Leland+ Content Library

AMA: M7 MBA Admissions and MBB Recruiting [6/9/2026] (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.

Secondary Applications & Interviews: Securing Your Medical School Acceptance [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Many medical school applicants focus heavily on the primary application, only to discover that secondaries and interviews are where acceptance decisions are often won or lost. This session is for applicants who want a stronger strategy for navigating the final stages of the admissions process. You’ll learn how to write compelling secondary essays efficiently, prepare for common and challenging interview questions, and present a consistent, authentic story throughout your application. Join live to hear from two medical school coaches who have recently gone through the process themselves and successfully navigated the path to acceptance. They’ll share the lessons, strategies, and patterns they observed firsthand, along with practical advice on what helped them stand out. Expect actionable guidance and insights similar to what’s discussed in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

Outstanding Law School Admissions Essays with Indrani, Former Stanford Law AdCom [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Your law school application essays are arguably the most important aspect of your law school applications. To have the best outcomes and plenty of options at the end of the process, you need to craft compelling essays with solid narratives that paint a picture beyond your numbers. We will talk about different essay prompts and how best to tackle them, why it makes sense to have two 'main' essays instead of just one, how to handle optional essays and the dreaded 'why x school' essays. We will also have time for some 'Ask Me Anything' at the end!

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 8) Essay Drafting & Finalize Application [7/2/2026] (Recording)

Applying to business school can feel overwhelming! You have dozens of moving pieces: essays, short answers, video content, resume, recommendations, outreach, research, and more. This is the final event of a structured 8-part MBA Identity Mapping series designed to take you from fragmented tasks to a clear plan of action. In this session, you will move from preparation to writing and turning your outlines into strong, authentic essays. These sessions walk you step by step through building one fully aligned MBA application. In every workshop, you will be assigned tasks to complete over the next two weeks, keeping you organized and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a cohesive narrative that runs consistently through your resume, goals, recommendations, school strategy, and interviews. You are absolutely welcome to attend individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. This session moves your MBA application forward by turning your preparation and outlines into written application materials: • Learn an efficient strategy for drafting your essays. • Understand how to move from outline to draft without losing focus or structure. • Ensure consistency while avoiding repetition across essays, resume, and recommendations. • Prepare other written and recorded components of the application. This is the phase where all of your preparation comes together. Instead of starting from a blank page, you will be writing from a clear plan that reflects the work you have already done throughout the Identity Mapping process. The MBA Identity Mapping process has guided 100+ applicants into every M7 program, all other top 20 U.S. programs, and leading international programs including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Clients consistently describe it as transformative because it replaces scattered effort with forward momentum and strategic clarity. If you are ready to turn your preparation into polished application materials and move confidently toward submission, this is your final step in the series.

Insider Tips for the Harvard Kennedy School App from Former AdCom [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Applying to Harvard Kennedy School requires more than simply demonstrating policy interest or public service commitment. This session will provide insider perspective on how the HKS admissions committee evaluates candidates, what distinguishes successful applicants, and the common mistakes that undermine otherwise strong profiles. Attendees will gain practical guidance on how to position their experiences, essays, and career vision to align with what HKS looks for in future public leaders.

AMA MIT Graduate | College Application Process [7/10/2026] (Recording)

I am here to answer any and all questions you have about the college application process!

Funding Your Future: Fellowships & Scholarships for Masters Programs [6/18/2026] (Recording)

The cost of graduate school can feel daunting, but many applicants overlook funding opportunities that can dramatically reduce the financial burden. This session is for prospective MBA and master’s students who want to better understand the world of fellowships, scholarships, and competitive funding programs. You’ll learn where to find high-impact opportunities, how successful applicants position themselves, and what scholarship committees are often looking for beyond academics alone. Join live to ask questions about your own funding goals and hear directly from a Gates Cambridge Scholar with deep expertise in competitive programs and scholarships. The speaker has firsthand experience navigating highly selective funding processes and will share the strategies, patterns, and application insights that can help you maximize your chances of securing support for graduate study.

Networking vs Community- How I got into a16z and others [7/17/2026] (Recording)

Are you looking to break into the AI industry but unsure how to to build a community? Join me, David, for an insightful session on "Networking vs Community" where we'll explore effective job search strategies and networking techniques tailored for AI careers. With experience in talent acquisition at top companies like Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to stand out in the competitive AI job market. My background in people analytics from The Wharton School and my ongoing studies in coaching further enhance my ability to guide you through this journey. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to leverage both networking and community-building to advance your AI career. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Strong master essays are built through strategy and revision, not first drafts. In this live workshop, attendees will watch a real-time transformation of an underwhelming master 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.

Avoid Messy Algebra on the GMAT: Mixtures and Weighted Averages [6/4/2026] (Recording)

GIVEAWAY DURING THE EVENT: Join live for the chance to win a free GMAT Bootcamp seat! Mixture and weighted average questions on the GMAT often look calculation-heavy, but top scorers know how to solve them with far less algebra than most test takers use. This session is for MBA applicants who want faster, cleaner ways to approach these common quant problems. You’ll learn how to recognize efficient setups, avoid the messy calculations that waste time, and apply strategies that improve both speed and accuracy on test day. Join live to work through problems step by step and ask questions about your own GMAT prep. The speaker is an expert GMAT tutor who scored a 790 and regularly helps candidates simplify difficult quant concepts. They’ll share the patterns they see across high scorers and the kinds of shortcuts and frameworks typically covered in focused 1:1 prep sessions.

Avoid Burnout During Recruiting Cycles [6/22/2026] (Recording)

Job searching while managing work, family responsibilities, financial pressure, or everyday life can quietly become overwhelming. Many people approach recruiting as an “always on” process — constantly applying, preparing, networking, and second-guessing decisions — until exhaustion starts affecting their focus, confidence, and well-being. In this practical and supportive session, former Amazon Recruiting Leader and Executive Coach Lisa Lawrence shares a structured approach to navigating recruiting cycles without burning out. Drawing from years of experience in hiring, coaching, and leadership, Lisa breaks down how to approach the process more intentionally — with better systems, clearer priorities, and healthier boundaries. You’ll learn how to manage the mental load of job searching alongside existing responsibilities, prepare effectively without falling into endless “grind mode,” communicate your experience with greater clarity, and make more grounded decisions throughout the process. The session also includes simple mindfulness and nervous system regulation practices designed to help you stay focused, resilient, and clear-headed during periods of uncertainty and transition. In this session, we’ll cover: • Why recruiting feels so mentally draining • How to structure your search more sustainably • Setting boundaries while balancing work and job hunting • Smarter approaches to interview preparation and networking • How to communicate your impact and experience clearly • Simple mindfulness tools to reduce overwhelm and improve clarity • Avoiding the “always applying” cycle that leads to burnout

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 7) School Fit & Application Strategy [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Applying to business school can feel overwhelming! You have dozens of moving pieces: essays, short answers, video content, resume, recommendations, outreach, research, and more. This workshop is the seventh of a structured 8-part MBA Identity Mapping series designed to take you from fragmented tasks to a clear plan of action. In this session, you will map your story directly to each school’s application components and develop a clear strategy for how your application will come together. These sessions walk you step by step through building one fully aligned MBA application. In every workshop, you will be assigned tasks to complete over the next two weeks, keeping you organized and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a cohesive narrative that runs consistently through your resume, goals, recommendations, school strategy, and interviews. You are absolutely welcome to attend individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. This session moves your MBA application forward by translating your story, goals, and strengths into a clear strategy for each target school: • Map your themes and key stories to each school’s essay prompts. • Determine which experiences and examples will appear in each component of the application. • Integrate insights from your outreach conversations with students and alumni. • Identify any gaps or risks in your profile and plan how to address them. This is the phase where preparation turns into a clear application plan. Instead of staring at essay prompts and wondering where to start, you will have a structured outline of exactly what each part of your application will communicate. The MBA Identity Mapping process has guided 100+ applicants into every M7 program, all other top 20 U.S. programs, and leading international programs including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Clients consistently describe it as transformative because it replaces scattered effort with forward momentum and strategic clarity. If you are ready to translate your story into a clear plan for each school on your list, this is your next step.

What Is AI Actually Good For? A Plain-English Breakdown [6/27/2026] (Recording)

Everyone's talking about AI. But most business owners still don't know what it actually does — or why it matters for them right now. This free 45-minute session cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, honest, jargon-free breakdown of what AI can and cannot do for your business in 2026. We'll cover: • The real difference between AI hype and what's actually useful today • The 4 categories of tasks where AI delivers the fastest ROI for small businesses • Common mistakes business owners make when evaluating AI tools • A side-by-side comparison: what it costs to hire vs. what it costs to automate • How Plinko Solutions implements AI systems for businesses in as little as 3 weeks This is not a pitch. It's an education session designed to help you make a smart, informed decision about whether — and how — AI fits into your business. Perfect for: → Business owners who keep hearing about AI but don't know where to start → Managers tired of guessing which tools are worth the investment → Entrepreneurs who want a competitive edge without a massive tech budget Free. No catch. Just clarity.

