MBA Admissions Coaches

Hi there! As a deferred admit to the Stanford Graduate School of Business, I have firsthand experience navigating the MBA admissions process. I received my Bachelor's degree in Neuroscience from Northwestern University, then held roles as an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs and an Investor at 7wire Ventures. I love helping people tell their stories through their applications. Whether you're looking for support with essay writing, resume editing, or interview preparation, I'm here to help you succeed.

Through my own experiences and helping others with theirs, I've learned tactics that can help you identify the right school for you and craft your story as you apply and interview for business schools!

Welcome! I am a coach and advisor who genuinely enjoys helping individuals achieve their MBA admissions goals. As a former member of the MBA Admissions Board at Harvard Business School (HBS), I have firsthand knowledge of the admissions process and what it takes to build a compelling application. I've reviewed thousands of applications and completed hundreds of interviews with applicants across all backgrounds, geographies, and industries. I also have experience working with college students applying for deferred admissions (I was part of the launch and management of the HBS 2+2 Deferred Admit Program). I work as an independent MBA admissions coach, guiding clients to success at their top choice schools. Whether you need assistance with school selection, crafting your story/brand, essay/resume writing, selecting/preparing recommenders, or interview prep, I'm here to help you navigate the sometimes overwhelming and mysterious MBA admissions world. Let's connect and discuss how I can support you in reaching your goals. Rated "Leland Top 50 Coach" 2023, 2024, 2025

🎉 Dozens of candidates I've worked with have got into Stanford GSB, Harvard, Wharton & the rest of M7 🎉 ⏳ Fair, honest pricing: 4-5 hours for one school, 8-12 for 3+ is almost always sufficient⏳ 💰 Check out my packages for discounts, or ask me for 50% off your 1st hour 💰 My story: I was 23. My GMAT was an uneven 710: 99th percentile verbal, 55th(!) non-verbal. My major was English literature. I was at a non-MBB consulting firm with zero US brand recognition. I had less than 3 years of work experience. I couldn't afford an admissions consultant. And yet... I got in. How? Because I'm an expert-level storyteller. And telling your story is >50% of your application. A bad story can kill an otherwise-great application. A GREAT story can make up for a mediocre GMAT, so-so work experience, etc. Beyond your qualifications and institutions, you have several short- and long-form essay/answer prompts, plus 2 letters of reference. Together, these present you with an opportunity to craft a COMPELLING, HOLISTIC narrative for why you belong at the business school of your dreams. What got me over the line and won the heart of my AdCom reviewer was that I treated these answers not as distinct opportunities to shine, but a tapestry through which I wove a singular, compelling narrative thread. On Leland, I help others achieve the same. I am confident that any life, no matter how mundane-feeling, carries a powerful growth story. I will help you tell that story in a way that feels authentic and inspiring, making your offer a no-brainer to AdCom. I work with candidates for any school, and have a range of approaches based on your specific needs & working style. I particularly love to support international applicants - the US has a very specific, slightly opaque culture and set of values that I've had the privilege of adopting, through the lens of both a Brit (where I grew up) and a Russian (where I was born). No need to message ahead - my calendar is up to date. Schedule an intro call anytime!

Welcome to my profile! I was accepted into deferred MBA programs at the Harvard Business School and Wharton School of Business after graduating from a non-target school with an 82% acceptance rate. I had big dreams in undergrad: get into an M7 business school. But, I had no connections, no target background, and no clue how to get there. I share this because if I can do it, you can too. My journey taught me the power of authentic storytelling. Allow me to share my experience and help you craft a striking application, bringing your unique story to light.

Graduated from Kellogg School of Management's Full-time MBA program in 2018 - Accepted to 3 Top Tier MBA schools, received significant scholarships to all schools ($250k in total) and achieved 750 GMAT score. I have personal experience advising co-workers and peers on applications, including resume review, essays, and interviews. Post-Kellogg, I served as an Alumni interviewer and have a unique perspective into what it takes to stand out and how to best prepare.

Coaching has always been a big passion of mine - while in business school, I was the VP of Prospective Students for the Armed Forces Association as well as a member of Service2School, a non-profit that provides guidance and mentorship for transitioning service members looking to pursue advanced degrees. I'm also a alumni interviewer for Ross. Over the past 5 years, I've coached and prepped over 100+ people on MBA applications with a high rate of success. I know what adcoms are looking for, so let me help you get there!

I’ve helped dozens of friends, colleagues, and classmates get into top MBA programs like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, INSEAD, and Columbia - where I went myself. I know how confusing and stressful the process can feel, and my goal is to make it more manageable, encouraging, and real. I’ve supported people through everything, from writing their stories and preparing for the GMAT, to figuring out which school actually fits their goals and life. I care a lot about helping others find the right path and feel proud of the way they present themselves along the way.

I have advised 100+ applicants pursuing MBA and/or MPP applications to top institutions, helping applications secure admissions and a combined $500,000+ in scholarship money. Yes, that's over 10 candidates a year, with most of them receiving some form of financial aid! I will help you ethically secure scholarship funding where possible post-admissions (I.e., only after you've decided which school you'd like to attend!).

Welcome to my profile! With an MBA from MIT Sloan and a Master’s in International and Public Affairs from Columbia Business School, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. My professional journey spans roles at top companies like Nike, Hinge, and Nasdaq, where I honed my skills in product management and marketing. I have successfully coached 5 clients, helping them navigate the competitive MBA admissions process and secure spots at their dream schools. Let's work together to craft a standout application that highlights your unique strengths and experiences. Reach out to get started!