Leland+ Content Library

Top 5 MBA Application Tips From a Former HBS AdCom

MBA admissions are highly competitive—and small strategic choices can make a big difference. This session shares insider insights from a former Harvard Business School admissions committee member on what truly matters in MBA applications. In this event, you’ll learn the top five factors that strengthen your candidacy, from positioning your story and selecting recommenders to crafting standout essays and avoiding common application mistakes. We’ll also cover how admissions committees evaluate applicants and what sets successful candidates apart. Whether you’re early in the process or polishing final submissions, you’ll leave with clear, actionable guidance.

An Example of a Deferred Candidate’s “Why Columbia” Essay

A top MBA admissions expert analyzes a successful deferred MBA essay for Columbia Business School and breaks down how to answer the "Why this school?" question.

Persuasion Story Example: Behavioral Interview Guide

A sample persuasion story for a behavioral interview, detailing how to use data and a clear business case to get buy-in from a skeptical boss.

Pathway to a Joint MBA/MPP: Admissions Insights

Learn how to bridge business and public policy for a powerful career. Three coaches with MBA/MPP experience share their unique perspectives on MBA/MPP admissions.

October Series Session 7: Negotiating Confidently

This session teaches you to treat salary negotiation as a normal business conversation about your value.

LBS MBA Application Essays | Securing that interview!

These are examples of detailed MBA application essays that secured a place at London Business School.

How to Nail “Why This Fund?”

Learn how to research a fund beyond their website - including their strategy, culture, and recent deals - and turn that insight into a response that shows deep alignment.

Bullet Proof Inc. (Growth) Case Study

Crack the growth strategy case for Bullet Proof Inc. Learn to analyze market opportunities, identify key growth levers, and recommend a winning path forward.

Food Delivery Margins: A Profitability Practice Case

Crack a profitability case for a food delivery company. Learn to analyze margins, identify key cost drivers, and develop a strategy to increase profitability.

LinkedIn AE, Fulbright Scholar & Wharton MBA Resume Example

A standout path from sales leadership to social impact to dual MBA/MA at Wharton Lauder—this resume blends strategy, language, and global perspective.

Stanford GSB Essay – Aligning Behavioral Science with Purposeful Leadership

A well-researched “Why Stanford?” essay showcasing how GSB’s courses, faculty, and experiential learning opportunities will support the applicant’s mission to drive ethical, behaviorally informed change in business and society.

How to Translate Your Experience Into Ops Roles

Operations roles value structured thinking, ownership, and the ability to turn ambiguity into execution—but many candidates struggle to show that on paper and in interviews. This session is for students and early-career professionals who want to better position their background for Ops roles, even if their experience doesn’t seem directly aligned. You’ll learn how to translate your past work into relevant skills, frame your impact in a way that resonates with hiring teams, and identify gaps you can address before applying.

Non-US Elite MBA Pathways: IMD, SDA Bocconi & HEC Paris

This session moves beyond school rankings to give you the strategic framework for building a powerful European career. Join cross-cultural career coach Caolan Hunter (ex-On, Ogilvy) to learn how to integrate your career, education, and long-term life goals into a coherent international strategy. We will explore the specific pathways offered by three of Europe's most influential business schools: IMD, SDA Bocconi, and HEC Paris. By the end of this session, you will understand the unique strengths of these European powerhouses and leave with a strategic shortlist of MBA targets aligned with visa reality, your career goals, and your personal leadership style. Learning Objectives: What You Will Learn 1. The European MBA Power Centers: Discover how IMD, SDA Bocconi, and HEC Paris function as distinct hubs of influence and talent, each with a unique philosophy and network. 2. Decoding European Work & Visa Realities: Get a clear-eyed view of the post-MBA landscape in Switzerland, Italy, and France. We'll analyze post-study work rights, the practicalities of corporate hiring for non-EU nationals, and pathways to long-term residency in each country. 3. Strategic Career Positioning for Europe: Understand how hiring logic for top roles in Europe differs from the US. We'll explore how IMD's focus on executive leadership, Bocconi's dominance in luxury and finance, and HEC's pipeline into continental consulting and strategy can shape your career. Key Outcomes: What You Will Walk Away With 1. A New European Map: You'll see IMD, SDA Bocconi, and HEC Paris not just as top schools, but as distinct platforms for launching specific and ambitious European career trajectories. 2. Visa & Employability Clarity: You'll be able to confidently navigate the nuances of the Swiss, Italian, and French post-MBA work environments, aligning your choice with your passport and life goals. 3. A Personal Viable Pathway Map: You will leave with the tools to build a personal map connecting your background and ambitions to the right program, industry, and country. 4. Unmatched Access Insights: You'll understand why the intimate, senior cohort at IMD, the industry-specific ecosystem at Bocconi, and the elite Grande École network of HEC can provide unparalleled access that larger programs cannot replicate.

HBS Admit: Recommendation Letter Sample

See a successful recommendation letter that helped an applicant gain admission to Harvard Business School. Learn what makes a powerful MBA recommendation!

HBS Personal Statement: A Strong Example

See a compelling personal statement that helped an applicant gain admission to Harvard Business School. Learn what makes a powerful MBA essay.

Coffee Shop Mock Case Study

Crack the case on a coffee shop's growth strategy. Learn how to analyze market trends, evaluate new locations, and increase profitability in a competitive market.

Negotiating the Offer: Nail Your Criteria

Learn how to successfully negotiate your next job offer. We'll cover how to define your criteria, identify your leverage, and craft a winning negotiation strategy.

MBA Application Office Hours and Ask Me Anything

An open-format session for real-time Q&A on any part of the MBA application—essays, school selection, interviews, timelines, or strategy—led by admissions experts.

Resume Example: New Grad to McKinsey BA

Learn how to craft a winning resume for a full-time Business Analyst role at McKinsey. Highlight your projects, leadership, and accomplishments to stand out from the crowd!

Example Harvard MBA Essay - Career Aspirations

This example essay for Harvard Business School answers the "Briefly tell us more about your career aspirations" prompt and focuses on goals to be a cross-cultural leader.