Leland+ Content Library

AI and Your MBA Application: Do’s and Don’ts for School Research

Thinking about using AI tools to streamline your MBA school research and networking strategy, and want to do so efficiently and ethically? Join me, M, for a practical and candid session designed to help MBA applicants use AI as a powerful tool for uncovering insights, identifying fit, and guiding meaningful outreach, all while staying focused on authenticity and personal reflection. This session will show you how to integrate AI into your research process, without relying on generic outputs or missing key personal connections. Learn how to craft strategic prompts that help you dig deeper into program offerings, find school culture and values that align with your own, and uncover talking points for essays, interviews, and outreach. I’ll share examples of weak vs. strong AI prompts and how to adapt AI outputs into meaningful, human communication.

Breaking Into Top Hedge Funds - Top 5 Tips

​Curious how to break into the highly competitive world of Hedge Funds? Whether you’re coming from a technical background, transitioning from another industry, or currently pursuing a degree in finance, data science, computer science, or mathematics, this session is your insider guide. Learn from Fiona T., former Executive Director of the UC Berkeley Haas MFE program. Fiona will share with you tips on breaking into Hedge Funds and strategies on your resume, LinkedIn profile, Networking and more! ​In this focused workshop, you'll uncover the Top 5 proven strategies to position yourself for roles on the buy-side at Hedge Funds. Learn what recruiters really look for, how to showcase your technical strengths, and how to avoid the most common mistakes applicants make when targeting top-tier Hedge Funds!

Live Mock MBA Interview

​In this workshop, you’ll experience what it’s really like to be in the MBA hot seat through a mock interview led by top Leland coaches Angela C. and Ben L. With years of experience coaching applicants into programs like Stanford GSB, HBS, and Wharton, they know exactly what admissions committees are looking for. ​You’ll practice tackling the toughest questions, get real-time feedback on your answers, and learn strategies to communicate with confidence and authenticity. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or refining your approach for final rounds, this session will help you sharpen your skills and stand out in the competitive MBA admissions process.

What Top MBA Candidates Do Differently [5/4/2026] (Recording)

Top MBA candidates don’t just have strong profiles—they make intentional decisions about how they position their experiences, goals, and story. This session is for applicants who want to understand what actually differentiates successful candidates across top programs. You’ll learn how to frame your impact, articulate clear and credible goals, and avoid the common mistakes that weaken otherwise competitive applications. Join live to hear perspectives from a panel of experienced MBA coaches who work closely with applicants and evaluate what stands out. The discussion will follow a curated set of high-impact questions, offering structured insights and examples typically shared in 1:1 coaching sessions.

The Path to Law School: What It Takes to Stand Out

​Law school admissions is more competitive than ever, and standing out requires more than just strong grades and test scores. From crafting a compelling personal statement to highlighting unique experiences and securing strong recommendations, every part of your application plays a role in shaping your story. ​In this session, you’ll hear from Megan N., Akua A., and James W., who will share what top programs are really looking for and how to position yourself as a standout applicant. Whether you’re just beginning to explore law school or preparing to hit submit, this session will give you practical tools and insights to approach the process with confidence.

Real-World ROI for MBAs

​For many applicants who are considering getting an MBA today, a key question is whether doing so is worth it and, if so, what the anticipated return on investment (ROI) will be. During this free event, four Leland coaches who have their MBAs from M7 programs share their perspectives on the ROI they've seen so far from their MBA experiences. ​Meet our hosts: ​- Alex M. - current MBA candidate at Kellogg, current Forte Fellow ​- Elizabeth J. - current Citi SVP, Dartmouth (Tuck) MBA, former Forte Fellow, former BLCK VC Fellow ​- Patricia M. - current Zillow PM, former Product Ops at LinkedIn, Duke MBA, former Forte Fellow - Sowa I. - Stanford MBA, former Accenture/BCG consultant

Build Your Medical School Application Plan

Medical school applications are a marathon, not a sprint—and the right plan can change everything. This session helps you step back, see the full picture, and build an application strategy that actually works. You’ll learn how to map out your timeline, focus on the experiences and metrics that matter most, and avoid common missteps that derail strong applicants. If you want to approach the med school process with confidence and control (instead of stress), this session will give you the framework to do it.

