MBA Admissions Consultants

I graduated from Stanford's MBA program at the GSB in June of 2023. I am a successful deferred MBA and traditional MBA coach with more than 15+ clients receiving acceptances at M7 programs. including GSB, HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, Columbia, and Sloan for both deferred and traditional MBA applications. I can help with school selection, resume review, essay and application support, interview preparation (including mock interviews), and any other part of your application you may need help with. At the Stanford Graduate School of Business I was an Arbuckle Fellow and actively involved in various leadership roles, including Co-President of the Sports Management Club, Co-Chair of the Sports Innovation Conference, and Social Committee member on student government. Prior to my MBA, I worked at BCG for 3 years, where I was promoted to the post-MBA role. I spent my undergrad years at the USC Marshall School of Business on a full tuition, merit based scholarship.

With MBA Ad Comm experience, I have helped 150+ MBA applicants get into every M7 school and many of the top 25. I graduated from Chicago Booth with high honors, scoring a GMAT of 770 (99th percentile). I have been a top coach on Leland the last two years (since joining) and am ranked in the top 5 best admissions consulting firms on Poets and Quants for 2025. • Chicago Booth Alum, Class of 2020 • MBA Admissions Fellow, interviewing and reviewing the applications and resumes of nearly 100 applicants • Coaching | Advised multiple admits into Chicago Booth, HBS, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB, Yale SOM, and more (10+ Leland reviews), while teaching multiple courses through Leland • GMAT / Test-Taking | Scored 770 (99th percentile), but more importantly I've mastered my ability to help others master the core concepts and identify patterns to boost their score quickly • Interview Training | I'm interview-trained for McKinsey, allowing me to give high-quality mock interviews for MBBs and any MBA program • I have extensive experience working with international applicants and am an expert at helping applicants with gaps in their application or a non-traditional background get admitted. If you're looking for personalized guidance and proven strategies to navigate the MBA admissions process, I'm here to help. Let's connect and discuss how I can support you in getting that acceptance phone call.

I’ve been through the process myself, know the nuances that top programs look for, and can help candidates translate their experiences into a differentiated, authentic narrative. Beyond the application, I can guide candidates through interview prep, school selection strategy, and framing their post-MBA career story.

From Wall Street to the gourmet chocolate world, from New York to Brussels (and many awesome places in between), the INSEAD MBA was pivotal to my triple-point change of function, industry & geography. Since it changed my life, I’m passionate about helping you get into INSEAD and global business schools, especially those located outside of the US. Since 2015, I’ve worked with candidates to gain admissions into top schools, including INSEAD, LBS, Wharton, HEC Paris, IESE, Cambridge Judge and Oxford Said. I’m committed to working with you and getting to know you, your story, your goals – in order to guide you in crafting your strongest applications possible – so that your application is both true to yourself and tailored to your dream business school. We’ll have some fun along the way too :) A bit about my background: Born and raised in New York to immigrant parents --> if you’re first-generation, I can certainly be understanding to your situation and meet you where you’re at! Attended Amherst College, where I had the freedom of learning – for the sake of learning! --> if you enjoy learning, no matter what schools you attended, I think we’ll work well together :) Love international diversity, so much so that I’m currently living outside of the US --> if you’d like to pursue a future career move outside of the US one day, this would also be a great opportunity for you!

Welcome to my profile! I'm Arielle, a MBA student at The Wharton School with a strong background in finance and private equity. My experience includes working as a Private Equity Associate at Warburg Pincus and as an Investment Banking Analyst at Goldman Sachs, where I honed my skills in the technology sector. I am passionate about helping aspiring MBA candidates navigate the competitive admissions process, drawing on my own successful application journey and industry insights. Whether you need guidance on application strategy, essay writing, or interview preparation, I'm here to support you every step of the way. Let's connect and craft a winning application together!

