Leland+ Content Library
UChicago Extended Essay – A Letter to a Bicycle and a Changing Neighborhood
A creative response to UChicago’s choose-your-own prompt, written as a heartfelt letter to a shopkeeper’s bike, exploring themes of community, technology, and personal impact through storytelling.
Free
Product Recruiting AMA with a PM from LinkedIn, Uber, and a Startup
Hear insights from a Product Manager from LinkedIn, Uber, and a startup! Get your questions answered on product recruiting, career paths, and breaking into top tech roles.
Your Master’s Application Roadmap: What to Do Early and Why It Matters
A strong master’s application starts long before deadlines hit. This session is designed to help you understand what to do early—and why those early moves matter so much. You’ll learn how to plan your timeline, prioritize key components like testing, essays, and recommendations, and avoid last-minute mistakes that weaken applications. Whether you’re just beginning to explore programs or getting ready to apply, you’ll leave with a clear roadmap and confidence in your next steps.
The Truth About Deferred MBA Essays: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
In this session, Leland Coach Kristen H., a HBS and GSB deferred admit and expert in early-career MBA strategy, will pull back the curtain on what separates successful essays from forgettable ones. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to approach each essay prompt strategically — and how to make your essays stand out in a competitive Deferred MBA cycle.
If You’re Admitted vs. If You’re Not – Next Steps and Growth Opportunities
• What to do immediately if admitted off the waitlist (next steps checklist) • If not admitted: reframing and reapplication mindset • How to carry lessons forward to strengthen next cycle applications • Managing timelines (deposits, deferrals, reapp deadlines) • Closing encouragement: progress > perfection
Stay Calm, Solve On: How to Manage Stress and Master GRE Quant
Struggling to stay calm under pressure while tackling GRE Quant? You're not alone—many test-takers feel the stress building as they approach those high-stakes math questions. In this session, Avi L., a 15-year veteran GRE/GRE-Quant coach on Leland who scored a 339 on the GRE and has coached over 500 people, will show you how to manage stress, sharpen your mindset, and master key Quant topics efficiently. You’ll learn how to build a clear prep plan, recognize your mental bottlenecks during test day, and apply proven strategies to elevate your score while staying composed. Whether you’re aiming for a big Quant jump or simply seeking clarity and confidence, this session will equip you to perform at your best.
2 Must-Haves for Round 2 And What To Do Right Now!
Round 2 deadlines are right around the corner - is your application ready? Bruce H. and Betsy M. have over 30 years of MBA admissions experience and they will share the 2 essential things you MUST have in your application. Deadlines are coming up fast and Betsy and Bruce will give you their best advice on what you should be doing RIGHT NOW to produce your strongest application by January. They will also talk about whether it is better to apply this year or if waiting until next year will give you a better chance of attending your dream school.
How to Ace PE Interviews: From Behaviorals and Technicals to Why PE
Private equity interviews test more than your technical skills—they assess your judgment, communication, and fit. In this workshop, Claire H. and Jonathan L.—three seasoned finance professionals who have successfully navigated and conducted PE interviews—will walk you through what top firms are really looking for. You’ll learn how to craft thoughtful answers to behavioral questions, structure strong technical responses, and nail your “Why PE” story. Between Claire’s experience at Morgan Stanley and The Carlyle Group and Jonathan's role as a senior PE associate at General Atlantic, you’ll gain insider insights from both sides of the interview table. Whether you’re preparing for on-cycle recruiting or exploring post-banking opportunities, this session will give you actionable strategies and the confidence to stand out in competitive PE recruiting.
Real Estate Private Equity: What it is and How to Break In
Real estate private equity (REPE) is one of the most dynamic and lucrative areas of finance—but breaking in can feel like a black box. In this session, Leland coach Ayo K., a former Blackstone associate now working in REPE at a leading global firm, will walk you through what the field actually looks like and how to position yourself for success. You’ll gain an inside look at the types of deals REPE firms pursue, the skills and backgrounds that stand out in recruiting, and what day-to-day work really entails. Whether you’re currently in investment banking, exploring a pivot from another field, or just starting your career planning, this session will give you actionable strategies to understand the industry and take the right steps toward landing a role in real estate private equity.
Breaking In and Breaking Through: IB Crash Course for International MBA Associates
Designed specifically for international MBA students targeting Investment Banking roles in the US, this hands-on bootcamp demystifies the IB recruiting process and sets you up for success from networking to technicals. The session is led by Yudhajit D., a former IB associate and TTS trainer, and focuses on high-leverage areas that international candidates must master early: Storytelling & Behavioral Mastery for non-US backgrounds Technical Prep That Works Under Pressure Navigating Work Authorization & Visa Concerns Confidently What Top Banks Really Look for in International Candidates Yudhajit will use real examples, interactive exercises, and common recruiting pitfalls to help you confidently position yourself as a competitive IB candidate from Day 1 of recruiting.
PM Recruiting 2026: What’s Changing and How to Stand Out This Cycle
Product management recruiting is evolving—candidate pools are growing, expectations are shifting, and what worked in past cycles may not be enough for 2026. To stand out this year, you need more than solid PM skills; you need clear positioning, a strong narrative, and a deep understanding of what companies are prioritizing right now. In this session, we’ll break down what’s changing in PM recruiting for 2026 and how you can adapt your strategy to stay competitive. The session will be led by an experienced PM coach who has helped candidates successfully navigate PM recruiting across top tech companies. Drawing on firsthand coaching and hiring insights, they’ll walk through current recruiting trends, how recruiters and hiring managers evaluate candidates, and the specific ways top applicants differentiate themselves in resumes, interviews, and storytelling. You’ll leave with practical, actionable guidance you can apply immediately as you prepare for the 2026 recruiting cycle.
What Deferred MBA Essays Need to Accomplish, and How to Get There
Deferred MBA essays are less about polished resumes and more about potential, clarity of goals, and long-term impact, and getting them right requires a very specific approach. In this session, you’ll learn what top programs actually expect deferred candidates to demonstrate, how admissions committees read these essays differently from traditional MBA applications, and how to structure your responses to show maturity, self-awareness, and trajectory. We’ll break down common pitfalls, winning themes, and practical steps to move from a blank page to a compelling final draft with confidence.
Defining the 1%: The Skills and Habits Behind 99th Percentile LSAT Scores
Scoring in the 99th percentile on the LSAT requires more than just practice—it reflects a specific set of skills, habits, and ways of thinking that most test takers never fully develop. This session is for students aiming to break into the 170s who want to understand what truly separates top scorers from the rest. You’ll learn how high scorers approach each section, the study habits that drive consistent improvement, and what differentiates performance across the 150s, 160s, and 170s.
Inside Private Equity: Ask a PE Founder and Former BlackRock Director Anything
Private equity can be hard to break into and even harder to fully understand from the outside. This session is for candidates who want a candid look into the industry from someone who has operated at a high level and built their own firm. You’ll learn how private equity professionals think about investing, what the day-to-day actually involves, and how candidates can better position themselves for roles in the field.
Landing an Investment Banking Role
Investment banking recruiting is highly competitive, and success depends on strategy, preparation, and timing. This session breaks down the full recruiting process, from understanding roles and timelines to building a strong resume, networking effectively, and preparing for technical and behavioral interviews. You’ll learn how banks evaluate candidates, what differentiates top applicants, and how to avoid common mistakes that derail otherwise strong profiles.
Mattress Market: A Case Study Walkthrough
Crack the case on the US mattress market. This case study covers market sizing, competitive analysis, and strategic recommendations to help a company thrive.
Creating a College List: Strategies & Tips
Learn how to create a strategic college list with a balanced mix of safety, target, and reach schools to maximize your chances of success.
Common Essay Pitfalls – What to Avoid in MBA Applications
A concise guide outlining the most frequent mistakes MBA applicants make in their essays, with tips on authenticity, storytelling depth, and strategic topic selection.
2 Real HBS Interview Question Sets (Start-to-Finish Examples)
A detailed look at the questions asked during two real Harvard Business School interviews from beginning to end (anonymized for broad use). The first reflects a professional, experience-driven conversation with questions covering consulting, investing, leadership, and community work. The second is a deferred MBA interview focused on college, early initiatives, startup involvement, AI, goals, and personal interests. Hopefully they help you get a sense for the pacing, depth, tone, and question style you'll experience during an HBS interview.
Transitioning to PM from Engineering
You have the technical skills. Now, learn how to build the strategic mindset and communication skills needed to successfully transition from engineering to product management.
