Telling Your Story: Crafting a Personal Statement That Gets You Funded

Hosted By Elena S.

5.0

8 Reviews

Applying to grad school or fellowships in public policy, social impact, or international affairs? The personal statement is your most powerful tool, but most people don’t know how to use it. In just 30 minutes, I’ll walk you through how to build a compelling narrative that connects your values, experiences, and goals, and positions you for admission and funding. You’ll learn: - How to structure your personal statement so it feels both authentic and strategic - What top programs and fellowships are really looking for - A simple storytelling exercise to help you get unstuck and start writing - Common pitfalls that weaken otherwise strong applications I’ve helped applicants win spots (and full funding) at places like Stanford, Yale, Princeton, Oxford, and LSE. This session will give you practical tools and a clearer sense of how to tell your story in a way that stands out. Perfect for applicants targeting MPA/MPP programs and competitive fellowships like Knight-Hennessy, Fulbright, and Marshall. Can't wait to meet you!

This event is great for Grad school applicants (MPA, MPP, international affairs, social impact fields), especially those applying to fully funded programs or fellowships.

Hosted By Elena S.

5.0

8 Reviews

Knight-Hennessy Scholar | MPA/MPP Admissions Expert | Fellowship Coach

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Elena has helped clients get into these schools:

As a first-generation American and first-generation college student, I know what it means to navigate elite academic and fellowship spaces without a roadmap. I was named a Knight-Hennessy Scholar and was a finalist for the Marshall Scholarship, and have been admitted to fully funded MPA and international policy programs at Stanford, Yale, Princeton (SPIA), Oxford (Blavatnik), and LSE. These experiences not only deepened my understanding of the admissions landscape, they fueled my commitment to helping others break into it. I focus on coaching applicants to top-tier MPA/MPP programs and prestigious fellowships like Knight-Hennessy, Fulbright, and Marshall. I specialize in helping purpose-driven candidates craft authentic, high-impact applications, especially those from nontraditional or underrepresented backgrounds. Whether you need support structuring your essays, preparing for interviews, or making strategic choices about where and how to apply, I bring both personal experience and a clear, collaborative process to help you succeed.