My Journey from Real Estate to Graduate School Admissions Tutoring
Read one coach's journey from real estate to professional admissions consulting, specializing in GMAT/GRE tutoring. William B. has helped applicants land admission into the M7 MBA programs and many other top schools and would love to help you, too!
By William B.
Posted July 24, 2025
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With degrees in Architecture and Business from the University of California at Berkeley, I embarked on a path that ultimately led me from real estate to become a tutor specializing in GMAT and GRE exam preparation.
My career initially revolved around real estate development, management, and marketing. However, the Great Recession served as a wake-up call, prompting me to reassess my professional trajectory. I knew I wanted to pivot and find a new path that would align with my business background while making a meaningful impact on others' lives.
Building a Data-Driven Tutoring System
Recognizing the pivotal role that standardized tests like the GMAT and GRE play in the lives of graduate school applicants, I saw an opportunity to leverage my skills in database management. I created a comprehensive database that became the foundation of my tutoring journey, allowing me to enter professionally written questions from official guides and various sources. It was the first step toward delivering effective tutoring services.
I didn't stop at compiling questions. I kept track of students' answers so that I could create reports indicating their strengths and weaknesses to guide them to further study. I aimed for a deeper level of understanding by adding detailed explanations for each question. This approach enabled me to guide my students through their problem-solving journey, step by step. Over time, I developed a structured system of strategies and principles, which I applied to specific steps in solutions. This method allowed for engaging discussions with my students about how these strategies applied to each problem.
Personalized Learning Through Smart Technology
My dedication to data analysis enabled me to classify practice questions by difficulty, ensuring that my students never wasted time on questions that were too easy or too challenging. This data-driven approach allowed for truly personalized tutoring experiences, focusing on areas where each student needed improvement.
To enhance the learning experience, I created a user-friendly homework website linked to my local database. This platform allowed my students to practice assignments tailored to their specific needs, seamlessly aligning with the work we did during live tutoring sessions. At first the students saw only new questions, but later it also included previously missed questions so that nothing would fall through the cracks. It provided an efficient way to track and analyze their homework progress, ultimately optimizing the time we spent together.
Expanding Resources and Support
As my tutoring practice evolved, I continued to expand the resources available to my students on the homework website. I introduced features like explanation reviews, flashcards for idioms and vocabulary, and a dedicated section for strategy review. These resources allowed my students to access additional support based on their unique needs, making the learning process more comprehensive and effective.
Proven Results and Student Success
With over 8,500 hours of GMAT and GRE tutoring experience spanning the past 12 years, I have had the privilege of helping students gain acceptance into some of the world's most prestigious graduate schools. Graduates of my tutoring program have secured spots in institutions including Anderson School of Business at UCLA, Booth School of Business at University of Chicago, Columbia Business School, Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley, Harvard Business School, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, London Business School, Marshall School of Business at USC, McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stern School of Business at New York University, Tuck School of Business Dartmouth, University of Oxford, and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Why Work With Me?
I am immensely proud of the positive reviews I've received from my students, who have described me as "phenomenal," "patient," "brilliant," "awesome," "effective," "organized," "thorough," "amazing," and "knowledgeable." These reviews inspire me to continue my mission of helping students achieve their academic aspirations.
Having recently become a Leland tutor, I can now offer all my experience and everything I have created to you. With a wealth of knowledge, a robust tutoring system, and a proven track record of success, I am more than just a tutor: I am an academic mentor who empowers students to reach their full potential. If you're seeking top-notch GMAT and GRE tutoring, I'm the tutor you've been searching for. Together, we can unlock your academic potential and pave the way for a bright future. Book a FREE intro call on my Leland coach profile today.
The Bottom Line
With a deep background in business, a data-driven approach to teaching, and more than 8,500 hours of hands-on tutoring experience, I’ve built a system that delivers results. My students don’t just prepare for the GMAT and GRE, they thrive, gaining admission to top-tier graduate schools around the world. If you’re ready to take your prep to the next level with personalized support and proven strategies, I’m here to help. Let’s get started, book a free intro call on my Leland profile today.
Ready to Get Serious About Your Score?
If you’re preparing for the GMAT or GRE and want a coach who brings structure, insight, and a proven track record, I’d love to help. Book a FREE intro call on my Leland coach profile and let’s map out the smartest path to your target score.
Read these next:
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- How Late Can You Take the GMAT/GRE for MBA Applications?
- The 10 Best GRE Tutors
- The 10 Best GMAT Tutors
FAQs
How do I choose between the GMAT and GRE for business school?
- Most business schools accept both exams, but some programs still prefer the GMAT for MBA admissions. If you're applying exclusively to business schools, the GMAT may be more strategic. However, if you're considering a range of graduate programs, the GRE offers more flexibility.
What score should I aim for on the GMAT or GRE?
- A competitive score depends on your target schools. Top MBA programs often look for GMAT scores of 700+ or GRE scores in the 320+ range. I help students set realistic goals based on their background and desired programs, then build a focused plan to get there.
Can a tutor really improve my GMAT or GRE score?
- Yes, especially when the tutoring is personalized and data-driven. I track performance by topic, difficulty, and strategy to help students eliminate weak spots and improve faster. My system is built to adapt to each student’s needs and learning style.
How long does it take to prepare for the GMAT or GRE?
- Most students need 2–4 months of consistent prep, depending on their starting point and goals. I help you structure your time wisely, avoid inefficient study habits, and focus on what actually moves the needle.
What makes your tutoring approach different?
- I combine real-world experience, a custom-built database, and 12+ years of focused GMAT and GRE coaching. From strategy breakdowns to homework tracking, everything is designed to help students study smarter, not just harder.
Written by William
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William is a full-time, professional GMAT, GMAT Focus, GRE, and EA tutor with over 12 years of full-time tutoring experience. He has logged over 8,000 hours tutoring those subjects. His students have been accepted at top graduate schools including Anderson School of Business at UCLA, Booth School of Business at University of Chicago, Columbia Business School, Haas School of Business at U.C. Berkeley, Harvard Business School, Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, London Business School, Marshall School of Business at USC, McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University, Stanford Graduate School of Business, Stern School of Business at New York University, Tuck School of Business Dartmouth, University of Oxford, and The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. William uses proprietary database software and practice questions from official guides and major schools to teach the strategies students need to learn in order to do well on their exams. To identify their weak areas and focus on them more deeply, he employs data analysis to track his students’ performance on the application of the strategies and principles required to do well on the exam. During the first lesson, William evaluates the student's proficiencies in the main categories and from then on uses materials that are likely to advance those proficiencies. He assigns homework after each lesson, consisting of a review of the previous meeting, GMAT idiom or GRE vocabulary flashcards, new and previously missed questions, and a report of the strategies has missed multiple times. William has received numerous positive reviews from past students, who have described him as a "phenomenal," "patient," “brilliant”, “awesome”, “effective”, “organized”, “thorough”, “amazing” and "knowledgeable" tutor. His tutoring method has helped many students raise their scores and achieve their desired results. William earned degrees in Architecture and Business at the University of California at Berkeley.
William has helped clients get into organizations like:
