MBA Admissions

Admissions officer at Stanford GSB for five years, reviewing over 10,000 applications, conducting information sessions, and helping with strategy. I also initiated and launched the first outreach conference recruiting female applicants to the GSB. After leaving Stanford, I ran a couple of nonprofits, then returned to the admissions world as a consultant in 2014. Though I have worked with applicants to a variety of business-related programs, I focus on the MBA because I bring the most value. I love working with clients as they go through the process, seeing them gain confidence in their own voice and producing applications that reflect their motivations and values. Although most of my clients are applying to the M7, I'm happy to offer guidance to those considering other schools, including programs outside the United States such as LBS, Oxford Said, Cambridge Judge, and INSEAD.

Welcome to my profile! With over a decade of experience in MBA admissions, I have guided hundreds of clients to success at top programs such as Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and MIT. As the Director of MBA Admissions at Stratus , I lead teams that have helped clients secure hundreds of thousands of dollars in merit scholarships and prestigious fellowships like the Forte and Consortium Fellowships. My background includes evaluating thousands of applications globally, ensuring I bring a wealth of knowledge to your application process. Whether you need help with application strategy, school selection, or interview preparation, I'm here to help you craft a standout application. Read more about me here https://poetsandquants.com/2025/07/02/mba-admissions-consulting-when-tough-love-matters/

I'm an admit of the Stanford Graduate School of Business. Having read over dozens of essays and resumes from prospective applicants, and drawing from my own successful application journey, I have a deep understanding of what makes a truly stellar application, including the lesser known tips and tricks that one really only picks up from having gone through the process. In my own application to Stanford GSB, and other top schools, I approached every little detail methodically and carefully. I'm committed to supporting your application with this same type of intentionality and thoughtfulness. Your success is my mission. Wherever you are in the process, whatever your background may be, I'm excited to meet you where you're at and serve as a resource for you!

Worked with three top firms since 2002 (Stacy Blackman Consulting, MBA Prep School, Menlo Coaching) as well as independently. Chosen for Rematch Tiger Team, Client Liaison, and Second Reader roles at one firm, which involved rematching and providing exceptional service for applicants who were dissatisfied with their original consultant, advising consultants on various content-related and client-satisfaction challenges, and providing essay feedback for applicants who were unable to make further progress with their assigned consultant. Delivered best-practice essay development workshops for firm's entire team (~100 coaches), and advised on improvements of service offerings for multiple firms. Worked with Stanford Admissions Committee as Alumni Interviewer. Mostly recently, chosen as panelist for Leland Admissions Week.

