Business Master’s Admissions Coaches

Hi there! I come from a non-traditional background and wrote a successful application to join the MA in Politics & Economics at the University of Glasgow and then the MPhil in Development Studies at Oxford University. After graduation, I joined McKinsey & Company and worked full-time for 5 years. Afterwards, I transitioned to writing and returned to Oxford as a student in the MSt in Creative Writing. Over the last five years, while writing, I set up a coaching practice where I worked with multiple candidates to get into top schools (primarily graduate programs). My experience is based on having gotten myself twice into the Oxbridge system and supporting others join top 20 universities around the world. If you have any questions, feel free to reach out. Best, Cristian

I turned my own skill with graduate-school applications--including admission to the US's top clinical psychology Master's/PhD program--into a way to help other applicants succeed. I do that by helping them find the right stories to tell and put their best foot forward, using my experience/success not only with applications but with writing fiction, narrative non-fiction, screenplays, and other story-driven work. Story is the best way to show admissions committees the "person behind the profile." That's what I help my clients do.

I’ve spent over a decade working in higher education and admissions, including serving as an Associate Director of Admission at the USC Price School of Public Policy, where I reviewed thousands of applications and worked closely with students during meaningful moments of transition. Through that experience, I developed a deep understanding of what competitive graduate programs look for, particularly those grounded in public service, civic leadership, and social impact. My background encompasses a wide range of graduate programs including: ◎ Public Administration ◎ Health Policy & Management ◎ Urban Planning & Development ◎ Public Policy ◎ Data Science ◎ and other policy focused programs While working in admissions, my role often extended beyond the review process. I found myself helping students navigate important questions like: 🌟 What kind of impact do I want to have? 🌟 What systems do I want to influence? 🌟 Is this the right path for me? I believe strong graduate applications are built on clarity, authenticity, and intentional strategy. The most compelling applicants are those who understand their motivations, can articulate their interests with intentionality, and are passionate about the work they want to do in the world. My work aligns with: 🎓 Highly capable applicants who need support shaping their experiences into a clear, cohesive narrative 🌟Purpose-driven individuals seeking grounded, thoughtful guidance during an important career transition 📚Applicants whose academic metrics don’t fully capture their strengths and want help presenting their potential in context 👥 First-generation, LGBTQ+, students of color, and other historically underrepresented applicants looking for culturally attuned support ⚖️ Joint or concurrent degree applicants navigating how to position themselves across disciplines (MPP/MBA, JD/MPP, etc.) My approach is strategic and direct, but always rooted in empathy. Every applicant brings a distinct lens to public service. If you want a strategic partner who will help you translate that perspective into essays that feel authentic and focused, while elevating their clarity and impact, we’ll make a great team!

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 :)

Each program looks for something unique, and crafting your story to fit each school's needs is where I excel. By spending time to get to know you, learn your unique path, and develop a thorough narrative, top programs will not be able to resist learning more about you.

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.

I help applicants connect their background, work, and goals into authentic MBA application narratives. I went from rural Virginia to Intuit to Stanford GSB and now Chief of Staff at a pioneering nonprofit. At GSB, I focused on social entrepreneurship and piloted a wellness marketplace for underserved BIPOC communities. I've successfully navigated applications through Consortium and beyond. I'm particularly effective with applicants transitioning between corporate tech and social impact, discussing personal challenges authentically, or coming from underrepresented backgrounds. I'm new to professional coaching but have years of mentoring experience through my Spark scholarship program and bring fresh perspective from recently completing this process myself.