Leland+ for Deferred MBA

Differentiate Your MBA Application: Research & Networking IN ACTION, Part 2 of 2 [3/13/2026] (Recording)

⚡Deep school research and strategic networking are two of the most powerful ways to strengthen an MBA application. This live workshop shows you how to actually do them. ⚠️ Important Note This workshop builds on the core research and networking framework I taught in Differentiate Your MBA Application: School Research & Networking (Part 1 of 2). You are welcome to attend Part 2 on its own. However, watching Part 1 first, live or via recording, is strongly recommended so you can fully apply what is demonstrated in this session. ⚠️watch the recording of Part 1 to make this session the most effective. Message me if you would like a copy of the research template. https://dub.sh/recordingpart1 (Sorry, Leland doesn't make the link clickable.) This execution-focused session takes you inside the real research and networking process used by successful MBA applicants. Rather than focusing on high-level theory, you will watch me work through real examples in real time. During the workshop, you will see how I: 🔷 Use AI and navigate school websites to identify the most relevant courses, professors, centers, experiential programs, and career resources 🔷 Use LinkedIn and alumni networks to identify high-impact outreach targets based on background, goals, and timing 🔷 Decide who to contact now, who later, and who not at all 🔷 Personalize outreach messages to maximize response rates 🔷 Capture insights so they can be used effectively in essays and interviews 🔷 Recognize which findings meaningfully influence application strategy versus those that are simply interesting Throughout the session, I will highlight where specific insights commonly appear in essays, interviews, and networking conversations, and why certain details carry more weight with admissions committees. I may share brief example snippets to illustrate this, but the focus of the workshop is on the process that produces strong application content, not on writing the content itself. Bonus Offer ✅One attendee will receive a free 1-hour coaching session. ✅All attendees may request a free copy of the MBA Research & Networking Template. ⚡Spots are limited. Register now to gain the advantage that can set your MBA application apart.

Analyzing Example Essays from Chicago Booth Admits [3/13/2026] (Recording)

Many applicants find a way to write at least one strong essay. But those who really maximize the essay-writing process develop clear narrative through-lines that connect the dots of their life, and articulate how they'll contributions to their target brand. Their two-dimensional writing brings out a three-dimensional personality. They have a “brand”. You know what they’re all about. This event will draw from example essays written by successful admits who I've personally coached, and helped land a spot at one or more top MBA programs. These essays were particularly strong in how they spoke to one another—how they created a holistic applicant who admissions committees could envision on campus. Their professional and judiciously placed personal experience offer evidence for why they’re the kind of person who will make a specific, meaningful 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 Chicago Booth.

Essays (2): Michigan Ross MBA Admitted R1 2025

These are the 2 application essays of an applicant who secured R1 admission to Michigan Ross full-time MBA.

Essays (4): Duke Fuqua MBA Admitted Army Veteran

These are the 4 application essays of an Army veteran who secured R1 admission to Duke Fuqua MBA.

Resume: Army Veteran Admitted to Duke Fuqua MBA

This resume showcases an Army veteran from a non-traditional background who earned R1 admission to Duke Fuqua MBA.

The 5 Toughest MBA Interview Questions

Slides from event on 1/8/26 - Get everything you need to answer the 5 toughest MBA interview questions, including sample answers!

INSEAD Managing High-Stakes Complexity Essay

A reflection on navigating a high-pressure, unprecedented project, balancing strategic vision with expert risk management.

INSEAD Short- and Long-Term Career Goals Essay

Plans for transitioning from Korea’s gaming industry to global digital platforms and building a founder-focused accelerator.

Essays (2): Yale SOM MBA Admitted R1 Class of 2028

These are the 2 application essays of an applicant who secured R1 admission to Yale SOM full-time MBA.

INSEAD Career Overview and Key Decisions Essay

A summary of career progression, leadership experiences, and cross-cultural impact in global tech and enterprise roles.

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!

How to Strengthen Your Deferred MBA Story Before the Deadline

Deferred MBA programs look for candidates with clear potential, thoughtful career vision, and evidence of leadership early in their careers. If you’re planning to apply this cycle, the months before the deadline are when strong applicants refine their goals, sharpen their narrative, and ensure their experiences clearly support why an MBA makes sense for them. In this session, you’ll learn how to clarify your long-term story, highlight leadership and impact effectively, and strengthen the core themes that run through your essays and application materials.

8 Steps to an MBA app: 1) Life Story, Timeline, & MBA Resume

Applying to business school can feel overwhelming! You have dozens of moving pieces: essays, short answers, video content, resume, recommendations, outreach, research, and more. This workshop is the starting point of a structured 8-part MBA Identity Mapping series designed to take you from fragmented tasks to a clear plan of action. In this session, you will build your foundational Life Timeline of all your key stories and begin transforming your resume into MBA format. These sessions walk you step by step through building one fully aligned MBA application. In every workshop, you will be assigned tasks to complete over the next two weeks, keeping you organized and accountable. By the end, you will have strong, authentic essays and a cohesive narrative that runs consistently through your resume, goals, recommendations, school strategy, and interviews. You are absolutely welcome to attend individual sessions if you only need focused help on a specific component(s) of your MBA application. Event 1 identifies your significant experiences and reshapes your resume into MBA format: • Understand the full trajectory of the 8-phase MBA Identity Mapping process and how each piece connects. • Build a comprehensive Life Timeline that captures the raw material of your life. • Begin transforming your professional resume into MBA format. The MBA Identity Mapping process has guided 100+ applicants into every M7 program, all other top 20 U.S. programs, and leading international programs including INSEAD, London Business School, IESE, Esade, Oxford, Cambridge, NUS, and more. Clients consistently describe it as transformative because it replaces scattered effort with forward momentum and strategic clarity. If you are ready to stop juggling tasks and start building an organized, cohesive MBA application, this is where you begin. (Please message me if you would like a copy of the super helpful free resource mentioned in the video: MBA Resume Transformation Guide.)

Inside Deferred Admissions: AMA with a Founder of the HBS 2+2 Program

Few people understand Deferred MBA admissions better than Kerry P., who helped launch the Harvard Business School 2+2 Program and has since guided countless candidates into top deferred programs. In this exclusive AMA, Kerry will pull back the curtain on how Deferred MBA programs really evaluate applicants — from what schools look for in undergraduates to how they assess potential and fit.

Finding Success as a Non-Traditional MBA Applicant

Learn how Coach Melanie E. went from Fashion to McKinsey as a successful non-traditional MBA applicant to M7 programs.

Wharton Future Goals Essay Example

This is an admitted students' essay answering Wharton's prompt: How do you plan to use the Wharton MBA program to help achieve future goals.

Essays (2): UNC Kenan-Flagler MBA Admitted R1

These are the 3 application essays of an applicant who secured R1 admission to UNC Kenan-Flagler full-time MBA.