Leland+ Content Library

Your Next Chapter: Navigating the Road to Graduate School

​Thinking about graduate school but not sure where to start? This session will break down the entire journey—from choosing the right program to preparing a standout application. From Aric F., Zuwena V. and Matthew M., You’ll learn what admissions committees are really looking for, how to position your academic and professional experiences, and strategies to make your application shine. This event will equip you with the insights and tools to confidently take the next step toward your future.

The 2026 AI Job Market, Decoded: Which Track Is Your Career On?

The AI job market didn't shrink, it split. I coach PMs, TPMs, and AI/ML professionals to land on the right side of that line. By day, I'm a Senior Engineering Program Manager at Apple working on AI-powered search and safety, where I sit on the hiring and evaluation side of exactly the roles my clients are targeting. Before Apple, I spent years in autonomous vehicles at Uber ATG and Aurora, so I've lived through one AI hype cycle already and know what actually gets people hired when the market shifts under them. I'm also an ICF-PCC certified coach with a master's in I/O Psychology from Purdue, which means our sessions aren't just resume tweaks. We work on how you tell your story, how you interview under pressure, and how you build a portfolio of evidence that beats any credential. What we can work on together: Positioning for AI/ML PM and TPM roles, including full interview loop prep Resume and narrative overhauls that lead with finished work, not job titles Career strategy: which track your role is on, and the moves that compound from here Executive presence, stakeholder management, and the senior skills now expected at every level I've coached clients into roles at OpenAI and top AI companies, and I've written two books on career growth and working with AI. If you want a plan built around your career instead of the averages, book a session and let's map it out.

5 Best Practices for Writing an Excellent MBA Essay [6/3/2026] (Recording)

Great MBA essays don’t just sound polished, they make admissions readers remember you long after they finish reading. This session is for applicants who want a clearer understanding of what separates average essays from truly compelling ones. You’ll learn five core best practices for building a strong narrative, writing with more clarity and specificity, and aligning your essays with what top MBA programs are actually looking for. Join live to ask questions about your own essays and hear practical guidance from an expert MBA coach with dual degrees from M7 programs. The speaker has worked closely with applicants on crafting standout applications and will share the patterns they see across successful essays and common mistakes. Expect actionable insights and feedback similar to what’s covered in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

Find Your MBA Fit

Considering an MBA but not quite sure which programs are the right fit? All these MBA options sound the same? Not even sure why you want an MBA yet? Should you apply to 2 schools, or 7? Been there. As a Stanford GSB Alum who's helped over 300 applicants land a coveted spot at top programs like GSB, HBS, Wharton, Kellogg and more, I'm throwing together this free 45-minute event to cover some criteria you can use to narrow your search. You'll come away with a clearer idea of how to pick the right schools for you so you can focus your time and energy. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and take the first step not just towards applying, but applying to the right places.

Final Tips Before You Submit Your Deferred MBA Application

In this session, you will leave knowing how to tighten your essays in the final hours, what admissions committees at top deferred programs actually look for in the "future vision" prompts, and how to self-evaluate your recommender package before you hit submit. These are the specific pressure points that separate competitive deferred applications from strong ones.

The Scorecard: How You Are Graded in The Case Interview

What is the interviewer writing down while you speak? In this lesson, we look at the specific rubric used to evaluate candidates. I’ll walk you through the scoring dimensions—from analytics to presence—so you can tailor your performance to hit the exact metrics decision-makers like myself are trained to look for.

Cracking College Admissions: Insights from Experts

​College admissions is more competitive and complex than ever. Between building a strong academic profile, highlighting extracurricular impact, and telling your story authentically, students often wonder what really matters most to admissions officers. ​In this session, you’ll hear from experienced coaches Annabella G. (Columbia), Alex T. (Caltech), Lucy G. (Harvard) who will break down the college application process and share what top schools are actually looking for. We’ll cover how to approach essays and supplements, strategies for building a balanced school list, and ways to stand out beyond test scores and GPA.

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.

The Long Game in College Admissions: What to Do Now

College admissions success isn’t just about acing the next test or writing the next essay—it’s about strategically planning your path over time. In this session, you’ll learn how to identify priorities, build a compelling profile, and make choices now that will set you up for stronger applications later. We’ll cover actionable steps for academics, extracurriculars, and personal development, helping you focus on what truly matters and avoid common missteps. By the end, you’ll have a clear roadmap for playing the long game in college admissions with confidence and purpose.

