STEM & MFE Graduate School Admissions Coaching
You need more than high test scores to get into a top tier Quant & STEM Master's program.
I help you connect your background, goals, and technical strengths into a clear path forward, so admissions committees can see your potential and how their program helps you reach it.
For most applicants, the real challenge isn’t their GPA. It’s understanding what admissions committees actually look for beyond the minimum requirements.​
Applying to Graduate School Can Be Overwhelming
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No clarity on what admissions really want.
Every applicant worries about this. You pore over program websites, talk to friends, and still have no idea how much weight committees actually put on GRE scores, research, coursework, essays, or recommendations. You are left guessing, and that makes it almost impossible to know where to focus your time and energy.
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No roadmap for networking.
Sure, you can send an email to a professor or alum, but then what? What do you actually say on the call? How do you follow up in a way that keeps the door open?
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No system to manage it all.
Between GRE prep, personal statements, recommendation letters, and lab hours, the application process can feel like a full-time job. Without a structured system to track your progress, it is easy to lose sight of deadlines or let tasks slip through the cracks.
Any Applicant Can...
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List Python or object-oriented programming on their CV,
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Mention how impressed they are by a program's global reputation,
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Have a high GPA by taking easy coursework,
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Or highlight how career services and alumni can help them achieve their goals.​​​
But Admissions Wants to Know...
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How do you effectively communicate your career story in essays and interviews?
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How have you prepared yourself academically AND outside the classroom?
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How can you contribute positively to the program & the student body?
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Where do you want to go in your career?
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And how is their program the RIGHT FIT to get you there?​​
They're Wondering...
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​​​​​What classes did you take to close knowledge gaps in your application?
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What projects, research, or internships have helped you gain technical skills?
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How did you address a low GPA from your first year of undergrad?
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If you didn’t attend a target school, how have you gone above and beyond to get into a top tier grad school?
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And, if you're returning to school from the workforce, are you up-to-date on the right coursework?​
I'm Ash: Your Guide Through The Admissions Process
I’m a Career Coach and Job Search Strategist. And I’ve sat on the other side of the table...
As part of the Admissions Committee for the #3 MFE in the US, Carnegie Mellon's MSCF (Master's in Computational Finance), I reviewed hundreds of applicants from computer science, data science, mathematics, statistics, and finance backgrounds.
Then, in Career Services, I worked directly with grad students and employers to ensure our quantitative finance students succeeded once they got into the program.
This insider perspective shapes how I coach you... because I know what committees are really scanning for AND what employers expect from grads.
When We Work Together:
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I am practical and direct. We’ll break down your goals into clear, step-by-step actions, whether that means tightening your CV.
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I offer support between sessions. If you get stuck, you can text me. We’ll troubleshoot, refine, or queue it up for our next session.
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We will plan out a clear timeline. Plus, we will adapt our system to work for your brain while still accounting for GRE prep, coursework, upskilling, and application deadlines.
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I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all strategies. I believe in helping STEM applicants present their unique story with clarity and confidence so admissions committees see the real value you bring.
How I Help With Admissions
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1:1 Coaching – Fully personalized support that can cover any of the following, depending on your goals.
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Candidate Profile Assessment – Detailed analysis of your transcript, CV, and recommendations to identify gaps and strengthen your competitiveness.
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Program Recommendations – Guidance on narrowing your choices to the top 5 schools that best fit your profile and goals.
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Networking & LinkedIn Support – Strategies and scripts for building meaningful connections with professors, alumni, and industry professionals.
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CV & Statement of Purpose Editing – Hands-on editing to ensure your application materials tell a clear, compelling story.
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Interview Coaching – Practice and feedback to help you communicate confidently in admissions interviews.
What Success Looks Like Outside the Classroom
Once you’re in your grad program, the support doesn’t stop. I also coach students & grads on:
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Internship Search – Position yourself for competitive placements.
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Full-Time Job Search – Translate grad school experience into job offers.
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Career Changes – Navigate transitions into new industries or roles with clarity and confidence.
270
MFE Students Helped
100%
Landed Internships
88%
Received Six-figure Job Offers by Graduation
My Graduates Work At...
