Leland+ Content Library

Writing a Holistic Set of HBS Essays

Your first-draft essays for Harvard Business School probably aren't what you think they are. Listen to two of Leland's top coaches help you see why, and more importantly, know how you can elevate them to a point where you can "go to school in the Boston area".

Why Do Companies Acquire?

Explore the strategic reasons behind acquisitions—from growth to market entry—and what makes them succeed or fail.

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.

Self-Learning Agents: What PMs Should Actually Worry About [7/23/2026] (Recording)

Self-learning agents are rapidly shifting what’s possible in product development, and product managers who understand this shift will be far better positioned to lead what comes next. This session is for PMs and aspiring PMs who want to understand what self-learning agents actually mean for product strategy, execution, and long-term career relevance. You’ll learn where these systems are creating real disruption, what risks and opportunities product leaders should pay attention to, and how the PM role may evolve as AI becomes more autonomous. Join live to hear from an expert in AI and product management, a former Senior PM and Head of AI Services at Google. The speaker will share firsthand perspectives on how leading product teams are thinking about AI, what PMs should prioritize today, and which mindset shifts will matter most in the years ahead. Expect strategic insights and practical takeaways you can apply immediately to your product thinking.

MBA Application Fundamentals for Non-Traditional Candidates

Are you applying to business school with a non-traditional or non-business background? Are you intimidated by the application process, unsure on where to start, or just a little stuck on ways to communicate your experience? If so, this session is for you! ​During this event, we'll discuss some of the commonly-held assumptions among MBA class profiles, cover the ways non-traditional candidates can manage the expectations of admissions committees, and describe how differentiated experience can help your application shine! ​This course is taught by Laura N., a former MBA admissions committee member, pro admissions coach, and accredited member of AIGAC (Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants). Laura has been an MBA admissions consultant for 16 years and has guided more than 500 clients towards admission to elite MBA programs, including HBS, Stanford, Wharton, and more.

Don’t Guess—Ask an Admissions Insider (Dental School Q&A)

Join us for an open Q&A with UMD Admissions Insider and expert Leland coach Heywan G. who has guided countless applicants through the process. You’ll get candid answers about what committees really evaluate, how to present your clinical and academic experiences, and the pitfalls that hold applicants back. Bring your questions and walk away with clarity, confidence, and a stronger strategy for your dental school path.

Covering the Three GMAT Principles of Exponents

Struggling with exponent questions on the GMAT? This session will break down the three core principles of exponents that form the foundation for many Quant problems. In this interactive workshop, Leland coach Hadi H. will guide you through each rule, show you how they appear on the test, and teach you how to apply them with confidence under time pressure. You’ll also leave with targeted practice strategies to strengthen your understanding and boost your accuracy outside of the session. ​Hadi H. is a top-ranked GMAT Focus tutor with a 770 GMAT score and over 200 successful students worldwide. A London Business School MBA alum and cofounder of A1 MBA Consulting, Hadi brings 3,700+ minutes of GMAT coaching experience, an exceptional track record of client score improvement, and deep expertise in helping applicants earn admission to top business schools including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, INSEAD, and LBS.

Mike’s Mowing Case Interview Practice

Work through the “Mike’s Mowing” consulting case—structure your analysis, estimate market size, and deliver strategic recommendations with confidence.

Best Questions to Ask in a Job Interview

A practical guide to asking smart, strategic questions that impress interviewers and showcase your fit in investment banking interviews.

How to Build a Strong MBA Application from Start to Finish

Starting an MBA application can feel overwhelming when there are so many moving pieces and no clear roadmap. This session is for applicants who want to understand how to approach the process from start to finish with a thoughtful, structured strategy. You’ll learn how to evaluate your profile, build a strong school list, and develop a cohesive narrative across essays, recommendations, and interviews.

Find Your Fit: Where to Apply to Thrive

Where you apply can shape your growth as an engineer as much as the offer itself. In this session, you’ll learn how to evaluate companies by stage, team structure, tech stack, and culture to identify where you’re most likely to thrive. We’ll cover how to align your strengths and goals with the right environments and build a focused, intentional application strategy.

