Leland+ for MBA

Differentiate your MBA Application: School Research & Networking Part 1 of 2

⚡School research and networking are the secret weapons that separate good MBA applicants from the ones admissions committees can’t forget. They shape every part of your application, from essays and interviews to your ability to turn a waitlist into an admit. Yet most applicants never learn how to do them at the level that truly changes the game. This is Part 1 of a two-part workshop series. In this session, you will learn the research and networking strategy and methods. You will then have two weeks to complete your own school research and networking as guided homework. In Part 2, I will demonstrate how to put this work into action through a live walkthrough, including discussion of participant progress and real questions that arise during the process. ⚠️Register for Part 2 in the event calendar on March 13th Part 1 has been my most popular event, run multiple times each year, and consistently rated by attendees as one of the most helpful and actionable MBA preparation sessions they’ve experienced. This is the first time I am introducing the Part 2 execution workshop. In this session, you’ll discover how to: 🔷 Conduct deep-dive school research that goes far beyond websites and brochures 🔷 Strategically network with the right people, turning what may be the greatest networking opportunity of your life into a clear advantage for admission and beyond 🔷 Create an MBA Journey document that becomes your central reference for aligning fit, goals, and contributions across the application 🔷 Integrate your findings seamlessly into essays, interviews, networking conversations, and campus interactions You’ll learn how to pinpoint the exact courses, professors, centers, career services, experiential programs, internships, clubs, culture elements, current students, and alumni connections that will help you achieve your goals, and how to clearly show the value you will bring in return. By the end of this session, you will know how to demonstrate, with clarity and credibility, that you and your target MBA program are the right fit for each other. Bonus Offer ✅1 attendee will receive a free 1-hour coaching session. ✅All attendees may request a free copy of the MBA Research & Networking Template. ⚡Spots are limited. Register now to gain the advantage that can set your MBA application apart.

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.

Build Your Test Prep Study Plan: GMAT & GRE

Your target score is not a dream. It is a strategy. The GMAT and GRE are beatable, but only if you stop winging it and start training with intention. In this session, you will build a personalized, high-performance study plan designed around your strengths, weaknesses, and timeline. You will learn how to diagnose your baseline, prioritize the sections that move the needle fastest, structure practice for maximum retention, and time your prep so you peak exactly when it matters. No more scattered studying. No more second guessing. Just a clear roadmap to a score that changes your trajectory. If you are ready to take control of your prep and unlock your full potential, this is your starting line.

Stanford GSB Essay: ‘What Matters Most to You, and Why’ (Admitted)

The essay that got me into Stanford GSB. A clear, introspective response to “What matters most to you, and why,” centered on reflection about leadership under pressure, initiative, and building trust in uncertain environments.

Start Write Now: MBA Essay Panel

MBA essays are where you move beyond stats and show who you are, what you want, and why a program should bet on you. In this panel, experienced coaches will break down what actually differentiates strong essays, common mistakes they see every cycle, and how to get started without overthinking. Whether you’re staring at a blank page or revising drafts, you’ll leave with practical insights to write with more clarity and direction.

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.

The MBA Narrative Lab: Where Story Meets Strategy

Most MBA applicants have strong resumes. Far fewer know how to turn their experiences into a cohesive, compelling narrative that actually drives admissions decisions. In The MBA Narrative Lab: Where Story Meets Strategy, you’ll learn how to connect your career moves, leadership moments, and future goals into a clear story that resonates. The speaker regularly works 1:1 with MBA candidates, and this session offers rare access to the same narrative frameworks used in coaching sessions to shape standout applications. Who This Is For - Applicants planning to apply in the next 1–2 cycles - Reapplicants who need a stronger, clearer positioning - Candidates struggling to connect “why MBA” to long-term goals - High achievers whose story feels scattered on paper What You’ll Walk Away With - A practical framework to define your core narrative arc - How to align past experience with future goals convincingly - The patterns I see across successful candidates at top programs - The kinds of story gaps and positioning mistakes I fix in 1:1 sessions - A simple exercise to pressure-test your narrative before writing essays

Accepted Kellogg Essay 1 Example

Kellogg Essay 1 example of a female from a CPG start-up accepted into the class of 2028.

Acing the MIT Sloan Interview [4/30/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to approach MIT Sloan's distinctive interview format with a clear strategy. We'll cover how to structure your responses to behavioral questions, how to articulate your post-MBA goals in a way that aligns with what Sloan evaluators are listening for, and how to prepare for the conversational style that catches many deferred MBA candidates off guard. Attending live gives you the chance to ask about your specific background, your goals, or a response you're unsure about, and to hear how those answers land in real time. The coach works with deferred MBA applicants through this process regularly, and this session reflects the patterns they see across candidates who interview well.

What Top MBA Candidates Do Differently [5/4/2026] (Recording)

Top MBA candidates don’t just have strong profiles—they make intentional decisions about how they position their experiences, goals, and story. This session is for applicants who want to understand what actually differentiates successful candidates across top programs. You’ll learn how to frame your impact, articulate clear and credible goals, and avoid the common mistakes that weaken otherwise competitive applications. Join live to hear perspectives from a panel of experienced MBA coaches who work closely with applicants and evaluate what stands out. The discussion will follow a curated set of high-impact questions, offering structured insights and examples typically shared in 1:1 coaching sessions.

8 Steps to an MBA App: 3) Core Values, Superpowers & LOR Strategy

Applying to business school can feel overwhelming! You have dozens of moving pieces: essays, short answers, video content, resume, recommendations, outreach, research, and more. This workshop is the third of a structured 8-part MBA Identity Mapping series designed to take you from fragmented tasks to a clear plan of action. In this session, you will identify your core values and defining strengths and begin aligning your Letters of Recommendation with your overall narrative. These sessions walk you step by step through building one fully aligned MBA application. In every workshop, you will be assigned tasks to complete over the next two weeks, keeping you organized and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a cohesive narrative that runs consistently through your resume, goals, recommendations, school strategy, and interviews. You are absolutely welcome to watch individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. Event 3 clarifies your defining characteristic and begins the recommendation process: • Identify 3–5 core values and superpowers that consistently appear across your key stories. • Define what each strength truly means in your life and how it shows up in action. • Ensure your positioning reflects who you actually are, not who you think admissions wants you to be. • Learn how to select recommenders and ensure strong narrative alignment. This is the phase where your stories become identity. Instead of a collection of experiences, you now articulate the defining qualities that connect your past, present, and future. The MBA Identity Mapping process has guided 100+ applicants into every M7 program, all other top 20 U.S. programs, and leading international programs including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Clients consistently describe it as transformative because it replaces scattered effort with forward momentum and strategic clarity. If you are ready to clarify what truly defines you and ensure your recommendations reinforce your positioning, this is your next step.

Accepted Harvard Essay 3 Example

Harvard Essay 3 example of a female from a CPG start-up accepted into the class of 2028.

Accepted Kellogg Essay 2 Example

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

NYU Stern Short Answer Example (Accepted with Full Ride)

NYU Stern Short Answer examples of a female from a CPG start-up accepted into the class of 2028.

How to Build a Winning MBA Application

Many MBA applicants have strong profiles but struggle to bring all the pieces together into a cohesive, competitive application. This session is designed for candidates who want to understand how admissions committees evaluate applicants across essays, resumes, recommendations, and interviews. You’ll learn how to define clear career goals, build a compelling narrative, and position your experiences in a way that demonstrates leadership, impact, and fit with your target programs.

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.

Start Now: MBA Applications Week Kickoff

MBA applications reward bold, strategic action. The strongest admits do not wait for motivation to strike. They take control early, define a powerful story, and build momentum long before deadlines hit. In this kickoff session, we will show you exactly how to separate yourself from the crowd. You will learn how to sharpen your narrative, clarify your goals with precision, position your experiences for maximum impact, and build a timeline that keeps you ahead and confident. This is not about filling out forms. It is about architecting a compelling case for admission. If you are serious about turning ambition into an admit letter, this is your launchpad.

Your Guide to the Columbia MBA Interview [5/7/2026] (Recording)

Strong candidates still get tripped up in the Columbia MBA interview because they underestimate how much clarity and fit matter in a short conversation. This session is for applicants who want a clearer understanding of how to navigate Columbia’s interview process with confidence. You’ll learn how to structure your answers, communicate your goals and fit for the program, and handle the types of questions that commonly come up. Join live to ask questions about your own interview preparation and get guidance tailored to your background. The speaker is an expert in the Columbia MBA interview process and regularly works with candidates preparing for this stage. They’ll share the patterns they see across successful applicants and the kinds of feedback typically given in 1:1 interview prep.

Final Tips Before You Submit Your Deferred MBA Application

In this session, you will leave knowing how to tighten your essays in the final hours, what admissions committees at top deferred programs actually look for in the "future vision" prompts, and how to self-evaluate your recommender package before you hit submit. These are the specific pressure points that separate competitive deferred applications from strong ones.

How to Strengthen Your Deferred MBA Story Before the Deadline

Deferred MBA programs look for candidates with clear potential, thoughtful career vision, and evidence of leadership early in their careers. If you’re planning to apply this cycle, the months before the deadline are when strong applicants refine their goals, sharpen their narrative, and ensure their experiences clearly support why an MBA makes sense for them. In this session, you’ll learn how to clarify your long-term story, highlight leadership and impact effectively, and strengthen the core themes that run through your essays and application materials.