Leland+ Content Library
Being a UX Leader
Learn the strategies and skills needed to transition from UX designer to effective leader and make a lasting impact on your team.
Personal Statement 3: Example & Analysis
A detailed breakdown and analysis of a third successful personal statement, with a focus on its compelling narrative structure and powerful conclusion.
From Personal Struggle to Public Interest Law: A Personal Statement Example
Discover how a personal journey of resilience and community sparked a passion for public interest law and a commitment to social justice.
Extracurricular List 3: Example & Analysis
A detailed breakdown and analysis of a successful extracurricular list, with tips for showcasing your impact and leadership in a community setting.
"Tell Me About a Time...": Situational Question Guide
A comprehensive guide to answering behavioral and situational interview questions with the STAR method, with examples and tips for crafting compelling stories.
Longer Essay: Harvard Examples Walkthrough
A detailed breakdown and analysis of successful "longer essays" for Harvard, with strategies for crafting your own and showcasing your intellectual curiosity.
YodaPhone Case Study: How to Fix a Failing Digitization Project
Learn how to fix a project that's over budget and behind schedule. Analyze the YodaPhone case and determine where to cut scope.
Breaking Into Product Management: What It Takes
Breaking into product management can feel confusing when job descriptions ask for experience that many aspiring PMs are still trying to build. This session is for candidates who want to understand what it actually takes to land their first PM role and how to start positioning themselves now. You’ll learn how successful applicants frame their background, what hiring managers look for when evaluating entry-level PM candidates, and practical ways to build product-relevant experience even before landing the role.
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.
How to Ace Your Ivy League Interview
How to Ace Your Ivy League Interview is a premium, visual guide that walks applicants through every stage of the Ivy League interview process, from research and preparation to presence, delivery, and follow-through. This guide goes school by school across all eight Ivy League institutions, surfacing the niche programs, cultural touchstones, and academic traditions that signal genuine fit to alumni interviewers. It then builds outward into the full arc of a successful interview: how to construct and own your personal narrative, how to decode and answer the questions that appear most consistently, how to carry yourself in the room, how to close strong, and how to follow up in a way that keeps you top of mind. The guide is structured around seven actionable sections and packed with frameworks, do/don't tables, answer scaffolds, and a week-by-week prep timeline. Best for: High school juniors and seniors preparing for Ivy League or highly selective college interviews who want a rigorous, specific, and beautifully designed resource to guide their preparation from first research to final thank-you note.
Is a U.S. Degree Still Worth It? Hear from Recent F-1 Grads & BigTech Hiring Managers
With a turbulent U.S. political climate, difficult economic conditions, and the rise of global multipolarity, many applicants are asking: Is a U.S. degree still worth it? Recent U.S. visa policy updates have added new layers of complexity to the decision, leaving international students and early-career professionals weighing the risks and rewards of moving to the US more carefully than ever. In this panel moderated by Soundarya (Author of Unshackled, O-1 recipient, Columbia MS'19), you’ll hear from Angela C. (recent O-1 recipient, Stanford MIP '23), David H. (Former Recruiter @ Meta, Intuit & A16Z), and Madhuri M. (recent green card recipient, former Product Hiring Manager @ Adobe) who have hired, coached, and worked with with dozens of international applicants. They’ll share candid perspectives on how U.S. employers view international candidates, what still pays off, what may be shifting, and how to think about long-term career security in light of today’s environment. You’ll leave with a grounded understanding of both the opportunities and the risks of studying in order to work in the U.S., so you can make an informed decision about whether pursuing a U.S. degree aligns with your future goals.
Shine in Your IB Behavioral Interviews
Behavioral interviews are just as critical as technicals in investment banking—and often the deciding factor. Join Shine in Your IB Behavioral Interviews, a focused session designed to help you deliver clear, confident, and compelling answers that resonate with interviewers. In this event, you’ll learn how to structure common IB behavioral questions, craft impactful stories, and communicate your motivations and experiences with authenticity. We’ll also cover how to handle curveball questions and maintain composure under pressure. Whether you’re preparing for your first IB interview or refining your narrative, you’ll leave with practical frameworks and the confidence to stand out.
