
Horatiu Stefan
5.0
(14)
Master's & Graduate Program Admissions Strategist | 100% Success Rate
1,470 min coached
787 followers
Studied at Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern)
Works at MBA Qwest
Successful clients at
Available tomorrow at 7:30 PM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
Horatiu's Coaching Offerings
Custom hourly · $300/hr
Get help with Letters of Recommendation, Essays, and .
Horatiu also coaches for MBA and Career Coaching. View all.
Horatiu’s Master’s Programs Qualifications
Coaches professionally
50+ people coached for Master’s Programs
Horatiu has helped clients get into these schools:
My diverse experiences—from Deloitte and Samsung’s Global Strategy Group to high-growth tech startups and the halls of UCLA and USC—have given me a cross-industry, cross-functional perspective on what it takes to build a compelling graduate application. I’ve worked with applicants to master’s and specialized graduate programs across disciplines ranging from business and finance to healthcare, education, data science, and engineering, and I understand what each type of program is looking for—and how to position your unique background to meet it. My commitment is to help you articulate your unique story and personal brand in an authentic and engaging way—ensuring that every aspect of your application reflects your full potential and speaks directly to the program you’re targeting. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗜’𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. My approach is highly personalized. We’ll start with an in-depth conversation about your background, experiences, and aspirations. I’ll help you identify the programs that best fit your goals, coach you through every step of the application process, and provide honest, actionable feedback. With my support, you’ll approach each application component—personal statements, recommendations, resumes, and interviews—with confidence, showcasing your full potential. I work with a select group of clients each cycle—to give each engagement the attention it deserves and ensure that no one gets lost in the shuffle. The results speak for themselves: ➤ 100% of clients receive 3 or more admissions offers ➤ Clients admitted to Harvard, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern, University of Chicago, MIT, Columbia, Berkeley, NYU, Yale, Duke, Dartmouth, UVA, UCLA, and USC. I hold an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a BA from Swarthmore College and LSE.
Horatiu can help with:
Letters of Recommendation
Essays
Secondary Review
Application Strategy
Resume
General Exploration
Interviews
Editing
Waitlist Strategy
School Selection
Horatiu also coaches for MBA and Career Coaching. View all.
About Horatiu
𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗜’𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. Applying to an MBA program involves more than simply meeting requirements—it’s about telling a story that resonates. My approach is highly personalized. We’ll start with an in-depth conversation about your background, experiences, and aspirations. I’ll help you identify the schools that best fit your goals, coach you through every step of the application process, and provide honest, actionable feedback. With my support, you’ll approach each application component—essays, recommendations, resumes, and interviews—with confidence, showcasing your full potential. My diverse experiences—from corporate boardrooms and high-growth tech startups to the halls of higher education—have uniquely equipped me to guide MBA applicants in gaining admission to top-tier programs. The results speak for themselves: ➤ 100% of clients receive 3 or more admissions offers ➤ 90% of clients admitted to 2 or more M7 programs ➤ Clients admitted to HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, MIT Sloan, CBS, Berkeley Haas, NYU Stern, Yale SOM, Fuqua, and Tuck 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗵𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗝𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆 My services are designed to help you navigate the MBA admissions process with confidence and clarity. Whether you’re just starting to explore options or polishing the final details of your application, I’ll serve as your strategic partner, helping you stand out in a competitive field. • Comprehensive, highly-personalized application strategy and plan. • Personalized school selection based on your background and career ambitions. • Thorough essay brainstorming, editing, and narrative development. • Résumé revision that highlights academic excellence, leadership, and professional promise. • Guidance on selecting and preparing recommenders for maximum impact. • Comprehensive interview preparation, including mock sessions and feedback. • Ongoing strategic counsel throughout the entire admissions cycle. When I’m not strategizing over essays or refining resumes, you’ll find me exploring Paris and Tokyo—my two happy places—and collecting photo-books. And here’s a twist: I design pearl jewelry for men, with clients including Justin Timberlake and Steph Curry.
Why do I coach?
I coach because I’m deeply committed to helping my clients realize their potential and express their stories with authenticity and clarity. Through a highly personalized approach—no formulas, no templates, no one-size-fits-all—I work with each client to uncover the through-lines that connect their experiences, values, and goals, bringing their passions and aspirations to life thoughtfully, strategically, and in ways that make them stand out. If you’re ready to craft an application that’s true to you—and impossible to ignore—let’s connect.
Work Experience

