Candidates, especially ones from common or overpopulated demographics, need to stand out. We will work together so that you are not a one-dimensional candidate in the eyes of the Admissions Committee but one who adds something special to the entering cohort. I have been interviewing candidates as a Kellogg alum since 1993. I recruited Executive MBA candidates for Kellogg throughout Latin America and ran information sessions on the fulltime program while a Kellogg director. Later, I worked several years at two of the larger players in the MBA admissions consulting industry before deciding to offer the same services independently. Clients love my authenticity, enthusiasm, and sense of humor. But while a confessed porphyrophile, I have also helped clients get into a wide range of Top Twenty programs, including the M7.

Top-rated admissions coach at elite Ivy Advisors MBA consultancy, the Harvard Kennedy School Admissions Office, and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Career program. I am a good fit for deferred, dual / concurrent degree, underrepresented / BIPOC, investment banking-focused, and traditional profile candidates (e.g., consulting, banking) looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded field. By leveraging the introspective nature of MBA applications to effectively convey each client's unique narrative, I have gained recognition as a highly-skilled coach. In my 10 years of coaching, some big wins include helping an individual with a 3.2 GPA and 145 (Quant GRE) / 158 (Verbal GRE) secure admission to a top 5 MBA with 60% tuition scholarship and negotiating another candidate's M7 waitlist offer to admission with 100% tuition funding. Given my client-facing experience, I am extremely responsive and usually take no more than 24 hours to turn around materials. My coaching approach is guided by extensive admissions committee work and the fact that I went through this process myself. I was personally accepted to 5 M7 MBA programs with over $1 million in scholarship offers. Some of the fellowships and scholarships I've participated in include: Forte Foundation MBA Fellowship, MLT MBA Prep, Toigo MBA Fellowship, LunaCap MBA Scholarship, SEO Career, AmeriCorps, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and Upward Bound. I am especially helpful to: ◉ applicants from established pre-MBA careers (e.g., consulting, banking) hoping to differentiate themselves in a crowded field ◉ international applicants looking for guidance on the U.S.-specific nuances for MBAs ◉ non-traditional candidates without cookie-cutter GPAs or test scores looking to highlight strengths in other areas ◉ deferred candidates looking to show their future *potential* through storytelling ◉ candidates seeking scholarship funding ◉ underrepresented minorities, especially Queer BIPOC, who want to work with someone with a shared lived experience ◉ joint / concurrent degree applicants ◉ candidates who want to make a great impression during interviews. I take special pride in one of my interviewers saying I was the best-prepared applicant he had seen in 10 years :) ◉ waitlisted or rejected applicants who want to make a compelling case for their candidacy through informal channels

Darden MBA and former consultant with experience coaching individuals in crafting personal narratives, resume editing/refinement, and interview preparation. With a critical eye for detail and quality, I am committed to working with each individual to articulate and translate their experiences, passions, and goals into their story. I am also offering 20% OFF all package offerings through the end of the year!

