Leland+ Content Library

What Europe’s Top B-Schools are Looking For

Europe’s leading business schools evaluate candidates through a distinct lens, often prioritizing international mindset, clarity of goals, and cultural contribution alongside professional achievement. In this session, you’ll learn what top European MBA programs value most in applications, how their expectations differ from US schools, and how to position your background for maximum impact. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to tailor your strategy and strengthen your candidacy for Europe’s most competitive business schools.

Great Alternatives to the US for Grad School

For many applicants, top graduate programs outside the United States offer world-class education, strong career outcomes, and more accessible pathways to admission and visas. This session explores leading international destinations for grad school, how their application processes differ from the US, and what to consider when evaluating cost, career mobility, and long-term goals. You’ll leave with a clearer view of global options and practical guidance for building a competitive international application strategy.

Navigating the MBA Waitlist Process

We will discuss how to navigate the waitlist process for MBA programs. While it is quite frustrating to not have closure after your decision, there is still hope! I will walk through my proven strategies for maximizing your chances of converting a waitlist into an acceptance! This will include: - General process and timelines - Common reasons people are waitlisted - How to plan structure your updates - What else you can do to improve your chances - Q&A

Get Into Your Dream School: Writing Powerful MBA Essays Panel

Join top Leland MBA admissions coaches for a candid panel on what it really takes to write essays that break through at M7 and other top programs. They’ll share insider perspectives on choosing the right stories, showcasing impact, avoiding common pitfalls, and bringing your authentic voice forward. You’ll walk away with clear strategies and actionable tips to elevate your essays—so you can put your strongest application in front of the adcom.

From Research to Results: Guide to PhD Applications

Thinking about pursuing a PhD but unsure how to navigate the admissions process? Join us for From Research to Results: Guide to PhD Applications, where experienced PhD coach Madeleine L. will break down what it really takes to build a competitive doctoral application. ​Whether you’re just starting to explore PhD programs or preparing to hit submit, you’ll walk away with actionable strategies to strengthen your application and move closer to your academic goals.

Public Policy / Government in the Era of AI Disruption [6/9/2026] (Recording)

Artificial intelligence is reshaping how governments operate, how policy is designed, and what future public leaders will be expected to navigate. From regulatory challenges and workforce disruption to national competitiveness and public sector modernization, policymakers must be prepared to lead through rapid technological change. This session will explore how AI is transforming the public sector and how applicants to top policy and government programs can position themselves as future-ready leaders in this evolving environment.

Developing Product Sense

Everyone tells you product sense matters. Almost no one tells you how to actually build it. In this workshop, part of PM Week, we're breaking down product sense into something you can actually practice, not just a vague trait some candidates seem to have and others don't. You'll learn the frameworks experienced PMs use to evaluate products, how to spot the gap between a good answer and a great one in a product sense interview, and the daily habits that build real intuition over time. This isn't a list of tips. It's a working session on the skill that decides whether you get the offer.

Home for Ambition #15 — Weekly Live Show [7/8/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, hosted by Leland CEO, John Koelliker, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Home for Ambition #17 — Weekly Live Show [7/29/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, hosted by Leland CEO, John Koelliker, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Home for Ambition #18 — Weekly Live Show [8/5/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, hosted by Leland CEO, John Koelliker, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Home for Ambition #19 — Weekly Live Show [8/12/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, hosted by Leland CEO, John Koelliker, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Home for Ambition #16 — Weekly Live Show [7/22/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, hosted by Leland CEO, John Koelliker, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

Home for Ambition #14 — Weekly Live Show [7/1/2026] (Recording)

Home for Ambition is a weekly live show, hosted by Leland CEO, John Koelliker, for people trying to stay ahead as work, learning, and opportunity keep changing. Each episode tackles a handful of timely, high-signal topics across AI, careers, education, and the future of work. We expect thoughtful debate, unique perspectives, and practical takeaways you can actually use. It is not a typical interview show or a generic news recap. It is a live roundtable built to help ambitious people make sense of what is changing, understand what matters, and leave with a sharper point of view on how to navigate what comes next.

How to Create a Harvard Kennedy School Application that Stands Out (all degrees) [7/23/2026] (Recording)

Do you know what the Harvard Kennedy School is looking for in its applicants? What about how to write specifically for the school's 5 essays? As a current student, I understand the school's priorities from the inside. I also went through their essay process and am well-equipped to help you craft an application that is integrated across essays and stands out. I have also coached clients to successful admissions to the MPP program. This session will walk through what the school is looking for from its applicants and how to tell your story in a way that resonates with the admissions committee.

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.

Behavioral Questions CAR Matrix Template

This matrix is a powerful tool to help you prepare for behavioral interviews with clarity and confidence. It allows you to structure your stories using the CAR framework (Challenge, Action, Result) while mapping each one to common competency areas like leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, and communication. By building a versatile story bank and tagging each example to multiple themes, you'll be able to answer a wide range of questions with ease, consistency, and impact. Whether you're applying to an MBA program or preparing for job interviews, this template helps you connect the dots between your experiences and what interviewers are looking for.

Ace MBA Interviews & Essays: Strategies for Why an MBA/Now/This School

Are you struggling to clearly answer “Why an MBA?”, “Why now?”, and “Why this school?” in both interviews and written applications? These three questions are the backbone of every strong MBA candidacy. In this focused 60-minute session, you’ll learn exactly how to approach them with clarity, specificity, and confidence. We’ll break down what admissions committees are really looking for, why these questions matter, and the most common mistakes applicants make. You’ll see detailed examples drawn directly from successful applicant materials, along with in-depth analysis of what makes each example strong or weak. We’ll cover how to link your background, needs, and goals to the right program features, how to avoid generic phrasing, and how to bring authenticity and structure into your responses. Throughout the session, I’ll highlight specific dos and don’ts and walk you through the progression from vague answers to compelling, school-ready responses. You’ll also see how your approach should differ between essays and interviews so your answers feel natural and appropriate in each format. We will close with a Q&A where you can ask about these three questions, your approach, or anything that wasn’t fully clear in the presentation. By the end, you’ll have a sharper understanding of what makes a strong response, how to integrate school-specific research, and how to communicate your story in a way that resonates in both interviews and written applications.

Stop Competing With Everyone Else. Start Mastering Your Own Mind [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Unlock the power of your mind and elevate your leadership skills in our upcoming event, "Stop Competing With Everyone Else. Start Mastering Your Own Mind." Join David, an experienced talent acquisition expert and strategist, as he guides you through the essential skills of decision-making, strategy, leadership development, and communication. With a rich background that includes roles at Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, David brings a wealth of knowledge in fostering growth and innovation. He is currently enhancing his expertise with a Masters in coaching from the University of Texas at Dallas and holds a certificate in People Analytics from The Wharton School. This session is designed for executives and leaders eager to refine their strategic thinking and communication prowess. Don't miss this opportunity to transform your approach to leadership. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot!

MBA Inteview Guide

How to prepare for IESE, INSEAD, LBS, IE, ESADE and other top European MBA programs A practical two-page preparation guide for MBA admissions interviews. MBA interviews are not just a final checkpoint. They are your chance to show who you are beyond your CV, essays and test scores— and to prove that your goals, values and personality fit the school. A strong interview helps the school understand: Why MBA? · Why this school? · Why now? · Why you?