Leland+ Content Library

Stop Competing With Everyone Else. Start Mastering Your Own Mind [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Unlock the power of your mind and elevate your leadership skills in our upcoming event, "Stop Competing With Everyone Else. Start Mastering Your Own Mind." Join David, an experienced talent acquisition expert and strategist, as he guides you through the essential skills of decision-making, strategy, leadership development, and communication. With a rich background that includes roles at Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, David brings a wealth of knowledge in fostering growth and innovation. He is currently enhancing his expertise with a Masters in coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas and holds a certificate in People Analytics from The Wharton School. This session is designed for executives and leaders eager to refine their strategic thinking and communication prowess. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach to leadership. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot!

Inside the Interview Room: Crack Case Math with an Ex-McKinsey & HBS MBA [7/30/2026] (Recording)

Case math is where the most prepared candidates still lose points. The maths itself usually isn't hard. What separates a strong answer from a weak one is how you set it up, how you talk through it, and how you land the so-what at the end. In this live session, I'll walk you through 2-3 real MBB-style math problems. A break-even calculation, a growth projection, and a unit economics question. For each one, I'll show you how I'd approach it as an ex-McKinsey consultant. Where to start, how to structure the work, what interviewers actually score, and the small habits that signal a top candidate vs. an average one.

The Reapplicant's Advantage: Turning Setback into Strategy. [7/22/2026] (Recording)

For many successful MBA graduates, rejection was not the end of the journey—it was the turning point. When approached with strategy, reflection, and renewed purpose, reapplying can transform a setback into a compelling statement of resilience, growth, and focus. Admissions committees respect candidates who demonstrate perseverance, self-awareness, and the ability to learn from experience—but only when that growth is clear, specific, and credible. This workshop will help you turn a “ding” into a competitive edge. You’ll learn how to conduct a clear-eyed assessment of your previous application, identify what may have held you back, highlight meaningful progress since your last submission, and approach the reapplicant essay with authenticity and impact. More than damage control, the reapplication process is an opportunity to show the admissions committee that you are stronger, more prepared, and more intentional than before. Done well, your reapplication can tell a sharper, more mature, and more persuasive story. By the end of this session, you will be able to: * Conduct a candid self-assessment to identify weaknesses in your previous application and opportunities for improvement. * Demonstrate tangible growth through professional achievements, academic progress, leadership development, and deeper extracurricular or community impact. * Refine your school strategy by aligning more precisely with programs where your fit, goals, and competitiveness are strongest. * Craft a powerful reapplicant essay that emphasizes resilience, growth, and renewed commitment—without sounding defensive or making excuses. * Strengthen recommendations and school engagement by securing enthusiastic advocates and building more authentic connections with your target programs.

Showing Leadership Potential in your MBA App w/ex-Stanford Admissions Director [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Next to academics, the most important criteria that schools evaluate in your MBA application is 'leadership potential'. What is it, and how is it evaluated? While each school may differ slightly, there are several key elements that are common across MBA admissions. My goal is to offer actionable tips and a structured framework to strengthen your application in this area. I draw on more than a decade managing admissions at Stanford GSB, as well as helping to develop the school's core leadership curriculum. Following the session, I will share a video link (in case you miss it) and a PDF summary document.

The Freedom of Failure [7/28/2026] (Recording)

Join us for "The Freedom of Failure," an insightful session designed to empower executives and leaders in embracing failure as a stepping stone to success. Led by David, a seasoned professional with extensive experience in talent acquisition and strategic planning, this event will delve into the critical aspects of decision-making, strategic planning, and team management, with a special focus on AI strategy. David's impressive background includes roles at top companies like Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, where he has honed his skills in recruiting and business growth strategies. With a certificate in People Analytics from The Wharton School and ongoing studies in coaching at the University of Texas at Dallas, David brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective to the table. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to turn setbacks into strategic advantages and lead your team with confidence. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

AMA: M7 MBA Admissions and MBB Recruiting [6/30/2026] (Recording)

Want to break into an M7 MBA program and land an offer from MBB? Join Alec Emmert, a Wharton MBA, former McKinsey consultant, and former McKinsey interviewer, for an open, judgment-free coaching session on MBA admissions, consulting recruiting, and career reinvention. Alec was admitted to Wharton at 35 with a 2.85 undergraduate GPA and later joined McKinsey after being rejected in a previous application cycle. In this session, he’ll share the lessons, strategies, and hard-earned insights that helped him overcome nontraditional odds and answer your questions directly. Bring anything you want to ask about MBA applications, M7 positioning, consulting interviews, networking, overcoming weak spots, or building a compelling story.

