Boutique Undergraduate and Graduate Admissions Coaching

Strategic admissions
coaching for
undergraduate and
graduate programs

Long-term planning, authentic narrative, and clear execution. We help students present their best work with confidence, purpose, and integrity.

Undergraduate
High school, transfer, final-stage applications
Graduate
MBA, Masters, and other competitive programs
Style
Thoughtful, structured, and deeply personal
Historic university cloister
Boutique guidance for selective admissions, grounded in clarity and authenticity.
High touch
Limited client load, deep attention
Structured process
Clear steps, realistic timelines
Authenticity
No manufactured stories, demonstrates purpose and passion
Two tracks
Undergraduate and graduate admissions

Approach

Admissions is not a formula, it is a reflection of who a student is becoming. We focus on long-term coherence, authentic narrative, and execution that feels genuine.

Step 1

Clarify direction

Define what matters, identify strengths, and choose a path that is credible and true.

Step 2

Build the story

Find the throughlines across academics, activities, leadership, and character.

Step 3

Execute

Essays, activities, recommendations, resume, video submissions, interviews, and final review, done with precision and steady momentum.

Joining later

If you are entering late in the undergraduate process, or under pressure to prepare for graduate admissions, we move fast without rushing. We focus on surfacing the strongest narrative, tightening positioning, and building a realistic plan.

Services

Choose the engagement that matches your timeline. Undergraduate and graduate clients follow the same principles, clarity, authenticity, and strong execution.

Undergraduate, long-term

Multi-year guidance for high school students who want a coherent arc, academic planning, extracurricular strategy, and narrative development.

  • Academic and course planning
  • Activities and leadership strategy
  • Application narrative foundations
  • Relationship building for recommendations

Undergraduate, application intensive

For rising 12th grader, transfers, or late-stage entrants. We bring structure quickly, tighten materials, and guide the final run-up.

  • School list strategy
  • Essays and supplements
  • Activities list
  • Video submission planning
  • Recommendation guidance
  • Interview preparation

Graduate, MBA and beyond

Coaching for competitive graduate programs. We focus on positioning, career throughlines, and authentic personal narrative.

  • Positioning and program fit
  • Essays and resume narrative
  • Recommendation strategy
  • Interview coaching
Not sure which service fits?
A short consultation clarifies timeline, scope, and the best path forward.
Ask about fit →
Katherine Johnson

Education

  • MBA, Harvard Business School
  • BA, Duke University

Expertise

  • MBA Admissions (Fortuna)
  • Executive Strategy (Time Warner, OWN)
Founder and Lead Advisor

Katherine Johnson

Executive Level Strategy for Selective Admissions

Katherine is a Harvard Business School and Duke University graduate with more than twenty years of experience in strategy, leadership, branding, and higher education advising.

She spent five years at Fortuna Admissions, advising MBA candidates applying to the world’s most competitive business schools. There, she helped accomplished professionals articulate distinctive leadership narratives and present their achievements with clarity and confidence.

For the past five years, Katherine has worked privately with students and families on undergraduate and graduate admissions. She partners closely with each client to uncover authentic strengths, craft compelling personal narratives, and position applications with strategic precision for selective institutions.

Earlier in her career, Katherine advised leading universities, including Duke University and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, on branding, marketing, and alumni engagement strategy. She has also held senior executive roles, including Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President, at high growth startups and major media organizations such as the Oprah Winfrey Network and Time Warner.

Katherine brings executive level insight, strategic discipline, and a deeply personal commitment to every student she advises. Her work reflects thoughtful preparation, authentic storytelling, and a clear understanding of what selective institutions value most.

Testimonials

Reflections from families and students.

“Katherine helped us find the real story, then built a plan that made everything feel manageable. My son was thrilled.”

Parent, Vanderbilt ED admit

“Katherine helped me create a completely new and outstanding Duke early decision application after another counselor discouraged me. Her advice and guidance was life-changing.”

Student, Duke ED admit

“For graduate admissions, the positioning work was the difference. It finally sounded like me, at my best.”

Graduate Student, Columbia Computer Science MS admit

FAQ

Common questions about timing, scope, and how the process works.

When should we start?

Earlier is ideal, but we can start later and still add meaningful value. The right start date depends on your goals, timeline, and current level of readiness.

Do you work with both undergraduate and graduate applicants?

Yes. We coach undergraduate applicants (including transfer and late-stage) and graduate applicants (including MBA and other competitive programs).

How do you handle essays?

We focus on authenticity and structure. The goal is writing that is clear, true, and aligned with the student’s real experiences, not manufactured narratives.

What is the first step?

An initial consultation to assess fit, clarify goals, and outline a plan and engagement scope.

Contact

To inquire about undergraduate or graduate coaching, email us to schedule an initial consultation.

hello@aureliusadvising.com