About | Privacy Policy | Advertising| Editorial | Contact Us
Follow Us
Subscribe | Login
6,000
Graduate: 3 Years
Independent Consultant
UC Berkeley
UCLA Anderson
Admissions
Career Coaching
Career Management
Entertainment
Management Consulting
MBA Admissions
School Admissions or Administration
Technology
NBC
Chinese
English
Spanish
Founder
Coach Lauren Wong
United States
Net Promoter Score: 9.71
After 8+ years of tutoring—and with a passion for coaching, mentoring, and higher education—I decided to combine my skills with my passion to become an MBA Admissions Coach/Consultant in 2022. Though I launched my business just a few years ago, I’ve already had a strong track record of helping clients secure spots at top-tier MBA programs across the USA and Europe, such as Wharton, Columbia (CBS), London Business School (LBS), INSEAD, and more! I specialize in working with non-traditional and international applicants who want to craft compelling, standout applications—using my expertise in storytelling to help my clients discover and communicate their unique stories.
As a proud Californian, I obtained my undergrad degree from UC Berkeley and an MBA from UCLA Anderson, and before diving into Admissions Consulting/Coaching, I worked at top Fortune 500 companies across entertainment, tech, and consulting in California, honing my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly and persuasively. Outside of my work, I’m a lifelong learner, nature enthusiast, and avid “jack of all trades”/goal setter, pursuing various hobbies—from Martial Arts to studying languages (Mandarin, Spanish, and Portuguese). In my past life I was a digital nomad, traveling around the world nonstop for 3 years and today I continue to be passionate about traveling, currently co-hosting a travel podcast sharing Asian American perspectives on the world. These travels have made me adept at communicating with and working with all types of people, while further honing my storytelling skills.
Clients often tell me they love working with me because I make the application process less stressful—and sometimes, even enjoyable! They appreciate my blend of strategic insight, vibrant energy, and authentic approach—whether it’s breaking down how to approach an application essay or strategizing a career pivot—I won’t just tell you what sounds good; I’ll motivate you to think deeper, craft a vision that excites you, and ultimately, own your story with confidence to achieve your MBA goals.
I’m an independent MBA Admissions Consultant/Coach with a strong focus on helping Asian candidates navigate the competitive application landscape. Many of my clients have gained admission to top programs, even with below-average GMAT/GRE scores securing admissions to top-tier programs like Wharton, Columbia (CBS), Kellogg, Berkeley Haas, LBS, INSEAD, Ross (Michigan), NYU Stern, Cornell, Duke Fuqua, Darden (UVA), Cambridge, UCLA Anderson, Tepper, USC Marshall, McCombs (UT Austin), UW Foster, Georgetown McDonough, Goizueta (Emory), McCarey (ASU), ESADE, BU, NUS; many of my clients received substantial scholarships and total awards exceed $1M as of 2025.
My success comes from my ability to motivate others in setting and reaching their goals, which often leads me to call myself a “Goals Coach”. I work closely with my clients through 1:1 coaching, essay strategy, and interview prep, ensuring that every part of their application is polished and powerful. Even after starting their MBA programs, many of my clients continue to seek my guidance, and I’m always happy to provide motivation and support. Beyond one-on-one consulting, I also provide free resources, webinars, and tailored insights on my social media and website, providing content that helps one reach their goal.
What sets me apart? I don’t just review essays—I dig deep into who you are, what drives you, and how to craft a compelling personal brand. And because of my own untraditional and diverse background, I understand the nuances of both nontraditional and International applicants, I help bridge the gap between impressive credentials and the kind of storytelling that truly connects with MBA admissions committees.
Let’s turn your MBA ambitions into reality—reach out today!
I typically work with clients on at least three programs, providing end-to-end support throughout the MBA application process, from program selection to acceptance. But I believe applying to more programs increases your chances of success and while I charge for additional programs, I incentivize clients to apply broadly by offering discounts and flexible pricing for those pursuing more than three applications.
Location: United States
Email: coachlaurenwong@gmail.com
Website: https://www.coachlaurenwong.com/
10=Without Hesitation, 1=I would advise against it.
