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.

Getting into a Top Business School Program In Europe [9/16/2026] (Recording)

Getting into a top European business school takes more than a strong resume and test score. The most successful applicants know how to position their experiences, goals, and international perspective in a way that resonates with admissions committees. This session is for prospective students targeting leading business schools across Europe who want to build a more competitive application. You'll learn what top programs look for, how to differentiate yourself from other applicants, and where to focus your efforts to strengthen your candidacy. Join live to hear from a panel of experts who have helped clients gain admission to prominent European business schools. They'll share practical application strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and firsthand insights into what it takes to stand out at top programs across Europe. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer roadmap for your own European business school journey.

Demystifying Law School Admissions: Insider Strategies That Actually Work [9/14/2026] (Recording)

Law school admissions can feel like a black box when you’re trying to understand what actually makes an application stand out. This panel is designed for prospective law students who want practical guidance on how to approach the admissions process and make stronger decisions throughout their application. You’ll hear experts discuss what admissions committees look for, how to build a compelling application, and the best practices they’ve seen work across successful candidates. Attending live gives you the opportunity to hear multiple perspectives from experts who have worked closely with law school applicants and ask questions about your own application in real time. Our panelists will share practical strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and what they believe applicants should prioritize when preparing their applications. If you want a clearer understanding of the law school admissions process and how to approach it strategically, it’s worth joining live.

Local data vault: redact sensitive data before it reaches the cloud

Many of us would like to use frontier AI models on sensitive documents without sending private identifiers to the cloud. This hands-on toolkit combines local redaction, encrypted reversible storage, and agent-level access controls so you can work with financial, medical, legal, or HR documents more carefully to protect your identity and personal information.

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

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.

Choosing the Right Topic for Your Law School Personal Statement [10/15/2026] (Recording)

Picking a personal statement topic is often where applicants get stuck first, and it's rarely because they lack material. Keatrice Robertson will walk through how to sort through your own experiences, spot which ones actually reveal judgment or resilience rather than just achievement, and avoid the common trap of retelling your resume in paragraph form. Keatrice went through this process herself as a non-traditional JD/MBA applicant, and now works with candidates figuring out how to make their story specific instead of generic. She'll share how she thinks about narrowing a topic down to one that holds together, and there will be room to ask about your own draft or approach.