Leland+ for Deferred MBA

MBA Self-Discovery Workbook: Unlock Your Narrative & Write Freely

This is a reflection-focused, 13-section workbook for MBA applicants to uncover and build your story before embarking on the complex, layered process of writing your essays. This resource is informed from my time in Stanford GSB's Interpersonal Dynamics (Touchy Feely), my time helping dozens of other GSB classmates find their voice as the Managing Editor for Stanford GSB's Paper (Nondisclosure), and in helping over 500 MBA applicants self-reflect in a way that feels genuine, personal and clarifying. I wrote this resource with just enough structure (but not too much), and with a practical eye towards covering the ground you'll need for your MBA apps. You'll go deep, but every question has a purpose. I also use this with everyone I work with, and it's something we'll cover at the very beginning of our process. My hope is that this resource, in addition to being a big help, feels like we're in conversation. The goal is just to get to know you a little better, one step at a time, in a way that feels natural, even enjoyable. Even if you're the only one who ever sees it, I've tried to write this in a way that I'd speak about this kind of thing with you. Because I think humans are the best way to help other humans see themselves a little deeper. And trust me, plenty of "coaches" could use more of that too ;) This workbook will cover your background, motivations, short and long-term goals, values, behavioral stories, and more. A PDF is attached here, but there's also a downloadable Word file I recommend using to make things much easier for you to fill out as you go. This took me about 20-30 hours of time to put together, and I suggest putting at least 5-10 into filling this out. Some go at it all at once, but most do it in a few sittings. Long walks are good to interperse between writing sessions, and I actually recommend you reflect and go back to this to update your answers several times throughout your MBA process. Save new versions as you go and you'll be able to see your application pixellate over this monthslong process. If you're reapplying, I'd push you to compare what you end up with here with what you submitted last time. The differences may be revealing. I hope ends up a real tool for you, and that it helps you find answers you might not have found otherwise. It also will give you a glimpse into what coaching together feels like. Don't hesitate to reach out if you feel like sharing this. Working on your writing and applications together is a natural byproduct of the kind of reflection you'll be doing here, and it's my favorite thing to help someone with. Happy writing :) -Ben

Professional CV - two Masters and three Doctorates + work experience!

For anyone looking for a clean, simple, thorough CV template! Includes my background of multiple undergraduate degrees, two Master's degrees, and three Doctorate degrees, along with research bibliography and work experience. Translatable for those entering MBA, Masters, PhD, medical school, dental school, physician's assistant and more.

Sample Columbia Business School Essays

Stuck staring at the Columbia essay prompts? See exactly how admitted applicants pulled it off. This collection includes more than twenty complete essay sets covering every recent CBS question. Read across industries, geographies, and career stages to find approaches that resonate with your own story.

2026-2027 Columbia Essay Brainstorm

The complete brainstorming workbook for Columbia's 2026-2027 essays. Inside: step-by-step exercises for every prompt, from short answers to Essay 1 goals to Essay 2 collaboration stories to Essay 3 "co-create" arguments, with structured charts to help you organize your stories, research, and outlines before you start drafting.

Sample MBA Interview Answers

A comprehensive library of sample MBA interview responses across every major question category: leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, communication, self-awareness, resilience, ethics, and adaptability. Each example uses the STAR method to show you exactly how to structure compelling, quantified answers you can adapt with your own experiences.

How to Get Off of an MBA Waitlist

Most waitlisted candidates wait passively and hope for the best. The ones who get admitted have a strategy. This guide shows you exactly how to build yours, from reflecting on application weaknesses to structuring your waitlist essay to demonstrating new growth that gives adcoms a reason to convert you.

Sample MBA Waitlist Essays

Nine real waitlist essays that earned admission to Stanford GSB, HBS, Kellogg, Columbia, LBS, NYU Stern, and other top programs. See exactly how successful candidates addressed weak spots, shared meaningful updates, and made the case for fit, giving you concrete models before you write your own waitlist letter.

Guide to Negotiating MBA Scholarships

Everything is negotiable, including your MBA scholarship. This guide walks you through the full strategy for increasing your award, from leveraging competing offers to highlighting recent achievements to following up effectively, plus four plug-and-play email templates covering the most common scenarios so you can negotiate with confidence.

Your Complete Guide to MBA Scholarship Essays

A complete playbook for writing scholarship essays that actually win funding. Inside: a clear framework for what committees want to see. This guide includes ten real, successful examples spanning multiple essay question types and direct scholarship reconsideration requests.

MBA School Selection Exercise

A structured exercise for choosing MBA programs that actually fit your goals, not just the rankings. Read the guidance on what to evaluate (brand, academic focus, network, etc.), then use the fillable research table to compare your shortlist across all eight factors side by side. Ideal before you commit to a final school list.

Mega AI Prompt Library - MBA Applications

A complete prompt library for using AI as your application co-pilot, organized by stage from school selection through final decision. Copy and paste 60+ ready-to-use prompts covering goals planning, personal branding, essay drafting, recommender strategy, application forms, interview prep, waitlist letters, and scholarship negotiation. At the end, you'll have a faster, sharper application without losing your authentic voice.

MBA Optional Essays - Your Complete Guide

The optional essay is one of the easiest places to hurt your MBA application. This guide shows you when to write one and when to skip it, with a real successful example explaining a low GMAT quant score and a clear framework for addressing extenuating circumstances without overexplaining.

Example Optional Essays for MBA Applications

The most comprehensive optional essay sample library you'll find: 20+ real, successful examples organized by scenario. Whether you're explaining a low GMAT, a work gap, your recommender choice, or a unique background, see exactly how admitted candidates handled the same challenge before drafting your own.

Complete MBA Reapplicant Essay Guide

Reapplicants face a challenge that first-time candidates don't: proving you've genuinely grown since your last attempt. This guide walks you through exactly what a strong reapplicant essay includes, from refined goals to new leadership to addressing weak spots. Includes multiple real, successful reapplicant essays.

Sample MBA Reapplicant Essays

Six real, successful reapplicant essays from candidates admitted to top MBA programs. See exactly how they addressed past weaknesses, demonstrated growth, and reinforced fit, giving you concrete models to study before drafting your own second-chance essay.

Example MBA Side Letters

A curated set of real, successful side letters covering both the general format and the specific question prompts required by Chicago Booth, Duke Fuqua, and London Business School. A "general" style side letter (like those requested by INSEAD) is also included. See exactly how effective recommenders structure their letters and answer each school's questions before briefing the person writing yours.

Writing your MBA Goals Paragraph

A focused exercise for drafting the goals paragraph that anchors your entire MBA application, from essays to interviews. Map your short- and long-term roles, target companies, and intended impact in a structured table, then translate it into a 100-150 word paragraph using the included checklist. At the end, you'll have a sharp, reusable goals statement you can adapt across every school.

How to Write an MBA Goals Essay

A complete framework for writing the goals essay that nearly every MBA program requires. Learn the winning formula, then use fillable tables to map your goals, select supporting past experiences, and connect to opportunities at up to four target schools. At the end, you'll have everything you need to draft a focused goals essay.

Developing Your Best MBA Stories

Build the foundation every strong MBA application stands on: a library of your best stories. This worksheet guides you through the STAR structure across twelve categories, including the three required for any competitive application. Develop them once, then adapt to every school's essays, short answers, and interview questions.

MBA Goals Planning Exercise

A structured exercise for building MBA goals that connect logically and feel earned. Work through guidance on what makes goals strong, then complete fillable tables covering your short-term role, long-term vision, "aha" moment, MBA development areas, and supporting experiences. Ideal early in the application process, before you start drafting essays.