Leland+ Content Library

Ask. Me. Anything. AMA with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional.

Ask Me Anything with a Former Stanford Admissions Officer

Join me for an Ask Me Anything (AMA) session to get answers to your college admissions questions. I'm Isamar, a former Stanford Admissions Officer, a Harvard grad, proud first-generation college graduate, and an experienced college admissions coach. With years working with students from all backgrounds, including US-based, international, and first-generation applicants, I'm here to help you navigate the college admissions process. My goal is to provide thoughtful, empathetic, and strategic guidance. Whether you're a high school student or parent, don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights from a seasoned professional.

GMAT Guide: Strategies to Control Your Score

A comprehensive GMAT guide written by test-takers who earned scores that got them into top business schools. Covers how the GMAT fits into your MBA application, when to start preparing, how to build a study plan, ways to take control of your score, and section-by-section test-taking strategies — all designed to reduce test anxiety and help you perform your best. Editable Word version attached.

From Field to Framework: Crafting a Civilian-Ready MBA Resume

Military experience translates powerfully to MBA admissions when it’s framed in the language schools understand. This session shows you how to convert roles, missions, and outcomes into civilian-ready impact, highlight leadership and decision-making, and align your resume with post-MBA goals. You’ll learn how to quantify results, choose the right stories, and avoid common translation pitfalls so your resume clearly signals readiness for top programs.

AMA: Insider Tips from 20+ yrs of MBA Admissions & Coaching

Unlock the secrets of MBA admissions with Christine, a seasoned one-of-a-kind expert with 20+ years of admissions experience across three elite MBA programs. This "Ask Me Anything" session is your chance to gain invaluable insights into the application process. Christine's impressive background includes admissions roles at Chicago Booth, London Business School, and Yale School of Management, where she has helped craft MBA classes and understands the nuances of what makes a successful applicant. With a track record of over 400 M7 admits and more than $5 million in scholarship awards secured for her clients, Christine is a one-of-a-kind consultant equipped to guide you through every step of your MBA journey. Join us to explore application strategies, discuss how to make a stand out MBA resume, learn what makes a candidate stand out, and gain insight into how applications are reviewed and admissions decisions are made. Christine's no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach will help you craft an authentic story that highlights your unique strengths and differences. Whether you're just starting your MBA application journey or you're already on your way, join me and leave equipped with insights into the M7 (and beyond) application process.

Big 10 to MBB + Big Tech: Positioning Yourself to Get Offers

This guide was written by a former Bain & Company Associate Consultant, now in a Strategy and Operations role at LinkedIn, who went through the full MBB recruiting process out of Indiana University's Kelley School of Business. It covers everything that actually matters when you are trying to break into a top consulting firm or land a Big Tech strategy role from a non-target school. Inside you will find a no-nonsense breakdown of how MBB firms actually differ, what a competitive application looks like, how to build a resume that passes the ten-second scan, and the networking approach that moves the needle versus the one that wastes your time. The guide goes deep on case interview preparation, including the pyramid framework approach and what interviewers are genuinely evaluating in the room, and covers the behavioral and fit interview with the same level of honesty. The final chapter covers what transfers from consulting to Big Tech, how that recruiting process works, and how to negotiate an offer once you have one. This is not generic advice. It is based on having gone through the process recently, having sat on the other side of the table at Bain, and having made the transition to Big Tech firsthand.

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: 4) Short & Long-Term Goals & Purpose

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 fourth 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 clarify your short- and long-term goals and build a credible, purpose-driven career narrative. 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. Event 4 shapes your identity into a credible, purpose-driven career plan: • Define clear short-term and long-term career goals. • Connect your past experiences and core values to your future direction. • Articulate your broader purpose and the impact you want to have. • Stress-test the realism and logic of your plan. • Ensure your goals align with your strengths and readiness for an MBA. This is the phase where your identity turns into direction. Instead of listing ambitions, you construct a thoughtful, believable path that admissions committees can understand and support. 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 move from abstract aspirations to a grounded, compelling career plan, this is your next step.

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 3) Core Values, Superpowers & LOR Strategy

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 third 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 identify your core values and defining strengths and begin aligning your Letters of Recommendation with your overall narrative. 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. Event 3 clarifies your defining characteristic and begins the recommendation process: • Identify 3–5 core values and superpowers that consistently appear across your key stories. • Define what each strength truly means in your life and how it shows up in action. • Ensure your positioning reflects who you actually are, not who you think admissions wants you to be. • Learn how to select recommenders and ensure strong narrative alignment. This is the phase where your stories become identity. Instead of a collection of experiences, you now articulate the defining qualities that connect your past, present, and future. 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 clarify what truly defines you and ensure your recommendations reinforce your positioning, this is your next step.

8 Steps to an MBA App: 3) Core Values, Superpowers & LOR Strategy

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 third 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 identify your core values and defining strengths and begin aligning your Letters of Recommendation with your overall narrative. 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 watch individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. Event 3 clarifies your defining characteristic and begins the recommendation process: • Identify 3–5 core values and superpowers that consistently appear across your key stories. • Define what each strength truly means in your life and how it shows up in action. • Ensure your positioning reflects who you actually are, not who you think admissions wants you to be. • Learn how to select recommenders and ensure strong narrative alignment. This is the phase where your stories become identity. Instead of a collection of experiences, you now articulate the defining qualities that connect your past, present, and future. 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 clarify what truly defines you and ensure your recommendations reinforce your positioning, this is your next step.