How AI is Changing Software Engineering Recruiting

AI is transforming software engineering faster than most candidates realize. The hiring playbook that worked a few years ago is no longer enough. In this session, you’ll explore how AI is influencing the recruiting landscape and what that means for aspiring software engineers. We’ll discuss emerging trends, evolving expectations, and how to think strategically about preparing in a market that’s changing in real time. If you want to compete where hiring is headed, not where it used to be, this conversation will help you stay ahead.

Choosing the Right Law School for You

There are almost 200 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, spread out across most states and with varying program sizes, legal specialties, and campus environments. While focusing on the U.S. News and World Report rankings may feel like the be-all and end-all of law school choice, the reality is that picking the law school that’s right for you as an individual goes much deeper. ​As someone who graduated from and worked as an admissions director in a law school that has been in both the first and second tiers, Liz C. understands that not everyone is aiming for the T14, T30, or even T50 schools—she was one of them. Let’s explore what factors should actually influence your law school choices and how to narrow down your list to a manageable one before the application process starts.

Pivoting into Equity Research: Tips for Early- and Mid-Career Professionals

Breaking into equity research can feel opaque - especially if you are coming from a nontraditional or STEM background - but the transition is absolutely achievable with the right strategy. In this session, Diane K. will share practical guidance drawn from her experience covering SMID Biotech and Healthcare at Goldman Sachs and working in corporate development at a venture-backed startup with over $650M in funding. You’ll learn the top things to consider when making an entry or pivot into equity research, how to position your background for research roles, and the key to-dos for getting started with an equity research job search. Whether you are early in your career or making a mid-career pivot, this workshop will help you understand what matters most and how to stand out.

MBA to Consulting: How to Nail the Interview

Consulting interviews are some of the toughest in the MBA world—and breaking into a top firm requires mastery of both case and behavioral components. In this workshop, Erik Z. —a former Bain consultant and manager who spent three years on the “other side” of recruiting—will walk you through exactly how to prepare. Having conducted 300+ mock interviews, authored an MBA interview case at Bain, and coached candidates (including many from non-traditional backgrounds) into MBB, Erik brings insider knowledge of what firms truly look for. He’ll cover networking strategy, resume positioning, case frameworks, behavioral excellence, and the nuances that help you stand out during recruiting season. Whether you're prepping for on-campus recruiting or pivoting into consulting post-MBA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence to excel.

Gaming the GMAT FE: Advanced Strategies to Outsmart the Test and Break 705

The GMAT Focus Edition rewards strategy just as much as content mastery—and if you understand how the test thinks, you can dramatically boost your score. In this workshop, Mihir G.—a top GMAT FE scorer (765, 100th percentile) and strategic test-prep specialist—will teach you the advanced tactics, time-management systems, and pattern-recognition techniques that high scorers use to break the 705+ threshold. Drawing on his deep understanding of the exam’s logic and structure, Mihir will walk you through how to approach problems with efficiency, eliminate traps, and leverage a results-driven framework tailored to your strengths. Whether you’re stuck at a plateau or aiming for a top-tier MBA score, this session will give you the tools to think like the testmaker and outperform the competition.

8 Make or Break Founder Decisions

​Every startup journey is filled with tough choices—but some matter more than others. In this session, expert coach and founder Angela C. will walk through the eight critical decisions that can determine whether your company scales successfully or stalls. Drawing on firsthand experience and lessons learned, she’ll share practical advice you won’t find in a textbook. ​Whether you’re still refining your idea or actively scaling your venture, you’ll leave this session with clarity on which decisions to prioritize, how to approach them, and how to avoid the pitfalls that trip up many founders.

