Leland+ for MBA

Frequently Asked Questions About Resume Writing

Many people have asked me a set of questions frequently. These questions will answer some of your questions quickly!

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.

What MBA Interviewers Are Really Evaluating

MBA interviews are less about having the “right” answers and more about how you show up. In this panel, former MBA interviewers will share firsthand insight into what admissions committees are actually assessing during interviews, from leadership presence and self-awareness to clarity of goals and authenticity. You’ll learn how interviewers interpret your stories, what common signals raise red flags, and how to prepare in a way that feels confident rather than rehearsed. Whether you’re interviewing soon or planning ahead, this session will help you understand how to perform at your best when it matters most.

Kellogg MBA Essay #1

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

Building Your Path to Graduate School Success: 2-5 Years Out

Are you considering applying to graduate school in the next 2-5 years and want to ensure you're on the right path to success? Join me, Bri, for an insightful session on building a strategic approach to your graduate school applications, whether you're eyeing an MBA, MPP, or any highly competitive graduate degree. With firsthand experience as an admit to MIT Sloan, Booth, and Tuck, and a dual MPP/MBA strategy, I bring a wealth of knowledge on what top programs are looking for. My background in government consulting and cross-sector innovation allows me to help you craft compelling stories that connect your diverse experiences into a cohesive narrative. I've successfully coached applicants to M7 and top public policy programs, refining their personal narratives, clarifying post-graduate goals, and strengthening their essays, résumés, and interviews. During this session, we'll cover everything from application strategy and networking to financial aid and testing. Space is limited, so RSVP now to secure your spot and start building your path to graduate school success!

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.

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

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.

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

Example Resume for Amazon Program Manager Application

This is the resume for an individual with an MBA and Product Management background who secured a Amazon Program Manager role.

Deferred MBA Planning — Preparing for a Successful Application [3/5/2026] (Recording)

Are you gearing up for the deferred MBA application process sometime in the next couple of years? Join me for a session dedicated to making sure you are well prepared when application season rolls around. I'm John, CEO of Leland, and I'll be your host for this session. Prior to Leland, I was admitted to HBS 2+2 and Stanford GSB deferred, and then founded Deferred MBA Consulting. In the past 8 years I have helped thousands of people with their deferred applications. Space is limited, so make sure to RSVP and secure your spot today!

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!

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

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.

Career Goals -- Why they're the key to MBA apps and how to nail them

MBA admissions teams use your career goals to gauge clarity, direction, and fit—making them a critical part of your application. In this session, you’ll learn how to craft focused short- and long-term goals, connect them to your experience, and avoid common mistakes. Whether you’re drafting or refining essays, you’ll leave with a clear framework to articulate compelling, credible goals.

Harvard Essay 1 Example

Harvard Essay 1 example of a female from a CPG start-up accepted into the class of 2028.

Harvard Essay 2 Example

Harvard Essay 2 example, female from a CPG start-up, accepted into the class of 2028.

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.

From Field to Framework: Crafting a Civilian-Ready MBA Resume

Military experience translates powerfully to MBA admissions when it’s framed in the language schools understand. This session shows you how to convert roles, missions, and outcomes into civilian-ready impact, highlight leadership and decision-making, and align your resume with post-MBA goals. You’ll learn how to quantify results, choose the right stories, and avoid common translation pitfalls so your resume clearly signals readiness for top programs.

The Non‑Traditional Applicant’s Storytelling Workbook

How to build an authentic, coherent MBA narrative (without obsessing over stats). Non‑traditional candidate stories can be coherent, but often candidates just don’t know how to translate them for what Adcom wants to hear. This guide helps you translate your niche experience into MBA language.