Engineering Master’s Admissions Coaches

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

While the masters admissions process may seem daunting, it doesn't have to be. As a former Ivy League grad, admissions coach with 5+ years of experience, and former White House staffer, I can offer what few others can: top-tier writing skills and first-hand knowledge of what masters application essays need to be to obtain admissions to the best universities. In the past, I have helped students successfully receive admission to Northwestern, Berkeley, Brown, UPenn, NYU, LSE, Wesleyan, and much much more. I guarantee to improve your writing and ensure that your application is a showpiece to help attend your dream university. My up to date knowledge of what top-tier universities want from a masters admissions essay will ensure that your personal statement will standout and fully encapsulate your story and your goals. We will work together to edit and proofread your college application essay to give you the best chance of admission! Let me help you craft your personal statement to tell the best story possible. Please message me with any questions or for writing samples!

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 both 2023 and 2024 (since rankings began), with reviews highlighting high-touch, strategic support ◉ 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

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!

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 currently teach entrepreneurship at Stanford and founded the Education Entrepreneurship Hub (joint program across all 7 schools). I have firsthand admissions experience with 5 out of 7 Stanford schools (everything except Law and Medicine), giving me unique insight into how different programs evaluate candidates. My focus areas span entrepreneurship (MBA, MS&E, and other entrepreneurial degrees), education, policy, and CS - allowing me to guide clients across diverse graduate programs and career transitions. 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 - whether into business school, policy, education, consulting, or social impact - but aren't sure how to connect your background to your new mission. That transition story is often your greatest asset. 🎓 The Professional Who Doesn't Fit the Mold You've taken an unconventional path and worry you don't look like the "typical" applicant. I help you reframe what makes you different as your competitive advantage. 📈 The High Achiever Who Undersells Their Impact Your resume looks great on paper, but you struggle to articulate the deeper transformation you've created or the leadership potential you bring. I help you tell that story compellingly. 🚀 The Purpose-Driven Professional Whether you're an entrepreneur, nonprofit leader, educator, or corporate changemaker, you've built something meaningful but need help positioning your vision in ways that resonate with admissions committees or hiring managers. My approach: I work primarily asynchronously, which means you get deeply thoughtful, comprehensive feedback rather than off-the-cuff reactions. You'll submit materials through our shared master Google Doc, and I'll provide detailed strategic insights within 48-72 hours (currently, my dedicated Leland days are Tuesday-Thursday). We'll also have ad hoc calls whenever you need them - whether that's to discuss feedback, work through a tricky essay concept, or strategize on positioning. What to expect: I give honest, direct feedback because I genuinely want you to succeed. My clients appreciate that I don't sugarcoat, but I also celebrate your wins and help you see strengths you might be overlooking. This is a partnership - I bring the strategic insights and admissions expertise, you bring the self-direction and willingness to dig deep into your story - you own your own journey! Our coaching partnership works best if: you're someone who values thoughtful, thorough feedback over quick responses, and who's ready to take ownership of crafting something authentically yours. If you're looking for someone with same or next-day call availability, my model might not be the right fit. But if you want a strategic partner who helps you write essays that feel genuinely like you - just the best, most compelling version - we'll do great work together! My Background: As a Stanford Master's in International Policy graduate (fewer than 30 admits annually), I 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. Recent Wins: 100% acceptance rate across my own applications to top graduate programs. My clients have secured admits to competitive MBA programs, policy schools, and career transitions they initially thought were out of reach. Watch my admissions journey: My story has 66K+ views: https://youtu.be/Ovt5mF1_zoc?si=jH13aXDnLdqPsA5O

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 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

I hold master’s degrees from both NYU and Clemson, so I understand firsthand what it’s like to apply to competitive graduate programs - and how to stand out. My 11+ years working in admissions at top universities have given me an insider’s perspective on what committees look for and how candidates can distinguish themselves. As an ICF-Certified Coach, I bring a supportive yet strategic approach to guiding applicants through the graduate admissions process. From refining your personal statement to highlighting your academic and professional achievements, I’ll help you craft an application that demonstrates your readiness and confidence.

As a medical student, I saw the value in pursuing multiple complementary degree programs to help bolster my training and perspectives on the world. As a coach, I help prospective students navigate the difficult hurdles often faced when preparing to apply, enroll, and thrive in these programs.