MBA/MPP Admissions Experts

Welcome to my profile! As a dual-degree graduate from The Wharton School and Harvard Kennedy School, I bring a unique blend of business acumen and public administration expertise to my coaching. With experience as a Chief of Staff at Wellth and a Senior Consultant at Accenture, I have a deep understanding of strategic operations and digital strategy. Over the years, I've successfully coached 18 individuals, helping them navigate the competitive MBA admissions process and secure spots at top programs. Whether you need guidance on application strategy, essay crafting, or interview preparation, I'm here to help you achieve your MBA goals. Let's connect and chart your path to success!

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

Why I’m Qualified to Be Your Admissions Coach: With over 15 years of experience as a former director of Master's and MBA admissions, I have an insider's understanding of what top-tier business schools look for in applicants. I’ve worked with clients targeting prestigious schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and INSEAD, helping them navigate the complexities of the application process with personalized strategies. As the founder of The Admission Concierge, a boutique MBA consulting firm, I specialize in crafting compelling narratives, refining resumes, and guiding clients through every aspect of the MBA journey—whether it’s essay writing, interview coaching, or school selection. My approach is data-driven, hands-on, and tailored to each client's unique story, ensuring they stand out in competitive applicant pools. I also bring an academic background with a Ph.D. from the University of Paris, giving me a well-rounded perspective for applicants in both MBA and advanced-degree programs. Whether you’re applying for a top MBA program or considering a dual-degree, my goal is to guide you with clarity, confidence, and a strategic edge to make your application shine.

🚀I'm a top full time MBA admissions coach with 11yrs experience and 85% success rate to H/S/W + Top 15 global MBAs. 🥇Being a top coach means I have high coaching EQ and guide with frameworks derived from: 1️⃣ A deep understanding of how admissions officers think - I am rated more effective than coaches who are former admissions officers 2️⃣ Direct experience in the roles you seek, relevant to tie your experience and goals together 3️⃣ Technical startup mentality that allows me to coach you how to showcase your innovative side by pitching creatively 🤖AI Slop detector at blog.getmba.ai/slop-detector 🤖AI Usage Guides at blog.getmba.ai - built from 200+ admits and 30,000+ essay reviews 🥇Why don't I have a Leland Supercoach badge? It's awarded based on content creation on Leland+, not coaching experience. I don't contribute to content here on Leland as I post on my Youtube/IG @MBACoach 🧙🏼‍♂️ Expert working with highly technical industries/roles: Enterprise AI, product management, consulting, health&wellness, gov, infrastructure, real estate, fintech, engineering 🌍 Middle East, Europe, Latin America experience derived from working/living in different countries 👉🏼Through our conversations, I challenge you to discover your leadership voice by placing you in the "interview seat" from our first call. I draw on my deep understanding of what admissions look for and what essay questions are truly asking for to help you create an authentic story and ambitious goals that stand out. Together we create a design session where we think deeply about personal and professional moments that show who you are. This leads to your strongest application, higher interview invitation rates, and admissions. 🤖 Expertise in prompting generic ChatGPT/Anthropic AI to get non-generic admissions caliber feedback. I evolved my 1:1 coaching to include guidance on using AI effectively for clients who see it as a tool, but continue to provide traditional coaching for those who don't want it. I have developed prompts that remove the generic responses that general use AI tools provide, to make them essay specific and in your voice. Try this formula that works: Invest in 2-5 hours of quality coaching to unlock your core stories. Then use getMBA.ai to accelerate the iterative writing process—turning weeks of grunt work into days. 🌍 I work with a small group of international/US candidates each round from diverse backgrounds (tech, entrepreneurs, consultants, family business). I am available for my clients within short notice. Get started right away with intro 1-2hrs foundational call - according to my reviews, it's a worthwhile investment. 👉🏼 Most clients do not have clear goal when we begin working together, but end with clear career direction - and some have started companies based on the ideas we formulated together. 👉🏼Unlimited Coaching package includes additional review by a second coach (you get 2 in 1 coaches!) 👉🏼I apply my superpower as an innovator and storyteller to walk clients through a framework that helps connect the dots of past experiences and future aspirations. We get to your “aha” moment and get you excited (and less anxious) about your own fantastic and bold story - this in turn elevates your competitiveness in MBA applications and interviews. 👩🏻‍💻 IG: MBAcoach 👉🏼My expertise has been featured in Poets&Quants. 👉🏼I have advised professionals across 20 countries in complex industries including tech, finance, consulting, government, healthcare, biotech, entrepreneurship, renewable energy, military, and telco. Experience spans product management, strategy, operations, analytics, finance, sales, engineering and manufacturing. Areas of less expertise: Brand management, marketing, HR. 👉🏼Experienced with top 17 MBAs worldwide: Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, Booth, Columbia, Tuck, Haas, Yale, NYU, UCLA, Ross, Duke, Fuqua, London Business School, Insead 👉🏼Experienced with MBA, EMBA, PT MBA, & deferred admissions. 👉🏼Experienced with dual degrees MBA/MPP(A) or MBA/MA product, design, engineering, education, biotech. 📣 Poets&Quants Article: https://poetsandquants.com/2024/08/07/tips-to-nail-new-harvard-mba-essays/?pq-category=sbc&pq-category-2=sponsored-blogs 👩🏻‍💻Personality traits: I recognize that applying to competitive MBAs is a serious process for you on top of a competitive full time job. I inject my naturally open and humorous personality to make the process feel a little less like work. Nimble and grounded are other core strengths, I know when to guide to create urgency and when to give you room to explore your creativity. *Note: only up to 3 initial hourly purchases will be credited toward upgrade to Unlimited Coaching packages

I've been coaching MBA and EMBA applicants since 2006 — which means I've worked through more admissions cycles, essay prompts, and school pivots than I can count. Poets & Quants has recognized me as a Top Consultant three times. Clients have called the work "transformative" and "the best help I never knew I needed." What I actually do: I help people find their story. Not the version they think they're supposed to tell, but the one that's true and specific and stops an admissions reader cold. That's harder than it sounds, and it's where most applications fall apart. My background is unusual for this field. I'm a Columbia MBA and a Columbia English major — and a former magazine editor. I'm also an ICF-certified leadership coach. That combination means I bring genuine writing craft and genuine coaching depth to every engagement, not just admissions strategy. My clients have come from consulting, banking, medicine, the military, entrepreneurship, filmmaking, and family business. They've gone on to HBS, Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, and programs across Europe and Asia. I work in English and Italian.

I have extensive experience coaching across all aspects of MBA admissions: 1. I have helped 30+ students get into top MBA programs, including HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, etc. I also have experience helping several students get into top executive or non-traditional programs (Stanford MSx, Wharton EMBA, etc.). 2. I am a former professional writer, and I have helped almost all of my students brainstorm, recraft, tune, and edit their essays. This is primarily what I help with for MBA applications. 3. I spent years tutoring standardized tests (GRE, GMAT, SAT). While I no longer offer tutoring services, I can help you develop a study plan and tackle weak points. 4. I am a professional resume reviewer for both MBA admissions and consulting applications. 5. Additionally, I was part if the Student Admissions Program for the Wharton MBA program

Expert storyteller for Big 4 consultants applying to M7 MBAs, especially if you're worried your experience won't stand out. As a non-traditional government consulting applicant admitted to 3 M7s, I guide your application journey across essays, resumes, and interviews. I have experience across private, public, and non-profit sectors and understand how to craft stories that are personal and compelling to admissions committees. This approach has helped several clients overcome weaknesses to get into their top choice programs at Harvard, MIT, Georgetown, and other elite programs. The difference is a storytelling formula that I provide to my applicants.

I’m a Wharton MBA, former Wharton Admissions Fellow, and Founder of The Ivy Journey (theivyjourney.com/mba), where I’ve spent 15+ years helping ambitious applicants earn admission to top MBA programs. My clients have earned admits to HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Columbia, Kellogg, Booth, Haas, Yale SOM, LBS, INSEAD, and other top US, UK & EU programs. I’m especially strong at helping applicants turn complex, nonlinear, or highly competitive backgrounds into clear, differentiated MBA stories. I’ve worked with candidates from consulting, banking/finance, tech, product, healthcare, entrepreneurship, family business, nonprofit, government, and international backgrounds, including many applicants navigating U.S. MBA admissions from Asian, European, and other global markets. My edge is the combination of admissions judgment and career strategy. As a former Wharton admissions fellow, I understand how admissions readers evaluate leadership, career logic, school fit, recommendations, interviews, and personal differentiation. As a career coach and former consultant/hiring manager, I also help clients build MBA narratives that make sense beyond admission: why this degree, why now, why this school, and why your goals are credible. I work best with applicants who want thoughtful, strategic, high-touch coaching. I’ll help you pressure-test your school list, sharpen your positioning, build a compelling resume, craft authentic essays that tell your unique story, prepare recommenders, and walk into interviews with clarity and confidence.

The choice to pursue an MBA is a significant investment of time and resources, and it deserves a thoughtful approach. I'll partner with you on any and all parts of your process. I'm a Ross MBA (University of Michigan) with admissions committee experience at Ross. I've spent the last 15 years successfully coaching MBA applicants through the admissions process with my own firm (MBA Pathfinders) and with top-rated consulting firms (Stacy Blackman and mbaMission), and have helped clients earn admission to HBS, GSB, Wharton, Booth, Ross, Kellogg, Fuqua, Columbia, Haas, Stern, Darden, Tuck, Johnson, Darden, INSEAD, and many others. I've collaborated with a range of candidates, and have had great success with those from more traditional backgrounds seeking a way to stand out among a sea of qualified peers, as well as those from non-traditional backgrounds who need guidance articulating how their talents and aspirations will fit into an MBA class. If you're looking for a seasoned, professional coach who's seen it all and can help guide you through the whole process, let's work together!

Ranked 6th out of 500+ MBA coaches on Leland's Top Coaches 2026 list! As a professional MBA Consultant, I deep dive into who you are to craft a first-rate application for acceptance to an M7 or global top 20 MBA program. From typical applicants who need to stand out to unconventional applicants who need to fit in, we succeed together. I have helped 100% of my full-service clients gain acceptance to the top 30 MBA programs, with an impressive 95% acceptance rate to the top 20 programs (this is based on comprehensive-package clients applying to a minimum of 3 schools). This does not mean I only work with applicants with high test scores, great academic records, and exceptional resumes. I have assisted many people with below-average GMAT/GREs, subpar GPAs, and hard-to-quantify work experience to get into top MBA programs. In addition to M7 and other top American programs, I have extensive experience and success in helping applicants gain admission to all top European schools. I also welcome international applicants, and was ranked as a Top 10 Leland International Coach (no individual rankings within the top 10) having guided many to successful admissions at both American and European institutions. The key to this success lies in getting to the heart of who you are. It’s a simple sentence but not a simple process. We both need to invest time and energy to objectively explore your past, core beliefs, current position, and future aspirations. We then use this life theme to create a profile that enhances your personal and professional narratives, ensuring you effectively showcase your distinctive strengths and experiences. Many clients have remarked that after this journey of self-discovery, they feel they know themselves far better, bringing a fresh sense of enthusiasm and inspiration into their lives. I have developed with my wife and business partner, M, a highly organized, 8-phase process we call Identity Mapping that we use to guide the entire application process from deep introspection to the final applications. When you book a free intro call, I will show you exactly how it works and why our clients always rave about it and call it a game changer. BONUS: M (https://www.joinleland.com/coach/m-g/mba), is also a professional MBA admissions coach, and we regularly review each other’s clients’ applications. This means you’ll benefit from a second expert perspective at no extra cost. We may work on a case-by-case basis or cover all of the following in my all-inclusive package. • Profile optimization as described in the paragraph before the last. • Tailor your school selection, application timeline, round strategy, and more to your profile and goals, ensuring a targeted approach to your MBA journey. • Craft compelling and impactful MBA essays that truly resonate with admissions committees. From initial outlines to multiple draft revisions and a meticulous final edit, we will ensure that your story is memorable for all the right reasons. • Structure and refine various MBA application components, such as work experience descriptions, affiliations, achievements, certifications, research, publications, and awards. My systematic approach results in a cohesive and compelling application package. • Elevate your resume to meet the rigorous standards of MBA applications. Constructive critiques and expert edits will help you present your accomplishments and qualifications successfully. • Secure strong letters of recommendation that amplify your strengths and potential. I can guide you in selecting the right recommenders and obtaining compelling endorsements. • Evaluate every component of your MBA application in a meticulous final review to guarantee coherence, accuracy, and impact. This last layer of polish is crucial to submitting an application that not only meets but significantly exceeds admissions standards. • Ace your MBA interviews with confidence. Realistic school-specific mock interview sessions, tailored feedback, and personalized coaching will help you refine your presentation, responses, and overall interview strategy, guaranteeing you make a lasting impression. • Navigate the critical decisions after your MBA interviews with expert guidance. Whether you're weighing multiple offers, seeking to move up from a waitlist, or deciding on the best school for your goals, I provide strategic advice to make sure you enroll in the perfect MBA program for you. I limit my full-time clients to five per application round (this number may increase or decrease slightly depending on the round and the amount of assistance my clients need), ensuring dedicated and personalized service. My expertise lies in working with international applicants and helping them navigate the challenges of applying in a second language and to a different educational system. This ‘About Jesse’ section may seem as if it’s more about you than me, but that’s the point. You are the star; I am here to help you shine. Let's work together to create the best application possible and secure your spot in a top MBA program.