Master's Programs Admissions

Welcome to my profile! I'm a highly experienced coach specializing in helping individuals navigate the competitive landscape of master's programs. With a PhD from Cornell University and a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University, I bring a strong academic background to my coaching practice. Additionally, I have firsthand knowledge of the admissions process, having served on the admissions committee at Cornell University. I have also worked as a Communications Manager at Compass Family Services, where I honed my skills in guiding individuals towards their goals. Whether you need assistance with application strategy, essay writing, or interview preparation, I'm here to provide personalized guidance and support. Reach out to me today and let's work together to make your master's program dreams a reality!

I work with applicants targeting elite European finance master’s programmes, especially those with some work experience to draw on. Clients have been admitted to the Oxford MFE, HEC Paris MIF, Cambridge MFin and Bocconi MSc Finance. I also work with applicants to LSE, Imperial and LBS (MFA). Committees read hundreds of essays about leadership and teamwork. I help you find specific proof points in your background and position them for how each programme reads applications. I was admitted to Oxford and HEC Paris (MSc International Finance) in the same cycle, with a different application for each, and completed the Oxford MSc Financial Economics with Distinction. My career since then has covered M&A, valuations, climate strategy and transition finance. That helps me shape your “why this programme” answer so it also holds up in recruiting conversations after the degree. I cover the full application: CV, essays, recommender briefing, and mock interviews built around each programme’s format. Most applicants start with a 5-hour package, which covers several rounds of sentence-level feedback, and add hours later if needed. To get started, book a 15-minute intro call. We’ll go through your target programmes and timeline, and agree whether I’m the right coach and which package fits. Send your CV and target list beforehand so I can assess fit. Detailed feedback starts in our first session.

Welcome to my profile! With over 20 years of experience in higher education, I specialize in guiding students through the intricacies of graduate program applications. As a Graduate Coach at InGenius Prep, I help students craft compelling applications that highlight their unique strengths and goals. My background includes roles at Stanford University, where I coordinated programs for current and prospective graduate students and led diversity initiatives, giving me a deep understanding of what top programs look for in candidates. Whether you're just starting your application journey or need targeted advice, I'm here to help you succeed. I’d love to support your journey. Book a session today to see how I can help you reach your goals!

My approach to coaching comes from lived experience, not theory. I recently navigated the graduate admissions process myself and earned offers from the following top programs: The University of Toronto Masters of Science in Applied Computing, Carnegie Mellon Master of Science in Artificial Intelligence Engineering, Columbia Dual MBA/Executive MS: Engineering & Applied Science, UC Berkeley Electric Engineering & Computer Sciences Master of Engineering, and Carnegie Mellon Master of Science in Machine Learning program. I have confirmed my decision to attend the Machine Learning program at Carnegie Mellon this fall. Before that, I graduated Summa Cum Laude from UT Austin with a 3.96 GPA in Computer Science. I know firsthand what it takes to build a compelling application because I have done it across both technical and business programs. My strength is narrative strategy. I help you identify the through line in your experiences, position your story for the specific program type you are targeting, and write essays that are punchy, defensible, and free of inflated claims. Beyond admissions, I bring real-world credibility as someone that has worked at startups, big companies, and nonprofits as well as research experience. I will give you honest assessments, not validation, and I will work with you draft by draft until every word earns its place.

Studied at four universities across three countries. Now I help international students navigate European graduate programs that launch global careers. I specialize in low-tuition public universities across Germany, France, the UK, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, and the Nordic countries. Choosing the right graduate school isn't just about rankings. It's about finding the program that accelerates your international career. I've personally studied engineering, management, and marketing programs across Germany, the US, and France, and each degree opened doors I hadn't imagined. Now I help students worldwide discover Europe's hidden gems: world-class master's programs taught entirely in English, many at public universities with little to no tuition. My coaching covers the complete journey: identifying programs that match your aspirations, navigating admission processes across different educational systems, understanding visa requirements, and planning how to integrate directly into companies through strategic internships. Having led international teams for 25 years after my own multi-country educational path, I know which graduate programs truly prepare you for global careers versus those that just look good on paper. We'll explore how a German engineering program differs from a French business school, when language skills become essential versus optional, and most importantly, how to choose both your school and your target employers simultaneously. From understanding cultural adaptation in Nordic universities to positioning yourself for post-graduation work opportunities across Europe, I provide the insider perspective that comes from living the international education and career path myself. I coach in English, German, French, and Spanish, and I'm passionate about making European education accessible to students who can't afford expensive private school programs but deserve world-class opportunities.

