Leland+ Content Library

Outstanding Law School Admissions Essays with Indrani, Former Stanford Law AdCom [9/2/2026] (Recording)

Your law school application essays are arguably the most important aspect of your law school applications. To have the best outcomes and plenty of options at the end of the process, you need to craft compelling essays with solid narratives that paint a picture beyond your numbers. We will talk about different essay prompts and how best to tackle them, why it makes sense to have two 'main' essays instead of just one, how to handle optional essays and the dreaded 'why x school' essays. We will also have time for some 'Ask Me Anything' at the end!

From Service to Business School: Turning Your Experience Into an Edge [9/28/2026] (Recording)

Transitioning from military service to business school can leave applicants wondering how to translate their experiences into a compelling MBA application. This session is designed for veterans and service members applying to business school who want to understand how to position their leadership, decision-making, and professional experiences effectively. You’ll learn how to translate military experience into language that resonates with admissions committees, highlight the leadership and impact behind your experiences, and build an application that shows how your background will contribute to an MBA community. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own background and get real-time guidance on how to approach your application. The speaker will share practical best practices for translating service experience into a strong MBA candidacy, including common challenges and opportunities they see when working with veteran applicants. If you want to turn your service experience into a meaningful strength in your MBA application, it’s worth joining live.

Law School Essays - Personal Statement vs. Optional statements: What Goes Where [9/15/2026] (Recording)

Navigating the nuances of law school essays can be daunting, especially when distinguishing between personal statements and optional statements. Join me, Kevin, for an insightful session where we'll delve into what goes where in your law school application. With a J.D./LL.M. from Duke University School of Law and extensive experience in admissions, I have guided countless students through the intricacies of law school applications. This session will equip you with the tools to strategically place your narratives and make your application stand out. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot!

Targeting M7 Schools? What It Really Takes [5/20/2026] (Recording)

1YR FREE LELAND+ GIVEAWAY FOR LIVE ATTENDEES ($119 VALUE). After this session, you'll know how to assess whether your profile is genuinely competitive for M7 schools and where the real gaps tend to appear. We'll cover how admissions committees at these programs actually differentiate candidates at the margin, what a strong post-MBA narrative looks like for the most common applicant profiles, and how to decide where to apply given your specific background and goals. Attending live means you can hear how experienced coaches thinks through cases like yours in real time, context a recording simply cannot replicate. These coaches work with M7 applicants daily and will share the patterns that separate candidates who get in from those who fall short at the final round.

Managing Your Online Presence for MBA Apps

Social Media and Online Presence: 10 Tips for MBA Applicants

A Peek Behind the Curtain: How Your Application is Really Evaluated at Top Business Schools

Have you ever wondered what happens once you hit submit? Join this one-of-a-kind event to learn what really goes on behind the scenes from two coaches who have seen it all. ​Christine B.'s 25+ year admissions career has included as an Admissions Director for The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, London Business School and Yale School of Management. ​Faisal K. has been an MBA coach for 15+ years, and worked with Christine as an admissions committee member at the Chicago Booth. ​This fireside chat between Faisal and Christine will explore how an application is assessed, decisions are made to interview and admit, and offer tips on how to put your best foot forward at the world’s most selective business schools.

Deferred MBA Panel: Getting Started Early

​In this panel, expert MBA coaches Geri T. (Harvard Business School), Timothy F. (Chicago Booth), and Claire R. (Stanford Graduate School of Business) will break down what you need to know about applying to deferred MBA programs and how to set yourself up for success early. From understanding what top schools look for to planning your academics, internships, and extracurriculars, you’ll get insider guidance on how to build a competitive profile while you’re still in school. ​You’ll also hear strategies for writing compelling essays, securing strong recommendations, and avoiding the common mistakes that applicants make. Whether you’re a college junior, senior, or early-career professional exploring deferred programs, this session will give you the tools and confidence to start your MBA journey on the right foot.

The 3.4/150 Resume That Got Me Into UVA Law

The two-page résumé that went into a below-median file, reproduced in full, plus a read of the five things making it work: numbers in nearly every bullet, promotions stacked to show trajectory, campaign work filed as professional experience rather than extracurricular, and one line that carries the whole financial story. Written by a first-generation, low-income splitter with a low LSAT. Only the contact block is removed — the schools, employers, campaigns, dates and thesis are all real and all mine.

AMA with Liz C., former admissions director @ University of Houston Law Center [8/3/2026] (Recording)

If you're thinking about going to law school, you've likely got a TON of questions. While the application process is largely standardized across schools, not every admissions officer is going to have the same perspective, so it can be useful to hear from more than one. I was an assistant and associate director of admissions at the University of Houston Law Center for eight years, and my goal is to demystify the process for all applicants. Join me for an AMA-style office hours where you can bring your questions and we can chat about all things law school admissions!

Inside Deferred Admissions: AMA with a Founder of the HBS 2+2 Program

Few people understand Deferred MBA admissions better than Kerry P., who helped launch the Harvard Business School 2+2 Program and has since guided countless candidates into top deferred programs. In this exclusive AMA, Kerry will pull back the curtain on how Deferred MBA programs really evaluate applicants — from what schools look for in undergraduates to how they assess potential and fit.

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 7) School Fit & Application Strategy [6/18/2026] (Recording)

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 seventh 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 map your story directly to each school’s application components and develop a clear strategy for how your application will come together. 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 organized and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a cohesive 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. This session moves your MBA application forward by translating your story, goals, and strengths into a clear strategy for each target school: • Map your themes and key stories to each school’s essay prompts. • Determine which experiences and examples will appear in each component of the application. • Integrate insights from your outreach conversations with students and alumni. • Identify any gaps or risks in your profile and plan how to address them. This is the phase where preparation turns into a clear application plan. Instead of staring at essay prompts and wondering where to start, you will have a structured outline of exactly what each part of your application will communicate. 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 translate your story into a clear plan for each school on your list, this is your next step.

London Business School MBA | Interview Tips & Tricks From An LBS Ex-Interviewer [8/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for your London Business School MBA interview and want to make a lasting impression? Join me, Sharleen, an LBS alumni interviewer, for an insightful session on mastering your MBA interview. With my experience on both sides of the table, I'll share valuable tips and tricks to help you stand out in the competitive admissions process. During this event, we'll cover everything from an overview of the interview process to preparation strategies, and end off with a Q&A at the end. Whether you're applying for the traditional full-time MBA, the one-year MBA or just exploring your options, this session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you succeed in your LBS MBA interview journey!

Admissions Insights Part 3: Build a Compelling Narrative for Grad School Apps [7/20/2026] (Recording)

What makes a compelling narrative for grad school applicants with non-traditional backgrounds? Join me as I break down some of my insights in is Part 3 of this Admissions Insider Series, where I share my perspective as a former AdCom member of Carnegie Mellon University's MSCF program (the #3 financial engineering master's in the US). I'll also share what I've learned coaching 500+ applicants to graduate programs, including students admitted to Stanford, Yale, Duke, Columbia, UChicago, Cornell, and others. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Dental School Early Bird Series: Your Personal Statement; Start the Story Now [10/13/2026] (Recording)

Your personal statement should not begin when AADSAS opens. Join Ellen W., top Leland Dental Coach, for a 30-minute Early Bird session on how to start developing your story now, identify the experiences that belong in your statement, and avoid the common mistake of simply repeating your résumé. We’ll talk about what makes a dental personal statement memorable, what you should be working on this fall, and how to give yourself plenty of time to develop, revise, and refine your story before AADSAS 2027. Early Birds will also get a preview of special 2027 coaching opportunities and discounts available to applicants who start early.

MBA in Europe: How to Choose the Right Business School for You [10/12/2026] (Recording)

Considering an MBA in Europe? Join this livestream for a practical guide to navigating Europe’s top MBA programs, from choosing the right school to building a competitive application. I’m an IESE MBA graduate and have also worked with IESE Admissions, giving me both a candidate’s and an admissions perspective on what makes a strong MBA application. We’ll discuss how top European programs such as IESE, INSEAD, LBS, HEC Paris and others differ in terms of career opportunities, program format, location, cost, admissions and post-MBA outcomes. We’ll cover: How to choose the right European MBA for your goals Key differences between top European business schools What admissions committees really look for How to assess your profile and competitiveness How to build a compelling MBA application 1-year vs. 2-year European MBA programs Common mistakes candidates make during the admissions process

Stop Sounding Generic: How to Write a Standout Law School Personal Statement [5/27/2026] (Recording)

Many law school personal statements sound polished but forgettable, making it hard for applicants to truly stand out. This session is for candidates who want to write essays that feel distinctive, authentic, and memorable to admissions readers. You’ll learn how to identify the strongest parts of your story, avoid overly generic themes and language, and structure a personal statement that creates a clearer sense of who you are. Join live to ask questions about your own essay ideas and get guidance on how to sharpen your narrative before submitting. The speaker is an experienced law admissions coach who regularly helps applicants strengthen their personal statements and overall positioning. They’ll share the patterns they see across standout essays and the kinds of feedback typically given in 1:1 coaching conversations.

From Background to Business School: How to Build a Credible MBA Narrative [8/20/2026] (Recording)

Most "Why MBA" answers fail before they start, not because applicants can't write, but because they're answering the wrong question. As a Ross alum and admissions interviewer, I can tell you: the goals essay isn't about where you want to go. It's about whether adcom believes you'll get there, and whether an MBA is the logical next step for someone like you. This session breaks down how to build a goals narrative that's specific, credible, and connects your past to your future in a way that doesn't sound manufactured. What Adcom Is Actually Evaluating When They Read Your Goals Essay: It's not the goal itself, it's whether your story hangs together. -The three questions every adcom reader is asking while they read your answer -Why "I want to develop leadership skills" and similar answers kill otherwise strong applications -The difference between a goal that's ambitious and one that's believable The Architecture of a Strong Why MBA Story: Most applicants lead with too much context. Here's why that doesn't work and what to do instead. -How to connect your past experience to your post-MBA goal in a way that feels inevitable, not invented -The difference between a career change story and a career progression story, and how to tell yours -Why specificity is the single most important thing you can bring to this essay Where Applicants Lose Adcom's Trust: A weak goals essay doesn't just lose points, it raises questions about your whole application. -How vague goals undermine even a strong resume and work history -How to handle "why now" when there's no clean answer -What to do if your goals have shifted since you started the application Making It Concrete: A framework you can use immediately to test whether your story is working. -How to gut-check your narrative before you put it on paper -What a strong vs. weak Why MBA story actually looks like, side by side -The one question to ask yourself before you finalize anything

London Business School MBA | Interview Tips & Tricks From An LBS Ex-Interviewer [9/21/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for your London Business School MBA interview and want to make a lasting impression? Join me, Sharleen, an LBS alumni interviewer, for an insightful session on mastering your MBA interview. With my experience on both sides of the table, I'll share valuable tips and tricks to help you stand out in the competitive admissions process. During this event, we'll cover everything from an overview of the interview process to preparation strategies, and end off with a Q&A at the end. Whether you're applying for the traditional full-time MBA, the one-year MBA or just exploring your options, this session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you succeed in your LBS MBA interview journey!

Admissions Insiders: What Schools are Really Looking For [8/19/2026] (Recording)

Admissions can feel like a black box. What actually moves the needle on your application? How much does the interview matter? Nobody tells you, because the people who know aren't usually the people talking. This panel changes that. Three former MBA admissions officers, the people who used to sit on the other side of the table deciding who got in and who didn't, are coming together to tell you what they actually looked for. Now they coach applicants through this exact process, so they've seen it from both sides: what gets an application noticed, and what gets it rejected. If you're applying to a top MBA program, this is the closest you'll get to sitting in on the room where those decisions get made.

Beyond the MBA: Building a Career Story Schools Want to Invest In

Top MBA programs do not admit candidates solely on ambition, strong credentials, or polished essays. They admit individuals whose career direction is clear, compelling, and rooted in authentic personal motivation. Your career story is the lens through which every element of your application is evaluated—and when developed correctly, it becomes the most differentiating part of your candidacy. In this session, two MBA admissions consultants with more than 25 years of combined experience will walk you through the framework used by the most successful applicants to define career goals that resonate with top programs. You will learn how admissions committees assess career vision, what signals readiness and conviction, and why thoughtful goal-setting must come before selecting target schools. What You Will Learn • How to articulate a career direction grounded in personal meaning, not buzzwords or manufactured narratives • The specific traits admissions committees look for when evaluating career goals • How to demonstrate feasibility and alignment with program strengths • Ways to incorporate future-focused thinking—including but not limited to AI and industry evolution • How to connect your past experiences, present capabilities, and long-term aspirations into a coherent, differentiated narrative • Why a strong career story increases your likelihood of admission and makes you a more compelling future alum