Leland+ for MBA
Popular on Leland+
MBA Interviews Series: Stanford GSB
Jumpstart your Stanford GSB MBA interview prep with up-to-date insights and stage-specific strategies. As application deadlines approach, join expert coach and GSB Grad Claire R. who will help you understand what’s expected, how to prepare, and how to stand out. You’ll learn about the format of the GSB interview (alumni-led, behavioral, highly structured), the key evaluation criteria, and how to craft strong stories using frameworks while balancing polish and authenticity. By the end of this session, you’ll have a clear action plan for your interviews—what to practice, how to outline your answers, and how to present your best self when your invitation arrives.
Inside the Admissions Process: Featuring Directors from Yale, NYU, and Duke
What really happens behind the scenes when you hit “submit” on your MBA application? In Part 1 of this session, admissions directors from Yale SOM, NYU Stern, and Duke Fuqua will pull back the curtain on how applications are evaluated, what committees prioritize, and the signals that separate strong applicants from the rest. Panelists include Bruce DelMonico (Assistant Dean for Admissions @ Yale), Matthew Moll (Director of MBA Admissions @ Stern), and Allison Jamison (Assistant Dean of Admissions @ Duke). You’ll hear directly from decision-makers about how they assess essays, recommendations, test scores, and interviews—plus the common mistakes they see every year. Whether you’re finalizing your application or just getting started, this panel will give you rare, insider insight into the admissions process at top programs and practical strategies to improve your chances of success.
Inside the Admissions Process: Featuring Directors from Booth, Ross, and SMU
What really happens behind the scenes when you hit “submit” on your MBA application? In Part 2 this session, admissions directors from Chicago Booth, SMU Cox, and Michigan Ross will pull back the curtain on how applications are evaluated, what committees prioritize, and the signals that separate strong applicants from the rest. Panelists include Nicole Chen (Director of Student Recruitment and Admissions @ Booth), Lindsay DiAngelo (Associate Director of MBA Admissions @ Ross), and Shelly Heinrich (Assistant Dean of Admissions @ SMU). You’ll hear directly from decision-makers about how they assess essays, recommendations, test scores, and interviews—plus the common mistakes they see every year. Whether you’re finalizing your application or just getting started, this panel will give you rare, insider insight into the admissions process at top programs and practical strategies to improve your chances of success.
Writing the STARR Essay
Master the STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection) framework to highlight your leadership, impact, and growth.
Writing the STARR Essay
Master the STARR (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Reflection) framework to highlight your leadership, impact, and growth.
Columbia Business School: Brand and Culture
An overview of Columbia Business School's brand and culture.
Comprehensive Guide to Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation can make or break a graduate school application—but too often, applicants underestimate their importance or don’t know how to manage the process strategically. In this session, we’ll cover everything you need to know: whom to ask, when to ask, how to prepare your recommenders, and how to ensure your letters complement and strengthen the rest of your application. You’ll also learn how to approach potential recommenders with confidence, provide the right context and materials, and avoid common pitfalls. With clear guidance from Jennifer P., a Harvard master’s graduate and experienced coach, you’ll walk away with a roadmap to securing strong, authentic recommendations that highlight your strengths and align with your overall story.
Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays
The Harvard Business School essays have changed—and so has the strategy you’ll need to stand out. In this workshop, Leland coach Andy P. will walk you through proven approaches for tackling the new prompts with clarity and impact. You’ll learn how to identify the stories that best showcase your leadership, values, and potential, while avoiding common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications. Andy will also share practical tips for structuring your essays, weaving a cohesive narrative across your application, and highlighting the qualities HBS is really looking for. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a draft, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to make your essays rise to the top.
Writing the “Why MBA?” Essay
Learn to clearly articulate why you need an MBA now, why each school fits, and how it connects to your long-term vision.
Tailoring Your Story for Different Schools
Adapt your core story for different MBA programs while maintaining consistency and authenticity.
Tailoring Your Story for Different Schools
Adapt your core story for different MBA programs while maintaining consistency and authenticity.
Columbia Business School: The NYC Advantage
A deep dive into how Columbia Business School's geographic positioning puts it at a unique advantage.
Columbia Business School: Essay Brainstorming Template
A template to help prospective applicants to Columbia Business School brainstorm essay ideas.
Columbia Business School: Recommender Guide
A template to ensure you have strong recommendations for your Columbia Business School application.
Columbia Business School: Interview Question Bank
Question bank covering the most commonly asked questions in Columbia Business School interviews.
Columbia Business School: Interview Answer Worksheet
Worksheet designed to help applicants prepare for Columbia Business School interviews by organizing responses to behavioral questions using the STAR framework.
Identify Your Missing Piece
• Walk through a real or hypothetical example of identifying gaps • How to differentiate between “substance gaps” and “communication gaps” • Example of turning a weakness (e.g., low quant score) into an update plan • Framework recap: Story – Strength – Fit • Call to action: complete your self-audit and select 1–2 improvement priorities
Waitlist Self-Audit Worksheet
• Section 1: Application summary (GMAT/GRE, GPA, goals, recommenders) • Section 2: Strengths (what resonated or differentiates you) • Section 3: Gaps (academic, professional, narrative, or fit-related) • Section 4: Actionable improvements — list 2–3 moves in next 4–6 weeks • Section 5: Reflection prompt — “What new evidence can I show to close these gaps?”
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
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
