
Welcome to fxMBAconsulting.
My name is Leah Derus. I'm an MIT Sloan MBA who has been helping clients gain entry to top U.S. and European MBA and EMBA programs since 2009. There are no tricks, shortcuts, or secret handshakes for getting into a top business school. What works is presenting a compelling story - and that happens to be my speciality.
In addition to services like mock interviews or hourly advising, I offer two types of editing services: Content Review: You write. I provide tactical advice that you implement. Content Creation. We brainstorm. I write. (My writing has been featured in Harvard's Essay Guide).
Welcome to fxMBAconsulting. My name is Leah Derus. I'm an MIT Sloan MBA who has been helping clients gain entry to top U.S. and European MBA and EMBA programs since 2009. There are no tricks, shortcuts, or secret handshakes for getting into a top business school. What works is presenting a compelling story - and that happens to be my speciality.
In addition to services like mock interviews or hourly advising, I offer two types of editing services: Content Review: You write. I provide tactical advice that you implement. Content Creation. We brainstorm. I write. (My writing has been featured in Harvard's Essay Guide).
Popular Articles.

Winning Essays & Story-based Resumes

Gain insight into how to approach INSEAD’s MBA short answers and essays and get inspired by reading INSEAD essays written for former clients.
INSEAD MBA. 2021-22 Job Description & Essay Analysis & Examples.

Gain insight into how to approach Harvard’s MBA essays and get inspired by readingHBS essays written for former clients.
Harvard. 2021-22 MBA Essay Analysis & REAL Examples.

Gain insight into how to approach Stanford’s MBA & MSx essays and get inspired by reading Stanford essays written for former clients.
Stanford GSB. 2021-22 MBA & MSx Essay Analysis & REAL Examples.

Story-based resumes give clients an edge in securing admission to top business schools and landing offers at sought-after employers. How? By giving readers insight into how a candidate thinks, problem solves, persuades, prioritizes, innovates, communicates and most importantly, how they add value to an organization.
Duke Fuqua Admit
Leah’s advice, guidance and sheer hard work throughout my application process were absolutely critical to the final outcome. My GMAT score of 680 was definitely a weak point but she helped me enhance the rest of my profile to combat that weakness. As a British female with a background in investment management and tech entrepreneurship, Leah was key to helping me turn my past into a truly compelling story and articulate my future ambitions.
HBS Admit
Simply put, the admissions process is not fun. Leah somehow made the entire process bearable, even at times fun. I went into the process thinking I knew what I was doing but it helps so much to have someone on the other end, listening every step of the way, and helping you uncover things about yourself you never knew or would have overlooked.
I got an interview invite to HBS with a below average GMAT and that is thanks to Leah.Wharton EMBA Admit
Leah helped me dig deeply into my experience and come up with fantastic stories. The mock interviews are really helpful. Before my EMBA application, I hadn't interviewed in years.
The mock interview process helped me build my repertoire of stories and gave me a sense of how EMBA interviews work. I would recommend Leah to any friend with their sights set on an EMBA program.

Story-based resumes give clients an edge in securing admission to top business schools and landing offers at sought-after employers. How? By giving readers insight into how a candidate thinks, problem solves, persuades, prioritizes, innovates, communicates and most importantly, how they add value to an organization.
The Story-based Resume. What is it?

Is an EMBA or Part-time MBA worth my while? How can I leverage an MBA into tangible advancement in my career? In this article Leah provides a systematic approach to answering those questions.
Is an EMBA or Part-time MBA worth it?

All the top-20 MBA deadlines and decision dates in one place.
2021-22. MBA Application Deadlines.

See how a Story-based Resume transforms a candidate’s professional narrative. View the before & after resume for a MBA candidate and Project Manager with a background in architecture and construction.
MBA Resume Before & After. Project Manager.

See how a Story-based Resume transforms a candidate’s professional narrative. View the before & after resume for a EMBA candidate and Managing Director in the tech conference space.
EMBA Resume Before & After. Managing Director.

Gain insight into how to approach Harvard’s MBA essays and get inspired by readingHBS essays written for former clients.
Harvard. 2021-22 MBA Essay Analysis & REAL Examples.

Gain insight into how to approach Stanford’s MBA & MSx essays and get inspired by reading Stanford essays written for former clients.
Stanford GSB. 2021-22 MBA & MSx Essay Analysis & REAL Examples.

It’s important to reach out to current students and/or alumni of the MBA or EMBA programs you’re interested in applying to before you submit your application. This will allow you to get a first-hand account of the school, program, student body and post-MBA value of the degree. This due diligence process helps ensure that you’re […]
Email Template. Asking an MBA & EMBA Alumni or Current Student for advice.

Are you in your 30’s or 40’s and looking for a full-time MBA program? Learn more about three programs that offer just that: MIT Sloan Fellows, Stanford MSx and USC Marshall IBEAR.
EMBA: Full-time, 1-year Executive MBA Programs.

Hi there! I’m glad you’re here. I assume that you’ve been think about your career lately – maybe you’re wondering where it’s headed. An MBA might seem like a good next step – and it could very well be! Since you likely got here by googling something like ‘Am I too old for an MBA?‘, I take […]
Am I too old for a full-time MBA?

Gain insight into how to approach Wharton’s MBA essays and get inspired by reading Wharton essays written for former clients.
Wharton. 2021-22 MBA Essay Analysis & Examples.

Understand MBA wait list dynamics and get answers to your questions: Why have I been waitlisted and how can I extricate myself from the MBA wait list?
MBA Waitlist. Now what?

Gain insight into how to approach MIT Sloan’s MBA & LGO essays and get inspired by reading Sloan essays written for former clients.
MIT Sloan. 2021-22 LGO & MBA Essay Analysis & Examples.

Gain insight into how to approach INSEAD’s MBA short answers and essays and get inspired by reading INSEAD essays written for former clients.