Meet Abdusamed, a distinguished admissions coach and the founder of Sherif Academy, renowned for his expertise in guiding candidates to top MBA programs and prestigious internships.
Abdusamed has a Bachelor’s from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Abdusamed leveraged his high-profile internship experience and Harvard education to establish Sherif Academy. This non-profit organization focuses on assisting students from low socioeconomic backgrounds in gaining admissions to leading colleges and MBA programs and securing Fortune 500 internships. Over five years, Sherif Academy has supported over 5,000 students worldwide, with more than 600 gaining admission to their dream MBA programs.
Abdusamed’s professional network extends to partnerships with key figures in MBA admissions, including the Assistant Dean of MBA Admissions at Harvard, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, and Wharton School. These connections have provided him with deep insights into what top institutions seek in candidates and the nuances of their selection processes. Abdusamed has successfully coached candidates toward acceptance into several elite schools, including Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, and MIT Sloan,
His journey to becoming an admissions coach was inspired by his father's dedication to providing him with the best educational resources. His father's belief in his potential led Abdusamed to excel academically, culminating in his admission to Harvard Business School through the 2+2 Program. This experience instilled in him a desire to provide similar opportunities to others.
Abdusamed's coaching style is characterized by a personalized approach, helping candidates to find and express their unique stories. He collaborates closely with applicants, focusing on their strengths and aspirations to develop tailored strategies. He aims to empower candidates to own their narratives and confidently navigate the competitive admissions landscape.
In his free time, Abdusamed enjoys connecting with founders from underrepresented backgrounds and indulging in his love for sports, including semi-professional soccer and basketball. He is an avid fan of Arsenal and the Lakers.
Meet Alexander, one of our expert admissions coaches with years of experience in all areas of the admissions process - from Ivy League interview coaching to writing counseling.
Alexander has a Bachelor's in Business Administration from George Washington University and an MBA from Columbia Business School. At GWU, he held a leadership position as a counselor in the university writing center. He has also been an interview counselor at Columbia University. Since then, Alexander has worked with Lemonaid, an organization that helps middle and high school students start businesses, which turned into passion projects they could write about when applying to university. Most recently, Alexander's coached students have gotten into Harvard, Princeton, Georgetown, Yale, UC Berkeley, and other top schools.
Alexander is passionate about helping students reach their goals while prompting them to learn more about what makes them unique candidates for any school or program. For him, relying on his unique strengths to craft a narrative tailored to his experience was instrumental to his success. Alexander knows how critical it can be to have someone on your side during the daunting application process and aims to be that person for the students he coaches.
Alexander's extensive mentoring and coaching experience in a higher education setting gives him valuable insight into what top schools are looking for in applicants. At GWU, he coached dozens of students on how to write compelling essays. While at Columbia, his interview counseling experience helped him understand how students can best position their academic and extra-curricular experiences.
In his free time, Alexander is an avid cyclist, swimmer, skier, surfer, and Bay Area sports fan. He is a former collegiate water polo player. He also enjoys reading - especially the New Yorker - and doing the NYT crossword (and now Wordle!).
Alexander excels in coaching students for standardized tests and editing application essays, helping them secure coveted spots in prestigious graduate programs.
Alexander earned an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business. He has extensive experience editing application essays for students applying to graduate school, including MBA and Master’s programs, and is an experienced GMAT and GRE tutor.. Alexander has coached students accepted into INSEAD and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Professionally, Alexander is a reporter for the Wall Street Journal, where he reports on companies facing financial and legal challenges. After completing his undergraduate degree, he spent four years in China, teaching English in a public high school and launching a career in journalism with Princeton Review. His journalistic work focused on international trade and finance. In 2014, he moved to New York, where he shifted his focus to business journalism.
Alexander’s passion for coaching stems from how immensely rewarding it is to see students achieve their goals and get accepted into their dream programs. Seeing students overcome obstacles, develop their potential, and succeed fuels Alexander's dedication to coaching, fostering a profound sense of purpose and fulfillment in his endeavors.
As a coach, Alexander enjoys challenging students and always provides honest and straightforward feedback on essay revisions. He expects students to put significant effort into making sure that their essays are the best they can possibly be. This typically requires multiple rounds of editing and, in some cases, going back to the drawing board to recast essays with a different angle or theme. However, Alexander always tries to make the process enjoyable and rewarding for a positive overall experience.
Outside of coaching, Alexander plays basketball and guitar. He also loves spending time with his three-year-old son.
Allan is an accomplished admissions coach with over a decade of experience guiding students through the intricate and competitive admissions landscape. Professionally, Allan is a senior leader at Shell, a Fortune 10 company.
Allan has a Bachelor’s from Cornell University and an MBA from Chicago Booth School of Business, where he played a crucial role as an alumni interviewer for prospective and admitted students for over five years. Allan's extensive admissions experience spans a diverse spectrum, covering admissions consultation for early and high school candidates, essay preparation, extracurricular activity strategies, and comprehensive support for undergraduate and MBA programs. Students he has recently coached have been admitted to several top-tier schools, such as Cornell, Northwestern, and Penn.
As a first-generation college student, Allan intimately understands the challenges and complexities of the admissions process. This experience fuels his passion for supporting and guiding students through their application journey. He enjoys seeing students and their families celebrate success, instilling confidence in the application journey.
Allan's greatest strengths lie in his ability to break down the application process into manageable steps, providing clarity and purpose for each aspect. His coaching style focuses on understanding the rationale behind application components, enabling students to build intentional and meaningful applications.
Allan excels in transforming students' shortcomings into strengths, creating applicant profiles that resonate with admissions officers beyond grades and test scores. He encourages applicants to find strength in their weaknesses, emphasizing resilience and competitiveness throughout the application process. He believes perfection is not a prerequisite for success; embracing one's unique journey can make the application stand out.
Outside coaching, Allan enjoys playing and competing in badminton tournaments and exploring the world with his wife and two children.
Meet Alleah, a dedicated admissions coach ready to guide individuals through their MBA application journey.
Alleah has earned a Bachelor’s from Brandeis University and is pursuing an MBA at Duke Fuqua. While at Brandeis University, she served as an Admissions Interviewer, gaining a valuable perspective into the application review process. Her greatest learnings from this experience include understanding the qualities sought by admissions committees, nuances between different business schools' criteria, and the importance of holistic candidate evaluation.
Alleah brings a rich background in coaching students, including prospective MBA candidates, through their application process with her non-profit organization, Mother’s Legacy Foundation. She has also been coached by MBA admission professionals, gaining invaluable insights into the admissions process and learning the key tools needed to be a strong candidate. Alleah's guidance has helped students secure acceptance to several top-tier schools, including Fuqua, Ross, Kellogg, and Tuck.
Alleah finds it genuinely invigorating to witness individuals' transformative journeys. It's incredibly fulfilling for her to be a catalyst in someone's growth, aiding them in unlocking their potential and achieving their goals. Alleah’s joy comes from seeing the tangible impact of guidance and support in someone's life, building meaningful connections while guiding individuals, and learning as much from her mentees as they do from her. Alleah is devoted to supporting every candidate, not just as an advisor/coach but as someone who understands the importance of a well-rounded, genuine application that reflects their true selves.
Alleah is a people person, and her greatest strengths are personalized mentorship, strategic guidance, and holistic development. She leverages a blend of interactive yet reflective and productive, one-on-one coaching sessions to create a dynamic learning environment in her sessions and for overall coaching relationships. Alleah's coaching methodology prioritizes fostering a deep understanding of each student’s personal and professional goals and enhancing that with their personal stories. She enjoys encouraging students to remember that the application process isn't just about showcasing academic achievements—it's about painting a holistic picture of who they are—embracing passions, sharing unique stories, and letting authenticity shine.
In her downtime, Alleah thrives on variety. Whether catching the latest blockbuster at the movies, jetting off to new destinations to satisfy her wanderlust, cheering passionately at soccer and basketball games, or embarking on adventures with her beloved Goldendoodle, she finds joy in every moment. These activities keep Alleah balanced, energized, and constantly seeking new experiences. Plus, having a furry companion beside her makes every adventure memorable!
Allie has extensive experience in higher education admissions and is dedicated to helping candidates craft compelling narratives that elevate their applications.
Allie earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pennsylvania, a Master's from Harvard Kennedy School, and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania. She has coached over 75 MBA and deferred MBA applicants over the last four years. Students she has helped have been accepted into the M7 schools, with notable and consistent success at HBS, Wharton, and Booth.
Allie has deep experience in higher education admissions, serving as a writing coach and alumni interviewer at the University of Pennsylvania. She has also supported the development of two graduate and undergraduate courses that help students translate their academic passions into professional career goals.
Professionally, Allie has worked in investment banking at Goldman Sachs, management consulting at the Boston Consulting Group, impact investing at Omidyar Network, and endowment investing at Rockefeller University.
Allie is passionate about helping MBA candidates gain acceptance into their top-choice schools. She loves supporting people as they work to identify their “why” and their professional North Star. She understands how it is easier to be reactive to professional opportunities rather than proactive in creating the kind of career that you want after college, and she gets such satisfaction helping candidates take control over their narrative and conduct deep thinking about not only what they want out of their career, but also their life more holistically. Allie loves working with candidates one-on-one, getting to know them at such an exciting stage of life, and strategically plotting ways to preserve optionality and maximize their potential.
