27,508Leland Reviews

After several years in managerial positions, I was unsure of which stories and experiences would be the most impactful for an EMBA admissions committee. Joy took the time to understand my background and motivation for business school, which helped me emphasize the right examples in my essays and interviews. Writing an admissions essay was very different than any previous writing projects I’ve worked on; she coached me on how to keep my writing clear and compelling. I applied to three top programs and was accepted into all three with scholarship offers. Joy was personable, direct, and knowledgeable about the admissions process, which all attributed to me getting admitted into my top school of choice!

Joy was truly a pleasure to work with for the 2024 MBA cycle. She was not only my confidante during this entire process, but a wonderful cheerleader and supporter. My application certainly had obstacles as the job market for 2023 was challenging for startups and tech companies. However, Joy was undeterred. She helped me overcome the obstacles that felt like major roadblocks in my application and helped me see how the negatives were actually positives for my personal story. For any prospective clients, she is a great coach that will help you throughout the entire process.

I worked with Joy for several months leading up to R2 application deadlines, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the help I received from her through that time was invaluable. Navigating the MBA application process turned out to be much more involved than I ever would have thought, and Joy was a constant source of guidance, support, and positivity in that time. From the outset, Joy ensured that I stayed disciplined and on-track in my application, both checking in regularly and challenging me when necessary, such that I never felt pressed for time in any of my applications. She was willing to overcome time zone differences (often waking up incredibly early in the morning) to ensure we were able to keep a regular cadence of meetings, and was always available and responsive whenever I needed help or feedback. Another great benefit of working with Joy is that she is refreshingly candid with her feedback, not settling for half-baked ideas when she senses that more lies underneath. The brainstorming I was able to do with Joy, both on big picture storytelling as well as the nitty-gritty of essay writing, were also very meaningful. She has the remarkable ability to facilitate conversations and help you arrive at ideas and language on your own, such that you don’t feel like you are compromising your voice. I was incredibly happy with my outcomes with Joy’s help, with acceptances to both Ross and Yale SOM (with scholarship). I would highly recommend Joy to anyone looking for a consultant to help them navigate the MBA application process.

I had the pleasure of working with Joy during the R2 application process, and I wholeheartedly endorse her to anyone who is considering applying to business schools. Before I began the application process, I was slightly worried because I was facing a tight timeline to meet the R2 deadline. However, from our first meeting, it became evident that Joy was a seasoned expert, and I felt assured in her capable hands. Joy is exceptional not only in eliciting one's life story but also in artfully assembling it in a manner that is compelling, personal, and relevant. This was particularly invaluable to me given that its been a while since I graduated college; she rekindled memories of my accomplishments and experiences both during and prior to college. When it comes to crafting essays, Joy is highly responsive and provides candid feedback, a quality I deeply appreciated. Moreover, Joy’s prowess in resume editing is exceptional. While I had previously summarized my work history and education, she transformed the resume to vividly illustrate the impact of my experiences. However, what truly sets her apart is her unwavering emotional support and guidance throughout the entire process. Joy was always there for me as a cheerleader, believing in my potential even during moments when I doubted myself. Her infectious enthusiasm was empowering every time we convened. I highly recommend working with Joy!

I absolutely loved working with Joy throughout the 2024-2025 MBA application cycle, and I cannot say enough amazing things about my time working with her! Joy is a seasoned expert in every aspect of the MBA application process, from researching schools, to fine-tuning career goals, from essay writing, to interview preparation. What stood out most to me while working with Joy is the very personalized approach she takes to working with her clients. During our initial meetings, Joy pushed me to introspect and dug deep into my background and life experiences to get to know the real me behind my resume and find the right stories to tell, often ones I wasn’t even aware of to begin with! Then, Joy was instrumental in helping me bring those stories to life on paper, with targeted feedback to naturally illustrate impact, leadership, community-building, growth, interpersonal connection, and so many other wonderful qualities through the power of story. To write and refine over 10 essays over the course of just 2 months, while also refining my resume, professional experiences, and career goals seemed like a daunting proposition when I first started working with Joy. Joy and I corresponded almost daily, and her mix of tactical feedback, ideas, insights, and meticulous reviews were critical in getting me through it all. Beyond the nuts and bolts of working on the application itself, I’ll always remember Joy’s enthusiasm, positive encouragement, and emotional support, that made what might have been a stressful time a highly enjoyable experience. I’ve always felt the very best mentors help you learn to help yourself – and Joy epitomizes this in every sense of the word. I can confidently say that I have grown as a writer and even learned more about myself through my time working with Joy! With Joy’s support, I was thrilled to be accepted to Stanford, my first-choice program, and I’m incredibly thankful to have gotten the chance to work with her. If you’re lucky enough to work with Joy, you can be confident you’re getting the absolute best!

Brandon is an absolute rockstar. He was so easy to work with, direct and honest, and generous with his time. I am very thankful for his help and positive attitude during the whole process. Thank you, Brandon! Don't stop coaching. You're built for this! :)

Kristen was a wonderful coach; she went above and beyond and knows her stuff! She brought out the best of me in my application and pushed me to dig deeper to create a more compelling story. I would recommend her 1000 times to anyone applying for school. I was not too confident about getting coached because I worked with another coach prior to Kristen and did not see the value. After connecting with Kristen, even briefly speaking to her, I felt confident. The amount of effort she put into helping me truly made me a fan of her and Leland. Do not look any further; she will guide you in the right direction.