Leland+ for MBA

How to Approach the GSB 'What Matters Most' Essay

The Stanford GSB “What matters most to you, and why?” essay is one of the most challenging—and important—prompts in MBA admissions. In this session, you’ll learn how to break down the question, uncover the deeper themes in your own story, and craft a response that is authentic, personal, and compelling. ​Led by Andy P., a Leland coach who has guided countless applicants to top MBA programs, this workshop will give you practical strategies, real examples, and common pitfalls to avoid. Whether you’re just starting your first draft or refining your narrative, you’ll leave with a clearer framework to tackle this iconic essay with confidence.

Traditional MBA Candidates: Differentiating Yourself

A strategic session for applicants from common pre-MBA backgrounds—like consulting or finance—focused on how to craft a distinctive narrative, highlight unique experiences, and stand out in a competitive pool.

The 30-Minute Narrative Framework Top Applicants Use [8/17/2026] (Recording)

In this session, you will learn how to structure your MBA narrative so that your career progression, pivot rationale, and post-MBA goals form a single coherent arc rather than three separate answers. That means building a 30-minute framework you can use to stress-test your story before it hits the essay or interview stage, and identifying the specific moments in your background that admissions committees actually weight when evaluating fit and readiness. Attending live means you can bring your specific background and get a direct read on whether your narrative holds together, which a recording cannot offer. The coach works with MBA applicants year-round and will share the patterns that separate the stories that land from the ones that read as generic, giving you a clear sense of how an experienced reader would evaluate your case.

Finance to MBA Panel

A candid panel discussion featuring applicants and admits from finance backgrounds sharing insights on their MBA journeys, career pivots, and tips for standing out in the application process.

Get Into A Top MBA Before You Even Graduate College [9/24/2026] (Recording)

You don't have to wait until after college to start building a top MBA candidacy. The choices you make now around academics, internships, leadership, and career direction can shape how competitive your application will be years down the road. This session is for college students who are already thinking about an MBA and want to give themselves the strongest possible shot at a top program. You'll learn what matters most early on, which experiences can strengthen your future application, and how to start building a compelling profile before graduation. Join live for a panel of MBA experts who know what it takes to build a competitive candidacy for top business schools. They'll share practical advice on the moves that can pay off later, common mistakes to avoid, and how to think strategically about your next few years. You'll leave with a clearer roadmap for setting yourself up for MBA success long before you apply.

Deferred MBA Applications: What Top 10 Programs Reward Most [10/7/2026] (Recording)

Deferred MBA programs give college students a chance to secure a path to a top business school before starting their careers, but knowing what admissions committees actually value can be difficult. The strongest applicants understand how to make the most of their limited professional experience and demonstrate the potential top programs are looking for. This session is for college students applying to deferred MBA programs who want to build a more compelling application. You’ll learn what top programs reward most, how to position your experiences effectively, and where to focus your efforts to stand out. Join live to hear from an MBA expert who has coached 300+ clients and helped applicants gain admission to top business schools around the world. The speaker will share practical strategies for approaching deferred applications, common mistakes to avoid, and insights into what successful applicants do differently. Bring your questions and leave with a clearer strategy for strengthening your deferred MBA application.

How to Build an MBA Application That's Actually Ready for Round 1 [8/3/2026] (Recording)

Preparing for Round 1 can feel overwhelming when you're trying to balance essays, recommendations, test scores, and school research all at once. This session is designed for MBA applicants who want to make sure every part of their application is truly ready before they hit submit. You’ll learn how to assess your application for gaps, prioritize the highest-impact improvements, and build a realistic plan for submitting a polished, competitive Round 1 application. Attending live gives you the opportunity to ask questions about your own application timeline and get real-time guidance on what deserves your attention before deadlines arrive. The speaker works closely with MBA applicants and will share the patterns they see across successful candidates, along with how they evaluate whether an application is genuinely ready for submission. If you want to approach Round 1 with more confidence and a clear plan, it’s worth joining live.

How to Approach the GSB 'What Matters Most' Essay [7/10/2026] (Recording)

After this session, you will know how to frame a "What Matters Most" essay that feels personal without losing strategic clarity. We will cover how to identify a theme that is both authentic and differentiated, how to structure your response to signal self-awareness rather than just achievement, and where most applicants lose the reader's attention in the opening lines. Attending live means you can describe your specific situation and hear how the coach thinks through it in real time, which a recording cannot replicate. The coach works with GSB applicants regularly and will share the patterns that distinguish essays that resonate from those that read as generic, giving you a clear lens to apply to your own draft.

How to Build a Winning MBA Application

Many MBA applicants have strong profiles but struggle to bring all the pieces together into a cohesive, competitive application. This session is designed for candidates who want to understand how admissions committees evaluate applicants across essays, resumes, recommendations, and interviews. You’ll learn how to define clear career goals, build a compelling narrative, and position your experiences in a way that demonstrates leadership, impact, and fit with your target programs.

Start Write Now: MBA Essay Panel

MBA essays are where you move beyond stats and show who you are, what you want, and why a program should bet on you. In this panel, experienced coaches will break down what actually differentiates strong essays, common mistakes they see every cycle, and how to get started without overthinking. Whether you’re staring at a blank page or revising drafts, you’ll leave with practical insights to write with more clarity and direction.

Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays

Harvard Business School’s updated essay prompts demand clarity of purpose, strong self-awareness, and a narrative that goes beyond polished accomplishments. This session breaks down what the new HBS essays are really testing, how to approach each prompt strategically, and how to craft responses that feel authentic while signaling leadership, impact, and future potential. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or refining drafts, you’ll leave with a clearer framework for writing essays that resonate with HBS admissions readers.

Consulting-to-MBA: Stand out as a "Traditional" Candidate

​Consultants make up one of the largest applicant pools to top MBA programs—which means standing out is more important than ever. In this panel, Leland coaches Andy P. (Top MBA coach for 20 years), Karla M. (150+ M7 Admits, prior consultant, Harvard/Booth dual degree grad), and Ben L. (300+ M7 Admits, prior consultant, GSB grad) will share how to craft an authentic, differentiated story that sets you apart from thousands of other applicants with similar backgrounds. ​You’ll learn how to translate your consulting experience into powerful application essays, recommendations, and interviews that highlight your leadership, impact, and future goals. Whether you’re a current analyst, associate, or engagement manager preparing for a future cycle, this session will give you actionable strategies to turn a “traditional” background into a standout advantage.

Deferred (2+2) MBA Application Week Kickoff

Thinking about applying to a Deferred MBA program? Join us for Leland’s Deferred MBA Week Kickoff, featuring top Leland coaches Andy P. (20+ years of MBA coaching), Allie K. (75+ M7 Admits), and Geri T. (Founder of Harvard's DMBA Program), who have helped countless candidates get into the most competitive programs at schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton.

Strategies for Crushing the New HBS Essays

​The Harvard Business School essays have changed—and so has the strategy you’ll need to stand out. In this workshop, Leland coach Andy P. will walk you through proven approaches for tackling the new prompts with clarity and impact. ​You’ll learn how to identify the stories that best showcase your leadership, values, and potential, while avoiding common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications. Andy will also share practical tips for structuring your essays, weaving a cohesive narrative across your application, and highlighting the qualities HBS is really looking for. Whether you’re just getting started or refining a draft, this session will equip you with actionable strategies to make your essays rise to the top.