The information provided in this section is solely for verification purposes by Poets&Quants staff. It will not be published, shared, or used in any other way. We may need to contact you via email to confirm details of your review, because only completed reviews will be published. If you are leaving the review after a successful admissions process, please upload an acceptance letter. Please make sure your name is visible on the acceptance letter; you may redact all other personal or financial details. Alternatively, Poets&Quants will accept any of the following documents as proof of acceptance: emails from the school, a class schedule, or a tuition invoice, provided your name is clearly visible.
If you are not leaving a review for a successful application season, that’s OK! We accept positive and negative reviews for: applicants only, rejections, and those who have been wait listed. It is MOST beneficial for your consultant if you are as thorough as possible in your review and with your personal verification details. If we cannot verify you, the review will not be published.
Select "N/A" if you are a career coaching client only.
Please upload a pdf, png, jpg or gif file.
Choosing Lauren was the best decision I made and I cannot stress that enough. She activiely and clearly communicated with me, and I always felt really supported throughout the proccess. She took great time and effort to understand my background and experiences. She also helped me find strengths that I was not aware of. From brainstorming to interview preparation, she will be there for every client’s success.
Lauren is a consultant who brings out your personality and helps tell your story in a way that feels authentic and compelling. She has the dedication and sensitivity to uncover hidden strengths and shape them into a narrative that is true to you while standing out to the admissions committee. Lauren works quickly and effectively, taking on challenges and providing timely support throughout the application process. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for a consultant who combines strategic insight with genuine care for her clients’ success.
As an international applicant, applying to U.S. MBA programs felt overwhelming — especially when it came to writing essays, preparing interviews and understanding what admissions committees are really looking for. Working with Lauren was helpful because she guided me through brainstorming and identifying my unique strengths, then shaping them into stories that resonated. Lauren’s quick response time made the process much smoother, and her constant encouragement turned a stressful journey into a more supportive experience.
Lauren helped me get through tough times when I was struggling with application and even provided inspiring advice for my personal development. She not only cares about my MBA application but also my future plan.
Working with Lauren made the whole MBA application process so much less stressful and so much more meaningful. She really took the time to get to know me, and instead of just editing essays, she helped me dig deep and find the stories that felt the most authentic. What I loved most is that she was always genuine and supportive, and through all the brainstorms and pep talks, we actually became really good friends. I’m so grateful for her guidance and friendship. I couldn’t have done it without her!
Working with Lauren never felt like just admissions consulting—it felt like having a true partner by my side. Her expertise shines not only through her skills but through her genuine talent, care, and dedication. She gave me confidence when I doubted myself and the courage to move faster and further in my MBA journey. With her guidance, I was admitted a full year earlier than planned in Round 4—something I never thought possible.
What truly sets Lauren apart is that her support extended well beyond applications. She continued to coach me through career decisions, helping me navigate challenges and ultimately land my dream internship at Google. Lauren is both an incredible consultant and a true friend, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking guidance that is as personal as it is professional.
Lauren has an exceptional gift for storytelling – she invested considerable time upfront getting to know me, deeply exploring my background and experiences, and collaborating with me to explore various narrative approaches. Through this thoughtful, iterative process, she guided me in crafting a personal story that was both genuine to who I am and distinctive enough to capture the attention of admissions committees. Throughout the process of applying to five schools, she was incredibly thorough and strategic, taking the time to understand me while helping me maintain consistency in my core message. Just as importantly, Lauren provided wonderful emotional support during what can be a stressful and overwhelming process.
The results speak for themselves – I received offers from all the schools I interviewed with and secured my top choice offer—Wharton, and I genuinely believe it was because Lauren helped me present the strongest, most authentic version of myself. Her expertise, dedication, and genuine care for her clients’ success make her an invaluable partner in this challenging but rewarding journey!
Working with Coach Lauren has been an incredibly positive experience. From the very beginning, it was clear how much energy and commitment she devotes to every candidate. She doesn’t take a one-size-fits-all approach; instead, she spends the time to truly understand each individual’s strengths, challenges, and goals. This personalized attention made me feel seen and supported throughout the entire process.
What stood out the most is her thoughtfulness and consideration. Lauren has a way of creating a safe, encouraging environment that motivates you to push yourself while never feeling pressured. She asks the right questions, provides constructive feedback, and ensures that every session is meaningful and productive.
