Leland+ Content Library

Deferred MBA Admissions Event Sprint Kickoff

Kick off Deferred MBA Week with an overview of everything you need to know to build a winning application strategy from start to finish. In this session, we’ll break down what makes deferred programs unique, what top schools are really looking for in early-career candidates, and how to use the rest of the sprint—panels, workshops, and AMAs—to your advantage. You’ll walk away with a clear game plan for essays, recommendations, testing, and timelines, plus guidance on how to prioritize your time based on where you are in the process.

From Waitlisted to Admitted: Insider Tips for MBA Admissions

Navigating the MBA waitlist can feel like walking a tightrope—but with the right strategy, it’s often your strongest chance to turn a “maybe” into a “yes.” Join Karla M., a seasoned AdCom-trained strategist who has coached over 300 MBA applicants, helped more than 150 M7 admits, and has deep insight into waitlist dynamics. Drawing on her experience shaping successful narratives and guiding candidates through revisits, updates, and communication, she’ll walk you through proven tactics to strengthen your profile, re-engage with schools, and advocate for your admission.

GMAT Advanced Quant Workshop: Exponents & Roots - Applied Strategies & Tips

Many high-scoring GMAT candidates hit a ceiling on Quant because of advanced exponent and root problems. These questions aren’t just about knowing the rules—they test whether you can recognize patterns, simplify quickly, and avoid time-consuming calculations. In GMAT Advanced Quant Workshop: Exponents & Roots – Applied Strategies & Tips, you’ll learn how top performers approach the hardest versions of these questions. The coach regularly works 1:1 with GMAT candidates and will share the same problem-solving strategies used in coaching sessions to help students push from strong scores into the top percentile. Who This Is For - GMAT test-takers aiming for a 48–51 Quant score - Students comfortable with basics but struggling with harder exponent and root problems - Candidates looking to improve speed and efficiency on advanced Quant - Test-takers who want a clearer approach to high-difficulty problem types What You’ll Walk Away With - How to simplify complex radical and exponent expressions quickly - The exponent patterns that appear most often in hard GMAT problems - When to calculate exactly vs. when to use estimation strategically - The reasoning patterns that separate a 48 from a 51 on Quant

Office Hours with Former MBA AdComs & Admissions Experts

​Join us for an exclusive Office Hours session with former MBA Admissions Committee members and top admissions experts! ​This is your chance to get insider advice on the MBA application process—directly from those who used to make the decisions. Learn how to craft a compelling narrative, avoid common pitfalls, and stand out in competitive applicant pools. Whether you're just starting your MBA journey or putting the finishing touches on your application, our panelists are here to answer all your questions. ​Meet our panelists: ​Faisal K., Chicago Booth MBA, Chicago Booth Admissions Office, coached 100+ M7 admits, 15 years of experience aiding US and international applicants translate their rich global experiences into compelling, relevant, and memorable applications. ​Avi L., UC Berkeley, former USC Director of Admissions and admissions reader at Berkeley, expert in helping applicants identify how to tell their story in way that makes them stand out. ​Emily L., UC Berkeley Haas, former Haas Co-VP of Admissions, trained and mentored by former M7 AdCom members, extensive experience with clients with below median test scores.

Funding Your Future: Fellowships & Scholarships for Masters Programs [6/18/2026] (Recording)

The cost of graduate school can feel daunting, but many applicants overlook funding opportunities that can dramatically reduce the financial burden. This session is for prospective MBA and master’s students who want to better understand the world of fellowships, scholarships, and competitive funding programs. You’ll learn where to find high-impact opportunities, how successful applicants position themselves, and what scholarship committees are often looking for beyond academics alone. Join live to ask questions about your own funding goals and hear directly from a Gates Cambridge Scholar with deep expertise in competitive programs and scholarships. The speaker has firsthand experience navigating highly selective funding processes and will share the strategies, patterns, and application insights that can help you maximize your chances of securing support for graduate study.

MBA Essay Bootcamp: How to tell a story no other applicant can [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Unlock the secrets to crafting an unforgettable MBA essay with our MBA Essay Bootcamp! Join me, Hanie, as we dive into the art of storytelling that sets you apart from the competition. With my background as a Schwarzman Scholar at Tsinghua University and an MBA graduate from Columbia Business School, I bring a wealth of experience in admissions and essay crafting. In this session, we'll explore how to weave your unique experiences into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions committees. Whether you're just starting your application journey or looking to refine your essays, this bootcamp is designed to elevate your application strategy. Spaces are limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and take the first step towards your dream MBA program!

