Leland+ Content Library

From Research to Results: Guide to PhD Applications

Thinking about pursuing a PhD but unsure how to navigate the admissions process? Join us for From Research to Results: Guide to PhD Applications, where experienced PhD coach Madeleine L. will break down what it really takes to build a competitive doctoral application. ​Whether you’re just starting to explore PhD programs or preparing to hit submit, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to strengthen your application and move closer to your academic goals.

Military to MBA with Alex S.

Join us for a focused workshop designed to help veterans and active-duty service members navigate the transition from the military to top MBA programs. Military veteran and Ross MBA Alex S. will break down how to translate your experience into civilian leadership language, highlight impact in a way admissions teams understand, and build a compelling narrative that showcases your trajectory. Learn to turn military experience into a powerful competitive advantage in MBA admissions!

Get Into Your Dream School: Writing Powerful MBA Essays Panel

Join top Leland MBA admissions coaches for a candid panel on what it really takes to write essays that break through at M7 and other top programs. They’ll share insider perspectives on choosing the right stories, showcasing impact, avoiding common pitfalls, and bringing your authentic voice forward. You’ll walk away with clear strategies and actionable tips to elevate your essays—so you can put your strongest application in front of the adcom.

Navigating the MBA Waitlist Process

We will discuss how to navigate the waitlist process for MBA programs. While it is quite frustrating to not have closure after your decision, there is still hope! I will walk through my proven strategies for maximizing your chances of converting a waitlist into an acceptance! 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

How to Get Started on Your PhD Application

Starting a PhD application can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re unsure where to begin or how to position yourself for research-driven programs. This session breaks down the first steps that matter most, including identifying research interests, finding the right advisors, planning your timeline, and preparing key materials like statements of purpose and recommendations. You’ll learn how to build early momentum, avoid common missteps, and set yourself up for a strong application cycle.

Great Alternatives to the US for Grad School

For many applicants, top graduate programs outside the United States offer world-class education, strong career outcomes, and more accessible pathways to admission and visas. This session explores leading international destinations for grad school, how their application processes differ from the US, and what to consider when evaluating cost, career mobility, and long-term goals. You’ll leave with a clearer view of global options and practical guidance for building a competitive international application strategy.

What Europe’s Top B-Schools are Looking For

Europe’s leading business schools evaluate candidates through a distinct lens, often prioritizing international mindset, clarity of goals, and cultural contribution alongside professional achievement. In this session, you’ll learn what top European MBA programs value most in applications, how their expectations differ from US schools, and how to position your background for maximum impact. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to tailor your strategy and strengthen your candidacy for Europe’s most competitive business schools.

Behavioral Questions CAR Matrix Template

This matrix is a powerful tool to help you prepare for behavioral interviews with clarity and confidence. It allows you to structure your stories using the CAR framework (Challenge, Action, Result) while mapping each one to common competency areas like leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. By building a versatile story bank and tagging each example to multiple themes, you'll be able to answer a wide range of questions with ease, consistency, and impact. Whether you're applying to an MBA program or preparing for job interviews, this template helps you connect the dots between your experiences and what interviewers are looking for.

How to Create a Winning MBA Application

​Getting into a top MBA program is more than strong test scores and a polished résumé—it’s about telling your story in a way that resonates. In this session, you’ll learn from Rifat M. (HBS), Ben L. (GSB) and Rob R. (GSB, admitted to all M7 schools) about what schools are really looking for and how to approach each part of the application, from essays to recommendations to interviews. ​Whether you’re early in the process or gearing up to submit, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to showcase your experiences authentically and put together an application that stands out.

AI Product Manager Resumes: Best Practices, Myths, and Realities

Writing a strong resume for AI product roles requires more than listing tools or buzzwords. In this session, we’ll break down what actually matters on an AI PM resume, what common advice gets wrong, and how hiring managers really evaluate candidates for AI-focused product roles. You’ll learn how to highlight impact, frame technical and cross-functional experience, and position your background effectively whether you’re transitioning into AI or deepening your specialization. By the end, you’ll have clear, practical guidance to build a resume that reflects real product thinking and stands out in a competitive AI hiring landscape.

