Leland+ Content Library

MIT Rnd 1 Drop in Q&A - Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/27/2026] (Recording)

MIT Sloan is not a generic top-10 MBA program. It has a distinct culture, a distinct type of student it is looking for, and a genuinely unusual application process. If you are targeting Sloan, you need to understand all three. This session is specifically for serious MIT Sloan applicants. We will cover: - What MIT Sloan is actually like — the culture, the "mens et manus" philosophy, Action Learning, the cohort model, and what kind of person actually thrives there - Classes and programs worth knowing — specific electives, labs, and tracks that should be showing up in your application - The MIT application quirks — the cover letter format, the video statement, what they are really asking, and how to answer without sounding like everyone else - How to nail your story for Sloan specifically — MIT wants builders, doers, and people with a point of view. How do you show that? - Honest answers to your specific questions — bring your draft cover letter, your concerns, your "is this school right for me" doubts

Law School Application Timeline (& Dual Degrees) [6/23/2026] (Recording)

**GIVEAWAY FOR LIVE ATTENDEES: $50 COACHING CREDIT** A strong law school application is rarely built at the last minute. The most successful applicants understand what needs to happen months before they ever hit submit. This session is for aspiring law students who want a clear roadmap for the application process, including key milestones, deadlines, and considerations for dual-degree programs. You’ll learn how to structure your timeline, prioritize the right activities at the right stages, and avoid common mistakes that can create unnecessary stress or weaken an application. Join live to hear from two University of Pennsylvania Law graduates who are now law admissions experts. Drawing from both personal experience and years of advising applicants, they’ll walk through what an effective application timeline actually looks like and how candidates can stay ahead throughout the process. Whether you're applying to a JD program or exploring dual-degree options, you'll leave with a practical plan for moving forward with confidence.

MIT Rnd 1 Drop in Q&A - Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/26/2026] (Recording)

MIT Sloan is not a generic top-10 MBA program. It has a distinct culture, a distinct type of student it is looking for, and a genuinely unusual application process. If you are targeting Sloan, you need to understand all three. This session is specifically for serious MIT Sloan applicants. We will cover: - What MIT Sloan is actually like — the culture, the "mens et manus" philosophy, Action Learning, the cohort model, and what kind of person actually thrives there - Classes and programs worth knowing — specific electives, labs, and tracks that should be showing up in your application - The MIT application quirks — the cover letter format, the video statement, what they are really asking, and how to answer without sounding like everyone else - How to nail your story for Sloan specifically — MIT wants builders, doers, and people with a point of view. How do you show that? - Honest answers to your specific questions — bring your draft cover letter, your concerns, your "is this school right for me" doubts

Overwhelmed by Graduate School Applications? Bring All Your Questions: AMA [9/6/2026] (Recording)

Thinking about applying to an Ivy League or other top graduate program, and suddenly realizing you have A MILLION QUESTIONS? Where do I start? Which schools should I even be looking at? Am I competitive? Do I need to take the GRE? Who should write my recommendations? What am I supposed to say in my essays? Am I already behind? Bring all your questions. SERIOUSLY. This Ask Me Anything is for anyone considering graduate school who feels overwhelmed, confused, stuck, or just wants to talk the process through with someone who understands it. You do not need to have your school list figured out, and you do not need to have written a single word of an essay. As a Harvard Kennedy School alumna with admissions committee experience, I will answer your questions, help you make sense of the process, and help you figure out what actually deserves your attention right now. We can talk about: How to figure out which programs are right for you How to position your background (especially if it's unconventional or you're changing careers) Where to start if you haven't done anything yet What matters most in a strong application What admissions committees actually care about Your story: why this degree, why now Essays, recommendations, résumé, testing, and timelines What to prioritize first and what can wait Come as you are, with whatever is swirling around in your head. No polished application required. No perfect question required. Bring the messy questions, the half-formed ideas, the things you've been Googling at midnight, and the decisions you can't seem to make on your own. The goal is simple: leave feeling less overwhelmed, and much clearer about what to do next.

Checklist: PhD School List Development and Prospective Faculty Search

Stop wasting time: Use this actionable framework to build your PhD school list and find the right faculty mentors. Learn how to target programs that match your research and maximize your admissions odds.

Wharton MBA Essay – From Military Service to Public Policy Impact

A clear and purpose-driven response to Wharton’s “What do you hope to gain” prompt, outlining a path from consulting to elected office, supported by Wharton’s academic flexibility, leadership programs, and veteran-friendly community.

Why Wharton Essay – FinTech, Product Innovation, and Wealth Equity

A future-focused career goals essay outlining plans to lead a mission-driven FinTech firm, with specific ways Wharton’s curriculum, programs, and network will build the skills needed to simplify investing for underserved communities.

