Prestigious Scholarships & Fellowships Admissions Coaches

I’ve been through the scholarship grind myself—and I get how overwhelming it can feel. I was fortunate to be awarded both the Fulbright Scholarship and the Gates Scholarship, two highly competitive programs that require more than just good grades—they demand a compelling story, a clear sense of purpose, and polished, authentic writing. As someone who’s not only navigated this process but helped others succeed as well, I bring real insight into what selection committees are looking for. Whether you're just brainstorming or refining a final draft, I can help you craft an application that’s not only impressive but genuinely you.

Welcome to my profile! As a Rhodes Scholar and recipient of Duke University's prestigious Angier B. Duke Scholarship, I have firsthand experience navigating the competitive world of prestigious scholarships and fellowships. My academic journey has taken me from Duke University to the University of Oxford, and soon to Harvard Medical School, equipping me with a deep understanding of what it takes to succeed in these rigorous application processes. I have served on Duke's scholarship selection committee, providing me with insights into what top programs are looking for in candidates. I'm here to help you craft a compelling application that highlights your unique strengths and potential. Let's work together to achieve your scholarship and fellowship goals!

You have a story worth sharing—I am here to help you tell it. As a Gates-Cambridge Scholar, Rhodes Scholarship Finalist, and an incoming MD candidate at Columbia University, I bring a unique perspective to the graduate school and competitive international fellowship application processes. My academic and professional journey has equipped me with a deep understanding of what top programs seek in applicants. I have successfully coached multiple individuals and have sat on professional panels, helping individuals craft compelling applications to best highlights their strengths and communicates their unique story. Whether you need guidance on personal statements, recommendation letters, interview preparation, or anything else, I am here to personally help you navigate your path to achieving a place in your dream program. I am excited to work with you!

I am a Paul & Daisy Soros Fellow (2026), a Harry S. Truman Scholar (2022 Class Captain and the first Latino recipient from Mississippi), and a Rhodes Scholar Finalist (runner-up for USA District 7 in 2024). This fall, I'm headed to Yale Law School — largely on the strength of these awards. As a first-generation Latino who grew up in poverty, I know exactly how much is at stake when you sit down to write these applications. I wrote every word of my materials from scratch, without institutional support, and I can help you do the same. Over the past four years, I've navigated the full arc of competitive fellowship applications — from building the initial narrative, to preparing for high-stakes finalist interviews, to accepting the award. I've done this across fellowship types: merit-based national scholarships, public interest fellowships, and graduate funding competitions. Beyond my own applications, I've supported peers and mentees through processes ranging from Rhodes and Truman to law school and graduate funding. Through co-founding the Public Interest Law Association (PILA), I've also built systems to help emerging public interest advocates tell their stories compellingly. I understand both the craft of a strong application and the emotional weight of pursuing something potentially life-changing. My coaching is rigorous, personal, and rooted in the belief that the right story — told well — can open doors that once felt closed for good.

Hey there! My name is Katie. I'm a policy and investing geek who grew up in Tennessee, and got the life-changing chance to attend the University of Virginia (Wahoowa!) as a Jefferson Scholar. I was obsessed with figuring out ways to use policy to make sure the opportunities I had growing up were accessible to everyone, no matter where they grew up. That led to an interdisciplinary degree and thesis focused on affordable housing. Despite (though I'd argue, because of) my liberal arts background, I wound up in finance after graduation. I spent five years building and leading a political risk research team, where we helped investors figure out how the government's actions would come to define economic growth -- from tax reform and COVID relief, to historic infrastructure investment and nascent tech regulation. That experience showed me how profoundly markets shape life outcomes for ordinary people, and the role government can play in making them better. I decided to find MPA/MBA programs that prioritized both my commitment to public service and belief that leaders should be able to solve problems from multiple perspectives. I took the leap and applied to the Knight-Hennessy Scholars program at Stanford GSB and Princeton SPIA. Now having come out the other side of school, I can say without hesitation that my life has profoundly changed because of the educational opportunities I received -- not just because of what I learned, but especially because of the mentorship I received through these programs. I didn't start with exposure to major scholarships, finance jobs, or getting into public policy. What I did have that made all the difference: people who were invested in helping me understand how I could dream bigger, achieve goals I didn't once believe possible, and find ways to help others do the same. That's why coaching is so important to me. I am the product of the belief and support of so many mentors over the course of my life, and it's a joy to find ways to use what I know to support others in achieving their next dream. I'm excited to learn about yours!

