Menlo Coaching

A Quick Note for Indian Applicants

At Menlo Coaching, we’ve had strong results working with Indian applicants from elite backgrounds—particularly those at large family businesses, private equity and venture capital firms, or other high-end employers.

But we want to be upfront:
We’re not the best fit for every Indian applicant.

Our pricing is significantly higher than local firms—and may be out of reach based on typical Indian salaries.

We focus on a small subset of Indian applicants and do not have broad admissions data across the entire applicant pool.

If you’re currently working for a top-tier family business, PE/VC fund, or similar organization…

…and you think you may be a fit for our services, feel free to reach out directly at [email protected].

Looking for a Great Local Option?

We often recommend MBA Crystal Ball, one of the most established and trusted MBA admissions consulting firms in India.

They’ve helped a wide range of applicants succeed at the M7, T10, and T25 programs—even those with challenges like low test scores, GPA issues, or career gaps.

“MCB made me fall in love with the application process.”
— Apoorva: 10 applications, 9 interviews, 6 admits, $250K in scholarships

📺 Watch real applicant stories on MCB’s YouTube Channel
📬 Request a free profile evaluation from MBA Crystal Ball

A winning application matters—but so does what comes next.

College Admissions Consulting for Life After the Acceptance Letter

We’re a two-woman team of former Stanford educators—and parents—who understand that applying to college is a vulnerable moment for students and their families.

Grounded in years of experience guiding young people through competitive admissions, we bring perspective and calm to a process that can feel chaotic and full of pressure. 

We’ll challenge your child to think deeply about who they are, what they care about, and how college fits into the bigger picture of their lives—while giving you the capable support you’ve been searching for.

Apply to Work with Us

Apply to Work with Us

Welcome. I’m glad you’ve found us.

Dear Parents—

Before I ever started helping students apply to college, I spent years teaching and mentoring brand-new undergrads at Cambridge and Stanford. I saw, up close, what makes students thrive once they get to college…and what holds them back.

See, everyone is laser-focused on “getting in.” Getting in is a start, but we need to prepare your child for what comes next.

Bright students thrive during and after college when they pursue an authentic path. That’s why this process should be all about asking the big questions, so they can step onto campus with clarity and confidence—not just a polished application.

Now, if you’re feeling unsure, behind, or just tired of trying to figure it all out on your own, you’re not the only one. I promise you that every parent we’ve worked with felt the way you do right now.

Trust me: it only gets easier from here.

Warmly,
Alice van Harten, PhD

Founding Partner
Menlo Coaching

Apply to Work with Alice

College Admissions Doesn’t Have to Feel Like This

There’s no doubt that the college admissions process tends to induce panic.

In many ways, it feels like the culmination of all the decisions you’ve made up to this point, or like a test that will determine the rest of your child’s life.

So at the exact moment you should be focused on the big questions—What kind of school will be right for my child?, Where will they feel challenged, supported, inspired?—you’re stuck problem-solving:

“We’re already behind.”
“I don’t know what my kid should be doing, or when.”
“We’re not from the US—how do we play this game?”
“Other families seem to be three steps ahead.”
“The high school isn’t giving us any support.”
“We thought we knew how this worked, but we were wrong.”

Where Problem Solving Stops and Planning Begins

So much of the stress around college admissions comes from uncertainty.

What should your child be doing right now? How should they be spending their summer? When should they ask for recommendations? Should they take the SAT again? What schools should they apply to?

Our team can answer your questions and help you sort through the logistics, start-to-finish: building a thoughtful school list, coaching your child through essays, interviews, and every application detail.

“We’re already behind.”
→
“We meet you where you are and build a plan that fits your timeline.”
“The school isn’t helping.”
→
“We give you the structure, deadlines, and expert support no one else can provide.”
“We don’t know where to start.”
→
“We can explain it all—not just what to do, but why it’s important.”
“We didn’t grow up in this system.”
→
“We’ve helped people all over the world, including US expats abroad and expats living in the US, navigate the American system.”

Once the Stress Levels Are Down, Then We Can Focus on the Big Questions

Beyond the organization and logistics, what really matters in this process is making space for your child to reflect, to ask real questions about who they are and what they want, to think beyond what sounds impressive and focus instead on what feels true.

What excites them? What do they value? Where will they grow—not just academically, but personally?

We guide students to find answers to those questions, and we help them express that thinking in their applications.

In other words, we don’t see this process as a means to an end.

We see it as an opportunity to help your child step into the next chapter of their life with clarity and confidence.

“What I Saw at Stanford”—And How it Changed Everything

When Alice was teaching undergraduates at Cambridge—and later at Stanford—she began to notice a troubling pattern.

Her students had done everything “right.” They had the grades, the scores, the polished essays, and the stacked resumes. On paper, they were perfect admits.

But once they arrived on campus, many of them floundered.

Some struggled to make decisions without external validation. Others felt like they didn’t belong. Many were still searching for direction.

It wasn’t about intelligence or work ethic. These students were thoughtful, capable, and full of potential.

But in the rush to stand out on applications, they hadn’t had the space to reflect on who they were becoming, or what college was supposed to mean beyond admission.

That realization stayed with Alice.

She left academia for Bain & Company, where she quickly earned respect for her analytical mind—but what colleagues noticed most was her natural instinct to teach, mentor, and help people grow. Requests for admissions coaching came pouring in.

Eventually, supporting her peers became a full-time commitment, and she founded Menlo Coaching. And when those same peers eventually began referring their children, the memory of her days at Cambridge and Stanford were still vivid.

It was clear to her what was missing and what she needed to do going forward:

Most college admissions coaches just help students apply—
→
But no one was preparing them for what comes after they get accepted.

That’s what Menlo Coaching offers today. Together with her long-time collaborator and fellow Stanford instructor Leslie Monstavicius, PhD, Alice helps students build a grounded, true-to-life vision for college and beyond.

As always, they do it through:

  • Direct, 1:1 mentorship with seasoned educators (never recent grads or part-time freelancers)
  • Thoughtful coaching that prioritizes self-awareness—or that shows your child that long-term success starts with becoming the best version of themselves, not just outcompeting others
  • Unlimited everything—no package limits, and no hourly billing

The best admissions consultants in the business.

— Carrie Sealey-Morris

Meet Alice van Harten, PhD

Alice
Cambridge Stanford Bain
Apply to Work with Alice

Grounded in a tradition of self-reflection, Alice helps students ask the kinds of questions that matter: Who are you? What do you care about? And how do you show that in your application?

Alice:

  • Earned her PhD from Cambridge on 100% scholarship and tutored undergraduates in writing as part of the school’s intimate “tutorial system”
  • Later received job offers from McKinsey, BCG, and Bain—without a business background
  • Taught at Stanford and advised hundreds of undergrads during their transition to college
  • Brings a rare mix of intellectual rigor and personal mentorship to the college process—when you work with Alice, your growth becomes her personal mission

The best combination of intellectual horsepower and emotional intelligence.

— John Byrne

Meet Leslie Monstavicius, PhD

Leslie believes writing isn’t just about impressing an admissions committee. It’s about learning to think. She helps students articulate their values, ambitions, and voice—especially those who’ve spent too long trying to check the right boxes.

Leslie:

  • Earned degrees from Stanford, Oxford, and Berkeley
  • Served as an academic director at Stanford, guiding students through fellowships and grad school admissions
  • Has helped students win Rhodes, Marshall, and Fulbright scholarships
  • Knows how to turn reflection into confident, authentic writing
Leslie
Berkeley Oxford Stanford

The best insurance policy toward ensuring your student is optimally positioned for college admissions success.

—Garrett E.

What It’s Like to Work With Alice and Leslie

Get Started with a Free Consultation.

We meet your child where they are.

Before anything else, we get to know your child: what drives them, what challenges them, and what they value. We meet them where they are, so we can learn who they are becoming.

We create a strategy that fits them.

