Leland+ for MBA

How to Answer "Why Booth?"

Craft a compelling, personalized response that shows deep fit with Booth’s values and offerings.

Chicago Booth: Essay Breakdown & Tips

Discover expert tips for aceing your Chicago Booth essays—uncover what makes responses distinctive, strategic, and authentic.

Chicago Booth Interview Guide

Get interview-ready with expert strategies, sample questions, and insights to shine in your Booth interview.

MBA Resume Guide: Craft Your Winning One-Pager

Build a sharp, results-driven resume that highlights your impact and fits top MBA standards.

How to Stand Out in the MBA Applicant Pool

Differentiate your story, showcase impact, and craft an application that grabs top programs’ attention.

How to Network for Success During Your MBA

Build meaningful connections that lead to job offers, insights, and long-term career growth.

10 Essentials to Get Multiple M7 Acceptance Letters

Unlock the key moves top applicants make to land spots at several elite business schools.

Leland MBA Week (June 2-6) Kickoff

​Join us for Leland's FREE MBA Week (June 2-6) Kickoff! You’re invited to the ultimate MBA admissions prep week, designed to help you get into your dream program. ​This week will feature a series of online sessions hosted by some of Leland’s top admissions coaches—former admissions officers and application experts who have helped hundreds of applicants get into schools like GSB, HBS, Wharton, Booth, and more. ​Throughout the week, you’ll gain extremely tactical insight on school selection, application strategy, essay writing, interviews, and more. Last year, more than 3,000 participants joined us, and we can’t wait to welcome even more of you this year! ​In this kickoff session, we’ll cover essential topics like crafting your personal story, selecting the right schools, and what MBA programs are really looking for. Our expert panelists include Timothy F. (former Chicago Booth Admissions Fellow with 150+ M7 admits), and Geri T. (former Associate Director of Harvard Business School with 75+ M7 admits). With their extensive experience reading applications, conducting interviews, and coaching successful applicants into every M7 school, they’ll provide top insights to help you stand out in a competitive admissions process.

Writing Standout Application Essays

​Led by Tim F. (Former Adcom at Chicago Booth), Laura N. (Former Adcom at Michigan Ross), and Angela C. (Stanford) this session will provide you with valuable insights, proven strategies, and expert guidance to help you create impactful essays that reflect your unique experiences and aspirations. ​​​Discover top tips for capturing the attention of admissions committees, structuring your essays effectively, and showcasing your authentic voice. Whether you are just starting your application or looking to refine your existing essays, this workshop will equip you with the tools and techniques necessary to make your application shine.

Successfully Transitioning to a New Industry Through Your MBA

Use your MBA to pivot with purpose—gain skills, network strategically, and land roles in your target field.

Finance to MBA Panel

A candid panel discussion featuring applicants and admits from finance backgrounds sharing insights on their MBA journeys, career pivots, and tips for standing out in the application process.

What NOT to Do in an MBA Internship

Avoid these common missteps that can cost you the return offer—stay focused, proactive, and professional.

MBA Overview: Strategy, Timeline & Tips for Success

Get a bird’s-eye view of the MBA application process—what to do, when to do it, and how to stand out.

The Top 10 Things That Matter in a Deferred Application

Applying to deferred MBA programs requires a unique strategy—strong academics and internships aren’t enough unless you know how to package them into a compelling story. In this session, Tim F., a Chicago Booth MBA graduate with high distinction and former admissions fellow who interviewed and evaluated nearly 100 applicants, will break down the ten elements that most influence AdCom decisions. Drawing on his experience helping candidates gain admission to top U.S. and European MBA programs, along with his professional background at Goldman Sachs and as a project leader at Boston Consulting Group, Tim will share how to communicate impact, craft a standout narrative, and position yourself competitively as an early-career applicant.

Making Your “Why This School” Essays Impossible to Ignore

“Why this school?” is one of the most common—and most poorly executed—application essays. In this session, expert Leland coach and former AdComs at Chicago Booth Tim F. will break down what admissions committees actually look for and why generic answers fall flat. You’ll learn how to research programs deeply, connect your goals to specific resources, and write essays that feel personal, credible, and impossible to ignore.

Start With Why: How to Build an MBA Strategy That Will Work

A strong MBA application starts long before you write your essays, it begins with clarity on your “why.” In this session, you’ll learn how to define your career goals, connect them to the right programs, and build a cohesive strategy that guides every part of your application, from school selection to storytelling. Whether you’re early in the process or refining your plan, you’ll leave with a structured approach to crafting an MBA strategy that feels authentic, focused, and compelling.

How to Build a Strong MBA Application from Start to Finish

Starting an MBA application can feel overwhelming when there are so many moving pieces and no clear roadmap. This session is for applicants who want to understand how to approach the process from start to finish with a thoughtful, structured strategy. You’ll learn how to evaluate your profile, build a strong school list, and develop a cohesive narrative across essays, recommendations, and interviews.