Sherin Zadah

Columbia University

School of International and Public Affairs

Master of Public Administration, 2023

1) How did you know you were ready to apply to graduate school?

I knew I was ready for graduate school when I began developing my nonprofit, Kurdish Refugee Relief, and realized that I needed to attend graduate school to learn how to further grow KRR.

2) What were your most important factors in choosing a graduate program?

My most important factor was whether the program offered resources that encourage student innovation. I knew that I would thrive in a program that emphasized student entrepreneurship and valued contributing to their professional development.

3) What about Ascent Admissions made you think this would be a good fit for your needs?

I believe Ascent Admissions was a good fit for my needs because of the extensive experience Veronica has in not just consulting admissions but also my field [international relations and entrepreneurship]. I felt like Veronica provided nuanced perspectives into how the admission process works for public policy/international affairs programs and the rigor of each program. It was very helpful to receive admissions consulting from a seasoned consultant who attended a top international relations master's program like Yale.

4) How did working with Ascent Admissions strengthen your application?

Ascent Admissions helped me strengthen my application in my resume and essays. Veronica’s experience as a graphic designer proved invaluable in creating a resume for me that looked visually appealing and made my work descriptions more professional. We created a unique-looking resume that definitely helped me stand out in the admissions process. Veronica’s coaching in the essay writing process also helped me immensely. Hearing her ideas on how to tie my story together provided me with a fresh outlook I hadn’t had before.

5) How would you describe Veronica’s coaching approach?

Veronica’s coaching approach is personable, professional, and involved. Throughout the coaching process I felt that Veronica truly cared about my success and wanted to see me thrive. Moreover, she was always prompt in showing up for our meetings and quick to respond to emails. Veronica also takes a detailed approach in her essay editing process, which was an invaluable resource for me as I developed the numerous essays I wrote for grad school. She always made sure to plan ahead for our meetings which would make the time we had together even more impactful.

6) Looking back, how did this process change your grad school application experience?

Veronica’s coaching changed my grad school application process in many ways. First, she helped me plan a list of schools and fellowships that were representative of my future goals. This was especially valuable for me because it helped me save time by not applying for fellowships that I didn't actually want and instead dedicating that time and effort to other schools/fellowships. Ascent Admissions helped make an extremely stressful process bearable—and even fun at times!

7) How did you make the decision to invest in graduate admissions consulting? Was it a good financial decision?

I made the decision to invest in grad school consulting because I knew that this was the next big step in my life and I needed to ensure that I approached it in the best way possible. It was definitely a good financial decision for me as Veronica helped me get a $90,000 scholarship to SIPA, which was my most generous scholarship offer.

8) What do you recommend people look for in a graduate admissions coach to ensure they’re the right fit?

I recommend that people look to see what experience and background the graduate consultants coach possesses. Also, make sure to find a grad school coach that is genuinely invested in your admissions process and success. I am very grateful to Ascent Admissions and Veronica for providing me with such invaluable advice and guidance throughout my grad school admission process. Thank you for helping me start this next chapter in my life!!