Leland+ Content Library

Understanding the Kellogg Interview Format

Overview of Kellogg’s behavioral interview and how it reflects the school’s culture and values.

Nailing the CBS MBA Essays w/ New 2026 Tips! [7/8/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle the Columbia Business School MBA essays with confidence? Join me, Melanie, for an exclusive session where we'll dive into the latest tips for the 2026 application cycle. With my background as an MBA Admissions Interviewer at CBS and an MBA alum from both Columbia Business School, I have the insights you need to craft compelling essays that stand out. In this session, we'll cover proven, actionable strategies specific to each of Columbia's essays. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or a dual degree program, this event is designed to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you on your journey to CBS!

Nailing the CBS MBA Essays w/ New 2026 Tips! [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle the Columbia Business School MBA essays with confidence? Join me, Melanie, for an exclusive session where we'll dive into the latest tips for the 2026 application cycle. With my background as an MBA Admissions Interviewer at CBS and an MBA alum from both Columbia Business School, I have the insights you need to craft compelling essays that stand out. In this session, we'll cover proven, actionable strategies specific to each of Columbia's essays. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or a dual degree program, this event is designed to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you on your journey to CBS!

ADEA AADSAS - COVID Essay Example

I have attached an example of my COVID Essay which can be found on the Personal Information section of the ADEA AADSAS Application for Dental Schools. The prompt and character count are also showcased!

How to Ace your MBA Interview

The MBA interview isn’t about perfect answers. It’s about having clear career goals, a compelling “Why MBA / Why this school,” deep self-awareness, and confident leadership presence. If you're preparing for an MBA interview and want to approach it strategically - not just memorize answers - this masterclass gives you a practical framework to stand out.

Path to MBA Information Deck

A comprehensive 59-slide deck covering the full path to an MBA: whether an MBA is right for you, what you'll learn, career and salary outcomes, program costs, how to select the right school, the application process and timeline, application tips, and financial aid options. Ideal for anyone considering or preparing to apply to top MBA programs.

How to Succeed as a Joint MBA-MPP Applicant

Are you considering applying for a joint MBA-MPP program and wondering how to stand out in the competitive admissions process? Join me for an insightful session on how to succeed as a joint MBA-MPP applicant. With firsthand experience as an admit to both Harvard Kennedy School and MIT Sloan, I understand the unique challenges and opportunities of these programs. Throughout my career, I've helped applicants craft compelling narratives that connect their experiences to a clear direction, focusing on school and networking strategy, essays, resumes, and interviews. In this session, we'll cover the common storytelling mishaps of joint degree candidates, and exactly what admissions committees are looking for. We'll also do a live exercise so you can walk away with a better sense of your own application story.

How to Build an MBA List That Actually Fits You [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to build an MBA list that truly aligns with your goals and aspirations? Join me for an insightful session on crafting a personalized MBA school selection strategy. With an MBA from The Wharton School, where I co-hosted the Wharton Fintech Podcast and held leadership roles in various clubs, I bring a wealth of experience in navigating the MBA landscape. In this event, we'll dive into the nuances of selecting the right MBA programs that fit your career ambitions and personal interests. Whether you're just starting your MBA journey or refining your list, this session will provide valuable insights to guide your decision-making process. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you find the perfect MBA fit!

Mega AI Prompt Library - MBA Applications

A complete prompt library for using AI as your application co-pilot, organized by stage from school selection through final decision. Copy and paste 60+ ready-to-use prompts covering goals planning, personal branding, essay drafting, recommender strategy, application forms, interview prep, waitlist letters, and scholarship negotiation. At the end, you'll have a faster, sharper application without losing your authentic voice.

Writing your MBA Goals Paragraph

A focused exercise for drafting the goals paragraph that anchors your entire MBA application, from essays to interviews. Map your short- and long-term roles, target companies, and intended impact in a structured table, then translate it into a 100-150 word paragraph using the included checklist. At the end, you'll have a sharp, reusable goals statement you can adapt across every school.

How to Build a Strong MBA Application from Start to Finish

Starting an MBA application can feel overwhelming when there are so many moving pieces and no clear roadmap. This session is for applicants who want to understand how to approach the process from start to finish with a thoughtful, structured strategy. You’ll learn how to evaluate your profile, build a strong school list, and develop a cohesive narrative across essays, recommendations, and interviews.

5 Mistakes That Tank Deferred MBA Applications

Deferred MBA applications are evaluated with a different lens, and small missteps can have an outsized impact on outcomes. This session breaks down the most common mistakes that weaken deferred MBA candidacies, from unclear career narratives to misaligned school fit and timing errors. You’ll learn how to avoid these pitfalls and strengthen your application by presenting a clear, credible, and forward-looking story.

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.

Kellogg’s Core Identity

Explore what “high impact, low ego” really means and how this principle shapes the school’s culture, from classrooms to recruiting.

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.

Non-US Elite MBA Pathways: INSEAD, HKUST & IESE

This session moves beyond school rankings to give you the strategic framework for building a truly global 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 start by exploring the specific pathways offered by elite non-US business schools like INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE, using them as a lens to understand the bigger picture of strategic mobility. By the end of this session, you will stop thinking “US or nothing” and leave with a concrete, strategic shortlist of serious non-US MBA targets aligned with visa reality, your career goals, and your risk tolerance. Learning Objectives: What You Will Learn 1. The Real Global MBA Landscape: Understand the true power centers of business education beyond the United States and how they offer distinct advantages. 2. Visa & Post-Study Work Reality: Decode the practical realities of post-MBA life in Europe and Asia, focusing specifically on post-study work rights, the ease of corporate hiring for international graduates, and viable pathways to long-term residency. 3. Strategic Career Positioning: Learn how hiring logic differs from the US and why the smaller, more international cohorts at these schools can provide stronger access. We’ll explain where non-US MBAs over-perform, particularly in sectors like luxury, consulting, sustainability, finance, and deep tech. Key Outcomes: What You Will Walk Away With 1. A Reframed Worldview: You'll gain a new understanding of INSEAD, HKUST, and IESE not as "alternatives," but as premier, strategic choices for a global career. 2. Visa & Employability Clarity: You'll have clear, actionable insights into the post-MBA visa and employment landscape in Europe and Asia, ensuring your school choice leads to a real career outcome. 3. A Personal Viable Pathway Map: You will leave with the tools to build a personal map connecting your background to the right program and region, aligning your education with your long-term life goals. 4. Strategic Confidence: You will have the confidence and evidence to know that for many career paths, a non-US MBA is a strategic advantage, not a second-tier option.

Why Stanford GSB? The "Why MBA" Essay That Got Me In

Deconstruct a successful "Why Stanford" essay. Learn to articulate your career vision and connect it directly to a school's unique offerings!

5 Actions that can Make or Break your MBA Application

It’s not enough to do all the right things - you also need to know what not to do! Join me in this webinar as we review the dos and don'ts and uncover small yet crucial details that can help you win admission to your dream school. This event is designed to make you better informed, so you can make the right decisions about your applications!

The Military-to-MBA Timeline: What to Do and When

After this session, you will know exactly how to sequence your MBA application efforts as a military candidate, from when to start building your school list to how to time your GMAT prep around separation or transition milestones. You will also leave with a clear picture of how to frame your service record for civilian admissions committees and which application components military candidates most often underinvest in.