Data Science Master’s Admissions Experts

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!

✨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 and 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.

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!

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)

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

I served on the Admissions Committee at Carnegie Mellon for the MSCF Program (heavy in data science, ML, stats, math, and finance) as a representative from Career Services. As part of the committee, I evaluated hundreds of candidate materials - including CVs, application essays, video interviews, and conducted some interviews. By sitting on the committee, I also learned what faculty were looking for in coursework, academic rigor, and grades from candidates. In total, I've spent 10 years coaching Masters and PhD applicants (both those fresh from undergrad and those looking to pivot careers) research programs, prepare essays & CVs, connect with alumni & industry professionals, refine their portfolio, and upskill to prepare for admission into competitive programs. I'll help you understand the different programs' requirements and help you manage multiple applications in one cycle - while ensuring you're aligning your interests, materials, and skills with programs that will get you closer to your career goals. My approach is direct, adaptable, supportive, plus Autistic- and ADHD-friendly: mitigating anxiety and minimizing the overwhelm that comes with navigating graduate admissions on top of the rest of your life. You can check out some articles I've written for incoming grad students on QuantNet and my LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acrosscareers

Welcome! I received my Master's in Linguistics from the University of Oxford, my BA in English Language and Literature from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and I have coached dozens of students through the admissions process for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs. I made the jump from a mid-tier university to the number one university in the world, and with my extensive background in writing, research, and interpersonal communication, I can help you compose a compelling application tailored to your choice of university and program--whether it's based in the States or abroad. Having worked with students from all over the world, I can help you maximise your experiences to share the best of yourself to the admissions committee. My approach is tailored to each individual's goals, ensuring that you can make the most out of the application experience. I also offer support for resumes/CVs, finding the right program for you, and enhancing your academic and technical writing skills to aid you in reaching your full potential!

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 Ph.D. in American Studies/Public Policy and extensive experience in higher education, I am passionate about guiding students through the admissions process for MBA and MS in Business programs. As the Founder of The Admission Concierge, I offer a personalized, one-on-one approach to help you select the right school, craft a compelling application, and prepare for interviews. My background includes serving as the Associate Director of MBA Admissions at the University of Miami, where I increased enrollment by 12% annually and launched three new Master's programs. I also bring insights from my role on the advisory board of businessCAS, promoting access and equity in college admissions. Let's work together to highlight your unique strengths and achieve your academic goals!

I’ve guided over 50+ students into top master’s programs in computer science, natural science, psychology, engineering and more at top programs like: Harvard, Stanford, Berkley, USC, UCLA, Yale, Columbia, and many more! Whether you’re refining your strategy, perfecting essays, or preparing for high-stakes interviews, I’ll work with you to highlight your unique strengths and craft a compelling story. Together, we’ll create a clear, actionable plan to get you into the masters program of your dreams.