Leland+ Content Library

MBA Application Sprint (September 30-October 2) Kickoff

Join us for the kickoff panel of Leland’s MBA Application Sprint (September 30–October 2)! In this opening session, top Leland coaches and former MBA admissions officers Claire R., Bill C., Faisal K., and Karla M. will discuss what it takes to put together a standout MBA application. ​They’ll cover key components of a successful application—from shaping your essays and tightening your resume, to interview prep and building a cohesive story. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies and a clear sense of how to spend the weeks ahead so you can approach deadlines with confidence.

Make Your Story Stand Out: The College Essay Playbook [10/22/2026] (Recording)

Most "Why This School" and personal statement drafts read like a resume restated in paragraph form. This session breaks down what actually separates a memorable college essay from a forgettable one: specific sensory detail, a clear throughline between the opening hook and the closing reflection, and sentences that sound like a real teenager wrote them. In 45 minutes, Shani will walk through before-and-after examples from real drafts, point out the three edits most students skip, and take live questions on your own essay topic. You won't leave with a finished essay, but you will leave knowing exactly what to fix next.

Leveraging Your Cultural Competency in Interviews

A Practical Guide to Turning Your Cultural Competency into Interview Success. Cultural fluency and global perspective can be powerful differentiators in interviews when positioned the right way. You’ll learn how to translate international experience, cross-cultural work, and global mindsets into clear signals of leadership, adaptability, and impact that resonate with interviewers. This guide covers how to frame your background through strong stories, avoid common pitfalls, and confidently communicate your value across industries and roles. Whether you’ve studied, worked, or lived abroad, you’ll find practical strategies to turn cultural competency into a competitive advantage in interviews.

Deciding Where to Apply to Law School

Choosing where to apply to law school is one of the most consequential decisions you’ll make—and Leland coach Machmud M. is here to help you approach it strategically. In this session, he’ll break down the factors that actually influence your career trajectory, from employment outcomes and geographic placement to culture, curricular strengths, and long-term fit. You’ll learn how to separate signal from noise, evaluate programs through the lens of your personal goals, and build a school list that maximizes both opportunity and alignment. If you want to make confident, well-informed application decisions, this workshop is a must-attend.

Red Flags on Law School Applications

​Even strong law school applicants can unintentionally raise red flags that hurt their chances of admission. In this workshop, Conor A.—a Harvard Law graduate with seven years of admissions coaching experience—will break down the most common mistakes applicants make and how to address them effectively. ​Having helped students gain admission to every T14 law school, Conor will share strategies for handling GPA dips, LSAT retakes, character and fitness disclosures, and other sensitive application issues with professionalism and confidence. Whether you’re just starting your application or polishing your materials, this session will help you anticipate potential concerns and turn weaknesses into strengths.

How to Get Into Law School Panel

​In this panel, law school admissions experts Machmud M. (Stanford), Kevin P. (Duke), and Liz C. (University of Houston) will share what it really takes to stand out in today’s competitive applicant pool. From crafting a compelling personal statement and securing strong letters of recommendation to maximizing your LSAT score and building a well-rounded profile, you’ll gain insider perspectives on every stage of the process. ​Whether you’re just beginning to explore law school or are preparing to submit your applications, this session will give you practical strategies, common pitfalls to avoid, and the confidence to approach your applications with clarity and purpose.

Writing Standout MBA Application Essays

Led by Jenai A. (Stanford MBA), Oren M. (Ex Admissions @ NYU Stern MBA) and Ellin L. (MBA coach for 12+ years with 98.9% accept rate), this session will provide you with valuable insights, proven strategies, and expert guidance to help you create impactful essays that reflect your unique experiences and aspirations. ​​Discover top tips for capturing the attention of admissions committees, structuring your essays effectively, and showcasing your authentic voice. Whether you are just starting your application or looking to refine your existing essays, this workshop will equip you with the tools and techniques necessary to make your application shine.

Top 10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Applying to Dental School

Applying to dental school can feel overwhelming, especially when you don’t know what to expect. In this workshop, Marina P., a Columbia University dental student and research assistant, will share the top 10 things she wishes she had known before starting her own journey. From navigating prerequisites and the application timeline to writing compelling personal statements and preparing for interviews, Marina will provide practical insights to help you avoid common mistakes and strengthen your candidacy. ​Whether you’re just beginning to explore dentistry or gearing up to submit applications, this session will leave you with clarity and confidence for the road ahead.

