The questions that got her into both Stanford and HBS


Happy New 2025!

I’m not much for New Year’s resolutions. Instead, I like to reflect — on the choices we make, the paths we take, and the questions that guide us along the way.

In the last days of 2024, I had the joy of celebrating with one of my Round 1 MBA ABC stars. She had just ended her year with the ultimate champagne problem: deciding between Stanford and HBS. (Yes, both.)

A Space to Ask, Refine, and Shine

In our conversation, she shared something that stuck with me. What drew her to MBA ABC wasn’t just the expert guidance or the supportive community (though those mattered). It was the ability to ask questions — thoughtful, clarifying, game-changing questions — about her essays, my feedback, and her overall strategy.

She shared that she’d done her homework — meticulously comparing MBA admissions consultants, tools, and resources.

But MBA ABC stood out for one key reason: it offered something rare. It wasn’t just about receiving guidance; it was about creating a dialogue.

It gave her the space to ask questions, to dig deeper, and to refine her story until her application resonated with clarity and purpose.

The Questions You Didn’t Know You Needed

What she didn’t realize at the onset was that the questions I asked her were just as important as the ones she brought to me.

It reminded me of what I love most about working with candidates like her: asking the right questions.

Questions that challenge assumptions, spark meaningful reflection, and shape stories so compelling they make admissions committees sit up and take notice.

👉 What’s the most generous thing you’ve ever done, and how does it reflect the kind of leader you want to become?

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👉 Who shaped the person you are today, and how does their influence show up in your goals and values?

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👉 If your MBA journey is the next chapter, how does the story end? What’s the big, bold mission you’re building toward?

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When you ask better questions, you get better answers. And when your essays are built on better answers, they don’t just inform. They inspire.

So, what questions are you asking yourself about your MBA story?

And — more importantly — who’s asking you the right questions to sharpen it?

January is where winning MBA stories begin

If you’re aiming for extraordinary results too, the time to start is…. now.

January is when the strongest candidates set their plans in motion, building momentum for the months ahead.

The strongest candidates I’ve worked with — like the one who in Round 1 was admitted to 7 of the top 10 programs (3 of them with a full-ride scholarship) — didn’t wait for deadlines to creep closer. She started with me last January, setting the foundation for her success early.

​Working with me isn’t just about guidance; it’s about the conversation — the questions we ask, the clarity we build, and the stories we weave together.

Starting now can make all the difference.

Onwards and upwards,
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Petia

My MBA Path

Empowering future leaders to land the MBA of their dreams. 🚀 From higher ed executive to entrepreneurial innovator, I've spent years on the frontlines of Graduate Management Education, shaping how tomorrow’s leaders are formed. Now, I’m bringing that experience directly to you, connecting ambitious minds with the right MBA paths to unlock their full potential. Because where there’s a will, I find the way.

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