Leland+ for MBA

From Service to Grad School: Getting into an MBA Program

Transitioning from service—military, nonprofit, public sector, or community leadership—into an MBA program requires translating impact into a language admissions committees understand. In this session, you’ll learn how to position your service experience as leadership, quantify outcomes, and craft a compelling narrative that highlights readiness for business school. We’ll cover program fit, essays, recommendations, testing strategy, and common pitfalls unique to service backgrounds, so you can present a clear, confident case for admission.

MBA Reapplicant Guide

While it is disappointing to have put so much effort into applications and not get into the school you wanted, there is still hope! Admissions committees tend to look favorably upon reapplicants, provided you can show that you’ve improved your candidacy. During this session, we will discuss how to navigate the MBA admissions process as a reapplicant. We will discuss common reasons people are rejected, how to show growth and MBA readiness, and other ways to improve your chances this time around. We will have tips for those who have applied recently, as well as those who are reapplying again after a break.

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.

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.

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!

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.

From Field to Framework: Crafting a Civilian-Ready MBA Resume

Military experience translates powerfully to MBA admissions when it’s framed in the language schools understand. This session shows you how to convert roles, missions, and outcomes into civilian-ready impact, highlight leadership and decision-making, and align your resume with post-MBA goals. You’ll learn how to quantify results, choose the right stories, and avoid common translation pitfalls so your resume clearly signals readiness for top programs.

Crushing Your Deferred MBA Applications

Applying to deferred MBA programs or curious about the process? Leland is excited to provide this FREE event to cover tips to help you get accepted into top MBA programs like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Wharton, and more. ​​This workshop is hosted by John K, CEO and Founder of Leland. He was accepted to Stanford GSB and HBS though their deferred enrollment programs and will share key tips and tactical strategies to help you submit an application you are proud of. ​​​If you are interested in applying to a top 10 MBA program, have questions about the process, or just want to receive valuable insight, join us. It's completely free!

Mastering the "Why MBA" essay in the AI Era

As AI reshapes how admissions committees evaluate applications, the “Why MBA” essay has become even more critical for demonstrating clarity, intentionality, and long-term vision. In this session, you’ll learn how to articulate a compelling MBA rationale that goes beyond generic goals, integrates AI’s impact on your industry or career path, and clearly connects your past experience to your future ambitions. Whether you’re early in the process or refining a draft, you’ll leave with a sharper framework for writing a “Why MBA” essay that feels authentic, differentiated, and future-ready.

What Wharton is REALLY testing in the TBD

Most candidates misunderstand the Wharton School Team-Based Discussion (TBD). Learn how to stand out! They think it’s about being the loudest voice in the room. Or about presenting the “best” idea. It’s not. In this masterclass, I break down what Wharton is actually evaluating in the TBD - from leadership signals to collaboration dynamics - and how you can position yourself strategically without dominating or disappearing.

Kellogg MBA Essay #1

This is an Example Kellogg MBA #1 essay from an admitted student.

Building Your Path to Graduate School Success: 2-5 Years Out

Are you considering applying to graduate school in the next 2-5 years and want to ensure you're on the right path to success? Join me, Bri, for an insightful session on building a strategic approach to your graduate school applications, whether you're eyeing an MBA, MPP, or any highly competitive graduate degree. With firsthand experience as an admit to MIT Sloan, Booth, and Tuck, and a dual MPP/MBA strategy, I bring a wealth of knowledge on what top programs are looking for. My background in government consulting and cross-sector innovation allows me to help you craft compelling stories that connect your diverse experiences into a cohesive narrative. I've successfully coached applicants to M7 and top public policy programs, refining their personal narratives, clarifying post-graduate goals, and strengthening their essays, résumés, and interviews. During this session, we'll cover everything from application strategy and networking to financial aid and testing. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and start building your path to graduate school success!

5 Mistakes That Tank Deferred MBA Applications

Deferred MBA applications are evaluated with a different lens, and small missteps can have an outsized impact on outcomes. This session breaks down the most common mistakes that weaken deferred MBA candidacies, from unclear career narratives to misaligned school fit and timing errors. You’ll learn how to avoid these pitfalls and strengthen your application by presenting a clear, credible, and forward-looking story.

MIT Sloan Interview Series

MIT Sloan interviews are a key step in the admissions process—and strong preparation can make all the difference. This interview series is designed to help you approach your interviews with confidence and clarity. You’ll learn how to structure strong answers, communicate your goals effectively, and handle common behavioral and fit questions. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or refining your approach, you’ll leave with practical strategies and greater confidence.

Navigating the MBA Waitlist Process (4/6)

We will discuss how to navigate the waitlist process for MBA programs. This will include: - General process and timelines - Common reasons people are waitlisted - How to plan structure your updates - What else you can do to improve your chances - Q&A

How to Ace your MBA Interview

The MBA interview isn’t about perfect answers. It’s about having clear career goals, a compelling “Why MBA / Why this school,” deep self-awareness, and confident leadership presence. If you're preparing for an MBA interview and want to approach it strategically - not just memorize answers - this masterclass gives you a practical framework to stand out.

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.

Your MBA Edge: Turning a Non-Traditional Path into a Winning App

Join this live conversation with a Korean INSEAD admit from a niche industry (gaming) and their admissions coach, Caolan. We’ll unpack how to build an authentic, coherent MBA story without over‑fixating on scores, even as a reapplicant or non‑traditional candidate. You’ll see how they framed transferable skills, targeted schools with different cultures, and prepared for interviews. - Learn how to craft a compelling and authentic application story that stands out, even with diverse career paths or perceived weaknesses like a lower GPA. - Understand why storytelling, strategic discussions, and a holistic approach can be more critical than perfect quantitative metrics (GMAT/GPA) for top MBA admissions. - Discover strategies to reframe your niche industry experience as a competitive advantage, turning perceived disadvantages into strengths. - Gain insights into researching and articulating school-specific fit, moving beyond generic website information to truly customize your application. - Be inspired by a reapplicant's journey to INSEAD, demonstrating that with the right approach and guidance, success is achievable for a wide range of profiles. - Learn what to look for in a consultant, including the importance of genuine care, industry understanding, and time investment. An engaging, interview-style conversation between Caolan Hunter and Gitak Kwak, followed by an open Q&A session, designed to empower aspiring MBA candidates, particularly those from non-traditional backgrounds or facing unique application challenges, by offering practical insights and an inspiring success story. Who it’s for: - Korean and international MBA hopefuls - Reapplicants or candidates from niche / non‑traditional industries - Applicants worried about stats (GPA/GMAT) or “imperfect” profiles

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.