Allie’s greatest strengths as a coach include working with candidates to co-create compelling narratives that showcase their distinct personal and professional paths. Together, she puts applicants through the "business school therapy" process—getting into the weeds of what motivates a candidate as an individual and how that motivation translates into their professional aspirations. Brainstorming and developing a candidate narrative is her favorite part of the application process and where she can add the most value.
Allie believes that developing an MBA application is like a layered cake. She works with students to combine their work experience, extracurriculars, and personal passions into a coherent storyline for AdCom. Allie has a deep knowledge of the M7 programs and helps candidates identify the right resources to utilize in their essays to round them out.
As a coach, Allie is very direct and incredibly responsive. She is willing to work as fast as the student is and she is a strong project manager who will follow up to ensure the candidate meets deadlines.
Allie grew up in Westchester County, NY. She enjoys practicing Ashtanga yoga, experimenting with cinnamon roll recipes, and hiking throughout New England.
Aman has a Bachelor's from Rutgers University, a Master's from Johns Hopkins University, and an MBA from The Darden School of Business. Having served as an admissions interviewer at Darden and actively participating in the admissions process for two consecutive years, Aman gained valuable insights. During this time, he discovered that Darden places high value on a candidate's potential contributions to the university, emphasizing the narrative behind their MBA pursuit, and the meaningful connections within that story. Furthermore, Aman found that the admissions committee at Darden values candidates who make the effort to visit the school, seeing it as a demonstration of their commitment. Aman's expertise has been instrumental in guiding candidates to successful acceptances at esteemed institutions such as HBS, Tuck, Darden, Columbia, Yale, Georgetown, and others.
As a former teacher, Aman loves the opportunity to take what he learned and help make other people's lives easier. He has also been a basketball coach, SAT tutor, and mentor at university multiple times, truly enjoying the process of mentoring.
Aman's greatest strengths lie in his exceptional ability to cultivate understanding and adaptability tailored to each individual. His distinctive approach blends being very specific with thought-provoking insights, aiming not to prescribe actions but to guide individuals toward self-discovery and growth through their own efforts. In the application process, he strategically places considerable weight on financial considerations and the pursuit of potential scholarships, as he himself was awarded the prestigious Jefferson Fellowship, a full scholarship at Darden.
Aman is a member of the Consortium, understanding its ranking system and emphasizing commitment to its mission in his applications. In his free time, he enjoys watching movies, hanging out with friends and family, playing golf and basketball, and coaching basketball.
Amanda brings a wealth of experience in admissions and coaching, grounded in her passion for guiding students toward their educational and career goals.
Amanda graduated with an MBA from the University of Michigan and was selected for the Ross School of Business Admissions Student Committee. She worked for two years during business school as both an interviewer and applicant reader/evaluator. Amanda learned that it is easy to tell which candidates were sincerely interested in attending Ross. If candidates couldn't clearly state how their interests lined up with the strength of their school, then it left an impression that those candidates were not serious about attending.
Amanda’s passion for coaching stems from how rewarding she finds passing her knowledge and skills to others. Amanda worked in the corporate world for many years and then transitioned to the nonprofit industry. Now that she is coaching, Amanda feels a similar excitement to help change the trajectory of someone's future. She enjoys laying the foundation for lifelong learning when guiding first-generation students in college decisions.
As a coach, Amanda first builds a rapport with students and understands the importance of gaining trust in a new relationship. She excels at keeping open lines of communication, so students know they can rely on her during the application process. Amanda also works collaboratively to set realistic goals and deadlines. She highlights the positive aspects of a student's background and is always there to support students on their journey.
Amanda was in a unique situation. She applied to business school at the same time as her husband. So, in both of their applications, they added an extra statement to say they planned to attend graduate school together and asked that the school select or reject them both. It was a risk that paid off because they ended up attending Ross together.
When Amanda is not coaching, she likes to travel, go on nature walks, practice yoga, and read.
Anurag brings a lifelong passion for teaching and mentoring to guide MBA candidates through the intricate process of gaining admission to top-tier business schools.
Anurag has a Bachelor’s from Stanford University and an MBA from the Chicago Booth School of Business, where he served as an Admissions Fellow during his second year. In this role, he contributed to the application review process and interviewed prospective students. Post-graduation, he continued to share his insights as an Alumni Interviewer at Booth, interacting with numerous applicants worldwide. Professionally, Anurag has nine years of experience at top technology and consumer companies, including Apple, Nike, and T-Mobile.
Anurag's journey began as a teaching assistant at Stanford during his college years, fostering his dedication to supporting and guiding others. His coaching style is firmly grounded in transparent, growth-oriented feedback. Anurag believes in being direct yet compassionate when discussing areas for improvement, embodying a growth mindset mentality. Before offering guidance, he prioritizes actively listening to each person's story and gathering comprehensive background information to contextualize their capabilities and aspirations.
When working with MBA candidates, Anurag aims to empower them to express their authentic voice. Drawing from his experience navigating the application process, he understands the challenges of articulating rich, multi-faceted experiences within tight word limits. Anurag’s approach is collaborative rather than prescriptive, engaging in discussions to identify and highlight compelling aspects of their unique journey.
Anurag's greatest strengths lie in his ability to provide insightful guidance and collaborate with candidates effectively. Having successfully aided applicants in gaining admission to esteemed institutions such as Wharton, Booth, and Columbia, he brings a wealth of knowledge about the specific criteria and comprehensive assessment approaches employed by admissions committees.
Anurag became intricately familiar with Booth's distinct criteria and approach to holistically assessing applicants across various dimensions, including academic preparedness, professional accomplishments, leadership potential, communication skills, and other intangibles indicating one's likelihood of success in business school and beyond. Anurag also honed his ability to discern applicants' authentic motivations and genuine interest in the school during interviews.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Anurag enjoys playing and watching soccer and tennis, engaging in experimental cooking, exploring the Pacific Northwest through hiking, and immersing himself in non-fiction literature.
Meet Augie, an expert admissions coach who is passionate about helping students get into their dream school, and who understands how to demonstrate growing from past mistakes to build a strong application.
Augie has a Bachelor's degree in Management Science and Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business. Augie has also served as an interviewer for Stanford. Since joining the Inspira team, applicants Augie has recently coached have gotten accepted to several top schools, including Stanford University, The University of Chicago, and Vanderbilt University.
Augie’s passion for coaching stems from learning from his own experience as an applicant, and wanting to pass his knowledge on to the next generation of graduates. Augie strongly believes that the key to university admissions is learning from each moment in your life and taking that knowledge with you throughout the application process. He specializes in working with reapplicants, and in framing your weak points as strengths in your application.
Augie’s greatest strengths come from his experience. He has learned from his position as an interviewer at Stanford that a student's academic profile is just one aspect of their application; schools are looking for well-rounded candidates rather than just smart candidates. He understands that applicants often don't apply to schools they would excel at due to the confusing and intimidating application process. He aims to demystify the process, helping students navigate through it, tackle any challenges head-on, and put their best foot forward.
In his spare time, Augie enjoys sailing, single-engine aircraft flying, road-tripping, and trying restaurants.
With a diverse career journey and entrepreneurship experience, David is skilled at offering a distinctive blend of guidance, technical expertise, and conscientious support to help individuals achieve their personal and professional goals.
David holds a Bachelor of Business from Emory University and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. His experience includes being part of the Dean's Student Admission Council (DSAC) at Chicago Booth, where he served as an application reader and interviewer. He remained actively involved as an alumni interviewer for ten years after graduation. David has successfully assisted candidates in gaining acceptance to institutions such as Chicago Booth and Emory University's Goizueta School of Business.
David's passion for coaching and tutoring stems from his unconventional career path, combining a JD/MBA with entrepreneurship. This diverse journey has given him a unique and broad perspective that he enjoys sharing. Additionally, David has had the opportunity to coach and mentor highly accomplished individuals, learning valuable lessons from them.
David excels as a reliable sounding board, offering technical expertise and acting as a moral compass. He believes that this combination allows individuals to develop a sense of what they need to do to achieve their goals, and it's then a matter of fine-tuning the approach and staying accountable. For MBA applicants, David emphasizes the challenging nature of the application process, highlighting the required introspection. He notes that the process goes beyond technical and administrative aspects, delving into the emotional realm. David recognizes that this emotional component adds challenges. It makes the journey meaningful and enjoyable, forcing candidates to reflect on their past experiences and how an MBA can contribute to their personal and professional transformation.
In his free time, David is an avid NHL hockey fan, enjoys traveling, and has taken up cooking since the onset of the pandemic.
Francis is committed to coaching and empowering others to achieve their personal and professional aspirations.
Education & Experience
Francis has earned an MBA from Columbia Business School. Professionally, he served as a
Senior Consultant for Financial Transactions at Deloitte and interned at Stavvy. In this Boston-based fintech startup, he supported the development and execution of product and business strategies as a Business Operations intern. Francis also has experience in the Corporate Strategy group of MUFG, a large multinational wholesale bank, supporting strategic planning and advisory activities across business units in the Americas. Additionally, he was a management consultant, partnering with leading financial and TMT clients in corporate and business unit strategy, operations, and technology transformation. Further, he performed financial analyses and valuation assessments for acquisitions and portfolio companies held by TMT and private equity clients to aid in their management planning processes.
Passion for Coaching
Francis’ passion for coaching stems from feeling fulfilled and honored whenever he can help someone achieve a personal or professional goal. As someone who did not have a proper professional mentor growing up, he can understand how one might feel lost or discouraged from certain opportunities. Francis loves to dispel the notion that certain goals are unrealistic and bridge the gap by leveraging his past experiences.
Greatest Strengths
When coaching, Francis excels at building rapport with applicants from the very beginning and understanding their full story. This, in turn, allows him to provide more constructive guidance when assessing targeted schools and editing their resumes and essays. He also makes sure the applicant discusses their expectations of partnering with him so everything is clear from the start.
More About Francis
Outside of coaching, Francis enjoys traveling, going to concerts, doing the NYT crossword puzzles, and cooking.
Howie is skilled at leveraging his positive attitude and personal connections to coach candidates for admission into prestigious institutions.
Howie has earned a Bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. Howie has successfully guided candidates to acceptance at various prestigious institutions, including Yale School of Management, Harvard Business School, University of Chicago (Booth), University of Michigan (Ross), Dartmouth (Tuck), Northwestern University (Kellogg), and New York University (Stern).
Howie initially began by editing essays and reviewing applications. He discovered a genuine enjoyment in assisting individuals through a challenging process. Recognizing the transformative potential of education, he finds joy and personal satisfaction in enabling people to make informed decisions about their academic journey, considering its profound impact on their lives and finances.
Howie emphasizes maintaining a positive attitude and offering encouragement based on each candidate's unique qualities and stories, including those from non-traditional backgrounds. One significant takeaway from his experience is that schools invest considerable effort in connecting with prospective students. Howie emphasizes that participating in events is an excellent way for candidates to learn about the school while demonstrating genuine interest.
In his free time, Howie expresses a deep love for music. He has been playing the piano since age five and the flute since elementary school. When not engaged in practice sessions, he enjoys listening to classical music and actively seeks out concerts to attend.
Isaias is passionate about helping others climb their ladder of success and is currently a Business Management Consultant.
Isaias holds a Bachelor’s from Hobart and William Smith College and an MBA from the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia. In his second year of business school, Isaias served as an Admission Representative, conducting interviews for the MBA program at Darden, where he learned the value of diversity and equity during the interview process and the importance of a holistic approach. Moreover, as a Program Manager at YearUp, he helped students become successful within Fortune 500 companies and secure full-time employment upon graduating. Throughout his career, Isaias has managed several non-profits, was recognized in the New York Times for his impact, and was accredited by the Aspen Institute for the American Express Leadership Institute.
Isaias is passionate about coaching and tutoring due to his extensive experience working with students throughout his career, helping them achieve their goals inside and outside the classroom.
Isaias’ coaching style is characterized by high support and high expectations. He is committed to providing students with all the necessary resources for success, making it easier for candidates to reciprocate the effort invested.
In his free time, Isaias enjoys staying active as a Peloton rider and indulges in leisure activities such as fishing and golfing.
Meet Jaime, a dedicated and experienced coach who enjoys steering students and professionals toward achieving their academic and career goals.
Jamie holds a Bachelor’s from the University of California, Berkeley, a Master’s from Princeton University, and an MBA from The Wharton School of Business. His journey in coaching began at Wharton, where he assisted prospective MBA candidates, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds, in navigating the complexities of the admissions process. This included crafting compelling personal narratives, refining essay drafts, and offering interview guidance. Jaime's commitment to diversity in education extended to his work with Management Leadership for Tomorrow (MLT), a non-profit focused on increasing the representation of diverse candidates in business schools. In his role at MLT, Jaime played a crucial role in coaching candidates, guiding tailoring their applications to various institutions, and enhancing their professional resumes to highlight their impact
Additionally, Jaime has a rich history of mentoring junior consultants within his professional sphere, offering insights into the viability of the business school and providing targeted support in essay writing and editing. His track record includes successfully guiding candidates to gain admission to top business schools such as Wharton, Yale SOM, Berkeley Haas, and Columbia.
Jaime's passion for coaching stems from his enthusiasm for understanding and supporting individuals' aspirations. He finds immense satisfaction in seeing people achieve their goals and considers it an honor to be part of their success.
His coaching style is a balanced blend of support and direction tailored to the needs of each candidate. Jaime emphasizes a goal-oriented approach, ensuring that conversations remain focused on achieving the objectives while allowing candidates to steer their course.
Jaime is an avid traveler, having explored 54 countries! He enjoys hiking, swimming, and cherishing moments with friends and family. His global experiences and diverse interests add depth to his coaching, enabling him to connect with candidates from various backgrounds.
Jane brings a wealth of experience in career management coaching, mentorship, and MBA admissions support to guide aspiring applicants through the process.
Jane has earned two Bachelor’s degrees, one from the University of Pennsylvania and one from The Huntsman Dual Degree Program in The Wharton School and College of Arts & Sciences. She also holds an MBA from Harvard Business School. Jane has significant experience with career management coaching, mentorship, and MBA admissions support, specifically in resume and essay editing, personal storytelling/narrative crafting, and mock interviewing.
She has also worked with many candidates from international and industry backgrounds in financial services (i.e., VC, PE, banking), top-tier and Big Four management consulting, and tech (startups/big tech backgrounds, such as product managers, designers, and engineers).
For several reasons, Jane is deeply passionate about educational and career coaching and consulting. Firstly, having benefited from this journey, she believes in the transformative power of education and career advancement. Guiding aspiring business leaders through the complex MBA admissions process is not just about securing a spot in a desired, prestigious program; it's about opening doors to a world of opportunities and personal growth beyond the MBA.
With her track record of applying to and getting accepted into top-tier MBA programs, Jane hopes to impart invaluable expertise to help others navigate the intricacies of the application journey effectively and ultimately have the best chance of tapping into that empowerment. There's also nothing more rewarding than witnessing the joy and fulfillment of other people achieving their aspirations and dreams.
Jane’s greatest strength lies in her ability to balance expertise, empathy, and empowerment. She excels at offering a personalized approach, acknowledging each candidate's strengths, weaknesses, and goals. Jane is excellent at providing guidance and support by leveraging her expertise while critically fostering a candidate's independence and self-discovery.
Her style incorporates active listening, clear communication, and constructive feedback to help students navigate the complexities of the application process with confidence and clarity. She also aims to foster fun, collaborative, and empowering learning environments to encourage students to unlock their fullest potential on the application.
When Jane isn’t coaching, she loves to read, people-watch, travel, golf, and explore new neighborhoods' cafes & bookstores.
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Meet Jean, an MBA graduate from Oxford University, dedicated to coaching individuals towards their aspirations with a personable approach
Jean holds an MBA from Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford, where she served as the MBA Class Co-President and Co-Chair of the Morality, Ethics, and Business Club. She has also helped candidates get accepted into Saïd Business School.
Jean’s passion for coaching stems from her love of helping people achieve their vision, dreams, and purpose. She understands rejection in the MBA process as she didn't get into her chosen school with her first application. So, Jean is passionate about helping candidates improve their applications and explain their new narrative to their prospective schools.
As a coach, Jean excels at helping students see what makes them unique, identifying their strengths, interests, or experiences, and creating a compelling story. She is personable and approachable but also honest, respectful, and direct when giving feedback.
In her free time, Jean writes weekly devotionals and has a Christian book review podcast. She enjoys singing worship music, attending church, and watching cozy mysteries from any era, like Columbo, thrillers, and kids' TV shows like The Adventures of Paddington. Jean also enjoys watching sports and is a big fan of the Olympics. Plus, city breaks are her favorite type of holiday.
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Meet Jennifer, a London Business School alumna who draws on her diverse experiences and empathetic approach to guide MBA candidates through the complexities of the admissions journey.
Jennifer has earned a Bachelor’s degree from Columbia University, an MBA from the University of Hong Kong, and an MBA from the London Business School. As a student ambassador at London Business School, she collaborated closely with admissions teams, pivotal in identifying high-potential candidates, providing guidance to streamline their application journey, and facilitating successful conversions for admitted students.
Jennifer also has experience working with MBA candidates from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from industries as varied as finance, technology, healthcare, and beyond, as well as different continents. This provides her with a breadth of experiences to draw upon in her mentoring. Interacting with candidates across different stages of their MBA journey, Jennifer navigated the complexities of their unique circumstances, whether varying rounds of application, cultural differences, or industry-specific challenges.
Her role as a student ambassador extended beyond academic advising to encompass holistic support, addressing concerns ranging from standardized test preparation to interview readiness. Collaborating with individuals from across the globe, Jennifer cultivated a deep understanding of future MBA students' nuanced needs and aspirations, facilitating their successful navigation through the rigorous admissions process. She has coached students accepted to Wharton, Columbia Business School, NYU, London Business School, and HEC Paris.
