Leland+ for MBA

Columbia Business School: Resume Checklist

A checklist to ensure your resume meets the bar for Columbia Business School.

Columbia Business School: Crafting Strong Application Materials

An overview how to uniquely tailor your Columbia Business School application to be school specific.

Columbia Business School: Essay Prompt Walkthrough Guide

Guidance on how to approach Columbia Business School's essay prompts.

Columbia Business School: Interview Question Bank

Question bank covering the most commonly asked questions in Columbia Business School interviews.

Columbia Business School: General Overview

Holistic information about Columbia Business School's admission statistics and program.

Overview of the Waitlist Process

• Visual timeline from decision release → movement → final outcomes • Key decision points: R2 admit shifts, summer yield management • Typical volume of waitlisted candidates and admit conversion rates • School-specific examples (generalized, not data-heavy) • Summary: What you can and can’t control at each stage

Waitlist Action Planner Template

• Weekly layout (Weeks 1–6) • Sections for: school engagement, updates, achievements, outreach, mindset goals • Columns for tracking actions, deadlines, and communications sent • Example of a completed plan for inspiration • Summary section for final reflection

NYU Stern Interview Question Bank

List of questions applicable to Stern Interview to help a candidate prepare for an interview.

School Agnostic Recommender Guide

Non-program specific recommender guide with templates.

Waitlist 101 Guide

• Mindset shift: from “waiting” to “strategic repositioning” • Common emotional pitfalls (panic, over-updating, disengagement) • How to maintain professionalism and perspective • Setting intentions for the next 4–8 weeks • Quick self-checklist: “Am I reacting or responding?”

Columbia Business School: Recommender Guide

A template to ensure you have strong recommendations for your Columbia Business School application.

Columbia Business School: The NYC Advantage

A deep dive into how Columbia Business School's geographic positioning puts it at a unique advantage.

Inside the Waitlist: How Admissions Really Uses It

• Define what a waitlist decision actually means • Explain why schools use the waitlist (class balancing, yield management, diversity mix) • Common misconceptions (e.g., “It’s a soft reject” vs. “It’s still active consideration”) • How timing, round, and school culture affect outcomes • Typical timelines • High-level do’s and don’ts immediately after being waitlisted

Waitlist Update Letter Builder

• Section 1: Greeting and opening tone • Section 2: New accomplishments or progress since submission • Section 3: Refined clarity on short- and long-term goals • Section 4: Reaffirmed school fit (specific to program culture and resources) • Section 5: Closing statement (gratitude + enthusiasm without pressure) • Example language snippets for each section

Top 10 Ways to Strengthen Your Profile While Waitlisted

• Examples of high-impact updates: promotions, certifications, quant coursework, new leadership roles • How to frame achievements for the admissions committee • How to show ongoing engagement with the school (events, conversations, visits) • Building credibility through thoughtful updates, not volume • Quick-reference chart: “Update ideas by category (Academic / Professional / Personal / Fit)"

If You’re Admitted vs. If You’re Not – Next Steps and Growth Opportunities

• What to do immediately if admitted off the waitlist (next steps checklist) • If not admitted: reframing and reapplication mindset • How to carry lessons forward to strengthen next cycle applications • Managing timelines (deposits, deferrals, reapp deadlines) • Closing encouragement: progress > perfection

Columbia Business School: Essay Brainstorming Template

A template to help prospective applicants to Columbia Business School brainstorm essay ideas.