Leland+ for MBA

Writing Standout MBA Application Essays [6/15/2026] (Recording)

Strong MBA essays do more than tell impressive stories—they help admissions committees understand your judgment, motivations, and future potential. This session is for applicants who want to understand what actually makes essays stand out across top MBA programs. You’ll learn how successful candidates build compelling narratives, connect their experiences to clear career goals, and avoid the common mistakes that make essays feel generic or unfocused. Join live to hear perspectives from a panel of experienced MBA admissions coaches who have worked closely with successful applicants across top programs. The discussion will follow a curated set of high-impact questions, offering structured insights and real examples of what makes an MBA essay memorable and effective.

MBA Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [6/16/2026] (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.

From Enlisted Green Beret to Stanford MBA and Deep Tech VC: AMA with Ian Kennedy [6/9/2026] (Recording)

This is an informal, no-agenda open AMA on my path from the Army Special Forces to business school at Stanford and a career in venture capital. Bring your questions about the transition out of the military, applying to business school while still serving, breaking into VC and tech, or anything else! I served as an enlisted Green Beret (18E) in 1st SFG and applied to business school while on deployment, with admittance to Stanford, MIT, and Berkeley. I chose to go to Stanford, where did a joint MBA/MS in Electrical Engineering with a focus on AI and quantum computing. After business school, I was Chief of Staff at Khosla Ventures, where I helped invest in and manage a large portfolio of deep tech companies. I'm now a full-time coach helping military and veteran applicants through the MBA admissions process.

The Right MBA, Not the Same MBA: Uncovering Program Nuance [6/3/2026] (Recording)

Not all MBA programs are created equal, and treating them interchangeably is one of the most common mistakes applicants make. This session will examine the subtle but important differences across top business schools, from culture and academic philosophy to recruiting strengths and leadership development models. Attendees will learn how to assess fit more thoughtfully and how to leverage program-specific nuance to build stronger school lists and more tailored applications.

How to Choose the Right International Career Move [6/10/2026] (Recording)

If you're considering a move abroad, a degree in another country, or a pivot into a more international career, the hardest part is often not ambition: it's choosing well. A lot of smart professionals get stuck between several “good” options: stay where you are and keep building, go abroad for a master's, switch markets, accept a less obvious opportunity that may open bigger doors later, or wait for a clearer path. This webinar is designed to help you think through those decisions more strategically. In this session, we'll look at how to evaluate an international move in a way that goes beyond excitement, fear, or generic expat advice. We’ll cover how to weigh career upside against cost, visa realities, employability, timing, and quality of life, and how to identify which option actually fits your long-term goals. In this webinar, you'll learn: - how to evaluate whether an international move is strategically worth it - when a degree abroad makes sense and when it probably doesn’t - how to compare countries, cities, and career markets more realistically - what people often underestimate about visas, employability, and timing - how to choose between a safer path and a more ambitious one - how to make a move that is not just exciting, but coherent By the end of the session, you’ll leave with: - a clearer framework for evaluating your next international career step - better questions to ask before committing time, money, or energy - a more realistic understanding of what makes a move viable - more clarity on whether your best next step is to relocate, study, stay put, or reposition first This webinar is for professionals who are: - considering relocating for work - debating whether to pursue a master’s or MBA abroad - trying to break into a new international market - weighing multiple career paths across countries - looking for a more strategic way to plan a global career move Whether you're early in the process or already deciding between specific options, this session will help you think more clearly and move forward with a stronger strategy.

Resume from HBS, GSB, & Kellogg Admit | Technology and Life Sciences Background

A polished resume from an applicant admitted to HBS, GSB, and Kellogg, demonstrating a strong track record in technology and life sciences.

How Top 1% Applicants Build Cohesive MBA Application Narratives [6/9/2026] (Recording)

The strongest MBA applicants do more than present impressive credentials—they tell a coherent, strategically crafted story across every component of the application. This session will break down how top candidates create alignment between their resume, essays, recommendations, and interviews to present a clear and compelling narrative. Attendees will learn the principles behind building an application that feels intentional, differentiated, and greater than the sum of its parts.