Together, we build a thoughtful, balanced school list. Yes, we aim high—but we aim wisely. Our focus isn’t on prestige for prestige’s sake. It’s on finding the right environment for your child to grow.

We guide the full journey.

From structuring the Common App to developing and refining essays, we offer hands-on guidance at every step. We help your child stay organized, intentional, and reflective—not just in their writing, but in their approach to the process.

We’re in touch. Often.

There’s no limit on calls or edits. We notice when motivation dips and step in early. We track progress and provide steady encouragement, accountability, and support.

We coach them to build something meaningful.

For students ready to take on a deeper project—whether in service, creative work, or independent exploration—we help shape ideas into action. Many go on to create something they’re proud of, long after they’ve hit “submit.”

We stay focused on the big picture.

Throughout it all, we help your child articulate who they are and what they care about, not just for the sake of college admissions, but for the life that comes after.

Alice was more like a mentor and advocate, guiding my daughter in an encouraging environment. In the end, it was a transformative journey.

—Parent of Northwestern Grad (Class of 2028)

“Is This Right for Our Family?” and Other Frequently Asked Questions

Is this right for our family?
We work best with families who want a thoughtful, personal approach—not a cookie-cutter plan. Many of our clients fall into one or more of these groups:
  • Parents looking for answers and expert guidance
  • Families who feel lost in the application process
  • Parents and students unfamiliar with the US admissions system
  • Students who want to work hard and learn something about themselves in the process
  • Parents who want to stay informed but are willing to let us work
Do you only work with highly driven students?
No. We work well with both “drivers” and “passengers.” Some students come in ready to go full speed. Others start off hesitant or unsure. As long as they’re open to reflection and willing to engage, we can meet them where they are.
What if my child isn’t sure what they want to study?
That’s normal. In fact, it’s a great place to begin. Through conversation and exploration, we help students reflect on their values, strengths, and goals so that their applications are anchored in something real.
Do you work with international families?
Often. Many of our clients are navigating the US system for the first time, either because they are new to the country or because they haven’t lived there for some time. We help demystify the process and offer structure and support.
How do you help with extracurriculars?
We help students turn their interests into initiatives with real-world impact. That might mean starting a tutoring program after a natural disaster, launching an online platform to support international students, or creating something entirely original based on their passions. Whether your child is an artist, engineer, scientist, or writer, we’ll help them find problems to solve, questions to pursue, and people who need their skills. These projects aren’t just for the application—they help students grow as thinkers, leaders, and members of their communities.
How early can we start?
We’ve worked with students as early as 8th and 9th grade. Starting early allows us to build trust, help shape extracurricular choices, and give students the time and space to grow into their interests.
Are we too late?
Probably not. We regularly support students starting in junior or even senior year. If your child is willing to engage and reflect, there’s still time to write strong, authentic applications. The earlier we start, the more options we’ll have.
What if our school already provides college counseling?
School counselors are well-meaning but overextended. Their job is to help the whole class. Ours is to focus entirely on your child—to push, guide, and advocate for them at every step. That kind of dedicated coaching simply isn’t possible given the student-to-advisor ratio in most high schools.
How involved are parents?
We work with both the student and the family. We’ll communicate openly, offer regular updates, and help you support your child in a way that feels healthy and sustainable. We’re on your team.
How do we sign-up?
We offer a free consultation to see whether this is the right fit—for both your family and our team. If we think we can add real value, we’ll say so. And if we don’t, we’ll tell you that too.

How to Get Started

We work with just a few families each year—and that’s by design.

This is a highly personal process, and we take our time with each student. That’s why the first step is a free consultation, where both parents and children are encouraged to join. It’s a chance for all of us to learn more: about your goals, your child’s needs, and whether this kind of coaching is the right fit.

We’ll ask questions, guide the conversation based on your answers, and evaluate on a few, critical points: Can we add meaningful value? Are you open to thoughtful coaching? Is this a family we can serve well?

We look forward to meeting you.

Start with a Free Consultation
Alice in her Cambridge dorm room. Years later, when she co-founded Menlo Coaching, she set out to give students the kind of thoughtful guidance she once wished she had.