Before You Apply: The Foundation Every First-Time Graduate Applicant Needs [6/25/2026] (Recording)

You already have everything you need to apply to graduate school. What most first-time applicants are missing aren’t stronger credentials, a more impressive resume, or more time. It's actually the inner work — a clear, grounded foundation that addresses the most important questions in the graduate application process: 🔍 What do you actually want? 🔍 Why is graduate school the right next step? 🔍 And what are you passionate about? Without that foundation, even the most qualified applicants jump straight into researching programs and drafting essays, trying to sound impressive instead of sounding authentic. The result is an application that's technically fine, but not very compelling. Most graduate applicants write from the pressure to sound impressive. In trying to present a version of themselves they think admissions wants to see, they lose what makes them unique. Without a clear foundation, every draft, every decision— will be met with self-doubt and more confusion. This session is about taking a different approach. No outside noise. No external pressure. In this masterclass, you’ll learn how to slow down long enough to find what's actually true about your story: what you want, why it matters, and where you’re headed. You’ll learn how to say it in a way that actually sounds like you, not a performed version of you trying to meet expectations. After the session, you'll walk away with more clarity on your direction, more confidence in your story, how to identify the core themes in your narrative, and a foundation for an application that feels intentional, grounded, and real. In a sea of overly polished applications that all sound the same, authenticity will set you apart. By end of this masterclass, you’ll walk away with: ✨ A clear sense of whether graduate school is the right next step and why 💡 An understanding of what you’re actually looking for in a program beyond rankings and prestige 🌱 The foundation of your narrative — the story that already exists that your application should tell 📋 A simple framework for making decisions with intention and clarity

The Deferred Blueprint: A Detailed Guide to Breaking into M7 as a Deferred Applicant

Applying to deferred MBA programs can feel like a black box—especially when it comes to the ultra-competitive M7 schools. In this session, expert coach Tim F. will break down exactly what it takes to stand out as a deferred applicant. ​By the end, you’ll have a step-by-step blueprint for building a competitive application and putting yourself on the fast track to an M7 admit.

Developing a Winning College Application

​In this session, join Christine B. (former admissions officer with 25+ years experience) as she discusses key elements that make a college application sing. From developing your personal story, determining your essay topic, highlighting your achievements and community engagement, and getting the most out of your recommender. We will discuss the pillars of what schools are looking for in their students, and how to differentiate yourself from the competitive applicant pool.

Stand Out: R3 MBA Admissions

Are you gearing up for Round 3 MBA applications and wondering how to make your application stand out? Join me for an insightful session - we'll focus on 5 key insights to help you stand out in the most competitive round of MBA admissions! With extensive experience helping applicants gain admission to top MBA programs like Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, and Wharton, I specialize in guiding you through every step of the application process. Whether you're looking to pivot careers, secure scholarships, or simply present your best self, this session will provide you with the strategies and insights you need.

AADSAS is Open--Lets Talk Strategy! [6/22/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up to submit your AADSAS application but feeling unsure about the final touches? Join me for an insightful session focused on perfecting your dental school application. With over two decades of experience in prehealth advising and admissions at prestigious institutions like Columbia University and Fordham University, I've guided countless applicants to success. During this event, I'll share key strategies to enhance your application and ensure it stands out. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and boost your confidence before hitting submit. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot!

MBA Reapplicant Guide

While it is disappointing to have put so much effort into applications and not get into the school you wanted, there is still hope! Admissions committees tend to look favorably upon reapplicants, provided you can show that you’ve improved your candidacy. During this session, we will discuss how to navigate the MBA admissions process as a reapplicant. We will discuss common reasons people are rejected, how to show growth and MBA readiness, and other ways to improve your chances this time around. We will have tips for those who have applied recently, as well as those who are reapplying again after a break.

The 5 Toughest Interview Questions and How to Answer Them

Some interview questions trip up even the strongest candidates—not because they’re impossible, but because they’re designed to test judgment, self-awareness, and communication under pressure. In this session, you’ll break down the five hardest interview questions candidates consistently struggle with and learn proven frameworks to answer them clearly, confidently, and authentically. We’ll cover what interviewers are actually listening for, how to structure strong responses, and how to avoid common pitfalls that weaken otherwise solid answers. Whether you’re interviewing for consulting, finance, tech, or grad school, this workshop will give you practical tools to handle high-stakes questions with ease.

Successful Admits Panel

Curious what it really takes to get into a top deferred MBA program? In this panel, you’ll hear directly from successful admits who used Leland to gain acceptance to programs like Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, Wharton, Booth, and more. They’ll share their candid experiences—what worked, what didn’t, and how they leveraged coaching, strategy, and storytelling to stand out in an ultra-competitive applicant pool. Whether you’re just starting to explore deferred programs or gearing up to apply this cycle, this session will give you actionable insights, real-world advice, and inspiration from students who’ve been exactly where you are now.

2 Must-Haves for Round 2 And What To Do Right Now!

​Round 2 deadlines are right around the corner - is your application ready? Bruce H. and Betsy M. have over 30 years of MBA admissions experience and they will share the 2 essential things you MUST have in your application. ​Deadlines are coming up fast and Betsy and Bruce will give you their best advice on what you should be doing RIGHT NOW to produce your strongest application by January. They will also talk about whether it is better to apply this year or if waiting until next year will give you a better chance of attending your dream school.