Over the last six years, I have coached hundreds of students at a large R1 institution, guiding them as they prepare for graduate and medical school applications. I work with applicants from personal statement ideation all the way through decision making and I can't wait to do the same with you. Whether you're applying for the first time or reapplying and need a fresh take on your application, I'm confident that my coaching experience will be an asset to you. My approach centers around making meaning of your experiences, helping you to find the connections to your future goals, and translating those in a way that will resonate with the admissions committee. Let's work together to help you achieve your goals!

I know how overwhelming the graduate school process can feel — because I've spent years on the inside watching talented people struggle to tell their story in a way that truly lands. Having worked in admissions at Georgetown University, the University of Cincinnati, and George Washington University, I've sat across from hundreds of applicants and reviewed thousands of applications. That experience gave me a deep understanding of what committees are genuinely looking for, and more importantly, how to help you present your best self with confidence. My goal has always been to make this process feel less intimidating and more empowering for each student I meet with What drives me is seeing people get into programs they once thought were out of reach. As a current MBA student myself, I haven't forgotten what it's like to be on your side of the process — the self-doubt, the late nights, the endless second-guessing. I've helped students navigate tight deadlines, sharpen their personal statements, and build strategies that resulted in students enrolling in their dream programs. I don't believe in one-size-fits-all advice, because your story is unique and deserves to be told that way. When you work with me, you're getting someone who genuinely cares about where you're headed and will be with you every step of the way.

For more than a decade, I oversaw admissions for the Stanford MSx Program, a specialized Master of Science in Management degree at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. In that role, I admitted eleven cohorts of Stanford Sloan Fellows, working in close coordination with MBA Admissions on operational and policy matters. My admissions work took me to more than two dozen countries, I reviewed thousands of GSB applications, conducted hundreds of interviews, and served as academic advisor to students. I learned a lot about what it takes to be admitted, and I learned even more about what it takes to get the most out of graduate school. Crafting a great application is a valuable step to having an exceptional graduate school experience, and not just because it gets you admitted. Applying can and should be a process that prepares you for what comes after--clarifying your rationale, helping you build confidence to tell a compelling, personal story. It should help you articulate the values you hold deeply and the value proposition you offer. Getting into a great program should not be the end in itself, but a step in an broader process of growth and impact. If you work with me, this is part of the perspective I bring. After leaving Stanford, I've had some opportunities to work with boutique admissions consulting firms, but I value the transparency and range of options Leland provides to you, the client. I don't like to work with an client unless I believe I can deliver more value than what it costs. Working with a coach/consultant is like finding a therapist, where chemistry matters, and there may be others that are a better match for what you need (or at least for some of what you need). After an initial consultation, I offer packages that allow us to spend a few hours reviewing your application or plan in detail, where I will draw on my experience to help you identify opportunities to clarify and strengthen your pitch, and possibly challenge assumptions you have, resulting in a clear plan of action. From there, we can better determine if additional engagement would be useful, where we would both commit to deliverables and a timeline if we believe, that by working together, you can succeed in hitting your goals. This might involve targeted assistance with specific components of your application, a more comprehensive effort, or simply helping you identify resources that can best serve you. Good luck! And if you've read this far, maybe let's set up a time to chat.

I provide a unique perspective on the graduate school journey, having successfully pivoted from a non-STEM undergraduate background at Cornell to a Master of Science in Systems Engineering at Johns Hopkins. My transition into a competitive graduate program required me to compile an application showing my technical capabilities without formal training. This personal experience allows me to demystify the bridge between non-technical foundations and rigorous engineering curricula. I have used this expertise to coach students to gain admission to master's programs for Business, Information Technology, Computer Science, Systems Engineering, and Chemical Engineering, regardless of whether they had any experience in a related field. My qualifications are rooted in my ability to help students overcome the specific hurdles of a master's application, such as lower GPAs or non-traditional transcripts. By focusing on how to translate professional accomplishments and analytical potential into a technical academic context, I help my students build profiles that stand out to admissions committees. My goal is to provide the step by step guidance I wish I had, ensuring that your background becomes a strength rather than a barrier to entry for top-tier graduate education.

Welcome to my profile! With a Master's degree in Financial Analysis from London Business School and a Bachelor's in Economics from Queen Mary, University of London, I bring a strong academic foundation to my coaching. My professional background is rooted in competitive positioning and strategic storytelling, sharpened through demanding, high-pressure work. At London Business School, I completed a rigorous due diligence engagement that pushed me to build competitive frameworks under real business constraints, the same discipline and academic rigor that top master's programs expect from their candidates. I've also applied this lens through a credit analysis internship at Bank of Africa and start-up strategy work, giving me a sharp eye for what differentiates a strong candidate from a good one. Having navigated this level of rigor myself, I know exactly what it takes to help you build an application that meets it. Let's work together to craft a compelling application that highlights your unique strengths and aspirations. Reach out to start your journey towards success!