Leland+ Content Library

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays (with Top Leland Coaches)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Booth's top-flight MBA program.

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays (Deck)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Booth's top-flight MBA program.

Successful Admits Panel

Curious what it really takes to get into a top deferred MBA program? In this panel, you’ll hear directly from successful admits who used Leland to gain acceptance to programs like Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, Wharton, Booth, and more. They’ll share their candid experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and how they leveraged coaching, strategy, and storytelling to stand out in an ultra-competitive applicant pool. Whether you’re just starting to explore deferred programs or gearing up to apply this cycle, this session will give you actionable insights, real-world advice, and inspiration from students who’ve been exactly where you are now.

How to Land an Interview at an MBB Firm

​McKinsey, Bain, and BCG are among the most competitive employers in the world—so how do you actually land an interview? In this panel, three top Leland consulting coaches will share the insider strategies, application tactics, and networking approaches that helped them break into MBB and that they now use to coach candidates into these firms. ​Hear from James H., a Columbia MBA, former McKinsey consultant, and ex-McKinsey interviewer; Annika F., a Bain consultant, HEC Paris MBA, and ICF-certified coach; and Sushmitha R., an MIT Sloan alum and former BCG summer consultant. Together, they’ll break down how to craft standout resumes, position nontraditional backgrounds, build meaningful networking connections, and align your story with what MBB teams are truly looking for. Whether you're an undergrad, MBA student, or career-switcher, this session will give you a clear roadmap to landing the interview that changes everything.

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.

The AI Workflow Audit: Discover Where AI Can Help You Most

Learn how to use AI to make your work faster and easier. In this hands-on session, you’ll turn ChatGPT or Claude into an audit partner that helps you map where your time goes, pinpoint repetitive or draining tasks, and uncover where AI can make your work easier. Outcomes: You’ll leave with a personalized “AI Audit Map” showing your top three opportunities to use AI for real impact, along with a practical framework and prompts to help you evaluate and redesign your workflows. No coding or automation required—just better ways to work. Learning Objectives: *Recognize the types of tasks best suited for AI support *Evaluate your own workflow to spot inefficiencies and AI opportunities *Apply a structured framework to redesign everyday processes for greater efficiency

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.

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.

Start Where You Are: Investing in the Arts as a Pathway to Venture Capital

You don’t need a fund, a finance background, or a Silicon Valley network to start investing—you just need vision and the courage to begin. In this inspirational session, Tiana Tukes (she/her) shares her journey of investing in creativity and culture as a foundation for a career in venture capital. Beginning with her first investment in photographer Tyler Mitchell in 2018, Tiana explores how supporting artists teaches powerful lessons about risk, storytelling, and conviction—the same instincts that drive great venture investors. Joined by potential special guest De’Havia Stewart, an investor at Serena Williams’ venture firm and Broadway investor (Othello, Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen), the conversation will highlight the many ways to participate in investing—whether that’s in people, art, or startups. Attendees will leave inspired to see that venture capital isn’t a closed world—it’s a creative one. And every investment, no matter how small, can be the start of your journey.

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.

Deferred (2+2) MBA Application Week Kickoff

Thinking about applying to a Deferred MBA program? Join us for Leland’s Deferred MBA Week Kickoff, featuring top Leland coaches Andy P. (20+ years of MBA coaching), Allie K. (75+ M7 Admits), and Geri T. (Founder of Harvard's DMBA Program), who have helped countless candidates get into the most competitive programs at schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton.

What Does a Chief of Staff Really Do? AMA with an Ex-Google Ops Leader

Curious about what a Chief of Staff actually does day-to-day and how to prepare for one of these high-impact roles? ​Join Regan R., former Strategy & Operations leader at Google Cloud and current Chief of Staff at Verily (and a Harvard MBA), for an AMA where she’ll pull back the curtain on the role—from leadership mindset and stakeholder alignment to career trajectory and essential skills. Bring your questions and walk away with a clearer sense of what it takes to thrive in this unique role and how to prepare accordingly.

Functions and Series for GMAT and GRE

This video breaks down functions, substitutions, and sequences that should be understood before taking the GMAT and GRE.

Probability and Overlapping Sets Examples

This deck explains probabilities and overlapping sets of two and three 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 "Probability and Overlapping Sets for the GMAT and GRE".

Deadline Ready: Final Steps for Your STEM Master’s Applications

Get insider guidance on how to finish your STEM Master’s applications strong with Leland Coach Fiona T., the former Director of Career Development at Berkeley, who has reviewed thousands of competitive STEM applications. Fiona will walk you through the final steps to ensure your materials are polished, cohesive, and aligned with what top programs are looking for. From last-minute statement edits to recommendation strategy, you’ll leave this session confident and deadline-ready.

The Truth About Deferred MBA Essays: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why

In this session, Leland Coach Kristen H., a HBS and GSB deferred admit and expert in early-career MBA strategy, will pull back the curtain on what separates successful essays from forgettable ones. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to approach each essay prompt strategically — and how to make your essays stand out in a competitive Deferred MBA cycle.

LangChain and LangGraph for Beginners : Guided Lab

A guided lab to help developers learn the basics of LangChain and LangGraph.