Master's Programs Admissions

Fiona Taft is a highly experienced career and admissions coach for Master’s programs, with over a decade of demonstrated success in top-tier academic institutions such as UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business and Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. At Berkeley’s Master of Financial Engineering (MFE) Program, she was the Executive Director and Director of Careers where she directly influence and made admissions decisions, consistently achieved outstanding student placement outcomes (100% Internship placement & 95% placement by Graduatuib), designed and implemented strategic employer relations initiatives, and provided tailored coaching in quantitative finance and Data Science career pathways to students and early career professionals, networking, and interview preparation. In her prior role at Stanford, she led executive education programs and coached high-level professionals through career transitions and academic admissions processes. Fiona’s extensive background in admissions strategy, career development programming, and industry engagement—combined with her strong analytical and communication skills—positions her as a trusted guide for aspiring graduate students navigating the competitive admissions and recruitment landscape. I have 100% Success Rate with my clients! My past Client Results Include UC Berkeley -MFE -MIDS -MEng -MIC -Analytics UCLA -MFE -MSBA -Analytics Boston University -Economics -Global Developmental Economics -Economics Policy & Practice -Data Analytics -Data Science Columbia University -MSFE -MSOR -MAFN -Financial Mathematics -Financial Engineering -Computer Science -Business Analytics -Electrical Engineering -Environmental Engineering -Management Science & Engineering -Mechanical Engineering -Operations Research -Economics -Statistics CMU -MSCF (MFE) -Chemical Engineering -Computer Science -Computational Finance -Economics -Mechanical Engineering -Statistical Practice Stanford University -ICME (All Tracks) -Computational and Mathematical Engineering -Statistics -Data Science -Economics -Engineering MIT - Data Science - Business Analytics -MSF Princeton -MFIN -MSE -PACM Cornell -M.Eng. in Data Science & Decision Analytics (DSDA) -M.Eng. in Computer Science -M.Eng. in Operations Research & Information Engineering (ORIE) -Financial Engineering (CFEM)

I am an alumnus of the 7th cohort of Schwarzman Scholars at Tsinghua University, where I earned a Master's of Management Science in Global Affairs between 2022-23 and was selected from competitive pool of 3,000+ applicants (<5% acceptance rate). I bring firsthand experience and deep insights into what makes a successful master's application and I've previously helped advise candidates who have gone on to be accepted to prestigious graduate programs across China, Europe, and the United States. Throughout my educational journey, I've learned how to strategically frame and present one's leadership, academic, and professional accomplishments to highlight their unique strengths and successfully stand out.

With over a decade of experience, I’ve helped candidates gain admission to the world’s most competitive master’s programs in the U.S. and Europe—including MIT, Stanford, Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, and the Harvard Kennedy School. My work spans a wide range of programs including engineering, finance, public policy, economics, data science, and more. Qualifications include: ◉ 100+ successful master’s admits across MPP, MPA, MFin, MEng, MSc, and interdisciplinary programs ◉ Tens of millions in scholarships and fellowships secured for graduate school candidates ◉ Leland Top Coach in 2023, 2024, and 2025 (since rankings began), with reviews attesting to strategic, high-touch coaching ◉ Formal admissions experience at the Harvard Kennedy School, including collaboration with the head of Admissions to revamp evaluation processes and coordinate knowledge-sharing with M7 MBA programs (e.g., HBS, Wharton, Booth) to align HKS selection criteria with leading graduate admissions standards I’m especially helpful to: ◉ International applicants navigating U.S. and UK graduate admissions ◉ Engineering, finance, and data science applicants needing help translating technical experience into accessible, compelling narratives ◉ Scholarship-seeking candidates applying to fully or partially funded programs ◉ Joint/concurrent degree applicants balancing cross-disciplinary positioning (e.g., MPP/MBA, JD/MPP) ◉ Applicants with modest GPAs or test scores who need to reframe their academic potential ◉ First-gen, LGBTQ+, and BIPOC applicants seeking culturally informed guidance ◉ Applicants overwhelmed by multiple essays who need help creating a cohesive and differentiated story ◉ Reapplicants or waitlisted candidates looking to re-engage through informal channels

With over two decades of experience as a Graduate Degree Admissions Consultant, I have guided countless clients to success at top programs throughout the United States, Europe and Asia. My background as a professional journalist and award-winning creative writer allows me to help applicants craft compelling narratives that captivate admissions committees. I specialize in identifying and honing the unique stories that set my clients apart, ensuring their applications stand out. Whether you're applying to a master's or doctorate program, I'm here to be your dedicated partner in the application journey. Let's work together to realize your academic and professional dreams—schedule a free session today!