Beyond her professional expertise, she is incredibly generous with her time. She goes above and beyond to make sure candidates are well-prepared and confident, whether that means walking through details more than once or checking in outside of scheduled sessions. Her dedication shows in the progress and growth I was able to achieve.
I am deeply grateful for Lauren’s support. She is not only a skilled coach but also a true mentor who genuinely cares about the success and well-being of those she works with.
A little more than a year ago, I came to Lauren feeling quite overwhelmed by the MBA process and unsure how to tie together my rather unconventional professional path and personal background into a compelling story. From our first conversation (before I signed), she made me feel that she was the right one who understood my story.
What impressed me most was Lauren’s ability to listen deeply and push me to reflect beyond surface-level answers often found in MBA applications. Instead of simply editing my essays, she challenged me to articulate both my career goals and life values in ways that felt authentic and personal. Her feedback was always constructive and thought-provoking.
Lauren was also an incredibly supportive friend throughout the process. She was a major force in keeping my spirits up during a stressful time. Thanks to her guidance, I not only felt more confident as an applicant over time but also gained clarity about what I truly need to focus on during the application journey.
I’m thrilled to share that I was eventually admitted to multiple top schools such as Michigan Ross, Virginia Darden, Emory Goizueta, and Washington Foster, and I could not have done it without Lauren. I would really recommend Lauren to anyone looking for a consultant who is both strategic and genuinely invested in your success.
Working with Lauren was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application journey. From the very beginning, she took the time to understand my story, including my strengths and doubts, and made the process feel truly personal and supportive. She was always available with honest, constructive feedback and pushed me to improve while also celebrating my progress along the way. Thanks to her guidance, I approached my applications with clarity and confidence.
Lauren is not just a consultant; she is a true friend who cares deeply about my career and growth. I began working with her after my first attempt at applying to schools resulted in no admissions. With her guidance, I identified my application’s blind spots and focused on amplifying my strengths. She not only assisted me in crafting excellent materials but also invested significant time perfecting my interview responses. As I pursue a career in entertainment, my top choices are USC and UCLA. Lauren generously shares her network, helping me gain insight into my target schools. I recently completed my MBA at USC Marshall, and it was one of the most incredible periods of my life, thanks to Lauren’s support during the toughest times!
Lauren is an authentic, empathetic, and energetic professional. Working with her was effortless as she communicates clearly, listens attentively, and genuinely cares about helping candidates achieve their goals. Her comprehensive support guided me through applications and also helped me successfully negotiate scholarships. I highly recommend Lauren to anyone seeking a consultant who will provide guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support throughout the journey.
I worked with Lauren on five MBA applications, and with her guidance I was accepted at two schools, including UCLA Anderson, where I ultimately enrolled. One of the most important parts of my journey was starting out waitlisted at Anderson. Lauren’s steady support, timely encouragement, and strategic advice were key in helping me navigate the waitlist process and ultimately turn it into an acceptance.
What really stood out to me was how Lauren approached storytelling. She spent significant time talking with me first, understanding my background and experiences, and brainstorming different angles. Through this back-and-forth approach, she helped me shape a personal story that felt authentic while making me stand out to the admissions committee.
Beyond admissions, Lauren continued to be a tremendous resource once I was accepted. As an Anderson alum herself, she gave me invaluable advice about settling in Los Angeles and integrating into the Anderson community. That extra layer of support made the transition to business school much smoother, especially as an international student.
For me, the MBA application process was more than just getting admitted, it was also a journey of self-discovery. Having someone like Lauren, who can help you dig deep into your true self and bring out your most authentic story, was invaluable. That ability to combine introspection with strategy was the most important part of this process for me, and I’m grateful to have had Lauren as my consultant through this process.
Lauren was an incredible consultant who combined passion with professionalism. She guided me through every step of the MBA application process with both strategy and personal care, ensuring my story truly stood out. Her support gave me confidence and brought me closer to achieving my dream program. I would highly recommend her to anyone applying to business school.
Our Partner Sites: Poets&Quants for Execs | Poets&Quants for Undergrads | Tipping the Scales | We See Genius