I went from community college to UCLA, earned two nationally competitive fellowships, and landed internships at CAIR, Congress, and leading policy organizations — with no connections and no roadmap.
Competitive applications aren't just about credentials. They're about knowing how to frame your story, what committees actually look for, and how to stand out before they've finished the first page.
Generic openings, safe narratives, no hook. If your essay could have been written by anyone, it probably won't be remembered by anyone.
No one in your family has done this before. You don't know what you don't know — and that knowledge gap is costing you real opportunities.
Your background is compelling. Your experiences are real. But translating lived experience into competitive application language is a skill — and it's learnable.
Whether you're applying to college, a fellowship, law school, or your first policy role — I help you build the strongest possible case for yourself.
Built for transfer students and first-gen applicants targeting selective schools. From school list strategy to essays that sound like the best version of you.
Fulbright, Rangel, Boren, Gilman, and beyond. I know these applications from the inside — what makes reviewers lean forward and what makes them turn the page.
Personal statements that do more than list accomplishments — they make a case for why you belong and what you'll contribute when you get there.
Policy jobs, nonprofit roles, federal positions, and legal-adjacent careers. I help you build a compelling professional narrative and navigate competitive hiring processes.
"Working with someone who actually went through the process — and had to figure it out without a safety net — made all the difference. I finally understood what my essay was actually supposed to do."
"I had the experience. I just didn't know how to frame it. Andrew helped me see my own story in a completely different way — and write it like it deserved to be written."
"My career pivot felt impossible until I had a clear narrative. The resume and cover letter we built together got me an interview at the first place I sent it."
I grew up in Murrieta, California and started at community college — without a counselor who knew what a fellowship was, or what "competitive applications" actually meant. I figured it out through research, rejection, iteration, and eventually, results.
That process took me to UCLA, through two nationally competitive fellowships, a Rangel Finalist distinction, and internships at CAIR National, TIMEP, and in the U.S. House of Representatives. Today I work as a Case Manager at City Net, navigating complex systems on behalf of people who've been failed by them.
Coaching is how I take everything I learned and compress it for you. No generic templates, no recycled advice — just strategy, honesty, and someone in your corner who's been exactly where you're standing.
Let's Talk →15 minutes. Tell me where you are, where you want to go, and what's standing in the way. No pressure, no commitment.
We map your narrative, identify your most compelling angles, and build a custom plan for your specific application.
Iterative rounds of feedback until your essays and materials genuinely reflect who you are — at your absolute best.
You'll send materials you're proud of — clear, authentic, and built to stand out with the people making the decisions.
Start with a free call. Every engagement is tailored — these are starting points, not ceilings. Sliding scale available for students who need it.
Free 15-minute intro call always included. Sliding scale and payment plans available for students facing financial barriers — just ask.
Free 15-minute call. No pitch, no pressure — just clarity on whether we're a good fit and what working together could look like.