Statement of Purpose Essay Checklist
Don’t hit submit until you’ve checked every box on this list. Following these steps will help you ensure your essay is flawless and focused.


Back to School for Pre-Dentals Panel
In this panel, you’ll hear from dental school experts Rachael K., Ellen W., and Amy L., as they answer key questions on how to prepare and position yourself as a strong pre-dental applicant. The conversation will cover everything from course planning and extracurriculars to application strategy, shadowing, and common mistakes to avoid. Whether you’re just starting your pre-dental journey or gearing up to apply soon, this session will give you actionable insights and clear next steps to help you succeed in the classroom, on the DAT, and beyond.




Landing Data Science Roles in Times of Change
Are you feeling uncertain about your next move in data science? Whether you’re stepping into your first role, navigating a career pivot, or aiming to level up, the path can feel overwhelming — especially in today’s fast-changing market. Join me, Cong, for a practical and inspiring session on navigating data science careers in times of change. With over 15 years of experience leading high-impact analytics at companies like Apple and DoorDash — and having recently helped candidates land data science roles at Netflix, Stripe, and beyond — I understand the pressure of high-stakes opportunities and what it really takes to break through. In this event, we’ll explore how to: • Navigate interviews with clarity and confidence • Frame your projects and experience for maximum impact • Build resilience to thrive in an uncertain job market Whether you’re a student, early-career professional, or experienced data scientist, this session will give you the tools and perspective to strengthen your job search and feel more confident in your next step.


Nailing the MBA Interview
In this panel, MBA admissions experts will share strategies to help you prepare for one of the most critical parts of the application process: the interview. From common question types and school-specific approaches to storytelling techniques and pitfalls to avoid, you’ll get insider perspectives from Oren M., Emily L., and Temi O. Whether you’re gearing up for Round 1 interviews or looking ahead to Round 2, this session will give you practical tips, proven frameworks, and the confidence to walk into your MBA interviews fully prepared.




Anatomy of an Investment Pitch
Crafting a compelling investment pitch is one of the most important skills for breaking into hedge funds and succeeding once you’re there. In this session, we’ll break down the structure of a strong pitch—how to identify the right idea, frame the thesis, assess business value drivers, and anticipate investor questions. You’ll leave with a clearer framework for building your own pitches and standing out in interviews. This session will be led by Diyang Y., a Leland coach with years of experience in hedge funds and banking, where he has evaluated investments across industries and geographies. He’ll share insights from the buy-side, common mistakes candidates make, and what interviewers really look for when you present a stock idea.


How to Network (And Enjoy It!)
What is networking all about? What do I say to make conversation with a stranger? How can I approach new contacts and make progress in my career? Networking is an essential skill to developing your career and searching for a new job, but many people struggle with putting themselves out there authentically and being able to create a genuine connection with people. In this free workshop, Career Coach Connie Ma will guide you through the three steps of networking effectively and enjoying yourself at the same time: asking questions, listening actively, and sharing about yourself. Join us, and start feeling more confident, resourceful, and excited about your next networking encounter!


Perfect Your Elevator Pitch
Why use an elevator pitch? What are the key elements to introducing yourself and making a good first impression? How do you use an elevator pitch? Career Coach Connie Ma will guide you through creating a self-introduction or elevator pitch which you can use in any social or professional situation to leave a good first impression. We will discuss how to talk about yourself, how to talk about tricky parts of your past employment history, and how to adjust your self-introduction to suit any situation you may find yourself in. Come work with us on your self-introduction, practice with others, and become more confident in representing yourself!

Your Problem Statement: The Most Significant Issue You Care About Solving In Your Career
Identify the problem or opportunity that most motivates you and articulate how it connects to your long-term goals.

Introduction to MBA Narrative Brainstorming
Learn to uncover and articulate your personal and professional story—clarifying what drives you, what you’ve done, and where you want to go—to form the foundation for your MBA applications.

Your Narrative Arc: Current Path vs Dream Career vs Disconnect
Map your current trajectory, envision your dream career, and identify the gap that an MBA can help bridge.

Work With Me!
Learn about personalized coaching options to refine your essays, story, and overall MBA strategy. Get an overview of the personalized coaching options Joshua can offer to refine your essays, story, and overall MBA strategy.


