Leland+ Content Library

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.

Drop in Q&A Rnd 1 MBA- Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/19/2026] (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.

AMA - Dental School Applications [7/9/2026] (Recording)

The 2026-27 AADSAS Application opened on May 12, and the first day to submit was June 2. WHere do you stand? Are youstillperfectingh tat application? Struggling with program materials and secondaries? Are you preparing to take the Kira exam? Join former Columbia University College of Dental Medicine Director of Admissions for an open Q&A on the basics. You ask, Ellen answers. Bring your questions!

What Is AI Actually Good For? A Plain-English Breakdown [6/27/2026] (Recording)

Everyone's talking about AI. But most business owners still don't know what it actually does — or why it matters for them right now. This free 45-minute session cuts through the noise and gives you a clear, honest, jargon-free breakdown of what AI can and cannot do for your business in 2026. We'll cover: • The real difference between AI hype and what's actually useful today • The 4 categories of tasks where AI delivers the fastest ROI for small businesses • Common mistakes business owners make when evaluating AI tools • A side-by-side comparison: what it costs to hire vs. what it costs to automate • How Plinko Solutions implements AI systems for businesses in as little as 3 weeks This is not a pitch. It's an education session designed to help you make a smart, informed decision about whether — and how — AI fits into your business. Perfect for: → Business owners who keep hearing about AI but don't know where to start → Managers tired of guessing which tools are worth the investment → Entrepreneurs who want a competitive edge without a massive tech budget Free. No catch. Just clarity.

The AI Gap Audit [7/15/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to bridge the gap and break into the world of AI careers? Join "The AI Gap Audit" event to gain insights into the fundamentals of AI, job search strategies, and effective networking techniques tailored for the AI industry. I'm David, your guide for this session. With extensive experience in talent acquisition at top companies like Meta, Intuit, and Andreessen Horowitz, I have a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in AI careers. My background in people analytics from The Wharton School and my ongoing studies in coaching further enhance my ability to support your journey. This event is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their AI career prospects. Space is limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

London Business School MBA | Interview Tips & Tricks From An LBS Ex-Interviewer [8/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for your London Business School MBA interview and want to make a lasting impression? Join me, Sharleen, an LBS alumni interviewer, for an insightful session on mastering your MBA interview. With my experience on both sides of the table, I'll share valuable tips and tricks to help you stand out in the competitive admissions process. During this event, we'll cover everything from an overview of the interview process to preparation strategies, and end off with a Q&A at the end. Whether you're applying for the traditional full-time MBA, the one-year MBA or just exploring your options, this session is designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you succeed in your LBS MBA interview journey!

DWY: Lead Gen Hotseat [6/6/2026] (Recording)

In this live session, we'll show you how to build an AI-powered intake and follow-up system that captures leads and nurtures them automatically. Agenda: - Welcome & Quick Win (5 min) - Mini-Framework: AI Lead Gen for Law Firms (10 min) - Live Hot Seats: Real intake and follow-up system teardowns (20 min) - Recap & Resource Drop (5 min) - CTA: Book a System Builder Sprint for your law firm (5 min) What you'll walk away with: - A blueprint for an AI intake system tailored to sourcing practices - Examples of automated follow-up sequences that convert - A step-by-step action plan you can start building this week Ready to build your system? Book a System Builder Sprint after the session.

The Family Business MBA Blueprint [7/24/2026] (Recording)

Joining a family business can be both an extraordinary opportunity and a unique challenge. Future leaders are often expected to preserve what previous generations have built while simultaneously navigating changing markets, new technologies, evolving customer expectations, and increased competition. Whether you currently work in your family business or plan to join after business school, this workshop will explore how to position your family business background effectively throughout the MBA admissions process and maximize the value of an MBA experience. We’ll discuss how admissions committees evaluate applicants from family businesses, how to demonstrate impact and leadership beyond family affiliation, and how to build a compelling narrative around your long-term vision for the business. By the end of this session, you will be able to: * Understand how top MBA programs evaluate candidates from family business backgrounds. * Develop a compelling narrative that demonstrates leadership, ownership, and impact—not simply family affiliation. * Articulate a clear “Why MBA?” and “Why now?” rationale as a future family business leader. * Position your family business experience effectively in resumes, essays, interviews, and recommendations. * Leave with practical next steps for strengthening both your MBA candidacy and your long-term leadership potential.

