Public Degrees Master’s Admissions Consultants

I love helping people make sense of their experience and turn it into a story that holds together. That usually starts with the essays or statement of purpose, and I can also help with your resume, interview prep, and keeping the whole process on track, from building your school list to hitting every deadline. I’ve applied to schools in both the US and Europe, from Georgetown for undergrad to ESSEC in France to Harvard Kennedy School for my master’s, and I also interview applicants for Georgetown. So I know what admissions teams look for on both sides of the Atlantic. My own path has been non-linear, from procurement to operations to sustainability strategy, across companies, policy, and research. It took me a while to connect the dots myself, so I especially enjoy working with people whose backgrounds don’t fit neatly into one box. If you’re applying to a master’s program in the US or abroad, or making a career pivot, I’d love to work with you.

Welcome to my profile! I'm a highly experienced coach specializing in helping individuals navigate the competitive landscape of master's programs. With a PhD from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, I bring a strong academic background to my coaching practice. Additionally, I have firsthand knowledge of the admissions process, having served on the admissions committee at Cornell University. I have also worked as a Communications Manager at Compass Family Services, where I honed my skills in guiding individuals towards their goals. Whether you need assistance with application strategy, essay writing, or interview preparation, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Reach out to me today and let's work together to make your master's program dreams a reality!

I’m qualified to coach professional master’s applicants because I’ve helped build and lead the programs they are applying to. At UC Irvine, I directed the Master of Data Science and Master of Computer Science programs, served as Associate Director for the MSBA and MFin programs, and helped develop the new Applied AI master’s program and its admissions framework. I’ve also served on admissions committees, advisory boards and currently teach graduate students. My path into higher education began in academic counseling, where I studied gaps in student retention and helped create support programs. That experience still shapes how I coach: I look closely at both your preparation and the opportunities or barriers behind your record. I can help you choose programs, assess where your application is strong, and use specific evidence in your essays, resume, and interviews to explain why you’re ready.

Over the last six years, I have coached hundreds of students at a large R1 institution, guiding them as they prepare for graduate and medical school applications. I work with applicants from personal statement ideation all the way through decision making and I can't wait to do the same with you. Whether you're applying for the first time or reapplying and need a fresh take on your application, I'm confident that my coaching experience will be an asset to you. My approach centers around making meaning of your experiences, helping you to find the connections to your future goals, and translating those in a way that will resonate with the admissions committee. Let's work together to help you achieve your goals!

I am a public policy professional and have lived, worked, and studied in Panama, the United States, and China. I know what it's like to navigate highly selective admissions and hiring processes as an international applicant, and I'm here to share with you the insights that my clients and I have used land spots at the Ivy League, Oxbridge, M7, and Schwarzman Scholars. Let's work together to achieve your master's and career goals!

Studied at four universities across three countries. Now I help international students navigate European graduate programs that launch global careers. I specialize in low-tuition public universities across Germany, France, the UK, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries. Choosing the right graduate school isn't just about rankings. It's about finding the program that accelerates your international career. I've personally studied engineering, management, and marketing programs across Germany, the US, and France, and each degree opened doors I hadn't imagined. Now I help students worldwide discover Europe's hidden gems: world-class master's programs taught entirely in English, many at public universities with little to no tuition. My coaching covers the complete journey: identifying programs that match your aspirations, navigating admission processes across different educational systems, understanding visa requirements, and planning how to integrate directly into companies through strategic internships. Having led international teams for 25 years after my own multi-country educational path, I know which graduate programs truly prepare you for global careers versus those that just look good on paper. We'll explore how a German engineering program differs from a French business school, when language skills become essential versus optional, and most importantly, how to choose both your school and your target employers simultaneously. From understanding cultural adaptation in Nordic universities to positioning yourself for post-graduation work opportunities across Europe, I provide the insider perspective that comes from living the international education and career path myself. I coach in English, German, French, and Spanish, and I'm passionate about making European education accessible to students who can't afford expensive private school programs but deserve world-class opportunities.

Ryan Prior is an award-winning journalist telling stories at the front lines of science and democracy. Over the past 12 years, he has written hundreds of stories for CNN, Psychology Today, The Guardian, The Nation, STAT, USA Today, and The Daily Beast. He has produced work across documentary film, nonprofits, book publishing, and think tanks. His reporting spans pandemic response, science policy, geopolitical conflict, and national security. His recent experience includes field reporting in Ukraine, along with study trips to Israel/Palestine, the Balkans, and Western Europe through Harvard Kennedy School and RIAS. Ryan believes the best journalism connects the dots between high-level decisions and lived experiences of people on the ground — making the strategic personal, and the personal strategic. His writing combines the rigor of data-driven reporting, the intimacy of narrative memoir, and the pragmatism of a policy brief. It’s a rare, yet essential blend in today’s climate of misinformation and polarization. He is the author of The Long Haul: How Long Covid Survivors Are Revolutionizing Healthcare (MIT Press/Penguin Random House), which explores the global impact of the pandemic and the chronic illness crisis that followed. The book has been called “a book we need right now” by Senator Tim Kaine and “an important contribution” by the Secretary General of the World Health Organization. It has also been featured in Newsweek, Los Angeles Times, CNN, Democracy Now, Psychology Today, Science, and The Lancet.

As a Harvard and MIT admit, I’ve seen that applicants who get in aren’t always the most “impressive” on paper. They’re the ones who can make sense of their experiences and connect them to a clear direction. I help applicants do exactly that across school and networking strategy, essays, resumes, and interviews. I specialize in the Harvard Kennedy School, mid-career policy applicants, and MPP-MBA applicants. I also work with applicants across a wide range of other Harvard and MIT master’s programs, including the Master’s in Real Estate, the Master’s in Design Engineering, and others. I believe access to these opportunities should not come down to having the “right” background, but to how you make sense of the experiences you already have. If you are looking to tell a story that feels both authentic and distinct, I would love to help you on your journey.

As a Columbia & UChicago admit with a background in Finance and Social Impact, I want to help diverse candidates throughout their graduate application journeys and beyond! Having recently gone through this process myself, I’ve gained valuable tools and insights to craft compelling, authentic applications that speak to admissions teams. No matter where you are in the process, let’s work together to tell your story—book an intro call today!

I bring a wealth of experience from my time working in admissions at both the undergraduate and medical school levels at Georgetown University. During my tenure, I gained invaluable insights into the admissions process, which I now leverage to help aspiring master's program candidates craft compelling applications. My approach is personalized and strategic, focusing on highlighting your unique strengths and experiences to stand out in a competitive field. Whether you need guidance on application strategy, essay writing, or interview preparation, I'm here to support you every step of the way.