Today’s guest is Ben Lazaroff, one of Leland’s top MBA coaches and a Stanford GSB graduate. Ben’s career has been anything but linear, from working at McKinsey helping prisons improve rehabilitation outcomes, to diving into politics, to supporting chess startups, his experiences are as diverse as they are fascinating.

After struggling through the MBA application process himself, Ben became driven to help candidates craft powerful, authentic applications that truly reflect who they are.

In this episode, Ben shares:

If you’re navigating the MBA application process, Ben’s insights will help you focus on what truly matters and make your story shine.

Find Ben at Leland: https://www.joinleland.com/coach/ben-lazaroff

Today’s guest is Petar Nestorovic, a recent Tuck graduate whose MBA journey is as inspiring as it is personal. Originally from Peru, Petar shares how his time at Tuck deepened his connection to his home country, even while studying thousands of miles away.

In this episode, Petar talks about:

If you’re considering Tuck — or just want to hear a thoughtful take on staying true to yourself during the MBA journey — this episode is packed with insight.

Today’s guest is Oren Margolis, a Stern graduate and seasoned admissions consultant. Having read thousands of essays during his time with the Stern's admissions team, Oren knows exactly what schools are really looking for — and what applicants often stress about unnecessarily.

In this episode, Oren shares:

If you’ve ever wondered what admissions committees actually care about, and how to focus your energy where it matters most, this one is packed with insight.

Book a chat with Oren here: https://calendly.com/pinetree-palm

Oren's website: https://www.pinetreepalm.com/

Today’s episode of Get to B-School is a first. We’re bringing on an admissions coach! Our guest, Yash Gupta (book him on Leland here!), has sat on both sides of the process. He was accepted to both Harvard and Stanford through the 2+2 program, ultimately choosing Stanford GSB, where he had an incredible experience.

Now, alongside his career in sports, media, and entertainment VC, Yash helps aspiring candidates put their best foot forward. His coaching style is all about tailoring the process to each individual, with a special focus on helping applicants stay genuine and true to themselves in their essays and interviews.

In this episode, we talk about:

If you’re thinking about business school, this episode is packed with insights from someone who knows the admissions process inside and out.

Today’s guest, Doug Michalak, is proving that you really can thrive in multiple arenas at once. While pursuing the evening/weekend MBA program at Kellogg, Doug is also building a successful career in sports media at NBC, and loving the challenge of juggling it all.

In our conversation, Doug shares how he finds energy in balancing multiple responsibilities, why he makes it a point to meet with professors one-on-one, and how those personal connections have shaped his MBA experience. We also talk about his belief that spending time with the people who matter most isn’t a distraction from great work; it’s fuel for it.

Doug’s story is an inspiring look at what it means to live a full, connected, and high-performing life.

Welcome to Get to B-School!

Today’s guest, Tanner Johnston, just graduated from MIT Sloan, the school he set his sights on all the way back in second grade. His teacher, Mrs. Finch, took his dream of becoming an "inventor" seriously and introduced him to top engineers, and they told him that if he wanted to be great, he should aim for MIT. That early guidance stuck, and years later, Tanner made it happen.

But Tanner’s story is about much more than admissions success.

In this episode, he shares:

Tanner’s approach is thoughtful, human, and a powerful reminder that business school is as much about relationships and self-discovery as it is about the resume.

Let’s dive in! 🎓💡👥

Today’s guest, Karan Buch, took a different path to graduate business education—one that many people overlook. Instead of pursuing a traditional MBA, Karan enrolled in the Masters in Management program at London Business School.

Fresh off an engineering degree and eager to pivot, Karan didn’t want to wait the typical two or more years required for an MBA. In this episode, he shares why the MiM, often called a “mini-MBA,” was the right move for him.

We talk about:

Karan’s perspective is thoughtful, practical, and full of energy—just like the MiM program itself.

Let’s jump in! 🎓🌍📈

Today’s guest, Rakhi Jain, just graduated from INSEAD, and her story is full of bold pivots, global experiences, and meaningful trade-offs.

Rakhi began her career in engineering, but her MBA journey took her across three continents, through a transfer program at Kellogg, and ultimately into a new role in management consulting at BCG.

In this episode, Rakhi shares:

Rakhi’s story is proof that there’s no single "right way" to do business school. Sometimes the most meaningful decisions are the ones that prioritize people and purpose.

Leland GMAT Week (FREE): https://lu.ma/gmatkickoff

Let’s dive in! 🌍📚🌲

Cameron Greenwalt is headed to the 2-year MBA program at Kellogg, and his story blends technical depth, focused intention, and just a touch of vanilla. (Literally)

Cameron applied to seven schools before landing on Kellogg, and in this episode, he shares how he approached the application process with the same mindset he brings to the rest of his life: true authenticity beats performative imitation.

We talk about:

Cameron’s story is thoughtful, grounded, and a great reminder that focus goes a long way.

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Leland GMAT Week (FREE): https://lu.ma/gmatkickoff

Let’s get into it! 🎓🌱📦

Today’s episode is about keeping your eyes on the big picture—whether that means summiting Mount Everest or making it to business school.

Our guest, Andrew Katz, recently stood on top of the world—literally. After years of working toward his MBA, he took time away from work to pursue a personal dream: climbing Everest. And in two months in the mountains, he gained more perspective, growth, and clarity than any project at work could have offered.

In this episode, we talk about:

Andrew’s story is an incredible reminder that stepping away can sometimes be the most powerful move you make.

Let’s get into it! 🏔️🎓