Early Starters Master's Prep Plan

Early Starters Master's Prep Plan

Offered by Christine H.

5.0

()

Global Admissions Coach with 30+ years professional experience

Columbia Business School Logo

Studied at Columbia Business School

Stacy Blackman Consulting Logo

Works at Stacy Blackman Consulting

Package Description:

This package is built for ambitious applicants who are more than 12 months away from deadlines and want to proactively position themselves for success in top Master’s programs. Whether you’re still exploring your options or ready to start building your application story, this package helps you lay the groundwork for a standout submission. You’ll partner with a Leland coach to navigate the full landscape of the graduate admissions process—from big-picture strategy to tactical next steps. Together, you’ll focus on early moves that create long-term impact and give you a clear advantage come application season. Common coaching activities in this package include, but are not limited to: - Application Strategy: Craft a compelling narrative that connects your academic, professional, and personal experiences. - Recommender Planning: Identify the right recommenders and build strong relationships that lead to standout letters. - Extracurricular Development: Strategize meaningful activities that reinforce your goals and strengthen your profile. - Timeline Building: Create a month-by-month roadmap to stay organized and reduce stress throughout the process. - Profile Assessment: Conduct a deep dive into your candidacy to highlight strengths and uncover areas to enhance. - Test Prep Planning (if needed): Outline a personalized test strategy for exams like the GRE or GMAT based on your timeline and goals. - School Selection: Curate a mix of programs that align with your academic interests, professional aspirations, and personal values. - Essay & Statement Planning: Brainstorm themes and develop early outlines for essays and personal statements that tell your story with clarity and conviction. Your coach will be by your side every step of the way, helping you make smart, high-leverage decisions early in your journey. This package is your foundation for a confident, well-prepared, and strategic Master’s application process.


What you'll get from this package

A clear application strategy that defines your unique narrative

Two (or more) recommenders selected and actively prepared to support your application

A thoughtful plan for extracurricular involvement (if needed)

A well-organized timeline you can confidently follow to meet deadlines

A clear profile assessment with insights on areas to improve or strengthen your candidacy

A well-defined list of schools that align with your goals and aspirations

A narrative you are eager to develop and communicate in your essays


Additional details

Coaching delivered via live sessions and .

Refund Policy

Services included:

School Selection

Application Strategy

Essays

Resume

Letters of Recommendation


Christine H.

Offered by Christine H.

Joined February 2026

5.0

Global Admissions Coach with 30+ years professional experience

Hi! I have more than 30 years of professional experience across multiple geographies and industries - I've worked in senior, client-facing roles in finance within investment banking, management consulting, healthcare, international trade & development and even luxury travel. When I decided to leave my finance career of 15 years at J.P. Morgan (both New York & London) in 2015, I identified some of the most fulfilling aspects of my various roles as a manager – building trust-based client relationships; developing young professionals to have the skills and confidence to reach their full potential; coaching people through pivotal career junctions – and embarked on a completely new professional path in education, admissions and career consulting. Over the past 10 years, as a senior MBA admissions consultant with one of the leading consulting firms, I have successfully partnered with hundreds of talented young professionals from all geographies, backgrounds, industries and functions via highly tailored, 1:1 engagements. I’ve not only helped my clients achieve their career and education goals, which include offers to all the top US & European business schools, but also secure millions of dollars in scholarship funding, prestigious fellowships, and most importantly the confidence, clarity and purpose to step forward successfully into the next stage of their educational and professional journeys. As an American living in London and who has also lived, studied, and/or worked in France, Switzerland, Mexico and Brazil, I am deeply knowledgeable of the numerous international educational pathways at both the undergraduate and graduate level that exist for ambitious, globally minded young people. Over the past decade, my admissions consulting practice has expanded to include supporting high school students, undergraduates and recent graduates - from all over the world – who aspire to matriculate in leading universities in the UK (UCAS, including Oxbridge), Europe, and Asia at either the undergraduate or non-MBA post-graduate level (law, marketing/brand strategy, data science, finance + economics, medicine + dentistry (inc post-bac), policy/international affairs, architecture, teaching, etc). I’ve also successfully supported countless applicants in securing highly competitive scholarships and have occasionally advised on NCAA sports recruiting. I completed my MBA at Columbia Business School in 2001 with honors and concentrations in Finance and Entrepreneurship. I’ve maintained close ties to Columbia by assisting the Admissions team as a CBS Ambassador and candidate interviewer, gaining deep insight into the admissions process. I also have extensive experience on the on-campus corporate recruiting side, having been actively involved in J.P. Morgan’s summer and full-time recruiting programs at University of Chicago Booth, Yale SOM, and UNC Chapel-Hill in the US, and at Oxford University in England. Finally, I’m very attuned to the test preparation process. I had the opportunity to deploy my love of teaching by leading GMAT, GRE and SAT test prep classes in the mid-1990s at The Princeton Review’s then newly founded Mexico City office, whilst I worked full-time at the American Chamber of Commerce of Mexico. I draw on my understanding of the test prep process to be a sounding board, advisor and supportive confidant to my admissions consulting clients as they often undertake their testing process in parallel.

Coaches professionally

100+ people coached for Master’s Programs

$1,710

6h of coaching

 
Sign in
Free events
Programs