Leland+ Content Library

Inside the Admissions Process: Featuring Directors from Booth, Ross, and SMU

What really happens behind the scenes when you hit “submit” on your MBA application? In Part 2 this session, admissions directors from Chicago Booth, SMU Cox, and Michigan Ross will pull back the curtain on how applications are evaluated, what committees prioritize, and the signals that separate strong applicants from the rest. Panelists include Nicole Chen (Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions @ Booth), Lindsay DiAngelo (Associate Director of MBA Admissions @ Ross), and Shelly Heinrich (Assistant Dean of Admissions @ SMU). ​You’ll hear directly from decision-makers about how they assess essays, recommendations, test scores, and interviews—plus the common mistakes they see every year. Whether you’re finalizing your application or just getting started, this panel will give you rare, insider insight into the admissions process at top programs and practical strategies to improve your chances of success.

Navigating the MBA Waitlist Process (4/6)

We will discuss how to navigate the waitlist process for MBA programs. This will include: - General process and timelines - Common reasons people are waitlisted - How to plan structure your updates - What else you can do to improve your chances - Q&A

Exploring the MPP/MBA Dual Degree

Considering a path that blends business and public policy? The MPP/MBA dual degree might be the perfect fit. In this workshop, you'll hear from Karla M., a seasoned coach with an MBA from Chicago Booth and an MPP from Harvard, who will share insights from her own journey and what she’s learned guiding hundreds of applicants into top programs. ​You’ll get an inside look at what these programs offer, who they’re right for, and how to position yourself for success. Whether you’re actively applying or still exploring, this session will help you move forward with clarity.

Columbia MBA Essay Examples (Consultant / Corp Dev / ETA / LGBTQ)

Explore successful Columbia Business School essays that articulate career goals, demonstrate inclusive leadership, and highlight fit with the program's unique culture and NYC opportunities.

How to Stand Out When So Many Use Claude / ChatGPT for Essays [5/27/2026] (Recording)

As AI tools become more widespread in the admissions process, differentiation matters more than ever. This session will explore how applicants can rise above increasingly polished but increasingly generic essays by developing sharper self-awareness, stronger personal narratives, and more nuanced positioning. Attendees will learn what admissions committees notice immediately in AI-assisted applications and how to ensure their story remains distinctive, memorable, and authentically their own.

Med School Applications 101

Applying to medical school can feel overwhelming without a clear roadmap of what matters most and when. This session walks through the full med school application process, from building a strong academic and extracurricular foundation to crafting personal statements, secondaries, and school lists. You’ll gain clarity on how admissions committees evaluate applicants and leave with a practical framework to plan your application strategy with confidence.

M7 MBA Applications: How to Tell Your Story

Are you applying to an MBA program at a top business school? Then you already know your essays are the most important part of your application. In this session, we’ll break down why essays matter so much to admissions committees, what they reveal about you beyond your resume and transcript, and how to craft a narrative that sets you apart. From writing a compelling “Why MBA” essay to tackling the community essay with authenticity and confidence, this event will give you a clear, structured approach to presenting your best self. I’m Mihir, your guide for this event. As an admit to both Columbia Business School and Chicago Booth, I bring firsthand experience and insider knowledge to help you stand out in your applications. With a background in Biochemistry, English, Business, and Computer Science, and professional stints at Capital One and Moderna, I offer a well-rounded perspective on crafting compelling applications. I’m thrilled to co-host this session with Claire, a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and Stanford GSB alumna. Claire has mastered the case interview process and earned a full-time role at Bain & Company, later moving into private equity and venture capital, and most recently global brand strategy at Nike. Her story highlights how mentorship, grit, and openness to opportunity can completely transform a career trajectory. By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with concrete strategies for structuring your essays, a framework for telling your unique story, and examples that highlight what works—and what doesn’t. Whether you’re drafting your first outline or polishing your final version, this workshop is designed to help you approach every essay with confidence and clarity.

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Booth

Learn what it takes to stand out in Chicago Booth’s highly selective Deferred MBA program. In this session, expert Leland coach and Admissions Fellow at Booth Tim F. will share insights on what Booth values most, from intellectual curiosity to leadership potential. You’ll walk away with clear strategies for crafting a strong application and telling your story with authenticity and impact.

HELP -- I'm Non-Traditional! AMA with Jessica B [6/8/2026] (Recording)

You didn't take the standard path. That doesn't mean you can't get into a top program — it means you need a sharper strategy than most. This is an open AMA for applicants who don't fit the typical mold: career changers, military veterans, physicians, founders, late-career applicants, people with non-linear resumes, or anyone who's ever wondered whether admissions committees will know what to do with them. I've worked with all of you. Since 2006, my clients have come from backgrounds that don't map neatly onto the McKinsey-to-HBS pipeline — and they've gotten into M7 programs anyway, frequently with scholarship. Three times Poets & Quants has recognized me as one of the best admissions consultants in the field. Bring your specific situation. Ask me whether your background is a liability or an asset, how to frame a career that's hard to explain in 250 words, whether EMBA or full-time MBA makes more sense for where you are, or anything else that's been keeping you up at night. No slides. No agenda. Just answers.