Build an AI Project Worth Talking About [7/30/2026] (Recording)

Anyone can spin up a demo in an afternoon now — which means a demo proves nothing. What gets remembered is the thinking around a project: a real problem, a defensible scope, and clear ownership of the decisions. We'll cover where strong ideas come from, what makes a project credible to employers across business, product, finance, operations, and technical roles, and how to scope something you'll actually finish. You'll leave with a shortlist of ideas and a way to pick the strongest one. What we'll cover: - Where strong project ideas come from - Starting with a real problem - What makes a project credible to employers - Right-sizing difficulty and scope - Explaining your decisions and contribution You'll leave with: A shortlist of project ideas and a framework for choosing the best one.

Job Scout: Live Demo & Walkthrough — Free AI-Powered Job Search Tool [7/18/2026] (Recording)

A full walkthrough covering how Job Scout works — multi-platform simultaneous search (LinkedIn, Indeed, Glassdoor, ZipRecruiter, Google Jobs), CV upload for skill extraction, live filtering, CSV export, direct company career links, and full local/private operation. https://github.com/Jmx097/Job-Scout-public

What AI Can’t Do in MBA Admissions [7/14/2026] (Recording)

Artificial intelligence has transformed how applicants brainstorm, draft, and prepare for business school applications, but the strongest MBA applications still require far more than polished prose. This session will break down where AI can help, where it often hurts, and the critical aspects of strategy, reflection, and storytelling that technology cannot replicate. Attendees will learn why top admissions committees continue to reward authenticity, judgment, and narrative depth, and how to use AI as a tool without allowing it to dilute what makes an application compelling.

MBA Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [8/18/2026] (Recording)

Strong MBA essays are built through strategy and revision, not first drafts. In this live workshop, attendees will watch a real-time transformation of an underwhelming MBA 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.

Avoid Messy Algebra on the GMAT: Mixtures and Weighted Averages [6/4/2026] (Recording)

GIVEAWAY DURING THE EVENT: Join live for the chance to win a free GMAT Bootcamp seat! Mixture and weighted average questions on the GMAT often look calculation-heavy, but top scorers know how to solve them with far less algebra than most test takers use. This session is for MBA applicants who want faster, cleaner ways to approach these common quant problems. You’ll learn how to recognize efficient setups, avoid the messy calculations that waste time, and apply strategies that improve both speed and accuracy on test day. Join live to work through problems step by step and ask questions about your own GMAT prep. The speaker is an expert GMAT tutor who scored a 790 and regularly helps candidates simplify difficult quant concepts. They’ll share the patterns they see across high scorers and the kinds of shortcuts and frameworks typically covered in focused 1:1 prep sessions.

MBA Application Teardown: Transform Your “Why MBA / Why Now” Essay [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Struggling with your Why MBA, Why Now essay? You are not alone. This session is the opening of a three-part MBA Application Teardown series, where I take real, anonymized application materials, tear them down the way an admissions reader would, and rebuild them into something sharper and more memorable, live and in front of you. We begin with the essay at the center of every application: the goals essay that answers why you want an MBA and why now. Across the three sessions, we rebuild the pieces that carry the most weight: your goals essay, your short answers, and your resume. Attend all three to see how a complete application comes together as one coherent story, or drop into the single session you need most. In this teardown, you will watch a generic goals essay become a specific, compelling one: • See how an essay that feels deeply personal to the writer reads as generic to an admissions officer, and exactly why. • Learn the difference between stating your ambition and making it credible and memorable. • Watch vague career goals sharpen into a clear, believable through-line of why an MBA and why now. • See how the rebuilt essay becomes the spine that every other part of your application must reinforce. This is the essay everything else hangs on. Once your goals essay is sharp, your resume, short answers, recommendations, and interviews all have a center of gravity to point toward. Getting it right is challenging because you cannot read your own goals the way a stranger will. Watching it happen to someone else's essay is a great way to see your own clearly. I have guided more than 100 applicants into every M7 program, across the top 20 in the U.S., and into leading international programs, including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Get the essays that everything else depends on admission-ready. Register now to claim your spot in the live teardown.

