Beyond the Checklist: How to Showcase Your Unique Skills and Experiences in Your Grad School Applications

For almost ten years, I worked in graduate admissions at Stanford University — reviewing applications, sitting on admissions committees, and building admissions offices in both the School of Engineering and the School of Education. I know how these decisions get made, because I was part of making them. Since 2013, I've worked as a full-time graduate admissions consultant, helping hundreds of students worldwide gain admission to some of the most competitive programs in the world. My clients come from every corner of graduate education — engineering, the natural sciences, education, social work, policy, psychology, business, medicine, and more — and from countries across six continents. I've traveled to meet students and their families in person, and I understand the different cultural expectations and pressures that surround the decision to pursue an advanced degree. What I offer is honest, personalized support — not shortcuts or tricks. I'm not here to help anyone "game" the system. I'm here to make sure the admissions committee sees the most accurate and compelling version of who you actually are. That means helping you find and articulate your story, strengthening your statement of purpose, building a smart school list, and preparing you for every step of the process. I don't screen clients based on GPA or academic record. In fact, some of my most rewarding work has been with students who weren't sure they belonged in graduate school at all — and who went on to get in. Everyone has a story worth telling. My job is to help you tell it well. My past client results include (for a complete list of my admissions results, click here: (https://www.wisegradadmissions.com/results) STANFORD UNIVERSITY Civil & Environmental Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Management Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering International Education Policy Learning, Design & Technology Policy, Organization & Leadership HARVARD UNIVERSITY Data Science Education Leadership. Organization & Entrepreneurship Human Development & Education Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology Prevention Science & Practice UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Education & Psychology Behavioral Economics Counseling & Mental Health Services Human Development International Education Development Learning Sciences and Technologies Social Psychology WHARTON MBA (joint program with Computer Engineering Management Technology) CORNELL UNIVERSITY Electrical & Computer Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research & Information Engineering Statistics Agricultural Economics Food Science Financial Mathematics Management JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Applied Physics Computer Science Electrical & Computer Engineering Robotics Mental Health Counseling Public Health & Epidemiology Public Policy, Global Affairs & International Relations Financial Mathematics COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Management Science & Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research Agricultural Economics Biostatistics Statistics Financial Mathematics Applied Behavior Analysis Counseling Psychology Developmental Psychology Instructional Technology & Media International Comparative Education International Studies MSW School Psychology UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MBA Public Policy/Global Affairs MSW Psychology​ GEORGETOWN Public Policy/Global Affairs Asian Studies NYU Computer Science Data Science Electrical Engineering Financial Engineering​ Biostatistics​ Food Studies Physics Behavioral Economics Counseling Human Development & Social Interaction MSW UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Aero/Astro Engineering Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Biostatistics Survey Methodology Financial Mathematics Public Policy & International Studies Japanese Studies MSW CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electric and Computer Engineering Environmental Engineering HCI Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Statistical Practice Computational Finance UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Computer Science Chemical Engineering​ Electrical Engineering Applied Physics Biostatistics​ Education/Psychology Learning Sciences and Human Development MSW