Kelly Chan
5.0
(6)
Cornell & Apple Alum | Transfers, Low GPA, &Non-Traditional Candidates
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.
Kelly's Coaching Offerings
Custom hourly · $50/hr
Kelly’s College Qualifications
60+ people coached for College
Kelly has helped clients get into these schools:
Hello and welcome to my profile! With a B.S. in Industrial & Labor Relations from Cornell University and an upcoming M.S. in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, I bring a strong academic foundation to my coaching. My professional journey includes roles at top companies like Apple and Adobe, where I honed my skills in engineering program management and strategic planning. Over the years, I've successfully coached 62 students to gain admission to Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, Cornell University, University of Southern California, Vanderbilt University, and more, helping them navigate the college admissions process with confidence and clarity. I specialize in transfer student applications and also candidates with lower GPAs. Whether you're crafting your personal statement or selecting the right schools, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Let's work together to make your college dreams a reality!
Kelly also coaches for Technical Program Management, Master’s Programs, Product Operations, and Project Management. View all.
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: