Leland+ Content Library

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.

How to Ace the GRE Essay

Are you unsure how to approach the essay section of the GRE? In this event, I'll share proven strategies to enhance your AWA score, offer insights that you may have never heard before, and tackle the essay prompts together so you can do them on your own with confidence. Whether you're just starting your GRE prep or looking your test is next week, this session will help you prepare for the AWA section of the GRE.

How to Avoid Hard Algebra on the GMAT

The GMAT doesn’t have to feel like a battle with algebra. In this session, you’ll learn strategies to simplify or bypass complex algebra problems, spot patterns, and use shortcuts that save time and reduce errors. Whether you’re aiming to boost your score or build confidence under pressure, you’ll leave with practical tools to tackle GMAT quant more efficiently.

How to Network Your Way Into Private Equity

After this session, you will know how to build a PE network that actually generates referrals, not just connections. We will cover how to identify and approach associates and principals at target firms, what to say in outreach emails that get responses, and how to turn informational calls into relationships that move your candidacy forward.

The MBA Narrative Lab: Where Story Meets Strategy

Most MBA applicants have strong resumes. Far fewer know how to turn their experiences into a cohesive, compelling narrative that actually drives admissions decisions. In The MBA Narrative Lab: Where Story Meets Strategy, you’ll learn how to connect your career moves, leadership moments, and future goals into a clear story that resonates. The speaker regularly works 1:1 with MBA candidates, and this session offers rare access to the same narrative frameworks used in coaching sessions to shape standout applications. Who This Is For - Applicants planning to apply in the next 1–2 cycles - Reapplicants who need a stronger, clearer positioning - Candidates struggling to connect “why MBA” to long-term goals - High achievers whose story feels scattered on paper What You’ll Walk Away With - A practical framework to define your core narrative arc - How to align past experience with future goals convincingly - The patterns I see across successful candidates at top programs - The kinds of story gaps and positioning mistakes I fix in 1:1 sessions - A simple exercise to pressure-test your narrative before writing essays

Case Studies of Winning M7 MBA Essays

Top M7 MBA essays stand out because they combine clear goals, self-awareness, and strong storytelling. In this session, you’ll break down real examples of successful essays to understand what made them compelling, how they aligned with each school’s values, and how to apply those lessons to your own writing. Whether you’re drafting or revising, you’ll leave with a sharper framework for crafting essays that resonate with admissions committees.

Mock McKinsey Interview - March 2026

A McKinsey interview isn’t just about getting the right answer—it’s about how you think. This mock interview session gives you a front-row seat to what a real McKinsey-style case looks and feels like under pressure. Watch a live case unfold in real time, see how structure and communication can elevate (or derail) performance, and hear direct feedback on what separates solid responses from truly exceptional ones. If you want to understand what excellence actually looks like in the room—and how to replicate it—this is a session you won’t want to miss.

Session 2 - Your Application's "Supporting Actors"

Session 2 from Mar26 Medical School bootcamp

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.

SWE Recruiting Quick Start

A practical companion to “How Engineers Avoid Burnout During Recruiting Cycles,” this quick start guide helps you turn insights into action—structuring your search, preparing impactful examples, and managing your time and energy throughout the recruiting process.

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.

Analyzing your LinkedIn Network with Claude Code

Your LinkedIn network holds more data—and opportunity—than you think. The question is: are you using it strategically? In this session, we’ll explore how to leverage Claude Code to analyze your connections, uncover patterns, and identify hidden pathways to internships, jobs, and industry insights. You’ll learn how to map influence, spot high-value clusters, and turn a passive network into an active career asset. If you’re ready to combine AI tools with intentional networking to unlock smarter outreach and real results, this is where you start.

A Tactical Playbook for Breaking Into VC

VC isn't hired; it's hunted. The "Right" background is a myth. This playbook gives you the exact scripts, artifacts, and networking systems to prove you can do the job before you even have the title. Transition from aspirant to investor in 30 days.