Manager, Career Strategy & Development
UCLA Anderson
2022 - Present
Deliver career, leadership, and professional development programming and one-on-one coaching to Executive MBA candidates pursuing career transitions or career advancement. ◆ Provide highly personalized, one-on-one career planning and leadership development coaching. Develop and deliver career education workshops, and organize speakers, panels, and networking events to help students cultivate both strategic vision and actionable execution plans for their career advancement. ◆ Lead quarterly Job Search Teams providing guided, interactive small-group career and job search coaching and skill-building tutorials, and draft career and leadership development articles for weekly Career Catalyst newsletter on topics ranging from personal branding to making successful career transitions. ◆ Integrate technology and AI into career development and job search modalities including resume and LinkedIn profile development, interview preparation, networking, and company | industry research to enhance career services delivery. Selected to present workshop on applications of AI in career services at 2024 EMBAC conference. Career Strategist, Executive Coaching and +3 skills

Founder & Managing Partner
MBA Qwest
2020 - Present
MBAQwest is a boutique MBA Admissions Consultancy offering highly-personalized, end-to-end application support. Clients have secured offers from programs including HBS, Columbia, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, MIT Sloan, Tuck, Fuqua, Anderson, Yale, and Stern, among others, and scholarships of up to $75,000/year, significantly enhancing the value of their MBA experience.

Associate Director of Career Development
USC Marshall School of Business
2017 - 2019
Oversaw career education planning, design, and delivery for globally recognized 1-year, full-time MBA program for mid-career professionals. ◆ Designed and implemented career education curriculum, content, and programming including year-round workshops, industry and recruiter panels, executive speaker series, and networking events to enhance career preparation and outcomes. ◆ Developed and executed employer outreach and engagement strategy; planned and led career treks to Silicon Valley and Seattle including company visits, roundtables, and networking events w/ participants from 40+ corporate partners.
Engagement Manager, Global Strategy Group
Samsung Electronics
2007 - 2012
Led strategic and operational initiatives across Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America to enhance business performance, enter new product categories and markets, and drive sustainable long-term growth for Samsung’s consumer electronics, retail, construction, and financial services businesses; advised C-level executives globally. ◆ Directed global cross-functional team of 5 through multi-phase program to redesign the go-to-market strategy for Samsung's B2B printer business in North America; conducted operational assessment and evaluated channel strategy, product portfolio, and customer experience to identify opportunities to increase profitability and market share. ◆ Restructured on-boarding, training, and performance management processes at 500+ door apparel retailer resulting in a 15% increase in retention and 20% increase in NPS; secured buy-in from HR, Training & Development, and Sales Operations teams to implement recommendations and integrate w/ existing talent management systems. ◆ Designed social media and influencer marketing strategy and roadmap for Samsung’s corporate communications across categories, channels, and geographies; introduced HQ Center of Excellence and localization framework. ◆ Redesigned and implemented university recruiting strategy and new hire on-boarding, training, and professional development processes to scale hiring for Samsung’s Global Strategy Group from 15 to 50+ per year; built talent pipeline resulting in a 40% + increase in retention and transfers to line management roles within 3 years at scale.

Consultant, Strategy & Operations
Deloitte
2001 - 2004
Developed and implemented strategies, systems, and processes to drive operational excellence at Fortune 500 clients including Mercedes-Benz, Aetna, and Rohm & Haas. ◆ Formulated strategic plan to increase off-lease vehicle sales at Mercedes-Benz, generating an estimated $75M in incremental revenue over 5 years; conducted competitive benchmarking study, evaluated pricing and dealer incentive structure, and launched pilot program in collaboration with Sales Operations and Marketing teams. ◆ Led 6-member cross-functional team through review and re-design of business policies and operational processes at $1.8B insurer as part of enterprise-wide digital transformation; defined business requirements and collaborated with technical resources to automate workflows and create management dashboard / reports. ◆ Planned and managed on-campus recruiting activities including corporate presentations, speakers, and case interview workshops at Swarthmore College; successfully recruited 4 students to the Business Analyst program.
Education
Kellogg School of Management (Northwestern)
Master of Business Administration (MBA), Management & Strategy
2005 - 2007
Swarthmore College
BA, Economics & Political Science
1997 - 2001
Horatiu was also personally admitted to
Columbia Business School
UCLA Anderson School of Management
NYU Stern School of Business

The Wharton School (UPenn)

Dartmouth College
Johns Hopkins University

Cornell University
Middlebury College
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Horatiu has helped clients get into these schools:
Horatiu has helped Leland clients get into Bain & Company