Unlock Your Story: Writing a Powerful BYU Essay #4
Essay #4 is one of the most important—and most personal—parts of the BYU application. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform your experiences, values, and aspirations into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions officers. We’ll cover what BYU is really looking for in this essay, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical strategies to make your writing authentic, memorable, and powerful. The session will be led by Darla T., a Leland coach with extensive experience guiding students through competitive admissions processes. She’ll share frameworks and actionable tips to help you unlock your story and approach Essay #4 with confidence.
Unlock Your Story: Writing a Powerful BYU Essay #4
Essay #4 is one of the most important—and most personal—parts of the BYU application. In this session, you’ll learn how to transform your experiences, values, and aspirations into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions officers. We’ll cover what BYU is really looking for in this essay, common pitfalls to avoid, and practical strategies to make your writing authentic, memorable, and powerful. The session will be led by Darla T., a Leland coach with extensive experience guiding students through competitive admissions processes. She’ll share frameworks and actionable tips to help you unlock your story and approach Essay #4 with confidence.
Staying Organized During PhD Applications
Staying organized can make all the difference during the demanding PhD application process. In this session, Jennifer D.—a first-generation college student who went on to earn a JD/PhD in History at Stanford University and was selected as a Knight-Hennessy Scholar—will share proven systems and strategies for managing deadlines, recommendation letters, research statements, and more. You’ll learn how to structure your application workflow, track submissions efficiently, and reduce stress while keeping your materials polished and cohesive. Whether you’re applying this cycle or planning ahead, this session will help you approach the process with clarity, confidence, and control.
Example of a Winning Kellogg Personal Statement - Leadership Amidst Uncertainty
A breakdown of an actual personal statement that got a deferred candidate admitted to the Kellogg School of Management, focusing on how they addressed the prompt to "educate, equip and inspire brave leaders who create lasting value."
Free
Systematic Debugging Skill
"/systematic-debugging" enforces root-cause investigation before any fix is proposed. It works through four phases (investigate, isolate, fix, verify) to prevent symptom patches and repeated failures. To install, run this in your terminal after downloading the file: unzip ~/Downloads/systematic-debugging-skill.zip -d ~/.claude/skills/systematic-debugging/
Best Career Paths To Pay Off Student Loans Fast
Student debt doesn’t have to define your financial future. In this workshop, Ben L. —a Stanford GSB alum, McKinsey consultant, and startup advisor—will share how to strategically choose and navigate career paths that maximize income, equity potential, and long-term financial freedom. Drawing on his experience across consulting, private equity, venture capital, startups, and public policy, Ben will break down which industries, roles, and career strategies offer the fastest routes to paying off loans while still aligning with your values and lifestyle goals. Whether you’re graduating soon, pursuing your MBA, or looking to pivot into a higher-paying path, this session will help you think critically about how to leverage your skills for both impact and financial independence. Space is limited, so RSVP to secure your spot. We’re excited to be on the career journey with you! And don’t forget to sign up for a free Leland account to stay in the loop for more free events, discounts, and career resources.
Networking: The Secret to Landing a Software Engineering Role
Strong technical skills are essential for software engineering roles, but networking often determines who gets the interview. In this session, you’ll learn how to build authentic connections, reach out strategically to recruiters and engineers, and turn conversations into referrals and opportunities. We’ll cover practical outreach tactics, common mistakes to avoid, and how to position yourself effectively in a competitive hiring market.
Integer Properties: A Lesson on Divisibility
Integer properties can be a major source of easy points—or costly mistakes—on the GMAT. In this lesson, top Leland test prep coach and 790 scorer Marie B. will break down divisibility rules and common traps in a clear, intuitive way. You’ll learn how to recognize patterns quickly, apply concepts efficiently, and approach integer property questions with confidence and precision.