Investment Banking 101: Introduction to the Income Statement & Company Valuation [7/6/2026] (Recording)

This session is designed for rising college sophomores who are interested in exploring careers in investment banking. We will cover the fundamentals of the income statement—including revenue, expenses, and profitability—through the example of an apple orchard. Students will also receive an introduction to the most common valuation methodologies used in investment banking, including comparable company analysis, precedent transactions, and discounted cash flow (DCF) analysis. The goal is not to master these concepts in one session, but to develop a foundational understanding of how finance professionals analyze businesses and determine value. By the end of the workshop, participants will be able to understand the key line items of the income statement and explain the primary valuation methodologies used in investment banking. No prior finance experience is required.

Learn from the Experts: Writing Standout Law School Personal Statements [7/21/2026] (Recording)

A great personal statement does more than tell your story. It convinces admissions committees that your experiences, motivations, and future goals belong in law school. This session is for applicants who want to write a personal statement that feels authentic, compelling, and memorable. You’ll learn how to identify the strongest parts of your story, avoid common writing pitfalls, and create an essay that helps distinguish you from other qualified candidates. Join live to hear a panel of law school experts break down what makes certain essays rise above the rest. Through real-world examples and practical insights, you'll gain a better understanding of how admissions readers interpret personal statements and what creates a lasting impression. Bring your questions and leave with concrete ideas you can apply to your own writing immediately.

MIT Rnd 1 Drop in Q&A - Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/27/2026] (Recording)

MIT Sloan is not a generic top-10 MBA program. It has a distinct culture, a distinct type of student it is looking for, and a genuinely unusual application process. If you are targeting Sloan, you need to understand all three. This session is specifically for serious MIT Sloan applicants. We will cover: - What MIT Sloan is actually like — the culture, the "mens et manus" philosophy, Action Learning, the cohort model, and what kind of person actually thrives there - Classes and programs worth knowing — specific electives, labs, and tracks that should be showing up in your application - The MIT application quirks — the cover letter format, the video statement, what they are really asking, and how to answer without sounding like everyone else - How to nail your story for Sloan specifically — MIT wants builders, doers, and people with a point of view. How do you show that? - Honest answers to your specific questions — bring your draft cover letter, your concerns, your "is this school right for me" doubts

MBA Application Teardown: Transform Your Resume [8/13/2026] (Recording)

Your MBA resume is not just a record of what you have done. It is the proof of leadership, impact, and readiness behind the story you are asking admissions committees to believe. This is the final session of a three-part MBA Application Teardown series, where I take real, anonymized application materials, tear them down the way an admissions reader would, and rebuild them into something sharper and more memorable, live and in front of you. We close with the document that should prove everything your essays claim: the MBA resume. Across the three sessions, we rebuild the pieces that carry the most weight: your goals essay, your short answers, and your resume. Attend all three to see how a complete application comes together as one coherent story, or drop into the single session you need most. In this teardown, you will watch a reformatted work resume become a true MBA resume: • See why a resume that looks finished is often quietly costing you. • Watch job-description bullets become evidence of leadership, impact, and growth. • Learn how an MBA resume differs from a professional one, and why the difference matters to an admissions reader. • See how the resume reinforces the same narrative running through your essays and short answers. This is the document applicants often spend the least time on, and admissions officers read first. With Round 1 deadlines close, it is also a fast, high-impact fix still available to you. A resume that simply lists what you did becomes a resume that shows who you are and where you are going. It is also the hardest piece to judge in your own application, because you are too close to your own work to see what a reader sees in the first ten seconds. I have guided more than 100 applicants into every M7 program, across the top 20 in the U.S., and into leading international programs, including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Turn a familiar document into a powerful application asset. Register now to claim your spot.

How to Stand Out When So Many Use Claude / ChatGPT for Essays [7/21/2026] (Recording)

As AI tools become more widespread in the admissions process, differentiation matters more than ever. This session will explore how applicants can rise above increasingly polished but increasingly generic essays by developing sharper self-awareness, stronger personal narratives, and more nuanced positioning. Attendees will learn what admissions committees notice immediately in AI-assisted applications and how to ensure their story remains distinctive, memorable, and authentically their own.

Personal Statement Office Hours: Advice from an Oxford Grad [8/23/2026] (Recording)

Join Zuwena V., a Master's graduate from the University of Oxford and an expert admissions and writing coach, for live virtual office hours to tackle the hardest part of the application process. Bring your personal statement drafts, outlines, questions, or prompts for live feedback, advice, and guidance on your master's and undergraduate applications! Together, we'll cover structure, flow, fit, and how to tell your story for maximum impact. Drafts will be reviewed on a first come, first serve basis. Spaces are limited; register now to save your spot!