Leland+ for MBA
Popular on Leland+
Visa Strategy
F-1 visa basics, OPT, STEM extension, sponsorship challenges, school support
School-Specific Interviews
HBS, Wharton TBD, MIT behavioral, Kellogg/team-based
Storytelling vs Reporting
Avoiding resume repetition, writing essays that resonate
Leadership in Global Contexts
Influence vs title, cross-cultural teamwork, initiative
Deferred MBA M7 Series: Harvard
Join us for an insider-focused session on the Harvard Future Leaders deferred MBA program. Expert Leland coach and former HBS AdCom Geri T. will break down what makes HBS’s deferred pathway unique, how the admissions committee evaluates early-career candidates, and what “leadership potential” really looks like at this stage. You’ll learn how to position your experiences, craft a compelling narrative, and avoid the strategic mistakes most applicants make. Ideal for undergrads and master’s students aiming to build a standout HBS application from the ground up.
Deferred MBA M7 Series: Booth
Learn what it takes to stand out in Chicago Booth’s highly selective Deferred MBA program. In this session, expert Leland coach and Admissions Fellow at Booth Tim F. will share insights on what Booth values most, from intellectual curiosity to leadership potential. You’ll walk away with clear strategies for crafting a strong application and telling your story with authenticity and impact.
Writing a Holistic Set of Kellogg Essays (with Top Leland Coaches)
Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those that really maximize the essay-writing process find a way to make clear how their experiences inform their goals, and develop clear narrative through-lines that make their contributions to the school and program tangible. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful Northwestern Kellogg admits. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a three-dimensional applicant who top Kellogg AdComs could envision contributing to their community. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make their specific kind of difference in the world. During this session, we'll analyze these essays alongside you so you have a clear view into how you can apply what you've learned to your own writing, and put your best application forward for Kellogg's top-flight MBA program.
Extracurricular Strategy
Volunteering, professional associations, passion projects
Targeted School Essays
Harvard, Wharton, MIT Sloan, examples
Financial Aid for International Students
Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, Prodigy/MPower loans, sponsorship options
Timeline & Project Management
Managing multiple schools
Consulting-to-MBA: Stand out as a "Traditional" Candidate
Consultants make up one of the largest applicant pools to top MBA programs—which means standing out is more important than ever. In this panel, Leland coaches Andy P. (Top MBA coach for 20 years), Karla M. (150+ M7 Admits, prior consultant, Harvard/Booth dual degree grad), and Ben L. (300+ M7 Admits, prior consultant, GSB grad) will share how to craft an authentic, differentiated story that sets you apart from thousands of other applicants with similar backgrounds. You’ll learn how to translate your consulting experience into powerful application essays, recommendations, and interviews that highlight your leadership, impact, and future goals. Whether you’re a current analyst, associate, or engagement manager preparing for a future cycle, this session will give you actionable strategies to turn a “traditional” background into a standout advantage.
Essay Strategy
“Why MBA,” goals essays, school vision essays
Competency Questions
Leadership, failure, teamwork, ethics
Deferred MBA M7 Series: MIT Sloan
Join us for a focused deep dive into the MIT Sloan Deferred MBA Program, designed to help early-career candidates understand what Sloan looks for and how to craft a standout application. We’ll walk through the program structure, what makes Sloan unique, and the key qualities the admissions committee consistently values. You’ll leave with concrete guidance on how to position your experiences, highlight impact, and present an application that resonates with Sloan’s data-driven, principled-leadership culture.
Translating Work Experience
Clarifying roles, context, business scale, quantifying impact
Application Packaging
Story consistency across essays, résumé, interviews
Behavioral Interview
STAR strategy + international context examples
Deferred MBA M7 Series: Kellogg
Thinking about a deferred MBA and wondering what it takes to get into a top program like Kellogg? Join Andrew Dale, a former Kellogg Admissions Officer and Supercoach on Leland, as he walks you through what makes a strong application, how to tell a compelling story, and what Kellogg specifically looks for in deferred candidates. Bring your questions about essays, recommenders, interviews, and strategy—Andrew will help position you for success.
Résumé for U.S. MBA Applications
One-page rules, U.S. formatting, action verbs, metrics
