
Columbia Business School: Essay Brainstorming Template
A template to help prospective applicants to Columbia Business School brainstorm essay ideas.
AI Marketing: Loyalty
Using AI for the loyalty stage of the marketing funnel.

FAFSA 101
Leland is excited to partner with CareerVillage to host this free event on navigating FAFSA! Paying for college or graduate school starts with understanding financial aid—and that means knowing how to navigate the FAFSA. In this session, Leland coach Loubna B., who has years of experience guiding students through competitive admissions and funding opportunities, will walk you through the FAFSA process step by step. You’ll learn how to complete the application accurately, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your FAFSA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your financial aid journey.
Identify Your Missing Piece
• Walk through a real or hypothetical example of identifying gaps • How to differentiate between “substance gaps” and “communication gaps” • Example of turning a weakness (e.g., low quant score) into an update plan • Framework recap: Story – Strength – Fit • Call to action: complete your self-audit and select 1–2 improvement priorities

Waitlist Update Letter Builder
• Section 1: Greeting and opening tone • Section 2: New accomplishments or progress since submission • Section 3: Refined clarity on short- and long-term goals • Section 4: Reaffirmed school fit (specific to program culture and resources) • Section 5: Closing statement (gratitude + enthusiasm without pressure) • Example language snippets for each section

MBA Essays with AI the Right Way
AI tools are changing how applicants approach MBA essays—but using them effectively (and ethically) is the real challenge. In this session, expert Leland coach Eric L. will show you how to leverage AI to brainstorm, structure, and refine your essays while keeping your unique voice front and center. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make AI your ally in the application process and walk away with actionable strategies to craft essays that stand out to admissions committees.

From Strong to Unforgettable: Crafting Essays That Break Into the Ivies
Applying to college can feel overwhelming—but with the right strategy, your application can truly stand out. In this workshop, Abigail L.—a Harvard-educated admissions consultant who has guided 600+ students to top schools including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT—will share what sets successful applicants apart.

Overview of the Waitlist Process
• Visual timeline from decision release → movement → final outcomes • Key decision points: R2 admit shifts, summer yield management • Typical volume of waitlisted candidates and admit conversion rates • School-specific examples (generalized, not data-heavy) • Summary: What you can and can’t control at each stage

MBA to Consulting Panel
Still planning to break into consulting before graduation? You're not alone, and it's not too late. This panel is designed for MBA students who are exploring full-time roles in consulting, whether you’re re-recruiting, pivoting, or looking to refine your strategy. Hear from Taylor R., Andrew H., and Rifat M., all of whom successfully landed consulting offers later in the MBA journey as they share practical advice on networking, storytelling, case prep, and how to stand out in a competitive recruiting cycle. If you're hoping to make the jump into MBB or other top firms, this session will help you make the most of the months ahead.
Translation & Accessibility (Using DeepL + ChatGPT)
See how AI improves clarity and inclusivity through translation, tone adjustments, and plain-language rewriting.
AI Marketing: Loyalty
Using AI for the loyalty stage of the marketing funnel.
Intro to MBA Essay Writing
Translate your narrative into compelling MBA essays that demonstrate clarity of purpose, authenticity, and school fit.

Checklist: PhD School List Development and Prospective Faculty Search
Stop wasting time: Use this actionable framework to build your PhD school list and find the right faculty mentors. Learn how to target programs that match your research and maximize your admissions odds.
MIT Sloan: Application Breakdown
A deep dive into the MIT Sloan MBA application.
MIT Sloan: Example Video Essay
An example of a video essay for the MIT Sloan MBA application.

Columbia Business School: Brand and Culture
An overview of Columbia Business School's brand and culture.

Columbia Business School: Recommender Guide
A template to ensure you have strong recommendations for your Columbia Business School application.
If You’re Admitted vs. If You’re Not – Next Steps and Growth Opportunities
• What to do immediately if admitted off the waitlist (next steps checklist) • If not admitted: reframing and reapplication mindset • How to carry lessons forward to strengthen next cycle applications • Managing timelines (deposits, deferrals, reapp deadlines) • Closing encouragement: progress > perfection
Permutations and Combinations for GMAT and GRE
An overview of permutations and combinations for the GMAT and GRE.

MIT Sloan: Overview and Application Breakdown
An overview of MIT Sloan and its application components.