University of Pennsylvania

The client sought admission to the University of Pennsylvania’s MSE in Data Science program, a highly selective Ivy League graduate program known for its rigorous integration of statistics, machine learning, and data engineering. While the applicant possessed strong technical capabilities and relevant project experience, their application narrative lacked cohesion, and their project portfolio did not fully showcase analytical impact.

Kim Consulting conducted a comprehensive review of the applicant’s academic background, professional experience, and career objectives. Through structured storytelling, strategic positioning, and targeted application refinement, the team strengthened the client’s profile to align closely with UPenn’s program values and expectations.

Key interventions included restructuring the Statement of Purpose to clearly articulate a data-driven problem-solving identity, reframing technical projects using a problem–method–impact framework, and optimizing recommendation strategies to highlight analytical rigor, collaboration, and leadership potential. Additionally, the “Why UPenn” component was refined to demonstrate deep alignment with the MSE-DS curriculum and academic environment.

As a result of this tailored and strategic approach, the client successfully secured admission to the UPenn MSE in Data Science program.