Leland+ for MBA
Popular on Leland+
The 5 Toughest Interview Questions and How to Answer Them
Some interview questions trip up even the strongest candidates—not because they’re impossible, but because they’re designed to test judgment, self-awareness, and communication under pressure. In this session, you’ll break down the five hardest interview questions candidates consistently struggle with and learn proven frameworks to answer them clearly, confidently, and authentically. We’ll cover what interviewers are actually listening for, how to structure strong responses, and how to avoid common pitfalls that weaken otherwise solid answers. Whether you’re interviewing for consulting, finance, tech, or grad school, this workshop will give you practical tools to handle high-stakes questions with ease.
Making Your “Why This School” Essays Impossible to Ignore
“Why this school?” is one of the most common—and most poorly executed—application essays. In this session, expert Leland coach and former AdComs at Chicago Booth Tim F. will break down what admissions committees actually look for and why generic answers fall flat. You’ll learn how to research programs deeply, connect your goals to specific resources, and write essays that feel personal, credible, and impossible to ignore.
BSchool blogs and newspapers
A curated list of top business school blogs and student newspapers to help candidates stay informed on programs, culture, and admissions insights.
MIT Sloan Personal Statement Short Answer
While MIT Sloan does not have a traditional personal statement, they do have a Short Answer portion of their application following their behavioral cover letter and video introduction. This is an example of the Short Answer from an MIT Sloan admit.
MBA Interview Prep Guidelines
A concise MBA interview prep guide focused on storytelling, school fit, and nailing the questions that drive admissions decisions.
Inside MBA Admissions Decisions: Roundtable Discussion with M7 Admissions Officers
MBA admissions at top programs are highly selective, and small strategic decisions can make a big difference in how your application is evaluated. In this exclusive roundtable, you’ll get an inside look at how admissions decisions are actually made at M7 business schools—and what separates successful candidates from the rest. This session is designed to help you better understand how your profile is read, discussed, and ultimately decided on behind closed doors. The discussion will feature former admissions officers from multiple M7 programs who have collectively reviewed thousands of MBA applications. Drawing on their firsthand experience, they’ll share how admissions committees evaluate academics, work experience, leadership, and personal narratives, as well as common mistakes applicants make and how to avoid them. You’ll also gain insight into how schools compare candidates, handle borderline cases, and think about fit across different rounds. Whether you’re just starting to explore an MBA or preparing to apply in an upcoming cycle, this roundtable will give you rare clarity and a sharper strategic lens for approaching the process.
Deferred MBA M7 Series: Stanford
Get an inside look at what Stanford GSB seeks in Deferred MBA candidates and how to bring your unique story to life. Expert Leland coach and GSB alum Ben L. will break down the qualities Stanford cares about most—impact, curiosity, and personal growth. You’ll leave with concrete strategies to articulate your values, achievements, and ambitions in a way that resonates with the GSB admissions committee.
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.
Six Pillars MBA Application Strategy Template
A structured worksheet for mapping your experiences to the Six Pillars MBA programs use to evaluate candidates.
Deferred MBA Admissions Event Sprint Kickoff
Kick off Deferred MBA Week with an overview of everything you need to know to build a winning application strategy from start to finish. In this session, we’ll break down what makes deferred programs unique, what top schools are really looking for in early-career candidates, and how to use the rest of the sprint—panels, workshops, and AMAs—to your advantage. You’ll walk away with a clear game plan for essays, recommendations, testing, and timelines, plus guidance on how to prioritize your time based on where you are in the process.
Developing a Differentiated Personal Narrative
Standing out in the deferred MBA pool requires more than strong credentials. In this workshop, you’ll learn how to craft a clear, differentiated personal narrative that ties your experiences, goals, and values into a cohesive story that resonates with HSW and M7 admissions committees. Led by Leland coach Angela C., a storytelling expert with a 100% package success rate who specializes in HSW and M7 deferred admissions, this session will break down how top applicants define their core themes, position early-career impact, and avoid the generic narratives that hold many candidates back. You’ll leave with practical frameworks and concrete next steps to start shaping a compelling, authentic story for your deferred MBA applications.
Managing Your Online Presence for MBA Apps
Social Media and Online Presence: 10 Tips for MBA Applicants
Duke MBA Essay 1 Example: 25 Things About Yourself
This is an example of the Duke MBA Fuqua Essay #1, which has the following essay prompt: "The ‘Team Fuqua’ spirit and community is one of the things that sets the MBA experience apart, and it is a concept that extends beyond the student body to include faculty, staff, and administration. Please share with us “25 Random Things” about you. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know YOU – beyond the professional and academic achievements listed in your resume and transcript. Share with us important life experiences, your hobbies, achievements, fun facts, or anything that helps us understand what makes you who you are. Your list will be limited to 2 pages (750 words maximum). Please present your response in list form, numbered 1 to 25. Some points may be brief, while others may be longer."
MBA Goals Worksheet
A concise worksheet to clarify your MBA career goals and articulate the “why MBA, why now, and why this school” with precision.
Georgetown McDonough Essays
Application essays for two short answer questions and one long form question for dual-degree applicants
The Three Biggest Secrets of the GMAT: Scoring Algorithm & Test Strategy
Learn how to ace the GMAT with these tips and tricks.
Standing Out as an International Applicant
This session will be focused on helping international applicants develop a high-level understanding of all the components of the MBA application process, learn how to differentiate themselves from the crowd, and start to create a standout profile to get them into a top business school. With more non-US candidates applying every year, it’s more important than ever to show what makes you unique. Learn from a panel of experts who will share their expertise and experiences through an interactive discussion, practical tips, and real-life examples. We invite potential applicants from all corners of the globe to join us for this amazing event! Meet our panelists: Vica G., Stanford GSB MBA, former Silicon Valley tech executive and startup founder, double émigrée and storytelling expert passionate for helping international or underdog clients craft competitive applications. Jesse L., has coached 100% of full-service clients to top 30 MBAs, 95% to top 20, expert in international applicants and crafting compelling narratives. Cathy M, INSEAD MBA, has successfully coached candidates to gain admissions into top schools, including INSEAD, LBS, Booth, Wharton, HEC Paris, IESE, Cambridge Judge, Oxford Said & NYU Stern.
Tech to MBA Panel Pt 1
Are you working in the tech industry and thinking about applying to an elite business school? Join the Leland team for this FREE event specifically designed for tech professionals aspiring to get into top MBA programs like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, The Wharton School, and more. During this event, our expert panelists will answer the most frequently asked questions related to the business school application process for tech professionals and discuss how to: ⭐️ Transition from a tech career to an MBA program ⭐️ Think about your application strategy ⭐️ Get your MBA resume prepared ⭐️ Write winning essays ⭐️ Stand out throughout the interview process Meet our panelists: Maaz K., Ross MBA, former Google, Amazon, and Square, supply chain management professional with 10+ years across diverse industries including tech, CPG, and construction, experience aiding others regarding career advice, MBA and grad school admissions. Tory V., Harvard MBA, Google and TikTok, who's passionate about guiding people through their career and academic goals, including resume/LinkedIn reviews, application reviews, and mock interviews. Don't miss this unique opportunity to acquire top-tier knowledge and strategies for successfully applying to MBA programs as a tech professional.
The Deferred MBA Essay That Got Me Accepted
A deep dive into a successful Columbia Business School deferred MBA essay. Learn how to craft a compelling narrative that gets you noticed by admissions committees.
The Yale SOM Essays That Got Me Accepted
A deep dive into the essays that earned a spot at Yale School of Management. Learn how to craft a compelling narrative that stands out to admissions committees.
