Leland+ Content Library

Get Glowing Letters of Recommendation: Selecting and Preparing Your Recommenders [6/2/2026] (Recording)

GIVEAWAY DURING THE EVENT: Join for the chance to win a free coaching session! After this session, you'll know how to identify the right recommenders for your MBA applications and how to brief them so their letters reflect the qualities adcoms actually look for. We'll cover how to choose recommenders who can speak to leadership and growth, what context and talking points to give them, and how to handle situations where your best option is an imperfect one. Attending live means you can ask about your specific recommender situation and hear how the coach thinks through cases that don't fit the standard advice. The coach works with MBA applicants on this every cycle and brings a clear sense of what separates letters that land from letters that get skimmed.

The Key to Mastering Combinations and Permutations on the GMAT [5/7/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know exactly how to recognize when a GMAT problem calls for combinations versus permutations and how to set up the math without second-guessing yourself. We will cover the slot method for counting arrangements, how to handle restrictions like repeated elements or fixed positions, and the fastest way to simplify factorial expressions under timed conditions. Attending live means you can bring a specific problem type that keeps tripping you up and hear how to think through it in real time, not just watch a solved example. The coach works through these problems with GMAT students regularly and will share the reasoning patterns that consistently separate confident solvers from those who guess and move on.

The Growth Blueprint: How to Find, Understand, and Win Customers [5/1/2026] (Recording)

Finding and winning customers is one of the hardest parts of building a startup, and many founders struggle to turn early traction into consistent growth. This session is for founders who want a clearer, more structured approach to understanding their customers and scaling demand. You’ll learn how to identify your most valuable customer segments, uncover the insights that drive conversion, and build repeatable growth loops that actually work. Join live to ask questions about your own product and growth challenges and get direct input from someone who has done it before. The speaker is an experienced startup founder who regularly works with teams on customer acquisition and growth strategy. They’ll share the patterns they see across successful companies and the kinds of frameworks typically discussed in 1:1 working sessions.

The Real Day-to-Day in Venture Capital—and How to Interview for It

Venture capital is often talked about in broad terms, but the actual day-to-day work and hiring expectations are less visible to candidates. This session is for those exploring VC who want a clearer understanding of what the role involves and how to position themselves for it. You’ll learn what investors actually do across sourcing, diligence, and portfolio support, how candidates are evaluated in interviews, and how to communicate your thinking in a way that reflects investor judgment.

Career Goals -- Why they're the key to MBA apps and how to nail them

MBA admissions teams use your career goals to gauge clarity, direction, and fit—making them a critical part of your application. In this session, you’ll learn how to craft focused short- and long-term goals, connect them to your experience, and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re drafting or refining essays, you’ll leave with a clear framework to articulate compelling, credible goals.

What Really Happens After You Submit: How MBA Applications Are Read, Sorted, and Remembered

What actually happens once you hit submit on your MBA application? In this session, Bianca Keys, CEO of Admit.me Access, pulls back the curtain on how applications are reviewed, evaluated, and discussed behind closed doors. You’ll learn how files are read, what admissions committees prioritize, how candidates are compared, and what makes certain applicants memorable. This conversation will give you a clearer understanding of how to position your materials so they stand out long after the first read.

The Startup Accelerator Playbook: What Programs Want, Who They’re For, and How to Win

Startup accelerators can fast-track your growth—but only if you understand how to leverage them. This session is designed to explain what accelerators look for, who benefits most, and how to position your startup to succeed. You’ll learn the value accelerators provide, how programs evaluate teams and ideas, and strategies to stand out in the application process. Whether you’re exploring your first accelerator or planning your next step, you’ll leave with clear insights and actionable guidance.

How to Develop Compelling Short and Long-Term Goals for UC Law School Applications

Crafting authentic and specific goals can make or break your UC Law School application. In this session, Brian B.—a seasoned law school admissions expert with 10+ years of experience reviewing thousands of applications—will walk you through how to articulate your career vision with clarity and purpose. ​Together, you’ll explore what “Clarity of Purpose” really means in the admissions context and how to translate it into your essays and interviews. Learn how to write convincingly about the type of law firm, government agency, or non-profit you aspire to join, and how to frame your long-term professional impact in a way that feels both ambitious and authentic.

