Leland+ Content Library

8 Steps to Complete MBA App: 2) Key Stories/Strategic School Outreach

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 second 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 turn your experiences into structured story summaries and begin strategic outreach to students and alumni. 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 focused and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a 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. Event 2 transforms your experiences into structured story material and begins meaningful school outreach: • Distill 10–20 high-impact stories from your Life Story Timeline using a structured framework. • Learn how to select stories that reveal leadership, growth, resilience, and character. • Apply tagging to identify recurring themes that will shape your positioning. • Begin outreach to current students and alumni. This is the phase where your raw experiences begin turning into usable material. You move from “I’ve done a lot” to “Here are the defining stories that show exactly who I am.” 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 develop a compelling story bank and begin connecting with your target schools in a thoughtful, intentional way, this is your next step.

Top 5 Tips for Your Law School Application [4/7/2026] (Recording)

Join Indrani as she goes over her top 5 tips to help you put your best foot forward as you apply to law school! A great law school application requires research, authenticity and hard work, and Indrani will help you strategize. She will go over the importance of the LSAT, putting together a thoughtful school list, who should submit letters of recommendation, how to go about writing your essays and the optimal timeline for getting it all done! The session will end with ample time for questions and answers.

Next Cycle, New Reality: Preparing for Law School Admissions in 2026-2027

Law school admissions continue to evolve, with shifting applicant volumes, changing evaluation priorities, and increasing competition at top programs. In this session, we’ll break down what to expect in the 2026–2027 cycle, how to interpret trends in LSAT scores and medians, and what admissions committees are prioritizing beyond the numbers. You’ll learn how to build a smart timeline, strengthen your narrative, and position yourself strategically in a competitive landscape.

Top 5 Tips for Your Law School Application [3/5/2026] (Recording)

Join Indrani as she goes over her top 5 tips to help you put your best foot forward as you apply to law school! A great law school application requires research, authenticity and hard work, and Indrani will help you strategize. She will go over the importance of the LSAT, putting together a thoughtful school list, who should submit letters of recommendation, how to go about writing your essays and the optimal timeline for getting it all done! The session will end with ample time for questions and answers.

Ace MBA Interviews & Essays: Strategies for Why an MBA/Now/This School

Are you struggling to clearly answer “Why an MBA?”, “Why now?”, and “Why this school?” in both interviews and written applications? These three questions are the backbone of every strong MBA candidacy. In this focused 60-minute session, you’ll learn exactly how to approach them with clarity, specificity, and confidence. We’ll break down what admissions committees are really looking for, why these questions matter, and the most common mistakes applicants make. You’ll see detailed examples drawn directly from successful applicant materials, along with in-depth analysis of what makes each example strong or weak. We’ll cover how to link your background, needs, and goals to the right program features, how to avoid generic phrasing, and how to bring authenticity and structure into your responses. Throughout the session, I’ll highlight specific dos and don’ts and walk you through the progression from vague answers to compelling, school-ready responses. You’ll also see how your approach should differ between essays and interviews so your answers feel natural and appropriate in each format. We will close with a Q&A where you can ask about these three questions, your approach, or anything that wasn’t fully clear in the presentation. By the end, you’ll have a sharper understanding of what makes a strong response, how to integrate school-specific research, and how to communicate your story in a way that resonates in both interviews and written applications.

Stop Sounding Generic: How to Write a Standout Law School Personal Statement

​Crafting a personal statement that truly stands out is one of the most important—and challenging—parts of the law school application process. In this session, expert Leland coach and Harvard Law alum Dylan M. will provide an overview of how to draft a strong, compelling statement and share common challenges applicants face. ​You’ll learn how to convey your unique story, highlight meaningful experiences, and avoid pitfalls that can make essays feel generic or forgettable. By the end, you’ll have practical guidance and actionable strategies to make your law school personal statement memorable and impactful.

College Workshop: Three-Month Application Plan to Land Your Early Decision School

​Are you a high school student aiming to apply Early Decision (ED) to your top-choice U.S. university? Join Kevin P. for an interactive session that lays out a focused three‑month plan—from now to the Nov 1–15 deadlines—so you can craft a standout ED application on time and with confidence.With over a decade of experience supporting students across the world, he will guide you through the essentials—from weekly milestones and essay drafting to coordinating recommendations, understanding ED’s binding and financial implications, polishing your activities list, and building a smart backup plan for EA/RD. Topics include: ​90‑day ED timeline and task checklist (mid‑Aug → Nov 1–15): essays, supplements, testing, recommenders, and school documents ​Standing out fast: personal statement and “Why Us?” strategy, activities impact, and recommendation packets ​Readiness and backup: score strategy, financial/aid planning for ED, portal tracking, and an EA/RD contingency if ED doesn’t land

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.

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.

The Resume That Lands You at M7 Business Schools

A deep dive into a successful resume that got accepted into top business schools. Learn how to craft a powerful resume that showcases your experience and leadership.

Harvard Law School Diversity Statement Example - Resilience and Fragility from a Global Perspective

A look into a Black American's experience with resilience and fragility, and how living abroad shaped a unique global perspective.

Fuqua School of Business: 25 Random Things Example Essay From An Admitted Applicant

Explore a unique "25 Random Things" essay from an admitted Fuqua applicant, revealing personality beyond the resume.

Inside the Waitlist: How Admissions Really Uses It

• Define what a waitlist decision actually means • Explain why schools use the waitlist (class balancing, yield management, diversity mix) • Common misconceptions (e.g., “It’s a soft reject” vs. “It’s still active consideration”) • How timing, round, and school culture affect outcomes • Typical timelines • High-level do’s and don’ts immediately after being waitlisted

GRE or LSAT: How to Choose the Right Test for Law School [5/29/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you'll know how to evaluate whether the GRE or LSAT is the stronger choice for your specific profile, target schools, and timeline. We'll cover how law schools actually weight each test in admissions decisions, which test tends to favor certain academic backgrounds, and how retake policies differ in ways that affect your strategy. The coach works with law school applicants regularly and will share the patterns that consistently shape this decision across the candidates they advise.

MBA Resume Template and Best Practices Guide for M7 Schools

A customizable resume template with detailed formatting tips, writing guidelines, and MBA-specific strategies to help you create a clear, high-impact one-page resume.

Making a Law School Prep Plan: How to Ace the LSAT and your Application

Applying to law school takes strategy—from your LSAT prep timeline to how you craft your personal statement. In this session, expert Leland coaches Eshaan S. and Machmud M. will walk you through how to build a smart, structured plan that sets you up for success across every part of the process. ​By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for tackling the LSAT, managing your application materials, and presenting your best self to admissions committees.

How to Develop Compelling Short and Long-Term Goals for UC Law School Applications

Crafting authentic and specific goals can make or break your UC Law School application. In this session, Brian B.—a seasoned law school admissions expert with 10+ years of experience reviewing thousands of applications—will walk you through how to articulate your career vision with clarity and purpose. ​Together, you’ll explore what “Clarity of Purpose” really means in the admissions context and how to translate it into your essays and interviews. Learn how to write convincingly about the type of law firm, government agency, or non-profit you aspire to join, and how to frame your long-term professional impact in a way that feels both ambitious and authentic.

What Actually Gets You Into Law School, From Admissions Experts [6/9/2026] (Recording)

Law school admissions can feel unpredictable, especially when applicants receive conflicting advice about what actually matters. This session is for prospective law students who want a clearer understanding of how competitive applicants are evaluated across academics, essays, resumes, and overall narrative fit. You’ll learn what admissions readers pay attention to most, the common weaknesses that hold strong candidates back, and how successful applicants position themselves throughout the process. Join live to hear perspectives from a panel of experienced law admissions experts who have worked closely with successful applicants across top programs. The discussion will follow a curated set of high-impact questions, offering structured insights and practical examples drawn from real admissions and coaching experience.