A Roadmap to Graduate School Applications

Applying to graduate school is a multi-step journey, and success depends on having a clear plan from start to finish. This session walks through the full application roadmap, from early preparation and program selection to essays, recommendations, interviews, and final decisions. You’ll learn how to prioritize each stage, avoid common pitfalls, and stay organized throughout the process so you can submit strong, confident applications.

How to Become an AI Leader At Your Company

AI leadership isn’t just about technical expertise—it’s about influence, strategy, and execution. In this session, expert Leland coach and AI Program Director at Fabletics Logan K. will break down how to position yourself as a trusted AI leader within your organization, regardless of your formal role. You’ll learn how to identify high-impact opportunities, communicate AI value to stakeholders, and drive adoption responsibly and effectively.

Before You Apply: The Foundation Every First-Time Graduate Applicant Needs [6/25/2026] (Recording)

You already have everything you need to apply to graduate school. What most first-time applicants are missing aren’t stronger credentials, a more impressive resume, or more time. It's actually the inner work — a clear, grounded foundation that addresses the most important questions in the graduate application process: 🔍 What do you actually want? 🔍 Why is graduate school the right next step? 🔍 And what are you passionate about? Without that foundation, even the most qualified applicants jump straight into researching programs and drafting essays, trying to sound impressive instead of sounding authentic. The result is an application that's technically fine, but not very compelling. Most graduate applicants write from the pressure to sound impressive. In trying to present a version of themselves they think admissions wants to see, they lose what makes them unique. Without a clear foundation, every draft, every decision— will be met with self-doubt and more confusion. This session is about taking a different approach. No outside noise. No external pressure. In this masterclass, you’ll learn how to slow down long enough to find what's actually true about your story: what you want, why it matters, and where you’re headed. You’ll learn how to say it in a way that actually sounds like you, not a performed version of you trying to meet expectations. After the session, you'll walk away with more clarity on your direction, more confidence in your story, how to identify the core themes in your narrative, and a foundation for an application that feels intentional, grounded, and real. In a sea of overly polished applications that all sound the same, authenticity will set you apart. By end of this masterclass, you’ll walk away with: ✨ A clear sense of whether graduate school is the right next step and why 💡 An understanding of what you’re actually looking for in a program beyond rankings and prestige 🌱 The foundation of your narrative — the story that already exists that your application should tell 📋 A simple framework for making decisions with intention and clarity

Breaking into FP&A: Resume to Offer Letter

​Looking to launch a career in Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A)? From crafting a standout resume to acing interviews, every step matters in landing your offer. In this session, expert Leland coach Zach T. will guide you through the full process of breaking into FP&A roles. ​By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap from application to offer letter, plus actionable strategies to stand out in the competitive FP&A landscape.

Tips for Success: Navigating the Deferred MBA recommendation Process

Applying to deferred MBA programs is a unique challenge—especially when it comes to securing strong recommendation letters. Your recommenders can make or break your application, but knowing who to ask, how to prepare them, and what schools are really looking for can be tricky to navigate. Join Claire R., a former Assistant Director of Admissions at Stanford GSB and MBA graduate of Yale SOM, for an insider’s guide to navigating the deferred MBA recommendation process. Drawing on her experience evaluating applications at one of the world’s top programs, Claire will share how to select the right recommenders, guide them to highlight your strengths effectively, and ensure their letters complement—not duplicate—your essays and resume.

Writing Standout MBA Application Essays [6/15/2026] (Recording)

Strong MBA essays do more than tell impressive stories—they help admissions committees understand your judgment, motivations, and future potential. This session is for applicants who want to understand what actually makes essays stand out across top MBA programs. You’ll learn how successful candidates build compelling narratives, connect their experiences to clear career goals, and avoid the common mistakes that make essays feel generic or unfocused. Join live to hear perspectives from a panel of experienced MBA admissions coaches 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 real examples of what makes an MBA essay memorable and effective.

How to Recruit for Consulting out of Your MBA

After this session, you will know how to build a credible consulting recruiting timeline from your MBA program, including when to start networking with firms, how to approach case prep alongside academics, and what separates candidates who land offers from those who stall out in the process. The coach will also walk through how to position your pre-MBA background so it works for you, not against you, in consulting interviews.

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Kellogg

Thinking about a deferred MBA and wondering what it takes to get into a top program like Kellogg? Join Andrew Dale, a former Kellogg Admissions Officer and Supercoach on Leland, as he walks you through what makes a strong application, how to tell a compelling story, and what Kellogg specifically looks for in deferred candidates. Bring your questions about essays, recommenders, interviews, and strategy—Andrew will help position you for success.

Land a Role as an Tiktok APM - Applications Open Now

Curious what it takes to stand out in TikTok’s Associate Product Manager (APM) program? Join Dessy K., Hiring Manager at TikTok, for a session on how to position yourself for success in one of the most competitive early-career product roles in tech. Drawing on her experience hiring and mentoring PMs, Dessy will share what top candidates do differently—from crafting standout applications to acing interviews and communicating product sense.