End-to-End Harvard Kennedy School Package
The Harvard Kennedy School application is notorious for being a doozy; many more essays are required compared to other programs (e.g., MBAs) and there is even a unique quantitative resume requirement. Drawing from my time at the HKS Admissions Office, my approach is tailored to meet your individual needs and goals. We'll work with you to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and develop a personalized plan to help you showcase your unique talents and achievements. Here is what this package includes: ◉ Initial Consultation and Assessment: Live kickoff session to understand your profile, career goals, and aspirations. We will discuss potential thematic topics and stories for your application narrative ◉ Resume/CV : You’ll receive my custom CV/resume template along with guidance on how to showcase your professional and personal achievements. This package includes two reviews and edits, and I guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time ◉ Letters of Recommendation: I will help you select the best recommenders and provide a recommender prep doc. I will edit your prep document before you send it to your recommenders, and I can connect with them to provide any tips. I also guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time ◉ Essays: Includes unlimited async reviews of essays and 2-3 live sessions to go over edits, if needed. The number of revisions necessary is highly dependent on the individual candidate. I guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time for essay reviews ◉ Secondary review by a colleague who is also a professional MBA coach / typewriter ◉ Final Review: I will meticulously review and perform final edits on all your application materials, ensuring they are error-free and cohesive. I guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time for the final review. Interview Preparation (if applicable) — You will receive an interview preparation guide, complete with commonly asked questions and tailored strategies. We will conduct two mock interviews (that are recorded), followed by detailed, written feedback. I guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time for mock interview feedback ◉ Waitlist Strategy (if applicable) — If you're waitlisted, I will guide you through creating a targeted action plan to improve your chances of admission. As part of the secondary review, I will ensure the quality and consistency of your application materials, making any necessary adjustments. I guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time for waitlist strategy guidance Throughout our collaboration, you can expect regular check-ins, timely responses to your questions, and unwavering support as we navigate the MBA application process together
What's included
My coaching style is focused on building a strong rapport with applicants because I recognize how critical the HKS application process is for them. I aim to establish a friendly and collaborative relationship with my clients, which allows us to work together effectively towards achieving their goals. When it comes to editing, I am prompt and efficient. Typically, I take no more than a few hours to return the edited work to my clients. My general rule is that I will have the edits back within 24 hours, ensuring that there are no delays in the application process. I also make myself available via text and other informal channels, such as email or phone, to ensure clear and prompt communication, which helps us to work more efficiently together.
- A clear understanding of HKS program that is the best fit for you based on your profile, academic background, preferences, and career goals
- A polished resume that showcases your achievements
- A strong analytical / quantitative resume that shows you are prepared for the analytical rigor of the program
- Strong recommendation letters that are complementary to one another and come from recommenders who know you well
- Compelling essays that are unique, well-developed, and demonstrate your fit for a given program
- Thoroughly reviewed application materials
- Secondary review of all materials by another professional MBA coach and/or copy editor
- (If applicable) A targeted action plan to improve your chances of getting off the waitlist
Meet your expert
Karla M.
10 Yrs Coaching | Former Harvard AdCom | Leland Top Coach ('23, '24, & '25)
I’m a seasoned career coach with 10 years of experience helping candidates break into top MBA, MPP, and master’s programs across the U.S. and Europe. I also have extensive experience coaching candidates through the sometimes opaque interview processes in investment banking and consulting. I’ve supported applicants from all backgrounds—traditional and nontraditional—in landing spots at schools like Stanford GSB, HBS, LBS, and INSEAD, often with significant scholarship support. My coaching draws on formal Admissions Committee experience at Harvard Kennedy School, where I also collaborated with top M7 business schools (MBAs) to exchange best practices and deepen my understanding of how elite programs evaluate applicants. Clients I’ve worked with have gone on to secure roles in investment banking, consulting, and social impact—at firms such as Morgan Stanley, McKinsey, and leading global NGOs. I’m known for clear, honest advice, fast turnarounds, and a strategy-first approach that delivers real results. Outside of coaching, I bring a decade of experience across consulting, investment banking (J.P. Morgan Technology coverage group), and private markets investing, where I've advised on complex, client-facing projects that demanded both rigor and adaptability. Those roles taught me that every client is different, and success comes from understanding individual needs and tailoring solutions accordingly. At Leland, I apply the same meticulous approach—being detail-oriented, responsive, and willing to do whatever it takes to deliver immaculate materials to optimize client outcomes. I hold an MBA/MPP from Chicago Booth and Harvard Kennedy School, respectively, and continue to stay close to the work by serving on investment committees and mentoring through programs such as Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO). My work has been recognized by organizations such as: Leland (Top Coach - 2023 & 2024), Negocios Now (40 Under 40), ALPFA (Most Powerful Latinas Rising Star), and Toigo Foundation (Top 35 Rising Leaders).
