Leland+ Content Library

Applying to College in 2026? Here’s What You Should Be Doing Each Month [5/27/2026] (Recording)

In this session, former admissions director, Loubna Bouamane, will walk students and parents through the real college admissions timeline from May through December — including what actually matters each month if you're aiming for competitive U.S. universities. We’ll cover: How to build a balanced college list strategically When students should start essays (and why waiting until September is risky) How extracurriculars and summer activities should be positioned What admissions officers notice early in the review process Common mistakes students make over the summer Testing timelines, recommendation strategy, and application planning How to avoid creating an application that feels overly polished or AI-generated This session is especially helpful for: Rising seniors applying in Fall 2026 International students navigating the U.S. admissions process Families targeting selective colleges and universities Students feeling overwhelmed or behind

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.

Veterans MBA Admissions Fireside Chat + Panel Discussion

This exclusive event is designed specifically for veterans or those currently in the military interested in pursuing MBA programs. Led by a distinguished panel of veterans who have successfully navigated their own MBA application journeys, this fireside chat offers a unique opportunity to hear firsthand experiences, learn proven strategies, and gain insider knowledge on how to showcase your military background and skills effectively. ​From translating your military service into a compelling story to leveraging your leadership experience, paying for your MBA, and more, the panelists will share actionable advice to help you stand out amongst fellow applicants. ​​Leland is cohosting this event with Sitreps2Steercos, an incredible organization that was founded to help those in the military transition into top graduate programs and competitive career paths. ​Meet our panelists: ​Wyatt F, United States Military Academy, Warton MBA, US Army, helps clients write their "hero's journey" story for admissions committees, craft their resumes to make sure civilians understand their roles and impact, and nail the GMAT. ​Kelsey K, former M7 Admissions Director, partners with applicants to help them clarify who they are, what they want, and why they belong at the world’s best business schools. ​Alex S., Marine Academy, Ross MBA, US Army, alumni interviewer for Ross, expert MBA admissions coach for veterans and non-traditional backgrounds, has coached and prepped over 100+ people on MBA applications with a high rate of success.

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.

Writing a Holistic Set of Booth Essays

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. Reference the slides from a past event that draws from example essays written by successful U Chicago Booth admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Booth AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world.

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!

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.

GMAT Quant Short-Cuts Used by Top-Scorers [5/26/2026] (Recording)

In this session, you will learn how top GMAT scorers approach quantitative problems faster and more accurately by recognizing pattern types before choosing a method. The focus will be on number properties shortcuts that eliminate answer choices early, strategic back-solving for algebra-heavy problems, and how to identify when estimation beats exact calculation on data sufficiency questions. The coach works with GMAT candidates regularly and will be sharing the reasoning process they actually teach, the kind of situational thinking that is hard to absorb from a recording alone.

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.

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.

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.

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 You Need to Know about 2026 Law School Admissions: Insights, Trends, and Q&A [5/28/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you'll have a clear picture of how the 2026 law school admissions cycle is shaping up, including how score and GPA thresholds are shifting at top programs, what admissions committees are prioritizing in personal statements this cycle, and how to position a application that stands out in an increasingly competitive pool. Attending live means hearing how an experienced coach thinks through it in real time, which a recording simply cannot replicate. The coach works with law school applicants daily and will share the patterns that separate successful applications from ones that fall short, offering a genuine look at how this process actually works from someone inside it.

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

How to Find Your Purpose in Life | Free Guide

Most people don't lack purpose. They lack clarity. If you've ever felt like you're good at your job but not fulfilled by it — like you're busy but not building toward anything that actually matters to you — this free workbook was made for you. In three simple exercises, you'll uncover what you're naturally built for. What's inside: • An exercise to map your natural gifts, your flow states, and how you can help others to find where your purpose lives • An exercise to get honest outside perspective from the people who know you best (they already see what you can't) • An exercise to discover why your hardest experiences might be your greatest asset Completing this guide takes about 30 minutes. It's completely free. And it might be the most useful thing you do this week. Download it now — no purchase required, no catch.

Conquering Parallel Reasoning on the LSAT

​Struggling to keep up when LSAT Logical Reasoning seems to throw identical arguments with different labels at you? Parallel reasoning is one of the most common stumbling blocks—and yet, the difference between a high score and a great score often comes down to mastery of this one skill. ​In this session, you'll learn from Adam T., a full-time LSAT instructor since 2016 and curriculum developer at PowerScore with over 15 years of teaching experience. He has helped students hit scores in the 170s and gain admission to top law schools. ​Adam will guide you through his proven framework to identify parallel argument structures, eliminate distractors that look right but aren’t, and apply the same logic under timed conditions. ​Space is limited, so RSVP to secure your spot. We’re excited to be on the law journey with you!