How to Stand Out in the Schwarzman Scholars Application [8/16/2026] (Recording)

The Schwarzman Scholars program attracts exceptional applicants from around the world, making a thoughtful application strategy essential. This session is for anyone planning to apply who wants to understand what distinguishes successful candidates and how to present their experiences in the strongest possible light. You'll learn what the selection committee values most, the common mistakes applicants make, and practical ways to strengthen every part of your application. Join live to hear from two Schwarzman Scholars who have successfully navigated the highly competitive admissions process. They'll share firsthand insights into crafting a compelling application, preparing for interviews, and showcasing the leadership, academic excellence, and global perspective that the program looks for. Expect actionable advice and the opportunity to get your questions answered live.

International Applicants & the MBA Admissions Process: Keys to Success

This session is designed to support international candidates applying to top MBA programs in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and beyond. It will also provide valuable insights for Americans targeting programs overseas. Jesse, a leading MBA admissions coach with deep experience guiding international applicants, will cover the unique challenges global candidates face, share strategies for differentiation, debunk common myths, and offer practical advice to strengthen your candidacy. ​Jesse has 8+ years of experience running a boutique MBA consultancy with his wife, specializing in coaching international applicants and guiding 100+ admits to Global Top 20 programs, such as all M7, London Business School, INSEAD, IESE, IE Business School, and HEC Paris. His insights are also shaped by 15+ years of living and working abroad in 12 countries and his strong track record of success with candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Tips for Success: Navigating MBA Letters of Recommendation

MBA letters of recommendation! Who do I ask for a letter of recommendation? How do I make a successful recommender packet? When is the right time to ask recommenders? How do I ask? How do I ensure my recommender writes a winning recommendation? ​If any of these questions have crossed your mind and you're applying to top MBA programs like Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, and Wharton, join this event to learn what it takes to obtain the best letters from your recommenders. Your host for this session is Angela C.! With extensive experience coaching applicants into top MBA and dual-degree MBA/MPP programs (including Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, Wharton, and MIT Sloan), Angela understands what it takes to stand out. Her clients have successfully pivoted careers, secured scholarships, and been admitted to highly competitive programs.

Deferred MBA Deep Dive: What You Need to Know Now

​In this panel, join admissions experts Justin K., Kelsey K., and Siri G. who will break down everything you need to know about deferred MBA programs so that you have a concrete strategy going into application season. You’ll learn how these programs work, what top schools are looking for in college seniors and early-career applicants, and how to start building a strong application now. ​Check out their profiles here: ​Justin K. - Former BCG consultant and MIT Sloan MBA student with a strong record helping candidates land MBB offers and top MBA admits ​Kelsey K. - Former M7 Admissions Director and Columbia Business School Admissions Committee member with a 93% client acceptance rate and $180K average scholarship awards ​Siri G. - Accepted to deferred MBA programs at Harvard and Wharton from a non-target school through authentic, story-driven applications

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.

Wharton Deferred Essay – Giving Back Through Mentorship and Leadership

A personal essay rooted in a lifelong commitment to service, showing how early exposure to nonprofit work inspired ongoing contributions to student organizations and internship programs—and how that mindset will carry forward at Wharton.

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.

“RAOUR” Annotation: The Easy New Way to Read and Understand All Types of Texts [9/11/2026] (Recording)

“ROUR” Annotation: The Easy New Way to Read and Understand All Types of Texts Educator Karin McKie has created a quick and easy way to annotate and understand dense texts for school or work, developed over decades of tutoring thousands of diverse learners. Mastery of these simple techniques increases standardized test prep scores like the LSAT, GRE, SAT, ACT and more.

“RAOUR” Annotation: The Easy New Way to Read and Understand All Types of Texts [8/29/2026] (Recording)

“ROUR” Annotation: The Easy New Way to Read and Understand All Types of Texts Educator Karin McKie has created a quick and easy way to annotate and understand dense texts for school or work, developed over decades of tutoring thousands of diverse learners. Mastery of these simple techniques increases standardized test prep scores like the LSAT, GRE, SAT, ACT and more.

Staying Competitive as a Product Manager in the AI Era

AI is reshaping what it means to be a strong product manager. In this session, we’ll explore how PM expectations are changing, which skills are becoming table stakes, and where AI fluency actually matters versus where it’s overhyped. You’ll learn how to position your experience, upskill strategically, and stay competitive for PM roles as AI becomes embedded across product teams and workflows.

How to Write an MBA Goals Essay

A complete framework for writing the goals essay that nearly every MBA program requires. Learn the winning formula, then use fillable tables to map your goals, select supporting past experiences, and connect to opportunities at up to four target schools. At the end, you'll have everything you need to draft a focused goals essay.

Sample MBA Reapplicant Essays

Six real, successful reapplicant essays from candidates admitted to top MBA programs. See exactly how they addressed past weaknesses, demonstrated growth, and reinforced fit, giving you concrete models to study before drafting your own second-chance essay.