Pre-MBA Resume Sample

Pre-MBA resume showcasing strategic leadership in tech and analytics, used to earn admission to both HBS and MIT Sloan in Round 1

Your Team Is Already Using AI, Here's How To Make It Safe to Scale

AI adoption is happening inside your organization—whether you’ve formally planned for it or not. The real question is: how do you guide that usage in a way that’s safe, strategic, and scalable? In this workshop, Julie S.—a corporate AI training and enablement coach who has helped mid market companies, PE/VC firms, and executives build practical and sustainable AI integration strategies—will walk you through how to create guardrails that enable your teams to use AI responsibly With a background supporting individuals and leaders through complex pivots, identity shifts, and rapid technological change, Julie will share practical steps for evaluating risk, training your team, setting expectations, and building a thoughtful AI strategy from the ground up. Whether your organization is just experimenting with AI tools or experiencing rapid adoption, you’ll leave with actionable frameworks to make AI usage safe, effective, and aligned with your values.

Example MBA Side Letters

A curated set of real, successful side letters covering both the general format and the specific question prompts required by Chicago Booth, Duke Fuqua, and London Business School. A "general" style side letter (like those requested by INSEAD) is also included. See exactly how effective recommenders structure their letters and answer each school's questions before briefing the person writing yours.

International Applicants & the MBA Admissions Process: Keys to Success

This session is designed to support international candidates applying to top MBA programs in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and beyond. It will also provide valuable insights for Americans targeting programs overseas. Jesse, a leading MBA admissions coach with deep experience guiding international applicants, will cover the unique challenges global candidates face, share strategies for differentiation, debunk common myths, and offer practical advice to strengthen your candidacy. ​Jesse has 8+ years of experience running a boutique MBA consultancy with his wife, specializing in coaching international applicants and guiding 100+ admits to Global Top 20 programs, such as all M7, London Business School, INSEAD, IESE, IE Business School, and HEC Paris. His insights are also shaped by 15+ years of living and working abroad in 12 countries and his strong track record of success with candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Mega AI Prompt Library - MBA Applications

A complete prompt library for using AI as your application co-pilot, organized by stage from school selection through final decision. Copy and paste 60+ ready-to-use prompts covering goals planning, personal branding, essay drafting, recommender strategy, application forms, interview prep, waitlist letters, and scholarship negotiation. At the end, you'll have a faster, sharper application without losing your authentic voice.

Secondary Applications: Writing Excellent Essays [6/9/2026] (Recording)

Secondary applications can quickly become overwhelming, and many strong applicants lose momentum when it comes time to write dozens of school-specific essays. This session is for medical school applicants who want a clearer strategy for writing compelling secondary responses efficiently and effectively. You’ll learn how to approach common prompts, maintain quality across multiple applications, and craft essays that feel personal without becoming repetitive. Join live to ask questions about your own secondary essays and hear guidance from a coach who completed over 40 secondaries and earned 13 medical school acceptances. The speaker has firsthand experience navigating the volume and pressure of the process and now helps applicants strengthen their writing and application strategy. Expect practical advice and insights similar to what’s covered in 1:1 coaching conversations.

Do not let AI scare you I can help! [7/10/2026] (Recording)

Are you feeling overwhelmed by the rapid advancements in AI and its impact on product development? Fear not! Join me, David, for an insightful session where we'll demystify AI and explore how it can be a powerful ally in your career and business growth. With a rich background in talent acquisition and AI recruitment at top companies like Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, I bring a wealth of experience in navigating the AI landscape. My work at Hollestelle Holdings has equipped me with the skills to craft holistic business growth strategies, ensuring you can harness AI's potential effectively. In this event, we'll cover AI automation, AI agents, and quality assurance, providing you with the tools and confidence to leverage AI in your projects. Whether you're interested in AI careers, content creation, or organizational productivity, this session is tailored for you. Spaces are limited, so don't miss out on this opportunity to conquer your AI fears and register now!

Excel Shortcuts: Mini Crash Course [8/10/2026] (Recording)

In this mini crash-course, participants will be exposed to various keyboard shortcuts that will improve speed and productivity while using Excel. Additionally, advanced features and useful troubleshooting settings will also be introduced. After the live event, participants should feel more comfortable navigating Excel with little or no use of the mouse. This event is intended primarily for Windows users given the differences in keyboard shortcuts between different operating systems, but methods for Mac users to convert Windows shortcuts to Mac shortcuts will be discussed, so Mac users may still find the event useful.