28,622Leland Reviews

Hello Ellin, I just would like to share with you that I was awarded the Merit Neeley Scholarship (two-year full tuition) at TCU. I am really happy and I don't have words to express my gratitude for you. Your professionalism definitely contributed for this opportunity to come true and will change my life.

I wanted to thank you so much for all your help with the interview process. There is no chance that I could have gotten to this point without your help and guidance!!! You are such a great interviewer and the nicest person!!! I felt so much better and confident following sessions, and I think that the preparation with you played a major rule in my ability to land admissions to all schools!!! Again, Thank you so much Ellin!

As a first-gen college student with a non-traditional background, the pathway into a competitive graduate school wasn’t always straightforward or clear. I knew I needed support in navigating the process from someone with expertise and a keen understanding of the challenges students of color face in higher education. And I was truly fortunate to connect with Melissa. When discussing my application or desire to attend grad school with her, I never felt like I wasn’t good enough to dream big, attend a graduate program, and make the experience my own. She is a champion in this field. While the application process; GRE, test scores, and required letters of recommendation can feel intimidating, I never felt like I needed to convince her that grad school was the right choice—nor convince her of why I wanted to use my education to impact my community and country. She understood from the moment I sat down with her, and she reminded me to focus on the impact and not get lost in the stress of getting into a program. She uncomplicated the process so that I could focus on why grad school was right for me. She provided insight into the academic cultures of different universities and helped me match my expectations to the program with the best fit. If you’re committed to grad school, Melissa is committed to coaching you—and I can’t think of a better person for you

I have had the pleasure of working with Melissa Lee since 2012, when she served as Director of Admissions at Princeton University School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA). I was a lecturer at Princeton teaching the required Introduction to Statistics class for the Master’s in Public Affairs (MPA) program. Subsequent to that we worked together for years on the school’s flagship pipeline program; The Junior Summer Institute (JSI), where Melissa also served as the Director of the program. I worked alongside Melissa for several years on the JSI Admissions Committee, where she led with a deep commitment to access, equity, and academic excellence. Melissa brings a seasoned, thoughtful, and strategic lens to holistic admissions review. She has a remarkable ability to look beyond test scores and GPAs to identify potential, resilience, and promise in applicants—especially those whose talent might be overlooked in a more traditional review process. Her evaluation style balances rigor and empathy, always considering the full context of a candidate’s academic journey, leadership, service, and lived experiences. What sets Melissa apart is not only her sharp eye for talent but her genuine investment in student success. She doesn’t stop at admission—she stays in touch, mentors students well beyond the program, and consistently helps them navigate graduate school, fellowships, and early career decisions. For prospective students seeking support with their master’s or PhD applications, Melissa offers far more than application editing—she provides honest insight, personalized strategy, and the kind of behind-the-scenes expertise that can shape an application into a compelling, competitive narrative. She is a joy to work with and a true advocate for every student she mentors.

Melissa is a thoughtful, caring, and visionary educator. In 2008, I came to Princeton University's Junior Summer Institute pathway program as a rising college senior eager to pursue a career in public service, and recognizing I needed the quantitative skills to be a successful applicant to graduate school. Melissa's mentorship and support during those crucial months made a difference. Three years later, I was admitted to Princeton's School of Public and International Affairs Master's in Public Affairs (MPA) program. Melissa would be there to welcome me to campus as a graduate student. Her leadership, empathy, and care created an environment for me to thrive and succeed.

During my Penn Nursing graduate application process, Melissa Lee was truly exceptional. When COVID-related challenges left me doubting my potential to pursue a doctoral degree, Melissa stepped in with both practical guidance and ample support that made all the difference. Her attention to detail ensured my application materials were complete, while her genuine compassion helped ease my anxiety during that stressful period. What impressed me most was how Melissa took time to understand my unique circumstances, helping me recognize and articulate strengths I hadn't fully appreciated. Melissa was remarkably responsive and accessible, providing clear guidance on requirements and deadlines while creating a judgement-free space to voice my concerns. Through her support, I felt connected to the Penn Nursing community before joining it. More than an admissions representative, Melissa is a compassionate leader who ensures prospective students navigate the admissions process with confidence. Her dedication transforms what could be an overwhelming experience into one where applicants feel truly valued and supported.

Loubna had excellent and attentive service. She was always available when needed and gave me the proper tools to set up my resume for the programs I wanted to attend. She helped me to get into my top choice business program and I will forever recommend her excellent services!

Working with Loubna was a dream come true. I was 100% determined to get into an elite MBA program and needed the help of a true professional. In applying to 5 Business schools ranked within the top 15, which all happened to be reach schools for me, Loubna helped me create an effective approach, strong narrative, and personalized brand for each individual school’s application process. Her command of every single detail of the admissions process, and personalized 1 on 1 approach, was exactly what I needed. Every single session was precise and productive, and she gained my trust and respect immediately. In applying to those 5 schools, I was offered admissions into 4 of them, including 2 with scholarships. I ultimately committed to a Top 5/M7 program at Northwestern Kellogg, and I couldn’t be happier with the results of working with her. I am forever thankful for the opportunity to have worked with Loubna and I highly recommend working with her as she provides highly personalized, 5-star service that will help you accomplish your admissions goals.

Highly recommended! Loubna helped me get into the top two schools of my choice when I felt I had a slim chance of gaining admission to both prior to receiving her guidance. Her prices are extremely reasonable for the level expertise that she provides to her clients. She adds a personal touch to make each application come to life. I owe her tremendously and look forward to sending friends, family and colleagues her way that can use her services.