Jennifer’s passion for coaching comes from her joy in connecting with individuals on a personal level and supporting them on their journey toward achieving their aspirations. Each person's story is unique, and she finds immense fulfillment in getting to know them on a deeper level and understanding their dreams, fears, and motivations. As a mentor, Jennifer aims to be more than just an advisor; she strives to be a trusted resource and confidant, providing a supportive presence for candidates to lean on during moments of uncertainty or stress.
Jennifer takes pride in uplifting others, offering encouragement, and celebrating their successes. Being a sounding board for candidates allows her to provide insights, guidance, and empathy, fostering a sense of camaraderie and understanding amidst the challenges of the application process. Witnessing the excitement and sense of achievement in candidates as they progress through their MBA journey is incredibly rewarding.
Ultimately, Jennifer’s goal is to empower individuals to navigate the complexities of the admissions process with confidence and clarity, knowing that they have a dedicated ally cheering them on every step of the way.
Jennifer’s greatest strengths lie in her clarity, effectiveness, and empathy, which are her guiding principles. She believes in providing feedback that is not only constructive but also actionable and unambiguous. Each recommendation is accompanied by thorough comments, drawing upon best practices, industry insights, and personal experiences to explain the reasoning behind my suggestions.
Jennifer strives to cultivate an environment of trust and open communication where candidates feel empowered to voice their concerns, seek clarification, and actively engage in the coaching process. She excels at demystifying the complexities of the MBA application journey, offering practical guidance rooted in experience. She approaches each interaction with empathy, adaptability, and a commitment to excellence.
In her downtime, Jennifer has a passion for dance, particularly in Latin styles such as salsa, merengue, and bachata. She is also a fan of street art and often goes on tours to learn more about topics and interests the locals care about. Jennifer took advantage of her free time during her MBA to travel to 32 countries and counting, visiting six continents in four months. Outside of her hobbies, you can find her working on her business venture and exploring the rollercoaster of entrepreneurship.
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Jesse is a Manhattan-based attorney, barred in New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, who excels at helping students get accepted into prestigious MBA programs.
Education & Experience
Jesse graduated with a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University, an MBA from USC Marshall School of Business, and a JD from the USC Gould School of Law. He is professionally proficiency in Mandarin and has mentored international Chinese students and MBA, JD, PhD, and undergraduate applicants for over eight years at USC and Emory. Jesse currently serves as an admissions coach for undergraduate and law school applicants. Students he has worked with have been accepted into prestigious institutions, including USC, Emory, Northwestern, NYU, UCLA, and Georgetown.
Passion for Coaching
Jesse understands how anxiety-provoking the admissions process can be. His goal is to be a support system for people navigating the process. Jesse’s passion for coaching stems from being the first in his family to obtain a JD or an MBA, so he especially understands how difficult the process can be for those with no connections or mentors in the business or legal fields. As a consultant, he strives to even the playing field so all students, no matter their background, are able to maximize their chances of admission to their dream schools.
Greatest Strengths
Jesse’s greatest strength as a coach is his ability to be creative, comprehensive, tough, straightforward, and honest. He also excels at helping candidates particularly interested in entrepreneurship since his MBA concentration was in entrepreneurial studies and emerging markets through USC’s Lloyd Greif program.
More About Jesse
Outside of work, Jesse enjoys weightlifting, cooking/meal prepping, listening to crime podcasts, and exploring new restaurants in NYC.
Julianne is an experienced admissions consultant who enjoys helping applicants gain clarity and confidence throughout the MBA admissions process.
After earning her Bachelor of Arts in Religion from Williams College and attending the International Culinary Center, Julianne received her MBA at UC Berkeley-Haas. At Haas, she served as a peer career coach, gaining first-hand experience guiding students through the college admissions process. Her mentorship led many students toward acceptance to prestigious institutions like Stern and Haas.
Julianne believes that advising MBA applicants is like polishing a diamond—the potential for brilliance is there, but some guidance can help reveal the true inner beauty. She specializes in developing personal statements, as many students struggle to summarize their goals and experiences effectively. She collaborates with each applicant to facilitate self-reflection and help them clearly articulate their aspirations. When the admissions process feels daunting, Julianne listens closely to understand each applicant's goals and needs. Her thoughtful feedback gently pushes applicants out of their comfort zone while building confidence through supportive criticism. Her supportive approach emphasizes encouragement over pressure, allowing applicants to confidently present their authentic selves.
Having navigated the MBA admissions process herself, Julianne understands its challenges but also its immense rewards. With a talent for reframing experiences into compelling narratives, Julianne shines a spotlight on applicants' proficiencies, simplifying the complex admissions process. By establishing trust and aligning visions, she empowers applicants to put forth an authentic, passionate application that stays true to who they are.
Julianne worked in brand management at Dreyer’s/Edy’s before pursuing her business degree. While at the ice cream company, she demonstrated her marketing talents by launching a new product line called the "Rocky Road Collection." She has also worked as a private chef, ran a food blog and culinary consultancy, and competed on the Food Network. Julianne loves cooking, playing tennis, and spending time with her family.
Meet Julie, an experienced educator and mentor who, as the Admissions Director for Inspira Futures, helps students and professionals reach their career goals.
Julie holds an MA and three undergraduate degrees from the University of Georgia. She has worked in education for nearly twenty years as an administrator, department chair, teacher, advisor, global education director, and coach. At the core of her educational philosophy is meeting students where they are and building a positive rapport to establish trust. Over the years, Julie has assisted students with admissions to elite institutions at all higher education levels, allowing her to witness how powerful differentiated, personalized learning can be for students who have previously struggled with assessments.
Julie’s motivation for coaching comes from a desire to provide an encouraging and honest experience for students and candidates. She believes that no one should feel discouraged going through the application process and that everyone should always know that there is a path forward, with a clear understanding of where they stand and how to achieve their goals.
Julie prides herself on being easy to talk to, honest, and direct with candidates. She also excels at breaking down the admissions process and meeting students where they are. Julie enjoys helping students maximize their profiles and pursue their aspirations, aiding them on their journey to top-tier colleges, including the Ivys.
In her spare time, Julie enjoys hanging out with her daughters, coaching lacrosse, and traveling.
With a wealth of experience from MIT Sloan and a passion for helping others, Kasie is a dedicated educational consultant who excels in mentoring and coaching graduate school applicants to achieve their dreams.
Kasie has earned an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management. She has worked with several MBA candidates, supporting them in graduate school selection and teaching them the best practices in crafting a concise resume and engaging essays. Kasie has also engaged candidates through several personalized mock interview rounds to help them build their confidence. Students she has coached have been accepted into MIT Sloan, Harvard Law, and Rice University's Jones Graduate School of Business. Professionally, Kasie serves as a Senior Strategy Consultant at Deloitte.
Kasie believes coaching and tutoring help people accelerate to their full potential, which is why she is so passionate about mentorship. Kasie has worked with a diverse range of students, including high schoolers, MBA and JD candidates, and other graduate degree programs. Her focus is supporting the applicant in understanding the ‘why’ (or north star) in their academic ambitions.
Kasie has guided graduate school candidates in crafting applications that truly reflect their unique stories across their resumes, essays, video recordings, and more. She also assists them with choosing the right people to ask for recommendation letters. She focuses on helping students craft a unique application and ensuring the admissions board sees this uniqueness.
Kasie’s greatest strengths lie in how collaborative, open, honest, and practical she is as a coach. She encourages applicants to be candid and straightforward about what they want or do not want out of life and a career. Kasie puts this into practice by encouraging my mentees to jot down their reflections, which will then be turned into factors with different weights and used to make choices in school selection and application, career, and life.
In her free time, Kasie enjoys tennis, yoga, strength training, long walks, baking, reading a good fiction novel, visiting a museum, and spending time with friends and family.
Lex is a dedicated and experienced admissions counselor. Having served on the Yale admissions committee, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
Lex holds a Bachelor’s from Beijing University of Chemical Technology and an MBA from Yale SOM, where he served as an Admissions Interviewer. His greatest learning from this role is that adcoms are eager to understand how candidates have handled adversity, work within teams, and hope to contribute to their program. Lex has a strong academic background and extensive MBA admissions consulting experience, having successfully helped candidates gain acceptance into prestigious institutions such as Yale, Columbia, Wharton, Chicago Booth, and Harvard. Professionally, Lex has held several roles within the finance sector, including at Bank of America and Amazon.
Lex's passion for coaching is deeply rooted in his own journey through the MBA admissions process. Having benefited from the guidance of friends and mentors, he is keen on giving back and assisting others in navigating their educational paths. His approach imparts knowledge and empowers students to connect their past experiences with future aspirations.
Lex's greatest strengths lie in his adaptable and flexible coaching style. He excels in live and asynchronous coaching, focusing on understanding how his students learn best and tailoring his methods accordingly. This personalized approach ensures that each student's learning and development are maximized.
Outside of his professional life, Lex is an avid soccer fan, enthusiastically supporting Arsenal. He enjoys staying active and engaged in various hobbies, including hiking, watching soccer, playing video games, and reading.
