Marie Mookini, PhD

I am inspired when working side-by-side with clients who are born to lead and to create change in organizations. And it is such a gift when our clients also embrace the self-reflection process to think about who they are in addition to what they have accomplished. Of course, the highlight is when our clients gain admission to their top schools. But it doesn’t end there.  We often visit our former clients in their MBA programs: hearing their excitement about their MBA experience completes the circle of our work.

Professional Highlights

Co-Founder and Partner, The Admission Advisory Group (Present)

Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admission at Stanford Graduate School of Business (10 years)

Director of Stanford Graduate School of Business’s MSx Program (5 years)

Assistant Dean at the Stanford University Undergraduate Admission Office (8 years)

Former Board member of the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the governing body for MBA programs

Past President of the Western Association of College Admission Counselors (WACAC)

Creator of the “What matters most to you, and why?” essay question.

Educational Background

Marie holds a BA in Psychology from Stanford University, and Master and PhD degrees from the
UCLA Graduate School of Education and Information Sciences.

Outside work

Outside of work, Marie is a passionate “foodie,” and enjoys all forms of dance. She is of Hawaiian ancestry, was raised in Honolulu, and went to school at Punahou prior to starting college at Stanford.

See What Our Clients Are Saying

I just received the news yesterday – I am IN!!! Woohoo! 😊 Thank you so very much for all your help. I couldn’t have done it without your support and positive reinforcement. You’re an amazing coach!”

LBS Admit

Thank you for all of your incredible support in the MBA application process. I truly don’t think I could have had the results I did without you. And I certainly would not have had the same peace of mind. Throughout the process you were so thoughtful, precise, kind, and thorough. You are an amazing listener and were critical in helping me find and articulate my own voice.”

Stanford GSB Admit

I remember our initial meeting. I was terrified, daunted by the prospect of writing application essays. You made a profound impact on my life. Your mission has always been to identify the characteristics in your students and make them stand out. I hope you continue your work as long as possible. You are an amazing teacher and person. I feel extremely blessed to have worked with you.”

HBS Admit

Thank you sincerely for your support and guidance throughout the year. Our work together meant more to me than an application to school. You encouraged me to look inside myself in a way that I think I deeply needed. Through our conversations and guided reflection, I became re-empowered in my life, my decisions, and my future. You once described my life as a mosaic – I can’t wait to add the next tile! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.”

Stanford GSB Admit

Thank you so much for your support throughout the business school application process, and for helping me achieve my dream. I cannot thank you enough for your guidance and for the care you brought to each of our conversations. I enjoyed being able to think introspectively about my values and life goals alongside you. Your words of encouragement will continue to stick with me as I go through school and my career.”

Stanford GSB Admit

As the application comes to an end, I wanted to take the time to tell you how much your genuine support has meant to me over these past several months. I really have felt like a special applicant and working with you has been both cathartic and fun.”

Tuck Admit

Thank you for all of your wonderful help, encouragement, support, and kicks in the rear end when I needed them! I am so thrilled to be heading off to HBS and I could not have done it without you. You truly went above and beyond for which I am incredibly appreciative.”

HBS Admit

You’ve been an invaluable resource, mentor, and – more than that – an example of kindness and intelligence in my life. Thanks for everything.”

Chicago Booth Admit - Civic Scholars

I want to sincerely thank you for believing in my candidacy and believing that I could do 7 applications in just one round and apply to my two dream schools. Thank you for the amazing work we did together over the past few months and for always being available for the many, many questions that I had.”

Stanford GSB Admit