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Debby C.

Debby Couture

She/Her

Top Expert

Former Stanford Graduate Admissions Director | Master's & PhD Programs

  • American Public University System Logo

    American Public University System

  • Stanford University Logo

    Stanford University

  • 103.1k

    Expert mins

  • 363

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Available Wednesday

Starting at 5:30 PM UTC

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About

For almost ten years, I worked in graduate admissions at Stanford University — reviewing applications for MS and PhD programs, sitting on admissions committees, and building admissions offices in both the School of Engineering and the School of Education. I know how these decisions get made, because I was part of making them. Since 2013, I've worked as a full-time graduate admissions consultant, helping hundreds of students worldwide gain admission to some of the most competitive programs in the world. My clients come from every corner of graduate education — engineering, the natural sciences, education, social work, policy, psychology, business, medicine, and more — and from countries across six continents. I've traveled to meet students and their families in person, and I understand the different cultural expectations and pressures that surround the decision to pursue an advanced degree. What I offer is honest, personalized support — not shortcuts or tricks. I'm not here to help anyone "game" the system. I'm here to make sure the admissions committee sees the most accurate and compelling version of who you actually are. That means helping you find and articulate your story, strengthening your statement of purpose, building a smart school list, and preparing you for every step of the process. I don't screen clients based on GPA or academic record. In fact, some of my most rewarding work has been with students who weren't sure they belonged in graduate school at all — and who went on to get in. Everyone has a story worth telling. My job is to help you tell it well. My past client results include (for a complete list of my admissions results, click here: (https://www.wisegradadmissions.com/results) STANFORD UNIVERSITY Civil & Environmental Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Management Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering International Education Policy Learning, Design & Technology Policy, Organization & Leadership HARVARD UNIVERSITY Data Science Education Leadership. Organization & Entrepreneurship Human Development & Education Learning Design, Innovation, and Technology Prevention Science & Practice UNIVERSITY of PENNSYLVANIA Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Systems Engineering Education & Psychology Behavioral Economics Counseling & Mental Health Services Human Development International Education Development Learning Sciences and Technologies Social Psychology WHARTON MBA (joint program with Computer Engineering Management Technology) CORNELL UNIVERSITY Electrical & Computer Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research & Information Engineering Statistics Agricultural Economics Food Science Financial Mathematics Management JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY Applied Physics Computer Science Electrical & Computer Engineering Robotics Mental Health Counseling Public Health & Epidemiology Public Policy, Global Affairs & International Relations Financial Mathematics COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Management Science & Engineering Materials Engineering Mechanical Engineering Operations Research Agricultural Economics Biostatistics Statistics Financial Mathematics Applied Behavior Analysis Counseling Psychology Developmental Psychology Instructional Technology & Media International Comparative Education International Studies MSW School Psychology UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MBA Public Policy/Global Affairs MSW Psychology​ GEORGETOWN Public Policy/Global Affairs Asian Studies NYU Computer Science Data Science Electrical Engineering Financial Engineering​ Biostatistics​ Food Studies Physics Behavioral Economics Counseling Human Development & Social Interaction MSW UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN Aero/Astro Engineering Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electrical Engineering Environmental Engineering Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Biostatistics Survey Methodology Financial Mathematics Public Policy & International Studies Japanese Studies MSW CARNEGIE MELLON UNIVERSITY Chemical Engineering Computer Science Electric and Computer Engineering Environmental Engineering HCI Materials Science & Engineering Mechanical Engineering Statistical Practice Computational Finance UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON Computer Science Chemical Engineering​ Electrical Engineering Applied Physics Biostatistics​ Education/Psychology Learning Sciences and Human Development MSW

Why do I coach?

Watching strong candidates get overlooked — not because they weren't ready, but because their applications didn't reflect who they truly were — is what made me want to do this work. I knew there was a gap between what applicants knew about themselves and what admissions committees could see. I wanted to help close it. I'm most drawn to working with people who don't yet see their own potential clearly. The career changer who thinks it's too late. The student with an unconventional background who assumes the odds are against them. Everyone has a story worth telling, and sometimes you just need someone to help you see it.

