Gloria A.

Gloria A.

5.0

(6)

MIT & Harvard Insider | Your Master's Strategy, Pivots, & Wellness Guide

University of Southern California Logo

Studied at University of Southern California

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Logo

Admissions Committee at Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Successful clients at

Available Saturday at 12:00 AM UTC

Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.

Gloria's Coaching Offerings

Custom hourly · $222/hr

Get help with Letters of Recommendation, Essays, and .

Gloria also coaches for PhD Programs, Mental Health & Wellness, and Life Coaching. View all.

Gloria’s Master’s Programs Qualifications

Coaches professionally

100+ people coached for Master’s Programs

I help Master’s applicants clarify their direction, craft a compelling narrative, and secure funding—aiming for successful admissions and funding outcomes, backed by my experience as a former MIT Assistant Dean and Harvard Admissions Officer. With 20+ years of experience in graduate education leadership, I’ve supported thousands of applicants through distinct pathways for research-based and professional degrees. I understand what committees look for—and more importantly, what students actually need once they’re in. What I help with: • Career Pivot Strategy: Translating your work history into a focused academic narrative that shows readiness and purpose • Program Fit & Degree Type: Choosing between M.S., M.Ed., M.Eng., M.P.P., or other paths based on your goals and values • Funding Guidance: Identifying and negotiating merit aid, fellowships, and fee waivers to reduce financial stress • Application Materials: Writing statements, short answers, and resumes that show both alignment and impact • Decision-Making Support: Interpreting offers, evaluating ROI, and planning for sustainable success in fast-paced programs As a PhD student researching equity and student well-being, and a Board Exam Candidate in Health & Wellness Coaching, I offer evidence-informed coaching that supports both outcomes and your whole self, fostering a sense of being truly supported and understood. Whether you're seeking advancement, transition, or healing through education, I help you move forward with clarity, confidence, and care.

Gloria can help with:

Letters of Recommendation

Essays

Secondary Review

Application Strategy

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Resume

General Exploration

Interviews

Editing

Waitlist Strategy

School Selection

Gloria also coaches for PhD Programs, Mental Health & Wellness, and Life Coaching. View all.

About Gloria

From Gatekeeper to Guide, with Strategy, Soul, and Solidarity I’m Gloria—an Afro-Latina, first-gen scholar, trauma-informed coach, and former gatekeeper at some of the world’s most competitive institutions. Over the past 20 years, I’ve served as an Assistant Dean at MIT, an Assistant Director of Admissions at Harvard, and a graduate program leader at the University of Maryland. I’ve reviewed thousands of applications, managed multi-million-dollar fellowship portfolios, and helped shape policies that determine who gets in and who gets funded, which has inspired confidence in my expertise. But my work has always been about more than just the acceptance letter. As a residential proctor and equity-minded educator, I witnessed how high achievers often sacrifice their well-being for success. That’s why I pivoted. Today, I’m a PhD candidate at USC researching equity and student well-being, and a National Board for Health & Wellness Coaching Exam Candidate (March 2026). I combine the tactical skills of an admissions dean—crafting standout essays and negotiating funding—with the compassionate tools of a trauma-sensitive coach, offering a healing-centered, equity-driven approach tailored for high-achievers and professionals seeking meaningful change. Whether you’re a first-gen student navigating the hidden curriculum, a high-achieving applicant aiming for top-tier programs, or a seasoned professional seeking a meaningful pivot, I’m here to help you move forward feeling grounded, seen, and fully yourself.

Why do I coach?

I coach because even the most capable humans can burn out in systems that were never designed for their thriving. Again and again, I witnessed brilliant applicants get in—only to struggle with the hidden curriculum: funding complexity, isolation, power dynamics, and high-functioning anxiety. I often became the person they turned to when they were thinking about quitting. This work is deeply personal. I’ve been cited in over 20 doctoral dissertations—not for signing forms, but for offering the kind of grounded, healing-centered coaching that helped people finish with their purpose and power intact. I coach to democratize that kind of insider support. Whether we’re securing your funding or helping you feel steady again, I walk with you toward outcomes that are both liberating and aligned. Let me know if you’d like a shorter, mobile-friendly version or an alternative tailored to the mental health & wellness or life coaching category.

Work Experience

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Logo

Assistant Dean

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

January 2018 - August 2020

Admissions Committee

Massachusetts Institute of Technology Logo

Assistant Director

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

August 2015 - January 2017

Admissions Committee

Harvard University Logo

Assistant Director

Harvard University

August 2011 - July 2015

Admissions Committee

University of Maryland, Baltimore County Logo

Program Coordinator

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

August 2010 - July 2011

University of Maryland Logo

Assistant Director

University of Maryland

January 2003 - June 2010

Hiring Manager

Gloria was also given offers to work at

  • University of Michigan Logo

    University of Michigan

  • The Ohio State University Logo

    The Ohio State University

  • Barnard College Logo

    Barnard College

  • Boston University Logo

    Boston University

  • University of Virginia Logo

    University of Virginia

  • Harvard Graduate School of Education Logo

    Harvard Graduate School of Education

Education

University of Southern California Logo

University of Southern California

PhD, Education

2020 - 2027

University of Maryland, Baltimore County Logo

University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Master, Applied Sociology

2010 - 2011

Providence College Logo

Providence College

Bachelors of Science, Political Science, Sociology, and Business

1995 - 1999

6 Reviews

Overall Rating

5.0


Gloria has helped Leland clients get into Massachusetts Institute of Technology

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Gloria A.

Gloria A.

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