✨25% Off - Only 5 Slots - Labor Day Application Push Make the most out of August to move your MBA application forward. Use code "melanie-e-labor-day" for 25% off your first hour of coaching - with only 5 slots available. ✨WHY CHOOSE MELANIE? When you work with me, you're partnering with an insider who has firsthand knowledge of what top MBA programs like Columbia, Harvard, and Stanford are looking for. As a Columbia MBA alumna, current Admissions Interviewer, former McKinsey consultant, and professional ICF-certified Executive Coach, I offer a holistic coaching approach that combines admissions expertise with expert storytelling, giving you an edge over the competition. Here’s why I’m the best choice for your MBA journey: • 🎓MBA & COLUMBIA EXPERT: As a Columbia MBA alumna and current MBA Admissions Interviewer, I have insider knowledge of what top-tier schools seek. My experience in admissions interviewing gives me the unique perspective of understanding how to effectively position applicants for success. • ✍️ESSAY CONCIERGE: I’m not just a coach - I’m a writer and editor with an eye for detail. With years of experience writing successful MBA essays, career coaching courses, and crafting works of fiction, I bring a keen sense of storytelling, language mastery, and technical precision to every essay I work on. Whether it’s structure, flow, or word choice, I’ll make sure your essay is perfectly polished and reflects your best self. Through powerful storytelling, I help them build a brand that truly stands out in the MBA admissions process. We fine tune every written piece of your application, including essay, resumes, short-answers, and even LinkedIn profiles! • 🚀PROVEN RESULTS: I’ve helped over 200+ applicants secure spots at M7 schools (as well as top 25 programs), and I’m proud to be part of the top 4 ranked firm on Poets & Quants for 2025. My clients’ success stories are a testament to the tailored strategies and guidance I provide. • 🎯PROFESSIONAL COACH: With over 10 years of coaching experience, I’m not just an admissions consultant—I’m an ICF-certified Executive Coach & Life Coach. My approach goes beyond getting you into business school; I focus on your MBA branding, leadership development, and executive presence to prepare you for the journey ahead. ✨WHO I WORK WITH: • Traditional and Non-Traditional Candidates • Diverse Applicants including POC, Veterans, and LGBTQIA+ • Candidates with High and Low Test Scores • Full-Time, Part-Time, Columbia's J-Term, and EMBA (Executive MBA) Candidates ✨PROVEN SUCCESS AT THE FOLLOWING PROGRAMS: • Columbia Business School (CBS) • Stanford Graduate School of Business (GSB) • Harvard Business School (HBS) • University of Pennsylvania Wharton • Northwestern Kellogg School of Management • Chicago Booth School of Business • MIT Sloan School of Management • NYU Stern School of Business • London Business School • INSEAD • University of California, Berkeley (Haas) • Yale School of Management • Michigan's Ross School of Business • Darden School of Business (UVA) • Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth • Duke's Fuqua School of Business • Cornell University Johnson School of Management • Emory University Goizueta Business School • Jones Graduate School of Business (Rice) • University of Notre Dame Mendoza College of Business • University of Texas, Austin, McCombs • University of California, Los Angeles, Anderson ✨LET'S GET YOU INTO YOUR DREAM MBA PROGRAM: Ready to transform your MBA aspirations into reality? Contact Melanie Espeland for your free consultation today. With my insider knowledge, executive coaching expertise, and essay-writing mastery, I’ll help you craft a standout application that positions you for success—both in admissions and beyond.

Worked with three top firms since 2002 (Stacy Blackman Consulting, MBA Prep School, Menlo Coaching) as well as independently. Chosen for Rematch Tiger Team, Client Liaison, and Second Reader roles at one firm, which involved rematching and providing exceptional service for applicants who were dissatisfied with their original consultant, advising consultants on various content-related and client-satisfaction challenges, and providing essay feedback for applicants who were unable to make further progress with their assigned consultant. Delivered best-practice essay development workshops for firm's entire team (~100 coaches), and advised on improvements of service offerings for multiple firms. Worked with Stanford Admissions Committee as Alumni Interviewer. Mostly recently, chosen as panelist for Leland Admissions Week.

I applied only to Stanford GSB, in Round 3, and got in — without any external help or review. I built my application from the ground up, relying on reflection, storytelling, and clarity about what I wanted to say. I’ve since spoken with countless successful applicants, and one thing is clear: beyond your GMAT or GPA, it’s the power of your story that makes the difference. I can help you think deeply about your experiences, identify key themes, and choose stories that resonate. I’ll also help you explore what you might want to get out of business school and what potential paths you could write about — and pursue. Whether you’re just getting started or refining your final application, I’m here to help you make it real, personal, and unforgettable.

Full time admissions coach; client successes across Wharton, GSB, Kellogg, INSEAD, and many more; GSB graduate (dual masters with the Graduate School of Education); admit to Kellogg, Wharton, and MIT; seasoned management consultant at Bain & Company