Nailing the CBS MBA Essays w/ New 2026 Tips! [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to tackle the Columbia Business School MBA essays with confidence? Join me, Melanie, for an exclusive session where we'll dive into the latest tips for the 2026 application cycle. With my background as an MBA Admissions Interviewer at CBS and an MBA alum from both Columbia Business School, I have the insights you need to craft compelling essays that stand out. In this session, we'll cover proven, actionable strategies specific to each of Columbia's essays. Whether you're applying for a traditional full-time MBA or a dual degree program, this event is designed to help you succeed. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you on your journey to CBS!

MBA Recommendation Deep Dive and Q&A [6/18/2026] (Recording)

Recommendations are one of the most overlooked and underappreciated elements of the MBA application process. Time and time again throughout my career, I’ve seen strong recommendations differentiate applicants – and yes, even change admissions outcomes – in a crowded field of otherwise similar profiles. In this session, we’ll cover: • How the MBA recommendation process works • How to navigate difficult decisions about whom to select as recommenders • What distinguishes effective recommendations from forgettable ones • How to equip your recommenders to write detailed, impactful letters • Q&A about your own recommender choices and specific situations Attending live gives you the chance to ask questions about your recommendation strategy and receive real-time, personalized guidance that may not fit the standard advice. Greg Guglielmo has been a full-time MBA admissions consultant since 2017 and brings over 7,000 hours of one-on-one admissions consulting experience. If you want a clearer strategy for one of the most important parts of your MBA application, this session is worth joining live!

Showing Leadership Potential in your MBA App w/ex-Stanford Admissions Director [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Next to academics, the most important criteria that schools evaluate in your MBA application is 'leadership potential'. What is it, and how is it evaluated? While each school may differ slightly, there are several key elements that are common across MBA admissions. My goal is to offer actionable tips and a structured framework to strengthen your application in this area. I draw on more than a decade managing admissions at Stanford GSB, as well as helping to develop the school's core leadership curriculum. Following the session, I will share a video link (in case you miss it) and a PDF summary document.

Get Your MBA Questions Answered: Ask Admissions Experts [6/4/2026] (Recording)

GIVEAWAY DURING THE EVENT: Join live for the chance to win a free coaching session! MBA admissions can feel confusing when every applicant seems to be getting different advice about what actually matters. This session is for candidates who want direct answers to the most common and important questions about the MBA application process. You’ll learn how admissions teams evaluate applicants, what successful candidates tend to do differently, and how to approach key parts of the process like school selection, essays, and interviews. Join live to ask your own questions and hear directly from admissions experts with M7 admissions experience. The panelists have worked closely with applicants across top MBA programs and will share the patterns they see across strong applications and common mistakes. Expect candid, practical insights similar to what’s discussed in 1:1 admissions coaching conversations.

Navigating Dual/Concurrent Degrees: MBA + Policy, Education, and STEM [6/11/2026] (Recording)

For some applicants, a traditional MBA is not the only path. Joint and concurrent degree programs can offer powerful ways to build interdisciplinary expertise, but they require careful strategic consideration. This session will explore when pairing an MBA with another graduate degree makes sense, how to evaluate program structures and tradeoffs, and how to determine whether a dual-degree path aligns with your long-term goals. Attendees will also learn how admissions committees assess dual-degree applicants and what makes for a compelling rationale.

Avoiding Hard Algebra [6/17/2026] (Recording)

Many GMAT quant questions look harder than they actually are, and top scorers often solve them without heavy algebra at all. This session is for test takers who want faster, more efficient ways to approach quantitative problems under time pressure. You’ll learn how to recognize opportunities to simplify questions, apply strategic shortcuts, and avoid the slow calculations that commonly trap candidates on test day. Join live to work through problems in real time and see how a 790 scorer approaches the GMAT efficiently. The speaker is an experienced GMAT coach who regularly helps students improve both speed and accuracy on the quant section. They’ll share the patterns they see across high scorers and the kinds of strategies typically covered in focused 1:1 prep sessions.