Leland+ Content Library

Breaking into VC from a non-traditional background

There’s no single path into venture capital—and you don’t need the “perfect” pedigree to break in. What you do need is strategy, positioning, and a clear understanding of how funds actually think about talent. In this session, we’ll unpack how to translate non-traditional experiences into investor-ready strengths, build credibility in startup ecosystems, and network in ways that lead to real opportunities. If you’re ready to turn an unconventional background into a competitive advantage, this is where your VC journey begins.

Applying for an MBA in 2026? 6 Things You Could be Doing Now to Get Ahead

Planning to apply for an MBA in 2026? Join me, Meghna (HBS '28), for a high-impact session to help you get ahead in your MBA application journey. With acceptances and scholarship offers from multiple M7 and T15 programs, I’m excited to share the strategies, lessons learned, and insider insights that helped me navigate the process successfully, and that can help you do the same. In this session, we’ll cover practical, actionable strategies you can start implementing now - from refining your target school list and clarifying your “Why MBA,” to a structured framework for brainstorming essays and building a personalized application timeline. I’ll also share candid advice on where to invest (and where not to invest) your time and money when it comes to test prep, networking, and other application resources. Space is limited, so RSVP today to secure your spot and take the first step toward a standout application. Attendees will also receive an exclusive discount code for 1:1 coaching for the 2026 cycle.

ADEA AADSAS - COVID Essay Example

I have attached an example of my COVID Essay which can be found on the Personal Information section of the ADEA AADSAS Application for Dental Schools. The prompt and character count are also showcased!

ADEA AADSAS - Manual Dexterity Essay

I have included an example of my manual dexterity essay for the ADEA AADSAS application. Please feel free to take a look for formatting and ideas!

Stanford GSB Essay: ‘What Matters Most to You, and Why’ (Admitted)

The essay that got me into Stanford GSB. A clear, introspective response to “What matters most to you, and why,” centered on reflection about leadership under pressure, initiative, and building trust in uncertain environments.

Non-US Elite MBA Pathways: INSEAD, HKUST & IESE

This session moves beyond school rankings to give you the strategic framework for building a truly global career. Join cross-cultural career coach Caolan Hunter (ex-On, Ogilvy) to learn how to integrate your career, education, and long-term life goals into a coherent international strategy. We will start by exploring the specific pathways offered by elite non-US business schools like INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE, using them as a lens to understand the bigger picture of strategic mobility. By the end of this session, you will stop thinking “US or nothing” and leave with a concrete, strategic shortlist of serious non-US MBA targets aligned with visa reality, your career goals, and your risk tolerance. Learning Objectives: What You Will Learn 1. The Real Global MBA Landscape: Understand the true power centers of business education beyond the United States and how they offer distinct advantages. 2. Visa & Post-Study Work Reality: Decode the practical realities of post-MBA life in Europe and Asia, focusing specifically on post-study work rights, the ease of corporate hiring for international graduates, and viable pathways to long-term residency. 3. Strategic Career Positioning: Learn how hiring logic differs from the US and why the smaller, more international cohorts at these schools can provide stronger access. We’ll explain where non-US MBAs over-perform, particularly in sectors like luxury, consulting, sustainability, finance, and deep tech. Key Outcomes: What You Will Walk Away With 1. A Reframed Worldview: You'll gain a new understanding of INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE not as "alternatives," but as premier, strategic choices for a global career. 2. Visa & Employability Clarity: You'll have clear, actionable insights into the post-MBA visa and employment landscape in Europe and Asia, ensuring your school choice leads to a real career outcome. 3. A Personal Viable Pathway Map: You will leave with the tools to build a personal map connecting your background to the right program and region, aligning your education with your long-term life goals. 4. Strategic Confidence: You will have the confidence and evidence to know that for many career paths, a non-US MBA is a strategic advantage, not a second-tier option.

