Leland+ Content Library

Choosing the Right Law School for You [7/29/2026] (Recording)

There are almost 200 ABA-accredited law schools in the United States, spread out across most states and with varying program sizes, legal specialties, and campus environments. While focusing on the U.S. News and World Report rankings may feel like the be-all and end-all of law school choice, the reality is that picking the law school that’s right for you as an individual goes much deeper. ​As someone who graduated from and worked as an admissions director in a law school that has been in both the first and second tiers, Liz C. understands that not everyone is aiming for the T14, T30, or even T50 schools—she was one of them. Let’s explore what factors should actually influence your law school choices and how to narrow down your list to a manageable one before the application process starts.

MBA Application Teardown: Transform Your “Why MBA / Why Now” Essay [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Struggling with your Why MBA, Why Now essay? You are not alone. This session is the opening of a three-part MBA Application Teardown series, where I take real, anonymized application materials, tear them down the way an admissions reader would, and rebuild them into something sharper and more memorable, live and in front of you. We begin with the essay at the center of every application: the goals essay that answers why you want an MBA and why now. Across the three sessions, we rebuild the pieces that carry the most weight: your goals essay, your short answers, and your resume. Attend all three to see how a complete application comes together as one coherent story, or drop into the single session you need most. In this teardown, you will watch a generic goals essay become a specific, compelling one: • See how an essay that feels deeply personal to the writer reads as generic to an admissions officer, and exactly why. • Learn the difference between stating your ambition and making it credible and memorable. • Watch vague career goals sharpen into a clear, believable through-line of why an MBA and why now. • See how the rebuilt essay becomes the spine that every other part of your application must reinforce. This is the essay everything else hangs on. Once your goals essay is sharp, your resume, short answers, recommendations, and interviews all have a center of gravity to point toward. Getting it right is challenging because you cannot read your own goals the way a stranger will. Watching it happen to someone else's essay is a great way to see your own clearly. I have guided more than 100 applicants into every M7 program, across the top 20 in the U.S., and into leading international programs, including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Get the essays that everything else depends on admission-ready. Register now to claim your spot in the live teardown.

MBA Application Teardown: Transform Your Short Answers [7/30/2026] (Recording)

Most applicants underestimate their MBA short answers. Admissions committees do not. This session is part of a three-part MBA Application Teardown series, where I take real, anonymized application materials, tear them down the way an admissions reader would, and rebuild them into something sharper and more memorable, live and in front of you. In this session we turn to the part of the application most people underestimate: the short answers and small boxes that applicants rush and admissions officers read closely. Across the three sessions, we rebuild the pieces that carry the most weight: your goals essay, your short answers, and your resume. Attend all three to see how a complete application comes together as one coherent story, or drop into the single session you need most. In this teardown, you will watch throwaway short answers become quietly powerful: • See why the answers you dash off at the end carry far more weight than their word count suggests. • Watch a generic, list-like answer become specific, intentional, and memorable. • Learn how short answers either reinforce your narrative or quietly contradict it. • Recognize the small tells that mark a rushed applicant, and how to remove them. These are the questions applicants treat as filler and admissions readers treat as evidence. A single weak short answer rarely sinks an application, but a pattern of them tells a reader you did not take the details seriously. Rebuilt with intention, the same boxes become some of the most efficient places in the entire application to prove who you are, and they are easy to miss in your own work precisely because they feel minor. I have guided more than 100 applicants into every M7 program, across the top 20 in the U.S., and into leading international programs, including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Make the shortest pieces of your application carry real weight. Register now to claim your spot in the live teardown.

How to Prepare and Standout for PE Interviews

Breaking into private equity is competitive, and strong technical skills alone won’t separate you from the pack. This session is for candidates preparing for PE interviews who want to understand what actually stands out in the room—and the subtle mistakes that can quietly weaken your candidacy. You’ll learn how to position your deal experience with clarity, master the nuances of case studies and LBO discussions, and communicate investor judgment in a way that reflects how firms truly evaluate talent. Join live to ask your specific questions about headhunters, modeling tests, or navigating on-cycle and off-cycle processes, and get real-time feedback grounded in 20+ years as a principal and investor. The speaker works 1:1 with candidates and will share the patterns they see across successful applicants and what they personally look for when evaluating hires. If you’re serious about breaking into PE, this is a conversation worth being in live.

