28,137Leland Reviews

I started working with Abigail in September for my graduate school applications, and I can confidently say that I wouldn’t be where I am today, feeling prepared and confident for this application season, without her guidance. Abigail has a remarkable gift for bringing out your inner creativity. I came in feeling nervous and unsure where to start, but she guided me through every aspect of the process. From crafting my personal statement to selecting the right recommenders, she supported me in everything I needed. Abigail was proactive and understanding, checking in weekly to track my progress and always maintaining clear and thoughtful communication. I am incredibly grateful for her guidance and support. Thank you so much, Abigail!

Working with Andy was the best choice I made in the MBA process. He helped me get past the surface level and pushed me to understand my own story in a clearer, more compelling way. His feedback was direct, honest, and incredibly sharp. Every draft got stronger because he knew exactly what the school values and how to bring out the strongest version of my voice. With his guidance, I earned interviews and admits at several M7 programs along with over $400K in scholarship support. That outcome did not happen by chance. It came from a focused process where he challenged my thinking, refined my messaging, and made sure every part of the application worked together. Beyond MBA applications, Andy helped me level up as a professional. He sharpened my resume, improved how I structure and communicate ideas, and taught me to be far more intentional in how I present myself in a professional/corporate setting. Those skills will compound well beyond business school. What sets him apart is that he cares. He prepares deeply, remembers the details, and shows up with real intention. If you want a coach who will push you, develop you, and help you stand out in a competitive pool, Andy is the person you want in your corner!

Faisal stood out to me because of his years of experience as an adcom member. When I first met with him, he asked so many thoughtful questions on my background and what I wanted out of the MBA. When it came to actually writing the essays, I felt confident in my story because of the MBA DNA strategy we used and our brainstorming sessions. When it came to reviewing the essays, I felt that every comment was valid and he was trying to put my best foot forward. He was effective in helping with the resume, online application short answer questions, and extracurriculars. When interview invites came, the mock he did was spot on and thoroughly prepared me for the actual interviews. Overall, I appreciated the clarity I had on each step of the process and could always schedule a short talk with him when I needed help. For Round 1, I got into 4 of 4 top 20 schools totaling $275k in fellowships with one offering full tuition. Well worth the cost consulting package I purchased. Thank you, Faisal!

While setting realistic expectations and helping me craft my experiences into compelling application essays, Matt provides timely and specific feedback that helped me focus on the most important parts of my application. As a result, I was admitted into my dream school! I highly recommend Matt if you're looking for somebody to match your energy and provide specific and actionable feedback that, if followed, will land you a spot in the schools you are applying to!

Jenai was pivotal to my success in applying to business school. She helped me balance every aspect of my application from tech experience, entrepreneurship, a masters, volunteer work, to my undergrad GPA and GMAT score concerns. She gave invaluable feedback on my essays and guided my application strategy. At first I was hesitant to apply in round 1, but her guidance helped me push through and gain admission to both Wharton and Columbia.

Over four years ago, I was rejected from every school I applied to through deferred MBA programs, including my top choices of Columbia and Kellogg. The business school application really can be a black box, so I am beyond grateful that I had Faisal as my coach to demystify the process and help me understand what to really focus on. Together, we were able to craft a solid narrative that really connected my personal story with my professional aspirations around software strategy consulting and family business, while tailoring the narratives to each school. I loved the MBA DNA and positioning statements that he had me complete because those really became my northstars during the essay writing process. Overall, he really helped with making sure that I had bulletproof reasons for 'Why MBA' and 'Why X School'. Faisal also provided amazing interview prep, ensuring that I could tailor my responses to each school's culture and provide opportunities to make my performance stand out. I never thought I would be in a position where I not only got into Yale and Tuck, but also would receive acceptances to my original top choices of Columbia and Kellogg with huge scholarships! If anyone is seriously considering pursuing an MBA and looking for the best way to maximize their chances of admission, look no further than Faisal.

Kieran helped me fulfill my dream of receiving a GSB offer. He helped me reflect on my life story - we had profound breakthroughs that I could never have expected from an MBA application support session, and that helped me truly understand my WMM, and deliver a compelling application. I cannot be grateful enough to him!