How to Get 520+ on the MCAT

Are you aiming to achieve a top score on the MCAT? Then listen to this session on how to score a 520+ on this crucial exam. As an MCAT expert who scored in the 99th percentile with a 522, and a current M.D. candidate at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, I am passionate about helping students excel. With a background in research, healthcare consulting, and as the Co-Founder and CEO of an orthopedic device startup, I bring a wealth of experience to guide you through effective test-prep strategies. Together, we'll identify your strengths and weaknesses, develop a personalized study plan, and enhance your test-taking skills to ensure your MCAT score reflects your true potential.

Personal Statement Coaching Session (Stanford Law Student) [5/22/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for law school applications and looking for guidance on crafting a standout personal statement? Join me, Matthew, a current Stanford Law student, for an insightful coaching session focused on application strategy and essay writing. With a background in Cognitive Neuroscience from Washington University in St. Louis and diverse experiences ranging from legal internships to public speaking at the United Nations and TEDx, I bring a unique perspective to the table. My journey has equipped me with the insight to help students — especially those with diverse or unconventional backgrounds — craft their stories compellingly and cohesively. Don't miss this opportunity to refine your personal statement and strengthen your application. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot!

Military to MBA

Transitioning from the military to business school can feel like stepping into a completely new world—but with the right strategy, your service can become your strongest differentiator. In this workshop, Wyatt F.—a Wharton MBA, U.S. Army veteran, private equity operator, and cofounder of the 7-figure company Sitreps2Steercos—will walk you through how to turn your military experience into a compelling MBA application story. ​Having helped hundreds of veterans gain admission to top programs like Wharton, Chicago Booth, Duke, McCombs, and Yale SOM, Wyatt will share tactical advice on essay strategy, resume translation, and interview prep. Whether you’re just beginning your transition or finalizing your applications, this session will help you craft your narrative, highlight your leadership, and approach the MBA process with confidence.

Mastering Necessary and Sufficient Assumptions on the LSAT

Understanding necessary and sufficient assumptions is one of the biggest keys to unlocking higher Logical Reasoning scores on the LSAT. In this workshop, Elias S.—a 177 scorer (99.5th percentile) who has helped students improve their scores by an average of 15–20 points—will break down how to identify these question types, avoid common traps, and apply the right reasoning strategies every time. ​With experience helping students achieve jumps of up to 40 points and even reach perfect scores, Elias will guide you through a clear, structured approach to mastering these challenging logic concepts. Whether you’re aiming for a top-tier law school or trying to break into the 170s, this session will give you the tools to approach LSAT arguments with precision and confidence.

Personal Statement vs. Optional Essays: What Goes Where [6/18/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know exactly how to divide your narrative across the personal statement and optional essays without repeating yourself or leaving gaps. We will cover how to identify which experiences belong in each space, how to use the optional essay strategically rather than defensively, and how to recognize when leaving an optional essay blank is the stronger choice. Attending live means you can bring your specific situation, whether you have a GPA explanation to navigate or a nontraditional background to frame, and hear how those decisions get made in real time. This coach works with law school applicants daily and will be sharing the same judgment they apply when reviewing and rebuilding application narratives with their own clients.

How I Founded, Scaled and Exited my Brand Last Year

Cashmere is the Founder and CEO of Beauty Bakerie, a cosmetics company she built into a globally distributed brand before being acquired by West Lane Capital Partners. Sold in nearly 2000 locations worldwide and backed by more than $15M in venture capital, Beauty Bakerie grew into San Diego’s fastest-growing private company from 2015 to 2017 and developed a strong, multi-platform social media presence with over 1M followers. The brand earned recognition from publications including Allure, Cosmopolitan, Forbes, Good Morning America, Teen Vogue, Essence, Elle, Oprah, and BuzzFeed. As a founder who led vision, branding, product development, and overall strategy, Cashmere has firsthand experience navigating fundraising, hyper-growth, market expansion, and the acquisition process. In this session, she will share key lessons from scaling a consumer brand, building a team, developing products, working with retailers, and preparing for exit. Attendees will gain insight into what drives brand value, how to manage rapid growth, and the strategic decisions that shaped Beauty Bakerie’s trajectory from inception to acquisition.