Personal Statement vs. Optional Essays: What Goes Where [6/18/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know exactly how to divide your narrative across the personal statement and optional essays without repeating yourself or leaving gaps. We will cover how to identify which experiences belong in each space, how to use the optional essay strategically rather than defensively, and how to recognize when leaving an optional essay blank is the stronger choice. Attending live means you can bring your specific situation, whether you have a GPA explanation to navigate or a nontraditional background to frame, and hear how those decisions get made in real time. This coach works with law school applicants daily and will be sharing the same judgment they apply when reviewing and rebuilding application narratives with their own clients.

MIT Rnd 1 Drop in Q&A - Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/26/2026] (Recording)

MIT Sloan is not a generic top-10 MBA program. It has a distinct culture, a distinct type of student it is looking for, and a genuinely unusual application process. If you are targeting Sloan, you need to understand all three. This session is specifically for serious MIT Sloan applicants. We will cover: - What MIT Sloan is actually like — the culture, the "mens et manus" philosophy, Action Learning, the cohort model, and what kind of person actually thrives there - Classes and programs worth knowing — specific electives, labs, and tracks that should be showing up in your application - The MIT application quirks — the cover letter format, the video statement, what they are really asking, and how to answer without sounding like everyone else - How to nail your story for Sloan specifically — MIT wants builders, doers, and people with a point of view. How do you show that? - Honest answers to your specific questions — bring your draft cover letter, your concerns, your "is this school right for me" doubts

MBA Recommendation Deep Dive and Q&A [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Recommendations are one of the most overlooked and underappreciated elements of the MBA application process. Time and time again throughout my career, I’ve seen strong recommendations differentiate applicants – and yes, even change admissions outcomes – in a crowded field of otherwise similar profiles. In this session, we’ll cover: • How the MBA recommendation process works • How to navigate difficult decisions about whom to select as recommenders • What distinguishes effective recommendations from forgettable ones • How to equip your recommenders to write detailed, impactful letters • Q&A about your own recommender choices and specific situations Attending live gives you the chance to ask questions about your recommendation strategy and receive real-time, personalized guidance that may not fit the standard advice. Greg Guglielmo has been a full-time MBA admissions consultant since 2017 and brings over 7,000 hours of one-on-one admissions consulting experience. If you want a clearer strategy for one of the most important parts of your MBA application, this session is worth joining live!

MBA Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Strong MBA essays are built through strategy and revision, not first drafts. In this live workshop, attendees will watch a real-time transformation of an underwhelming MBA essay into a far stronger and more compelling submission. Along the way, the session will unpack the strategic thinking behind each edit, illustrating how top applicants improve storytelling, structure, reflection, and differentiation throughout the drafting process.

The Non-Traditional Applicant's Playbook: How to Turn an Unconventional Path Int [7/30/2026] (Recording)

Most MBA prep content assumes a standard path: two or three years at a bank or consulting firm, clean career progression, obvious "why MBA." If that's not you, most of the advice out there doesn't apply, and following it will make your application worse, not better. As a Ross admissions interviewer who has interviewed candidates with every kind of background, I know what separates the non-traditional applicants who get admitted from the ones who don't. This session is for anyone who's ever worried their resume won't make sense to adcom. What "Non-Traditional" Actually Means to Adcom: It doesn't mean what most applicants think — and the anxiety around it is usually misplaced. -How adcom actually defines non-traditional and what it signals to a reader -The difference between a non-traditional background that's an asset and one that raises real concerns -Why some of the most compelling applications come from candidates without the standard pedigree Reframing Your Story So Your Background Works For You: Trying to make an unconventional path sound traditional is the wrong move. -How to find the through-line in a career that doesn't look linear on paper -Why your differentiated experience is more valuable than you've been told -How to position yourself as a distinct perspective Where Non-Traditional Applicants Lose Points (And How to Avoid It): The mistakes that hurt non-traditional candidates are specific and largely avoidable. -The essay and resume mistakes that come up most often in non-traditional applications -How to handle "why now" and "why MBA" when your path doesn't have an obvious answer -What adcom is actually concerned about when they see an unconventional background — and how to address it directly -How to use your recommenders strategically when your background is atypical

