Leland+ Content Library

When You Should (and Shouldn't) Go to Graduate School

A candid guide to evaluating whether grad school aligns with your goals, including factors to consider before making the leap.

Melanie E.

Women in MBA Panel

Join us for an exclusive Office Hours session with former MBA Admissions Committee members and top admissions experts! This is your chance to get insider advice on the MBA application process—directly from those who used to make the decisions. Learn how to craft a compelling narrative, avoid common pitfalls, and stand out in competitive applicant pools. Whether you're just starting your MBA journey or putting the finishing touches on your application, our panelists are here to answer all your questions. Meet our panelists: Faisal K., Chicago Booth MBA, Chicago Booth Admissions Office, coached 100+ M7 admits, 15 years of experience aiding US and international applicants translate their rich global experiences into compelling, relevant, and memorable applications.

3 contributors

CBS MBA Example Essays

CBS MBS successful example essays. Asian Male, low GPA.

Melanie E.

HBS MBA Example Successful Essays

HBS MBA Example Successful Essays. Asian Male - Consulting.

Melanie E.

LBS Example Essays - Admitted Candidate

LBS (London Business School) Example Essays - Admitted Candidate

Melanie E.

MBA Recommendation Letter Example

Melanie E.

Columbia Business School Essay Examples– Fashion, Sustainability, and Inclusive Leadership

A set of CBS essays from an admitted applicant, weaving together a passion for heritage fashion, operational sustainability, and community building through DEI initiatives.

Melanie E.

Strategy & BizOps Resume – Growth, GTM, and Team Leadership

Resume featuring 15+ years of experience across startups, Big Tech, and consulting, with a focus on go-to-market strategy, operational design, and cross-functional team leadership.

Melanie E.

Deferred MBA (2+2) Week

1 module

MBA Interview Series

1 module

MBA Interview Series: Columbia

The Columbia Business School interview is your chance to move beyond the application and show who you are as a candidate. In this event, Melanie E. (a former CBS Adcomm and interviewer) will walk you through what to expect, how to prepare, and strategies to stand out in the CBS interview process. You’ll gain insight into the types of questions asked, how to tell your story with confidence, and what Columbia admissions committees value most in applicants. Whether you’re applying this round or preparing for the future, this session will give you the tools to approach your interview with clarity, poise, and authenticity.

Melanie E.

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.