Leland+ for MBA

Columbia Business School Interview Series

Columbia Business School interviews are a critical step in the admissions process—and strong preparation can set you apart. This interview series is designed to help you approach CBS interviews with confidence, clarity, and a compelling story. In these sessions, you’ll learn how to structure your responses, communicate your career goals effectively, and handle common behavioral and fit questions. We’ll also cover what CBS interviewers look for and how to highlight your strengths in a competitive applicant pool. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or refining your approach, you’ll leave with practical strategies and greater confidence.

Chicago Booth Interview Series

Chicago Booth interviews are your chance to bring your application to life—and strong preparation can make all the difference. This interview series is designed to help you approach Booth interviews with confidence, clarity, and a compelling personal narrative. Whether you’re preparing for your first interview or refining your approach, you’ll leave with practical strategies and greater confidence.

From College to Stanford GSB: The Deferred MBA Strategy Session (Feb 5)

Getting into Stanford GSB’s Deferred MBA program is not about checking boxes: it’s about building a strategy years before most candidates even think about business school. In this exclusive session, Dr. Loubna Bouamane, former MBA Admissions Director and founder of Admission Concierge, will walk you through exactly how top students position themselves for Stanford straight from college. You’ll learn how to craft a compelling early-career narrative, select the right internships and leadership experiences, stand out academically, and avoid the most common mistakes that derail otherwise strong candidates. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or recent graduate, this session will give you a clear roadmap to Stanford’s deferred MBA pathway with real-world insights from inside the admissions process.

From College to Stanford GSB: The Deferred MBA Strategy Session (Dec 11)

Getting into Stanford GSB’s Deferred MBA program is not about checking boxes: it’s about building a strategy years before most candidates even think about business school. In this exclusive session, Dr. Loubna Bouamane, former MBA Admissions Director and founder of Admission Concierge, will walk you through exactly how top students position themselves for Stanford straight from college. You’ll learn how to craft a compelling early-career narrative, select the right internships and leadership experiences, stand out academically, and avoid the most common mistakes that derail otherwise strong candidates. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or recent graduate, this session will give you a clear roadmap to Stanford’s deferred MBA pathway with real-world insights from inside the admissions process.

How to Create a Standout Deferred MBA Application

Deferred MBA programs look for future leaders with clarity of purpose, strong trajectory, and long-term potential, not just impressive internships or grades. This session breaks down what top programs actually evaluate in deferred candidates and how to position yourself early in your career. You’ll learn how to craft a compelling narrative, articulate credible goals, choose recommenders strategically, and avoid common mistakes that hold applicants back. Whether you’re just starting to explore deferred programs or actively preparing to apply, this workshop will help you build a focused, competitive application strategy.

Chicago Booth Personal Essay – Outside the Office

A personal essay on improv comedy, community, and how life outside of work shaped my adaptability and perspective.

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.

Crushing Your Deferred MBA Applications

Applying to deferred MBA programs or curious about the process? Leland is excited to provide this FREE event to cover tips to help you get accepted into top MBA programs like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Wharton, and more. ​​This workshop is hosted by John K, CEO and Founder of Leland. He was accepted to Stanford GSB and HBS though their deferred enrollment programs and will share key tips and tactical strategies to help you submit an application you are proud of. ​​​If you are interested in applying to a top 10 MBA program, have questions about the process, or just want to receive valuable insight, join us. It's completely free!

Kellogg MBA Essay #1

This is an Example Kellogg MBA #1 essay from an admitted student.

Ace Your MBA Interview!

Congratulations on getting selected to interview! Now what? During this session, we’ll discuss everything you need to know to start preparing for your interviews. - Qualities your interviewer will be assessing you on - Common interview questions - How to structure your answers - Preparation techniques - Tips on conquering interview anxiety

MIT Sloan Interview Series

MIT Sloan interviews are a key step in the admissions process—and strong preparation can make all the difference. This interview series is designed to help you approach your interviews with confidence and clarity. You’ll learn how to structure strong answers, communicate your goals 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 and greater confidence.

Mastering the "Why MBA" essay in the AI Era

As AI reshapes how admissions committees evaluate applications, the “Why MBA” essay has become even more critical for demonstrating clarity, intentionality, and long-term vision. In this session, you’ll learn how to articulate a compelling MBA rationale that goes beyond generic goals, integrates AI’s impact on your industry or career path, and clearly connects your past experience to your future ambitions. Whether you’re early in the process or refining a draft, you’ll leave with a sharper framework for writing a “Why MBA” essay that feels authentic, differentiated, and future-ready.

Tackling the "Why This School" MBA Essay

Most MBA programs will have an essay along the lines of: "Why MBA; Why this school?" This is one of the most impactful parts of your application and is often the difference maker between getting an interview and getting a rejection. During this free session, I'll walk through: - What schools are actually looking for in this essay (explicitly and implicitly) - Common mistakes applicants make in this essay - How to structure this essay - Additional tips on crafting a standout essay

MBA Reapplicant Guide

While it is disappointing to have put so much effort into applications and not get into the school you wanted, there is still hope! Admissions committees tend to look favorably upon reapplicants, provided you can show that you’ve improved your candidacy. During this session, we will discuss how to navigate the MBA admissions process as a reapplicant. We will discuss common reasons people are rejected, how to show growth and MBA readiness, and other ways to improve your chances this time around. We will have tips for those who have applied recently, as well as those who are reapplying again after a break.

Navigating the MBA Waitlist Process (4/6)

We will discuss how to navigate the waitlist process for MBA programs. This will include: - General process and timelines - Common reasons people are waitlisted - How to plan structure your updates - What else you can do to improve your chances - Q&A

How Top MBA Applicants Nail “Why MBA” and “Why Now”

“Why MBA” and “Why now” are two of the most important—and most challenging—questions in any MBA application. This session is designed to help you craft clear, convincing answers that show purpose, timing, and fit. In this event, you’ll learn how top applicants connect past experiences to future goals, articulate strong motivations, and avoid common pitfalls that weaken these essays and interview responses. We’ll also cover what admissions committees look for and how to make your story stand out. Whether you’re just starting your application or refining your narrative, you’ll leave with practical frameworks and greater confidence.

How to Ace your MBA Interview

The MBA interview isn’t about perfect answers. It’s about having clear career goals, a compelling “Why MBA / Why this school,” deep self-awareness, and confident leadership presence. If you're preparing for an MBA interview and want to approach it strategically - not just memorize answers - this masterclass gives you a practical framework to stand out.

What Wharton is REALLY testing in the TBD

Most candidates misunderstand the Wharton School Team-Based Discussion (TBD). Learn how to stand out! They think it’s about being the loudest voice in the room. Or about presenting the “best” idea. It’s not. In this masterclass, I break down what Wharton is actually evaluating in the TBD - from leadership signals to collaboration dynamics - and how you can position yourself strategically without dominating or disappearing.

MBA Interview Success: What Top Programs Look For

MBA interviews aren’t just about answering questions—they’re about showing who you are, how you think, and why you belong in a top-tier program. In this session, you’ll learn exactly how elite schools evaluate candidates, from behavioral depth and self-awareness to leadership potential and communication style. We’ll break down common interview formats (including blind interviews, behavioral deep dives, and scenario-based questions), teach you how to structure compelling answers, and share strategies for showcasing authenticity while still being polished and strategic. You’ll walk away with a clear playbook for standing out in any MBA interview setting.

Example: MIT Sloan Cover Letter

This is an example cover letter for the MIT Sloan MBA application