Table of Contents
Free Event
Featuring Victoria R.
Crafting the MBA Goals Essay: Tell Your Story, Land the Admit
Starting Wednesday, August 27
11:30 PM UTC · 30 minutes
Featuring Victoria R.
Wharton rewards clarity of purpose, differentiated impact, and a crisp, well-crafted story – none of which come together by accident. The coaches below are a carefully curated group of Wharton insiders, former interviewers, and elite strategists with proven records guiding admits to M7 programs. From dual-degree specialists and STEM storytellers to international PMs and non-traditional profiles, you’ll find a coaching style that matches your goals and how you want to show up in the process. See all MBA admissions coaches here.
Allie K.
Experience: Wharton MBA and Harvard Kennedy School MPA with professional experience at Goldman Sachs, BCG, and in impact investing (Rockefeller University Endowment, Omidyar Network, Jonathan Rose Companies). Former UPenn writing coach and alumni interviewer with 5+ years of formal MBA coaching and 75+ M7 admits, including Wharton.
Specialties:
- Dual-degree strategy and positioning
- Storytelling and cohesive narrative development
- Differentiating traditional profiles (finance, consulting, real estate)
- Mission-driven and social impact candidates
- Idea generation and essay development
- Interview preparation
If you’re targeting Wharton and want every element of your application to reinforce a clear, memorable through line, Allie excels at linking the “unrelated” into a powerful narrative. She’s particularly strong with dual-degree and mission-oriented candidates and those from traditional industries who need to stand out in a crowded pool. Her students have landed at Wharton and across the M7, a testament to her precision in shaping stories that show authentic contribution and direction. Expect incisive brainstorming and polished execution.
"Allie is an outstanding MBA coach with extensive experience and a very supportive approach. She significantly enhanced my application process. Allie is very kind and wonderful to work with, and she consistently provided constructive feedback and helpful advice. She is extremely responsive with quick turnaround, ensuring that I never felt alone during my application journey. Her deep expertise has been invaluable, and I highly recommend Allie to anyone seeking guidance on their MBA application. :D"
Coached by Allie, accepted to Wharton
Becky S.
Experience: Wharton MBA; Executive Director of Ivy Journey LLC; 15+ years coaching with 150+ MBA admits to top programs (HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Columbia, Kellogg, Booth). Background includes Strategy&, Deloitte Consulting, and a BA from Vanderbilt (Chancellor’s Scholarship).
Specialties:
- Application strategy and school targeting
- Personal brand building and essay development
- Resume review and interview preparation
- Consulting and strategy career coaching
- First-generation and low-income applicants
Becky blends strategic rigor with empathetic coaching to help candidates define a compelling personal brand that resonates at Wharton. If you want clear direction on what to highlight, how to sequence your story, and how to prepare for interviews with confidence, her deep experience pays dividends. Applicants aiming for M7/T15 outcomes – especially those pursuing consulting or strategy roles – will appreciate her structured, results-focused approach. She’s a trusted guide, from the first brainstorm to the final interview.
"As an international candidate from China, navigating the MBA admissions process in the U.S. felt daunting, but Becky made it so much more manageable. She helped me understand what top business schools are really looking for and guided me in crafting my story in a way that resonated with the admissions committees. Becky’s feedback on my essays was detailed and insightful, helping me strike the right balance between showcasing my achievements and sharing my personal journey. With Becky’s support, I felt confident applying to schools that once seemed out of reach. I highly recommend her for anyone facing the challenges of international applications. She also speaks fluent Chinese!"
Coached by Becky, accepted to Wharton, CBS, Stern, and Stanford GSB
Nirav S.
Experience: Wharton MBA and multiple M7 admits; 100% success rate guiding applicants into Wharton and Columbia. Extensive experience coaching candidates through the most competitive MBA admissions process, with a track record of admits across top business schools.
