Leland+ for MBA
Popular on Leland+
How to Secure Top Graduate Fellowships: Rhodes, Truman, Knight-Hennessy & More!
Curious about how to earn prestigious fellowships like Rhodes, Marshall, Schwarzman, Knight-Hennessy, and others? In this session, coaches Machmud M. and Claire R.—both Knight-Hennessy Scholars themselves—will share what it takes to stand out in highly competitive selection processes. You’ll learn how to craft a compelling personal narrative, choose and prepare strong recommenders, approach essay prompts, and succeed in interviews, all while highlighting leadership, impact, and academic excellence. Whether you’re exploring opportunities for graduate study abroad, pursuing a master’s in the U.S., or looking to expand your academic and professional horizons, this session will give you clear strategies and practical tools to strengthen your application. With proven frameworks and insights from past awardees, you’ll walk away ready to approach fellowship applications with confidence.
Getting into Stanford GSB
Are you aiming to secure a spot in a top MBA program? Join me, Sydney, for an insightful session on how to navigate the MBA application process and stand out among a competitive pool of applicants. As a recent MBA graduate from Stanford's Graduate School of Business and a former MBA Student Admissions Ambassador, I am passionate about guiding prospective students through this journey. During this event, we'll cover essential topics such as general exploration, essays, application strategy, recommendations, and networking strategy. Whether you're considering applying in round 2 or looking for an extra push for round 1, this session is tailored for you. Let's work together to present your authentic story and find your passion through business.
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.
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.
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.
UCLA Anderson Example Essay 2: Career Goals
This is an example essay of the Career Goals essay which asks for the short-term and long-term career goals of the applicant (150 word limit).
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."
How Two M7 Admits Nailed Deferred MBA Apps
Are you a college senior aiming for a Deferred MBA program at a top business school? Join us for an insightful session on how two M7 admits successfully navigated the deferred MBA application process. I'm Mihir, your guide for this event. As an admit to both Columbia Business School and Chicago Booth Scholars, I bring firsthand experience and insider knowledge to help you stand out in your applications. With a background in Biochemistry, English, Business, and Computer Science, and professional stints at Capital One and Moderna, I offer a well-rounded perspective on crafting compelling applications. I'm thrilled to co-host this session with Kristen, an outstanding admit to both Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB through their deferred MBA programs. Kristen studied Business Administration and Management and has worked as an Associate Consultant Intern at Bain & Company, a Strategy & Operations Coach at Leland, and is the Co-Founder of Ignite Digital Wellness. She brings deep insight into building a powerful application from a non-traditional background and balancing startup, nonprofit, and consulting experiences. During this session, we'll cover everything from school selection and application strategy to essays and testing. Whether you're just starting or refining your final application, this event is designed to help you present your most authentic self.
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.
School Agnostic Recommender Guide
Non-program specific recommender guide with templates.
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.
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.
Columbia Business School Mock Interview Guide
Mock Interview Guide with Questions and Suggestions
HBS Example Essay: My Journey to Inclusion
Explore a powerful HBS essay on how personal experiences with identity and inclusion shaped a vision for inclusive business and leadership.
MBA Blueprint: What to Do NOW to Create Winning Applications
Getting started with the MBA process early? Great! Learn what you can do today for a winning application and your dream program.
Office Hours with Former MBA AdComs & Admissions Experts
Join us for an exclusive Office Hours session with former MBA Admissions Committee members and top admissions experts! This is your chance to get insider advice on the MBA application process—directly from those who used to make the decisions. Learn how to craft a compelling narrative, avoid common pitfalls, and stand out in competitive applicant pools. Whether you're just starting your MBA journey or putting the finishing touches on your application, our panelists are here to answer all your questions. Meet our panelists: Faisal K., Chicago Booth MBA, Chicago Booth Admissions Office, coached 100+ M7 admits, 15 years of experience aiding US and international applicants translate their rich global experiences into compelling, relevant, and memorable applications. Avi L., UC Berkeley, former USC Director of Admissions and admissions reader at Berkeley, expert in helping applicants identify how to tell their story in way that makes them stand out. Emily L., UC Berkeley Haas, former Haas Co-VP of Admissions, trained and mentored by former M7 AdCom members, extensive experience with clients with below median test scores.
Mastering Your MBA Internship
Turn your internship into a full-time offer with strategies for impact, visibility, and relationship-building.
CV that Worked for Stanford GSB
CV I submitted as part of my application for Stanford GSB MSx Program
Applying and Succeeding as a Diverse MBA Candidate
Designed specifically for individuals from diverse backgrounds, this event aims to provide valuable insights, strategies, and resources to empower aspiring MBA candidates to thrive in the application process and beyond. Through an interactive presentation, practical tips, and inspiring stories, we will explore the unique strengths and perspectives that diverse applicants bring to the MBA landscape. By the end of this session, you will understand how to showcase your background in a way that is compelling to the AdCom and highlights what you, specifically, bring to the table. Meet our panelists: Amanda I., Stanford GSB, with professional experience at Google and Peloton! She's passionate about helping clients tell their story with clarity and confidence. Karla M., Harvard MPP and Booth MBA, and J.P. Morgan professional, with 10 years of coaching experience and a track record of helping clients secure top MBA admits with substantial scholarships. Lucas S., Harvard MBA and MPP, consultant at the Bridgespan group & former Transportation and Infrastructure Director for the U.S. House of Representatives.
