Social Sciences Master’s Admissions Experts

I love helping people make sense of their experience and turn it into a compelling, convincing story, whether that means crafting a statement of purpose, refining essays, or building a coherent narrative out of a complex resume. As a French-American graduate of Harvard Kennedy School, ESSEC Business School, and Georgetown University, I have firsthand experience with admissions processes in both the US and Europe, and can support applications to programs on either side of the Atlantic. My own path has been non-linear — spanning procurement, operations, and risk and sustainability strategy across the public, private, and research sectors — which means I'm especially attuned to helping applicants who have varied backgrounds or simply aren't sure how to connect the dots. If you're applying to a master's program in the US or abroad, or navigating a cross-sector pivot, I'd love to work with you.

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've guided students to success at top universities worldwide, including Harvard, Oxford, and INSEAD. My admissions committee experience equips me with insider knowledge to enhance your application strategy. Whether you're aiming for a top-tier program in Europe or the US, I'm here to help you craft a compelling application that stands out. In recent years, my clients have been admitted to master's programs at: University of Oxford University of Cambridge LSE: London School of Economics & Political Science King's College London Sciences Po (Paris School of International Affairs) HEC Paris INSEAD Università Bocconi ESSEC ESCP Esade Erasmus University Rotterdam Duke University University of Chicago Tufts University I love helping candidates sharpen their research proposals and statements of academic purpose. My own diverse academic and professional background allows me to support candidates across the social sciences, humanities and business. What's more, I've pursued graduate research in both France and the United States, and I've taught at the bachelor and master level in France, the US, and Germany. For candidates who aim to span geographic or disciplinary boundaries in their work, I'm happy to be a resource.

I completed my MBA at Wharton and MA in International Studies in Latin America at the Lauder Institute. I focused on joint degree programs in International Relations/Public Policy and also was admitted to Harvard Kennedy School, Yale Jackson School of Global Affairs, Columbia School of International and Public Affairs, and LSE. I want to help you perfect your apps to these programs individually or as a joint MBA!

Having been one of 19 nationally to achieve the distinguished accolade of becoming a Fulbright Scholar in 2023, I have first-hand experience navigating the US admissions process as an international applicant. I made 3 successful applications to US universities and tailored application materials to the exact criteria for acceptance. I am further able to aid students in filling out the online portal, tailoring their CV, and practicing for the interview.

As a Harvard Law School graduate and experienced attorney, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the table. With a background in advising candidates for undergraduate, law school, and medical school admissions, I've successfully guided clients to top institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia. My approach focuses on personal statement advising, supplemental essay crafting, and long-term admissions planning. Whether you're aiming for a master's program or another advanced degree, I'm here to help you navigate the admissions process with confidence. Let's work together to make your application extraordinary.

Hi, I’m Becky Song, Founder & Executive Director of Ivy Journey, Wharton MBA, former Wharton admissions fellow, and admissions coach with 15+ years of experience helping applicants earn admission to top graduate programs. For master’s applicants, my specialty is helping strong candidates turn their academic, professional, and personal background into a clear, differentiated admissions strategy. I’m especially strong with applicants targeting MS, MiM, MSBA, MFin, policy, management, analytics, engineering/STEM-adjacent, and career-pivot programs where schools need to see not only strong credentials, but also a compelling reason for why this degree, why this program, why now, and why you. My clients have earned admission to top programs and universities including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Stanford, UPenn/Wharton, MIT, Columbia, Yale, Duke, Johns Hopkins, UC Berkeley, UCLA, NYU, Vanderbilt, and more. I also bring firsthand career strategy experience from management consulting, pharmaceutical/life sciences, research, entrepreneurship, government & nonprofits, which allows me to help applicants connect their graduate school goals to a credible long-term career story. I can help you with school selection, application strategy, personal statements/statements of purpose, resumes, recommendation strategy, scholarship positioning, interviews, waitlist strategy, and final application reviews. My approach is strategic, direct, and deeply personalized: we’ll identify your strongest admissions angle, sharpen your positioning, and make every part of your application reinforce a cohesive, memorable case for admission.

My diverse experiences, from Deloitte and Samsung’s Global Strategy Group to high-growth tech startups and the halls of UCLA and USC, have given me a cross-industry, cross-functional perspective on what it takes to build a compelling graduate application. I’ve worked with applicants to master’s and specialized graduate programs across disciplines ranging from business and finance to healthcare, education, data science, and engineering, and I understand what each type of program is looking for and how to position your unique background to meet it. My commitment is to help you articulate your unique story and personal brand in an authentic and engaging way, ensuring that every aspect of your application reflects your full potential and speaks directly to the program you’re targeting. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗜’𝗺 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. My approach is highly personalized. We’ll start with an in-depth conversation about your background, experiences, and aspirations. I’ll help you identify the programs that best fit your goals, coach you through every step of the application process, and provide honest, actionable feedback. With my support, you’ll approach each application component (i.e. personal statements, recommendations, resumes, and interviews) with confidence, showcasing your full potential. I work with a select group of clients each cycle to give each engagement the attention it deserves and ensure that no one gets lost in the shuffle. The results speak for themselves: ➤ 100% of clients receive offers of admissions. ➤ Clients admitted to Harvard, Stanford, University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern, University of Chicago, MIT, Columbia, Berkeley, NYU, Yale, Duke, Dartmouth, UVA, UCLA, and USC. I hold an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and a BA from Swarthmore College and LSE.

I went to Harvard Kennedy School and Stanford GSB, which means I've sat on both sides of the admissions process this coaching is built around — first as the applicant, now helping others get there. Before business school, I was an Army officer; after, venture capital and AI innovation. Both jobs taught me the same thing: how to read a person's story quickly, find what's actually compelling in it, and cut the rest. That's what I do with applications. If your essays are flat, I'll tell you why. If your interview answers ramble, I'll help you tighten them. I'm not here to cheerlead; I'm here to get you in.

After reviewing thousands of graduate applications during my 15 years in admissions, I learned that the strongest applications are rarely the ones with the longest résumés or the most polished essays. As a former Associate Director of Recruitment and Admission at the USC Price School of Public Policy, I know admissions committees aren't looking for perfection. They're looking for applicants who have a clear sense of purpose and can communicate how their experiences, values, and future goals fit together into a compelling, cohesive narrative. That's the foundation of my work. I help applicants gain the clarity and confidence to make decisions aligned with their strengths, values, and long term goals, then translate that into an authentic application that stands out. Whether you're unsure how to tell your story, deciding between graduate programs, or applying to a highly competitive field, I'll help you communicate not just what you've done, but why it matters and where you're headed. I'll help you communicate not just what you've done, but why it matters and where you're headed. That's what makes applications stand out. My work is especially valuable for applicants who: ✨ Have meaningful professional experience but struggle to translate it into a clear, cohesive application narrative. 🌱 Feel that their essays are polished but still missing the deeper story that connects their experiences, motivations, and goals. 🔄 Are navigating a career transition and want to position it as an evolution rather than a weakness. 🎓 Are first generation students, LGBTQ+, students of color, or from historically underrepresented communities seeking guidance from someone who understands the importance of honoring your lived experience. ⚖️ Are applying to joint or concurrent degree programs and need help creating a cohesive narrative across multiple disciplines. 🌍 Want to create meaningful impact through public service, policy, social innovation, or systems change. If you're looking for thoughtful, personalized guidance throughout the graduate admissions process, I'd be honored to help you create an application that reflects your strengths, your purpose, and your potential. Not sure if we're the right fit? Watch my recent masterclass on Leland+ to learn more about my approach to graduate admissions and how I help students build applications with clarity and purpose.