Business Master’s Admissions Coaches

Welcome to my profile! With a Master's in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a Certificate in Data Analysis with Statistical Programming, I bring a robust analytical background to my coaching practice. As an Instructor and Program Director of Data Science at the University of California, Irvine, I've honed my skills in teaching and guiding students through complex subjects, including college planning and data science fundamentals. My experience as a Reviewer for admissions and as an Interim Program Director for the Master of Computer Science program has given me unique insights into the admissions process. Having coached 62 individuals, I am passionate about helping you navigate your master's program applications with tailored strategies and expert advice. Let's work together to achieve your academic and career goals!

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.

Embark on Your Master's Journey with an Elite Coach! Are you dreaming of joining a prestigious master's program, securing a sought-after scholarship, or even paving your way to an international career? I'm here to turn those dreams into reality! My journey began by gaining admission into some of the most competitive master's programs in the world, and now, I'm eager to guide you on your path to success. 🌟 Elite Academic Achievements 🌟 Schwarzman Scholars Program: I was elected to the 7th class of this prestigious scholarship program, designed to groom the next generation of global leaders. With an acceptance rate of just 2%, this achievement highlights my ability to thrive in highly competitive environments. 2020 HBCU Fellows: Selected for this exclusive program, I am part of a cohort that prepares high-performing graduates from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) for success in professional industries. The program's 15% acceptance rate is a testament to my academic excellence and leadership potential. 🚀 Proven Track Record of Success 🚀 Scholarship & Interview Coaching: My experience doesn't just stop at personal success; I have actively guided numerous scholarship recipients, providing them with crucial interview preparation and bespoke coaching, helping them to secure their own places in top-tier programs. Career & Lifestyle Mentorship: I am not just a coach; I'm a mentor dedicated to your overall growth. Whether it's about landing top job opportunities or embracing an international lifestyle, I'm here to provide you with the insights and strategies that you need. ✨ Why Choose Me? ✨ Experience in Elite Competition: Having navigated the challenging waters of elite master's programs myself, I understand what it takes to stand out. Personalized Approach: Every aspirant is unique, and so is my coaching. Tailored to your individual needs, my approach ensures that you're not just prepared but also confident and motivated. Long-Term Vision: It's not just about getting into a master's program; it's about setting the stage for a fulfilling career and life. I'm here to help you envision and achieve that future. 🌐 Live a Global Life 🌐 Interested in an international lifestyle? My experience and network can open doors for you across the globe, setting you on a path to global opportunities and experiences. Let's Make It Happen Together! Your ambition deserves the best support. As your coach, I'm excited to be part of your journey to academic and professional greatness. Let's unlock your potential and chart a course to success that is uniquely yours!

I've supported students with admissions to MBA programs, MPH programs, master's of psychology programs, and more.

I’m Aric, a graduate admissions coach with years of experience guiding students into top Master’s programs. As a former Assistant Director at Harvard Business School, I’ve worked directly with hundreds of graduate students and know what it takes to stand out in a highly competitive applicant pool. I help candidates strengthen every part of their application—from choosing the right programs and refining their personal statements to preparing for interviews and securing strong recommendations. My approach is both strategic and supportive, making sure you not only present your best application, but also step into your graduate journey with confidence and clarity.

As a Stanford Master's in International Policy graduate (fewer than 30 admits annually) who was accepted to ALL programs I applied to - including Harvard Kennedy School, Columbia SIPA, Johns Hopkins SAIS, and elite dual-degree programs - I know exactly what separates admits from qualified applicants. I currently teach entrepreneurship at Stanford and founded the Education Entrepreneurship Hub. This gives me unique insight into both policy and education program admissions, plus deep connections in the Stanford ecosystem. I work with about 5 comprehensive clients per round (plus hourly coaching for others) because I believe in giving each person the attention they deserve. My 100% acceptance rate comes from one simple truth: every applicant has a compelling story - we just need to find it and tell it right. I love working with: 🌍 The Career Changer with Big Goals You want to pivot into public service, education, or international work but aren't sure how to connect your corporate background to your new mission. That transition story is often your greatest asset. 🎓 The Academic Who Downplays Real-World Impact You've done incredible research or education work but struggle to translate it into admissions language. I help you show the broader significance of your contributions. 📈 The Professional Who Thinks They're "Too Business-y" You're worried your private sector experience doesn't fit policy programs. Wrong! Programs love candidates who bring diverse perspectives and practical skills. 🚀 The Social Impact Entrepreneur You've built something meaningful in the nonprofit or social enterprise space but need help articulating your leadership and vision in ways that resonate with admissions committees. My approach: Think collaborative brainstorming meets strategic positioning. I'm your biggest cheerleader AND your honest feedback partner. We'll dig deep into your experiences, find your authentic voice, and craft applications that feel genuinely like you - just the best, most compelling version. Real Talk: I only work with people who are coachable and willing to put in the work. I'm not going to write your essays for you, but I will help you write essays that feel authentically yours and get results! Recent Wins: 100% acceptance rate across my own applications, plus successful admits for career changers, international candidates, and non-traditional backgrounds to top policy and education programs. Watch my journey: My admissions story has 66K+ views: https://youtu.be/Ovt5mF1_zoc?si=jH13aXDnLdqPsA5O

While attending the University of Chicago, I mentored master's degree students as a PhD student and worked in MBA admissions. I then returned to California and worked in admissions for the Haas School of Business. After spending years in academia and admissions, I have a particular interest in helping grad school applicants succeed. I have helped clients apply to Public Health, Economics, and Art History programs, but lately most of my clients have applied to Business Analytics, Data Analytics, Finance, and Financial Engineering programs within top business schools. If your budget is tight, please let me know so that we can figure out how to work together.

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 have helped me land spots at Brown, Oxford, Cambridge, Schwarzman Scholars, and the Atlantic Council. Let's work together to achieve your education and career goals!

With a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from Harvard University and a Master's in Economics from Jawaharlal Nehru University, I bring a unique interdisciplinary perspective to graduate school admissions consulting. As an Admissions Consultant at Admitify and The Ivy Institute, I've guided numerous students through the complexities of their applications, helping them craft compelling narratives that stand out. My experience as a Teaching Fellow at Harvard, where I taught and mentored students across various disciplines, has honed my ability to support applicants in articulating their academic and professional aspirations. Whether you're aiming for a top-tier master's program or need help with research projects, I'm here to provide personalized guidance. Let's work together to make your application shine!

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. 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)