Leland+ Content Library

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

AMA - Dental School Applications [7/9/2026] (Recording)

The 2026-27 AADSAS Application opened on May 12, and the first day to submit was June 2. WHere do you stand? Are youstillperfectingh tat application? Struggling with program materials and secondaries? Are you preparing to take the Kira exam? Join former Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Director of Admissions for an open Q&A on the basics. You ask, Ellen answers. Bring your questions!

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.

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.

8 Steps to an MBA App: 5) Why an MBA? Why now? Your contributions?

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 fifth 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 define exactly what you need from an MBA and articulate the value you will bring to an MBA community, making sure you can answer the questions of why an MBA and why now successfully. 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 watch individual videos if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. This session moves your MBA application forward by clearly defining why you need an MBA now and what you will contribute to your future program: • Identify the specific skills, experiences, and perspectives you need from an MBA. • Clarify the academic, leadership, and experiential gaps your MBA must fill. • Articulate the perspectives, experiences, and strengths you will contribute to your MBA community. • Ensure your application shows both readiness for the MBA and a clear reason for pursuing it now. This is the phase where your goals and identity connect directly to the MBA itself. Instead of simply saying you want an MBA, you will clearly explain why this step is essential for your growth and how your presence will enrich the classroom and community. 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 clarify exactly how an MBA fits into your journey and demonstrate both readiness and contribution, this is your next step. Message me to receive a copy of the Why an MBA Why Now Worksheet I mentioned in the video!

Sample MBA Waitlist Essays

Nine real waitlist essays that earned admission to Stanford GSB, HBS, Kellogg, Columbia, LBS, NYU Stern, and other top programs. See exactly how successful candidates addressed weak spots, shared meaningful updates, and made the case for fit, giving you concrete models before you write your own waitlist letter.

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.

Writing a Holistic Set of Kellogg Essays (Deck)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful Northwestern Kellogg admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Kellogg AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Kellogg's top-flight MBA program.

Writing a Holistic Set of Kellogg Essays (with Top Leland Coaches)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful Northwestern Kellogg admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Kellogg AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Kellogg's top-flight MBA program.

Leland MBA Week (June 2-6) Kickoff

​Join us for Leland's FREE MBA Week (June 2-6) Kickoff! You’re invited to the ultimate MBA admissions prep week, designed to help you get into your dream program. ​This week will feature a series of online sessions hosted by some of Leland’s top admissions coaches—former admissions officers and application experts who have helped hundreds of applicants get into schools like GSB, HBS, Wharton, Booth, and more. ​Throughout the week, you’ll gain extremely tactical insight on school selection, application strategy, essay writing, interviews, and more. Last year, more than 3,000 participants joined us, and we can’t wait to welcome even more of you this year! ​In this kickoff session, we’ll cover essential topics like crafting your personal story, selecting the right schools, and what MBA programs are really looking for. Our expert panelists include Timothy F. (former Chicago Booth Admissions Fellow with 150+ M7 admits), and Geri T. (former Associate Director of Harvard Business School with 75+ M7 admits). With their extensive experience reading applications, conducting interviews, and coaching successful applicants into every M7 school, they’ll provide top insights to help you stand out in a competitive admissions process.

Demystifying IB Technical Interviews

Join top Leland investment banking coaches for a clear, no-nonsense breakdown of what IB technical interviews really test—and how to prepare for them effectively. They’ll walk through the core concepts, frameworks, and problem-solving approaches that top firms expect candidates to master, plus the mistakes that quietly kill otherwise strong interviews. You’ll leave with a sharper understanding of technical expectations and a practical roadmap to boost your readiness and confidence.

Executive Systems for Life and Work: Applying CEO-Level Tools to Your Personal and Family Life

The best leaders don’t just run great companies—they run their lives with the same level of clarity, structure, and purpose. In this session, expert Leland coach Gwen T. will share how to apply executive-level systems and frameworks to your personal and family life to create more alignment, efficiency, and peace of mind. ​You’ll walk away with practical, easy-to-implement strategies to operate your life like a high-performing organization—without losing sight of what matters most.

Roadmap to College: A Values-Based Guide to Choosing the Right College

Instead of focusing on traditional ideas of “fit,” this values-based guide invites you to reflect on what truly matters to you. Through self-reflection and journal prompts, you will identify colleges that align with your values, interests, and goals. Designed for students in grades 9-12, it offers practical steps to help you approach the college search with greater clarity and confidence so you can make intentional choices and find a college community that's authentic to you.

Breaking into Venture Capital: Ask Me Anything

Venture capital recruiting can feel opaque, especially without a clear sense of how firms evaluate candidates and what actually matters in the process. In this open AMA session, you’ll get candid insights into breaking into VC, from sourcing experience and networking to interviews, skill development, and common misconceptions about the industry. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer understanding of how to position yourself and take practical next steps toward a career in venture capital.