Specialties:
- M7 admissions strategy and positioning
- Wharton and Columbia application expertise
- Essay storytelling and personal narrative refinement
- Interview preparation and mock sessions
- Maximizing outcomes across multiple target programs
For applicants aiming at Wharton or other top MBA programs, Nirav brings both personal and coaching success at the highest level. His proven playbook demystifies the MBA application process, equipping candidates to tell their stories with clarity, authenticity, and impact. Whether you’re laser-focused on one dream school or balancing multiple target MBA programs, his results-driven approach ensures you put forward your strongest application possible.
"I participated in a Wharton TBD mock session with Nirav through Leland, and he did an excellent job moderating. He brought great insights throughout the session and provided thoughtful, constructive feedback both individually and to the group. His guidance was incredibly helpful in preparing for the real interview."
Coached by Nirav, accepted to Wharton, MIT Sloan, and CBS
Fiona T.
Experience: Wharton MBA; six years at McKinsey, followed by strategy roles at Capital One, Meta, NetApp, and fintech startup FalconX; founder of Rittenhouse MBA. Extensive experience interviewing candidates and coaching for both MBA admissions and post-MBA recruiting.
Specialties:
- Story selection and focused essay strategy
- Consulting and tech candidate positioning
- Personal interview and case interview prep
- Authentic narrative development
- Post-MBA recruiting readiness
Candidates from consulting and tech who want to sharpen their Wharton story will benefit from Fiona’s ability to cut the noise and surface the most resonant themes. She helps you go deeper, choose the right stories, trim the rest, and bring out the qualities that admissions readers remember. If you want your essays to feel both tight and personal and your interview prep to reflect real recruiter insight, Fiona brings that end-to-end polish.
"Fiona Tang's expertise in MBA coaching is truly remarkable, and I owe my admission to Wharton with a substantial fellowship to her guidance. The return on investment from her coaching is easily 10 times what I initially put in. Fiona's skills are unparalleled if you're aiming for a prestigious MBA program and to differentiate yourself through your application essays. Her insights into what admissions committees are seeking and her talent for refining essays make her an invaluable asset. Without a doubt, Fiona Tang is a top-tier coach who yields remarkable results."
Coached by Fiona, accepted to Wharton
Jeremy H.
Experience: Wharton MBA and ex-McKinsey consultant with a rotation in the Sustainability Practice; chemical engineering undergrad; top-15 Leland coach (2021). Interviewed with Wharton, HBS, Booth, and MIT Sloan and has mentored STEM/consulting candidates for years.
Specialties:
- STEM-to-MBA storytelling and positioning
- Consulting-focused applications
- Impact and sustainability narratives
- Essays, resumes, and interview prep
- International applicants
If you’re a technical or consulting candidate aiming for Wharton, Jeremy understands how to translate complex work into accessible, high-impact stories. He’s skilled at spotlighting analytical depth, teamwork, and leadership potential without drowning the reader in jargon. Applicants with energy, sustainability, or engineering backgrounds will find his guidance especially useful in crafting narratives that land with business-focused audiences.
"Jeremy was a big support throughout my application process and really helped me to bring structure to my application. His experience was key in bringing out a strong story and my unique experience points. Jeremy is a thorough professional and a positive coach, which is very important during this long strenuous application journey."
Coached by Jeremy, accepted to Wharton and Yale SOM
Max M.
Experience: Wharton MBA and Top 50 Leland Coach (2024); former tech investor with experience at Thomas H. Lee Partners, Banyan Square Partners, and Goldman Sachs (TMT IB). Has guided hundreds of mentees on MBA admissions, resumes, interviews, and finance recruiting.
Specialties:
- Wharton-focused application strategy
- Finance-heavy profiles (IB, PE, HF)
- Essay ideation and interview preparation
- GMAT/GRE planning and application timelines
Wharton-bound finance candidates who want a crisp, credible story will click with Max’s pragmatic, results-driven style. He understands what resonates for investment-oriented profiles and how to frame real deal experience, leadership, and growth. If you want a straight-talking partner who can pressure-test your goals and sharpen your message, Max offers exactly that.
"Working with Max on my Wharton MBA application was incredibly helpful. At the time, I had already written my essays, but I wasn't fully satisfied with them. I reached out to Max for some last-minute feedback, and he turned out to be a trove of knowledge—not just from his own experience applying to Wharton, but also as a current student with firsthand insight. As a result, I was able to revise my essays and make them stronger. I believe that his advice played a part in helping me secure an interview invite. I also worked with him to prepare for the interview to craft polished and in-depth answers to potential interview questions."
Coached by Max, accepted to Wharton
Nida A.
Experience: Wharton MBA, former Bain consultant, and former Wharton MBA admissions interviewer who evaluated 60+ applicants. Harvard BA and Oxford MPP; experienced coach across the full admissions lifecycle, including waitlist strategy.
Specialties:
- Wharton interview preparation and school-specific insights
- Application strategy, essays, and resume review
- Consulting recruiting alignment
- Detailed, actionable feedback
- End-to-end support, including waitlist tactics
For candidates who want insider perspective on how Wharton evaluates fit, Nida brings rare, direct experience. She delivers clear, granular feedback that strengthens both substance and delivery, particularly valuable for the Team-Based Discussion and the behavioral nuances that matter in interviews. If you’re aiming for Wharton and want your materials to reflect polish and precision, she’s a standout choice.
"Nida's insightful guidance and expertise helped me to successfully craft my essays for Wharton! She always provided thoughtful feedback and was very supportive throughout the process. I would absolutely recommend Nida to anyone seeking to elevate their application essays to the next level!"
Coached by Nida, accepted to Wharton, Booth, CBS, and Kellogg
Noah T.
Experience: Harvard Business School MBA candidate with experience in strategic consulting and AI product management at Ergo, where he launched the firm’s first AI consulting practice and advised 75+ C-suite teams. Specializes in guiding non-traditional applicants.
Specialties:
- Non-traditional and interdisciplinary profiles
- Story reframing and confidence building
- Essays, resumes, and overall application strategy
- International backgrounds
- Positioning impact for top MBA programs
If your path doesn’t look “MBA standard,” Noah helps you turn that into your edge for Wharton. He’s adept at reframing eclectic experiences – NGOs, academia, geopolitical work, tech – into a cohesive, high-trajectory narrative. Applicants who worry they don’t fit the mold will find his approach energizing and clarifying, with a focus on making your distinct background impossible to forget.
"Noah is a great guy and a fantastic storyteller. He really understands how to tell a compelling story. Highly recommend that you get him to be your coach!"
Coached by Noah
Saleem H.
Experience: Deferred admit to Wharton, MIT Sloan, and Yale SOM; private equity and consulting experience (EY-Parthenon, StepStone Group). Specializes in supporting non-target, low-GPA, first-generation, and early graduate candidates.
Specialties:
- Deferred MBA strategy and execution
- Low GPA and non-target positioning
- First-generation and early graduate applicants
- MBA essays and interview prep
- Consulting and PE recruiting perspectives
Early-career candidates targeting Wharton, especially from non-traditional or non-target schools, will appreciate Saleem’s playbook for breaking through. He understands how to present velocity, grit, and leadership potential when your resume isn’t “classic.” If you’re eyeing deferred admits or need a strategy to offset GPA or pedigree concerns, his guidance is both tactical and motivating.
"Saleem quickly reviewed my essays and gave me the direction to filter out the content. Despite being crazy hectic, Saleem provided all the resources, accommodated to my schedule and was so so helpful in getting those final touches to the essay! A great emotional support throughout the journey, I feel really glad to have come across Saleem and worked with him!"
Coached by Saleem, accepted to CBS and Darden
Taylor R.
Experience: Wharton MBA (top 10% of class), MIT undergrad, former McKinsey consultant, and former Wharton student admissions interviewer. Experience spans healthcare strategy, social impact investing (Roivant), and startups; admits to MIT Sloan and Tuck.
Specialties:
- Wharton-specific insights and interview prep
- Story-driven essays and authentic voice
- Consulting and healthcare candidates
- First-generation and low-income applicants
- Strategic positioning across top programs
Taylor brings a keen editorial eye and school-side perspective that helps candidates sound both ambitious and grounded – exactly the tone Wharton appreciates. If you want your application to read like a cohesive, memorable story rather than a list of wins, you’ll value Taylor’s approach. Candidates from consulting and healthcare, and those seeking a clear, confidence-building process, tend to thrive with this guidance.