Welcome to my profile! With a rich academic background from prestigious institutions like the University of Oxford, Tsinghua University and Tufts University, I bring a wealth of experience in guiding students through the complexities of master's program applications - from essay writing and finding the best program for you to navigating funding options. As a Writing and College Essay Consultant, I have successfully helped over 40 students gain admission to top-tier schools such as Stanford, UPenn, and Columbia. My approach is tailored to each individual's strengths, ensuring that your application stands out in a competitive landscape. Whether you need assistance with crafting compelling essays or navigating the admissions process, I'm here to help you achieve your academic goals. Let's connect and make your dream school a reality!

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!

✨FALL SPECIAL: I’m currently offering special limited time pricing for my MBA and Masters Application Packages (including unlimited hours)! Check out my packages or DM me for details. ✨WHY CHOOSE MELANIE? • 🎓STEM MASTERS EXPERT: I've helped over 200 applicants achieve results in Masters programs, with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Example schools I have had success in are Stanford University, Harvard University, Columbia University, Cornell University, and other prestigious institutions. Example programs I have had success in are Master of Science (MS) in Computer Engineering; Master of Finance; MS Applied Analytics; M.S. in Technology Management; and more. Furthermore, as a Columbia Masters alumna (MBA) and former Admissions Committee Interviewer, I have insider knowledge of what top-tier schools seek across a variety of masters program. • ✍️ESSAY CONCIERGE: I’m not just a coach - I’m a writer and editor with an eye for detail. With years of experience writing successful masters essays, career coaching courses, and crafting works of fiction, I bring a keen sense of storytelling, language mastery, and technical precision to every essay I work on. Whether it’s structure, flow, or word choice, I’ll make sure your essay is perfectly polished and reflects your best self. Through powerful storytelling, I help them build a brand that truly stands out in the admissions process. We fine tune every written piece of your application, including essay, resumes, short-answers, and even LinkedIn profiles! • 🚀PROVEN RESULTS: I’ve helped over 200+ applicants secure spots at top masters programs. My clients’ success stories are a testament to the tailored strategies and guidance I provide. • 🎯PROFESSIONAL COACH: With over 10 years of coaching experience, I’m not just an admissions consultant—I’m an ICF-certified Executive Coach & Life Coach. My approach goes beyond getting you into business school; I focus on your application branding, leadership development, and executive presence to prepare you for the journey ahead. ✨WHO I WORK WITH: • Masters Degrees, with a focus on STEM • Traditional and Non-Traditional Candidates • Diverse Applicants including POC, Veterans, and LGBTQIA+ • Candidates with High and Low Test Scores ✨SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION: Contact Melanie Espeland for your free consultation today. With my insider knowledge, executive coaching expertise, and essay-writing mastery, I’ll help you craft a standout application that positions you for success—both in admissions and beyond.

A strong graduate application connects where you've been to where you're going, clearly and convincingly. Helping applicants make that connection is what I do best. I've edited essays for successful applicants to graduate programs at Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, Oxford, LSE, Carnegie Mellon and WashU Olin, as well as to two of the most competitive scholarships in the world, the Rhodes and Schwarzman. The applicants I've worked with came from very different fields, from finance to fine arts to video game design, but each needed the same thing: a clear story connecting their past experience to their future goals. My own career has given me a practical sense of how professional experience reads on the page. Since graduating from Harvard, where I was chosen as the Harvard Orator to deliver the graduating speech at Commencement, I've worked in strategy, product and account management and co-founded two startups. I know how to take a resume full of projects and responsibilities and find the narrative underneath it. I'll help you decide what to emphasize, cut what doesn't serve your story, and sharpen every draft until your essays sound confident, specific and unmistakably like you.

With a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Harvard and a Bachelor's degree from the University of Florida's College of Journalism and Communications, I bring a strong academic foundation and a passion for health communication and policy to my coaching. My experience spans strategic communication and advocacy at the United Nations Foundation, where I influenced global health policy, and client engagement at Surgo Health, working with AI-powered healthcare solutions. I've mentored and coached people to improve their resumes, entrance essays, and Linkedin profiles. If you're looking to make your application stand out, let's connect and work together to achieve your academic goals!

I have extensive experience successfully coaching students applying to engineering master's programs. Over the years, I have guided 8 individuals, achieving strong outcomes in admissions across top universities. As someone who transitioned disciplines myself, I offer invaluable insights to help candidates shift into engineering. My coaching covers all key aspects of the application process: Identifying strengths and crafting a compelling story Developing an impressive resume/CV and personal statements Interview preparation tailored to engineering programs Navigating complex admission requirements and timelines With deep knowledge of the latest trends at leading institutions, I provide customized advice to position applicants favorably. My track record demonstrates my ability to bring out the best in aspiring engineering graduate students and empower them to secure their academic goals.