Leland+ Content Library

Interviews for International Candidates

Mock structures + success strategies

Common Communication Mistakes

Over-formality, vague leadership claims, jargon

The "American Style" Application

Directness, reflection, vulnerability—all without oversharing

Storytelling vs Reporting

Avoiding resume repetition, writing essays that resonate

Demonstrating Cultural Adaptability

Global perspective + U.S. fit

Financial Aid for International Students

Scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, Prodigy/MPower loans, sponsorship options

AdCom Insider Tip #1

Why International Applicants Get Misread in the U.S. MBA Process

Telling Your Story

Build Your Own Personal Brand

Visa Strategy

F-1 visa basics, OPT, STEM extension, sponsorship challenges, school support

GMAT, GRE & English Tests

Test options, typical target scores by school tier, TOEFL vs IELTS vs Duolingo

Tuition, Cost of Living, and ROI

Real budgets, affordability planning, Deferred Tuition education

How U.S. MBA Admissions Work

Application components, holistic review, timelines (Round 1 vs Round 2), application portals

U.S. vs International Admissions Differences

What U.S. schools value (leadership, impact, fit), expectations for career clarity

How to Create A Competitive College Application

​College admissions are more competitive than ever, and standing out requires more than just good grades and test scores. In this session, Kirsten S. (Admissions Committee @ Princeton), William F. (Director of Graduate Admissions @ UPenn), and Skyler A. (Assistant Director of Admissions @ Northwestern) will break down how to craft a cohesive, authentic application that highlights your unique strengths and story. ​You’ll learn how to approach your essays, choose the right recommenders, showcase your extracurriculars, and tie everything together into a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions officers. Whether you’re just getting started or finalizing your materials, this event will give you practical strategies and insider insights to put forward your strongest possible college application.

Best Career Paths To Pay Off Student Loans Fast

Student debt doesn’t have to define your financial future. In this workshop, Ben L. —a Stanford GSB alum, McKinsey consultant, and startup advisor—will share how to strategically choose and navigate career paths that maximize income, equity potential, and long-term financial freedom. Drawing on his experience across consulting, private equity, venture capital, startups, and public policy, Ben will break down which industries, roles, and career strategies offer the fastest routes to paying off loans while still aligning with your values and lifestyle goals. Whether you’re graduating soon, pursuing your MBA, or looking to pivot into a higher-paying path, this session will help you think critically about how to leverage your skills for both impact and financial independence. Space is limited, so RSVP to secure your spot. We’re excited to be on the career journey with you! And don’t forget to sign up for a free Leland account to stay in the loop for more free events, discounts, and career resources.

Building the Foundations

Understanding The Process Before You Launch Your Journey

Do’s and Don’ts of the Behavioral Interview - Software Engineering

Are you gearing up for a behavioral interview in software engineering and want to ensure you make a lasting impression? Join me, Lance, for an insightful session on the Do’s and Don’ts of the Behavioral Interview. As an Engineering Manager at Lucid Software, I've spent years guiding and managing software engineers, and I've spent years interviewing junior and senior engineers for roles at Lucid. In this event, I'll share key strategies and common pitfalls to avoid during your behavioral interviews. Whether you're just starting out or looking to change jobs, this session will equip you with the tools you need to succeed.

Leveraging AI for MBA Applications (while also not cheating)

How can you make the most of GenAI tools to leave no stone unturned in your MBA process? What are the right and wrong ways to be leveraging AI as you build out your applications? I'll help you lower your anxiety around this topic, and help you use AI to complement your thinking on other critical questions like: - "How do I know what programs are the best fit for me?" - "How do I even go about researching my target programs?" - "How can I use it to level up my writing? What pitfalls do I need to avoid?” - "How can I map out my timeline for applying to MBAs?" - "How can I use AI to complement my live interview prep? - "How can I be sure my AI-based research is accurate?" The idea behind this session is twofold: 1) lending you tactical tips to raise the quality of your MBA applications in a world of limited time. (2) helping you think in ways that go beyond the specific questions we cover, so that you can generate plenty questions of your own. As someone who advises people on everyday-life-AI and has also worked with a handful of startup CEOs and investors on layered, complex research requiring heavy AI use, I'll help you make the most of our latest tech without compromising the integrity of your applications. I hope you leave feeling this whole MBA project is something doable, with a few AI-powered arrows in your quiver that can simplify your life as you get there. If you’re interested in 1:1 coaching, you can always drop me a line through my Leland profile. See you soon.