Leland+ Content Library

Secondary Applications & Interviews: Securing Your Medical School Acceptance [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Many medical school applicants focus heavily on the primary application, only to discover that secondaries and interviews are where acceptance decisions are often won or lost. This session is for applicants who want a stronger strategy for navigating the final stages of the admissions process. You’ll learn how to write compelling secondary essays efficiently, prepare for common and challenging interview questions, and present a consistent, authentic story throughout your application. Join live to hear from two medical school coaches who have recently gone through the process themselves and successfully navigated the path to acceptance. They’ll share the lessons, strategies, and patterns they observed firsthand, along with practical advice on what helped them stand out. Expect actionable guidance and insights similar to what’s discussed in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

Wharton Essay 1: Defining Your Career Narrative [8/3/2026] (Recording)

Wharton has redesigned its Career Goals essays—and many applicants are misreading what’s actually being asked. This session will help students confidently navigate the new prompts by breaking down what each question is testing, how admissions evaluates responses, and where candidates often go wrong. We’ll deconstruct the language of the new essays, translate it into plain English, and introduce a repeatable framework for identifying the right career story to tell. Students will leave with a clear set of diagnostic questions to pressure-test their goals, guidance on how to balance specificity with credibility, and tactical advice on essay mechanics—how to allocate word count, structure responses, and avoid wasted sentences. The focus is practical and actionable: how to move from a vague idea of “career goals” to a compelling, well-structured narrative that fits Wharton’s new format and signals maturity, self-awareness, and direction. Ideal for first-time applicants and reapplicants alike.

MBA Round 1: Your 5 Week Roadmap [7/30/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle your MBA Round 1 applications but feeling the pressure of the ticking clock? Join me, Melanie, for a detailed 5-week plan to craft a standout application for your dream MBA program. With my background as an MBA graduate from both Columbia Business School, MBA Admissions Interviewer, and Professional Coach, I'm here to guide you through every step of the process. In this session, we'll cover your plan to craft an excellent application in just 5 weeks before the September deadline. Whether you're aiming for a traditional full-time MBA or a specialized program like MBA-JD or MBA-MD, this event is designed to help you shine. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. Let's make your MBA aspirations a reality!

Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Strong master essays are built through strategy and revision, not first drafts. In this live workshop, attendees will watch a real-time transformation of an underwhelming master essay into a far stronger and more compelling submission. Along the way, the session will unpack the strategic thinking behind each edit, illustrating how top applicants improve storytelling, structure, reflection, and differentiation throughout the drafting process.

Winning Essays from My Kellogg & Booth Admits [8/7/2026] (Recording)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those who really maximize the essay-writing process develop clear narrative through-lines that connect the dots of their life, and articulate how they'll contributions to their target brand. Their two-dimensional writing brings out a three-dimensional personality. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful admits who I've personally coached, and helped land a spot at one or more top MBA programs. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a holistic applicant who admissions committees could envision on campus. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make a specific, meaningful difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Chicago Booth & Northwestern Kellogg

Funding Your Future: Fellowships & Scholarships for Masters Programs [6/18/2026] (Recording)

The cost of graduate school can feel daunting, but many applicants overlook funding opportunities that can dramatically reduce the financial burden. This session is for prospective MBA and master’s students who want to better understand the world of fellowships, scholarships, and competitive funding programs. You’ll learn where to find high-impact opportunities, how successful applicants position themselves, and what scholarship committees are often looking for beyond academics alone. Join live to ask questions about your own funding goals and hear directly from a Gates Cambridge Scholar with deep expertise in competitive programs and scholarships. The speaker has firsthand experience navigating highly selective funding processes and will share the strategies, patterns, and application insights that can help you maximize your chances of securing support for graduate study.

Authorship and Originality in AI assisted Creative Work [8/14/2026] (Recording)

AI can generate content fast, but it is virtually impossible to preserve originality and authorship in AI-assisted work. People end up generating content that no one likes to read or watch. Even if it is sometimes creative enough and not generic, it is still not the author's unique original work. Prompt, context, harness, intent, loop- none of these engineering can solve this, as the work is open-ended. Creatives, or anyone interested in combining AI processing power and speed with human originality and authorship in content creation, can benefit from this lesson.

