MBA Admissions Consultants, Events, & Resources

I really enjoyed the MBA admissions process and want to help guide candidates through a fulfilling process of deep introspection.

I'm an experienced admissions consultant with almost a decade of expertise navigating elite admissions - for my own admissions processes for undergrad (Harvard) and full-time MBA (matriculated at Stanford GSB, additional acceptances to Wharton and many others). Outside of my own admissions successes, I've been a professional admissions consultant, beginning in 2016 with my work as an early hire at CollegeVine, one of the leading (undergrad) admissions consultancies in the US. I've formally consulted with, and informally mentored, countless students across both undergrad and grad school, with many acceptances to Ivies+. Regarding MBA admissions: I navigated my own admissions process with a relatively "nontraditional" background, coming from startups and, further back, self-employment. My view on admissions is one rooted in pragmatism and genuineness; let's dispense with some of the trite advice and focus on what your background offers, the story you have to tell, and why you actually want to go to business school. (And even whether you *should* go to business school! Navigating doubt is, in my opinion, an important part of this process as well.) Beyond admissions, I'm a successful startup operator - most recently as the exited COO of Impactive, a YCombinator-backed political software startup (acquired by ActBlue in 2025).

Welcome to my profile! I'm Fanghong, an MBA graduate and also a former Kellogg MBA admission interviewer at Kellogg School of Management. During my own application cycle, I've received offers from top programs like INSEAD and Yale SOM, both with scholarships. With a strong background in business operations and strategy from my roles at McKinsey, Shopee, and DiDi, I bring a wealth of real-world experience to my coaching. I've successfully guided over 18 students into prestigious MBA programs such as INSEAD, Yale, Kellogg, Tuck, and Darden. My expertise lies in school selection, application strategy, essay crafting, and interview preparation. Let's work together to craft a compelling application that stands out. Reach out to start your journey to a top MBA program!

Welcome to my profile! With a Juris Doctor from UC Berkeley School of Law and a Master of Arts from UCLA, I bring a unique blend of expertise to the MBA admissions process. As a Senior Admissions Consultant at California Ivy Admissions Consultants, I've successfully guided clients into top-tier programs at Harvard, Stanford, Berkeley, Dartmouth, Duke, Yale, UCLA, USC, Cornell and more. My experience on the admissions committee at UCLA has equipped me with insider knowledge of what top programs seek in candidates. Whether you need help with application strategy, essays, or interview preparation, I'm here to help you craft a compelling application. Let's work together to make your MBA dreams a reality!

Welcome! I chose to pursue a full-time MBA program to pivot my career from analysis to strategy consulting. I mapped out the financial opportunity cost of stopping work to go to a full-time program, applied to multiple programs, and received a scholarship to UVA. I understand the challenges and frustrations of the application process and am happy to help you think through your approach to applications.

Accepted into Wharton MBA with two years of full time work experience. Among the youngest students in the class and sit on several major club boards and advise students on admissions criteria.

As a first-generation college graduate from the South Side of Chicago, I know what it means to navigate the MBA journey without a roadmap. I learned how to manage the entire process, including school research, GMAT/GRE prep, essays, interviews, and funding, by being resourceful, intentional, and strategic. That same scrappiness helped me earn admission to the University of Chicago Booth School of Business with a scholarship. After being admitted, I completed the MLT MBA Prep Accelerated Program, which helped me secure a consulting internship before classes even started. I went into Booth already positioned for success because I understood how powerful it is to prepare early. Over the years, I’ve supported aspiring candidates and consultants through case studies, storytelling, and interview preparation. When you work with me, you can expect support in developing authentic and mission-driven storytelling that reflects your full self. You can expect strategic guidance grounded in lived experience from someone who has navigated this journey with limited resources and still earned admission to a top MBA program. You can also expect clear and actionable feedback that cuts through the noise and helps you strengthen your application. Most importantly, you will have a coach who genuinely believes in your potential and is committed to your success. Pursuing an MBA was one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. It expanded my vision of what is possible, reshaped my leadership, and opened doors I never imagined. I want to help you experience that same transformation, no matter where you are starting from.

I bring a unique perspective to college and MBA admissions coaching because I’ve experienced the process from both sides, as an advisor and as an applicant. After graduating from undergrad, I worked at the business school at UCLA in student affairs, where I collaborated closely with admissions and supported prospective students through their journey. I had the opportunity to coach applicants, answer their questions honestly, and help them understand what admissions committees are truly looking for. I also served on my undergraduate alma mater’s admissions committee, where I reviewed applications and essays, giving me direct insight into how candidates are evaluated. After going through the MBA application process myself, I realized how valuable genuine, strategic guidance is. Too often, applicants receive vague advice, especially when networking, and it can be difficult to know how to stand out while still being authentic. That’s why my approach is rooted in honesty and clarity. I help applicants connect the dots between their experiences, their goals, and their story in a way that feels true to who they are. My goal is not to help you become who you think admissions wants but to help you present the strongest, most authentic version of yourself. You’ll always get real answers, thoughtful strategy, and guidance from someone who truly understands the process.

After completing my degree in Accounting from the University of Utah, I quickly felt bored and like a cog in a massive corporate machine. I had a lifelong goal of getting an MBA, but quickly learned there is an overwhelming amount of routes to take for a graduate degree. Do I quit my job and go for a top full-time MBA program? Do I keep working and get into an online or part-time program that may take several years? I knew I wanted to work in finance sho should I pursue a Master's of Finance instead? Ultimately, I decided to keep working, got admitted to the University of Minnesota's Carlson School of Management and completed the part-time program in 13 months without ever taking the GMAT. I love to coach people through this overwhelming process and help them decide what is best for them as there are so many options to accomplish the end goal. It is possible to complete an MBA quickly without leaving your job as I can attest.

I’m well-qualified to coach students preparing for MBA admissions, having successfully gone through the process myself and completed my MBA. I understand what top business schools look for — from crafting a compelling personal narrative to excelling in interviews and essays. Beyond my own experience, I’ve coached over 30 students from my school and professional network on how to position their backgrounds effectively, resulting in multiple successful admissions to top MBA programs. My coaching focuses on strategy, authenticity, and helping each student showcase their unique strengths in a competitive admissions environment.