Leland+ for MBA

MBA Application Master Checklist

Staying organized is half the battle in MBA admissions. This master checklist walks you through every step of the process, from locking your school list and preparing your recommenders to final essay polish and interview prep, so nothing falls through the cracks. Designed for applicants targeting top programs who want a proven structure to keep their application on track and their momentum going all the way through decision day.

Grad Student Loan Paydown Schedule

Stop Guessing. Start Seeing Exactly When Your Loans End. Most people with student debt make their monthly payment and hope for the best. This template lets you run the actual math so you can see, month by month, exactly what happens when you pay more. Built in Excel. No subscriptions, no logins, no apps. Just a clean, professional model you'll actually use. What's inside: Three side-by-side paydown scenarios run simultaneously your base schedule, a flat monthly extra payment, and a fully flexible column where you can plug in one-time lump sums for any month. Salary bonus coming in March? Tax refund in April? Type it in and watch your payoff date move in real time. Built for people who just finished an expensive degree and are serious about what comes next. Whether you're in consulting, finance, tech, or any high-growth field, this tool helps you layer your paydown strategy around how you actually earn, raises, bonuses, tuition reimbursements, and surplus months, not just a flat monthly payment. What you'll know in five minutes: > Your exact payoff date under any scenario > How much interest you'll save with different payment levels > The true cost of waiting vs. paying aggressively now Fully editable. Works with any loan amount, rate, or term. One-time purchase, yours to keep.

Experienced Applicant Resume Guide and Template

A sample generic resume format and guide for those with existing work experience targeting business related roles.

Cracking Round 3 MBA: How I Got Admitted in the Final Round

Round 3 MBA admissions can feel unpredictable and highly competitive, but strong candidates still win seats with the right positioning and strategy. In this session, we’ll break down how to approach the final round strategically, address timing concerns head-on, and craft a compelling narrative that demonstrates urgency, fit, and readiness. You’ll gain practical insight into how admissions committees evaluate Round 3 applicants and how to maximize your chances even late in the cycle.

Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays

Harvard Business School’s updated essay prompts demand clarity of purpose, strong self-awareness, and a narrative that goes beyond polished accomplishments. This session breaks down what the new HBS essays are really testing, how to approach each prompt strategically, and how to craft responses that feel authentic while signaling leadership, impact, and future potential. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or refining drafts, you’ll leave with a clearer framework for writing essays that resonate with HBS admissions readers.

Ace the INSEAD Interview

The INSEAD interview is known for being conversational yet deeply probing, designed to assess leadership maturity, cultural adaptability, and clarity of purpose. In this session, you’ll learn how INSEAD structures its interviews, what interviewers are truly evaluating, and how to craft responses that reflect global perspective, self-awareness, and impact. You’ll leave with practical strategies to prepare confidently and stand out in one of the most distinctive MBA interview processes.

How to Write an MBA Resume

A quick, step-by-step guide to writing the perfect MBA résumé.

What Europe’s Top B-Schools are Looking For

Europe’s leading business schools evaluate candidates through a distinct lens, often prioritizing international mindset, clarity of goals, and cultural contribution alongside professional achievement. In this session, you’ll learn what top European MBA programs value most in applications, how their expectations differ from US schools, and how to position your background for maximum impact. You’ll leave with a clearer understanding of how to tailor your strategy and strengthen your candidacy for Europe’s most competitive business schools.

Sample Resume Action Verbs

Using strong, impactful verbs is essential to crafting compelling bullet points on your MBA résumé. This guide includes a categorized list of powerful verbs to clearly showcase your skills and accomplishments.

Sample Resume Bullet Points

This guide includes a set of résumé bullet points designed to showcase a wide range of skills and industries. Each bullet uses a strong action verb and highlights a quantifiable outcome.

Great Alternatives to the US for Grad School

For many applicants, top graduate programs outside the United States offer world-class education, strong career outcomes, and more accessible pathways to admission and visas. This session explores leading international destinations for grad school, how their application processes differ from the US, and what to consider when evaluating cost, career mobility, and long-term goals. You’ll leave with a clearer view of global options and practical guidance for building a competitive international application strategy.

Career Goals -- Why they're the key to MBA apps and how to nail them

MBA admissions teams use your career goals to gauge clarity, direction, and fit—making them a critical part of your application. In this session, you’ll learn how to craft focused short- and long-term goals, connect them to your experience, and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re drafting or refining essays, you’ll leave with a clear framework to articulate compelling, credible goals.

Sample Consulting to MBA CV

Example of a CV from someone with Consulting experience for MBA applications.

Sample Finance to MBA CV

Example of a finance-focused CV for MBA applications.

Sample Resume Metrics

Adding metrics and quantifiable data to your résumé demonstrates your tangible impact and value to potential MBA programs. Use this original list of metrics to clearly highlight your accomplishments.

LBS MBA Application Essays | Securing that interview!

These are examples of detailed MBA application essays that secured a place at London Business School.

The Non‑Traditional Applicant’s Storytelling Workbook

How to build an authentic, coherent MBA narrative (without obsessing over stats). Non‑traditional candidate stories can be coherent, but often candidates just don’t know how to translate them for what Adcom wants to hear. This guide helps you translate your niche experience into MBA language.

What Really Happens After You Submit: How MBA Applications Are Read, Sorted, and Remembered

What actually happens once you hit submit on your MBA application? In this session, Bianca Keys, CEO of Admit.me Access, pulls back the curtain on how applications are reviewed, evaluated, and discussed behind closed doors. You’ll learn how files are read, what admissions committees prioritize, how candidates are compared, and what makes certain applicants memorable. This conversation will give you a clearer understanding of how to position your materials so they stand out long after the first read.

Harvard Essay 2 Example

Harvard Essay 2 example, female from a CPG start-up, accepted into the class of 2028.

Deferred MBA Planning — Preparing for a Successful Application [3/5/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for the deferred MBA application process sometime in the next couple of years? Join me for a session dedicated to making sure you are well prepared when application season rolls around. I'm John, CEO of Leland, and I'll be your host for this session. Prior to Leland, I was admitted to HBS 2+2 and Stanford GSB deferred, and then founded Deferred MBA Consulting. In the past 8 years I have helped thousands of people with their deferred applications. Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!