Master's Programs Consultants, Events, & Resources

I take a highly supportive approach to coaching and aim to create an environment in which my clients can be completely open about their worries so I can be the best possible coach for them. That said, you can expect me to be constructively candid – because coaching is about challenging you and accelerating your growth, not making you feel good so I can collect a check. Besides sitting on both Northwestern's and Stanford's alumni admissions councils, I was an interviewer at Google and Meta, so I've spent many hours "on the other side of the table" and can give you a strong sense for how you might be perceived by interviewers and admissions committees. I enjoy coaching people from a huge range of backgrounds, but I specialize in coaching folks from lower-income families, LGBTQ+ candidates, and those who need extra help crafting their personal narrative.

Welcome! I’m a Harvard and Wharton graduate with professional experience spanning investing, consulting, and finance at Jonathan Rose Companies, Boston Consulting Group, Omidyar Network, and Goldman Sachs. I’ve coached applicants across MBA, MPP/MPA, and other graduate programs, helping them turn their experiences, ambitions, and values into compelling and cohesive applications. My approach combines strategic positioning with hands-on support—from identifying the stories that best differentiate you to refining essays, resumes, recommendations, and interview preparation. Whether you’re starting from a blank page or looking for a strategic second set of eyes on an application already underway, my goal is to help you build an application that is authentic to who you are and clear about where you’re going.

Former music major, professional pianist, arranger, composer, and member of the Tabernacle Choir. I also help students navigate the music audition process for competitive programs

I was able to match with a top-tier program during my first application cycle, something uncommon in genetic counseling. I have 3+ years of mentoring and have received formal training through a peer-mentorship course at Brigham Young University.

On coaching for MPA / MPP / Master of City Planning: I have helped many individuals in the past who are considering a Masters in Public Policy, Public Administration and even some in City Planning. I can help you understand how to plan your application process (timeline to take GRE, request recommendations, choose & coach recommenders etc.), review your application (resume, essays, writing samples) and prepare for interviews, if needed.

Welcome to my profile! With 20+ years experience in Admissions Consulting, Career Coaching, Education, and Recruitment, I've supported many candidates gain admission to top master's programs on the planet. My values are deeply rooted in quality education, global interconnectedness, and diversity & inclusion. If you're targeting a seat at some of the best schools in the world, working together, I'm confident we can get you there. As former Director of Recruitment for the Global MBA program at ESSEC Business School (Paris, France & Singapore) I know exactly what gives MBA applicants a competitive profile in the eyes of admissions committees. Previously in my role at France's prestigious Sciences Po, I offered countless workshops on how to write an impactful CV, as well as how to interview effectively. Prior to this, I worked in admissions & recruitment at Long Island University in New York. Additionally, as an English teacher for many years, most recently at the prestigious École de Guerre, you can rest assured that your essays will be critiqued for English grammar and spelling with the eye of a hawk. In 2020, I created Candidate Coach to do admissions consulting full time. Currently based between Paris, France and New York City - centrally located and globally connected to team up for appointments, no matter what your time zone in the world.

Welcome to my profile! As a current dual-degree candidate at Harvard Business School and Harvard Kennedy School, I bring a nuanced understanding of what different admissions departments are looking for. Whether you're aiming for a top-tier business or public policy program, I'm here to help you craft a compelling application that stands out. Let's work together to achieve your academic and career goals!

Experienced coach in Graduate / Master program application, having helped numerous students get into top schools. Grew up in the country side in Belgium with a humble socio-economic situation, got into the London School of Economics, worked as a consultant at McKinsey, now working at Microsoft in Dublin, living a life I never thought I'd one day achieve. Results - Coached 30+ students landing offers at McKinsey & Company, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), Bain & Company, Roland Berger, AT Kearney, Strategy&, and so on. Guided 10+ mentees through McKinsey & Company's thorough interview process as a dedicated interviewee mentor while working at the Firm. Process - Prepared students for success in all stages of the process whether it's acing Final Round interviews with (Senior) Partners, excelling in Behavioural Skills interviews (on Personal Impact, Entrepreneurial Drive, Inclusive Leadership and, Courageous Change), crushing the Case interview, playing out the Imbellus Problem Solving Game or, blowing away HR in the initial CV screening and Cover Letter writing stage. Expertise - Known for unorthodox insights on boosting your chances of getting in, such as which offices best to apply to, to maximise your chances of landing the offer, which position is easiest to landing the offer and how to convert internships into full-time offers. Extensive knowledge on all industries, capabilities, practices, and locations of McKinsey & Company. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- About me - Matthias is an Account Manager at Microsoft, former Junior Associate at McKinsey & Company based out of Brussels (Belgium), with engagements that took him to London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Geneva, and Nairobi. Focused on McKinsey's Public and Social sector (SHaPE) in topics such as Global Public Health, Urban Mobility, Education, Employment, and Food Security.

Welcome to my profile! With a Master's degree in Atmosphere & Energy from Stanford University and a Master of Science in Petroleum Geoscience from Universiti Teknologi Petronas, I bring a robust academic and professional background to my coaching. My experience spans roles at Tesla, Shell, and Halliburton, where I developed a deep understanding of research and innovation (published in Nature). I have successfully guided 2 individuals through the intricacies of master's and MBA program applications (Stanford), helping them achieve their academic aspirations.

I'm not here to get you into any specific program. I'm here to help you determine IF a higher degree might help you get to where you want to go. Sometimes it does, most of the time, the degree is not the thing that gets you there. It can help open doors - but you - the you who starts the program - you have to make the most of that time in the program and have a game plan going in! Most of these programs are 12-24 months. It goes by quickly - and you need to know where you're headed (or at least have a few options picked out) in order to maximize exposure to your desired industry or company. As a coach - I believe YOU have the answers to the hard questions like , "which program do I choose?" I can help by asking questions that bring to light your personal values, priorities, concerns and other important factors. I can provide tactical exercises to help you narrow down choices and eliminate options that aren't a fit. I've worked with business students and engineers from undergrad to MBA and have a pretty solid understanding on what you need to have to pivot into a specific field. Most admissions help comes from people who've worked on just that. Admissions. Getting INTO a program. I have experience looking at resumes (as part of Admissions decisions) with the lens of a recruiter and asking, "With this Master's/MBA degree, how competitive a candidate will this person be in their field?" You are likely pursuing a higher degree because you want that experience or the letters behind your name to help you make some kind of career pivot or "level up" in your current line of work. I work with those considering Specialized Masters and MBAs - and ask the hard questions to get to the root of what you want and if you truly NEED an MBA to get that - or if there might be other, equally valid ways to make that switch. That way - you can make your own pros/cons list without someone "selling" you from the university or college side. Sadly - admissions folks often know "outcomes stats" or highlights that they get from the Dean's Office or marketing department. Rarely are they familiar with what it takes to get a job in your chosen field - or whether or not you qualify to work in CPG or the entertainment as an international student on OPT. I ask questions like: - What you want out of the degree (learning vs hard skills vs opportunity based on industry) - What are your top priorities (in order) for your next job? More money? Location? Industry? Job title? Job function? - Which programs or locations might you consider based on common industry hubs and university partnerships for hiring? - How much research have you done about your chosen field? - Do you generally meet the pre-requisites of job postings that you're interested in? If not - what is missing and how do we build that skill set? - Do you require visa sponsorship and how familiar are you with the OPT/STEM OPT and H1B visa processes? I will be an honest and impartial thought partner to help you decide if you need a degree - or some directed career coaching (which I can also help with!). Not sure if it's a fit? Set up an intro call and find out :)