Work Experience

University of Texas Austin Logo

Senior Strategic Planning Associate (Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute)

University of Texas Austin

February 2021 - September 2021

Consultant - Contract - Collaborate on the Texas Mindset Initiative (TxMI) & the Texas Behavioral Science and Policy Institute (TxBSPI) projects; help develop a curriculum for instructors to address mindset in first-generation and underrepresented students in areas of STEAM and Social Sciences. - Collaborate with professors from the psychology and sociology departments and the school of education to develop a curriculum for learning assistants (via a research initiative). - Review applications to a post-baccalaureate research fellowship program to help address inequality and representation in education. - Provide career and graduate admissions counseling to college students (freshman-senior years) within STEM, Social Sciences, and Pre-Med areas. - Provide information sessions on graduate admissions applications as needed.

Wise Graduate Admiss Logo

Business Owner

Wise Graduate Admiss

July 2013 - Present

- Independent graduate admissions consultant specializing in helping students navigate the process of applying to graduate programs in the United States, Canada, the UK, and Europe. - My services are customized to meet the specific needs of each client. I work collaboratively throughout the entire process and can advise students on the complete process of applying to graduate school in various areas of study. - Presented several classes at UT Austin Dell Medical School, Psychiatry (Diverse Psychology program) to increase the representation of underrepresented minorities in areas of psychiatry. (2022-23)

Stanford University Logo

Director of Graduate Admissions

Stanford University

March 2004 - June 2013

Admissions Committee

I've held various senior roles while at Stanford, I worked in the Central Office of Graduate Admissions, where I reviewed the files of admitted applicants from all departments on campus to ensure they met university standards for admission. I also worked in the School of Education to spearhead the development of their admissions office. I managed the annual admission cycle for all graduate programs (e.g., M.A. and Ph.D.). In the School of Engineering, I sat with admissions committee members to review, rank, and make admission recommendations for 1600 applications (per year) to the Department of Electrical Engineering’s full-time and part-time graduate programs (MS, Ph.D., and Engineer’s degree programs).

Education

American Public University System Logo

American Public University System

Master's, Psychology

2019 - 2022

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Debby has helped clients get into these schools:


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Articles

What Is a Holistic Review? Holistic Review Process Explained

What Is a Holistic Review? Holistic Review Process Explained

Mar 18, 2026

Looking to understand what "holistic review" means in graduate school admissions? This article breaks it down and explains how you can stand out in a holistic application process.

How to Get Started on Your Letters of Recommendation for Graduate School

How to Get Started on Your Letters of Recommendation for Graduate School

Jun 17, 2025

Discover the essential steps for obtaining strong letters of recommendation for your grad school application, including tips on crafting a persuasive request and maintaining strong relationships with your recommenders.

What Extracurriculars are Graduate Programs Looking For?

What Extracurriculars are Graduate Programs Looking For?

Jun 17, 2025

What are graduate adcoms actually looking for when they review your resume? How are extracurricular activities considered in the review of your application?Read this to find the answers to these questions and more.

Graduate Admissions: Myths Busted! 

Graduate Admissions: Myths Busted! 

Jun 17, 2025

What you’ve heard about getting into grad school vs. the facts, from an expert Leland coach with almost 20 years of experience.

How to Decide Where to Apply for Graduate School

How to Decide Where to Apply for Graduate School

Jun 17, 2025

With so many advanced degree options, it can be difficult to narrow down your list of potential schools and choose the ones that are actually the best fit. Here are some tips to get you started.

Beyond the Checklist: How to Showcase Your Unique Skills and Experiences in Your Grad School Applications

Beyond the Checklist: How to Showcase Your Unique Skills and Experiences in Your Grad School Applications

Jun 17, 2025

Discover effective strategies and expert tips to stand out in your grad school applications. Learn how to showcase your unique skills and experiences to make a compelling case for your admission that captures the attention of admissions committees.

The 3 Most Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate School Admissions

The 3 Most Frequently Asked Questions for Graduate School Admissions

Jun 17, 2025

A former Director of Graduate Admissions at Stanford University outlines the three questions she gets asked the most, and how she'd answer them to guide your application process.

What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Graduate School?

What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Graduate School?

Jun 17, 2025

How much does your college GPA actually matter to graduate programs? How high of a GPA is "good enough"? A former Director of Stanford Graduate Admissions addresses the importance of GPAs to higher ed. degrees.

A Word of Caution on Application Essays and AI

A Word of Caution on Application Essays and AI

Jun 17, 2025

A former Director of Graduate Admissions at Stanford addresses the advantages and dangers of using ChatGPT and other AI software for graduate school application essays.