I know the joy and pain of applying to business school, because at Stanford, I was often the one to call admits with news of their acceptance, and later, read their names on stage during graduation. I also had to be the one on the other end of the email when an applicant was denied--including many I thought might be qualified to be at Stanford, but whose applications weren't convincing enough. I never took this responsibility lightly, because I saw how consequential and personal it was for applicants I liked and respected. What made the difference? I wanted every applicant to submit the best application they could (while keeping it honest), but far too many fell short of this standard. And because I've seen the elation and the heartbreak these outcomes create (and couldn't help but feel somehow responsible), I now value the opportunity to work closely and selectively with serious applicants--those I know have at least the basic qualifications to attend a top business school, but more important, have the maturity, commitment, and discipline required to put together an application that shows your favored school why they will be honored to see you graduate. For most, it's hard work, but here’s the good news... Crafting a great application is a valuable step to having an exceptional business school experience, and not just because it gets you admitted. Applying can and should be a process that prepares you for what comes after--clarifying your rationale, helping you build confidence to tell a compelling, personal story. It should help you articulate the values you hold deeply and the value proposition you offer. Getting into a great program should not be the end in itself, but a step in an broader process of growth and impact. If you work with me, this is part of the perspective I bring. If you are interested in Stanford, specifically, I bring a lot of inside experience at the GSB, where I spent eighteen years--first as an MBA student, later as Executive Director of the GSB's Center for Leadership Development and Research, and then Director of the Stanford MSx Program and Admissions. Over that time, I was involved in many initiatives: • Helped manage launch of MBA core leadership curriculum (Leadership Labs, Arbuckle Fellows, GSB Executive Challenge) • Helped recruit first MBA Arbuckle Leadership Fellows cohort and oversaw GSB Executive Challenge • Managed GSB's first in-house leadership coaching staff--senior facilitators for Interpersonal Dynamics (aka 'Touchy Feely') course • Selected MBA student leaders for the CEO speaker series (View From The Top) and represented Dean's office with host speakers • Co-founded the LOWkeynotes public speaking program for MBA and MSx students • Taught a GSB elective, 'Leading with Agility', and in multiple Exec Ed programs • Co-developed the Stanford LEAP 360 leadership assessment tool used for GSB Exec Ed As Director of the Stanford MSx program and Director of Admissions, I admitted eleven cohorts of Stanford Sloan Fellows, working in close coordination with MBA Admissions on operational and policy matters. My admissions work took me to more than two dozen countries, I reviewed thousands of GSB applications, conducted hundreds of interviews, and served as academic advisor to students. I learned a lot about what it takes to be admitted, and I learned even more about what it takes to get the most out of business school. After leaving Stanford, I've had some opportunities to work with boutique admissions consulting firms, but I value the transparency and range of options Leland provides to you, the client. I don't like to work with an client unless I believe I can deliver more value than what it costs. Working with a coach/consultant is like finding a therapist, where chemistry matters, and there may be others that are a better match for what you need (or at least for some of what you need). After an initial consultation, I offer packages that allow us to spend a few hours reviewing your application or plan in detail, where I will draw on my experience to help you identify opportunities to clarify and strengthen your pitch, and possibly challenge assumptions you have, resulting in a clear plan of action. From there, we can better determine if additional engagement would be useful, where we would both commit to deliverables and a timeline if we believe, that by working together, you can succeed in hitting your goals. This might involve targeted assistance with specific components of your application, a more comprehensive effort, or simply helping you identify resources that can best serve you. Good luck! If you've read this far, we should set up a time to chat.

MBA COACHING, WRITING EXPERTISE & CAREER • Stanford GSB Alum, Class of 2021 -- see relevant experience sets below: • Coaching | Advised 300+ admits into Stanford GSB, HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, INSEAD, Haas, and more (see ~100 Leland reviews), while teaching multiple courses through Leland • Professional Writing | Speechwriting in public policy & political environments, Lead Editor for Nondisclosure (Stanford GSB's magazine) and Managing Editor for the Stanford International Policy Review • GMAT / Test-Taking | Scored in the highest percentile of GMAT test-takers, but more importantly I've honed my ability to help others extrapolate top test-testing strategies in the areas they're weakest • Interview Training | I'm interview-trained for McKinsey, allowing me to give high-quality mock interviews for MBBs and any MBA program • Additional Writing | Crafting op-eds, ghostwriting for major publications, developing a fictional short story collection, policy deep dives, a book on chess applications to life, and application essays of all sorts CAREER • What I'm Doing Now | Based in NYC, building a publication 'Staying Human', working on a stealth, marketplace startup, playing chess profssionally, and advising while a slate of Seed to Series C startups through Elevate LLC • Public Policy | Prior to Stanford, worked on the Policy Team for the Chicago Mayor's Office under Mayor Rahm Emanuel, focusing on 5G infrastructure policy, criminal justice policy, and citywide corporate/economic development deals • McKinsey | Before policy, worked at McKinsey & Co , with casework focused on job training for the formerly incarcerated and workforce development for at-risk youth • PE / VC / Startup Advising | After Stanford, worked in Bain's Private Equity Group on various due diliegences, managed deals with several venture capital firms, and advised multiple startups on growth and go-to-market strategy

