Leland+ Content Library

Successful Admits Panel

Curious what it really takes to get into a top deferred MBA program? In this panel, you’ll hear directly from successful admits who used Leland to gain acceptance to programs like Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, Wharton, Booth, and more. They’ll share their candid experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and how they leveraged coaching, strategy, and storytelling to stand out in an ultra-competitive applicant pool. Whether you’re just starting to explore deferred programs or gearing up to apply this cycle, this session will give you actionable insights, real-world advice, and inspiration from students who’ve been exactly where you are now.

Ask Me Anything! Applying for PhD Programs, with a Harvard PhD Student [9/9/2026] (Recording)

Applying for PhD programs is intimidating for even the most confident would-be academics. Come to my AMA to discuss any part of the process, from whether a PhD is right to you to deciding between offers. I have seen what works and doesn't work in the admissions cycle, and look forward to answering your questions!

The Fit Formula: How to Choose Your Target Schools

Are you an MBA applicant wondering how to choose the right schools for your unique profile and aspirations? Join me, Ellin L., for this session, where we'll dive into the art of school selection and application strategy. Choosing where to apply isn’t just about rankings. It’s about finding the right match for you. In this session, we’ll walk through a simple, diagnostic framework (The Fit Formula) that helps you evaluate programs based on what actually matters: alignment with your goals, competitiveness of your profile, and long-term career potential. With over a decade of experience and a 98.9% success rate, I've guided hundreds of applicants to top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. As the founder of Ellin Lolis Consulting, I specialize in helping you stand out by crafting a powerful personal brand and connecting your story to each program. In this session, I'll share my proven methodology to simplify the process and maximize your results. Whether you're considering a traditional full-time MBA, deferred, executive, part-time, or online MBA, this event is designed to help you make informed decisions and build a compelling application.

Your Law School Applications: Why Starting Now Can Make a Difference [3/18/2026] (Recording)

Applying to law school is more competitive than ever—and timing can be a major advantage. In this session, you’ll learn directly from Indrani S., former Associate Director of Admissions at Stanford Law School, who has reviewed thousands of applications and knows exactly how top programs evaluate candidates. She’ll break down why early preparation matters, how to craft a compelling narrative, and what steps you should take now to strengthen your essays, recommender strategy, school list, and overall positioning. Whether you're aiming for T14 programs or navigating the process with less-than-perfect numbers, this session will help you build a clear, strategic plan.

Your Law School Applications: Why Starting Now Can Make a Difference

Applying to law school is more competitive than ever—and timing can be a major advantage. In this session, you’ll learn directly from Indrani S., former Associate Director of Admissions at Stanford Law School, who has reviewed thousands of applications and knows exactly how top programs evaluate candidates. She’ll break down why early preparation matters, how to craft a compelling narrative beyond your GPA and LSAT, and what steps you should take now to strengthen your essays, recommender strategy, school list, and overall positioning. Whether you're aiming for T14 programs or navigating the process with less-than-perfect numbers, this workshop will help you build a clear, strategic plan.

AI vs MBA: Will Business School Still Matter in 10 Years? [8/22/2026] (Recording)

Curious about the future of business education in the age of AI? Join us for an engaging discussion on "AI vs MBA: Will Business School Still Matter in 10 Years?" where we'll explore the evolving landscape of business education and its relevance in a rapidly changing world. I'm Tomilola, your host for this session. With an MBA from Fisher College of Business and extensive experience as a Senior Product Manager at Microsoft, I've navigated the intersection of technology and business strategy. My journey includes founding TitanRConsulting, where I've empowered over 400 individuals to secure scholarships and Fortune 500 job offers, and leading strategic initiatives at Microsoft that have driven significant revenue growth. In this session, we'll delve into what employers will value most in future leaders, whether an MBA still provides a competitive advantage, skills that AI cannot replace and how applicants should position themselves today. If you're considering a traditional MBA, a part-time program, or an executive MBA, this event is tailored for you. Spaces are limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and join the conversation on the future of business education!