Elizabeth brings a focused background in learning and development, education, technology, and impact-driven startups to her extensive tutoring and mentoring career.
Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s degree from UCLA and an MBA from INSEAD. Her background and career focus are on learning and development, education, technology, and impact-driven startups. She has over five years of experience in cross-functional, global teams, which has instilled in her the importance of building trusted relationships and inspiring a shared project vision.
Elizabeth has fostered positive relationships with multiple strategic accounts, including Fortune 500 companies across industries. Her skill sets include leading strategic initiatives from ideation to deployment, solving complex problems, developing efficient solutions, and building high-performing teams. Naturally curious, she constantly seeks to learn new skills and improve processes.
Elizabeth has specialized in strong relationship-building and prioritized strategy and operations throughout her professional journey. While at INSEAD, she led three clubs and did a lot of work through classes partnering with NGOs to improve and advise on strategic operations—such as working with an international NGO in Gambia to expand access to clubfoot treatment.
Elizabeth is very passionate about helping others elevate their exposure and ability to receive a quality education. She’s spent much of her life working with youth and is a general grad school consultant. She understands the importance of maintaining a growth mindset and being curious about life and learning. Only through the furtherance of education can we work to improve our lives, gain access to better opportunities, and make a difference (in whatever way we desire).
Elizabeth’s greatest strengths lie in her coaching style, which is focused on positivity and a collaborative, personalized approach - adaptable to each candidate's style and profile needs. She excels at partnering with students, working together in coaching, and building up what they need rather than being a one-way street. Elizabeth is excellent at focusing on the holistic promotion of a person's abilities rather than a singular trait, and she is creative in showcasing their various strengths through their application.
In her free time, Elizabeth loves baking cakes (or any baked goods in general), learning new languages, reading a good book, and being active outside—playing soccer or running. She also loves working with kids, so depending on the season, she'll volunteer during the soccer season or tutor first—and second-graders.
Margarita is a seasoned admissions coach and a former admissions interviewer renowned for her personalized approach and deep understanding of the MBA admissions landscape.
Margarita holds two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Delaware and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Over the years, Margarita has dedicated herself to coaching MBA candidates, leveraging her extensive marketing experience and startup executive experience. Her expertise has guided numerous applicants in gaining admission into top MBA programs at prestigious schools, including HBS, Stanford GSB, and Wharton. Additionally, Margarita's background includes significant experience as a college admissions interviewer, giving her a unique insight into what admissions committees seek.
Margarita's passion for coaching stems from her love of connecting with individuals, understanding their aspirations, and assisting them in realizing their dreams through an MBA. She excels in uncovering the essence of a candidate's story and strategically positioning them to align with their desired program's mission. Her enthusiasm is rooted in her belief that an MBA can be a transformative experience that helps individuals achieve their goals.
Her greatest strengths lie in her ability to deeply understand each applicant's unique narrative and provide a customized, thoughtful approach to their application. Margarita views herself as a hands-on mentor, guiding candidates through the complexities of the MBA admissions process with specific, constructive feedback. Her approach is holistic, addressing all aspects of the application process to ensure the best possible presentation of each candidate.
In her free time, Margarita enjoys playing tennis and pickleball and traveling the world with her children.
With a strong academic foundation and a versatile professional background, Matt excels in guiding others toward success.
Education & Experience
Matt has a Bachelor’s degree from Brown University and an MBA from Harvard Business School. During his time at Brown, he served as a student counselor and an admissions lead for diverse student groups. He was also in charge of outreach and advisory efforts for the Global Fulbright Commission and the QuestBridge Scholars Network. At HBS, he was hired as a careers services coach to help students prepare for career transitions, case interviews, and thesis development.
Professionally, Matt has worked in investing at Credit Suisse and Social Finance, consulting at Deloitte, and as an operator at various venture-backed startups.
Passion for Coaching
Matt is passionate about coaching candidates who want to take their narrative to the next level. As a seasoned coach, facilitator, and former educator, he knows how to blend empathy and accountability to guide candidates successfully through the daunting MBA application process.
Matt is a former HBS leadership coaching researcher who loves motivating candidates using different coaching methodologies. He deeply values the reciprocal nature of a coaching relationship.
Greatest Strengths
Through deep reflection exercises and actionable feedback, Matt aims to ensure that everyone he works with is equipped to reach their professional goals and that their multidimensional interests and identities are evident throughout the coaching relationship.
More About Matt
Matt is an avid runner, dancer, and fan of all things sci-fi. When not in the studio or hanging out with friends, he loves to illustrate (designs and tattoos), explore mindfulness content, and contribute to community-building efforts.
Introducing Michael, a seasoned admissions coach committed to uncovering the hidden potential in students and steering them toward achieving their aspirations.
Michael holds a Bachelor’s from Northwestern University and an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management. As President of the Hispanic Management Association at Kellogg, he was instrumental in recruiting and aiding candidates through their application processes. His unique position allowed him to collaborate closely with admissions directors, gaining valuable insights into applicant evaluation.
Michael's guidance in resume and essay review, along with interview preparation, significantly increased the enrollment of Hispanic students at Kellogg. Additionally, his involvement in reviewing applications for prestigious MBA fellowships like MLT and the Robert Toigo Foundation and his experience as an admissions interviewer and reader for MBA fellowship programs further showcase his comprehensive expertise in the field. As a mentor and advisor, Michael has successfully guided students into top institutions, including Kellogg, Chicago Booth, and Wharton.
Michael's journey as the first in his family to earn an MBA fuels his passion for coaching. He empathizes with applicants' challenges and self-doubts and is dedicated to demystifying the application process. His coaching philosophy centers on uplifting others, helping them realize their potential, and guiding them to achieve their goals. The fulfillment he derives from aiding candidates in reaching what once seemed unattainable goals is the cornerstone of his coaching ethos.
Michael's message to MBA applicants is one of hope and resilience. He empathizes with self-doubt and acknowledges that while the path to top MBA programs may be challenging, it is achievable with hard work, strong interviews, essays, and effective networking. His journey is a testament to the possibility of overcoming perceived limitations and achieving one's dream school admission.
Michael's coaching style is highly personalized, eschewing a one-size-fits-all approach. He emphasizes the importance of initial discovery calls to tailor his coaching to individual needs, whether it involves frequent check-ins or boosting confidence. His organized methodology includes creating a clear roadmap and regularly reviewing progress towards milestones, ensuring a structured and effective coaching experience.
In his free time, Michael is deeply involved in local politics, holding a leadership role in his party organization and making history as the youngest elected official in his region. His commitment to community and leadership extends beyond his professional life.
Mosea is committed to steering aspiring individuals toward academic and professional triumph, drawing inspiration from his ongoing MBA journey at the Chicago Booth School of Business
Mosea holds a Bachelor's degree from Swarthmore College and is pursuing an MBA from the Chicago Booth School of Business. Drawing from his ongoing academic journey, he has actively participated as an interviewer and application reader in various competitive processes, gaining valuable insights into what admissions committees seek—clearly defined goals, unique perspectives, and a captivating narrative. Mosea's impact is evident in the successful acceptance of his mentees into prestigious institutions, including Chicago Booth, Cornell Johnson, Georgetown Law, and Vanderbilt Law. His professional background adds depth to his holistic understanding of the business and admissions landscape.
Mosea's passion for coaching is rooted in his belief that sharing knowledge and experiences is transformative. Witnessing individuals overcome challenges and achieve their goals is incredibly rewarding for him. His coaching philosophy goes beyond imparting information; it is about empowering others to reach their full potential and make a meaningful impact in their academic and professional journeys.
Mosea's coaching style is highly personalized and collaborative, making adaptability and responsiveness key strengths in his approach. Thriving on the dynamic nature of the process, he recognizes that no two journeys are alike and emphasizes the significance of highlighting real experiences to create an engaging and authentic application. Mosea fosters an open and supportive environment, encouraging dialogue and active participation to ensure the most effective guidance for each applicant.
In his free time, Mosea is an avid chess player, scoring in the 97th percentile in bullet chess. He also enjoys travel, food experiences, trying new things, and meeting new people.
Philippe is an accomplished consultant and coach with over 15 years of experience. He excels at helping students maximize their impact and fulfill their academic and professional potential.
Philippe holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and served as an Admissions Board Member for three years. He has been coaching for nearly 15 years, conducting over 7000 sessions with MBA students and Alumni, focusing on career transitions and job search processes, learning exactly what prestigious institutions are looking for in their prospective students and what could make an application successful.
Philippe enjoys helping others in general and relishes the one-on-one relationship with coaching/tutoring. Over time, it is truly rewarding for him to witness the growth, thriving, and progress of the individuals he coaches or mentors.
Philippe is an avid listener, considering it the foundation of effective coaching. He genuinely supports the students he works with, deriving joy from observing their progression toward their goals. He maintains a mindset focused on understanding the motivations of those he works with, asking questions to clarify their aspirations and driving factors. Philippe avoids being prescriptive and excels in helping applicants arrive at their own conclusions.
Philippe enjoys being close to nature and traveling. He finds peace in learning new things and often listens to podcasts while going on walks. While his running days are behind him, he occasionally goes on short and slow runs. He has also enjoyed watching numerous television series recently and loves sports.