5 Powerful Hacks for a Higher GMAT Score

​The GMAT is one of the most important components of your MBA application—and even small score improvements can open the door to top programs. In this workshop, Jennifer P.—a Leland GMAT coach with years of experience helping students achieve their target scores—will share five proven strategies you can use right away to boost your performance. ​From time-saving test-day tactics to smarter study approaches, Jennifer will break down what really moves the needle and how to avoid the most common mistakes students make. Whether you’re just beginning your prep or looking for that final push, you’ll walk away with actionable hacks to increase your confidence and maximize your GMAT score.

Quantitative Comparison for the GRE

Quantitative Comparison questions can be tricky, but with the right approach they become one of the most efficient ways to earn points on the GRE. In this session, Audra Z., an experienced GRE tutor with eight years of teaching and a 99th-percentile GRE score (335), will break down how to recognize common patterns, avoid traps, and decide quickly and confidently between answer choices. Drawing on her experience tutoring hundreds of students admitted to top graduate programs, Audra will focus on practical strategies that improve accuracy and speed without overcomplicating the math. Whether Quantitative Comparison is a weakness or an opportunity for easy gains, this workshop will help you approach these questions with clarity and control.

Pivoting from Academia to Industry

Pivoting from Academia to Industry Transitioning from academia into an industry role requires more than strong technical skills—it demands the ability to clearly communicate your value, reframe your academic experience, and navigate a hiring landscape that looks very different from university admissions. In this workshop, Stefan E. will share the strategies he used to execute his own successful pivot, earning interviews at 10 of the 12 universities he applied to and early admits to four top programs. Drawing on his experience as a lecturer, instructor, and former international student, Stefan will teach you how to translate research and teaching into industry-ready impact, present your skills with clarity, and approach your career transition with confidence.

How to Land Your First Role in Product Management

Breaking into product management can feel intimidating—especially if you don’t have “PM” in your current title. In this session, Britton O. (Product Lead @ Uber), Sameer B. (PM @ Whatnot, Former PM @ Flip & Curated) and Robert E. (Director of PM @ Home Depot) will walk you through what it really takes to land your first role, even without prior product experience. ​You’ll learn how to position your transferable skills, build a compelling story for recruiters and hiring managers, and navigate different PM entry paths—from APM programs to startup roles. By the end, you’ll have a clear game plan for breaking into product management with confidence and standing out in a competitive hiring process.

FAFSA 101

​Leland is excited to partner with CareerVillage to host this free event on navigating FAFSA! Paying for college or graduate school starts with understanding financial aid—and that means knowing how to navigate the FAFSA. In this session, Leland coach Loubna B., who has years of experience guiding students through competitive admissions and funding opportunities, will walk you through the FAFSA process step by step. ​You’ll learn how to complete the application accurately, avoid common mistakes, and maximize your eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs. Whether you’re applying for the first time or renewing your FAFSA, this session will give you the clarity and confidence you need to take control of your financial aid journey.

How to Prepare for MBA Interviews with Former M7 Admissions Officers

​In this session, former M7 admissions officers Kelsey K. (Columbia), Mike H. (Stanford), and Christine B. (Booth) will share insider strategies on how to prepare for one of the most critical parts of the MBA application process: the interview. From traditional behavioral questions to school-specific formats, you’ll learn what top programs are really evaluating and how to showcase your strengths with confidence. ​You’ll also gain practical tips on structuring your answers, communicating your story clearly, and avoiding the common mistakes that derail otherwise strong applicants. Whether you’re just beginning your prep or gearing up for final rounds, this session will equip you with the tools and insights you need to stand out in MBA interviews.

Weighing the GRE v. the GMAT! [6/18/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to choose between the GRE and GMAT based on your target programs, your testing strengths, and how each exam is actually evaluated by admissions committees. We will cover which schools still prefer one over the other, how to read your own diagnostic scores to predict where you will perform better, and what a realistic prep timeline looks like for each test. Attending live means you can describe your specific situation and get a direct answer, not a general framework that may or may not apply to you. The coach works with GRE and GMAT candidates regularly and will share the patterns that consistently guide that decision well.

