Travis Melvin

Business school has the potential to change the trajectory of your life. I know because it changed mine. As a first-generation college graduate who grew up in public housing, I learned early that talent alone isn't enough. Opportunities often come to those who can clearly communicate their potential, connect seemingly unrelated experiences into a compelling narrative, and articulate a vision for the future. That's exactly what admissions committees are looking for. My career has taken me from structured finance at Wells Fargo Securities to distressed investing at Lone Star Funds, real estate development at Trammell Crow Company, affordable housing and community development, entrepreneurship as the founder of Meridian Advisory, and public policy through my Executive Master's studies at the London School of Economics. I also serve as Director of Financial Wellbeing at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and teach Real Estate Capital Markets as an adjunct instructor at UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School. Those experiences have shown me that the strongest applications aren't built around impressive resumes. They're built around authentic stories with a clear sense of purpose. As your coach, I'll help you identify what makes your journey distinctive, refine your leadership narrative, and present your experiences with clarity and confidence. Whether we're working on school selection, essays, resumes, interviews, or overall application strategy, my goal is to ensure your application reflects your highest potential, not what you think an admissions committee wants to hear. I work especially well with applicants who have complex or unconventional backgrounds, including first-generation students, career pivoters, finance and real estate professionals, public sector leaders, entrepreneurs, military veterans, and applicants seeking to connect technical expertise with a compelling leadership story. My coaching style is thoughtful, candid, and collaborative. I'll challenge your assumptions, ask difficult questions, and help you uncover the themes that connect your experiences into a narrative that is both authentic and memorable. Admissions committees aren't simply evaluating where you've been. They're investing in where you're going. My role is to help you tell that story in a way that reflects who you are and the impact you aspire to make.