Comprehensive Graduate Degree Application Package
My approach is work hard / play hard. I know this is an intense process for applicants, so we'll make it empowering and make it fun! 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. Here is what this package includes (with estimated time commitment): • Initial Consultation and Assessment: One-hour kickoff session to understand your profile, career goals, and aspirations. If applicable, the applicant will share their dream schools. We will discuss your background and start to identify thematic topics and stories for your overall application. (1 hr) • School Selection and Application Strategy: We will work together to create a list of best-fit schools based on your profile and preferences. From there, we’ll work backwards to develop an application submission strategy and timeline. (1 hr) • Resume: This package includes two resume reviews and edits. (2 hrs) • Letters of Recommendation: I view this as one of the most critically significant pieces of your application package, which applicants tend to overlook. I will help you identify your strongest advocates for the letters of recommendation and provide a recommender prep document. I will edit your recommendation prep package before you send it to your recommenders. (3 hrs) • 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. (6+ hrs) • Final Review: I will meticulously review and perform a final proofread of your application materials. I guarantee a 24-hour turnaround time for the final review, but require receipt of the final materials for review (excluding recommendation letters) at least 2 business days before the school's application deadline. (2 hrs) • Interview Preparation (if applicable) — We will conduct two mock interviews, followed by detailed, written feedback. (2 hrs) • Waitlist Strategy (if applicable) — If you're waitlisted, I will guide you through creating a targeted action plan to improve your chances of admission. The exact deliverables vary from school to school. If you decide to apply to additional graduate programs in a subsequent round, I will conduct a secondary review of your application with a list of recommended adjustments or courses of action (e.g., build quant background, different letter of recommendation, growth opportunity at work, etc.). (2 hrs) NOTE: I offer a tiered pricing model based on the number of applications. A joint degree application is two applications. Thanks!
What's included
My coaching style is collegial and growth oriented. The application process is a deeply personal period of reflection and vulnerability. I aim to establish a collaborative relationship with my clients, working together to map out and achieve their goals. I am available over email and phone/text to ensure clear/prompt communication and offer moral support. When we kick off the process, we'll draft a timeline for the key milestones of your application process. Within this process, I will likely respond to your milestones submissions within a few hours and commit to a MAX 48-hour turnarounds on edits, post-interview write-ups, and async questions. In return, I ask that you are responsive about scheduling and aim to schedule 1x1's with one week notice (and cancel them with AT LEAST 24 hours notice). However, I know that life happens! Sometimes you may need a faster turnaround or an emergency session to troubleshoot things. Just let me know :)
- A clear understanding of your best fit schools based on your profile, academic background, preferences, and career goals
- A polished and data-driven application resume that aligns with what your target schools are looking for
- A comprehensive recommendation packet that ensures that your recommendation letters are complementary to one another and come from recommenders who know you well
- Well-developed final drafts of admissions essays that tell your story and demonstrate your fit for a given program
- Thoroughly reviewed and proofread application materials
- (If applicable) A series of mock interviews with personalized feedback after each session
- (If applicable) A targeted action plan to improve your chances of getting off the waitlist
- (If applicable) Written recommendations for a follow-on round of applications
Meet your expert
Chichi A.
Harvard MPP & MPA Admissions Expert | 20+ Coached to Top Policy Programs
I intimately understand higher education admissions processes. I bring 10 years of formal admissions and career coaching experience, supporting 20+ U.S. and Nigeria-based applicants with the end-to-end MBA, MPP, and JD admissions processes and helping them secure over $1 million in financial aid packages. I am a strong coaching fit for applicants pursuing dual / concurrent MBA/MPP degrees, applicants from underrepresented backgrounds, and applicants from consulting backgrounds. Regardless of your background and intersections of the lived experiences I listed above, I'll work closely with you to empower your voice and help you build a memorable personal brand for your admissions package. I'm a real estate finance professional, currently working at an affordable housing operator after working in Goldman Sachs' Urban Investment Group. I joined Brown University's Board of Trustees at age 25 and have spent 7 years deeply involved in higher education policy. I received admissions to Harvard Business School (HBS), Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB), Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania (Wharton), Kellogg School of Management, and Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in one admissions cycle, receiving full-tuition scholarships to the programs with merit-based aid (Harvard Kennedy School, Wharton, Kellogg). I bring a host of coaching and personal brand development skills from my past experiences. Throughout graduate school, I advised prospective applicants on preparing winning admissions packages. I was a trained student career coach at Harvard Business School, coaching students making unconventional career changes into real estate, private equity, government, and management consulting. I'm a proud alum of Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT) MBA Prep, Toigo Foundation MBA Fellow, and Forte Foundation. PLEASE NOTE that I can't advise candidates applying to degree programs at Brown University. Also, please note that hourly work with me is “a la carte”, meaning we discuss exactly what you want to do with the hours I am tracking exactly how long it takes to complete those tasks. This is most useful for clients who know exactly what they need from me as a coach and are requesting specific things. Please review my packages if you’d like holistic, end-to-end support. Thanks!