Course Conclusion

What You've Learn and What's Next

Home for Ambition #1: Staying Ahead in a Changing World [3/18/2026] (Recording)

In this first episode of Home for Ambition, we’re diving into one of the biggest questions facing ambitious people right now: what’s actually changing in the world of work, learning, and opportunity, and what should you do about it? We’ll unpack where AI is truly creating leverage, which skills are becoming more valuable, what people are wasting too much time on, and how to stay ahead as the rules keep shifting. — Home for Ambition is a show from Leland for ambitious people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity get rewritten. Each episode tackles a few important questions shaping careers, education, AI, and the future of opportunity, then breaks down what’s changing, what’s overhyped, what matters, and what to do about it.

Find Your Superpower: Win in the Fast-Changing PM World

​The product management world is evolving faster than ever—and the best PMs know how to adapt, stand out, and lead with their unique strengths. In this workshop, Sunny S.—a Product Manager at Atlassian who has coached 100+ professionals into roles at top tech companies—will share how to identify and leverage your personal “superpower” to thrive in today’s competitive PM landscape. ​Drawing from years of experience in tech and product hiring, Sunny will walk you through how to position yourself for growth, sharpen your storytelling in interviews, and build a long-term career that plays to your strengths. Whether you’re breaking into product management or aiming to level up in your current role, this session will help you find your edge—and own it.

Cracking the Private Equity Associate Interview: Inside Tips from the Other Side of the Table

​In this free session, Derek O., incoming Private Equity Investor at Vista Equity Partners (Ex-Audax PE, Ex-Goldman IB) and current MBA Candidate, will break down the skills and strategies needed to stand out in the Associate interview process. Drawing on experience across investment banking, middle-market buyouts, and large-cap software investing, Derek will share both the obvious and less obvious elements that top firms are screening for. ​We’ll aim to cover (i) the major “buckets” of PE interview evaluation, (ii) common pitfalls and how to avoid them, and (iii) real interview questions from real interview processes. ​This session will be tailored to the Private Equity Associate role; however, we welcome anyone interested in PE interviews to join (Summer Analyst, Analyst, MBA Associate, etc.).

How to Work With Me - Personal Read Me Guide Example

This 'How to' guide is my favorite tool to set and communicating boundaries at work while acting as a great collaborator. I wrote this note when I was Group PM at LinkedIn in their Sunnyvale (CA) HQ. I shared it with new collaborators every time I changed scope or team and started working with new partners (which happened a lot!). Many colleagues told me they really appreciated my transparent approach to collaboration and the example I set in communicating my boundaries. Some even created their own version and thanked me for it. Feel free to copy it and create your own version. Make sure to adapt it to your personal style and needs, as well as your organisation’s work culture.

Choose Your AI Fighter: ChatGPT vs. Claude vs. Gemini

Not all AI tools are created equal—and choosing the right one can dramatically change how you work. In this session, we’ll put today’s leading AI assistants head-to-head to help you decide which one deserves a spot in your workflow. We’ll break down the strengths, weaknesses, and best use cases for ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini, comparing how each performs across real-world tasks like writing, research, analysis, brainstorming, and problem-solving. You’ll learn when to use each tool, how to get better outputs with smarter prompting, and how professionals choose the right AI for the job. Whether you’re new to AI or already using multiple tools, this workshop will help you cut through the hype, work more efficiently, and confidently choose your AI fighter.

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.

How I Moved to Europe While Working In Product Management [9/17/2026] (Recording)

Moving to Europe while continuing your career in product management can involve more than simply finding a job abroad—it requires understanding the market, navigating recruiting differences, and figuring out how to position your existing experience. This session is designed for product managers considering a move to Europe who want to learn from someone who has made the transition firsthand. You’ll learn how to approach the European PM job market, identify opportunities that fit your background, and navigate the practical challenges of making an international career move. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own plans and hear directly about the realities of making the move while working in product management. The speaker will share practical lessons from their own experience, including what they learned about recruiting, positioning their background, and adapting to a new market. If you’re considering a similar move, it’s worth joining live.

Kellogg MBA Essay Examples – Leadership & Inclusion

A pair of compelling Kellogg essays showcasing the applicant’s leadership in launching a high-impact team and her personal journey advocating for mental health and diversity in the workplace.

How to Answer the "Tell Me About a Time When" Questions

Learn a simple, powerful framework for answering behavioral interview questions. We'll show you how to structure your stories and highlight the skills and experiences top firms are looking for.

Finance Career Resume Template

A clean, one-page resume template designed for investment banking, private equity, and other finance careers. Includes guidance for structuring professional experience, transaction experience, education, leadership, skills, and interests.