Leland+ Content Library

From Draft to Distinction: Crafting Med School Essays That Impress

Your essays are more than just words - they are your chance to show who you are to the Admissions Committee. This session will give you actual tools to transform your experiences into compelling outcome driven narratives.

MBA Interview Prep Guidelines

A concise MBA interview prep guide focused on storytelling, school fit, and nailing the questions that drive admissions decisions.

Private Equity Networking & Firm Outreach Strategy

Breaking into private equity requires more than strong technical skills—it demands targeted networking, strategic outreach, and a clear understanding of how firms make hiring decisions. In this session, Brian L., a Chicago Booth MBA and former portfolio operations professional at Vista Equity Partners, will share how he built relationships across the PE ecosystem while working with B2B software companies on sales strategy, revenue operations, and customer success. Drawing on his experience navigating both the PE and MBA recruiting landscapes, Brian will walk you through how to structure outreach, build meaningful connections, and position yourself effectively for on- and off-cycle opportunities.

Duke MBA Essay 1 Example: 25 Things About Yourself

This is an example of the Duke MBA Fuqua Essay #1, which has the following essay prompt: "The ‘Team Fuqua’ spirit and community is one of the things that sets the MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. Please share with us “25 Random Things” about you. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know YOU – beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. Share with us important life experiences, your hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Your list will be limited to 2 pages (750 words maximum). Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be brief, while others may be longer."

Strategy Consultant Charting Cheat Sheet

A quick-reference cheat sheet for choosing the right consulting chart to clearly communicate strategy insights and data-driven stories.

Deferred MBA M7 Series: MIT Sloan

Join us for a focused deep dive into the MIT Sloan Deferred MBA Program, designed to help early-career candidates understand what Sloan looks for and how to craft a standout application. We’ll walk through the program structure, what makes Sloan unique, and the key qualities the admissions committee consistently values. You’ll leave with concrete guidance on how to position your experiences, highlight impact, and present an application that resonates with Sloan’s data-driven, principled-leadership culture.

TOEFL Writing Test Sample

This is an example of a TOEFL Integrated Writing answer. It shows you a good example of essay structure, length, and logic.

Wrap Up Your MBA Prep Before R2 Deadlines

Get ready to submit your strongest Round 2 MBA application with guidance from top Leland coaches. This session will cover final essay tweaks, resume polish, recommendation strategies, and interview prep to ensure every component of your application is aligned and compelling. You’ll leave with a clear plan and actionable next steps to approach Round 2 deadlines with confidence.

Managing Your Online Presence for MBA Apps

Social Media and Online Presence: 10 Tips for MBA Applicants

Personal Efficiency Playbook

Getting to Inbox Zero, Time Management, and AI

NYU Stern Interview Question Bank

List of questions applicable to Stern Interview to help a candidate prepare for an interview.

MBA Application Strategy: The Six Pillars

A clear definition of the Six Pillars MBA admissions use to evaluate candidates, with guidance on how to demonstrate each through your experiences.

MBA Goals Worksheet

A concise worksheet to clarify your MBA career goals and articulate the “why MBA, why now, and why this school” with precision.

Quantitative Finance Career Guide

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

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Booth

Learn what it takes to stand out in Chicago Booth’s highly selective Deferred MBA program. In this session, expert Leland coach and Admissions Fellow at Booth Tim F. will share insights on what Booth values most, from intellectual curiosity to leadership potential. You’ll walk away with clear strategies for crafting a strong application and telling your story with authenticity and impact.

PM Coffee Chats: How to Network Like a Pro

Networking is one of the most underrated skills in product management—and often the difference between landing interviews and getting stuck in the application void. In this session, you’ll learn how to build meaningful relationships with product leaders, run effective coffee chats, and turn casual conversations into real opportunities. Your guide, Robert E., a former Head of Product at Home Depot who has built and led high-performing PM teams, will share insider strategies from the perspective of someone who has been on the hiring side. He’ll break down what works, what comes across as transactional, and how candidates can authentically stand out in a crowded market. You'll walk away with tactical scripts, outreach strategies, and a repeatable playbook for networking with confidence and purpose—whether you’re breaking into product, pivoting roles, or leveling up your career.

AMA With Former Amazon Principle PM & Hiring Manager

Join this candid Ask Me Anything with Leland coach Lou A., a former Amazon Principal Product Manager and hiring manager, for an inside look at how product leaders at top tech companies evaluate candidates and build teams. Lou will share firsthand perspectives on what strong PMs consistently do to stand out, how hiring decisions are really made, and where candidates most often go wrong. Come with questions and leave with practical insights you can apply immediately.

Developing a Differentiated Personal Narrative

Standing out in the deferred MBA pool requires more than strong credentials. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to craft a clear, differentiated personal narrative that ties your experiences, goals, and values into a cohesive story that resonates with HSW and M7 admissions committees. Led by Leland coach Angela C., a storytelling expert with a 100% package success rate who specializes in HSW and M7 deferred admissions, this session will break down how top applicants define their core themes, position early-career impact, and avoid the generic narratives that hold many candidates back. You’ll leave with practical frameworks and concrete next steps to start shaping a compelling, authentic story for your deferred MBA applications.

AI Product Manager Resumes: Best Practices, Myths, and Realities

Writing a strong resume for AI product roles requires more than listing tools or buzzwords. In this session, we’ll break down what actually matters on an AI PM resume, what common advice gets wrong, and how hiring managers really evaluate candidates for AI-focused product roles. You’ll learn how to highlight impact, frame technical and cross-functional experience, and position your background effectively whether you’re transitioning into AI or deepening your specialization. By the end, you’ll have clear, practical guidance to build a resume that reflects real product thinking and stands out in a competitive AI hiring landscape.

Beyond the Checklist – Shadowing, Volunteering & Experiences That Actually Matter

Dental schools look for far more than hours logged on a checklist. In this session, expert Leland coach and former Dean at Columbia Ellen W. will break down which shadowing, volunteering, and hands-on experiences actually move the needle in admissions—and how to approach them with intention. You’ll learn how to choose opportunities that align with your story, reflect on them effectively, and avoid common mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications.