Leland+ Content Library

Essays (2): UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Admitted R1

These are the 3 application essays of an applicant who secured R1 admission to UNC Kenan-Flagler full-time MBA.

Essays (2): Michigan Ross MBA Admitted R1 2025

These are the 2 application essays of an applicant who secured R1 admission to Michigan Ross full-time MBA.

The Resilient Job Seeker

Keeping yourself sane and well during a stressful job search and transition

Essays (3): Duke Fuqua MBA Admitted R1 Class 2028

These are the 3 application essays of an applicant who secured Round 1 admission to Duke Fuqua MBA.

Creating a Competitive Truman Scholar Application

The Truman Scholarship is one of the most competitive awards for students pursuing public service careers. In this session, top Leland coach and Truman Scholar Yaseen E. will break down what makes a Truman application stand out, from crafting a compelling policy-focused narrative to securing strong recommendations. You’ll learn how to position your leadership, service, and academic goals with clarity and intention.

Positioning for IB and Buy Side

Breaking into investment banking or the buy side requires more than strong technical skills—it requires clear positioning. In this session, a top Leland coach and IB expert Adam B. will break down how to shape your story, experience, and skill set to appeal to both IB and buy-side recruiters.

What Deferred MBA Essays Need to Accomplish, and How to Get There

Deferred MBA essays are less about polished resumes and more about potential, clarity of goals, and long-term impact, and getting them right requires a very specific approach. In this session, you’ll learn what top programs actually expect deferred candidates to demonstrate, how admissions committees read these essays differently from traditional MBA applications, and how to structure your responses to show maturity, self-awareness, and trajectory. We’ll break down common pitfalls, winning themes, and practical steps to move from a blank page to a compelling final draft with confidence.

Pivoting into Equity Research: Tips for Early- and Mid-Career Professionals

Breaking into equity research can feel opaque - especially if you are coming from a nontraditional or STEM background - but the transition is absolutely achievable with the right strategy. In this session, Diane K. will share practical guidance drawn from her experience covering SMID Biotech and Healthcare at Goldman Sachs and working in corporate development at a venture-backed startup with over $650M in funding. You’ll learn the top things to consider when making an entry or pivot into equity research, how to position your background for research roles, and the key to-dos for getting started with an equity research job search. Whether you are early in your career or making a mid-career pivot, this workshop will help you understand what matters most and how to stand out.

Do Your Deferred MBA in Spain: Interview with IESE Admissions Director

Join Jesse L., a Leland Top 10 MBA coach for international applicants, for a live interview with Patrik Wallén, MBA Admissions Director at IESE Business School (ranked #3 in the world by the Financial Times), followed by an open audience Q&A. This will be the first interview focused primarily on IESE’s Young Talent Path (YTP), IESE’s early-career, deferred-style pathway that ultimately leads into the full-time MBA. While the main focus is on YTP, this session will also be highly valuable for any applicant considering IESE, as it offers direct insight into IESE’s admissions philosophy, values, career development, and case-method-based MBA program. ✨ What makes IESE’s YTP unique Unlike most U.S.-based deferred MBA (DMBA) programs that require candidates to apply during their final undergraduate year or while completing a graduate degree, IESE allows applicants to apply both during their senior year and after graduation, with up to two years of full-time work experience. This makes YTP accessible to a broader group of early-career professionals who may not have been ready to apply as seniors. In this conversation, Jesse will interview Patrik on how YTP works in practice, how candidates are evaluated, and how YTP admits transition into the regular IESE MBA. We will also cover the support IESE provides to YTP admits during the deferral period, including engagement with the school, career guidance, and preparation for joining the MBA cohort. 📌 Topics will include: • What the Young Talent Path (YTP) is and how it compares to other deferred MBA-style programs • Who YTP is designed for and how candidates are assessed • Applying to YTP after graduation with less than two years of experience • What admission through YTP means in practice • How IESE supports YTP admits during the deferral period • How and when YTP participants join the full-time IESE MBA • What the IESE MBA experience looks like • Live audience Q&A 🎯 Who should attend This session is designed to give applicants real clarity on YTP and the IESE MBA, directly from the source.

Gaming the GMAT FE: Advanced Strategies to Break 705

You’re already scoring well, but how do you break into that next percentile tier? This free workshop is for those ready to fine-tune their GMAT Focus performance with advanced, test-savvy strategies. We’ll unpack how the adaptive scoring algorithm really works, how to choose section order strategically, and how to avoid the traps that cost top scorers the most points. You’ll also dive deep into high-efficiency tactics for Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights. Plus learn how your mindset on test day can be the difference between a good score and a great one.

Ask Me Anything About Round 3 MBA Applications

Are you considering applying for an MBA in Round 3 and have questions about how to make your application stand out? Join me, Joy, for an "Ask Me Anything" session where I'll provide insights and answer your burning questions about the MBA application process. With over 20 years of experience as an MBA Admissions Consultant, I've helped over 500 clients gain admission to top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. My background in marketing and creative writing allows me to help you craft compelling narratives that highlight your unique qualities. Whether you're applying to a full-time, executive, or any other MBA program, this session is your chance to get expert advice on editing, recommendations, interviews, networking strategy, school selection, and more. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and take a step closer to achieving your MBA dreams!

