and articulate how it connects to your long-term goals.
Crafting Your Throughline
Distill your story into a central theme or “throughline” that ties together your experiences and goals.
Unlock Your Story: Writing a Powerful BYU Essay #4
Essay #4 is one of the most important—and most personal—parts of the BYU application. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform your experiences, values, and aspirations into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions officers. We’ll cover what BYU is really looking for in this essay, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical strategies to make your writing authentic, memorable, and powerful. The session will be led by Darla T., a Leland coach with extensive experience guiding students through competitive admissions processes. She’ll share frameworks and actionable tips to help you unlock your story and approach Essay #4 with confidence.
Brainstorming Workshop
Use this worksheet to pull out your best stories before you write a single sentence.
Anatomy of an Investment Pitch
Crafting a compelling investment pitch is one of the most important skills for breaking into hedge funds and succeeding once you’re there. In this session, we’ll break down the structure of a strong pitch—how to identify the right idea, frame the thesis, assess business value drivers, and anticipate investor questions. You’ll leave with a clearer framework for building your own pitches and standing out in interviews. This session will be led by Diyang Y., a Leland coach with years of experience in hedge funds and banking, where he has evaluated investments across industries and geographies. He’ll share insights from the buy-side, common mistakes candidates make, and what interviewers really look for when you present a stock idea.
15 Challenging GMAT Questions
An overview of 15 challenging GMAT questions and walkthroughs.
Telling Your MBA Admissions Story: Create A Holistic Application
A strong MBA application is more than just a collection of essays, scores, and resumes—it’s a story. In this session, expert MBA admissions coaches Loubna B., Kelsey K., and Dione C. will walk you through how to craft a holistic narrative that ties together your academic background, professional achievements, leadership experiences, and future goals in a way that resonates with top business schools. You’ll learn how to identify the themes that make your journey unique, weave them across every component of the application, and avoid the common pitfalls of presenting a fragmented profile. Whether you’re just beginning the process or refining your final drafts, this session will give you the tools to create a compelling, authentic story that sets you apart in the competitive MBA admissions landscape.
MBA Interviews Series: Stanford GSB
Jumpstart your Stanford GSB MBA interview prep with up-to-date insights and stage-specific strategies. As application deadlines approach, join expert coach and GSB Grad Claire R. who will help you understand what’s expected, how to prepare, and how to stand out. You’ll learn about the format of the GSB interview (alumni-led, behavioral, highly structured), the 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.
Intro to MBA Essay Writing
Translate your narrative into compelling MBA essays that demonstrate clarity of purpose, authenticity, and school fit.
Introduction to Careers and Recruiting in Capital Markets and Sales & Trading
Curious about careers in Capital Markets and Sales & Trading? In this session, you’ll get a clear overview of what these roles actually involve, how they differ, and what it takes to succeed in each. We’ll also break down the recruiting process, including the skills and qualities firms are looking for, and how you can start preparing now to stand out in interviews. The session will be led by Ryan T., a Leland coach with first-hand experience in investment banking and capital markets, as well as extensive involvement in training and recruiting. He’ll share practical insights on navigating these competitive paths and help you build a roadmap to land your first role in the industry.
Writing the STARR Essay
Master the STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection) framework to highlight your leadership, impact, and growth.
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.
Tailoring Your Story for Different Schools
Adapt your core story for different MBA programs while maintaining consistency and authenticity.
LSAT 101: Final Prep for October and November LSAT
With the October and November LSAT dates just around the corner, now is the time to lock in your final prep. In this session, Leland coach Zack A., who has helped students achieve top LSAT results, will share strategies to maximize your performance in the weeks leading up to test day. You’ll learn how to fine-tune your study plan, strengthen your timing and accuracy, and avoid the last-minute mistakes that cost valuable points. Zack will also cover section-specific tactics and test-day best practices so you can walk in confident and ready. Whether you’re aiming for a score jump or maintaining consistency, this workshop will help you finish your prep strong.
Free
Breaking into French Companies - Your Strategic Career Journey
Think L'Oréal, Chanel, Dior, Perrier, Cartier, and Airbus. These prestigious French brands represent just the tip of the iceberg in America's business landscape. Behind these household names are remarkable success stories like Sarah, who climbed from marketing coordinator to VP of North American Operations at a luxury goods company, Marcus who rose to General Manager at a major French aerospace supplier, and Elena who became Chief Strategy Officer at a leading French pharmaceutical subsidiary. What unites their journeys? They all grew through the ranks within French companies, embraced strategic assignments to France, and now enjoy sophisticated career paths with exceptional compensation packages that reward both performance and cultural adaptability. With French companies actively expanding their US operations and establishing new innovation centers across America, we're witnessing an unprecedented window of opportunity for ambitious professionals. Beyond the famous brands everyone recognizes, there are 5,400 French subsidiaries operating in the US, each offering significant professional opportunities for those who understand how to navigate their unique culture. French companies share one critical characteristic that sets them apart: they actively seek talented American personnel who can bridge cultures and they reward relationship-building with clear advancement paths and substantial compensation. Their approach combines French values of intellectual sophistication, hierarchical respect, and personalized leadership with appreciation for individual creativity and strategic thinking. What if this relationship-based, intellectually stimulating path to leadership is exactly your calling?
Introduction to Capital Markets & Trading
Interested in a career in capital markets and trading but not sure where to start? This session will walk you through the fundamentals of the industry, what different roles entail, and the skills firms look for in strong candidates. You’ll learn how to stand out in recruiting, prepare for interviews, and position yourself for success in a highly competitive field. The session will be led by Mariana A., a Leland coach with extensive experience in sales & trading, who will share insider insights to help you understand the landscape and take actionable steps toward landing a role in capital markets.
Nailing the MBA Interview
In this panel, MBA admissions experts will share strategies to help you prepare for one of the most critical parts of the application process: the interview. From common question types and school-specific approaches to storytelling techniques and pitfalls to avoid, you’ll get insider perspectives from Oren M., Emily L., and Temi O. Whether you’re gearing up for Round 1 interviews or looking ahead to Round 2, this session will give you practical tips, proven frameworks, and the confidence to walk into your MBA interviews fully prepared.