I grew up across five U.S. cities and spent years living on four continents, so “Where are you from?” rarely has a tidy answer. But why I move is simple: to help people become the best version of themselves. My mission is to make healthy food exciting, accessible, and affordable. That calling led me to build a hydroponic farm in my apartment, donate over 20,000 pounds of food to furloughed workers during COVID, and launch a kombucha company in China. But I believe the deep alignment between my mission and vision, throughout my application and professional journey, is what helped me become the first person ever admitted to both Stanford GSB and the Schwarzman Scholars program in the same application cycle. I know firsthand what Schwarzman is looking for: global-minded leaders with a vision and ambitions that transcend borders. But what is arguably more important than your goals is your ability to communicate them with clarity and authenticity. Ever heard a politician you found inauthentic? These Schwarzman reviewers have met more than a few, and siphon the aspiring versions of those people out of the application pool regularly. As your coach, I’ll help you crystallize your mission, draw out your most meaningful experiences, and frame your story in a way that resonates with admissions readers in Beijing and beyond. People I’ve coached have gone on to Stanford GSB, Schwarzman, Harvard, Wharton, and other top programs. I’d love to help you get there too.

I am an incoming Schwarzman Scholar in the 11th cohort at Tsinghua University, where I will pursue a Master’s in Global Affairs. I was selected from a highly competitive pool of more than 5,800 applicants worldwide, with an acceptance rate of approximately 2–3%. Through navigating one of the world’s most selective postgraduate scholarship processes, I bring firsthand insight into what makes a successful application. I support applicants to strategically frame their leadership, academic, and professional experiences into a clear, compelling narrative that differentiates them and resonates with selection committees.

Prestigious Scholarships & Fellowships Qualifications: As a Ph.D. student in Experimental Physics at the University of Texas at Austin, I have developed a comprehensive understanding of the competitive federal fellowship landscape. I have successfully secured funding from the nation’s most rigorous STEM programs, demonstrating a proven ability to communicate complex research to diverse review panels across the Department of Energy (DOE), the National Science Foundation (NSF), and the Department of Defense (DOD). Strategic Success Across Federal Agencies: My expertise is built on a track record of high-level scholarship and successful application strategies: - NNSA Stewardship Science Graduate Fellowship (SSGF): I currently hold this fellowship, which supports my doctoral research in stewardship science and includes a 12-week practicum at an NNSA laboratory. - NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRFP): I was awarded the NSF GRFP in 2025 and subsequently declined it to accept the NNSA SSGF, providing me with unique insight into the differing priorities of these two major funding bodies. - DOD SMART Scholarship: I have navigated the specific requirements of the Department of Defense’s premier scholarship-for-service program. - Glenn T. Seaborg Graduate Research Fellow: I was one of 8–10 candidates nationwide selected by Los Alamos National Laboratory to conduct research in actinide science and radiochemistry. Technical Writing & National Lab Integration: My coaching philosophy focuses on the Technical Narrative—the ability to align specialized research with the broader mission of federal agencies. My background includes: - Mission-Oriented Research: Significant research experience at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Naval Research Laboratory, where I have contributed to projects ranging from medical isotope purification to autonomous robotic swarms. - Publication Record: First-author publications in peer-reviewed journals such as Engineering Reports and Artificial Life and Robotics, ensuring that I can provide high-level editorial feedback on research statements. - Academic Excellence: A history of academic rigor, maintaining a 3.93 Ph.D. GPA at UT Austin and a 4.0 undergraduate GPA in Materials Science and Engineering from Georgia Tech. I specialize in helping applicants identify the "hook" in their research, ensuring that their Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts (or agency-specific equivalents) are presented with clarity and professional authority.

With my personal experience in applying and being successfully selected for competitive scholarships and fellowships, combined with my professional background in consulting and finance, I advise applicants developing scholarship strategies, then in putting forward their strongest applications and crafting compelling narratives. As a Pershing Square Scholar, I pursued dual Master's degrees at Oxford, and previously was a Cornelius Scholar at Vanderbilt University where I completed my Bachelor's degree. I also received the Foreign Language Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship to fund intensive Portuguese study in Brazil and was selected for the Fulbright Program in Italy (which I declined after receiving an offer for the opportunity to work with the UN), as well as smaller scholarships and grants to fund both my undergraduate and graduate education. My expertise includes US undergraduate and graduate scholarships as well as graduate scholarships to study in the UK and Europe, to identify potential scholarships and support your application process. After applying (or if you already applied!) I can also support you in structuring an approach for comparing costs, financial aid, scholarships, and other considerations for different options as you decide which option is the best for you. Scholarship coaching can be combined with and/or complement Masters, MBA, or College coaching.

Welcome to my profile! As a Knight-Hennessy Scholar at Stanford, I have firsthand experience navigating the competitive landscape of prestigious scholarships and fellowships. My academic journey at Stanford includes a Master's degree in International Policy/Cybersecurity and MBA. I have successfully coached many people helping them secure their own prestigious scholarships and admission into their dream schools. These include non-traditional candidates including those with public service and military background. If you're aiming to stand out in your application process, let's connect and craft a strategy that highlights your unique strengths and potential. Reach out to start your journey towards achieving your scholarship goals!