Who We Are: The Full-Time mbaMission Team

Gavriella Semaya

Gavriella Semaya

Senior MBA Admissions Consultant

Harvard alumna, Cornell Tech MBA, certified Executive Coach, and outstanding communicator with more than 12 years in retail, start-ups, and tech and a track record of applicant success at HBS, Stanford GSB, and Wharton

How I Can Help You

I have had a diverse career—leading product development and e-commerce merchandising at Kate Spade, scaling production at start-up MM.Lafleur, digital strategy consulting at Barneys New York—but I started out as a writer/editor and found my passion as an executive coach. Along the way, I earned my MBA from Cornell Tech, an entrepreneurship- and tech-focused program. As an mbaMission consultant, I combine my three core skills—business, writing, and coaching—to help my clients express themselves strategically, authentically, and most importantly, effectively.

My coaching experience allows me to dig deep into the full breadth of my client’s experiences to identify the stories that best convey what makes them stand out. I rely on my business acumen, extensive school-specific knowledge, and skillful writing and editing to ensure that my clients articulate what differentiates them, drives them, and demonstrates their fit with each school. My goal is to create cogent, insightful, and memorable applications that reflect the best of my clients. Throughout the process, I use tools I have developed to make the application experience as seamless as possible.

Why Choose Me

I view my clients as partners. From the moment we begin, I am fully invested in their success and fulfillment. I challenge my clients to think deeper about their lives and goals than ever before as I guide them through the application process. In five-star reviews, my clients say I see them more clearly than they see themselves, that my writing and editing sharpen their voice, and that I made the impossible seem possible. Nothing gives me greater satisfaction than hearing that my clients have been accepted to their dream schools, except perhaps our follow-up conversations evaluating which school to attend! In the past three years alone, my clients have received over $5.3M in scholarships.

My clients appreciate my commitment and express gratitude for the growth they experience through our partnership. In 2023, I was listed one of Poets&Quants’ top MBA admissions consultants.

I earned my MBA in entrepreneurship and tech from Cornell Tech, a division of the Johnson Graduate School of Management, where I was twice elected class facilitator. I have my bachelor’s degree in sociology from Harvard University and became a certified executive coach in 2020.

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Gavriella made the impossible happen! Admitted to Wharton!


Highly recommend Gavriella—got into GSB and HBS!


Wonderful Advisor, Invaluable Insight, Absolute Star


Instrumental Advisor—Gavriella is a talented listener, remarkable editor, and incredibly thoughtful advisor


Read more reviews for Gavriella

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