The AI Gap Audit [7/15/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to bridge the gap and break into the world of AI careers? Join "The AI Gap Audit" event to gain insights into the fundamentals of AI, job search strategies, and effective networking techniques tailored for the AI industry. I'm David, your guide for this session. With extensive experience in talent acquisition at top companies like Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in AI careers. My background in people analytics from The Wharton School and my ongoing studies in coaching further enhance my ability to support your journey. This event is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their AI career prospects. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Drop in Q&A Rnd 1 MBA- Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/19/2026] (Recording)

Round 1 deadlines are coming. Your essay is probably a mess. Your story probably doesn't make sense yet. That's fine — that's exactly what we're going to fix. 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.

DWY: Lead Gen Hotseat [6/6/2026] (Recording)

In this live session, we'll show you how to build an AI-powered intake and follow-up system that captures leads and nurtures them automatically. Agenda: - Welcome & Quick Win (5 min) - Mini-Framework: AI Lead Gen for Law Firms (10 min) - Live Hot Seats: Real intake and follow-up system teardowns (20 min) - Recap & Resource Drop (5 min) - CTA: Book a System Builder Sprint for your law firm (5 min) What you'll walk away with: - A blueprint for an AI intake system tailored to sourcing practices - Examples of automated follow-up sequences that convert - A step-by-step action plan you can start building this week Ready to build your system? Book a System Builder Sprint after the session.

The Family Business MBA Blueprint [7/24/2026] (Recording)

Joining a family business can be both an extraordinary opportunity and a unique challenge. Future leaders are often expected to preserve what previous generations have built while simultaneously navigating changing markets, new technologies, evolving customer expectations, and increased competition. Whether you currently work in your family business or plan to join after business school, this workshop will explore how to position your family business background effectively throughout the MBA admissions process and maximize the value of an MBA experience. We’ll discuss how admissions committees evaluate applicants from family businesses, how to demonstrate impact and leadership beyond family affiliation, and how to build a compelling narrative around your long-term vision for the business. By the end of this session, you will be able to: * Understand how top MBA programs evaluate candidates from family business backgrounds. * Develop a compelling narrative that demonstrates leadership, ownership, and impact—not simply family affiliation. * Articulate a clear “Why MBA?” and “Why now?” rationale as a future family business leader. * Position your family business experience effectively in resumes, essays, interviews, and recommendations. * Leave with practical next steps for strengthening both your MBA candidacy and your long-term leadership potential.

AMA - Dental School Applications [7/9/2026] (Recording)

The 2026-27 AADSAS Application opened on May 12, and the first day to submit was June 2. WHere do you stand? Are youstillperfectingh tat application? Struggling with program materials and secondaries? Are you preparing to take the Kira exam? Join former Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Director of Admissions for an open Q&A on the basics. You ask, Ellen answers. Bring your questions!

AI for Finance: Automate Your Spreadsheets with Google Apps Script [7/6/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will be able to write Google Apps Script macros that automate repetitive spreadsheet tasks, pull live data into your financial models, and build custom functions that Excel simply cannot replicate. The focus is practical: automating variance reports, scheduling data refreshes, and structuring scripts that non-technical finance teams can actually maintain. Attending live means you can describe your specific workflow and get a direct answer about how to structure your script for that use case, which a recording cannot give you. The coach works with these tools in active finance contexts and will share the logic behind decisions that most tutorials skip entirely.

AMA with a Former BCG Partner & Interviewer [6/22/2026] (Recording)

Interested in consulting? Curious about how top firms actually evaluate candidates? Join this interactive AMA with a former BCG Partner who progressed from Associate to Partner and spent years interviewing 100+ candidates, leading experienced-hire recruiting, and helping shape hiring decisions. This is not a presentation. There are no slides and no scripted agenda. Instead, you'll have the opportunity to ask candid questions and get direct, insider perspectives on the topics that matter most to you. The conversation will be driven entirely by your questions, allowing us to focus on the areas where you need the most guidance. Topics may include: * Building an effective application strategy * CV positioning and standing out from the crowd * Referrals and networking that actually make a difference * Choosing the right office * Avoiding the mistakes that derail otherwise strong candidates * Case interview preparation * Behavioral and fit interviews * What interviewers are really looking for * How to maximize your chances of receiving an offer Having served as an anchor interviewer and led recruiting efforts, I have a unique perspective on what separates successful candidates from those who fall short—and what it takes not only to break into consulting, but to thrive once you're there. Whether you're applying this cycle, preparing for interviews, or simply exploring consulting as a career path, this is an opportunity to get honest answers and practical advice from someone who has been on the decision-making side of the table. Please RSVP to secure your spot.