3 Secrets of the GRE (To Raise Your Score Today) [8/18/2026] (Recording)

Small changes in your GRE strategy can lead to surprisingly large score gains. This session is for test takers who want to improve their performance by focusing on the techniques that make the biggest difference. You'll learn three powerful GRE strategies that can immediately boost your accuracy, improve your pacing, and help you approach the exam with greater confidence. Join live to hear from a GRE expert who specializes in helping students achieve 325+ scores. The speaker will share proven test-taking techniques, common mistakes that cost students valuable points, and practical strategies you can start using in your very next study session. Expect actionable advice designed to help you raise your score faster and more efficiently.

Solidifying Your Secondaries [7/31/2026] (Recording)

If you're in the medical school admissions cycle, chances are you are staring down the secondary essays. You might be almost done, have not yet started, or somewhere in between. No matter where you are at, this session is here to help you craft stand out responses! We will spend the first part of this session going through the major essay archetypes that most institutions ask in some form (e.g., why us, diversity, challenge) and talk about how to make yourself stand out while keeping your secondaries congruent with your larger narrative. Then we will move to an open Q&A, so bring your prompts, drafts, or any other questions you have as you navigate the process!

GRE Quant: Time-Saving Strategies

Struggling to finish GRE Quant sections on time—even when you know the math? This session is designed to help you work smarter, not harder. In this workshop, we’ll break down proven time-saving strategies for the GRE Quant section, including how to recognize common question patterns, avoid unnecessary calculations, and make faster, more strategic decisions under pressure. You’ll learn when to estimate vs. calculate, how to spot traps, and how top scorers manage pacing without sacrificing accuracy. Whether you’re aiming to boost your score, break through a plateau, or simply feel more confident on test day, this session will give you practical tools to improve speed, efficiency, and overall performance on GRE Quant.

How to excel in your first 6 months

Are you a new software engineer eager to make a strong impression in your first six months? Join me, Lance, for an insightful session tailored to help you excel in your role. As an Engineering Manager at Lucid Software, I've guided numerous engineers to achieve their career goals. My approach focuses on setting clear goals and ensuring consistent progress, no matter how ambitious your goals may be. With a background in Computer Science from Brigham Young University and extensive experience managing teams of 10-15 engineers, I am passionate about helping you navigate the early stages of your software engineering career. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to accelerate your growth and set yourself up for success.

Building real world products with genAI

The AI landscape is evolving faster than most teams—and candidates—can keep up. In this session, a panel of experienced AI product leaders will share candid insights on what’s actually working, where organizations are going wrong, and how product managers can position themselves to build meaningful, defensible value in an AI-first world. After quick intros and opening remarks on the biggest mistakes they’re seeing in AI today, panelists will respond to a mix of curated questions and live audience Q&A. You’ll walk away with clearer frameworks for evaluating AI opportunities, stronger language to articulate your value, and a practical understanding of how companies are approaching AI product work in 2025.

Demystifying GMAT Combinatorics (Combinations and Permutations)

Struggling with combinations and permutations? You’re not alone. Combinatorics is one of the trickiest parts of the GMAT Quant section—where even small missteps can cost big points. ​In this session, Josh B., a 15-year Manhattan Prep veteran and GMAT coach who’s helped over 1,000 students succeed, will break down combinations, permutations, and the logic behind counting problems in a way that actually makes sense. You’ll learn how to approach these questions intuitively, avoid common traps, and move faster without sacrificing accuracy. ​Whether you’re just starting GMAT prep or aiming for a top score, you’ll leave this session with clear frameworks, problem-solving techniques, and renewed confidence heading into test day.

How AI Changed the Way I Work Forever: Build with AI Week Kickoff [8/10/2026] (Recording)

AI is changing how people build, create, and launch ideas faster than ever before. Whether you're an entrepreneur, operator, student, or simply AI-curious, understanding what's possible today can unlock entirely new ways of working. This kickoff session is for anyone looking to explore what it really means to build with AI and where to start. Our lead AI instructor will dive straight into AI tools and you'll leave the session having built a document, a spreadsheet, a deck, an interactive visualization, and an AI image. Along the way, you'll learn concepts that will deepen your understanding of how to work with AI and implement it into your daily life and work.