Mock Interview Practice

Real simulation exercises

Accepted Stanford Common Application Essay

This was my personal statement that got be accepted to Stanford

How to Land a Consulting Offer from your MBA

Breaking into consulting from business school is one of the most competitive recruiting paths—but with the right preparation, it’s completely achievable. In this session, expert Leland coach who received offers from both McKinsey and BCG Rifat M. will walk you through the full MBA consulting recruiting process, from networking and resume prep to case and behavioral interview mastery. You’ll learn how to position your background, build relationships with firms, and stand out in a crowded field to land your consulting offer with confidence.

LBS MBA Application Essays | Securing that interview!

These are examples of detailed MBA application essays that secured a place at London Business School.

Letter of Interest Template

Letter of interest template for applicants who are in the process of submitting one to schools.

Course Conclusion

What You've Learn and What's Next

LinkedIn Cribsheet

A targeted guide that helps experienced professionals rewrite their LinkedIn profiles to better reflect their value, momentum, and career direction.

Don’t Blow Your Law Interview: Ask a Stanford JD Anything

Law school interviews can be intimidating—but they don’t have to be. In this interactive session, Machmud M.—a Stanford JD, Rhodes Scholar, and Knight-Hennessy Scholar—will share candid insights on how to prepare for and excel in your law school interviews. From common pitfalls to powerful storytelling techniques, you’ll learn how to communicate your values, experiences, and goals in a way that truly resonates with admissions committees. Drawing on his diverse background across public policy, corporate law, and government—including time at the White House and on the Biden 2020 policy team—Machmud will answer your toughest questions about what law schools are really looking for. Whether you’re prepping for T-14 interviews or your first conversation with an alum, this session will help you approach your interview with confidence, clarity, and authenticity.

Job Search Reflection Guide

A structured reflection workbook that helps career-transitioning professionals clarify what they want next in their career with guided exercises.

Investment Banking Recruiting - 5 Top Tips to Stand Out

Are you looking to break into investment banking as your next career move? Join Alejandro A., a seasoned investment banking and private equity professional, for an exclusive session where he will share essential strategies to help you stand out in the highly competitive recruiting process. ​​With over 10 years of experience, Alejandro has worked at prestigious firms like Goldman Sachs, where he served as an Investment Banking Associate, and at Fanatics, as Director of M&A. He also co-founded Harbor Street Capital, a private equity fund, and has mentored over 200 students who have gone on to secure positions at top firms such as Goldman Sachs, Evercore, JPMorgan, and Morgan Stanley. ​​In this event, Alejandro will provide insider insights into how to successfully navigate the investment banking recruitment process and stand out as a top candidate.

AFOQT Math Formulas Sheet

You don’t need to memorize hundreds of formulas — you need to understand when and why to use each one.

Your PE Recruiting Plan: What You Need to Know to Ace Recruiting

Get a clear, no-nonsense roadmap for navigating the intense Private Equity recruiting process. In this session, you'll learn what top firms actually look for, how to prepare for the fast-moving timeline, and the technical and networking strategies that separate successful candidates from the rest. You'll walk away with a focused, actionable PE recruiting plan you can start executing immediately.

Gaming the GMAT FE: Advanced Strategies to Outsmart the Test and Break 705

The GMAT Focus Edition rewards strategy just as much as content mastery—and if you understand how the test thinks, you can dramatically boost your score. In this workshop, Mihir G.—a top GMAT FE scorer (765, 100th percentile) and strategic test-prep specialist—will teach you the advanced tactics, time-management systems, and pattern-recognition techniques that high scorers use to break the 705+ threshold. Drawing on his deep understanding of the exam’s logic and structure, Mihir will walk you through how to approach problems with efficiency, eliminate traps, and leverage a results-driven framework tailored to your strengths. Whether you’re stuck at a plateau or aiming for a top-tier MBA score, this session will give you the tools to think like the testmaker and outperform the competition.

Prep for Success at PwC & Beyond: Build a Consulting-Ready Brand

Standing out in consulting recruiting takes more than strong grades—it requires a clear personal brand and professional presence. In this session, PwC Consultant and coach Annie W. will share how to position yourself for success at PwC and other top firms. You’ll learn how to communicate your strengths, refine your story, and showcase the skills consulting recruiters value most. Walk away with practical tools to build a consulting-ready brand that sets you apart.