Rudy is an accomplished MBA graduate with extensive experience coaching top business school applicants.
Education & Experience
Rudy holds an MBA from the Stanford University Graduate School of Business. He has experience reviewing MBA essays and resumes for candidates applying to schools such as Michigan Ross, Kellogg, Wharton, Stanford, and Harvard. His coaching included helping candidates identify their greatest strengths, effectively communicating them in their essays and resumes, and providing guidance on the student experience. Students who have worked with Rudy have been accepted into prestigious institutions such as Wharton, Stanford, and Ross.
Professionally, Rudy served as the Senior Program Manager at Amazon and is currently the Business Planning and Operations Manager at Meta.
Passion for Coaching
Rudy is passionate about guiding candidates in identifying the strengths they should highlight in their apps. He encourages them to take ownership of those strengths and helps them think through how to maximize each one throughout their MBA experience and beyond in their careers. Rudy also enjoys seeing the transformative process in MBA candidates as they deeply reflect on what matters to them most in their exploration of different programs.
Greatest Strengths
Rudy’s greatest strength is helping candidates show their best selves, though he understands this can vary from person to person because we all have different backgrounds and experiences. Rudy’s coaching style focuses on identifying the outstanding qualities that define a candidate’s leadership potential. He then amplifies these qualities so they "jump off the page" for admissions committees. This approach involves helping candidates discover their authentic voice and emphasizing it prominently in their application materials.
More About Rudy
Outside of work, Rudy loves running and does one to two marathons every year. He enjoys learning about artificial intelligence and using it to solve problems he may encounter professionally or personally. He also enjoys salsa dancing and has done it competitively for a few years.
Ryan is a seasoned consultant with a decade of experience in higher education, including overseeing admissions committees for business programs at NYU and aiding candidates in securing acceptance to top-tier universities such as NYU and the University of Oxford.
Ryan holds a Bachelor’s from Loyola University Chicago. He also has a Master’s from the University of Oxford and an MBA from New York University Stern School of Business. Ryan has a rich background in coaching students applying for degree and study abroad programs and working in admissions offices.
Ryan is deeply passionate about coaching, finding immense reward in seeing students realize their full potential. He believes that while coaches are guides, the true skills and knowledge come from the students.
Ryan's coaching style is prescriptive and adaptable, allowing him to cater to each student's unique pace and learning style. He is particularly skilled in providing hands-on guidance and customizing strategies for individual success. A significant aspect of his strength lies in his deep understanding of the MBA admissions process. Ryan emphasizes that MBA admissions committees are comprised of normal people, just like the applicants. He believes that recognizing the human element in the application process is crucial. His insight into this aspect of admissions is a cornerstone of his approach, as he strives to help students present their best selves to admissions committees.
Outside of his professional life, Ryan is an avid climber, reader, and gamer. He enjoys watching Netflix, traveling, playing board games, solving crossword puzzles, and playing eight different musical instruments. Ryan's diverse interests, including his love for all music genres, reflect his belief that life is best spent actively engaging with the world and people around him.
Samantha is a seasoned admissions coach with a profound commitment to guiding aspiring individuals toward their academic and professional goals.
Samantha has a Bachelor’s from Baylor University and an MBA from Stanford GSB. She has personally mentored aspiring students, providing in-depth application feedback, essay and resume editing, and interview coaching tailored to each candidate's unique story and goals. Through her coaching, applicants have been accepted into top institutions, including Stanford GSB, Harvard Business School, and MIT Sloan. Additionally, Samantha brings a wealth of professional experience in the business and HR field, including working at Google.
Samantha has always had a passion for helping people express the best version of themselves, and coaching is an impactful way for her to do so. Leveraging her business background and knowledge of the admissions process, Samantha has successfully helped students navigate through the complexities of applying to top MBA programs. She finds immense satisfaction in empowering students to conquer intellectual challenges, a testament to the extraordinary capabilities inherent in every individual.
Samantha’s coaching style is marked by a holistic approach, akin to assembling a unique jigsaw puzzle where each element contributes to a compelling and authentic application. Samantha thrives on the dynamic nature of this process, recognizing that no two puzzles are alike, making each coaching journey a collaborative and enlightening experience.
You can typically find Samantha tinkering with her own business ideas in her free time, testing solutions, and finding new ways to serve people in an achievement-based way.
Sara combines her deep passion for education with her experience as an admission interviewer to guide students towards success through personalized coaching.
Sara is currently pursuing an MBA at Tuck School of Business, where she served as an admission interviewer and reader. This experience allowed her to gain valuable insight into the significance of grasping the school's culture and desired applicant traits. She recognized the importance of tailoring one's narrative to match these criteria precisely and learned that a comprehensive search and interview process is pivotal in assessing a student’s compatibility with the program.
As a coach, Sara loves helping others recognize their needs, creating plans to support their growth, and guiding them to achieve their goals. Having worked in the education sector for more than seven years, she enjoys interacting with hundreds of students, observing their levels, and finding the best way for them to learn.
With her previous experience in teaching and knowledge of developmental psychology, Sara excels at helping students achieve their academic goals. Her greatest strengths lie in listening to her students attentively to determine their goals, learning styles, and experiences so that she can personalize a plan for each student. She is very patient and enjoys helping others.
Sara remains optimistic even when her students feel down about hurdles and helps them view those hurdles positively. She is flexible and willing to adjust her methods based on the students’ evolving needs. She will encourage students and help them uncover their potential to achieve their best. Deyun has helped candidates get accepted at Tuck School of Business, Chicago Booth, and NYU using her expertise.
In her spare time, Sara enjoys skiing, tennis, cooking (creating new recipes by experimenting with different condiments), and practicing yoga.
Terrence is an accomplished admissions coach and entrepreneur renowned for his expertise in guiding MBA candidates toward achieving their educational aspirations.
Terrence earned a Bachelor’s from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, he was part of an admissions program to support, coach, and mentor incoming applicants.
Terrence has a rich history of helping candidates gain acceptance into prestigious institutions such as HBS, Columbia Business School, Wharton, Stanford, Ross (Michigan), Kellogg, NYU, MIT, and more. His insider experience with the HBS admissions program gave him a deep understanding of what admissions committees seek in candidates, from essays and interviews to diverse class composition.
Terrence's passion for coaching stems from his innate people skills and joy in helping individuals discover and articulate their unique stories. His psychology, sociology, and philosophy background enables him to understand his students, uncovering their passions and motivations deeply. This approach makes his coaching highly personalized and effective, enhancing his students' satisfaction and enjoyment of the admissions process.
Terrence’s coaching style is characterized by a genuine commitment to the applicant's success and an ability to ask probing questions that encourage deep self-reflection. His candid yet compassionate guidance has helped many students gain profound insights about themselves. Terrence also prides himself on his empathetic nature and dedication to pushing students toward realizing their true vision and purpose.
Terrence is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and hosts a philosophy podcast in his free time. He also enjoys reading, traveling, and teaching entrepreneurship and critical thinking to young students. He is also a father to a 10-year-old son.
Terrence’s entrepreneurial spirit is evident in founding two companies, one in sports media and another in education. Additionally, he imparts his expertise in corporate negotiations to global sales teams and coaches business leaders in personal growth and development.
With a rich multicultural background and a commitment to individualized coaching, Valentin has guided aspiring MBA candidates to acceptance at esteemed institutions like Chicago Booth, University of Washington Foster, and IESE.
Valentin earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Washington and an MBA from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business. He served as a Faculty Advisor at the University of Washington.
Valentin’s passion for coaching stems from his own experience being coached. He has benefited tremendously from his coaches and tutors and strives to offer the same to his students. In the process, he hopes to help others develop and maximize their potential, and he loves how rewarding coaching is as he continually learns and evolves through those he coaches.
While Valentin has refined a universal coaching approach, he recognizes that everyone is different and unique and believes that the approach and style should be tailored to the individual. This makes for a more fun, personable, and rewarding experience and is also a great way to help those involved evolve.
Valentin is Chinese-born, raised in the Canary Islands in Spain, and then immigrated to the US during high school. He is fluent in three languages and values and takes pride in his multiculturalism and the rich multi-dimensional perspective it provides him in our increasingly global ecosystem. In his spare time, you can find Valentin with family and friends or tinkering in the kitchen, home gym, and home workshop.
Varadhraj is a dedicated and experienced admissions counselor with a deep-seated passion for guiding future leaders through the complex journey of MBA admissions.
Varadhraj completed his Bachelor of Science with honors from the University of Warwick and later earned his MBA from INSEAD. Varadhraj has guided countless students toward receiving admission to prestigious schools like Columbia Business School, INSEAD, and the London Business School.
Having experienced the transformative impact of an MBA firsthand, Varadhraj is passionate about offering others this opportunity. Witnessing the evolution from nervous applicants to confident MBA students is especially rewarding for Varadhraj. He finds joy in supporting applicants in their journey of self-discovery, helping them to identify their strengths and aspirations.
