Leland+ Content Library

Applying to MBA Programs with a Nontraditional Background

A guide to crafting a compelling MBA application that highlights your unique strengths as a nontraditional candidate.

Example MBA Recommender Prep Doc for M7 Programs

Learn how to prepare your recommenders so you can secure strong MBA recommendations that highlight your unique strengths and impact.

APM Programs Explained: Insights from a LinkedIn APM

A LinkedIn APM shares key insights into Associate Product Manager programs. Learn what a day in the life of an APM is really like!

MBA Interview Success: What Top Programs Look For

MBA interviews aren’t just about answering questions—they’re about showing who you are, how you think, and why you belong in a top-tier program. In this session, you’ll learn exactly how elite schools evaluate candidates, from behavioral depth and self-awareness to leadership potential and communication style. We’ll break down common interview formats (including blind interviews, behavioral deep dives, and scenario-based questions), teach you how to structure compelling answers, and share strategies for showcasing authenticity while still being polished and strategic. You’ll walk away with a clear playbook for standing out in any MBA interview setting.

DIY Your Stand-Out Summer Program or Project that Colleges Notice

Can't afford fancy summer programs? Didn’t get around to applying to summer programs? No problem! Create a summer experience that turns heads in admissions offices ands fuels your personal interests. This workshop reveals how to design and execute impressive self-directed summer projects that both strengthen college applications and deepen your unique interests. Learn how to transform curiosity into meaningful action without expensive programs. Perfect for ambitious high schoolers seeking authentic growth opportunities that naturally translate to applications that shine.

Stanford GSB Application Essays - "What Matters Most and Why?" and "Why Stanford?"

This essay details the applicant's experience with a failed goat-distribution project in Nepal through GlobeMed and Himalayan Health Care (HHC), leading to reflections on global health complexities and the importance of humility in pursuing health equity.

Identifying LSAT Logical Flaws: What Matters & What Doesn’t [8/11/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you'll know how to distinguish the logical flaws that actually cost points from the ones test-takers routinely overthink. We'll focus on the flaw types that appear most frequently in Logical Reasoning, how to recognize them quickly under timed conditions, and why certain wrong answer choices are designed to exploit the same misreading the flaw depends on. Attending live means you can bring a specific question type or stimulus you've been stuck on and hear how to think through it in real time, not just watch someone work a clean example. The coach works with LSAT students regularly and will share the patterns that separate confident, accurate flaw identification from the hesitation that tends to slow scores down.

Job Seeker 7-day Reflection Journal

Master your job search! Use this 7-day reflection journal to track your progress, identify growth areas, and land your dream job faster.

Secondary Essays Decoded: Your Blueprint for Writing Success

Master the secondary application! This blueprint guides you through crafting compelling, strategic essays that showcase your unique story and get you into your top-choice programs.

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.

Strategizing MBA Options for Experienced Candidates (EMBA Focus)

A resource for mid-career professionals exploring Executive MBA programs, with guidance on timing, program fit, and aligning your MBA choice with long-term leadership goals.

GRE Reading Comprehension

Master the reading comprehension section of the GRE. In this lesson you will learn proven strategies to read faster, understand complex passages, and answer questions correctly.

How to Approach the GSB 'What Matters Most' Essay [7/10/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to frame a "What Matters Most" essay that feels personal without losing strategic clarity. We will cover how to identify a theme that is both authentic and differentiated, how to structure your response to signal self-awareness rather than just achievement, and where most applicants lose the reader's attention in the opening lines. Attending live means you can describe your specific situation and hear how the coach thinks through it in real time, which a recording cannot replicate. The coach works with GSB applicants regularly and will share the patterns that distinguish essays that resonate from those that read as generic, giving you a clear lens to apply to your own draft.

MBA Resume Guide: Transform Your Resume for Top Programs

Your resume is one of the most important parts of your MBA application, but most applicants approach it the wrong way. Instead of showcasing leadership, impact, and growth, they list responsibilities and tasks. As a result, their resume fails to clearly communicate their value to admissions committees. This guide shows you exactly how to fix that. Inside, you’ll learn how to transform a standard professional resume into a compelling MBA resume that highlights your achievements, leadership, and trajectory. You’ll get: • A step-by-step process for rewriting your resume into MBA format • Clear before-and-after examples of weak vs strong bullet points • A simple framework for turning responsibilities into measurable impact • Guidance on how to show leadership, initiative, and progression • The “First 6 Lines” test to ensure your resume makes a strong first impression This resource is designed to help you create a resume that is clear, focused, and immediately communicates your strengths to admissions committees. Whether you are just getting started or refining your application, this guide will give you a practical, structured approach to building a stronger MBA resume.

Admissions Insights Part 3: Build a Compelling Narrative for Grad School Apps [7/20/2026] (Recording)

What makes a compelling narrative for grad school applicants with non-traditional backgrounds? Join me as I break down some of my insights in is Part 3 of this Admissions Insider Series, where I share my perspective as a former AdCom member of Carnegie Mellon University's MSCF program (the #3 financial engineering master's in the US). I'll also share what I've learned coaching 500+ applicants to graduate programs, including students admitted to Stanford, Yale, Duke, Columbia, UChicago, Cornell, and others. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

Key Skills to Master in Your First Year as an Associate or Consultant

Learn the specific problem-solving, analytical, and communication skills you must demonstrate to earn a top-tier performance rating.

Master Telling Your Story: Improve Your Networking and Interviews [9/14/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you'll know how to shape your personal narrative so it holds up in both networking conversations and formal interviews for investment banking roles. We'll cover how to frame your "why banking" story with specificity, how to connect your background to the skills bankers actually look for, and how to adjust your delivery depending on whether you're in a coffee chat or a final-round interview. Attending live means you can bring your actual story and get real-time feedback on what's landing and what's getting in your way, context a recording simply cannot replicate. The coach works with banking candidates regularly and will share the patterns that separate the narratives that resonate from the ones that stall, which is worth more than any prepared script.

Top 5 AI Prompts Every MBA Applicant Should Master [7/11/2026] (Recording)

While you cannot use AI to write your essays (the adcom can tell!), in this session we will look at how to use AI as a smart diagnostic tool to strengthen your application materials. You will walk away with five specific prompts that help you audit your own work, strip out generic phrasing, and highlight the true impact of your achievements. While AI is excellent for identifying gaps and pressure testing your narrative consistency, it cannot replace the nuanced positioning that comes from human strategy. This session will show you how to use technology to clean up the baseline copy so you can then focus your energy on the deep personalization required for top tier programs.

What a MiM Actually Is

What the Master in Management (MiM) degree is for, how it differs from an MBA and from a specialised master's, and the five reasons people actually do it. Includes the eligibility window most applicants discover too late, and how to read a school's employment report.

Getting into a Top Business School Program In Europe [9/16/2026] (Recording)

Getting into a top European business school takes more than a strong resume and test score. The most successful applicants know how to position their experiences, goals, and international perspective in a way that resonates with admissions committees. This session is for prospective students targeting leading business schools across Europe who want to build a more competitive application. You'll learn what top programs look for, how to differentiate yourself from other applicants, and where to focus your efforts to strengthen your candidacy. Join live to hear from a panel of experts who have helped clients gain admission to prominent European business schools. They'll share practical application strategies, common mistakes to avoid, and firsthand insights into what it takes to stand out at top programs across Europe. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer roadmap for your own European business school journey.