I have a unique blend of experience and skills that make me a strong admissions consultant. First, I came from a non-traditional background with minimal initial support on MBA admissions and engaged with an admissions consultant to guide me through the process. This allows me to understand exactly what is needed to gain admission to top programs and understand exactly what you are feeling if not familiar with the process. Secondly, as an interviewer for my company's MBA program for both interns and full time hires, I understand exactly what companies are looking for when they evaluate MBA candidates. MBA programs care deeply about ensuring their graduates are gaining employment in their fields of choice so I have a unique perspective of seeing both sides of the admissions process: into a top MBA program and into a top career outcome.

~~~ I'M OFFERING 70% OFF YOUR FIRST HOUR OF COACHING. USE DISCOUNT CODE melanie-e-222888 ~~~ MELANIE has 8 years of experience in MBA admissions consulting with proven results in M7 programs (including HBS and GSB), Top 20 Programs, and Executive MBAs. She pairs her ex-McKinsey consulting toolkit with her sharp communication skills and EQ as an Executive Coach. This rich blend of skills allow Melanie to be an excellent admissions consultant with an eye for detail and heart for crafting her clients’ unique stories. Additionally, as a trained Voice Actor represented by CESD Talent, Melanie provides a unique perspective on admissions interviews and creating executive presence. • Coaching and Mentoring: One of my callings is coaching and advising others, and I have 8 years of experience in coaching and mentoring roles for sophisticated individuals. Firstly, I have been an MBA Admissions Consultant since 2015 and have worked both for firms as well as for myself. This experience has spanned top American and European programs and a track record of success with M7 schools including HBS and GSB. Secondly, I have been an Executive Coach for several years working for my own business Espeland Enterprises, where I’ve had the opportunity to serve senior level professionals across iconic firms such as Google, Morgan Stanley, and KKR. • Writing and Editing: With both my MBA Admissions clients and executive coaching clients, I have gained extensive experience ideating, writing, and editing professional documents such as essays, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles. My writing abilities include tone, grammar, syntax, word choice, style, flow, format, transitions, effective introductions and conclusions, and responsiveness to the essay question. Additionally, I have written blogs, articles, and speeches for myself including my TEDx talk on executive presence. • Excellent Communication: I am a people person who can “talk to a wall” as the adage says and can quickly build rapport with new clients. I am comfortable working with individuals of diverse backgrounds including non-traditional career paths.

Stand out from the crowd as I coach you to admissions successes at M7 and T10-25 Business Schools. Previous clients have gained admission to Wharton, Columbia, Booth, Harvard and Yale. Adcoms want your uniqueness to shine! You already have what it takes, lets make sure you show it! Experience in end-to-end admissions consulting and essay guidance for powerful storytelling that will differentiate your application. Getting into a top MBA program is all about the package. I am an international that has made his way into a top MBA program, investment banking, PE and FAANG. I have worked as an admissions essay reviewer, interviewer and work with 3-4 candidates a year to get admissions into their top choices with $$ attached. I will help you package your story, resume, application into one that resonates with an adcom. As an MBA graduate from Yale School of Management I bring a breadth of firsthand knowledge and insights to the table as an MBA Admissions Coach. I will never ask or pressure you to choose a lower tier school because it makes my job easier or makes me look good. I will work with you to identify schools that work for YOU.

I had the privilege of being admitted to four top-tier MBA programs, including Kellogg, Berkeley, Yale, and Tuck, in the same year. To my delight, I received a full tuition scholarship from Kellogg and ultimately decided to attend there. This experience has given me an in-depth knowledge of the nuances of the MBA application process, including both its triumphs and failures. The prior year, I was humbled by being rejected by all five schools I applied to, but it taught me valuable lessons that I can now share with my clients as a coach. This journey has honed my skills and allowed me to bring a unique perspective to my coaching practice.

Currently earning my MBA from Stanford, I'm still up to date on the intricacies of the application process and the qualities that top business schools seek in their students. My diverse background in investment banking, private equity, tech, and venture capital enables me to provide valuable advice on storytelling and career development, helping candidates align their goals with the right MBA programs. My strong communication skills and empathetic nature allow me to connect with clients on both a coaching and personal level. Would love to work with you!

I graduated Harvard Business School in 2018 and one of the favorite parts of school was serving as an admissions representative and helping prospective students navigate the admissions process. I am passionate and excited to help clients pursue their business degree in the way and place that best fits their needs. Before business school I worked as a marketing engineer at Texas Instruments (yes, the calculator company) in a role that was a liaison between our sellers in the field and engineers at corporate. It was a great job but I knew I wanted to learn more about business through an MBA. I quickly realized telling my story and background was tricky for a business setting because of how “non traditional” it was. Thus began my hate-affair with the phrase “non traditional”. I believe anyone and everyone regardless of your background has something to contribute to and can benefit from a business education. Thinking through what that could look like for clients and sharing what I’ve learned from my research and experience is why I coach in my spare time. After graduating HBS, I received a full time off from my internship in strategy and operations at Google and now work in the office of the CTO at Verily. During my time at Google, I helped Google Cloud scale with the growing industry and also worked part time in our internal incubator, Area120, on an AI integrated home fitness platform startup and now do chief of staff/strat ops functions for Verily's tech org. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with my husband and dogs, scuba diving, teaching fitness classes, and watching college football.

I have a strong track record of helping individuals gain admission to top MBA programs and have volunteered as an interviewer, performed mock interviews, and regularly give advice to prospective applicants. In addition to my coaching experience, I have a diverse background in product management, analytics, and engineering, and have started my own software development agency. With my expertise and insights, I can guide you through the MBA application process, from crafting compelling essays to preparing for interviews. Let's work together to unlock your potential and achieve your MBA goals. Reach out to me today to get started!