MBA Admissions Coaches

After ~3 years at Bain & Company, I was accepted into the Kellogg School of Management as a sponsored consultant. I have experience navigating the resume, letters of recommendation, application (including essays), and interview tips that will give you the best chance at landing your spot at a top MBA program.

I've helped over 1000 applicants from around the world get into Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, INSEAD, and every other top program you can name. I’m Ellin Lolis, founder of Ellin Lolis Consulting, a global MBA admissions firm with a 98.9% success rate. I’ve spent the last 10+ years guiding applicants with a proven, step-by-step methodology that simplifies the process and maximizes results. As a certified career coach and award-winning writer, my approach helps you craft a powerful personal brand, connect your story and values to each program, and submit applications that actually get you in. Clients often say I treat their application like my own. That’s because I do. I bring the same level of strategic precision and emotional support to every engagement, pushing you to deliver your best work while helping you stay grounded and confident along the way. I've collaborated with a range of different clients from every continent, including clients with low GMAT scores, 40+, traditional IB/MBB applicants, and even non-traditional applicants like nuclear scientists and sports journalists. For each, I helped them find their unique voice that helped them stand out in the crowded admissions space. If you’re aiming high and want a coach with the track record, tools, and heart to get you there, I’d love to work with you.

I was admitted to every M7 business school I applied to—including Wharton, where I ultimately chose to attend. Since then, I’ve coached dozens of applicants, with 95% gaining admission to at least one M7 program. My approach is strategic, introspective, and tailored—designed to help you stand out not just on paper, but in the eyes of each admissions committee. At Wharton, I served on the Welcome Committee, an affiliated body that supports newly admitted students. That experience gave me a behind-the-scenes view of what top programs look for—and how successful applicants present themselves. Whether you're a career switcher, international applicant, or coming from a non-traditional background, I’ll help you craft a compelling narrative, align it with each school’s values, and build a cohesive application strategy. From school selection to final submission, I’ll guide you with clarity, honesty, and a proven framework that gets results.

Welcome to my profile! I’m a Wharton graduate and Harvard Business School MBA with over 15 years of experience in finance, including the last decade at Warburg Pincus—a top-10 global private equity firm managing over $100 billion—where I’m currently a Principal. Having reviewed hundreds of applications and mentored dozens of Analysts, Associates, and VPs, I understand what top MBA programs are looking for—because I’ve been through the process myself and helped others succeed. Whether you're applying to HBS, Wharton, or other top programs, I can help you craft a compelling application strategy, polish your resume, develop standout essays, and prepare for admissions interviews with confidence. From refining your story to navigating the entire application process, I offer personalized coaching to help you put your best foot forward and maximize your chances of getting into your dream business school.

I have advised 100+ applicants pursuing MBA and/or MPP applications to top institutions, helping applications secure admissions and a combined $500,000+ in scholarship money. Yes, that's over 10 candidates a year, with most of them receiving some form of financial aid! I will help you ethically secure scholarship funding where possible post-admissions (I.e., only after you've decided which school you'd like to attend!).

Gabriela Diaz has followed her appetite—literally—across 78 countries, but her deep love of the food business ultimately brought her to Stanford GSB. A proud Argentine-American from NY, she once took a semester off of college to learn cheesemaking in northern Spain and hasn’t stopped chasing meaningful food experiences since. She managed Épicerie Boulud at The Plaza Hotel at age 22 and later joined FreshDirect, where she ran the freezer and pet departments and developed a love for customer data and brand building. On weekends, she loves trying ambitious recipes with her fiancé and playing with their opinionated dachshund, Kewpie—named after the Japanese mayo, of course.

I love mentoring and coaching students and applicants - I regularly volunteer my time with the Berkeley Haas entrepreneurship program by providing course content, speaking opportunities, mentorship hours, and coaching. I also regularly support incoming MBA and MPH students with application review, interview prep, and more. While at Haas, I worked with the MBA & MPH admissions committees for a year and picked up a bunch of tips and tricks to hack the process! My journey: pre-med undergrad > biotech scientist > healthcare management consulting > grad school > healthcare entrepreneurship & venture capital