MBA/MS Admissions Consultants

When I was applying to MBAs, I had four things keeping me up at night. Which schools actually fit. Whether Lauder or the MBA/MPP path made more sense. How to not read like every other consultant in the pile. And whether a below-median GMAT score was going to sink me before anyone read a word I wrote. It didn't. I got in — Wharton MBA, Lauder MA — and I was sponsored by my employer to do it. I'm Vivek. I work with people who are somewhere in that same mess: consultants trying to stand out, international applicants figuring out how to come across, anyone staring down the MBA vs. dual-degree question, and candidates who don't have a perfect score and are wondering if it matters. It's a solvable problem. Reach out.

- Three years of helping applicants like you: I’ve spent three years on coffee chats with people following a path similar to mine. Joining Leland let me expand my services and offer more than a coffee chat. - Execution of professional plan at Wharton MBA: I knew what made me passionate, built a plan for my MBA in my admissions materials, and executed on it. - A successful pivot: My goal was to think like a planner and apply that lens to real estate development. After a summer in development at Hines, I landed a role at AJ Capital Partners working on a thoughtful, placemaking-centered mixed-use development, which is the exact field I set out to pivot into. - Exposure to what’s out there: When I applied, I knew what sparked my passion but not what was out there. After three years researching this space, I can show you the paths an MBA can open up. - Help finding your direction: If you know your passion for the built environment but are not yet sure what you want out of the MBA experience, I’ll help you introspect and sharpen your pitch. - Positioning a less common path: Admissions committees see real estate and cities less often than banking or consulting, but using real estate as a tool to improve the built environment is a path that works in MBA admissions. I know what committees want to hear and help you articulate your pitch. - Wharton and dual-degree guidance: I recently went through the admissions process myself.

As former Student Body President of Stanford GSB, I bring firsthand experience and insights into the MBA admissions process. Whether you are looking for assistance with application strategy, essays, or interview preparation, I'm here to help you create an individualized plan to achieve your goals. I have always been passionate about mentorship and helping students succeed. During my time at Stanford, I served as a Peer Mentor guiding first-year MBA students as they crafted their individual MBA experiences, an MBA Admissions Ambassador representing the program to prospective applicants, and a Section Representative serving as a liaison and advocate for my section. These experiences gave me unique look into the MBA experience from many angles.

Welcome! As a Kellogg MBA graduate and former member of the student admissions committee, I have a deep understanding of what top business schools are looking for in applicants. My professional journey includes strategic roles at Google, Adobe, and Deloitte, where I honed my skills in management, technology, and entrepreneurship. I have successfully coached numerous clients through the MBA application process, helping them craft compelling narratives and stand out in a competitive field. Whether you need guidance on application strategy, essay writing, or interview preparation, I'm here to help you achieve your MBA dreams. Let's connect and create a personalized plan for your success!

As the Founder of MBA Whisperer, I have helped countless professionals, including Navy SEALs, professional athletes, and even a Miss America winner, gain admission to top-ranked business schools. In my previous executive position as Director of Admissions Consulting at Veritas Prep, I managed a team of over 85 consultants and authored the Essential Guide to Top Business Schools. With an MBA with Distinction from Kellogg School of Management, where I was awarded the Dean's Distinguished Service Award, I bring a wealth of experience in MBA admissions. I offer end-to-end services, which allows me to get to know you as a real person, not just a bucket of statistics. Whether you need help maximizing your test scores or crafting a standout application, I'm here to guide you every step of the way. Let's connect and make your MBA dreams a reality!

Every person is unique, and I want to help you tell your story. My MBA clients have been admitted to Wharton (including Lauder), NYU, Berkeley, Columbia, Kellogg and more. As a former Kearney consultant and Wharton/Lauder admissions insider, I help candidates cut through the noise and present their authentic selves—because the best business leaders aren’t carbon copies. My approach blends 7+ years of management consulting rigor with hands-on recruiting and admissions experience. At Kearney, I led teams through complex transformations while honing my talent-spotting skills through recruiting efforts (turns out identifying great candidates isn’t so different from building high-performing consulting teams). And as a Wharton Admissions Fellow, I learned what really makes applications click (hint: it’s not just GMAT scores or fancy job titles). I strongly believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation—a principle I now bring to my advisory work. As a Wharton Admissions Fellow and Lauder interviewer, I saw firsthand how powerful storytelling can bridge gaps in representation. I’m particularly passionate about helping underrepresented candidates navigate the MBA maze. Whether you’re switching industries, coming from a non-traditional background, or just don’t see yourself in those glossy MBA brochures, I’ll help you translate your unique experience into a compelling story. I am well-versed in global cultural immersion: I hold an MBA from Wharton and a Master of Arts in International Studies from Lauder, as well as Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications and French from the University of Pennsylvania. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and French, I’ve seen how languages and identities shape leadership, and thus can help candidates turn their unique experiences into competitive advantages. Business schools need leaders who reflect the world—and I’m here to help you prove you belong in the room.

With years of experience as the Assistant Director of the PhD Program at Harvard Business School, I advised and supported more than 130 students annually while also leading admissions committees for doctoral programs in addition to MBA programs. This work gave me direct, insider perspective on how the world’s most competitive business schools evaluate candidates and make decisions. Drawing on this expertise, I now coach prospective MBA students through every stage of the application journey — from crafting compelling personal narratives and refining essays, to interview preparation and strategic school selection. My approach emphasizes authenticity, clarity, and proven admissions insight, helping every client present their strongest and most competitive application.

I got into Wharton with a GMAT of 710 and TOEFL of 106, both well below the school's average. I also received scholarship and fellowship offers from NYU Stern and Michigan Ross. My test scores didn't define my application. What stood out was my unique story: diverse career pivots across functions and markets, a niche in entrepreneurship, design thinking, and EdTech, and a track record of doing things others thought impossible (like publishing two books before ever working in corporate). I leaned into what made me different, not what made me "the same best" as everyone else. That's the biggest mistake I see applicants make: trying to fit into what they think MBA programs want. But admissions committees aren't looking for the "best" candidate. They're looking for a diverse class of unique individuals. Your job isn't to be perfect. It's to be distinctly you. I pursued a dual degree, MBA and Master's in Education, at Penn because I'm genuinely passionate about empowering others. That same passion drives my coaching today. I also know what it feels like to work with big-name consultants who don't remember your story and give generic advice. My approach is different. I offer personalized support and help you uncover and articulate what makes you stand out. Whether you're an international student, a career changer, or still deciding if an MBA is the right path, I'm here to help you figure it out.

Specifically looking to help individuals interested in the MS / MBA Biotechnology program at HBS. Graduated class of '24. Have always enjoyed helping folks interested in the program craft their story, understand the application process and nuances around the MS portion of the application, and what the program looks for in a prospective student.

I have been coaching MBA applicants for almost 15 years! I also served as an admissions reader for Michigan Ross, and I bring this experience to help you put your best application forward!