Kirsten S. | Leland

Kirsten S.

5.0

Studied at Princeton University

Works at Crafting Your Story

Not currently taking new clients

My appointments do book quickly, so I do require a 36 hour scheduling buffer to help manage this. I operate on Eastern Standard Time.

Protected by the Leland Experience Guarantee

Not currently taking new clients

My appointments do book quickly, so I do require a 36 hour scheduling buffer to help manage this. I operate on Eastern Standard Time.

Interested in coaching?

Select a category below to view Kirsten’s offerings.

About Kirsten

* Former Princeton University Admissions * Undergraduate College and Graduate School Writing & Admissions Consultant * Certified Life Story Coach * 20+ years of story telling, creating compelling narratives, content, marketing and branding experiences * Experience with leading start-ups in the retail, trend and future forecasting industry, in the financial industry, non-for-profit organizations, marketing and branding agencies, and elite higher education * 10+ years as a professional journalist I am passionate about story telling and compelling narratives. Known for having strong interpersonal skills, being a highly effective communicator, relationship builder, and a liaison for external/internal stakeholders.

Why do I coach?

Working for Admissions at Princeton University, I had the great honor of reading thousands of essays, guidance counselor letters, teacher recommendations, resumes and extracurricular activity accounts. I still feel such excitement knowing many of the outstanding candidates I recommended went on to receive and accept offers. It also validated my judgment and intuition. I could apply my journalist's instincts to objectively assess which students were great fits. Even today, as I counsel privately, I still enjoy the world of narratives and story telling and guiding students to tell their authentic story and even discover it in the process. Knowing what story packages work in the application, I love working with students to unlock what is already inside of then and helping to bring to life their personal story. I appreciate the goal is to get accepted into a great college or university and create options. I was very driven to achieve that too, and I did - four times. I also appreciate that something deeply special emerges from this very intense process of creating a complete personal narrative. The story you craft about yourself is a living manifesto. Always remember Your story is always unfolding You are in charge of your story line Anything less than crafting the best version of yourself is counterproductive to the life you want to live Let’s put your best narrative out there.

Work Experience

Founder

Crafting Your Story

March 2020 - Present

Launched a consulting firm to help applicants to higher education find their narrative and build their story experiences. My students have been accepted into the top 30 universities and many more. I've aided students in their pathway to college and graduate school, coached students along the way, and worked with several national firms including Solomon Admissions, AtomicMind, CollegePrep360, VIP Tutors, TutorChase UK and China, and CMC Academy.

Education

Princeton University

Admissions Experience, Admissions

2018 - 2020

Admissions Committee Experience

Hired as an admissions reader for 2 years. Granted an award in my first year for best newcomer.

Columbia University

Masters of Science, Journalism

1998 - 1999

Graduated from Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism. Specialized in documentary, broadcast and international relations. Awarded a fellowship from the American Council on Germany to investigate relations between East and West Germany 10 years after reunification.

Barnard College

BA, Economics & Political Science

1990 - 1994

Deans List. Graduated with a double degree in Econ and Poli Sci and a minor in East Asian Studies. Spent a year abroad studying at the London School of Economics & Political Science.

Kirsten was also personally admitted to