Your GMAT Edge: Proven Strategies to Build a Strong Application

Get insider guidance straight from GMAC, the makers of the GMAT exam! In this session, we’ll break down how the GMAT fits into the bigger picture of your business school application and how it can help strengthen your overall profile. We’ll walk through what schools are really looking for across your resume, essays, and interview, and how to position each piece to tell a clear, compelling story. You’ll also get practical tips and a realistic timeline to help you stay on track and build a strong, well-rounded application with confidence.

The AI Career Edge: Positioning Yourself for the Future of Work

AI is reshaping how companies hire, what skills matter, and how careers evolve. The candidates who stand out aren’t just using AI tools—they know how to position themselves strategically for a rapidly changing job market. In The AI Career Edge: Positioning Yourself for the Future of Work, you’ll hear from experienced coaches who regularly work 1:1 with candidates navigating career transitions in an AI-driven landscape. This panel offers rare access to the same frameworks used in coaching sessions to help professionals adapt, stay competitive, and communicate their value effectively.

Navigating an AI Career: from Google to Microsoft to AI startups

Curious what it’s really like to build a career in AI—and how to stand out in one of tech’s fastest-growing fields? In this session, Michael A., who previously worked at McKinsey, Google, and Microsoft, and who now works with AI startups, will share insights from his own journey across big tech and emerging companies. You’ll learn how to identify the right roles in AI, what skills and experiences matter most to hiring teams, and how to position yourself for long-term success in this evolving space.

5 Powerful Hacks for a Higher GMAT Score

​The GMAT is one of the most important components of your MBA application—and even small score improvements can open the door to top programs. In this workshop, Jennifer P.—a Leland GMAT coach with years of experience helping students achieve their target scores—will share five proven strategies you can use right away to boost your performance. ​From time-saving test-day tactics to smarter study approaches, Jennifer will break down what really moves the needle and how to avoid the most common mistakes students make. Whether you’re just beginning your prep or looking for that final push, you’ll walk away with actionable hacks to increase your confidence and maximize your GMAT score.

Pivoting from Academia to Industry

Pivoting from Academia to Industry Transitioning from academia into an industry role requires more than strong technical skills—it demands the ability to clearly communicate your value, reframe your academic experience, and navigate a hiring landscape that looks very different from university admissions. In this workshop, Stefan E. will share the strategies he used to execute his own successful pivot, earning interviews at 10 of the 12 universities he applied to and early admits to four top programs. Drawing on his experience as a lecturer, instructor, and former international student, Stefan will teach you how to translate research and teaching into industry-ready impact, present your skills with clarity, and approach your career transition with confidence.

Quantitative Comparison for the GRE

Quantitative Comparison questions can be tricky, but with the right approach they become one of the most efficient ways to earn points on the GRE. In this session, Audra Z., an experienced GRE tutor with eight years of teaching and a 99th-percentile GRE score (335), will break down how to recognize common patterns, avoid traps, and decide quickly and confidently between answer choices. Drawing on her experience tutoring hundreds of students admitted to top graduate programs, Audra will focus on practical strategies that improve accuracy and speed without overcomplicating the math. Whether Quantitative Comparison is a weakness or an opportunity for easy gains, this workshop will help you approach these questions with clarity and control.

How to Prepare for MBA Interviews with Former M7 Admissions Officers

​In this session, former M7 admissions officers Kelsey K. (Columbia), Mike H. (Stanford), and Christine B. (Booth) will share insider strategies on how to prepare for one of the most critical parts of the MBA application process: the interview. From traditional behavioral questions to school-specific formats, you’ll learn what top programs are really evaluating and how to showcase your strengths with confidence. ​You’ll also gain practical tips on structuring your answers, communicating your story clearly, and avoiding the common mistakes that derail otherwise strong applicants. Whether you’re just beginning your prep or gearing up for final rounds, this session will equip you with the tools and insights you need to stand out in MBA interviews.