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Package Description:
This 60-minute session is designed to offer you intentional, grounded direction on your path to top graduate programs. Whether you're just beginning to explore your options or actively preparing to apply, we'll work together to assess where you are, clarify what you're working toward, and map out an admissions strategy that feels clear and aligned. We'll start by getting to know your story: your academic background, professional experience, academic interests, and long-term vision. From there, we'll look honestly at how admissions committees are likely to see your profile and where you stand right now. From there, we'll move into program fit and positioning: Which graduate programs genuinely align with your interests and goals? Where are you competitive today, and what would help you become a stronger applicant for more selective programs? We'll also look at how to bring every piece of your application into alignment with your vision. That means shaping a narrative that feels both authentic and strategic, getting clear on your academic/professional focus, and making sure your experiences, goals, and materials tell a cohesive, compelling story. By the end, you'll walk away with more clarity, a personalized roadmap, and the confidence to move forward with intention. This session is ideal for: 🌿 Prospective applicants who feel overwhelmed by the admissions process and want a clear, grounded place to start 🌿 Career changers with meaningful experience who aren't sure how to frame their background for their respective programs 🌿 Early-stage explorers who are curious about graduate school but haven't committed to a specific direction yet 🌿 Motivated applicants who want their application to feel cohesive and true to who they are, not just competitive on paper 🌿 Anyone who wants to approach this process with intention and clarity, not pressure
What you'll get from this package
An honest assessment of your competitiveness for graduate programs
Tailored program recommendations based on your goals and background
Strategic guidance on positioning your story and interests
Specific, actionable steps to strengthen your profile
A clear timeline and next steps for your application journey
Additional details
Coaching delivered via live sessions and .
My coaching philosophy blends clear admissions strategy with empathy and values. I help applicants slow down, reflect, and articulate who they truly are, while staying intentional about positioning and what selective programs are looking for. Through thoughtful questions and genuine conversation, we'll uncover the themes and lived experiences that make your application yours, and shape them into essays that feel both compelling and authentic.
Services included:
Application Strategy
General Exploration
Talk to a team member
Schedule a call with a Leland team member who can help you explore your options.
Schedule a call
More packages from Sarah
Custom hourly · $225/hr
Get help with Interviews, Waitlist Strategy, and .
Offered by Sarah E.
Joined December 2025
Authentic Narrative Coach | 15+ Years Experience | USC Admissions
As a former Associate Director of Recruitment and Admission at the USC Price School of Public Policy with 15 years of experience, I know what competitive programs are actually looking for: someone who knows their why, can articulate their direction, and brings a unique perspective. I offer a rare, holistic approach that goes beyond strategy. That means taking the time to truly understand who you are — academically, professionally, and personally — so the support I offer is specific to your path and helps you move forward with clarity and purpose. My expertise spans a wide range of graduate programs, including Public Policy, Public Administration, Health Policy and Management, Urban Planning and Real Estate Development, Data Science, and other policy-focused and social impact programs. My work is designed for students who: ✨ Have real professional experience but struggle to translate it into a clear, cohesive narrative — you have done meaningful work and are ready to articulate why it matters and where you want to take it 🌱 Feel like their draft sounds polished but hollow — something is missing, and you want support finding the anchor that makes your application feel genuinely yours 🔄 Are navigating a non-linear career transition — you have an unconventional path and want help framing it as a strength, not a liability 🎓 Are first-generation, LGBTQ+, students of color, or from historically underrepresented communities — and want a coach who will meet you with cultural attunement, not a one-size-fits-all approach ⚖️ Are applying to joint or concurrent degree programs — MPP/MBA, JD/MPP, and similar combinations — and need help positioning yourself cohesively across disciplines 🌍 Are purpose-driven applicants who want to influence systems, shift policy, or lead change — and want your application to reflect the depth and clarity of that commitment Through my work, I’ve learned that the strongest graduate applications aren’t just the most accomplished or credential-heavy—they’re clear and grounded in real direction. They show more than requirements: meaningful professional experiences, focused interests, a research question, or a passion project you’ve chosen to pursue. That combination is what sets you apart. And that’s what I’ll help you build. An application that’s not just impressive, but genuine.
$225
1h of coaching