From my first MBA consultation with Melanie, it was clear that I was in good hands; the quality of the advice she gave me in that 20-minute introductory conversation was well beyond that of any advice I had ever received from my friends, colleagues, or superiors. She brought an insider perspective that I couldn’t find anywhere else. Melanie maintained a consistent, disciplined working cadence and held me to high standards in my preparation, in a way that felt both challenging and reassuring. I felt that she had my back at every stage of the application process. In retrospect, I’ve learned that no matter how accomplished or self-aware a candidate may be, navigating the admissions landscape without this kind of expert guidance is like flying blind; Melanie helped me avoid pitfalls in my application that I never even knew existed. I feel strongly that thanks to Melanie, my application – and my professional narrative and life story – were presented in the best way possible, reflecting the strongest version of myself as a candidate. Her guidance was pivotal to my admission to Columbia Business School, my dream program. I cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone pursuing a top MBA.

BLUF: You can stop looking — it doesn’t get better than Kelsey. Truly priceless. How I was sold: I came into the MBA application process unsure and honestly a bit skeptical about using a consultant at all. It felt like a big commitment, and I wasn’t confident in my own chances. I spent A LOT of time researching, trying to find someone who actually felt right. I first met Kelsey at a free Leland event, and even among a room full of impressive consultants, she stood out immediately. When the questions got hard, other panelists consistently turned to her. That moment stuck with me. I reached out for a 30-minute intro call, which turned into over an hour of her simply listening, asking thoughtful questions, and genuinely trying to understand me. By the end of that call, I didn’t just feel sold — I felt seen. Her planning: Kelsey brought clarity when I had none. I didn’t have a clear post-MBA vision, and she never rushed or forced one. Instead, she patiently helped me uncover a narrative that actually reflected who I am and what I care about. That process alone changed how I thought about my future. Regardless of outcomes, the self-awareness and direction she helped me find would have made this experience worth it. She also gave me a deep library of resources that made the standards of top programs feel understandable and achievable rather than intimidating. Her coaching: Throughout the process, Kelsey was my steady anchor. She kept me grounded when things were going well and lifted me up when doubt crept in. She has a rare ability to be both honest and kind — she’ll tell you when an idea isn’t working, even if it’s uncomfortable, but always in a way that makes you better and more confident, not discouraged. She shared insights and guidance I truly don’t think you can find anywhere else. Her interview prep was incredibly intentional, and I walked into interviews feeling calm, prepared, and confident in my story. Deliverables: Kelsey never let me settle. Despite countless edits, her quick turnarounds enabled us to fly through applications. My resume went through more iterations than I can count (you can't imagine how much you can fit on a page powerfully!). When I look back at my essays, I fully recognize my own voice, my experiences, and my story — they just sound clearer, sharper, and more powerful than anything I could have produced on my own. She didn’t change who I was; she helped me show up as the best version of myself. Outcomes: With a non-traditional background, a 3.58 GPA, a 325 GRE, and 6 years of work experience, I was fortunate enough to go 5 for 5: HBS, Wharton, CBS ($$$), MIT ($$), and Yale. I say this without exaggeration — none of this happens without Kelsey. More than the outcomes, she gave me confidence, clarity, and belief in myself during what would have been a very stressful process otherwise.

As a military applicant, I came into the MBA process with experiences, perspectives, and goals that were different from more traditional candidates. I spent a lot of time researching the process through online resources and forums, learning from peers who had been admitted to top MBA programs, and relying heavily on tools like ChatGPT for feedback. Before I started working with Emily, I truly believed my materials were ready to submit. I had about six essays that I considered finished before I brought Emily onboard. Very quickly, she showed me where they could be stronger. She pointed out gaps, pitfalls, irrelevant examples, and missed opportunities that were not obvious to me but once highlighted made complete sense. The difference between AI feedback and Emily’s insight was immediately clear, and the quality of my essays improved right away. With about 15 coaching hours (close to about 75 on my end), we worked through my resume, essays for five different schools in the top 10, and interview prep. Emily was not just an editor but a trusted advisor who helped me think strategically about my applications and how to tell a cohesive story across schools. She played a key role throughout my MBA journey. I was initially unsure if the investment would be worth it, but the military discount she provides makes it much more accessible. Even without the discount, I would strongly recommend Emily to other military applicants looking for a coach who truly understands how to translate their experiences into a compelling MBA application. While there was some military jargon I had to explain to her, she picked it up pretty quick. In the end I got into the second and sixth best MBA programs in the country so I'd say it worked out well!