MBA/MPP Admissions Consultants

I draw on my expertise as a former Harvard Business School MBA Admissions Board member, brand marketer, and Kellogg MBA to help my clients fulfill their MBA dreams. My strength is helping applicants identify what is most distinctive and compelling about their background, and then communicate it in a way that feels both strategic and authentic. My work covers a range of services: school selection and fit assessment, narrative and essay brainstorming, career goal refinement, resume and recommendation guidance, short-answer revisions, interview preparation, post-acceptance decision-making, and ongoing feedback and guidance throughout the MBA application process. I've coached clients across a wide range of industries, backgrounds, and career stages, from experienced professionals to college students pursuing deferred MBA programs. I bring particular expertise in deferred admissions, as I was one of the original founders of the HBS 2+2 Program. I know how daunting the MBA admissions process can feel. My goal is to demystify the process, reduce unnecessary stress, and help guide my clients to discover and achieve their full potential.

Welcome! I am a coach and advisor who genuinely enjoys helping individuals achieve their MBA admissions goals. As a former member of the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS), I have firsthand knowledge of the admissions process and what it takes to build a compelling application. I've reviewed thousands of applications and completed hundreds of interviews with applicants across all backgrounds, geographies, and industries. I also have experience working with college students applying for deferred admissions (I was part of the launch and management of the HBS 2+2 Deferred Admit Program). I work as an independent MBA admissions coach, guiding clients to success at their top choice schools. Whether you need assistance with school selection, crafting your story/brand, essay/resume writing, selecting/preparing recommenders, or interview prep, I'm here to help you navigate the sometimes overwhelming and mysterious MBA admissions world. Let's connect and discuss how I can support you in reaching your goals. Rated "Leland Top 50 Coach" 2023, 2024, 2025

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!

I've been coaching MBA and EMBA applicants since 2006 — which means I've worked through more admissions cycles, essay prompts, and school pivots than I can count. Poets & Quants has recognized me as a Top Consultant three times. Clients have called the work "transformative" and "the best help I never knew I needed." What I actually do: I help people find their story. Not the version they think they're supposed to tell, but the one that's true and specific and stops an admissions reader cold. That's harder than it sounds, and it's where most applications fall apart. My background is unusual for this field. I'm a Columbia MBA and a Columbia English major — and a former magazine editor. I'm also an ICF-certified leadership coach. That combination means I bring genuine writing craft and genuine coaching depth to every engagement, not just admissions strategy. My clients have come from consulting, banking, medicine, the military, entrepreneurship, filmmaking, and family business. They've gone on to HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, and programs across Europe and Asia. I work in English and Italian.

Why I’m Qualified to Be Your Admissions Coach: With over 15 years of experience as a former director of Master's and MBA admissions, I have an insider's understanding of what top-tier business schools look for in applicants. I’ve worked with clients targeting prestigious schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and INSEAD, helping them navigate the complexities of the application process with personalized strategies. As the founder of The Admission Concierge, a boutique MBA consulting firm, I specialize in crafting compelling narratives, refining resumes, and guiding clients through every aspect of the MBA journey—whether it’s essay writing, interview coaching, or school selection. My approach is data-driven, hands-on, and tailored to each client's unique story, ensuring they stand out in competitive applicant pools. I also bring an academic background with a Ph.D. from the University of Paris, giving me a well-rounded perspective for applicants in both MBA and advanced-degree programs. Whether you’re applying for a top MBA program or considering a dual-degree, my goal is to guide you with clarity, confidence, and a strategic edge to make your application shine.

I’m a Wharton MBA, former Wharton Admissions Fellow, and Founder of The Ivy Journey (theivyjourney.com/mba), where I’ve spent 15+ years helping ambitious applicants earn admission to top MBA programs. My clients have earned admits to HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Columbia, Kellogg, Booth, Haas, Yale SOM, LBS, INSEAD, and other top US, UK & EU programs. I’m especially strong at helping applicants turn complex, nonlinear, or highly competitive backgrounds into clear, differentiated MBA stories. I’ve worked with candidates from consulting, banking/finance, tech, product, healthcare, entrepreneurship, family business, nonprofit, government, and international backgrounds, including many applicants navigating U.S. MBA admissions from Asian, European, and other global markets. My edge is the combination of admissions judgment and career strategy. As a former Wharton admissions fellow, I understand how admissions readers evaluate leadership, career logic, school fit, recommendations, interviews, and personal differentiation. As a career coach and former consultant/hiring manager, I also help clients build MBA narratives that make sense beyond admission: why this degree, why now, why this school, and why your goals are credible. I work best with applicants who want thoughtful, strategic, high-touch coaching. I’ll help you pressure-test your school list, sharpen your positioning, build a compelling resume, craft authentic essays that tell your unique story, prepare recommenders, and walk into interviews with clarity and confidence.

Hi! I love coaching for the MBA category because of how difficult it was for me to apply to MBAs without a coach or a strong support network. My MBA at Harvard Business School and being an Admissions Fellow there, I was equipped with firsthand insights into the MBA admissions process. I believe my ability to weave together a strong, compelling, and coherent narrative allowed me to receive 4 full scholarships to T-12 schools, and I want to coach others to reach their goals. The process can be overwhelming and I look forward to helping you throughout your journey by creating a customized approach. I have helped over 50 students get accepted to M7 MBA programs.

With over twenty years of multifaceted professional and MBA admissions consulting experience, I bring a perspective that most consultants simply can’t replicate. My career has taken me from Deloitte’s Strategy & Operations practice and Samsung’s Global Strategy Group in Seoul to the operating teams of multiple tech startups and the halls of higher education, where I have coached MBA candidates at UCLA Anderson and USC Marshall. I understand what admissions committees at top programs are looking for, because I’ve lived the kinds of careers they want to see and I know how to help you frame your story in the most compelling way possible. My commitment is to help you articulate your unique story and personal brand in an authentic and engaging way. I ensure that every aspect of your application, from essays and resumes to recommendations and interviews, reflects your full potential. Whether you need comprehensive end-to-end guidance or targeted assistance with a specific component, I provide honest, actionable feedback and individualized hands-on support. I work with a select group of clients each cycle—to give each engagement the attention it deserves and ensure that no one gets lost in the shuffle. The results speak for themselves: ➤ 100% of clients get M7 interviews ➤ 100% of clients interview with one or more M7 programs ➤ 90% of clients admitted to one or more M7 programs ➤ Clients admitted to HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, MIT Sloan, CBS, Berkeley Haas, NYU Stern, Yale SOM, Fuqua, and Tuck I hold an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a BA from Swarthmore College.

As a Columbia Business School Admit with a background in Finance and Social Impact, I want to help driven and diverse (geography, background, etc.) candidates throughout their MBA journeys and beyond. Having recently gone through the process myself, I have gained the tools and knowledge to craft compelling, authentic applications that speak to admissions teams. No matter where you are in the process, let’s work together to tell your story—book an intro call today!

I have extensive experience coaching across all aspects of MBA admissions: 1. I have helped 30+ students get into top MBA programs, including HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, etc. I also have experience helping several students get into top executive or non-traditional programs (Stanford MSx, Wharton EMBA, etc.). 2. I am a former professional writer, and I have helped almost all of my students brainstorm, recraft, tune, and edit their essays. This is primarily what I help with for MBA applications. 3. I spent years tutoring standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, SAT). While I no longer offer tutoring services, I can help you develop a study plan and tackle weak points. 4. I am a professional resume reviewer for both MBA admissions and consulting applications. 5. Additionally, I was part if the Student Admissions Program for the Wharton MBA program