Breaking Into PE: What It Takes — From Any Background

Private equity recruiting is highly competitive, but there’s no single “right” path to breaking in. In this session, we’ll break down what PE firms actually look for in candidates, how recruiting works at different stages, and how people from non-traditional backgrounds successfully make the jump. You’ll learn how to position your experience, build the right technical and investment skill set, and avoid common mistakes that hold candidates back. Whether you’re coming from banking, consulting, corporate finance, or an unconventional path, this session will give you a clear roadmap for breaking into private equity with confidence.

How to Stand Out in VC Recruiting

Venture capital recruiting is relationship-driven, competitive, and often opaque—and standing out requires far more than a strong resume. In this session, you’ll learn how VC firms actually evaluate candidates, what signals investing potential, and how to differentiate yourself through sourcing, market insight, and clear thinking. We’ll cover networking strategies, outreach, interview preparation, and how to demonstrate judgment and curiosity even without prior investing experience.

Networking and Building Professional Connections

Building strong professional connections is one of the most important skills for landing your first job, especially in a competitive market. In this session, you’ll learn practical strategies for networking effectively, building authentic relationships, and turning conversations into real opportunities. Hosted by Leland coach Fiona T., who has helped hundreds of students land their first roles out of college, this event will break down what actually works when it comes to outreach, informational interviews, and follow-ups. The session will also cover considerations for international students navigating the U.S. job market, so you can network with confidence and purpose.

Pivoting from Academia to Industry

Pivoting from Academia to Industry Transitioning from academia into an industry role requires more than strong technical skills—it demands the ability to clearly communicate your value, reframe your academic experience, and navigate a hiring landscape that looks very different from university admissions. In this workshop, Stefan E. will share the strategies he used to execute his own successful pivot, earning interviews at 10 of the 12 universities he applied to and early admits to four top programs. Drawing on his experience as a lecturer, instructor, and former international student, Stefan will teach you how to translate research and teaching into industry-ready impact, present your skills with clarity, and approach your career transition with confidence.

Beyond the MBA: Building a Career Story Schools Want to Invest In

Top MBA programs do not admit candidates solely on ambition, strong credentials, or polished essays. They admit individuals whose career direction is clear, compelling, and rooted in authentic personal motivation. Your career story is the lens through which every element of your application is evaluated—and when developed correctly, it becomes the most differentiating part of your candidacy. In this session, two MBA admissions consultants with more than 25 years of combined experience will walk you through the framework used by the most successful applicants to define career goals that resonate with top programs. You will learn how admissions committees assess career vision, what signals readiness and conviction, and why thoughtful goal-setting must come before selecting target schools. What You Will Learn • How to articulate a career direction grounded in personal meaning, not buzzwords or manufactured narratives • The specific traits admissions committees look for when evaluating career goals • How to demonstrate feasibility and alignment with program strengths • Ways to incorporate future-focused thinking—including but not limited to AI and industry evolution • How to connect your past experiences, present capabilities, and long-term aspirations into a coherent, differentiated narrative • Why a strong career story increases your likelihood of admission and makes you a more compelling future alum

Strategic Approach to GRE Quant Questions

GRE Quant can feel less about math knowledge and more about strategy—and that’s exactly where most test-takers lose points. Join this session, Strategic Approach to GRE Quant Questions, designed to help you think smarter, not harder, when tackling quantitative problems on test day. In this event, you’ll learn how to recognize common GRE question patterns, choose the most efficient solving methods, and avoid time-consuming traps that can derail your score. The session focuses on decision-making under pressure, strategic shortcuts, and knowing when to calculate, estimate, or eliminate answer choices. Whether you’re struggling to manage time or aiming to push your Quant score into a higher range, this coaching event will give you practical tools you can apply immediately. Walk away with clearer strategies, increased confidence, and a more controlled approach to GRE Quant questions.

MBA Interview Success: What Top Programs Look For

MBA interviews aren’t just about answering questions—they’re about showing who you are, how you think, and why you belong in a top-tier program. In this session, you’ll learn exactly how elite schools evaluate candidates, from behavioral depth and self-awareness to leadership potential and communication style. We’ll break down common interview formats (including blind interviews, behavioral deep dives, and scenario-based questions), teach you how to structure compelling answers, and share strategies for showcasing authenticity while still being polished and strategic. You’ll walk away with a clear playbook for standing out in any MBA interview setting.

From Meh to Memorable: Law School Personal Statements

A strong law school personal statement can be the difference between blending in and standing out. In this session, top Leland coach and Harvard Law alum Dylan M. will break down what separates forgettable essays from memorable ones and why many applicants miss the mark. You’ll learn how to craft a clear narrative, highlight your motivations for law, and avoid common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications.

Guide to Getting a Job at a Startup

From my first-hand experience and tons of soul-searching, learn how to get a job at a startup.