With 17 years of admissions consulting experience at a top-ranked firm, advising more than 1,000 candidates and guiding hundreds to M7 and other top-20 MBA programs, I offer a strategic partnership grounded in clarity, efficiency, and long-term career architecture. I have worked with candidates from every background and career path, and I understand how personal and high-stakes this process can feel. My work begins well before essays are drafted. Drawing on a 40-year career spanning engineering, corporate strategy, product leadership, and entrepreneurial ventures, I help you think through not only where you can gain admission, but where you can build meaningful, lasting leverage. Rather than focusing narrowly on one or two programs, we thoughtfully evaluate Full-Time, Part-Time, Executive, and alternative pathways to determine what truly aligns with your goals and life circumstances. I invest deeply in front-end strategy: clarifying your demonstrated strengths, modeling realistic career trajectories, and developing a clear positioning thesis. When that foundation is strong, the writing becomes more natural and efficient. I do not believe in endless cycles of edits. I believe in doing the hard thinking upfront so the messaging reflects who you genuinely are and what you bring. Whether you are a traditional applicant or come from a less conventional background, I serve as both strategic advisor and steady project partner. You can expect candid feedback, structured planning, and focused refinement that surfaces your authentic value. I will not write your essays for you, but I will challenge and support you in ways that help you see your story more clearly than you have before.

Unlike other coaches, I personalize my strategy to you. I had the rare opportunity of being one of ~30 students per year to take the class by the former HBS/GSB Dean of Admissions, where we dove into the ins & outs of what a good MBA resume looks like, what a good interview looks like, and how they align with the values of our school. I myself applied and was accepted into four M7 programs, and have a network extending beyond that I can tap into for you. I help take your raw experiences and shape them into coherent, memorable narratives that admissions officers will champion in committee discussions. I know which details matter, which stories resonate. Whether you're struggling to articulate your "why MBA" or need to present a non-traditional background confidently, I'll help you tell your story with the authenticity and strategic insight that top programs demand.

Hi! I’m a first-generation college grad, Stanford alumna (MBA, BA Economics & Communication, Phi Beta Kappa) and writing/career coach who has found my calling in helping others to pursue their educational dreams. I provide personalized, knowledgeable, trusted support to diverse US and international students at every step of the admissions process. By working together, you’ll: • Access deep admissions expertise gained from years of direct experience: interviewer, applications reader, Stanford minority admissions advisory representative, pro bono admissions consulting, member of professional educational consulting organizations, quoted by US News. I’ll demystify college admissions and help you to make informed choices. • Create crafting authentic, insightful personal statements that uniquely reflect your background, values, experiences and goals and enable you to stand out. You don’t need to love writing. I’ll help you to identify not only what to communicate, but also how to communicate clearly, concisely and compellingly. • Chart your career vision. Perhaps you’re still considering your career options. I’ll serve as a knowledgeable and supportive sounding board and mentor. • Chart your career vision. Perhaps you’re still considering your career options. I’ll provide a knowledgeable and supportive sounding board and mentor. Together, we’ll identify strategies and actions you can take to achieve your academic and career goals (admissions committees want to know this!). I’ve personally enjoyed diverse, non-traditional work opportunities spanning international business, tech and marketing, strategy and communications at startups, nonprofits and corporations in the US, Europe and Asia. I draw on my experiences and extensive network and bring a “can do,” non-judgmental, strategic approach to helping you to achieve your goals. • Build a customized, balanced list of schools where you can thrive. The question we’ll focus on isn’t whether you’ll get into a great program (trust me, you will!), but rather, how do we identify a short list of schools where you will thrive. I tap deep roots in the Stanford community where I’m an active alumna, pro bono alumni consultant, minority/DEI initiative leader, and class secretary who’s been honored for my volunteer service by Stanford. • Benefit from personalized, responsive support at every step of the application process. I work closely with a limited number of diverse, motivated US and international clients each year. Working together, you will be able to: o Identify strategies and action plans for preparing your strongest candidacy o Write essays that elevate you from being a qualified applicant to a compelling one o Navigate the admission process with less stress and uncertainty and better outcomes

Welcome to my profile! With over two decades of experience as an MBA Admissions Consultant, I have guided over 500 clients to gain admission to their dream programs, including Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and more. My background in marketing and as an award-winning creative writer allows me to help clients craft compelling narratives that bring their unique qualities and potential to light. My experience as a professional journalist helps me to ferret out your unique stories and find the best way to bring all the elements of your profile together. Whether you are applying to full-time, executive MBA, or dual-degree programs, or any other graduate degree, I'm here to be your partner in this journey. Let's work together to make your MBA dreams a reality!