Ask Me Anything: Excelling in PE Interviews

​​​Join us for an interactive AMA with a John C., a seasoned private equity professional who has successfully navigated the industry’s most competitive recruiting processes. In this session, you’ll get insider insights on how to stand out in both technical and behavioral interviews, master case studies and modeling tests, and convey your fit for a PE role with confidence. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or looking to refine your approach, this is your chance to get your most pressing questions answered directly by an expert.

Your MBA to MBB Pathway

Breaking into McKinsey, Bain, or BCG from an MBA program requires more than strong academics, it demands a clear recruiting strategy, disciplined case prep, and intentional networking from day one. In this session, you’ll learn how to position yourself for MBB success, avoid common recruiting missteps, and build a structured plan that covers resumes, networking, casing, and behavioral preparation. Whether you’re pre-MBA or already on campus, you’ll leave with a practical roadmap to maximize your chances of landing an MBB offer.

Your Path to PE: Non-IB Strategies, Skills, and Opportunities – AMA

Breaking into private equity without an investment banking background is challenging—but far from impossible. In this AMA-style session, expert Leland coach and former consultant turned PE Connor P. will answer your questions about the alternative paths into PE, the skills that matter most, and how to position a non-IB background competitively.

How I Got Into GSB and HBS Deferred

Curious what it takes to get into the most competitive deferred MBA programs in the world? In this workshop, join Kristen H., who was admitted as a deferred applicant into both Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School, as she shares the real story behind her journey and how you can craft a winning application of your own. ​From building a compelling narrative to navigating the unique challenges of applying while still in undergrad, Kristen will teach you through what worked, what she wishes she’d done differently, and what top programs are really looking for in deferred applicants. She'll also walk you through the key elements of a strong application, showing real examples of successful M7 admit essays. Whether you're just starting your research or deep into your essays, this session will leave you inspired and informed.

How a Deferred MBA Changed My Life [9/17/2026] (Recording)

A deferred MBA can give college students and early-career professionals the opportunity to secure a future spot in business school while continuing to build their careers. This session is designed for students considering deferred MBA programs who want to understand what the process looks like and how the experience can shape their career path. You’ll hear how the speaker approached the application, made the most of the years before enrolling, and navigated the transition from college to business school. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about deferred MBA programs and hear firsthand how the experience played out beyond the application itself. The speaker will share practical lessons from their own journey, including what they would recommend to students considering the deferred route. If you’re weighing whether a deferred MBA is right for you, it’s worth joining live.

Winning MBA Essays: Case Studies From Real M7 Admits This Cycle

In this session, you will walk away knowing how to structure an MBA essay that reads as a cohesive narrative rather than a list of accomplishments. Drawing on real application cycles, the coach will break down what separated accepted essays from rejected ones at M7 programs, and how candidates reframed their stories to align with what admissions committees actually reward.

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 8) Essay Drafting & Finalize Application [7/2/2026] (Recording)

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 is the final event 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 move from preparation to writing and turning your outlines into strong, authentic essays. 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 attend individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. This session moves your MBA application forward by turning your preparation and outlines into written application materials: • Learn an efficient strategy for drafting your essays. • Understand how to move from outline to draft without losing focus or structure. • Ensure consistency while avoiding repetition across essays, resume, and recommendations. • Prepare other written and recorded components of the application. This is the phase where all of your preparation comes together. Instead of starting from a blank page, you will be writing from a clear plan that reflects the work you have already done throughout the Identity Mapping process. 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 turn your preparation into polished application materials and move confidently toward submission, this is your final step in the series.

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 7) School Fit & Application Strategy [6/18/2026] (Recording)

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 seventh 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 map your story directly to each school’s application components and develop a clear strategy for how your application will come together. 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 attend individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. This session moves your MBA application forward by translating your story, goals, and strengths into a clear strategy for each target school: • Map your themes and key stories to each school’s essay prompts. • Determine which experiences and examples will appear in each component of the application. • Integrate insights from your outreach conversations with students and alumni. • Identify any gaps or risks in your profile and plan how to address them. This is the phase where preparation turns into a clear application plan. Instead of staring at essay prompts and wondering where to start, you will have a structured outline of exactly what each part of your application will communicate. 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 translate your story into a clear plan for each school on your list, this is your next step.