20 years coaching, essay workshops & training coaches, Stanford interviewer
Studied at Stanford University
Worked at Menlo Coaching
Finish each of your applications at least 3 weeks before its round-2 deadline*, get $750 off your total fee, and enjoy the Holiday Season! While the range of services covered in my comprehensive package is the same as that of leading consulting firms, I limit my client roster to a much smaller number (5-7 vs 25-30+), allowing far more individual focus and a 'whatever it takes' approach to producing the strongest and most compelling application possible. As with the standard version of my comprehensive service, this package includes: • Strategizing application approach • Discussing methods of augmenting candidacy • Advising on school selection strategy • Review and edit of CV • Guidance on recommender selection and recommender 'guidance packets' • Brainstorming and assisting in development of essay concepts and structure • Editing/final polish of essays • Guidance and polishing of application data forms • Interview preparation and mock interview • Assistance with waitlist update letters and strategy, if needed This package does not include any limit on iterations, such as the number of drafts. As a full-time professional consultant committed to helping a small number of applicants develop the strongest possible material, I do whatever it takes to maximize your chances for admission. I’ve worked extensively with all types of applicants from all over the world, from military combat veterans and individuals with non-traditional backgrounds in entertainment and government to accomplished professionals in technology, investment banking, management consulting, VC and PE. I particularly enjoy working with a wide variety of applicants each round who have an acute need to stand out in highly competitive applicant pools. *Discount requires finishing all work 3 weeks before each round-2 deadline EXCEPT interview prep and any required waitlist support. Any coaching needed after this agreed-upon cut-off period can be purchased at a discounted hourly rate.
Resume: review, guidance, final polish
Recommendations: guidance on selection and creation/refinement of recommender prep packets
Application essays: overall strategy, brainstorming, story selection, outlining guidance, feedback on multiple drafts, final polish/trimming
Application data forms: overall guidance, feedback on content, final polish
Interview prep + mock interview(s)
Waitlist strategy and update letters during waitlist period (if applicable)
This package will be delivered via live sessions and .
Over the years, I’ve learned that taking certain key steps in a certain order makes the application process flow more smoothly and efficiently, maximizing quality while avoiding wasted time. I like to start with each applicant filling out a brag sheet, then scheduling an intensive ‘kick-off call’ to discuss a wide range of influences, life choices and other themes, usually resulting in a goldmine of insights, behavioral patterns, differentiators, and possible essay themes. From there, I like to focus on resume revision, then pivot to the ‘recommender selection/prep’ process, and then work on whatever other odds and ends need further attention, such as the short- or long-term professional goal story. By this point, we’ll both have done so much probing, high-quality thinking that we’ll be in excellent shape to start brainstorming and outlining the most difficult essays for the first application we tackle. As for process, I find that both calls and offline feedback are indispensable. For essay brainstorming and other challenging collaboration-intensive aspects of the process, nothing beats a live call. On the other hand, when suggesting a long list of edits on a new draft, taking the time to explain each issue and suggest specific fixes in writing is helpful for me, and my clients find that having ample time to review and think about this carefully prepared feedback is the most helpful and efficient for them. We can always schedule a call to discuss any questions, concerns, doubts, or even just to review our progress. Typically, my clients tend to schedule calls every 5-10 days, while trading revisions and feedback via email throughout the process. I handle everyday communications through email, and I find that our progress is optimized when clients send me complete revisions (and full sets of questions, if any) that reflect as much of my prior feedback as possible, rather than incomplete ‘just to see if I’m on the right track’ revisions. After we finalize the content for each main piece of an application, e.g. resume, essays, app form content, I like to do a final polish on all of it to make sure everything fits the required word limits and to address any issues with writing mechanics. As always, the more careful thought and hard work you put into this process yourself, the more I can help you make your ideas and final output even more compelling, often to the point where we’re both proud of what you’ve created and we can’t wait for you to submit it.
Essays
School Selection
Application Strategy
Resume
Recommendations
Editing
Interviews
Waitlist Strategy
Ding Analysis
Starting at $6,00025h+ of coaching
Starting at $5,75020h+ of coaching
Starting at $5,25020h+ of coaching
Get help with Essays, School Selection, and .
You can message Andy to ask any questions or set up a time to chat before you get started.
Joined May 2022
4.9
20 years coaching, essay workshops & training coaches, Stanford interviewer
**Currently filled for R1** Worked with three top firms since 2002 (Stacy Blackman Consulting, MBA Prep School, Menlo Coaching) as well as independently. Chosen for Rematch Tiger Team, Client Liaison, and Second Reader roles at one firm, which involved rematching and providing exceptional service for applicants who were dissatisfied with their original consultant, advising consultants on various content-related and client-satisfaction challenges, and providing essay feedback for applicants who were unable to make further progress with their assigned consultant. Delivered best-practice essay development workshops for firm's entire team (~100 coaches), and advised on improvements of service offerings for multiple firms. Worked with Stanford Admissions Committee as Alumni Interviewer. Mostly recently, chosen as panelist for Leland Admissions Week.
Coaches professionally
200+ people coached for MBA
Open to working with clients outside the U.S.
25h+ of coaching