Deferred MBA Red Flags & How to Reframe Them

Deferred MBA applications are scrutinized closely—and small missteps can raise big questions. In this workshop, top Leland coach and former AdComs at USC Avi L. will break down the most common red flags admissions committees see in deferred MBA candidates, from experience gaps to unclear goals. You’ll learn how to reframe weaknesses with honesty and strategy, strengthen your overall narrative, and present a compelling case for your long-term potential.

Deferred MBA M7 Series: Kellogg

Thinking about a deferred MBA and wondering what it takes to get into a top program like Kellogg? Join Andrew Dale, a former Kellogg Admissions Officer and Supercoach on Leland, as he walks you through what makes a strong application, how to tell a compelling story, and what Kellogg specifically looks for in deferred candidates. Bring your questions about essays, recommenders, interviews, and strategy—Andrew will help position you for success.

Law School Admissions: What You Can Do When You Are Waitlisted

Join Indrani, former Associate Director of Admissions at Stanford Law School, as she goes over strategy to help deal with the uncertainty of being put on law school waitlists. She will go over: how the process works, what it means when you are waitlisted, moving the needle, Dos and Don'ts, and the waiting game. At the end, there will be ample time for questions and answers! Almost everyone is waitlisted somewhere, and this session will help you manage the situation.

How to Create a Competitive PhD Application

Applying to PhD programs is about more than strong grades and test scores—it’s about demonstrating research potential, academic fit, and a clear vision for your scholarly path. In this session, Leland coach and former AdComs Director at Princeton and Penn, Melissa A. will break down exactly what makes an applicant stand out in a highly selective process. ​Whether you’re applying this cycle or planning ahead, you’ll leave with a clear strategy for building a strong, cohesive, and competitive PhD application.

L.E.K. Cover Letter Example – From Urban Education to Private Equity Consulting

A first-year MBA’s cover letter emphasizing leadership in large-scale school reform, interest in L.E.K.’s fast-paced PE work, and a desire to contribute strategic thinking and team management skills to client engagements.

Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays

Harvard Business School’s updated essay prompts demand clarity of purpose, strong self-awareness, and a narrative that goes beyond polished accomplishments. This session breaks down what the new HBS essays are really testing, how to approach each prompt strategically, and how to craft responses that feel authentic while signaling leadership, impact, and future potential. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or refining drafts, you’ll leave with a clearer framework for writing essays that resonate with HBS admissions readers.

Cracking Round 3 MBA: How I Got Admitted in the Final Round

Round 3 MBA admissions can feel unpredictable and highly competitive, but strong candidates still win seats with the right positioning and strategy. In this session, we’ll break down how to approach the final round strategically, address timing concerns head-on, and craft a compelling narrative that demonstrates urgency, fit, and readiness. You’ll gain practical insight into how admissions committees evaluate Round 3 applicants and how to maximize your chances even late in the cycle.

Great Alternatives to the US for Grad School

For many applicants, top graduate programs outside the United States offer world-class education, strong career outcomes, and more accessible pathways to admission and visas. This session explores leading international destinations for grad school, how their application processes differ from the US, and what to consider when evaluating cost, career mobility, and long-term goals. You’ll leave with a clearer view of global options and practical guidance for building a competitive international application strategy.

Exploring the MPP/MBA Dual Degree

Considering a path that blends business and public policy? The MPP/MBA dual degree might be the perfect fit. In this workshop, you'll hear from Karla M., a seasoned coach with an MBA from Chicago Booth and an MPP from Harvard, who will share insights from her own journey and what she’s learned guiding hundreds of applicants into top programs. ​You’ll get an inside look at what these programs offer, who they’re right for, and how to position yourself for success. Whether you’re actively applying or still exploring, this session will help you move forward with clarity.

Your MBA to MBB Pathway

Breaking into McKinsey, Bain, or BCG from an MBA program requires more than strong academics, it demands a clear recruiting strategy, disciplined case prep, and intentional networking from day one. In this session, you’ll learn how to position yourself for MBB success, avoid common recruiting missteps, and build a structured plan that covers resumes, networking, casing, and behavioral preparation. Whether you’re pre-MBA or already on campus, you’ll leave with a practical roadmap to maximize your chances of landing an MBB offer.