Varadhraj approaches coaching as a collaborative effort rather than a conventional teacher-student relationship. He has extensive experience mentoring candidates who have considerable gaps in their work experience, making sure these gaps are not perceived as a disadvantage. He recognizes the challenges of the application process and focuses on providing encouragement and step-by-step guidance, ensuring students feel supported without feeling overwhelmed by excessive pressure. He aims to foster improvement through candid, comprehensive, and constructive criticism.
Before joining INSEAD, Varadhraj spent five years in private equity, where he eventually became a Director. Post-INSEAD, he continued to explore different fields and is now actively pursuing opportunities in the film and TV industry as well.
Vincent is a dedicated mentor and coach with a track record of guiding individuals to success in their academic and career pursuits.
Vincent has earned a Master’s from Johns Hopkins University - Carey Business School and an MBA from INSEAD. He has been mentoring people since his undergraduate days. During his third year of university, he served as a public speaking coach and mentor for Toastmasters.
Notably, Vincent co-founded a branch of 180 Degrees Consulting at his university, the world's largest student-led consultancy. Over a two-year period, he also spearheaded and sourced 10 large-scale projects for renowned NGOs and social enterprises in Hong Kong and mentored three groups of student consultants (each over six months) on consulting skills, critical thinking, and presentation.
Vincent derives a fundamental sense of joy from coaching others, particularly when he knows it contributes to their success in life. He sees MBAs as a way to accelerate a student’s career and income, greatly impacting their future quality of life and feelings of achievement. Vincent also finds significance in even simple transitions, such as successfully relocating to a new city.
Vincent's greatest strengths lie in his flexibility in coaching style, which he adapts to each individual's comfort level, proactivity, and skill set. He excels at being hands-on and asking probing questions to guide individuals in the right direction. He is also excellent at emphasizing the emotional aspect of coaching, drawing from personal strategies that have proven successful in his own MBA applications.
In today's competitive landscape, he believes standing out requires being personable and finding the right fit in terms of personality, not solely relying on academic scores or prestigious brand names on CVs. Vincent strives to help those he coaches express themselves authentically to admissions teams.
Outside of coaching, Vincent is an avid tennis and pool player. He enjoys frequent travel, exploring diverse cultures and cuisines, particularly in Asia and Europe.
Aman brings a decade of tutoring experience to the table and is committed to helping students unlock and maximize their full potential.
Aman's academic journey began with acceptance to prestigious institutions such as NYU and Penn State. He chose Rutgers University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Communication on a full-ride scholarship. He then pursued a Master's degree in Education at Johns Hopkins University and an MBA at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, graduating Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude on a merit-based scholarship. Throughout his college years, Aman dedicated himself to helping students and later gained extensive teaching experience as a math teacher, algebra team lead, associate dean, and coding instructor for Teach for America. He also excelled as a GMAT tutor, supporting countless students in their academic journeys and helping numerous secure admission to their dream schools, including HBS, Darden, and Yale. Aman also has a wealth of experience in the business sector, having served in various roles, including marketing manager, consultant, and engagement manager. His diverse educational background and professional experience have equipped him with the mentoring and practical skills necessary to help students excel.
Aman takes pride in guiding individuals to recognize their untapped potential and nurturing their passion for a particular subject. He finds joy in helping them overcome challenges and grow by supporting them in reaching their goals.
Aman's teaching background, empathy, patience, and ability to use analogies to make concepts "click" distinguish him as a tutor. He believes that approaching the same concept from various angles or using different perspectives can often be beneficial. While he always meets students at their current level, he also ensures they reach their desired goals. When students encounter learning obstacles, he prioritizes genuine growth by stepping back, giving them time to think, and offering guidance with gentle nudges instead of simply providing answers.
Aman loves game shows and traveling. In fact, he’s visited 30 countries!
Ashley’s tutoring career spans over two decades. During that time, she has coached over 9,000 students who have successfully been accepted to all Ivy League schools.
Ashley holds an MS and MBA from Bentley University, where she graduated with High Distinction. She has numerous awards in marketing technology as a top user and 21 years of professional teaching experience in various exams and subjects, from middle school to graduate programs. Ashley has taught in the United States, Canada, China, and South Africa.
During her career, students that Ashely has tutored have been accepted at every Ivy League institution for undergraduate programs, and numerous acceptances in top MBA programs, including Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Sloan, Tuck, Ross, Stern, Fuqua, Hass, Darden, Marshall and HBS. She has also worked with students seeking entrance to the UK and other European-based programs, such as IESE, and a wide range of master's and PhD programs.
Coming from a single-parent, low-income family in Alabama, Ashley knows first-hand the value of academics and how it can change your trajectory—financially, socially, and professionally. As a student, she received a perfect score on her SAT and ACT and was recruited by Kaplan on campus in her first semester to tutor. Her very first tutoring experience was in high school when she worked with several single parents to receive their GED as part of a volunteer program. This experience drives her passion for tutoring, and Ashley loves working with students to help them achieve their academic goals. The bigger the hurdle, the more driven she is to coach and guide them. She truly believes in the students she tutors and loves to see them succeed.
Ashley’s greatest strengths are that she has a lot of energy and she is always direct, but very positive. She is also highly skilled at creating a custom plan for each candidate’s needs, time constraints, and goals. Each student is unique, and Ashley understands that ensuring a tutoring plan matches that uniqueness is key. Ashley has worked with students who have been trying to "follow a plan" for 5+ years and have seen zero success in moving the needle on their test score, but in just a month will jump, for example, 50 points on a GMAT just by working with Ashley on a custom plan. In addition, Ashley is always a positive tutor and cheerleader, acknowledging even the small wins and working through setbacks.
Ashley understands that a lot of test prep content is hard and uninteresting—that's sort of the point, right? She excels at taking that content and turning it into bite-sized "snackable" chunks to make it much more manageable. Plus, she is always able to help students have a good laugh about how boring it can be. She always says there is more than one way to answer a test question—the key is to try all the different options and see what works! Then, practice and repetition of the same question type often take care of the learning block very quickly. Lastly, Ashley’s strengths lie in positive words of reinforcement, active listening, and switching gears and tactics when her students hit a rut.
Outside of tutoring, Ashley has a daughter with a complex rare medical condition and advocates on her behalf through several non-profit support organizations. She also has three cats, including one named Odysseus, who is a perfect companion for her oldest daughter, Athena! She loves hiking, traveling, listening to Texas Red Dirt music, reading, gardening, working on her ancient Volvo XC90 and Ford F150, DIY house projects, and volunteering with the Federation of Children with Special Needs.
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Chris is a highly experienced educator with a diverse academic background who specializes in fostering critical thinking skills and self-confidence in students.
University of Notre Dame, and a second Master’s from the Yale School of Management. He brings extensive experience spanning a 27-year career in education management, including leadership in product (strategy, management, implementation, development), operations, finance, budgeting, marketing, customer service, teacher training, instruction, curriculum, and public policy.
Chris’s passion stems from his love of helping students think more effectively. He enjoys having conversations about solving problems and appreciates listening to, understanding, and helping students overcome their weaknesses or challenges. Chris finds satisfaction in seeing students improve and become more confident during a tutoring session or over time.
Chris’s greatest strength is always striving to ask questions to help students unlock the path forward rather than just dictating it himself. Learning can be fun, and he always seeks ways to make the content or questions more interesting than they appear to most.
During a session, Chris excels at encouraging students to pause, step back, and breathe. He advises taking time to think rather than just charging ahead and applying brute force. When a student is completely stumped, Chris follows the "I go / We go / You go" pedagogical approach, where he first models the questions and then does a question together with the student and then allows the student to do a question while talking aloud through their approach. Then he has the student practice a question quietly and review their approach with him afterward.
Chris cherishes free time with his wife, two daughters, and his dog. He also likes running, riding his Peloton, and rooting for the Chicago Cubs.
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Dmitry excels at making learning enjoyable through his relaxed yet focused teaching style, utilizing real-world examples to help students achieve their goals.
Dmitry earned a Bachelor's degree magna cum laude from Middlebury College, where he was awarded the Dana Scholar, which is only given to 10 students a year by a professor, for his leadership potential. He also received a Master's degree from Paris 1 Sorbonne. Dmitry has over three years of tutoring experience with around 80 students taught. His first job was teaching English in St. Petersburg, Russia, after graduating from college. Over the years, he has helped students gain admission to schools like London Business School, INSEAD, and Wharton.
Dmitry has always loved working with people, making connections, and helping others achieve their goals. Seeing someone succeed after struggling is deeply rewarding for Dmitry, especially the back-and-forth interaction of tutoring. Specifically, Dmitry enjoys helping students achieve major life goals, as test scores and school admissions massively impact their futures. When a student grasps a difficult concept, he finds the satisfaction for both parties priceless.
One of Dmitry’s greatest strengths is his ability to see things from the student's perspective to identify and overcome obstacles. In his teaching methodology, Dmitry bridges complex ideas with everyday situations that resonate with students. His relaxed yet focused style removes unnecessary stress while progressing students toward their objectives. Dmitry is always considering the next topic or assignment to reinforce learning while making the experience fun through jokes and casual conversation. He uses innovative explanations through creative analogies to engage his students’ thought processes. If students hit a wall, he advocates taking a break to clear their heads, emphasizing the importance of mental clarity on test day.