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Harvard

Join us for an insider-focused session on the Harvard Future Leaders deferred MBA program. Expert Leland coach and former HBS AdCom Geri T. will break down what makes HBS’s deferred pathway unique, how the admissions committee evaluates early-career candidates, and what “leadership potential” really looks like at this stage. You’ll learn how to position your experiences, craft a compelling narrative, and avoid the strategic mistakes most applicants make. Ideal for undergrads and master’s students aiming to build a standout HBS application from the ground up.

Full-time or Executive MBA - That is the Question!

One question I hear again and again is, "At my age, and with years of experience, should I be aiming towards a full-time MBA or an Executive MBA?" Some candidates worry that they might be too young for an EMBA. Others fear that they are overqualified for a typical full-time program. Still others wonder if a part-time MBA might not be all that they need, and is it really worth pursuing the other programs instead? Each type of MBA program comes with its particular advantages and disadvantages, and each one has its standard cohort, with the expected outliers. The question is really, what are you looking for? Why do you want or need to attend that program? Which will truly be the best for your particular goals? In this webinar we will start to open up these questions to bring clarity to the issue.

The Application Mindset That Changed Everything: My Path to Stanford

Most school applications sound the same: "I've always dreamed of attending your prestigious program because..." But what if there's a completely different approach that admissions committees actually want to see? In this free session, I'll share the exact mindset shift that transformed my application strategy and led to my Stanford acceptance. You'll discover: - Why traditional application advice often backfires - The critical perspective change that makes you stand out instantly - How to demonstrate value to programs (not just desire to attend) - Real examples from my Stanford application materials Whether you're targeting top-tier programs or finding your best-fit school, this session will fundamentally change how you approach your applications.

Product Management Week Kickoff

Product managers sit at the center of some of the world’s most impactful products, shaping what gets built, why it matters, and how millions of people experience technology. This kickoff session is for anyone exploring a future in product management and looking for a clearer roadmap into the field. You’ll learn what PMs do day to day, the skills that matter most, and how successful candidates position themselves for opportunities in an increasingly competitive market.

AI Product Lifecycle: Opportunities and Challenges [10/1/2026] (Recording)

In this free live session, we’ll explore why prioritization, customer discovery, product judgment, evaluation, and feedback loops become even more important as the cost of building decreases—and what that means for Product, Product Operations, and Program Management. We’ll discuss how AI is changing: * The traditional product development lifecycle * How teams decide what’s actually worth building * Prioritization when ideas can be tested and shipped much faster * The role of Product Ops in an AI-native organization * Evals, experimentation, and learning from production * Where new bottlenecks emerge as engineering velocity increases This will be an interactive conversation rather than a lecture. I’ll share frameworks and examples from my experience building and scaling Product Operations, and we’ll discuss how product organizations can move faster without simply building more. Great for: Product Managers, Product Ops leaders, Program Managers, operators, and anyone thinking about how AI will change the way modern product teams work. Free to attend. Bring your questions and your own experiences.

MBA Admissions Interview Question Bank

This comprehensive interview guide is designed to help MBA candidates reflect deeply, prepare strategically, and show up with confidence in admissions interviews. Covering key themes like leadership, self-awareness, collaboration, and program fit, this question bank equips you with the prompts top programs use to assess readiness and potential. Whether you're just beginning to prepare or refining your final mock, this resource will help you turn your experiences into compelling, authentic stories.

School Agnostic Recommender Guide

Non-program specific recommender guide with templates.

Why the Company, Why Me, Why the Role

Master your interviews by simplifying your approach with these three questions.

Columbia Uni M.S. Management Science & Engineering Accepted Essay

Complete essay of a student accepted to the program.

Columbia Business School Application Essay Example

Career Goals Application Essay for successful admission into program.