Leland+ Content Library

How to Land a Role in Business Strategy & Operations

Strategy & Ops roles sit at the center of how companies make decisions, solve problems, and scale—and breaking in requires a mix of strategic thinking, analytical skill, and crisp communication. In this session, you’ll learn what hiring managers look for, how to position your background (even if it's nontraditional), and how to prepare for the case, analytical, and behavioral components of the interview process. We’ll also cover how to craft a compelling narrative, build a targeted resume, and navigate recruiting across startups, tech, and high-growth companies.

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.

What Successful MBA Applicants are Doing in January

January is a critical month in the MBA admissions cycle, and how you use it can set the tone for the rest of your application. In this session, Leland coach Jenny R., who has admissions committee experience at Wharton and has coached hundreds of MBA applicants, will share what she consistently sees top candidates focusing on during this window. Drawing on her years of admissions and coaching experience, Jenny will break down the specific actions successful applicants take in January, from refining their narrative and strengthening their profile to planning test retakes, recommendations, and school research. You’ll leave with a clear checklist of priorities and a smarter strategy for using January to position yourself competitively for the months ahead.

Get Your Foot in the Door with Top Banks

Breaking into top investment banks can feel out of reach—but the right approach can open doors. Join Get Your Foot in the Door with Top Banks, a focused session designed to help you navigate the early stages of IB recruiting with confidence. In this event, you’ll learn how to position your profile for top banks, approach networking strategically, and make a strong first impression with recruiters and professionals. We’ll cover common entry points, key mistakes to avoid, and practical steps you can take right now to improve your chances. Whether you’re early in your journey or looking for clearer direction, you’ll leave with actionable insights and a stronger game plan.

Your Ticket to STEM Graduate School Admission

Short guide to STEM graduate programs, required application documents, and essay advice

Professionalism in Big Law Recruiting

The legal hiring market is accelerating! Not too long ago, most firms would engage in on-campus recruiting in between the first and second years of law school. Now, many big firms invite 1Ls to apply as early as their first semester. This session will cover how to search for summer associate positions, how to network professionally, and how to conduct yourself during interviews. As someone who has worked at Kirkland & Ellis LLP, one of the top law firms in the country, and navigated legal recruiting in smaller markets as well, I want to share with you the important tips that will help you highlight your strengths and pitfalls to avoid that could sink your candidacy.

S&T Interview Prep: Key Options Terms & Payoffs

A clear overview of key options terms and payoffs, designed to build intuition and strengthen your derivatives foundation.

Wharton Future Goals Essay Example

This is an admitted students' essay answering Wharton's prompt: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help achieve future goals.

Master's Program Decision Guide

Congratulations on your offer of admission! Use this guide to evaluate your options and make an informed decision.

Successful Environmental NGO Cover Letter

Example cover letter that was submitted as part of an application package for an environmental nonprofit

S&T Interview Prep: Bond Market Fundamentals

A review of bond market fundamentals, covering key concepts and resources to build a strong fixed income foundation.

Your Guide to STEM Graduate School Admissions

Recording of a Leland webinar I presented on 02 Jan 2026 demystifying STEM graduate school admissions types and deliverables

The 5 Toughest MBA Interview Questions

Slides from event on 1/8/26 - Get everything you need to answer the 5 toughest MBA interview questions, including sample answers!

Example: MIT Sloan Cover Letter

This is an example cover letter for the MIT Sloan MBA application

Sales & Trading Interview Prep

A concise guide to help you sharpen your pitch, talk markets confidently, and stand out in Sales & Trading interviews.

Quantitative Finance Career Guide

A starter guide for careers, skills, and companies related to quantitative finance.

Deferred MBA Red Flags & How to Reframe Them

Deferred MBA applications are scrutinized closely—and small missteps can raise big questions. In this workshop, top Leland coach and former AdComs at USC Avi L. will break down the most common red flags admissions committees see in deferred MBA candidates, from experience gaps to unclear goals. You’ll learn how to reframe weaknesses with honesty and strategy, strengthen your overall narrative, and present a compelling case for your long-term potential.

How to Stand Out to PE Firms

Private equity recruiting is one of the most competitive processes in finance—and standing out requires more than strong technical skills. In this session, you’ll learn how top firms evaluate candidates, how to position your deal experience (or transferable experience) effectively, and how to craft a compelling story that signals judgment, ownership, and investing potential. We’ll cover resume refinement, outreach strategy, interview preparation, and the mindset shifts that distinguish top performers in on-cycle and off-cycle recruiting.

Navigating the MBA Waitlist Process

We will discuss how to navigate the waitlist process for MBA programs. While it is quite frustrating to not have closure after your decision, there is still hope! I will walk through my proven strategies for maximizing your chances of converting a waitlist into an acceptance! This will include: - General process and timelines - Common reasons people are waitlisted - How to plan structure your updates - What else you can do to improve your chances - Q&A

How to Ace PM Interviews

Product management interviews can feel daunting—but with the right frameworks and preparation, you can walk into every conversation confident and ready. This session breaks down the core components of PM interviewing, from product sense and analytical thinking to execution, communication, and behavioral storytelling. You’ll learn how to structure clear, compelling answers, showcase your problem-solving skills, and avoid the common pitfalls that trip up candidates. Whether you're targeting Big Tech, high-growth startups, or rotational PM programs, this workshop will give you the tools to stand out and make a lasting impression.