28,742Leland Reviews

When I initially learned about the Ellison Scholars program at Oxford, the deadline was already weeks away. I knew that I was going to need help ensuring that my finished product was something that I was proud of and that adequately and accurately reflected my academic and professional experiences. Michael went above and beyond my expectations, not only giving me feedback on essays, resumes, and portfolio content but also explaining how it all fits into the bigger picture and allowing me to decide which way I wanted my story to go. Given the short nature of time that we had, Michael did not miss a beat, his punctuality and dedication were shown in how personable he can be yet remain professional with your best interest at the front. When time is not on your side and you are under pressure, you can either 'burst pipes' or 'make diamonds' and with Michael, he will show you how to 'make diamonds' you didn't even know were possible. I highly recommend Michael for his expert opinion across all avenues!

As an American Alumni of the Schwarzman Program with previous experience in China, Michael was the ideal coach to give me guidance. Despite initial hesitation it was absolutely worth it. Michael proved to be an excellent mentor who gave me the confidence and support needed to tackle the varying components of the application. Additionally, his insights taught me valuable lessons that I will carry with me beyond the application. From storytelling to diluting my interests and creating a compelling narrative. As someone unfamiliar with the American education system, I found Michael’s flexibility, passion, and empathy invaluable. He consistently went above and beyond his role, ensuring I felt reassured and confident in my final submission. I highly recommend Michael as a coach for anyone seeking an American perspective on the Schwarzman application or looking to refine their storytelling skills!

I found Mike on Leland after struggling to complete my Schwarzman Scholars application for over two months. With Mike's support, I put together my entire application in 2.5 weeks in time for the deadline. He was a wonderful sounding board, and I appreciated his clear view on how to strengthen my essays and narratives instead of just editing or proofreading what I wrote. Mike is proactive and gave me detailed feedback within 24 hours for most drafts I submitted, even close to the deadline. It was a pleasure not just working with him but also learning from him, and his passion for coaching and mentorship is what helped me produce an application I was happy to submit!

Robert was able to help me scope my goals and he equipped me with a few tools to get after them. He communicates clearly and is straight to the point. I will very likely consult Robert again in the future!

Working with Rusty consistently gave me confidence throughout the application process. In a short time, he was able to understand myself, my unique identity as an applicant, and help craft my story, showcasing my strengths and explanation of 'why an MBA?'

Chip is a very experienced, approachable, and transparent coach, all of which is very important when giving feedback for such particular essays. He really helped me tackle the essays I was not quite being able to outline and to discard whatever didn't add value, resulting in a very strong storyline. I am honestly very happy with the result I have achieved thanks to his help and I would recommend him to anyone who needs help approaching the essays.

I recommend working with Michael without hesitation. Even though I had only one week to put together my entire application for Schwarzman Scholars, he enthusiastically offered to work with me and made himself as available as possible that entire week, including in the final hour before the deadline. Michael was a fantastic sounding board and has a deployable framework for how to craft the essays. He then was prompt at providing written feedback on my CV, essays, and short answers -- always getting back to me with edits less than 24 hours before sending him a draft. The most impressive thing about Michael is you can tell his heart is fully into this role. He is a Coach on Leland because he is truly passionate about helping young people achieve their full potential -- this is something that proved to be invaluable, and I now see Michael as a mentor because of it. Jump at the chance to work with him, you won't regret it!

Mike was incredibly helpful during my Schwarzman Scholars application process. He guided me from brainstorming ideas to refining my writing, offering invaluable support that significantly improved my application. Overall, a great experience working with him!

Highly recommend booking time with Jake. His writing, editing, and business skills are superior and he has the background to prove it. Excellent at communication and truly cares about helping others succeed. You can trust that he will work with you to accomplish any goal that you have while exceeding expectations.