1:1 Personalized Essay Workshop
You'll get a full workshop for a set of essays (e.g., Stanford GSB's "What Matters Most & Why" and "Why GSB" essays) -- which you can use for any set of essays. We'll go though 3-4 real-life examples of essays that worked and extrapolate techniques you can use to build a genuine narrative for yourself. My mentor, Glenn Kramon, GSB Professor, NYT Senior Editor, and teacher of the acclaimed "Winning Writing" course described the goal of this workshop best -- it will start you on a path from being one OF a million applicants to one IN a million. Even if you're feeling completely lost, unoriginal, or intimidated by the task, we'll work together to get you to a place where you stand out and land a spot at a life-changing MBA program. For additional services -- longer-term essay work, resume review, application strategy, and a complete application review, see the "Comprehensive Package" offerings on my profile!
What's included
MBA Applicants to Stanford GSB (Traditional & Deferred) and other top MBA programs (e.g., HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT) -- even if you feel you have a "common" background, my goal is to help you see there are genuine ways to stand out and fundamental principles to guide you in your writing.
- Exclusive access to 4 winning Stanford GSB Essays from admits & alumni
- Essay analysis, key pitfalls to avoid, and best-practice strategies for approaching essay writing
- Clear prompts to work through the Stanford GSB essays, and an appraoch to help you tackle the rest of your MBA essays
- Advice & questions with a Stanford alumnus who's helped nearly a dozen people get into GSB, HBS and all other top programs
- Writing pointers from someone with real-world experience in speechwriting, op-ed writing, fiction short stories, and in helping hundreds of individuals craft their personal narrative.
Meet your expert
Ben L.
• Stanford GSB Alum, Class of 2021 -- see relevant background & experience below: • Coaching | Advised 400+ admits into Stanford GSB, HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, INSEAD, Haas, and more (see ~100 Leland reviews), while teaching multiple courses through Leland • What I'm Doing Now | Based in NYC, building a publication 'Staying Human', working on a stealth, marketplace startup, coaching and playing chess profssionally, and advising 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 • 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 • 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 • 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 • Additional Coaching Details | 5+ years experience working with >750 individuals on essay writing and resume professionalization for top consulting firms, MBA programs, execs, and the broader job market • Interview Training | I was interview-trained with McKinsey, helping me give high-quality mock interviews for MBBs and any MBA program; I've also held 10+ events through Leland on interview prep for McKinsey's PEI and GSB's interview process in particular