Leland+ Content Library

From Service to Grad School: Getting into an MBA Program

Transitioning from service—military, nonprofit, public sector, or community leadership—into an MBA program requires translating impact into a language admissions committees understand. In this session, you’ll learn how to position your service experience as leadership, quantify outcomes, and craft a compelling narrative that highlights readiness for business school. We’ll cover program fit, essays, recommendations, testing strategy, and common pitfalls unique to service backgrounds, so you can present a clear, confident case for admission.

How to Land an Interview at an MBB Firm

​McKinsey, Bain, and BCG are among the most competitive employers in the world—so how do you actually land an interview? In this panel, three top Leland consulting coaches will share the insider strategies, application tactics, and networking approaches that helped them break into MBB and that they now use to coach candidates into these firms. ​Hear from James H., a Columbia MBA, former McKinsey consultant, and ex-McKinsey interviewer; Annika F., a Bain consultant, HEC Paris MBA, and ICF-certified coach; and Sushmitha R., an MIT Sloan alum and former BCG summer consultant. Together, they’ll break down how to craft standout resumes, position nontraditional backgrounds, build meaningful networking connections, and align your story with what MBB teams are truly looking for. Whether you're an undergrad, MBA student, or career-switcher, this session will give you a clear roadmap to landing the interview that changes everything.

Making Big Pivots: Breaking into a New Industry

Thinking about a major career change but unsure how to make the leap? This session is designed for professionals considering a big pivot—and looking for a clear, strategic way to break into a new industry. In this panel, we’ll unpack what it really takes to successfully transition careers, from identifying transferable skills and reframing your experience to building credibility in a new field. You’ll learn how to tell a compelling career story, network with intention, and avoid the most common mistakes career switchers make. Whether you’re coming from consulting, finance, education, operations, or another background entirely, this session will give you practical frameworks and real-world strategies to help you pivot with confidence and land your next role.

Kellogg Essay and Short Answer Examples – Leadership, Culture, and Collaboration

A compelling set of responses reflecting on cross-cultural leadership, collaborative problem-solving, and a deep commitment to values like solidarity, inclusion, and ethical influence in high-stakes environments.

Breaking Into MBB: An Insider's Guide to Consulting Recruiting [9/16/2026] (Recording)

Thinking about management consulting but not sure where to start? This session is designed specifically for incoming MBAs who want an honest picture of what the MBB recruiting process actually looks like, from someone who has been through it and seen many recruiting cycles from the other side. We'll cover the full recruiting timeline from fall orientation through January interviews, walk through exactly what to expect inside the room on interview day, and share the insider tips that separate candidates who get offers from those who don't. The session will close with an open Q&A where no question is off limits. What we'll cover: How MBB recruiting works and what firms are really looking for in MBA hires The recruiting calendar: when to network, when to prep, and when invites go out The anatomy of a consulting interview: behavioral storytelling and the live business case Practical tips on networking, case prep, and standing out in a competitive process Who this is for: This session is ideal for first-year MBAs who are new to consulting recruiting and want a grounded, insider perspective before the process kicks into high gear. During this event, we'll cover essential topics such as networking strategies, case interview preparation, and behavioral interview techniques. My background includes an MBA from Harvard Business School and a robust career in strategy and operations, currently serving as Vice President at Grubhub. I am excited to share my journey and insights to help you navigate the MBB recruiting process effectively. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you take the next step in your consulting career!

What is an Experience/Perspective Statement and Do You Need One?

Start with this PDF to learn why law schools ask about your unique (i.e., diverse) experiences and perspectives.

Product Management and Roadmaps

Learn what a product roadmap is, why it's important to your success as a product manager, and how to create an effective roadmap.

Ratios and Mixtures Examples

This deck teaches the core concepts of ratios, proportions, and mixtures as seen in the GMAT and GRE. It includes example problems similar to those on the exam. Concepts and problems are explained in a video walkthrough by the author in "GMAT & GRE: Ratios and Mixtures".

BSchool blogs and newspapers

A curated list of top business school blogs and student newspapers to help candidates stay informed on programs, culture, and admissions insights.

Selecting and Guiding Recommenders

Learn how to choose the right recommender and equip them with stories that align with Kellogg’s leadership criteria.

Personal Capacity and Stretch

Learn how to accurately gauge your workload limits and push for growth without crossing the line into chronic burnout.

Unconventional and Illegal Buckets

An overview of unconventional and illegal buckets for management consulting.

Permutations and Combinations Examples

This deck breaks down permutations and combinations for the GMAT and the GRE. It covers both basic and advanced concepts with example questions. Concepts and problems are explained in a video walkthrough by the author in "Permutations and Combinations for the GMAT and GRE".

Non-US Elite MBA Pathways: INSEAD, HKUST & IESE

This session moves beyond school rankings to give you the strategic framework for building a truly global career. Join cross-cultural career coach Caolan Hunter (ex-On, Ogilvy) to learn how to integrate your career, education, and long-term life goals into a coherent international strategy. We will start by exploring the specific pathways offered by elite non-US business schools like INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE, using them as a lens to understand the bigger picture of strategic mobility. By the end of this session, you will stop thinking “US or nothing” and leave with a concrete, strategic shortlist of serious non-US MBA targets aligned with visa reality, your career goals, and your risk tolerance. Learning Objectives: What You Will Learn 1. The Real Global MBA Landscape: Understand the true power centers of business education beyond the United States and how they offer distinct advantages. 2. Visa & Post-Study Work Reality: Decode the practical realities of post-MBA life in Europe and Asia, focusing specifically on post-study work rights, the ease of corporate hiring for international graduates, and viable pathways to long-term residency. 3. Strategic Career Positioning: Learn how hiring logic differs from the US and why the smaller, more international cohorts at these schools can provide stronger access. We’ll explain where non-US MBAs over-perform, particularly in sectors like luxury, consulting, sustainability, finance, and deep tech. Key Outcomes: What You Will Walk Away With 1. A Reframed Worldview: You'll gain a new understanding of INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE not as "alternatives," but as premier, strategic choices for a global career. 2. Visa & Employability Clarity: You'll have clear, actionable insights into the post-MBA visa and employment landscape in Europe and Asia, ensuring your school choice leads to a real career outcome. 3. A Personal Viable Pathway Map: You will leave with the tools to build a personal map connecting your background to the right program and region, aligning your education with your long-term life goals. 4. Strategic Confidence: You will have the confidence and evidence to know that for many career paths, a non-US MBA is a strategic advantage, not a second-tier option.

Albert's Apple Orchard – Profitability Case Interview Practice

A full MBB-style case prompt focused on diagnosing declining profits at a California apple orchard, including exhibits, guided questions, and a structured framework for analyzing revenue, cost, and operational levers.