Leland+ Content Library

What Successful MBA Applicants are Doing in January

January is a critical month in the MBA admissions cycle, and how you use it can set the tone for the rest of your application. In this session, Leland coach Jenny R., who has admissions committee experience at Wharton and has coached hundreds of MBA applicants, will share what she consistently sees top candidates focusing on during this window. Drawing on her years of admissions and coaching experience, Jenny will break down the specific actions successful applicants take in January, from refining their narrative and strengthening their profile to planning test retakes, recommendations, and school research. You’ll leave with a clear checklist of priorities and a smarter strategy for using January to position yourself competitively for the months ahead.

Get Your Foot in the Door with Top Banks

Breaking into top investment banks can feel out of reach—but the right approach can open doors. Join Get Your Foot in the Door with Top Banks, a focused session designed to help you navigate the early stages of IB recruiting with confidence. In this event, you’ll learn how to position your profile for top banks, approach networking strategically, and make a strong first impression with recruiters and professionals. We’ll cover common entry points, key mistakes to avoid, and practical steps you can take right now to improve your chances. Whether you’re early in your journey or looking for clearer direction, you’ll leave with actionable insights and a stronger game plan.

How to Land a Role in Business Strategy & Operations

Strategy & Ops roles sit at the center of how companies make decisions, solve problems, and scale—and breaking in requires a mix of strategic thinking, analytical skill, and crisp communication. In this session, you’ll learn what hiring managers look for, how to position your background (even if it's nontraditional), and how to prepare for the case, analytical, and behavioral components of the interview process. We’ll also cover how to craft a compelling narrative, build a targeted resume, and navigate recruiting across startups, tech, and high-growth companies.

Top 5 Tips to Break into IB

Breaking into investment banking is competitive—but with the right strategy, it’s achievable. Join Top 5 Tips to Break into IB, a focused session designed to give you clear, actionable guidance on how to stand out in the recruiting process. In this event, we’ll cover the five most important factors for breaking into IB, from building a strong resume and networking effectively to preparing for interviews and positioning your story. You’ll gain practical insights you can apply immediately, whether you’re just starting out or refining your approach. Walk away with clarity, confidence, and a smarter strategy for breaking into investment banking.

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.

Understanding the Med School Application Timeline and Strategy

After this session, you'll know how to structure your medical school application timeline from AMCAS submission through secondary essays, and understand how to avoid the pacing mistakes that cost competitive applicants interview invitations. You'll also leave with a clearer framework for deciding which schools to prioritize given your specific academic and clinical profile.

Nail the McKinsey Personal Experience Interview

The McKinsey Personal Experience Interview is one of the most distinctive and challenging parts of the consulting process, and many candidates underestimate how different it is from standard behavioral interviews. This session is for candidates preparing for McKinsey who want to approach the PEI with more structure and confidence. You’ll learn how to select and refine your stories, demonstrate leadership and impact with specificity, and communicate your experiences in a way that aligns with what McKinsey evaluates.

Crafting Powerful Narratives for MBA Applications

Many MBA applicants have strong experiences but struggle to turn them into a clear, compelling story that resonates with admissions committees. This session is designed for candidates who want to understand how to connect their past experiences, leadership moments, and career goals into a cohesive narrative that strengthens every part of the application. You’ll learn how successful applicants frame their impact, choose the right stories for essays and interviews, and communicate a believable path from where they are today to where they want to go.

Build Your Master’s Application Narrative

Many strong applicants struggle to clearly explain why their experiences, goals, and chosen program fit together into a compelling master’s application. This session is designed for candidates preparing graduate school applications who want to turn scattered achievements into a focused, persuasive narrative. You’ll learn how to connect your academic background to future goals, identify the experiences that matter most to admissions committees, and structure essays that present a clear story about who you are and where you’re headed.

The Simple Path to Financial Independence

Are you looking for more flexibility in your career? Maybe curious about how you can achieve financial independence? Join me, Dr. Troy Russell, for an insightful session on the steps you can take to achieve financial freedom and a healthier work-life balance. With a background in behavioral change and strategic planning, I've successfully navigated my own path (and coached +40 others) to achieve financial independence. During this event, we'll explore behavioral narratives influencing your money decisions, effective personal finance strategies, and the importance of mindfulness in your financial journey. Whether you're looking for more career flexibility or seeking guidance on personal finances, I'm looking to help you chart a path to success. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Breaking Into Top Hedge Funds - Top 5 Tips

Breaking into top hedge funds isn’t just about technical skill—it’s about strategy, relationships, and a resume that gets noticed. In this session, Fiona T., former Director of Career Development for UC Berkeley’s MFE program who has coached 200+ people into roles in hedge funds and other quantitative finance firms, will share her top five insider tips. You’ll learn how to position your quantitative experience, stand out during networking, and tailor your story for hedge fund recruiters.

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.

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.

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.

Sample Resume VC Investment Analyst

This is a sample resume template to help break into VC from a foreign/non-traditional background.

Chicago Booth Personal Essay – Outside the Office

A personal essay on improv comedy, community, and how life outside of work shaped my adaptability and perspective.

Grad School and Fellowships Applications--Steps to Success!

This high level overview of the grad school and fellowships application process helps potential applicants understand how to get started, differences between graduate program and fellowships applications, how to organize the process, what to know about personal statements and essays, how to identify recommenders, and financial considerations.

The Full Stack AI Workflow: Leveraging AI from Product Discovery to Delivery [6/3/2026] (Recording)

AI is transforming every stage of the product lifecycle, but most teams only use a fraction of what’s possible. This session is for builders and professionals who want to understand how to integrate AI end-to-end, from early discovery to final delivery. You’ll learn how to use AI for ideation and user research, streamline execution and iteration, and build workflows that compound efficiency across the entire product process. Join live to ask questions about your own workflows and see how an AI expert approaches building systems that actually scale. The speaker regularly helps teams implement AI-driven processes and will share the patterns they see across effective, real-world use cases. Expect practical frameworks and insights similar to what’s covered in 1:1 working sessions.

Analytical Writing Section on the GRE

The GRE Analytical Writing section tests how clearly and logically you can build and defend an argument under time pressure. In this session, you’ll learn a simple structure for tackling both the Issue and Argument tasks, how essays are scored, and how to generate strong examples quickly. Whether you’re aiming to raise your score or refine your approach, you’ll leave with a repeatable framework to write with clarity and control on test day.

Software Engineering Recruiting Week Kickoff

Kick off Software Engineering Recruiting Week with a high-level panel covering everything you need to know to successfully navigate the recruiting process. This session will break down what matters most at each stage, including resumes, networking strategies, interview preparation, and how to position yourself as a strong candidate. You’ll gain insider perspective on what hiring managers actually look for, where candidates tend to waste time, and how to prioritize your efforts for maximum impact. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your strategy, this session will give you a clear roadmap for the recruiting journey ahead.