Networking vs Community- How I got into a16z and others [7/17/2026] (Recording)

Are you looking to break into the AI industry but unsure how to to build a community? Join me, David, for an insightful session on "Networking vs Community" where we'll explore effective job search strategies and networking techniques tailored for AI careers. With experience in talent acquisition at top companies like Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to stand out in the competitive AI job market. My background in people analytics from The Wharton School and my ongoing studies in coaching further enhance my ability to guide you through this journey. Don't miss this opportunity to learn how to leverage both networking and community-building to advance your AI career. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

The Consultant's Playbook for Landing a Chief of Staff Role [8/4/2026] (Recording)

Most consultants have the skills to be a great Chief of Staff — they just don't know how to make the case. Structured thinking, stakeholder management, executive presence: it's all there. But the translation from consulting to CoS isn't automatic, and most people don't know where to start. After three years at Deloitte, a stint in Venture, and an MBA at Kellogg, I made the jump into startups and landed as Chief of Staff at Arch, a Series B company. I learned firsthand what the role actually demands — and where consulting training helps versus where it gets in the way. In this session, we'll break down what the CoS role really is, how to position your consulting background, and how to navigate a job search where most roles never get posted. Spaces are limited, RSVP to secure your spot.

Event in the future [6/30/2026] (Recording)

Join us for an insightful session on software architecture with Hisham, a seasoned software engineer with a wealth of experience across top tech companies like AWS and Leland. With a strong foundation in computer and systems engineering from Ain Shams University and further business acumen from the Kelley School of Business, Hisham has honed his skills in technical vision and back-end web development. In this event, Hisham will delve into the intricacies of software architecture, sharing his expertise from years of designing and developing robust systems at companies like SparkMeter and CoverMyMeds. Whether you're a budding software engineer or a seasoned professional looking to refine your architectural skills, this session promises valuable insights and practical strategies. Spaces are limited, so be sure to register now to secure your spot and take your software engineering skills to the next level!

AMA MIT Graduate | College Application Process [7/10/2026] (Recording)

I am here to answer any and all questions you have about the college application process!

Defining LSAT Score Bands: How to Breakthrough a Plateau [8/5/2026] (Recording)

Many LSAT students hit a plateau where more practice doesn't translate into higher scores. The key isn't simply doing more questions. It's identifying what's holding you back and making the right adjustments. This session is for anyone looking to break through a score plateau and reach the next LSAT score band. You'll learn how to diagnose common performance bottlenecks, refine your study strategy, and make more consistent progress toward your target score. Join live to hear from a 99th percentile LSAT scorer and expert instructor who has helped students overcome plateaus and achieve significant score improvements. The speaker will share practical techniques for identifying weaknesses, maximizing the impact of your study time, and building the habits that lead to sustained improvement. Expect actionable strategies you can immediately apply to your LSAT preparation.

Finding Your MBA Story: Confused About What Makes You "Unique"? [8/6/2026] (Recording)

Most MBA essays sound exactly alike. Yours doesn't have to. If you have ever stared at a blank essay prompt and thought "I don't know what makes me different" — this session is for you. The truth is that uniqueness is almost never what you think it is. It's rarely the startup you launched or the award you won. It's usually something quieter — how you think, how you connect, how you move through the world. And it's almost always already there. We just have to find it. In this drop-in session we'll cover: Why "standard" profiles actually have more to work with than they think How to find the thread that makes your story specific, coherent, and unmistakably yours How to align your essays, recommendations, and goals around one identity What admissions committees are actually looking for — and why being "impressive" is not the same as being memorable Bring your blank page. Bring your doubts. Bring the question you're embarrassed to ask. We'll find your story together — and we'll give you real answers, not generic advice. Your story is in there. We just have to find it.

Insider Tips for the Harvard Kennedy School App from Former AdCom [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Applying to Harvard Kennedy School requires more than simply demonstrating policy interest or public service commitment. This session will provide insider perspective on how the HKS admissions committee evaluates candidates, what distinguishes successful applicants, and the common mistakes that undermine otherwise strong profiles. Attendees will gain practical guidance on how to position their experiences, essays, and career vision to align with what HKS looks for in future public leaders.

Break into SWE, post college! [7/30/2026] (Recording)

Join me for a session where we dive deep on using AI, interviewing effectively, and standing out in 2026

The Common App Mistakes That Sink Strong Applicants [8/4/2026] (Recording)

Even highly qualified students can weaken their applications by making avoidable mistakes that distract from an otherwise strong profile. This session is designed for college applicants who want to understand the most common pitfalls in the Common App and how to present their experiences more effectively. You’ll learn how to avoid errors in your activities list and essays, identify weak spots before submitting, and make sure every part of your application reinforces your overall story. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own application and get real-time guidance on areas that may need attention. The speaker works closely with applicants and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with the mistakes they most often see holding strong students back. If you want to submit a stronger, more polished Common App, it’s worth joining live.