Weighing the GRE v. the GMAT! [6/18/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to choose between the GRE and GMAT based on your target programs, your testing strengths, and how each exam is actually evaluated by admissions committees. We will cover which schools still prefer one over the other, how to read your own diagnostic scores to predict where you will perform better, and what a realistic prep timeline looks like for each test. Attending live means you can describe your specific situation and get a direct answer, not a general framework that may or may not apply to you. The coach works with GRE and GMAT candidates regularly and will share the patterns that consistently guide that decision well.

Drop in Q&A Rnd 1 MBA- Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Round 1 deadlines are coming. Your essay is probably not-started. Your story probably doesn't make sense yet. That's fine — that's exactly what we're going to figure out. I'm Bryan, Wharton undergrad, MIT Sloan MBA, and I've spent 12 years helping people turn complicated, non-linear careers into applications that actually get read. I've seen the cookie-cutter essays. I've seen the AI-written ones. Adcoms have too. We're not doing that. In this session we'll talk about what Round 1 actually means for your chances, how to find the thread that connects your story, what schools are really asking when they say "why MBA, why now," and how to stop writing essays that sound like everyone else's. No fluff. No templates. Just the stuff that actually moves the needle. Bring your messy draft. Bring your confused career pivot. Bring your "I don't know how to explain what I do" problem. We'll figure it out together.

Standout Recommendations: Turning Letters Into Game-Changers [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Recommendations can meaningfully strengthen or weaken an application, yet many applicants treat them as an afterthought. This session will explore what separates generic recommendation letters from truly impactful ones and how applicants can better equip recommenders to advocate effectively on their behalf. Attendees will learn how top candidates strategically manage the recommendation process to ensure letters reinforce and elevate their broader application narrative.

✍️ Write MBA Essays That Stand Out: Why MBA, Why Now, Why This School [6/25/2026] (Recording)

🤔Are you struggling to write clear, specific, and convincing answers to “Why an MBA?”, “Why now?”, and “Why this school?” These three questions sit at the heart of almost every strong MBA application. They may look simple, but weak answers are one of the fastest ways to sound generic, unfocused, or interchangeable with thousands of other applicants. In this focused 45-minute session, you’ll learn how to turn these core essay themes into a sharper, more differentiated MBA story. ✍️ We’ll break down what admissions committees are really looking for, why these questions matter so much, and the most common mistakes applicants make when writing about their goals, timing, and school fit. You’ll see examples drawn from successful MBA application materials, along with detailed analysis of what makes an answer strong or weak. We’ll cover how to connect your background, career goals, personal motivations, and school research into essays that feel specific, credible, and authentic. You’ll also learn how to avoid vague claims like “global network,” “diverse community,” and “leadership opportunities,” and replace them with school-specific details that actually strengthen your candidacy. By the end of the session, you’ll understand how to: ✅ Build stronger answers to “Why MBA?”, “Why now?”, and “Why this school?” ✅ Connect your past experience to your future goals ✅ Show real school fit without sounding generic ✅ Make your essays more personal, strategic, and admissions-ready ✅ Avoid common essay mistakes that weaken otherwise strong applications We’ll close with a live Q&A where you can ask about your own essay strategy, school fit, goals, or anything that wasn’t fully clear from the presentation. Seats are limited, so register now to strengthen one of the most important parts of your MBA application. 🚀 ⭐ Plus, attendees who stay for the full session will automatically be entered to win a free 1-hour coaching session with me, a $259 value.

Ross MBA 101: The inside view of Ross from an alum and admissions interviewer [6/29/2026] (Recording)

A free session with a Ross MBA alum and admissions interviewer covering what adcom actually wants, how to nail your essays, and why most "Why Ross" answers miss the mark. Is Ross Right for You? Not every top program is built the same; Here's what makes Ross distinct and how to know if it belongs on your list. -The academics, culture, and community that define the Ross experience -How to pressure-test your interest before you put in the work What Adcom Actually Wants: What Ross is really evaluating beyond the resume and how to show it. -The criteria, values, and defining traits adcom consistently selects for -Common mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them -How to frame a non-traditional background as an asset, not a liability Building Your Ross Network Before You Apply: The applicants who get in aren't just applying, they're doing their homework. -How to reach out to current students and alums without being awkward about it -What to ask, what to track, and how to use it in your essays -Why this step matters more than most applicants realize Nailing Your Essays: The Ross essays reward specificity and vulnerability, and here's how to give them what they want. -How to approach each prompt, what the question is really asking, and how to demonstrate the characteristics they're looking for -What strong vs. weak essays actually look like -How to tell a cohesive story across your entire application The Interview: How to Answer "Why Ross" Without Sounding Generic: Most applicants blow this question. Here's how to not be one of them. -What adcom is listening for in your Why Ross answer -How to build a specific, credible answer that doesn't sound like you Googled it -What to expect from the full Ross interview format and how to prepare

How to Build an MBA List That Actually Fits You [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to build an MBA list that truly aligns with your goals and aspirations? Join me for an insightful session on crafting a personalized MBA school selection strategy. With an MBA from The Wharton School, where I co-hosted the Wharton Fintech Podcast and held leadership roles in various clubs, I bring a wealth of experience in navigating the MBA landscape. In this event, we'll dive into the nuances of selecting the right MBA programs that fit your career ambitions and personal interests. Whether you're just starting your MBA journey or refining your list, this session will provide valuable insights to guide your decision-making process. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you find the perfect MBA fit!

What it Takes to Break into Product Management in 2026 [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Breaking into product management has become increasingly competitive, especially as hiring expectations continue to evolve alongside advances in AI and technology. This session is designed for aspiring product managers and career switchers who want a clearer understanding of what companies are looking for in PM candidates today. You’ll learn how to build relevant experience, develop the skills that hiring teams consistently value, and position your background effectively in applications, networking conversations, and interviews. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own path into product management and get real-time guidance on common challenges candidates face. The speaker works closely with aspiring and early-career product managers and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with what they look for when evaluating readiness for PM roles. If you want a more informed and strategic approach to breaking into product management, it’s worth joining live.

Choosing the Right Law School for You [7/29/2026] (Recording)

There are almost 200 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, spread out across most states and with varying program sizes, legal specialties, and campus environments. While focusing on the U.S. News and World Report rankings may feel like the be-all and end-all of law school choice, the reality is that picking the law school that’s right for you as an individual goes much deeper. ​As someone who graduated from and worked as an admissions director in a law school that has been in both the first and second tiers, Liz C. understands that not everyone is aiming for the T14, T30, or even T50 schools—she was one of them. Let’s explore what factors should actually influence your law school choices and how to narrow down your list to a manageable one before the application process starts.

What BYU Admission Officers Actually Want to See From You [7/14/2026] (Recording)

Getting into Brigham Young University takes more than strong grades and test scores. The strongest applicants understand how to present a compelling story that shows character, potential, and alignment with what the university truly values. This session is for students applying to BYU who want a clearer understanding of what stands out in the admissions process. You’ll learn what admissions officers actually pay attention to, how to strengthen your overall application, and the subtle factors that can help you rise above other qualified candidates. Join live to hear from a BYU graduate with deep admissions expertise and firsthand experience earning full-tuition and full-ride scholarships. The speaker will share the patterns they see across standout applicants, common mistakes to avoid, and practical ways to position yourself more competitively. Expect actionable advice and insider insights you can immediately apply to your application.