~~~ I'M OFFERING 70% OFF HOURLY COACHING. USE DISCOUNT CODE melanie-e-222888 ~~~ MELANIE has 8 years of experience in MBA admissions consulting with proven results in M7 programs (including HBS and GSB), Top 20 Programs, and Executive MBAs. She pairs her ex-McKinsey consulting toolkit with her sharp communication skills and EQ as an Executive Coach. This rich blend of skills allow Melanie to be an excellent admissions consultant with an eye for detail and heart for crafting her clients’ unique stories. Additionally, as a trained Voice Actor represented by CESD Talent, Melanie provides a unique perspective on admissions interviews and creating executive presence. • Coaching and Mentoring: One of my callings is coaching and advising others, and I have 8 years of experience in coaching and mentoring roles for sophisticated individuals. Firstly, I have been an MBA Admissions Consultant since 2015 and have worked both for firms as well as for myself. This experience has spanned top American and European programs and a track record of success with M7 schools including HBS and GSB. Secondly, I have been an Executive Coach for several years working for my own business Espeland Enterprises, where I’ve had the opportunity to serve senior level professionals across iconic firms such as Google, Morgan Stanley, and KKR. • Writing and Editing: With both my MBA Admissions clients and executive coaching clients, I have gained extensive experience ideating, writing, and editing professional documents such as essays, resumes, and LinkedIn profiles. My writing abilities include tone, grammar, syntax, word choice, style, flow, format, transitions, effective introductions and conclusions, and responsiveness to the essay question. Additionally, I have written blogs, articles, and speeches for myself including my TEDx talk on executive presence. • Excellent Communication: I am a people person who can “talk to a wall” as the adage says and can quickly build rapport with new clients. I am comfortable working with individuals of diverse backgrounds including non-traditional career paths.

I'm a Ross MBA (University of Michigan) with admissions committee experience at Ross. I've spent the last 14 years successfully coaching MBA applicants through the admissions process independently and with top-rated consulting firms (Stacy Blackman and mbaMission), and have helped clients earn spots at HBS, GSB, Wharton, Booth, Ross, Kellogg, Fuqua, Columbia, Haas, Stern, Darden, Tuck, Johnson, Darden, INSEAD, and many others. As a coach, I'll partner with you on any and all parts of your application. I've collaborated with a range of candidates, and have had great success with those from more traditional backgrounds seeking a way to stand out among a sea of qualified peers, as well as those from non-traditional backgrounds who need guidance articulating how their talents and aspirations will fit into an MBA class. If you're looking for a seasoned, professional coach who's seen it all and can help guide you through the whole process, let's work together!

I applied for deferred MBA programs in 2021, and was accepted into Harvard Business School's 2+2 program. I feel passionate about helping individuals find their unique story to craft in their application, setting them apart with their own background and experiences. Since being accepted, I have helped countless others with questions about the process, and feel I can be a valuable resource in creating your own powerful MBA application.

Top-rated admissions coach at elite Ivy Advisors MBA consultancy, the Harvard Kennedy School Admissions Office, and Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO) Career program. I am a good fit for deferred, dual / concurrent degree, underrepresented / BIPOC, investment banking-focused, and traditional profile candidates (e.g., consulting, banking) looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded field. By leveraging the introspective nature of MBA applications to effectively convey each client's unique narrative, I have gained recognition as a highly-skilled coach. In my 10 years of coaching, some big wins include helping an individual with a 3.2 GPA and 145 (Quant GRE) / 158 (Verbal GRE) secure admission to a top 5 MBA with 60% tuition scholarship and negotiating another candidate's M7 waitlist offer to admission with 100% tuition funding. Given my client-facing experience, I am extremely responsive and usually take no more than 24 hours to turn around materials. My coaching approach is guided by extensive admissions committee work and the fact that I went through this process myself. I was personally accepted to 5 M7 MBA programs with over $1 million in scholarship offers. Some of the fellowships and scholarships I've participated in include: Forte Foundation MBA Fellowship, MLT MBA Prep, Toigo MBA Fellowship, LunaCap MBA Scholarship, SEO Career, AmeriCorps, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and Upward Bound. I am especially helpful to: ◉ applicants from established pre-MBA careers (e.g., consulting, banking) hoping to differentiate themselves in a crowded field ◉ international applicants looking for guidance on the U.S.-specific nuances for MBAs ◉ non-traditional candidates without cookie-cutter GPAs or test scores looking to highlight strengths in other areas ◉ deferred candidates looking to show their future *potential* through storytelling ◉ candidates seeking scholarship funding ◉ underrepresented minorities, especially Queer BIPOC, who want to work with someone with a shared lived experience ◉ joint / concurrent degree applicants ◉ candidates who want to make a great impression during interviews. I take special pride in one of my interviewers saying I was the best-prepared applicant he had seen in 10 years :) ◉ waitlisted or rejected applicants who want to make a compelling case for their candidacy through informal channels

- Deferred & Full-time MBA Admissions Strategy - Resume Review - Essay Revisions - Interview Preparation

After recently completing my own deferred MBA process, I have a deep understanding of everything that goes into the application. I have firsthand experience structuring a timeline for testing, recommendation letters, essays, interviews, and more. I can help others craft and fine-tune their essay and interview narratives to most effectively capture their unique background, passions, and personality.

I am a successful deferred admit candidate that recieved admission into MIT Sloan and Northwestern Kellogg. Coming from a STEM and Consulting background, I have extensive experience crafting applications that cut through technical nitty-gritty and provide a compelling reason for admissions officers to put you in the "yes" pile. I am a big believer that this process is much more than just the numbers - a well written application and powerful interviews are as important as anything else. Therefore, I am passionate about exuding inspiration in essays and ensuring that entire applications are strung together in an authentic, compelling narrative. Moreover, having only interviewed with Sloan and Kellogg, I understand how to communicate in a way that turns interview invites into acceptance letters. My coaching philosophy is you-centric. Lets dig deep together to give you the best end-to-end deferred admission experience. Do not hesitate to reach out and we'll get a free intro call set up!

Experienced in working with candidates applying for deferred MBA programs -- past mentees have been accepted by GSB and Wharton

I love coaching & have helped applicants get accepted to Booth (full time & part time), Kellogg, and Dartmouth.

4+ years of MBA and GMAT consulting experience. Have supported more than 50 applicants applying to M7 schools. Former US Army Officer.