Dental School: Interview Overview [7/14/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to walk into a dental school interview with a clear understanding of what evaluators are actually assessing. We will cover the most common interview formats used by dental programs, how to structure answers that demonstrate clinical awareness and genuine motivation, and what separates candidates who advance from those who stall at this stage. Attending live means you can bring your specific situation, whether it is a gap in your application or uncertainty about how to discuss a low GPA, and get a direct response rather than a general one. The coach works with dental school applicants regularly and will share the patterns they see across candidates who succeed, giving you a honest look at how this process is evaluated from the inside.

Avoid Burnout During Recruiting Cycles [6/22/2026] (Recording)

Job searching while managing work, family responsibilities, financial pressure, or everyday life can quietly become overwhelming. Many people approach recruiting as an “always on” process — constantly applying, preparing, networking, and second-guessing decisions — until exhaustion starts affecting their focus, confidence, and well-being. In this practical and supportive session, former Amazon Recruiting Leader and Executive Coach Lisa Lawrence shares a structured approach to navigating recruiting cycles without burning out. Drawing from years of experience in hiring, coaching, and leadership, Lisa breaks down how to approach the process more intentionally — with better systems, clearer priorities, and healthier boundaries. You’ll learn how to manage the mental load of job searching alongside existing responsibilities, prepare effectively without falling into endless “grind mode,” communicate your experience with greater clarity, and make more grounded decisions throughout the process. The session also includes simple mindfulness and nervous system regulation practices designed to help you stay focused, resilient, and clear-headed during periods of uncertainty and transition. In this session, we’ll cover: • Why recruiting feels so mentally draining • How to structure your search more sustainably • Setting boundaries while balancing work and job hunting • Smarter approaches to interview preparation and networking • How to communicate your impact and experience clearly • Simple mindfulness tools to reduce overwhelm and improve clarity • Avoiding the “always applying” cycle that leads to burnout

8 Steps to a Complete MBA App: 7) School Fit & Application Strategy [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Applying to business school can feel overwhelming! You have dozens of moving pieces: essays, short answers, video content, resume, recommendations, outreach, research, and more. This workshop is the seventh of a structured 8-part MBA Identity Mapping series designed to take you from fragmented tasks to a clear plan of action. In this session, you will map your story directly to each school’s application components and develop a clear strategy for how your application will come together. These sessions walk you step by step through building one fully aligned MBA application. In every workshop, you will be assigned tasks to complete over the next two weeks, keeping you organized and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a cohesive narrative that runs consistently through your resume, goals, recommendations, school strategy, and interviews. You are absolutely welcome to attend individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. This session moves your MBA application forward by translating your story, goals, and strengths into a clear strategy for each target school: • Map your themes and key stories to each school’s essay prompts. • Determine which experiences and examples will appear in each component of the application. • Integrate insights from your outreach conversations with students and alumni. • Identify any gaps or risks in your profile and plan how to address them. This is the phase where preparation turns into a clear application plan. Instead of staring at essay prompts and wondering where to start, you will have a structured outline of exactly what each part of your application will communicate. The MBA Identity Mapping process has guided 100+ applicants into every M7 program, all other top 20 U.S. programs, and leading international programs including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Clients consistently describe it as transformative because it replaces scattered effort with forward momentum and strategic clarity. If you are ready to translate your story into a clear plan for each school on your list, this is your next step.

Drop in Q&A Rnd 1 MBA- Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/21/2026] (Recording)

Round 1 deadlines are coming. Your essay is probably a mess. Your story probably doesn't make sense yet. That's fine — that's exactly what we're going to fix. I'm Bryan, Wharton undergrad, MIT Sloan MBA, and I've spent 12 years helping people turn complicated, non-linear careers into applications that actually get read. I've seen the cookie-cutter essays. I've seen the AI-written ones. Adcoms have too. We're not doing that. In this session we'll talk about what Round 1 actually means for your chances, how to find the thread that connects your story, what schools are really asking when they say "why MBA, why now," and how to stop writing essays that sound like everyone else's. No fluff. No templates. Just the stuff that actually moves the needle. Bring your messy draft. Bring your confused career pivot. Bring your "I don't know how to explain what I do" problem. We'll figure it out together.