
Kelly Chan
5.0
(6)
Studied at Cornell College
Works at Apple
Successful clients at
Available Tuesday at 12:30 AM UTC
Questions? Start chatting with this coach before you get started.
About Kelly
As a Bay Area native with over 7 years of experience at companies like Apple, Adobe, and Goldman Sachs, I understand exactly what top tier industry recruiters and admissions committees are looking for. My own journey was non-linear: I navigated the complex transfer process to graduate from Cornell University (B.S. Industrial & Labor Relations) and am currently completing my M.S. in Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. I used my non-technical background to launch a career in multiple engineering organizations. I specialize in helping non-traditional candidates find their lane. Whether you are a transfer student, coming from a startup background, or worried that a lower GPA might hold you back, I help candidates pivot from unqualified to unforgettable by highlighting their unique narratives and strengths.
Why do I coach?
I became a coach because navigating the transfer process and breaking into engineering organizations without a traditional STEM background was a significant challenge. While online resources helped, I realized the immense value of having an advisor to provide step by step guidance through such a complex transition. I now dedicate my work to being that guide for students with non-traditional backgrounds or lower GPAs, helping them strategically reframe their stories to become top-tier candidates. My coaching methodology has helped students gain admission to elite institutions such as the University of Pennsylvania, Cornell, Columbia, Johns Hopkins, USC, and Vanderbilt. On the professional side, I have guided candidates to land roles at world-class firms including Apple, Meta, Goldman Sachs, Adobe, Accenture, Oliver Wyman, and Blackrock. I focus on showing applicants how to leverage their unique histories as a competitive advantage. By focusing on narrative and strategy, I help my students bridge the gap between where they are and the competitive schools and companies they want to reach.
Work Experience

Engineering Program Manager
Apple
April 2025 - Present
Interviewer
Senior Technical Program Manager, Head of Product Operations
Wunderkind
July 2024 - April 2025
Interviewer
Technical Program Manager
DoubleVerify
April 2021 - June 2024
Interviewer

Program Manager
Adobe
August 2019 - April 2021
Admissions Committee

Project Manager
Adobe
2018 - July 2019

Equity Derivatives Summer Analyst
Goldman Sachs
2016 - 2017
Kelly was also given offers to work at
BlackRock
Microsoft
GitHub

Stealth Startup

Various Tech Startups
Education

Cornell College
B.S., Industrial & Labor Relations, Minor in Information Science
Johns Hopkins University
M.S., Systems Engineering
2026
Kelly was also personally admitted to
Columbia University
Vanderbilt University
Bryn Mawr College

Smith College
Barnard College

University of California, Santa Barbara
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
5.0
Kelly has helped clients get into these schools:
Kelly has helped clients get into these companies: