Max Richards
MBA admissions consultant and coach for founders and top program applicants
| Hourly rate range | $70 to $145 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Founders and business owners |
| Also coaches | Business coach |
| Credentials | MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business |
Max Richards is an MBA admissions coach who also coaches current and aspiring founders one on one. He started in investment banking at Morgan Stanley, then worked in strategy and finance at a large New York children's hospital. He earned his MBA at Stanford GSB. He has coached 30+ MBA clients, and his applicants have won admission to schools including HBS, Wharton, Kellogg and Booth. He caps how many clients he takes each round.
What Max helps with
Max helps MBA applicants build a clear story and a school-by-school strategy. He also supports clients on questions that come after admission.
- Building an application story that reflects who you are
- Application strategy for each chosen school
- Ding analysis after a rejection
- Reapplying or applying after a deferral
- Winning scholarships and financial aid
- Getting the most from the MBA experience
- Planning internships and post-MBA careers
- Applying as a founder or aspiring entrepreneur
Who Max works with
Max works with first-time applicants, reapplicants and deferred applicants. He also works with current and aspiring entrepreneurs and investors who are applying to MBA programs. Some clients keep working with him after admission on financial aid, internships and careers.
How Max works
Max starts by spending a good amount of time getting to know each client. He looks for the threads in their background that fit together into one strong story. From there he builds a strategy for each school on the client's list. He limits the number of clients each round so each one gets close attention. He also offers hourly help with application strategy and ding analysis.
Background and qualifications
Max studied at Rice University, where he played rugby and triple-majored in Statistics, Psychology and Managerial Studies. He began his career as an analyst in Morgan Stanley's Investment Bank. He then joined New York's largest children's hospital, working with the COO and the Director of Strategy and Finance on strategy, finance and operations projects. At Stanford GSB he focused on startups and leadership. Since graduating, he has consulted for early-stage companies and their investors, and coached founders one on one.
Max Richards pricing
Programs and services
- Custom hourly coaching
- Application strategy sessions
- Ding analysis
Max Richards reviews
Max Richards has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 1 review on Leland, as of September 2026.
The CoachVouch take
He pairs MBA admissions coaching with real experience consulting for startups and investors, which helps founder applicants.
Best for MBA applicants, especially founders and reapplicants, who want a story and strategy built for each school.
Common questions
How much does Max Richards charge?
Coaching with Max runs $70 to $145 an hour. Request an intro for an exact quote.
What does Max Richards help with?
Max Richards helps with building an application story that reflects who you are, application strategy for each chosen school, ding analysis after a rejection and reapplying or applying after a deferral.
Does Max Richards have reviews?
Max Richards has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 1 review on Leland, as of September 2026.
Is Max Richards certified?
Max Richards lists: MBA, Stanford Graduate School of Business.
Does Max Richards work with reapplicants?
Yes. He has coached first-time applicants, reapplicants and deferred applicants.
Does Max help after an applicant is admitted?
Yes. For many clients he keeps helping with financial aid, making the most of the MBA, internships and post-MBA careers.
How do I contact Max Richards?
Request an intro on this page. It's free, and we'll connect you with Max and, if you want, 2 or 3 similar coaches to compare.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.