M7 MBA Applications: How to Tell Your Story

Are you applying to an MBA program at a top business school? Then you already know your essays are the most important part of your application. In this session, we’ll break down why essays matter so much to admissions committees, what they reveal about you beyond your resume and transcript, and how to craft a narrative that sets you apart. From writing a compelling “Why MBA” essay to tackling the community essay with authenticity and confidence, this event will give you a clear, structured approach to presenting your best self. I’m Mihir, your guide for this event. As an admit to both Columbia Business School and Chicago Booth, I bring firsthand experience and insider knowledge to help you stand out in your applications. With a background in Biochemistry, English, Business, and Computer Science, and professional stints at Capital One and Moderna, I offer a well-rounded perspective on crafting compelling applications. I’m thrilled to co-host this session with Claire, a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and Stanford GSB alumna. Claire has mastered the case interview process and earned a full-time role at Bain & Company, later moving into private equity and venture capital, and most recently global brand strategy at Nike. Her story highlights how mentorship, grit, and openness to opportunity can completely transform a career trajectory. By the end of this session, you’ll walk away with concrete strategies for structuring your essays, a framework for telling your unique story, and examples that highlight what works—and what doesn’t. Whether you’re drafting your first outline or polishing your final version, this workshop is designed to help you approach every essay with confidence and clarity.

MBA Interview Success: What Top Programs Look For

MBA interviews aren’t just about answering questions—they’re about showing who you are, how you think, and why you belong in a top-tier program. In this session, you’ll learn exactly how elite schools evaluate candidates, from behavioral depth and self-awareness to leadership potential and communication style. We’ll break down common interview formats (including blind interviews, behavioral deep dives, and scenario-based questions), teach you how to structure compelling answers, and share strategies for showcasing authenticity while still being polished and strategic. You’ll walk away with a clear playbook for standing out in any MBA interview setting.

How to Use AI to Break Into Investment Banking & Private Equity [5/21/2026] (Recording)

In this session, you will learn how to use AI tools to research firms, personalize cold outreach, and prep for technical interviews in investment banking and private equity recruiting. You will also walk away with a framework for identifying which parts of your application process AI can accelerate versus where it tends to create generic, forgettable work. Attending live means you can ask how these approaches apply to your specific background, whether that is a non-target school, a career pivot, or a gap in your deal experience, and hear the answer in real time rather than guessing from a recording. The coach works directly with candidates breaking into finance and will share the patterns that consistently separate the ones who get interviews from the ones who do not.

MBA Goals & Purpose Guide: Define Your Short- and Long-Term Goals

Most MBA applicants know they need goals. Few know how to make them specific, grounded, and genuinely their own. This guide gives you a clear framework for defining your short-term and long-term post-MBA goals, along with the purpose behind them. Inside you will find what strong goals include, what weak ones look like, worked examples you can learn from, and the reflection questions that help you get there. Everything is in one place and structured so you can work through it in order or go straight to what you need. Whether you are just starting to think about direction or refining goals you have already begun to develop, this guide will help you arrive at goals you can defend confidently in essays, interviews, and school conversations.

MBA Recommender Outreach Template

Take the guesswork out of managing your MBA recommendations. This plug-and-play template gives you a ready-to-send communication package to share with your recommender. It covers everything from timeline management to content guidance, so they can write the strongest possible letter on your behalf. What's included: - A professional email template to send to your recommender, with built-in instructions on the recommendation process and submission timelines - School-specific question breakdowns for Stanford GSB, Harvard HBS, and Wharton, with coaching notes on how to guide your recommender's responses - A strengths framework to help your recommender highlight your leadership, strategic thinking, and growth mindset with concrete examples - A structured section for the constructive feedback question, one of the trickiest parts of any recommendation, with a fill-in format for situation, reaction, and results

PE 101 for Interviewees and Professionals: Deal Dynamics, Diligence, & Value Creation

Private equity can feel complex from the outside, but understanding deal flow, diligence, and value creation is essential—whether you're preparing for interviews or entering the industry. In this session, Saleem H., an early graduate from a non-target school who has built a career in private equity after consulting, will break down the fundamentals in a way that’s approachable and practical. Having mentored dozens of candidates into top MBA programs, MBB and Tier-2 consultancies, boutique firms, and competitive PE roles, Saleem brings hands-on experience and a passion for supporting nontraditional, first-gen, and early-career professionals. He’ll walk you through how firms evaluate deals, where analysts and associates drive the most impact, and what interviewers expect you to know about value creation from day one.

AI & Your MBA Application: Dos and Don'ts for Written Content

Are you thinking about using AI tools like ChatGPT to improve your MBA application essays, but are unsure how to do it ethically and effectively? Join me, M, for a practical and candid session designed to equip MBA applicants with the necessary knowledge and strategies for using AI to assist them in crafting authentic and compelling written content while remaining policy compliant. This session will help you understand how to responsibly integrate AI support into the written components of your application while maintaining your personal voice and authenticity. Learn how to use AI as a supportive tool without violating school guidelines or compromising the integrity of your narrative. I’ll share examples that show the difference between a compelling story that captures your real voice and an AI-produced generic essay.

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.