Leland+ for MBA

Work With Me!

Learn about personalized coaching options to refine your essays, story, and overall MBA strategy. Get an overview of the personalized coaching options Joshua can offer to refine your essays, story, and overall MBA strategy.

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.

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

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.

Columbia Business School: Essay Brainstorming Template

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

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 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

MBA Essays with AI the Right Way

AI tools are changing how applicants approach MBA essays—but using them effectively (and ethically) is the real challenge. In this session, expert Leland coach Eric L. will show you how to leverage AI to brainstorm, structure, and refine your essays while keeping your unique voice front and center. ​By the end, you’ll know exactly how to make AI your ally in the application process and walk away with actionable strategies to craft essays that stand out to admissions committees.

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

MBA to Consulting Panel

Still planning to break into consulting before graduation? You're not alone, and it's not too late. This panel is designed for MBA students who are exploring full-time roles in consulting, whether you’re re-recruiting, pivoting, or looking to refine your strategy. ​Hear from Taylor R., Andrew H., and Rifat M., all of whom successfully landed consulting offers later in the MBA journey as they share practical advice on networking, storytelling, case prep, and how to stand out in a competitive recruiting cycle. If you're hoping to make the jump into MBB or other top firms, this session will help you make the most of the months ahead.

Intro to MBA Essay Writing

Translate your narrative into compelling MBA essays that demonstrate clarity of purpose, authenticity, and school fit.

MIT Sloan: Application Breakdown

A deep dive into the MIT Sloan MBA application.

MIT Sloan: Example Video Essay

An example of a video essay for the MIT Sloan MBA application.

Columbia Business School: Brand and Culture

An overview of Columbia Business School's brand and culture.

Columbia Business School: Recommender Guide

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

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

Permutations and Combinations for GMAT and GRE

An overview of permutations and combinations for the GMAT and GRE.

MIT Sloan: Overview and Application Breakdown

An overview of MIT Sloan and its application components.