In his free time, Dmitry enjoys running, watching comedy movies, playing guitar, traveling, meeting new people, and trying delicious foods. Meeting up with friends at a cafe or bar is among Dmitry’s favorite ways to pass the time.
Howie excels at utilizing his positive attitude and extensive tutoring background to empower students to achieve success on the GMAT.
Howie has earned a Bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. He has served as a teaching assistant for various classes, including Probability & Statistics, Economic Analysis of High-Tech Industries, and Healthcare Strategy. Howie was also part of the Residential College Council, the Technology Club, the Startup & Entrepreneurship Club, the Arts & Culture Club, and he played in the Symphony Orchestra.
Howie initially began by helping friends and younger family with math. He then discovered a genuine enjoyment in assisting individuals overcome their challenges. Recognizing the transformative potential of education, he finds joy and personal satisfaction in guiding people through their academic journey, considering its profound impact on their lives.
Howie's tutoring style is characterized by enthusiasm and patience. He offers encouragement based on each student’s learning style. He excels at being enthusiastic about the subject and uses positive reinforcement when a student understands.
In his free time, Howie expresses a deep love for music. He has been playing the piano since age five and the flute since elementary school. When not engaged in practice sessions, he enjoys listening to classical music and actively seeks out concerts to attend.
Maura brings over a decade of tutoring experience and is dedicated to empowering students to achieve their academic goals.
Maura earned her Bachelor's from the University of Maryland and Master's from the University of Alaska. She also attended school at the University of Hawaii. She has tutored around 300 students in various capacities, including as a teaching assistant, student leader, and mentor. Maura has helped students gain acceptance into acclaimed universities such as Rutgers, USC, and Columbia.
Maura finds solving problems after close examination highly rewarding. She loves seeing students' happiness when they have those lightbulb moments of realization. Maura is extremely passionate about building students up and watching their progress grow over time.
Maura emphasizes there are multiple ways to find the right answer. Her teaching methods incorporate algebraic, graphical, and real-world approaches so students grasp concepts fully. She assesses students' challenges, proposes plans to overcome them, and shows the next steps. When they hit roadblocks, Maura reframes their thinking to motivate them using the progress made. As a research scientist, engineer, and comedian, Maura’s experience in many walks of life makes her more open-minded to different learning styles and personality types. Maura prides herself on her emotional intelligence and her ability to adapt to all types of learning styles.
In her spare time, Maura writes comedy scripts and films funny videos. She formerly lived in a cabin in Alaska with no running water.
Terrence has over 15 years of experience as a GMAT Tutor and is renowned for his expertise in guiding candidates toward their educational goals.
Terrence earned a Bachelor’s from Boston College and an MBA from Harvard Business School. He brings over 15 years of experience as a tutor, supporting students in various roles, including a GMAT Tutor, an Admissions Counselor for Perspective Students, and an MBA Admissions Consultant. Through these roles, Terrence has honed his skills in mentoring, tutoring, and guiding students towards their educational aspirations. In addition, he was part of the Beta Gamma Sigma Business Honor Society, demonstrating his dedication to excellence in academic and extracurricular pursuits. Terrence has tutored over 100 students, helping them gain admission to prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Cornell, UPenn, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins.
Terrence's true passion lies in the fulfillment he derives from empowering students to embrace their learning journey enthusiastically and confidently. With a genuine love for teaching, he is dedicated to nurturing students' critical thinking abilities and transforming their approach to education for long-term success.
His tutoring style is characterized by patience, practicality, and motivation. He uses a first-principles approach and a plethora of analogies to make complex concepts understandable and engaging. When students encounter difficulties or learning blocks, Terrence employs a flexible strategy, either shifting focus to a different topic or delving deeper into the issue's root causes.
Terrence is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and hosts a philosophy podcast in his free time. He also enjoys reading, traveling, and teaching entrepreneurship and critical thinking to young students. He is also a father to a 10-year-old son.
Tony has several years of experience tutoring for the GMAT and is passionate about making it manageable and enjoyable!
Tony completed a Bachelor of Arts in Economics with Honors from Harvard University. His academic prowess also earned him acceptance to other prestigious institutions such as Princeton, UPenn Wharton, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Duke, equipping him with a nuanced understanding of what it takes to gain admission to competitive schools. Following his undergraduate studies, Tony furthered his education by completing his Master’s degree at Stanford. With a wealth of experience tutoring students at all levels, Tony has successfully guided numerous applicants to achieve their target GMAT scores and secure admission to their dream schools, like Stanford, Princeton, and Yale.
Tony firmly believes in the limitless benefits of education. His passion for tutoring is driven by the satisfaction he feels when he sees students grow and achieve their goals. He deeply values education and actively encourages students to set clear learning objectives, providing unwavering support until they reach them. Having written the GMAT himself, Tony understands the pressure that tests can bring and is passionate about equipping students with the necessary tools and knowledge to overcome these challenges and excel.
Tony's tutoring approach is marked by clarity and high expectations, while still ensuring that students enjoy the GMAT rather than fear it. He believes that having the right attitude is crucial and consistently brings positive energy to every session. When students encounter learning obstacles, he emphasizes that it's often less about the individual question and more about understanding the underlying concept. His primary goal is to identify the root cause of these obstacles. Tony views learning blocks as symptoms of a deeper issue, so he advocates for pausing, collaborating with the student to identify the specific areas causing difficulty, and then focusing on practicing those questions to build confidence in mastering them. Tony also emphasizes the real-world applications of the themes within GMAT questions. To ensure that students grasp these concepts, he works diligently to create real-world analogies and even incorporates hands-on activities to illustrate the intriguing ideas behind some of the more challenging questions. Overall, he strives to make learning enjoyable, encourages students to think creatively, and helps them build their confidence.
During the pandemic, Tony was really into home-brewing kombucha! Beyond this, his favorite pastimes include going on hikes, running, and trying out new food!
Varadhraj always exhibits a positive attitude and draws from his extensive tutoring background to empower students to conquer the GMAT and attain their academic aspirations.
Varadhraj has earned a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Warwick and an MBA from INSEAD. Before attending INSEAD, he worked in Private Equity for five years. Vardhraj has five years of tutoring experience and has successfully helped students improve their GMAT scores.
Varadhraj loves helping students achieve their full potential. So many people feel that they need to be better to go for what they want to do. As a tutor, Varandraj enjoys helping students not only succeed in a subject or exam but also showing them that they have the potential to achieve their goals and that all they were missing was a bit of guidance and support.
Varadhraj sees tutoring as more of a partnership than a traditional student-teacher dynamic. He understands how difficult and daunting the GMAT can be, and his greatest strength lies in giving positive reinforcement and guiding students through the process without putting excessive pressure on them. His feedback is detailed, and he’s always honest and direct but in a constructive way designed to help students understand how they can improve.
Varadhraj also excels at pinpointing what students find difficult and breaking it down into simple concepts and basic parts. He is also skilled at relating content to student's interests for better engagement.
Varadhraj is a total film fanatic and even earned the nickname "IMDB" from his undergrad housemates. He enjoys watching films and TV, hiking, reading, comedy shows, and football in his spare time.
Vladislav is renowned for his adeptness in tailoring explanations to meet individual student needs and fostering a supportive learning environment that empowers GMAT test-takers to excel academically.
Vladislav holds a Bachelor’s degree from Leiden University and a Master’s degree from Sciences Po Paris. He has eight years of experience tutoring Economics and Mathematics and has also contributed as a member of the 2nd national team of France at the Balkan Mathematical Olympiad. Additionally, he achieved a top 10 position in France in the mathematics competition "Kangourou des Mathematiques", won a silver medal at the All-Russian Olympiad in Economics at the National Level, and clinched gold and silver medals at the All-Russian Olympiad in various subjects at the Regional Level. Furthermore, Vladislav was part of a team that won the Humanities Lab Honours Capstone Project at Leiden University.
Vladislav finds immense fulfillment in witnessing the positive impact he has on the lives of students. He takes pride in students achieving the highest honors in school competitions or gaining acceptance into their dream schools, considering these moments as the greatest rewards his profession has offered him.
Vladislav exhibits great flexibility in his explanations, tailoring them to suit the needs of each student individually. Moreover, he places significant emphasis on presenting information in a structured manner, believing it enhances students' ability to retain and apply the knowledge effectively. Vladislav also excels at boosting student’s confidence, recognizing it as pivotal to their success. He adopts an empathetic approach to understanding and addressing any learning blocks students may encounter, acknowledging factors such as lack of motivation.
Vladislav perceives maintaining student motivation as crucial, achieved through fostering confidence and highlighting the real-world implications of academic achievements. His consulting background has honed his ability to structure content effectively, and his experience teaching Olympiad mathematics enables him to simplify complex topics. Additionally, his extensive international background facilitates better connections with international students.
Vladislav grew up in a small town in Siberia, and after living in the south of France, the Netherlands, and Hong Kong, he settled in Paris. Traveling is his biggest passion, and he has visited 102 countries in total. In his spare time, you can find him reading books, mainly about social sciences, playing table tennis and board games - and, of course, traveling and planning future trips!