Leland+ Content Library

Interview Best Practices (Without the Script)

Most interview advice works on paper and falls apart under pressure. You know your experience, but turning it into clear, grounded answers in real time is a different skill. This session focuses on interview best practices that actually hold up in the room—how to prepare without memorizing scripts, how to structure answers so they make sense to interviewers, and how to navigate both behavioral and case-style questions without rambling or freezing. This is for candidates who are qualified, capable, and tired of leaving interviews feeling like they didn’t fully show it.

Breaking Into BizOps & Strategy: How to Stand Out as a Top Candidate

BizOps and strategy roles put you at the center of the most important decisions a company makes. This session breaks down how top candidates stand out—and how you can position yourself to break in. You’ll learn what hiring teams actually look for, how to signal strategic thinking through your experience, and how to prepare for interviews that test real-world problem solving. If you’re aiming for high-impact roles with real influence, this session will give you the edge.

Start Early, Apply Strong: Successful PhD Timelines

Applying to PhD programs is a long process—and starting early can make all the difference. This session will help you build a strategic timeline to strengthen your application. You’ll learn how to plan each stage, from researching programs and preparing materials to securing recommendations and managing deadlines, while avoiding common pitfalls. Whether you’re just starting or refining your plan, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap for success.

What a Strong Extracurricular Profile Actually Looks Like

This simple visual model explains how strong applicants balance deep interests, supporting activities, and broader exploration to create a compelling extracurricular profile.

What Makes a Strong Medical School Application

A strong medical school application is more than grades and test scores—it’s about telling the right story. This session is designed to help you understand what admissions committees look for and how to strengthen your application. In this event, you’ll learn how to highlight your academics and experiences effectively, avoid common mistakes, and present the qualities medical schools value most. Whether you’re just starting or refining your materials, you’ll leave with clear guidance and greater confidence.

Law School Admissions: What You Can Do When You Are Waitlisted

Join Indrani, former Associate Director of Admissions at Stanford Law School, as she goes over strategy to help deal with the uncertainty of being put on law school waitlists. She will go over: how the process works, what it means when you are waitlisted, moving the needle, Dos and Don'ts, and the waiting game. At the end, there will be ample time for questions and answers! Almost everyone is waitlisted somewhere, and this session will help you manage the situation.

Breaking into Venture Capital: Ask Me Anything

Venture capital recruiting can feel opaque, especially without a clear sense of how firms evaluate candidates and what actually matters in the process. In this open AMA session, you’ll get candid insights into breaking into VC, from sourcing experience and networking to interviews, skill development, and common misconceptions about the industry. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer understanding of how to position yourself and take practical next steps toward a career in venture capital.

How To Have the Promotion Conversation

Most promotion conversations fail not because the person wasn't ready -- but because they handled it wrong. This guide covers when to have the conversation, what to say, how to handle pushback, and what to do after. Includes sample language and a follow up email template.

New People Manager: First 90-Day Checklist

A phase-by-phase checklist for your first 90 days as a people manager: diagnose before you prescribe, provide clarity on direction, then raise the bar on performance, Includes the five most common new manager traps and a clear definition of what good looks like at 90 days.

Personal Project Blueprint: Build Something Colleges Notice

Learn how to design a thoughtful, student-driven project built around your genuine interests. This blueprint shows how to develop curiosity ce into a meaningful initiative that reflects depth, leadership, and purpose.

Harvard Essay 1 Example

Harvard Essay 1 example of a female from a CPG start-up accepted into the class of 2028.

Are You Thriving or Surviving as a Leader?

Are You Thriving or Surviving as a Leader? A 3-Minute Leadership Check-In Why This Matters High-performing leaders are often the last to notice when they’ve shifted from thriving to simply surviving. This brief reflection is designed to help you pause, assess, and realign.

How Admissions Committees Really Evaluate Extracurriculars

A behind-the-scenes look at how admissions committees evaluate student activities. Learn the five signals that help applicants stand out and how to demonstrate them in your application.

The 4 Levels of GMAT Combinations

GMAT combinations questions can feel overwhelming, but they follow clear patterns once you know what to look for. This session breaks combinations into four progressive levels, helping you recognize question types, choose the right approach, and avoid common traps. You’ll learn how to move from brute force to efficient reasoning, improve accuracy under time pressure, and build confidence with one of the GMAT’s most challenging topics.

M7 MBA Interview Bank: 150+ Questions by School (2024–25)

A comprehensive reference guide to documented M7 MBA interview questions — organized by school. Covers all seven programs (HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, MIT Sloan, and Columbia) with school-specific format breakdowns, 150+ questions categorized by theme, insider tips on what each school’s interviewers are actually evaluating, and a universal question bank that applies across all programs. Questions compiled from self-reported applicant accounts across the 2024 and 2025 admissions cycles.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Crafting a Winning Narrative: Harvard and Stanford Graduate Break Down Elite College Admissions

Elite college admissions are driven by how clearly and authentically you tell your story, not just by grades and test scores. In this session, graduates of Harvard and Stanford will explain how top schools evaluate applications and what makes a narrative resonate with admissions committees. You’ll learn how to connect your experiences, values, and goals into a cohesive story across essays, activities, and recommendations, while avoiding common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong profiles.

How to Craft a Resume for MBB

Breaking into McKinsey, Bain, or BCG starts with a resume that signals impact, leadership, and structured thinking within seconds. In this session, you’ll learn how to quantify results, sharpen bullet points, and present your experience in a way that aligns with what MBB recruiters actually look for. Whether you’re coming from consulting, industry, or a non-traditional background, you’ll leave with a clear framework to turn your resume into a powerful interview magnet.

Harvard Essay 2 Example

Harvard Essay 2 example, female from a CPG start-up, accepted into the class of 2028.

Deferred MBA Planning — Preparing for a Successful Application [3/5/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for the deferred MBA application process sometime in the next couple of years? Join me for a session dedicated to making sure you are well prepared when application season rolls around. I'm John, CEO of Leland, and I'll be your host for this session. Prior to Leland, I was admitted to HBS 2+2 and Stanford GSB deferred, and then founded Deferred MBA Consulting. In the past 8 years I have helped thousands of people with their deferred applications. Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

The Elements of a Successful Case

What separates an average case from a memorable one? This session focuses on the specific elements interviewers look for when evaluating consulting cases—and how to consistently demonstrate them. You’ll break down how to drive the case forward, ask sharper questions, synthesize insights, and communicate recommendations with confidence. We’ll also highlight where candidates often lose points and how to course-correct in real time. Whether you’re building case fundamentals or aiming to refine your performance, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of how strong cases are actually judged—and how to deliver one.