Leland+ for MBA

Your 3 Month Application Prep Plan with ex-GSB Admissions Director

With three months remaining to the first application deadlines in the 2026 cycle, there are several steps and approaches you can take to strengthen your application. Understanding what you can adapt (the content of your application) and what you can't (where you have worked, where you went to school, your GPA, etc.) needs to be evaluated strategically. Having worked in admissions at Stanford for more than a decade, I will offer tips to help you begin your business school learning journey now, using what you incorporate in your essays, recommendations and resume to tie together other aspects of your application and story.

Roadmap to R1: A Step-by-Step Plan to Apply Without Losing Your Mind

Applying to MBA programs isn't just about checking boxes, it's about telling your story, managing MANY moving parts, and doing it all while keeping your head above water! In this 40-minute presentation, admissions coach and former CBS Admissions Officer Kelsey Kephart will walk through the essential phases of the MBA application journey; what to tackle when, how to avoid common pitfalls, and how to build momentum without burning out. The second part will be an Ask Me Anything (AMA) style session where you can ask questions!

MBA Resume Example - Admitted M7

Explore this MBA Resume Example from an Admitted M7 student

Kellogg MBA Example Essays

See these examples of Kellogg MBA Example Essays.

CBS MBA Example Admitted Essays

Here are some examples of CBS MBA Example Admitted Essays.

NYU MBA Admitted "Pick 6" Essay Example

Check out this NYU Stern MBA Admitted "Pick 6" Essay Example.

UVA Darden MBA Admitted Essay Example

UVA Darden MBA Admitted Essay Example w/ Scholarship Award

MBA Recommendation Letter Example

MBA Recommendation Letter Example for M7 Admitted Applicant

CBS MBA Example Admitted Essays

Check out these examples of CBS MBA Example Admitted Essays.

MBA Resume Example - Admitted Client

Admitted Client to Columbia Business School - Asian Female Retail/Social Media

Decoding the GMAT FE: What You Need to Know Before You Register

Thinking about business school? The new GMAT Focus Edition is here—shorter, smarter, and designed to highlight the skills that matter most in today's data-driven business world. Whether you're transitioning from the classic GMAT or comparing it to the GRE, this session breaks down everything you need to know: from exam structure and section strategies to scoring and test-day logistics. Join us to get insider tips, practice problems, and the confidence to plan your prep—and your future—effectively.

NYU MBA Example Admitted Essays

NYU Stern MBA Example Admitted Essays - 2024-25 cycle

Michigan Ross Essays

These essays are from a successful candidate who was admitted to Ross.

Questions to Ask Alumni and Current Students

This document outlines twenty questions you can ask alumni and current students to learn more about MBA programs.

Deciding Anecdotes for HBS Essays

With the new HBS essays, many candidates wonder "how do I decide what stories to tell for what essay?". This guide will walk you through the answer.

Darden MBA Example Essay 1: Inclusivity at Darden

A successful example of a Darden Essay Prompt 1 response on creating an inclusive environment at Darden, which secured the applicant’s acceptance.

Darden MBA Example Essay 2: Post-MBA Goals

A successful example of a Darden Essay Prompt 2 response on short and long-term post-MBA goals, which secured the applicant’s acceptance to Darden.

Stern Essay - Pick 6

Successful admit application essay

Columbia Sample Essay - Favorite Book

Favorite book essay for successful admit application to CBS.

Columbia Sample Essay - PPIL

PPIL essay response for successful admit application.