Leland+ for MBA

MIT Rnd 1 Drop in Q&A - Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/26/2026] (Recording)

MIT Sloan is not a generic top-10 MBA program. It has a distinct culture, a distinct type of student it is looking for, and a genuinely unusual application process. If you are targeting Sloan, you need to understand all three. This session is specifically for serious MIT Sloan applicants. We will cover: - What MIT Sloan is actually like — the culture, the "mens et manus" philosophy, Action Learning, the cohort model, and what kind of person actually thrives there - Classes and programs worth knowing — specific electives, labs, and tracks that should be showing up in your application - The MIT application quirks — the cover letter format, the video statement, what they are really asking, and how to answer without sounding like everyone else - How to nail your story for Sloan specifically — MIT wants builders, doers, and people with a point of view. How do you show that? - Honest answers to your specific questions — bring your draft cover letter, your concerns, your "is this school right for me" doubts

How to Build an MBA List That Actually Fits You [6/24/2026] (Recording)

Are you ready to build an MBA list that truly aligns with your goals and aspirations? Join me for an insightful session on crafting a personalized MBA school selection strategy. With an MBA from The Wharton School, where I co-hosted the Wharton Fintech Podcast and held leadership roles in various clubs, I bring a wealth of experience in navigating the MBA landscape. In this event, we'll dive into the nuances of selecting the right MBA programs that fit your career ambitions and personal interests. Whether you're just starting your MBA journey or refining your list, this session will provide valuable insights to guide your decision-making process. Spaces are limited, so be sure to RSVP and secure your spot. I look forward to helping you find the perfect MBA fit!

Drop in Q&A Rnd 1 MBA- Know your story and uniqueness. Not cookie cutter advice [7/16/2026] (Recording)

Round 1 deadlines are coming. Your essay is probably not-started. Your story probably doesn't make sense yet. That's fine — that's exactly what we're going to figure out. I'm Bryan, Wharton undergrad, MIT Sloan MBA, and I've spent 12 years helping people turn complicated, non-linear careers into applications that actually get read. I've seen the cookie-cutter essays. I've seen the AI-written ones. Adcoms have too. We're not doing that. In this session we'll talk about what Round 1 actually means for your chances, how to find the thread that connects your story, what schools are really asking when they say "why MBA, why now," and how to stop writing essays that sound like everyone else's. No fluff. No templates. Just the stuff that actually moves the needle. Bring your messy draft. Bring your confused career pivot. Bring your "I don't know how to explain what I do" problem. We'll figure it out together.

MBA Essay Edit: Watch Me Transform an Underwhelming Draft [6/16/2026] (Recording)

Strong MBA essays are built through strategy and revision, not first drafts. In this live workshop, attendees will watch a real-time transformation of an underwhelming MBA essay into a far stronger and more compelling submission. Along the way, the session will unpack the strategic thinking behind each edit, illustrating how top applicants improve storytelling, structure, reflection, and differentiation throughout the drafting process.

Ross MBA 101: The inside view of Ross from an alum and admissions interviewer [6/29/2026] (Recording)

A free session with a Ross MBA alum and admissions interviewer covering what adcom actually wants, how to nail your essays, and why most "Why Ross" answers miss the mark. Is Ross Right for You? Not every top program is built the same; Here's what makes Ross distinct and how to know if it belongs on your list. -The academics, culture, and community that define the Ross experience -How to pressure-test your interest before you put in the work What Adcom Actually Wants: What Ross is really evaluating beyond the resume and how to show it. -The criteria, values, and defining traits adcom consistently selects for -Common mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them -How to frame a non-traditional background as an asset, not a liability Building Your Ross Network Before You Apply: The applicants who get in aren't just applying, they're doing their homework. -How to reach out to current students and alums without being awkward about it -What to ask, what to track, and how to use it in your essays -Why this step matters more than most applicants realize Nailing Your Essays: The Ross essays reward specificity and vulnerability, and here's how to give them what they want. -How to approach each prompt, what the question is really asking, and how to demonstrate the characteristics they're looking for -What strong vs. weak essays actually look like -How to tell a cohesive story across your entire application The Interview: How to Answer "Why Ross" Without Sounding Generic: Most applicants blow this question. Here's how to not be one of them. -What adcom is listening for in your Why Ross answer -How to build a specific, credible answer that doesn't sound like you Googled it -What to expect from the full Ross interview format and how to prepare

Developing Your MBA Story [6/7/2026] (Recording)

Your MBA story is the most important part of your application. The best applications use the story as a foundation that guides everything - the essays, the recommendations, the interview answers, even your resume! However, too many applicants fail to do this and instead submit vague or disjointed applications that leave admissions committees unimpressed. During this session, I will teach you how to develop a cohesive and thoughtful MBA story that will clearly explain: your background, why you need an MBA, and why you deserve to go to the school you are applying to - all in a way that will show admissions committees that you are ready for your MBA!

Navigating Dual/Concurrent Degrees: MBA + Policy, Education, and STEM [6/11/2026] (Recording)

For some applicants, a traditional MBA is not the only path. Joint and concurrent degree programs can offer powerful ways to build interdisciplinary expertise, but they require careful strategic consideration. This session will explore when pairing an MBA with another graduate degree makes sense, how to evaluate program structures and tradeoffs, and how to determine whether a dual-degree path aligns with your long-term goals. Attendees will also learn how admissions committees assess dual-degree applicants and what makes for a compelling rationale.

The International Applicant’s MBA Blueprint [7/21/2026] (Recording)

Applying to a U.S. MBA program as an international candidate presents both unique opportunities and unique challenges. While international applicants bring valuable global perspectives, cross-cultural experiences, and diverse professional backgrounds, they also face a highly competitive admissions environment and must effectively translate their experiences to a U.S.-based audience. The most successful international applicants do more than present impressive credentials. They demonstrate leadership, articulate a compelling career vision, and clearly communicate how their experiences, goals, and perspectives will contribute to the MBA community. This workshop explores how international candidates can navigate the admissions process strategically, build a compelling application narrative, and identify programs that align with their professional ambitions. By the end of this session, you will be able to: * Understand how U.S. MBA admissions committees evaluate international candidates. * Identify the key factors that distinguish successful international applicants. * Translate your professional accomplishments into language and examples that resonate with U.S. admissions readers. * Craft a career vision that connects your pre-MBA experience, MBA goals, and long-term aspirations. * Understand how academic performance, test scores, and professional experience are evaluated in an international context. * Avoid common mistakes international applicants make in essays, resumes, interviews, and recommendations. * Leave with a practical roadmap for strengthening your candidacy and maximizing your chances of admission.

Starting Your GMAT Journey: An Introduction to the GMAT Focus Edition [6/30/2026] (Recording)

Starting GMAT prep can feel overwhelming when you’re not sure how the Focus Edition works or where to begin. This session is for anyone looking for a clear introduction to the GMAT and the strategies that lead to strong performance over time. You’ll learn how the exam is structured, what each section is designed to test, and how to build a study plan that sets you up for steady improvement. Join live to ask questions about your own starting point and get guidance from a GMAT expert with over 25,000 hours of tutoring experience. The speaker has worked with students across a wide range of score goals and will share the patterns they see across successful test takers and the foundational strategies that consistently make the biggest difference.