What MBA Interviewers Are Really Evaluating

MBA interviews are less about having the “right” answers and more about how you show up. In this panel, former MBA interviewers will share firsthand insight into what admissions committees are actually assessing during interviews, from leadership presence and self-awareness to clarity of goals and authenticity. You’ll learn how interviewers interpret your stories, what common signals raise red flags, and how to prepare in a way that feels confident rather than rehearsed. Whether you’re interviewing soon or planning ahead, this session will help you understand how to perform at your best when it matters most.

Management Consulting Week 2026 Kickoff

Kick off Leland’s Management Consulting Week with a high-level panel focused on what actually matters in consulting recruiting. This session will cover the key do’s and don’ts throughout the process, how strong candidates differentiate themselves, and the most common mistakes that derail otherwise competitive applicants. Panelists will break down where to focus your time, what not to miss at each stage, and how to approach consulting recruiting strategically from start to finish. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your approach, this kickoff will help you prioritize effectively and set a strong foundation for the rest of the week.

Software Engineering Recruiting Week Kickoff

Kick off Software Engineering Recruiting Week with a high-level panel covering everything you need to know to successfully navigate the recruiting process. This session will break down what matters most at each stage, including resumes, networking strategies, interview preparation, and how to position yourself as a strong candidate. You’ll gain insider perspective on what hiring managers actually look for, where candidates tend to waste time, and how to prioritize your efforts for maximum impact. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your strategy, this session will give you a clear roadmap for the recruiting journey ahead.

Tackling the "Why This School" MBA Essay

Most MBA programs will have an essay along the lines of: "Why MBA; Why this school?" This is one of the most impactful parts of your application and is often the difference maker between getting an interview and getting a rejection. During this free session, I'll walk through: - What schools are actually looking for in this essay (explicitly and implicitly) - Common mistakes applicants make in this essay - How to structure this essay - Additional tips on crafting a standout essay

Inside MBA Admissions Decisions: Roundtable Discussion with M7 Admissions Officers

MBA admissions at top programs are highly selective, and small strategic decisions can make a big difference in how your application is evaluated. In this exclusive roundtable, you’ll get an inside look at how admissions decisions are actually made at M7 business schools—and what separates successful candidates from the rest. This session is designed to help you better understand how your profile is read, discussed, and ultimately decided on behind closed doors. The discussion will feature former admissions officers from multiple M7 programs who have collectively reviewed thousands of MBA applications. Drawing on their firsthand experience, they’ll share how admissions committees evaluate academics, work experience, leadership, and personal narratives, as well as common mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them. You’ll also gain insight into how schools compare candidates, handle borderline cases, and think about fit across different rounds. Whether you’re just starting to explore an MBA or preparing to apply in an upcoming cycle, this roundtable will give you rare clarity and a sharper strategic lens for approaching the process.

Building Your Path to Graduate School Success: 2-5 Years Out

Are you considering applying to graduate school in the next 2-5 years and want to ensure you're on the right path to success? Join me, Bri, for an insightful session on building a strategic approach to your graduate school applications, whether you're eyeing an MBA, MPP, or any highly competitive graduate degree. With firsthand experience as an admit to MIT Sloan, Booth, and Tuck, and a dual MPP/MBA strategy, I bring a wealth of knowledge on what top programs are looking for. My background in government consulting and cross-sector innovation allows me to help you craft compelling stories that connect your diverse experiences into a cohesive narrative. I've successfully coached applicants to M7 and top public policy programs, refining their personal narratives, clarifying post-graduate goals, and strengthening their essays, résumés, and interviews. During this session, we'll cover everything from application strategy and networking to financial aid and testing. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and start building your path to graduate school success!

Accounting Concepts That Get Tested in IB Interviews

Investment banking interviews move fast, and a strong grasp of core accounting concepts is essential. Join Accounting Concepts That Get Tested in IB Interviews, a focused session designed to help you master the accounting fundamentals interviewers expect you to know cold. In this event, we’ll cover the most commonly tested topics, including the three financial statements, how they connect, and how accounting decisions impact valuation. You’ll also learn how to structure clear, confident answers and avoid common interview pitfalls. Whether you’re preparing for your first IB interview or sharpening your technical edge, you’ll leave with greater clarity and confidence.