Leland+ for MBA
Popular on Leland+
Columbia Business School: General Overview
Holistic information about Columbia Business School's admission statistics and program.
Connecting Your Personal and Professional Experiences
Learn how to weave together your personal motivations and professional experiences into a cohesive, authentic story.
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.
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.
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
Understanding the Kellogg Interview Format
Overview of Kellogg’s behavioral interview and how it reflects the school’s culture and values.
MBA Interview Series: Columbia
The Columbia Business School interview is your chance to move beyond the application and show who you are as a candidate. In this event, Melanie E. (a former CBS Adcomm and interviewer) will walk you through what to expect, how to prepare, and strategies to stand out in the CBS interview process. You’ll gain insight into the types of questions asked, how to tell your story with confidence, and what Columbia admissions committees value most in applicants. Whether you’re applying this round or preparing for the future, this session will give you the tools to approach your interview with clarity, poise, and authenticity.
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
Kellogg Essay Walkthroughs
Detailed breakdown of Kellogg's core essays, how to structure your responses, and what they’re truly assessing.
AdCom Insider Tip #4
Position Yourself on LinkedIn Like a Future MBA, Not Just Your Current Job Title
Round 2 MBA: What You Need to Do Between Now and the Deadlines
Round 2 MBA deadlines are just around the corner—and what you do in the next few months can make or break your application. In this session, you will learn how to prioritize your time, strengthen your materials, and fill any remaining gaps in your candidacy. Faisal K. brings admissions experience from Chicago Booth, Oren M. previously served in Wharton’s admissions office, and Jenny R. is a former Stanford GSB Admissions Officer—together, they’ve helped hundreds of applicants gain admission to top programs. You’ll learn exactly where to focus your energy—from refining your essays and securing powerful recommendations to polishing your resume and prepping for potential interviews. Whether you’re just starting your Round 2 applications or putting on the finishing touches, this session will help you create a clear, actionable plan to submit your strongest possible application.
Inside Deferred Admissions: AMA with a Founder of the HBS 2+2 Program
Few people understand Deferred MBA admissions better than Kerry P., who helped launch the Harvard Business School 2+2 Program and has since guided countless candidates into top deferred programs. In this exclusive AMA, Kerry will pull back the curtain on how Deferred MBA programs really evaluate applicants — from what schools look for in undergraduates to how they assess potential and fit.
Military to MBA
Transitioning from the military to business school can feel like stepping into a completely new world—but with the right strategy, your service can become your strongest differentiator. In this workshop, Wyatt F.—a Wharton MBA, U.S. Army veteran, private equity operator, and cofounder of the 7-figure company Sitreps2Steercos—will walk you through how to turn your military experience into a compelling MBA application story. Having helped hundreds of veterans gain admission to top programs like Wharton, Chicago Booth, Duke, McCombs, and Yale SOM, Wyatt will share tactical advice on essay strategy, resume translation, and interview prep. Whether you’re just beginning your transition or finalizing your applications, this session will help you craft your narrative, highlight your leadership, and approach the MBA process with confidence.
Power Verbs for MBA Applications
A curated list of impactful action verbs to help you write stronger, results-driven essays and resumes that convey leadership, initiative, and impact.
The Truth About Deferred MBA Essays: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
In this session, Leland Coach Kristen H., a HBS and GSB deferred admit and expert in early-career MBA strategy, will pull back the curtain on what separates successful essays from forgettable ones. You’ll walk away with a clear understanding of how to approach each essay prompt strategically — and how to make your essays stand out in a competitive Deferred MBA cycle.
GRE - Speed Demon Word Problem
In this video a coach will break down a complicated word problem involving speed calculation for the GRE.
Sample Outreach Messages
Sample emails and LinkedIn messages to help you confidently connect with Kellogg student and alumni for networking and insights.
Networking & Events Tracker
A customizable tracker to help you organize your Kellogg networking efforts and reference in applications and interviews.
