
Charlene Y.
5.0
(4)
Wharton MBA & Lauder MA '21 | Former Wharton Admissions Fellow
Admissions Committee at The Wharton School (UPenn)
Hiring Manager at Kearney
Successful clients at
Available Monday at 6:00 PM UTC
I'm usually available Mon - Fri, but can be flexible as needed. Please contact me and we can chat on availability needs.
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Charlene's Coaching Offerings
Craft Powerful MBA Essays
Craft winning MBA essays through brainstorming, drafting, and editing
Starting at $9955h+ of coaching
Comprehensive MBA Application Package — Land Your Dream Program
Expert help on your MBA essays, recommendations, resume, and more
Starting at $6,00020h+ of coaching
Nail the MBA Interview
Practice realistic mock MBA interviews with a trained expert
Starting at $5973h+ of coaching
Custom hourly · $199/hr
Get help with Editing, Recommendations, and .
Charlene’s MBA Qualifications
Charlene has helped clients get into these schools:
Every person is unique, and I want to help you tell your story. As a former Kearney consultant and Wharton/Lauder admissions insider, I help candidates cut through the noise and present their authentic selves—because the best business leaders aren’t carbon copies. My approach blends 7+ years of management consulting rigor with hands-on recruiting and admissions experience. At Kearney, I led teams through complex transformations while honing my talent-spotting skills through recruiting efforts (turns out identifying great candidates isn’t so different from building high-performing consulting teams). And as a Wharton Admissions Fellow, I learned what really makes applications click (hint: it’s not just GMAT scores or fancy job titles). I strongly believe that diverse perspectives fuel innovation—a principle I now bring to my advisory work. As a Wharton Admissions Fellow and Lauder interviewer, I saw firsthand how powerful storytelling can bridge gaps in representation. I’m particularly passionate about helping underrepresented candidates navigate the MBA maze. Whether you’re switching industries, coming from a non-traditional background, or just don’t see yourself in those glossy MBA brochures, I’ll help you translate your unique experience into a compelling story. I am well-versed in global cultural immersion: I hold an MBA from Wharton and a Master of Arts in International Studies from Lauder, as well as Bachelor of Arts degrees in Communications and French from the University of Pennsylvania. Fluent in English, Mandarin, and French, I’ve seen how languages and identities shape leadership, and thus can help candidates turn their unique experiences into competitive advantages. Business schools need leaders who reflect the world—and I’m here to help you prove you belong in the room.
Charlene can help with:
Editing
Recommendations
Interviews
Cover Letters
School Selection
Secondary Review
Application Strategy
Essays
Resume
General Exploration
Supplementary Materials
About Charlene
**Currently accepting limited clients for MBA R2 and R3 applications** Hello! I'm Charlene, former management consultant, University of Pennsylvania '15, and Wharton MBA/MA '21 alum. I help ambitious professionals secure their future—whether gaining admission to a top MBA program or landing a role at a leading consulting firm. As a former Wharton Admissions Fellow, I provide end-to-end MBA application guidance (essays, resume, interviews, and beyond) with an insider’s perspective on what committees truly want. Additionally, I leverage my deep consulting expertise to coach candidates through rigorous case and behavioral interviews. My approach is structured, strategic, and focused on turning your unique story into decisive advantage. When I’m not advising, you’ll find me traveling, practicing and teaching Pilates, or hunting for obscure international films—always seeking stories that challenge the status quo.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I’ve seen how strategic guidance can unlock a candidate's true potential. As a former Wharton Admissions Fellow, I witnessed talented individuals struggle to articulate their own stories. I bridge that gap. My passion is turning high-stakes processes—like MBA applications and consulting interviews—into opportunities for clarity and confidence. I don’t just prepare you for questions; I equip you with a lasting framework for storytelling and problem-solving. Your breakthrough is why I do this.
Work Experience
Coach
[solidcore]
July 2025 - Present
Helping clients find their strength through Solidcore’s high-intensity, low-impact workouts. Leveraging my background in leadership and performance optimization to motivate, correct form, and build community—one shaking muscle at a time.
Advisor
Square One Prep
March 2024 - Present
I help MBA applicants tell their story—not someone else’s. As a former management consultant (Kearney) and Wharton/Lauder admissions insider, I blend strategic rigor with a passion for bringing underrepresented voices to the forefront of business education. Let’s connect if you want to: → Demystify the MBA admissions process → Build a standout application strategy → Discuss why every team needs someone who can analyze data and recommend the best dumpling spots

Manager
Kearney
July 2023 - March 2025
Hiring Manager
Engagement experience focused on market entry, growth strategy, and innovation, with industry experience in prestige beauty, retail, financial institutions, and technology Select Project Experience: • Conducted U.S. golf market assessment and consumer research to develop marketing, channel / distribution, operating model, and financial strategy plan for Japanese golf club manufacturer looking to expand share in the U.S. market; aided in implementation • Created growth strategy plan in concrete and cement additives markets for U.S. branch of French company looking to expand U.S. market share; conducted market assessment and built business case and go-to-market strategy for both segments • Developed payment strategy for a technology company to capitalize on small business (SMB) merchant card payments, including looking at potential international markets to enter / expand upon and strategies to increase SMB card payment usage / acceptance • Conducted assessment for a major bank to investigate the prospect of “cashless” accounts in the U.S., including comparing the U.S. state of “cashless” with other countries, investigating current “cashless” players in the U.S., and building a “cashless” projection model Financial Analysis, Growth Strategies and +8 skills

Associate / Senior Associate
Kearney
October 2021 - June 2023
Financial Analysis, Growth Strategies and +7 skills
MBA Strategy Intern
Molten Cloud
May 2020 - August 2020
Defined long-term business strategy for early-stage SAAS startup streamlining media operations, working closely with the founder and COO Financial Analysis, Growth Strategies and +6 skills

Associate / Senior Associate
Kearney
July 2018 - April 2019
Financial Analysis, Growth Strategies and +7 skills

Senior Business Analyst
Kearney
January 2017 - June 2018
Financial Analysis, Growth Strategies and +7 skills

Business Analyst
Kearney
October 2015 - December 2016
Financial Analysis, Growth Strategies and +7 skills
Product Development Intern
Macy's
June 2014 - July 2014
• Sourced materials, updated data sheets, and tracked sales for Macy’s Club Room brand apparel • Analyzed sales reports weekly, negotiated with 4 international vendors, attended developmental and buying meetings to present to senior management • Developed final intern project on recommendations to internationally expand Macy’s online business, estimating $1 million in growth Communication
Charlene was also given offers to work at
Comcast

The Walt Disney Company
Education

The Wharton School (UPenn)
Master of Business Administration - MBA, Management
2019 - 2021
Admissions Committee Experience

University of Pennsylvania
Master of Arts - MA, International Studies
2019 - 2021
Admissions Committee Experience
Lauder Institute, Global track

University of Pennsylvania
Bachelor's Degree, French, Communications
2011 - 2015
4 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Charlene has helped clients get into these schools:
Charlene has helped clients get into these companies: