Leland+ Content Library

GSB What Matters Most and Why this School Example Essays

Master the Stanford GSB "What Matters Most" and "Why this School" essays by studying these admitted essays.

Resume for Stanford GSB Applicant - Nonprofit and Social Impact Roles

This resume presents a summary of the applicant's professional experience, including roles at Commonwealth Care Alliance, Gerson Lehrman Group, and Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group, along with details on education, research, and community involvement.

Sample Booth Recommendation Letter – Critical Thinking, EQ, and Resilient Leadership

An outstanding recommendation describing a candidate who consistently exceeded expectations through creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, and inclusive leadership—highlighting her growth, grit, and MBA readiness.

INSEAD Example Essays – Product Leadership, Global Agility, and Restless Curiosity

A complete INSEAD essay set featuring career goals in product management, reflections on cultural agility and personal growth, and stories of building cross-border relationships and learning through service, improv, and exploration.

How to get into the top AI and Web3 companies

Are you eager to break into the dynamic worlds of AI and Web3 but unsure where to start? Join me, David, for an insightful session on how to land a role at top AI and Web3 companies. With my background as a former Recruiting Director at Andreessen Horowitz and experience recruiting for tech giants like Meta, Intuit, and Zoom, I have the insider knowledge to help you succeed. ​In this event, we'll cover essential topics such as skill-building, AI strategy, resume reviews, salary negotiation, and behavioral interview preparation. Whether you're just starting out or looking to make a career shift, this session will equip you with the tools and strategies you need to stand out in these competitive fields.

Personal Statement - Medicine as a Catalyst for Growth and Connection

From a family tragedy to a volunteer experience in underserved communities, this personal statement tells the story of pursuing medicine for social good.

Common App Submission Example– Leadership, Research, and Social Impact Profile

A comprehensive Common App submission featuring high academic achievement, extensive leadership, entrepreneurial initiatives, and a personal essay on resilience and teamwork through organizing India’s largest student-led fest.

Navigating M7 MBA Admissions with Average GPA and Test Scores

Learn what you can to stand out in M7 MBA admissions, even with average GPA and test scores.

How Top MBA Applicants Nail “Why MBA” and “Why Now”

“Why MBA” and “Why now” are two of the most important—and most challenging—questions in any MBA application. This session is designed to help you craft clear, convincing answers that show purpose, timing, and fit. In this event, you’ll learn how top applicants connect past experiences to future goals, articulate strong motivations, and avoid common pitfalls that weaken these essays and interview responses. We’ll also cover what admissions committees look for and how to make your story stand out. Whether you’re just starting your application or refining your narrative, you’ll leave with practical frameworks and greater confidence.

Ace Your S&T Interview: Technicals, Brainteasers, and Market Questions

Ace Your S&T Interview Guide is the no-fluff prep manual for candidates who want to stand out in Sales & Trading interviews. It combines the technical knowledge firms expect with the market judgment, communication style, and fast-thinking problem solving that actually win offers. Whether you need to tighten your stock pitch, master rates and valuation, or get sharper on interview-style brainteasers, this guide is designed to help you perform with confidence and edge.

Session 3: Craft a Resume and LinkedIn to Impress Humans

Session 3 from Mar26 AI-Powered Job Search bootcamp

Writing Strong Statements for Graduate Applications: Purpose, Diversity, and Research

​Your graduate application statements are a critical opportunity to show admissions committees who you are, what drives you, and how you’ll contribute to their program. In this session, expert Leland coach and former UC Irvine Program Director Bryan M. will guide you through crafting essays that effectively convey your purpose, highlight your unique perspective, and showcase relevant research or professional experiences. ​By the end, you’ll have actionable strategies to write statements that stand out and make a lasting impression on admissions committees.

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.

The AI PM Superpower: Bridge Product Vision and Technical Reality

The AI PM Superpower: Bridge Product Vision and Technical Reality This flagship masterclass reveals the mindset and tools that make AI Product Managers indispensable - the ability to bridge product, data, and engineering. Through the BRIDGE Framework™, you’ll see how PMs turn business goals into learning systems and collaborate confidently with AI teams. Learning Objectives Apply the BRIDGE Framework™ to move from Product Vision → Data → Delivery. Communicate effectively with engineers and data scientists - even without coding. Recognize the top 3 reasons AI projects fail and how PMs can prevent them.

Comparing S&T to Investment Banking, Consulting, and Asset Management

A breakdown on how S&T differs from other finance career paths in pay, hours, required skills, and long-term exit paths.

How to Nail the Columbia Essays with Clarity and Confidence

Whether you're just getting started or deep into drafts, join former Columbia Business School Officer and MBA Coach Kelsey K to dissect what the J-term application is looking for and how to deliver it. We'll break down each prompt, clarity what's really being asked, and walk through real strategies (and mistakes to avoid) for clear, personal, and powerful essays. You'll leave with tangible ideas, stronger structures, and the confidence to move forward with clarity.

Stanford GSB Essays - Focus on Social Justice and Renewable Energy

This document contains two essays for Stanford University: "What matters most to you, and why?" detailing the applicant's commitment to social justice and the impact of renewable energy, and "Why Stanford?" outlining their career aspirations in energy project finance and leadership.

Career Reset: Break the Cycle and Find Work That Fits

Many professionals find themselves stuck in careers that once made sense but no longer feel aligned. Work becomes reactive, decisions feel unclear, and the path forward gets harder to see. This session is designed to help you pause, reset, and regain direction. We’ll explore how to break the cycle of career chaos and reconnect with the kind of work you’re meant to do—work that aligns with your strengths, values, and energy. In this session you will: - Recognize the signals that it may be time for a career shift - Clarify what “career fit” actually looks like for you - Learn practical ways to evaluate whether to stay, pivot, or reset - Walk away with a clearer framework for making your next career decision If you’ve been asking yourself “Is it time for a change?”—this conversation will help you find the answer and the next step forward.

Master’s Applications 101: What Matters Most and When to Start

A successful master’s application is built on clear priorities and smart timing. This session breaks down the key components admissions committees care about most, including academics, experience, essays, recommendations, and fit, and explains when to focus on each. You’ll learn how to plan your timeline, strengthen your profile early, and avoid common missteps that create unnecessary stress or weaken applications. Whether you’re just starting to explore programs or preparing to apply soon, this workshop will help you approach the process with clarity and confidence.