Unlock your Strategic Finance / FP&A Career
Strategic Finance and FP&A roles sit at the intersection of business strategy, operations, and financial insight—making them some of the most impactful positions within high-growth companies. In this session, you’ll learn what these careers actually look like day-to-day, the skills recruiters are seeking, and the pathways professionals take to break in and accelerate their growth. We’ll cover everything from technical modeling and forecasting to the leadership and communication skills that set top performers apart. The session will be led by Devanshi M., a Leland coach with extensive experience in Strategic Finance and FP&A across both high-growth startups and top firms. Drawing on her background, she’ll share proven strategies to position yourself for these roles, prepare for interviews, and build a long-term career in finance.


Am I Ready to Apply to Grad School?
Applying to graduate school is a big step—and knowing when you’re truly ready can make all the difference. In this workshop, Kelly B.—a former Stanford admissions officer with experience reviewing thousands of applications across disciplines—will help you evaluate your readiness, strengthen your application strategy, and understand what admissions committees are really looking for. Whether you’re still exploring programs or preparing to hit submit, Kelly will share insider insights and practical tools to assess where you are in the process, highlight your unique strengths, and position yourself as a strong candidate.


Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays
The Harvard Business School essays have changed—and so has the strategy you’ll need to stand out. In this workshop, Leland coach Andy P. will walk you through proven approaches for tackling the new prompts with clarity and impact. You’ll learn how to identify the stories that best showcase your leadership, values, and potential, while avoiding common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications. Andy will also share practical tips for structuring your essays, weaving a cohesive narrative across your application, and highlighting the qualities HBS is really looking for. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a draft, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to make your essays rise to the top.

Behavioral Interviews: Failure Story Example
An example of a story about failure for behavioral interviews.


Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays
The Harvard Business School essays have changed—and so has the strategy you’ll need to stand out. In this workshop, Leland coach Andy P. will walk you through proven approaches for tackling the new prompts with clarity and impact. You’ll learn how to identify the stories that best showcase your leadership, values, and potential, while avoiding common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications. Andy will also share practical tips for structuring your essays, weaving a cohesive narrative across your application, and highlighting the qualities HBS is really looking for. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a draft, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to make your essays rise to the top.


Applied to 1000 Tech Jobs with No Luck? Stand Out with Personal Projects
“Applied to 1000 tech jobs with no luck.” If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone—many candidates flood the market with generic resumes that don’t stand out. The truth is, recruiters and hiring managers are looking for more than just a list of responsibilities: they want to see initiative, impact, and skills in action. In this session, Annie F., a Leland coach with extensive experience in tech recruiting and product roles, will break down how personal projects can transform your application from forgettable to compelling. You’ll learn what types of projects make the strongest signals, how to showcase them effectively on your resume and in interviews, and why they often matter more than another line on your work experience. Whether you’re transitioning into tech or struggling to land interviews, this event will give you practical strategies to highlight your unique value and finally stand out from the crowd.


Becoming an AI Product Manager without a technical AI background
Building a career as an AI Product Manager doesn’t require a formal background in AI—you just need the right mindset, strategic tools, and storytelling prowess. In this session, you’ll learn how product leaders transition into AI-focused roles by understanding what separates successful AI PMs from generalists: how to build cross-functional credibility, spot high-impact AI use cases, and weave strategy into technical conversations—even without a machine learning degree. Leading the session is Jiahong X., a Wharton MBA and current Meta product leader steering generative AI in advertising, with prior product roles at Google. Drawing from experience interviewing over 300 candidates and helping 50+ land roles at FAANG and beyond, Jiahong brings real-world frameworks, clarity on how to shift into AI PM roles, and actionable next steps—so you can strategically plan your path and begin making an impact in the AI space.


Introduction to Capital Markets & Trading
Interested in a career in capital markets and trading but not sure where to start? This session will walk you through the fundamentals of the industry, what different roles entail, and the skills firms look for in strong candidates. You’ll learn how to stand out in recruiting, prepare for interviews, and position yourself for success in a highly competitive field. The session will be led by Mariana A., a Leland coach with extensive experience in sales & trading, who will share insider insights to help you understand the landscape and take actionable steps toward landing a role in capital markets.


Number Properties: A Comprehensive Overview
A comprehensive overview of number properties for the GMAT / GRE