Land an Interview at Any Tech Company

Land an Interview at Any Tech Company — Free Live Session with Ethan Does this sound like you? You've applied to roles at your dream tech companies. You've spent countless hours sending your résumé into the void of company websites. You've wasted days writing custom cover letters. Only to come up short and never hear anything back — or worse, get the dreaded automated rejection email from a no-reply address. Let me be clear: it's not because you're under-qualified. It's because you're not playing the game. In this free 30-minute session, I'm going to walk you through the exact system I've used to break into top tech companies — including how I entered the DoorDash interview process at the Associate level and walked out with an offer for Senior Manager. No referral required. No luck involved. Just a repeatable process that works. Here's what we'll cover: • The résumé problem nobody talks about: 75% of résumés are rejected before a human ever reads them. I'll show you a live before-and-after demonstration of how to use AI to transform a losing résumé into a résumé that will land on the hiring manager's desk. • The LinkedIn settings that most candidates skip. A handful of profile changes that dramatically increase how often recruiters find you and make your application stand out once you've submitted it. • How to properly go about proactive outreach. I'll give you the exact message template I used to secure interviews at every tech company I've landed an offer at. • A simple bonus strategy that most people would never think to try, guaranteed to get you in the door. At the end of the session, I'll be sharing an exclusive offer for attendees that you won't want to miss out on! This session is for you if: • You're employed but quietly looking for something better • You're actively job searching and not getting any traction • You work in a slow, bureaucratic industry and want to break into tech • You want to understand how the hiring process actually works from the inside

Nailing Product Sense Interviews

Product sense interviews are where PM offers are won or lost. This is your chance to prove you can think like a product leader, not just answer questions. In this session, you will learn how to structure ambiguous prompts, identify the right users and pain points, prioritize ruthlessly, and craft thoughtful, data-informed recommendations. We will break down what interviewers are really testing and how to move from scattered ideas to clear, confident product thinking. If you want to walk into your next PM interview sharp, structured, and impossible to overlook, this is where you level up.

Ask Me Anything with a Former Harvard Adcom

Many applicants wonder what admissions committees are actually looking for, and how decisions get made behind the scenes. This session is designed for MBA candidates who want to better understand how applications are evaluated by someone who has been on the inside. You’ll learn what stands out when reviewing essays and resumes, how Adcoms think about career goals and leadership potential, and the common patterns that separate strong applicants from the rest of the pool.

How to Land Your First Job in Product (March 2026)

Breaking into product management without prior PM experience can feel daunting, but with the right positioning and preparation, it is absolutely achievable. In this session, you’ll learn how to translate internships, side projects, consulting, engineering, or business experience into a compelling product narrative, build a resume that signals product thinking, and prepare for common PM interview formats. Whether you’re a student or early-career professional, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap to land your first product role.

MBA Essays That Get You Admitted: Do’s and Don’ts from an M7 Expert

MBA essays are where strong candidates separate themselves, but many applicants struggle to turn their experiences into a clear and compelling story. This session is for MBA applicants who want to approach their essays with more strategy and confidence. You’ll learn what makes an essay memorable to admissions readers, common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong profiles, and how to structure your story so it aligns with what top programs are looking for.

Career Pathways in Trust and AI Safety

Trust and AI safety roles are growing quickly, but the paths into them are often unclear and highly interdisciplinary. This session is for students and professionals who want to understand how to break into this space and what backgrounds actually translate. You’ll learn how to map your current experience to relevant roles, identify the core skills and knowledge areas that matter, and position your interest in AI safety in a credible, differentiated way.

What Top Law School Applicants Do Differently

Top law school applicants don’t just have strong stats — they approach the entire application process strategically. In this panel, experienced admissions coaches will break down what separates competitive candidates from the rest, from LSAT preparation and school selection to personal statements and interviews. You’ll learn how successful applicants build a clear narrative, avoid common mistakes, and position themselves effectively for top programs. Whether you’re early in the process or preparing to apply soon, this session will give you a sharper understanding of how to stand out.