Traditional Full-Time MBA Admissions Coaches

Welcome to my profile! With an MS/MBA Dual Degree in Biotechnology from Harvard Business School and a summa cum laude B.S. from Cornell University, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the table. I have successfully coached 5 clients through the MBA admissions process, leveraging my background in commercial strategy and operations at biotech firms ranging from startups to larger pharma companies. My approach is tailored to each individual's strengths and goals, ensuring a comprehensive and strategic application. Let's work together to craft a compelling narrative that will make your MBA application stand out. Reach out to start your journey towards your dream school!

I'm Ryan, a former musician turned consultant turned Duke Fuqua MBA, now working in finance at State Street in Boston. My journey to business school was driven by a mission to leave communities better than I found them—through work in climate/sustainability, impact investing, and international development. As the first in my family and network to pursue an MBA, I had to navigate the application process largely on my own. Now, I help others avoid the guesswork. Since graduating, I've worked with a dozen prospective students on every stage of the MBA journey—crafting applications, preparing for interviews, and choosing between top programs like Duke, Columbia, MIT, Cornell, and UVA. My insights have even been featured by Fuqua in their student blog: Read more here (https://blogs.fuqua.duke.edu/duke-mba/2024/03/21/ryan-vanslyke/knowing-fuqua-was-the-right-fit-for-my-mba). If you're looking for guidance from someone who's been in your shoes, let’s connect—I’d love to help you get into the school of your dreams!

I bring both personal experience and a track record of helping others successfully navigate competitive graduate admissions. I was admitted to Harvard Business School (attending in Fall 2026) and hold a Master of Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School, and I have spent years helping applicants translate complex, non-linear experiences into compelling application narratives. My background is intentionally non-traditional. I have worked across public policy, social impact, and healthcare innovation, and I understand how challenging it can be to present an unconventional path in a way that resonates with admissions committees. I specialize in helping applicants connect the dots across their experiences — whether they are coming from nonprofits, government, healthcare, startups, or other non-traditional industries — and turning those experiences into clear, cohesive stories about leadership, impact, and future goals. In addition to my own admissions experience, I have coached multiple applicants through competitive graduate admissions processes, including helping candidates secure admission to top MBA and other Master’s programs. Through this work I’ve developed a structured approach to application strategy: identifying the core themes in a candidate’s story, aligning those themes with what schools are looking for, and helping applicants communicate their experiences with clarity and authenticity. My coaching focuses not just on editing essays, but on helping applicants build a strong overall narrative across their resume, essays, and interviews so that every part of the application reinforces the same clear story about who they are and the impact they want to have. More than anything, I work to help applicants feel confident in themselves and their applications throughout the process. I know how daunting and stressful applying can be and I am here to try to make the process easier!

I took a very entrepreneurial and startup-focused route to business school. For those are interested in startups, venture capital, and investing, I'm excited for the opportunity to work with you!

As a Duke Fuqua MBA graduate and Forte Fellow, I bring both firsthand experience and a deep commitment to helping aspiring MBAs succeed. During my time at Fuqua, I served as a Career Fellow and Co-Director of the Sustainable Business & Social Impact Conference, gaining unique insights into what top business schools seek in applicants. My current role at Zillow as a Product Manager, along with my experience at LinkedIn in business transformation and marketing, gives me a comprehensive view of the intersection between business strategy and personal branding. I understand the challenges and opportunities of the MBA journey, especially for non-traditional candidates, and can guide you in crafting a compelling, authentic application that stands out to admissions committees. Let’s work together to make your MBA dreams a reality, building an application that reflects your unique strengths and aligns with your professional goals!

Welcome to my profile! As an MBA candidate at Harvard Business School and a graduate of Brown University, I bring a wealth of experience in strategy, product management, and AI/ML operations from top companies like Apple and Cruise. My journey has equipped me with the insights and skills to help you navigate the competitive MBA admissions process. I have successfully coached five clients, leveraging my firsthand experience to refine their applications and interview strategies. Let's work together to craft a compelling application that stands out.

Welcome! As a current MBA student at Harvard Business School and a Princeton alum, I bring a wealth of experience in both business and admissions. My background includes a role as a Summer Consultant at Boston Consulting Group and extensive experience in recruitment and onboarding as a People Manager at Anheuser-Busch. I served on the admissions committee at Princeton, giving me unique insights into the application process. I am passionate about helping aspiring MBA candidates craft compelling applications that stand out. Let's work together to make your MBA dreams a reality!

Former Assoc. Director of Admissions at UC Irvine

When I was applying to business schools, I had no direct experience of applying to US schools. However, my goal was to apply to internationally recognized business schools to ensure that I got the full benefit of taking 2 years out of my career to study full time. I had a small network of friends and mentors that had successfully been admitted into top-tier schools like HBS, Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan, and LBS. Without their guidance, I would not have successfully been admitted into my schools of choice. My MBA opened up opportunities for me to pivot from working in mining, to management consulting at BCG, and subsequently to senior strategy and operations roles at Capital One and Google. Now, I would love to pay it back - especially to folks with non-traditional backgrounds! I'm excited to support you with application strategy, crafting and refining your essays, or interview preparation.

99% percentile GMAT, HBS admit and graduate, prose writer