Leland+ for MBA

How Top MBA Applicants Nail “Why MBA” and “Why Now”

“Why MBA” and “Why now” are two of the most important—and most challenging—questions in any MBA application. This session is designed to help you craft clear, convincing answers that show purpose, timing, and fit. In this event, you’ll learn how top applicants connect past experiences to future goals, articulate strong motivations, and avoid common pitfalls that weaken these essays and interview responses. We’ll also cover what admissions committees look for and how to make your story stand out. Whether you’re just starting your application or refining your narrative, you’ll leave with practical frameworks and greater confidence.

M7 MBA Interview Bank: 150+ Questions by School (2024–25)

A comprehensive reference guide to documented M7 MBA interview questions — organized by school. Covers all seven programs (HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, MIT Sloan, and Columbia) with school-specific format breakdowns, 150+ questions categorized by theme, insider tips on what each school’s interviewers are actually evaluating, and a universal question bank that applies across all programs. Questions compiled from self-reported applicant accounts across the 2024 and 2025 admissions cycles.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

5 Powerful Hacks for a Higher GMAT Score

​The GMAT is one of the most important components of your MBA application—and even small score improvements can open the door to top programs. In this workshop, Jennifer P.—a Leland GMAT coach with years of experience helping students achieve their target scores—will share five proven strategies you can use right away to boost your performance. ​From time-saving test-day tactics to smarter study approaches, Jennifer will break down what really moves the needle and how to avoid the most common mistakes students make. Whether you’re just beginning your prep or looking for that final push, you’ll walk away with actionable hacks to increase your confidence and maximize your GMAT score.

Military to MBA with Alex S.

Join us for a focused workshop designed to help veterans and active-duty service members navigate the transition from the military to top MBA programs. Military veteran and Ross MBA Alex S. will break down how to translate your experience into civilian leadership language, highlight impact in a way admissions teams understand, and build a compelling narrative that showcases your trajectory. Learn to turn military experience into a powerful competitive advantage in MBA admissions!

Writing a Holistic Set of Kellogg Essays (Deck)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful Northwestern Kellogg admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Kellogg AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of 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 Kellogg's top-flight MBA program.

Managing MBA Application Stress (Deck)

Learn from the slides of a past event designed to help you think through the honest realities of the process and buckling down of it all, how to keep your health and life in the foreground even with a lot going on, and how to not think of your health like firewood in service of a work product.

Is the MBA Still Worth It? The Real ROI in an AI-Disrupted World [5/13/2026] (Recording)

It’s the most common question in admissions right now. With AI disrupting traditional MBA "on-ramps" in consulting, finance, and tech, many applicants are wondering if they are investing in a degree that the future is outgrowing. After this session, you will understand the new "MBA ROI." This will help you calibrate your story and application for an AI-augmented economy where your human-centric leadership is becoming the most valuable commodity in the market. We will save a large portion of this event to answer your questions.

Picking the Right MBA Programs - 2025

This interactive workbook will guide you through researching and picking the right schools for your profile

International Applicants & the MBA Admissions Process: Keys to Success

This session is designed to support international candidates applying to top MBA programs in the U.S., Europe, Asia, and beyond. It will also provide valuable insights for Americans targeting programs overseas. Jesse, a leading MBA admissions coach with deep experience guiding international applicants, will cover the unique challenges global candidates face, share strategies for differentiation, debunk common myths, and offer practical advice to strengthen your candidacy. ​Jesse has 8+ years of experience running a boutique MBA consultancy with his wife, specializing in coaching international applicants and guiding 100+ admits to Global Top 20 programs, such as all M7, London Business School, INSEAD, IESE, IE Business School, and HEC Paris. His insights are also shaped by 15+ years of living and working abroad in 12 countries and his strong track record of success with candidates from diverse backgrounds.