"Taylor is incredibly insightful when it comes to career advice. She has a natural ability to help navigate complex and challenging situations with clarity and empathy. Whether you’re facing a tough decision or need guidance on your next steps, Taylor offers thoughtful, strategic support. She’s also a great teacher—especially when it comes to learning important professional skills like networking. Her advice is practical and empowering."
Coached by Taylor
Get Into Wharton With the Help of an Expert
Working with an experienced MBA admissions consulting professional can transform your business school application process from daunting to strategic. The right coach helps MBA applicants navigate every stage of the MBA application – from refining essays and resumes to interview preparation and crafting a compelling narrative that resonates with admissions committees at top business schools. Whether your sights are set solely on the Wharton MBA or you’re also targeting programs like Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, or Columbia Business School, an expert can provide valuable advice, tailored guidance, and honest feedback to help you stand out.
Every Leland coach offers a free 15-minute intro call so you can ask questions, learn about their approach, and ensure they’re the right fit for your career goals, personal life, and application process. Our coaches include former admissions consultants with admissions committee experience, seasoned professionals from industries like investment banking, and graduates from Ivy League and other top schools who understand what it takes to get accepted. Still unsure where to start? Book a free strategy and coach matching call and we’ll help pair you with the best partner to guide your business school applications – from research and scheduling to mock interviews – so you can give your all and maximize your chances at your dream school.
Read more:
- Wharton MBA Essays: Prompts, Examples, and Expert Tips
- Wharton Acceptance Rate — Breakdown & Analysis
- The Wharton School – MBA Waitlist Strategy
- What Are MBA Adcoms Looking for in Resumes
- MBA Interviews: What to Expect, How to Prepare, and How to Stand Out
Wharton Admissions Consulting – FAQs
How much do Wharton consultants make?
- Earnings for Wharton MBA graduates who become consultants vary by firm, industry, and geography, but the median base salary for new hires at top business schools like Wharton is typically around $175,000–$190,000, with signing bonuses often between $30,000–$50,000. At elite firms such as McKinsey, Bain, and BCG – where many Wharton graduates go – total first-year compensation can exceed $200,000. These figures reflect the value of the Wharton MBA program in opening doors to high-paying consulting roles and the strong demand for Wharton-trained talent.
How hard is it to get into Wharton's MBA program?
- The Wharton MBA is one of the most competitive business school programs in the world, with an admit rate typically in the 13–18% range. Successful MBA applicants usually combine a strong undergrad GPA, high GMAT or GRE scores, impactful professional achievements, and a compelling narrative that aligns with Wharton’s culture and values. The MBA application process is rigorous, requiring polished essays, a well-crafted resume, strong recommendations, and exceptional performance in the interview process – often including a team-based discussion. Targeting Wharton requires hard work, thorough research, and often the guidance of admissions consultants who can provide honest feedback and strategic insight.
How much do MBA admissions consultants cost?
- Pricing for MBA admissions consulting varies widely, depending on the consultant’s experience, scope of services, and whether you work with a firm or an independent coach. Hourly rates can range from $200–$500+, while comprehensive packages for multiple target MBA programs – including the Wharton MBA, Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, and Columbia Business School – can cost anywhere from $5,000 to $12,000 or more. Many consultants offer mock interviews, resume reviews, and essay guidance, helping applicants maximize their odds of admission through personalized guidance and support. Leland offers flexible options for candidates at different budget levels, so you can find the right fit for your business school applications.
What are my odds of getting into Wharton?
- Admission odds depend on your profile, the strength of your business school applications, and how well you present your career goals and personal story. While the average admit rate for Wharton hovers around 13–18%, competitive MBA applicants – those with strong academics, impactful professional achievements in industries like investment banking or consulting, leadership experience, and a clear post-MBA vision have significantly better chances. Factors like a high GMAT score, standout essays, and a polished interview performance can dramatically improve your standing with the admissions committee. Working with admissions consultants who have admissions committee experience can help you refine your application process, present your best self, and strengthen your odds at your dream school.
