The AI-powered education and career planning tool for business aspirants adds a human coaching element.
RESTON, Va. (August 18, 2025) – The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), a global nonprofit association of leading business schools, today introduced premium benefits for members of its AI-powered education and career planning tool, Advancery, through a timely partnership with Leland, a personalized coaching marketplace that connects individuals—including business school candidates—with expert mentors across the admissions and career landscape.
With MBA application season underway, candidates are actively searching for tools and guidance to navigate the increasingly competitive admissions process. GMAC’s new partnership with Leland was established at an opportune moment, offering personalized coaching and expert-driven support when students need it most.
“With insights drawn from over a million verified conversations—backed by both machine learning and human review—Advancery users gain clear, honest advice based on what has worked well for others,” says Adam Witwer, chief product officer of GMAC. “In our research, candidates have informed us that they are looking for human connection in advising and helping them through this process. We believe adding an expert coaching option helps to balance technology with a human perspective. It allows business learners to make smarter, more confident decisions as they strive to achieve their education and career goals.”
Specifically, Advancery’s members will enjoy premium access at a discount to coaching features through structured bootcamps, 1:1 coaching sessions, and expert-created content across more than 50 categories—including GMAT prep, MBA application strategy, and career planning. GMAC chose to team up with tech startup Leland, which has experienced steady growth since it was founded in 2021. The company has now helped more than 250,000 people in 80+ countries reach their most ambitious goals by providing 50,000+ coaching sessions, many of which were offered as a perk to employees of Fortune 500 companies.
“Advancery members are now able to find a coach who has walked the path and knows what works for the candidates—whether they are building an application list of desired schools, preparing for the GMAT, or crafting a compelling personal story,” says Spencer Anderson, head of operations at Leland and a Harvard MBA graduate. “They can also join Leland’s cohort-based bootcamps, led by former admissions officers from top business schools. These bootcamps offer structure, peer support, and direct guidance for reaching key goals like test prep, application planning, and interview readiness. From my own experience, I learned that working alongside others toward a shared objective helps me stay accountable and engaged, turning individual effort into shared momentum.”
Launched earlier this year, Advancery is GMAC’s AI-powered platform designed to guide candidates through every stage of their business education journey. By combining verified program data with insights from millions of real applicant conversations, it helps users identify right-fit programs, assess required skills, and streamline the application process. The all-in-one platform offers personalized tools and resources—from school comparisons to step-by-step planning—delivering a holistic, strategic approach that aligns career goals with application success.
“GMAC is embracing innovation in what we do best—connecting business talent with the right educational opportunities,” says Joy Jones, CEO of GMAC. “To that end, we will continue to build on our 70-plus years of expertise in graduate management education and deliver new advancements like Advancery that support both candidates and business schools in today’s tech-enhanced—yet human-centered—learning and working environments.”
To learn more about GMAC’s Advancery and its partnership with Leland, visit Advancery.gmac.com.
About GMAC
GMAC is a global nonprofit association of leading graduate business schools that connects future business leaders from around the world with educational opportunities. We provide the tools and information necessary for schools and talent to discover and evaluate each other, including world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting resources, and assessments specifically designed for graduate management education. With offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States, GMAC attracts more than 17 million visitors a year to its platforms that span across gmac.com, mba.com, and BusinessBecause.
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