Master's Programs Admissions

Applying to graduate school is a deeply personal journey, and I believe everyone deserves personalized support. I've helped dozens of students navigate the complexities of applications for highly competitive programs, with many achieving success at top universities like MIT, Harvard, Oxford, LSE, and LBS. While my specialty lies in guiding students pursuing graduate degrees in business and quantitative fields – think MSc in Finance, Financial Analysis, Quantitative Finance, Financial Engineering, and MBAs – I'm passionate about helping all motivated students tell their unique stories and present their strongest selves to admissions committees. With two Master's degrees in Finance and currently pursuing a PhD in the field, I bring a wealth of personal experience to the table. I've been through the application process myself, and I understand the challenges and anxieties that come with it. I can share my own experiences, along with those of the many students I've mentored, to help you with every step of the process: from choosing the right recommenders and determining your target GMAT/GRE score to crafting a compelling personal statement and mastering the art of the interview. I understand the nuances of the application process, and I'm dedicated to providing the support and guidance you need to make your graduate school dreams a reality. I look forward to partnering with you on this exciting journey!

You have a story worth sharing: I am here to help you tell it. As a Gates-Cambridge Scholar, Rhodes Scholarship Finalist, and an incoming MD candidate at Columbia University, I bring a unique perspective to the graduate school and competitive international fellowship application processes. My academic and professional journey has equipped me with a deep understanding of what top programs seek in applicants. I have successfully coached multiple individuals and have sat on professional panels, helping individuals craft compelling applications to best highlight their strengths and communicate their unique story. Whether you need guidance on personal statements, recommendation letters, interview preparation, or anything else, I am here to personally help you navigate your path to achieving a place in your dream program. I am excited to work with you!

Here's something people don't know about me: prior to business school, I worked on Capitol Hill and for a lobby group of business CEOs. I chose not to go to HKS because I didn't need more politics in my life. However, policy is in my blood, and I love working on the all MPP type applications, including Columbia's SIPA or Georgetown, or Johns Hopkins SAIS. For the Kennedy School, in the two-year and the mid-career program I have close to a 95% success rate. That's because in addition to thinking like a policy wonk, I consider these applications a labor of love. There's no interview for HKS, and the application and resume are demanding! But I'm here for it.

Welcome! European, without a consulting or finance background, never been in the US, no Ivy League undergrad… I once thought joining Stanford GSB would be impossible. But by being strategic, resourceful, and persistent, I made it happen ! And now I want others to pursue the same path and made their dream happen ! That is why I am on Leland ! For over 12 years, I built a career in telecom across France, Spain, South Korea and Poland, leading large teams and managing multi-hundred-million-dollar businesses. On paper, I didn’t fit the “classic” MBA mold. Yet through careful storytelling, clear positioning, and a deep understanding of what schools truly value, I turned what seemed like weaknesses into my greatest strengths. My journey showed me that admissions success is about owning your story, showing your potential, and finding the right strategy to shine. Along the way, I’ve coached dozens of applicants, especially international students, helping them break through their doubts and land at the GSB. I know how transformative the right mentorship can be, because I’ve lived it. Now, I’m here to pay it forward. If you’re ready to pursue your dream, I’d be glad to guide you step by step.

Hi, I’m Becky Song, Founder & Executive Director of Ivy Journey, Wharton MBA, former Wharton admissions fellow, and admissions coach with 15+ years of experience helping applicants earn admission to top graduate programs. For master’s applicants, my specialty is helping strong candidates turn their academic, professional, and personal background into a clear, differentiated admissions strategy. I’m especially strong with applicants targeting MS, MiM, MSBA, MFin, policy, management, analytics, AI/ML/engineering/STEM-adjacent, and career-pivot programs where schools need to see not only strong credentials, but also a compelling reason for why this degree, why this program, why now, and why you. My clients have earned admission to top programs and universities including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, UPenn/Wharton, MIT, Columbia, Yale, Duke, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, UCLA, NYU, Vanderbilt, and more. I also bring firsthand career strategy experience from management consulting, pharmaceutical/life sciences, research, entrepreneurship, government & nonprofits, which allows me to help applicants connect their graduate school goals to a credible long-term career story. I can help you with school selection, application strategy, personal statements/statements of purpose, resumes, recommendation strategy, scholarship positioning, interviews, waitlist strategy, and final application reviews. My approach is strategic, direct, and deeply personalized: we’ll identify your strongest admissions angle, sharpen your positioning, and make every part of your application reinforce a cohesive, memorable case for admission.

Hello and welcome! I hold dual Master’s degrees from the University of Oxford—a Master’s in Public Policy and an MBA—as well as a First Class Honours degree in Economics from the University of Cape Town. My academic and professional experiences, including working with organisations like McKinsey & Company and KPMG, have equipped me to guide students through the rigorous admissions processes for competitive graduate programmes. Having personally navigated these challenges and co-founded a student chapter of Effective Altruism, I understand how to craft compelling applications that reflect your unique strengths and aspirations. Whether you’re refining your statement of purpose or building a targeted admissions strategy, I’m here to provide personalised guidance to help you achieve your academic and professional ambitions.

I went to Harvard Kennedy School and Stanford GSB, which means I've sat on both sides of the admissions process this coaching is built around, first as the applicant, now helping others get there. Before business school, I was an Army officer; after, venture capital and AI innovation. Both jobs taught me the same thing: how to read a person's story quickly, find what's actually compelling in it, and cut the rest. If your essays are flat, I'll tell you why. If your interview answers ramble, I'll help you tighten them. I'm not here to cheerlead; I'm here to get you in. I also have experience with applying for competitive scholarships and international programs. I was awarded a Rotary Scholarship to study in King's College London, amongst other programs.

Coached 20+ students into gaining admissions to top education programs like HGSE and U Penn GSE.

Welcome to my profile! With a dual degree from Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, I bring a unique blend of business acumen and public policy expertise to my coaching. I have successfully guided over 30 clients into top-tier MBA and policy programs, including HBS, MIT Sloan, Tuck, Stanford, and Wharton, by helping them craft compelling narratives that highlight their unique personal and professional stories. My experience as a consultant at The Bridgespan Group and my leadership roles in both the non-profit and public sectors equip me to offer a holistic approach to your application, ensuring every element tells your authentic story. Whether you're from a traditional or non-traditional background, I'm here to help you answer the critical "Why MBA" and "Why Now" questions with confidence. Let's work together to unlock your potential and secure your spot in the program of your choice!

I help people choose and get into master's programs that lead to a flourishing life and a career that makes an impact, thinking beyond rankings and salary figures. Whether you're coming straight from undergrad or changing careers, we start with where you want to go and how the right degree gets you there. I earned my Master of Education at Harvard Graduate School of Education, so I know firsthand what top programs look for and what the experience is like once you're in. I'm now pursuing a PhD at Boston College, and I've served as an assistant principal and worked in curriculum development and qualitative research at MIT and the Abigail Adams Institute. I've coached more than 25 people through applications and career moves. I'm especially committed to low-income applicants, helping them build a financial aid and scholarship strategy so an expensive program becomes a real option. Together we'll find the programs that fit your goals and build a CV, statement of purpose, and essays that show why you belong there.