Leland+ Content Library

What Top MBA Candidates Do Differently [5/4/2026] (Recording)

Top MBA candidates don’t just have strong profiles—they make intentional decisions about how they position their experiences, goals, and story. This session is for applicants who want to understand what actually differentiates successful candidates across top programs. You’ll learn how to frame your impact, articulate clear and credible goals, and avoid the common mistakes that weaken otherwise competitive applications. Join live to hear perspectives from a panel of experienced MBA coaches who work closely with applicants and evaluate what stands out. The discussion will follow a curated set of high-impact questions, offering structured insights and examples typically shared in 1:1 coaching sessions.

Deep-Dive Case Study: Use AI to Plan Your Wedding & See Its Full Potential

Planning a wedding—or any complex project—can feel overwhelming, but AI has the potential to streamline every step and unlock new efficiencies. This session is for anyone curious about how AI can be applied to real-world planning and project management. You’ll see how to design workflows, automate tasks, and explore the full potential of AI to save time and reduce manual effort.

Start Write Now: MBA Essay Panel

MBA essays are where you move beyond stats and show who you are, what you want, and why a program should bet on you. In this panel, experienced coaches will break down what actually differentiates strong essays, common mistakes they see every cycle, and how to get started without overthinking. Whether you’re staring at a blank page or revising drafts, you’ll leave with practical insights to write with more clarity and direction.

Mock McKinsey Interview - March 2026

A McKinsey interview isn’t just about getting the right answer—it’s about how you think. This mock interview session gives you a front-row seat to what a real McKinsey-style case looks and feels like under pressure. Watch a live case unfold in real time, see how structure and communication can elevate (or derail) performance, and hear direct feedback on what separates solid responses from truly exceptional ones. If you want to understand what excellence actually looks like in the room—and how to replicate it—this is a session you won’t want to miss.

Start Now: Creating a Strong MBA Application Early

Starting your MBA application early gives you a major advantage. In this session, we’ll break down what strong applicants do months ahead of deadlines, from shaping a clear career narrative and school strategy to building relationships, test plans, and experience gaps. You’ll leave with a practical roadmap for how to use the early months intentionally, avoid last-minute stress, and position yourself as a compelling, well-prepared candidate when applications open.

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.

Deferred MBA Admissions Event Sprint Kickoff

Kick off Deferred MBA Week with an overview of everything you need to know to build a winning application strategy from start to finish. In this session, we’ll break down what makes deferred programs unique, what top schools are really looking for in early-career candidates, and how to use the rest of the sprint—panels, workshops, and AMAs—to your advantage. You’ll walk away with a clear game plan for essays, recommendations, testing, and timelines, plus guidance on how to prioritize your time based on where you are in the process.

Get Into Your Dream School: Writing Powerful MBA Essays Panel

Join top Leland MBA admissions coaches for a candid panel on what it really takes to write essays that break through at M7 and other top programs. They’ll share insider perspectives on choosing the right stories, showcasing impact, avoiding common pitfalls, and bringing your authentic voice forward. You’ll walk away with clear strategies and actionable tips to elevate your essays—so you can put your strongest application in front of the adcom.

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Stanford

Get an inside look at what Stanford GSB seeks in Deferred MBA candidates and how to bring your unique story to life. Expert Leland coach and GSB alum Ben L. will break down the qualities Stanford cares about most—impact, curiosity, and personal growth. You’ll leave with concrete strategies to articulate your values, achievements, and ambitions in a way that resonates with the GSB admissions committee.

Consulting-to-MBA: Stand out as a "Traditional" Candidate

​Consultants make up one of the largest applicant pools to top MBA programs—which means standing out is more important than ever. In this panel, Leland coaches Andy P. (Top MBA coach for 20 years), Karla M. (150+ M7 Admits, prior consultant, Harvard/Booth dual degree grad), and Ben L. (300+ M7 Admits, prior consultant, GSB grad) will share how to craft an authentic, differentiated story that sets you apart from thousands of other applicants with similar backgrounds. ​You’ll learn how to translate your consulting experience into powerful application essays, recommendations, and interviews that highlight your leadership, impact, and future goals. Whether you’re a current analyst, associate, or engagement manager preparing for a future cycle, this session will give you actionable strategies to turn a “traditional” background into a standout advantage.

Best Career Paths To Pay Off Student Loans Fast

Student debt doesn’t have to define your financial future. In this workshop, Ben L. —a Stanford GSB alum, McKinsey consultant, and startup advisor—will share how to strategically choose and navigate career paths that maximize income, equity potential, and long-term financial freedom. Drawing on his experience across consulting, private equity, venture capital, startups, and public policy, Ben will break down which industries, roles, and career strategies offer the fastest routes to paying off loans while still aligning with your values and lifestyle goals. Whether you’re graduating soon, pursuing your MBA, or looking to pivot into a higher-paying path, this session will help you think critically about how to leverage your skills for both impact and financial independence. Space is limited, so RSVP to secure your spot. We’re excited to be on the career journey with you! And don’t forget to sign up for a free Leland account to stay in the loop for more free events, discounts, and career resources.

Leveraging AI for MBA Applications (while also not cheating)

How can you make the most of GenAI tools to leave no stone unturned in your MBA process? What are the right and wrong ways to be leveraging AI as you build out your applications? I'll help you lower your anxiety around this topic, and help you use AI to complement your thinking on other critical questions like: - "How do I know what programs are the best fit for me?" - "How do I even go about researching my target programs?" - "How can I use it to level up my writing? What pitfalls do I need to avoid?” - "How can I map out my timeline for applying to MBAs?" - "How can I use AI to complement my live interview prep? - "How can I be sure my AI-based research is accurate?" The idea behind this session is twofold: 1) lending you tactical tips to raise the quality of your MBA applications in a world of limited time. (2) helping you think in ways that go beyond the specific questions we cover, so that you can generate plenty questions of your own. As someone who advises people on everyday-life-AI and has also worked with a handful of startup CEOs and investors on layered, complex research requiring heavy AI use, I'll help you make the most of our latest tech without compromising the integrity of your applications. I hope you leave feeling this whole MBA project is something doable, with a few AI-powered arrows in your quiver that can simplify your life as you get there. If you’re interested in 1:1 coaching, you can always drop me a line through my Leland profile. See you soon.

Find Your MBA Fit

Considering an MBA but not quite sure which programs are the right fit? All these MBA options sound the same? Not even sure why you want an MBA yet? Should you apply to 2 schools, or 7? Been there. As a Stanford GSB Alum who's helped over 300 applicants land a coveted spot at top programs like GSB, HBS, Wharton, Kellogg and more, I'm throwing together this free 45-minute event to cover some criteria you can use to narrow your search. You'll come away with a clearer idea of how to pick the right schools for you so you can focus your time and energy. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and take the first step not just towards applying, but applying to the right places.

Ben L. (GSB Alum) Podcast Feature

Ben’s career has been anything but linear, from working at McKinsey helping prisons improve rehabilitation outcomes, to diving into politics, to supporting chess startups, his experiences are as diverse as they are fascinating. After struggling through the MBA application process himself, Ben became driven to help candidates craft powerful, authentic applications that truly reflect who they are. In this episode, Ben shares: How his varied career shaped his perspective on business school and beyond Why storytelling is the key to a standout MBA application How he helps candidates align their applications with their unique strengths and passions If you’re navigating the MBA application process, Ben’s insights will help you focus on what truly matters and make your story shine.

Writing a Holistic Set of Kellogg Essays (with Top Leland Coaches)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful Northwestern Kellogg admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Kellogg AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Kellogg's top-flight MBA program.

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays (with Top Leland Coaches)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Booth's top-flight MBA program.

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays (Deck)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Booth's top-flight MBA program.

Writing Standout DMBA Essays

Your Deferred MBA essays are your chance to show top programs who you are — but with limited experience, it can be hard to know what stories to tell and how to make them stand out. In this session, Leland Coaches Ben L., Melanie E., and Olivia P. — who have helped dozens of early-career applicants get into programs like HBS, GSB, and Wharton — will break down what makes a winning essay. They’ll share proven strategies for identifying your strongest themes, crafting a clear and authentic narrative, and avoiding the common pitfalls that hold candidates back. You’ll leave with a sharper sense of how to approach each prompt, connect your story to your goals, and position yourself as a must-admit candidate in this year’s Deferred MBA cycle.

How to Create a Winning MBA Application

​Getting into a top MBA program is more than strong test scores and a polished résumé—it’s about telling your story in a way that resonates. In this session, you’ll learn from Rifat M. (HBS), Ben L. (GSB) and Rob R. (GSB, admitted to all M7 schools) about what schools are really looking for and how to approach each part of the application, from essays to recommendations to interviews. ​Whether you’re early in the process or gearing up to submit, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to showcase your experiences authentically and put together an application that stands out.

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. Reference the slides from a past event that draws from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world.