Leland+ for MBA

What Top Deferred MBA Admits Do Differently

Top deferred MBA admits don’t just have strong resumes, they position themselves with clarity, maturity, and long-term vision that stands out in a crowded applicant pool. In this session, we’ll break down the specific behaviors, strategic choices, and storytelling techniques that differentiate successful deferred candidates, from how they articulate career goals to how they demonstrate leadership and impact early on. You’ll leave with a clear understanding of what admissions committees are truly looking for and how to elevate your own candidacy.

Military to MBA with Alex S.

Join us for a focused workshop designed to help veterans and active-duty service members navigate the transition from the military to top MBA programs. Military veteran and Ross MBA Alex S. will break down how to translate your experience into civilian leadership language, highlight impact in a way admissions teams understand, and build a compelling narrative that showcases your trajectory. Learn to turn military experience into a powerful competitive advantage in MBA admissions!

Harvard Business School Application

Full Harvard Application from student

M7 Interview Series: Stanford

Stanford interviews are a pivotal step in the M7 admissions process, and thoughtful preparation can set you apart. This interview series is designed to help you approach your Stanford interview with confidence and clarity. You’ll learn how to structure strong answers, communicate your goals and values 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 to stand out.

Resume from a HBS + GSB Deferred Admit - Entrepreneurship/Tech

View the resume from somebody who worked across consulting, entrepreneurship, and tech in their undergrad and was accepted into Harvard and Stanford's deferred programs.

How to Ace Your MBA Interview (2026 Intake)

This playbook is designed for candidates targeting M7 and Top 15 schools who want to turn an interview invite into an acceptance.

MBA Resume Template (Top School Format)

Admissions-Optimized Resume Format Used by Successful Applicants (Editable Word Doc Version)

GRE Score Distributions

This document shows a visual representation of the scoring distribution for quant, verbal, and analytical writing; and it also offers data insights for each.

M7 MBA Essay Question Bank: Prompts by School (2024–25)

A reference guide to official M7 MBA essay prompts — organized by school. Covers all seven programs with each school’s full prompt list, word counts, what the admissions committee is actually evaluating per prompt, the most common mistakes that cost applicants, and strategic tips on what each school’s adcom is really looking for. Includes a format comparison table and universal essay principles that apply across all M7 applications.

The MBA Story Bank Worksheet

Build your core story library before writing a single essay or preparing for a single interview. This fillable worksheet walks you through cataloging your 8–10 strongest career stories with the specificity MBA admissions committees and interviewers actually require — including a story card template for each experience, a theme matrix to map your stories to essay and interview categories, a coverage checker to identify gaps, and a goals and narrative prep section to build the spine of your entire application.

AI in MBA Admissions: Opportunity, Risk, and Strategy [3/26/2026] (Recording)

AI is quickly changing how applicants research schools, refine essays, and prepare for interviews—but most candidates aren’t sure how to use it strategically without weakening their application. This session is for MBA applicants who want to understand where AI can genuinely strengthen their process and where it can quietly undermine authenticity. You’ll learn practical ways to use AI for brainstorming and feedback, how admissions readers may detect overly AI-generated materials, and how to maintain a strong personal voice while leveraging new tools. Join live to ask your questions about essays, school research, and interview prep in an AI-enabled world. The speaker is a Stanford instructor with experience in both MBA admissions and AI research, and regularly advises applicants navigating these decisions. They’ll share the kinds of frameworks and examples that typically come up in 1:1 strategy conversations with candidates.

The R2 Rejection Recovery Roadmap

You didn't get the R2 interview invite or you interviewed and got dinged. Now what? This workshop transforms your disappointment into strategic advantage. We'll reverse-engineer what went wrong, identify the exact gaps in your profile, and build your comeback plan: R3 application, reapplication timeline, or alternative pathways. You'll learn: - The 5 reasons R2 candidates get rejected (and how to diagnose which one was yours) - R3 application decision framework: When to pivot vs. when to wait - Building "new evidence" in 60 days for R3 applications - Reapplication timeline: What to fix between now and next R1 We'll discuss how I can best help: through a Ding Analysis, R3 strategic support, or something else.

GSB Admit - Rec Letter - Direct Manager VC

Example Direct Manager Recommendation from GSB Admit

2025 Knight-Hennessy Scholars - How to Answer the Short Answer Questions

This insider guide reveals what KHS really wants beyond stated criteria, offering specific frameworks for the three critical short answer questions

GRE Arithmetic - Percent Bakery Question

This is a review for how to structure and solve a percent change question for the GRE.

GSB Admit - What Matters Most Essay Example

What Matters Most Essay Example - exploring family history, career, and future ambitions at GSB

2025 Knight-Hennessy Scholars - Rec Template

Downloadable template to prepare your Knight Hennessy Scholars Recommenders - see associated PDF Guide for instructions!

Picking the Right MBA Programs - 2025

This interactive workbook will guide you through researching and picking the right schools for your profile

Stand Out: R3 MBA Admissions

Are you gearing up for Round 3 MBA applications and wondering how to make your application stand out? Join me for an insightful session - we'll focus on 5 key insights to help you stand out in the most competitive round of MBA admissions! With extensive experience helping applicants gain admission to top MBA programs like Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, and Wharton, I specialize in guiding you through every step of the application process. Whether you're looking to pivot careers, secure scholarships, or simply present your best self, this session will provide you with the strategies and insights you need.

Writing Standout Application Essays

​Led by Tim F. (Former Adcom at Chicago Booth), Laura N. (Former Adcom at Michigan Ross), and Angela C. (Stanford) this session will provide you with valuable insights, proven strategies, and expert guidance to help you create impactful essays that reflect your unique experiences and aspirations. ​​​Discover top tips for capturing the attention of admissions committees, structuring your essays effectively, and showcasing your authentic voice. Whether you are just starting your application or looking to refine your existing essays, this workshop will equip you with the tools and techniques necessary to make your application shine.