Unlocking more Opportunities for your College Journey with our new College Consulting Coach: Matthew Au
Meet our new College Consulting Coach, Matt Au, a current Graduate student at a Top MBA School
This email is written by Program Officer Jasmine Ngo
Tigerway Team Members and Families,
We are excited to introduce to you a valuable addition to our college consulting team at Tigerway: Matthew Au. In this email, I will be breaking down the experience that helped him get into a top MBA school, the University of Virginia Darden School of Business on a merit-based full scholarship.
Let’s take a look at his resume:
Education and Achievements
Matt Au earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance, from Northeastern University D'Amore McKim School of Business. At Northeastern, he was involved in many clubs and organizations, including ALPFA as the founder and e-board member, IDEA Accelerator as an Edtech Startup Founder, and the Civic Engagement Program. He also had several internships during his undergraduate years.
Professional Experience
What makes Matt a great applicant for an MBA is not only his academic achievements but also his professional experience. He spent two years as a Senior Associate at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, where he worked as a private equity consultant in Deals Strategy & Private Equity Value Creation, which is typically a post-MBA position. During his tenure, Matt completed over 14 due diligence cases for the world’s largest private equity funds and advised CEO and executives on various value-creation initiatives. His exceptional performance was recognized with 18 awards, including the Innovation Challenge and the opportunity to throw the "first pitch" at Fenway Park.
Before joining PricewaterhouseCoopers, Matt held positions at PTC, a publicly traded company specializing in end-to-end software solutions for engineers and manufacturers. As a Corporate Strategy Analyst and Associate at PTC, he collaborated with executives on strategic initiatives and played a vital role in market assessment, competitive intelligence, and planning. His dedication and performance earned him recognition as a top performer in the highly selective strategy leadership program. Because of his hard work, Matt earned a 2-level promotion to Senior Specialist, which would’ve typically taken 4 years for others. His hard work was recognized as the top 10% Highest Performance.
As a Senior HR Project Specialist, he served as the Chief of Staff for the VP of HR, overseeing a team of eight and providing strategic guidance on cross-functional initiatives. Matt's contributions were instrumental in spearheading PTC's first-ever ESG Program, which earned him the prestigious Change Maker award from the CEO.
His extensive professional experience has set him apart from other applicants for competitive Top MBA programs.
How did his Experience help him get into a Top MBA School?
Matt’s experience has played a crucial role in his admission to a top MBA program by highlighting his unique strengths and achievements. Here are three key aspects that have contributed to the success:
Storytelling
Matt possesses a remarkable talent for storytelling and public speaking. He has leveraged this skill to effectively communicate "his story" to the admissions counselors. By sharing his experiences in a captivating and emotional manner, he has successfully differentiated himself from his peers. This ability to connect with others on a deeper level has likely resonated with the admissions committee and made him a memorable candidate.
Rewards and Recognition
Matt's exceptional performance and problem-solving skills have been recognized through the receipt of over 30 awards from esteemed organizations such as PTC, PwC, and Northeastern University. He strategically highlights these achievements to demonstrate his track record of success. By showcasing his ability to consistently excel in his professional endeavors, Matt reinforces his candidacy as a high-achieving and accomplished individual.
Academic Achievements
Matt's academic achievements further strengthen his profile. Graduating magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, Finance, and receiving scholarships, internships, and leadership positions exemplify his dedication and excellence in his studies. These accomplishments serve as evidence of his strong academic foundation and ability to thrive in a rigorous academic environment.
Collectively, Matt’s storytelling prowess, track record of high performance, and academic achievement have positioned him as a strong candidate for admission to a top MBA program and in life.
However, he firmly believes that everybody possesses their own unique story and sees it as his personal responsibility to empower others to embrace their own “narrative” and take control of their own “journey.”
Matt is currently a student for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at the University of Virginia Darden School of Business, one of the most reputable business schools in the nation. As a Batten Innovation Scholar and a Consortium for Graduate Study in Management Fellow, Matt has excelled academically and demonstrated his commitment to excellence.
Passion for Mentorship and Involvement
Beyond his academic and professional accomplishments, Matt is deeply passionate about mentorship and making a positive impact. He has dedicated his time to tutoring troubled youth, ensuring they receive second chances and mentoring through organizations like Minds Matter. Some of his notable accomplishments are his success in helping students gain admission to esteemed universities.
His mentorship has resulted in students being accepted into renowned institutions such as Cornell University, Boston College, Bentley University, Northeastern University, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Pennsylvania State University, Howard University, and American University, often with scholarships. Matt’s dedication to his mentees extends beyond college admissions. He has demonstrated genuine care by supporting his mentees’ secure placements in pre-college summer programs (e.g., University of Michigan, Harvard College, Syracuse University) and competitive internships in fields such as finance, startups, venture capital, and media & entertainment.
Matt’s passion for mentorship and helping others includes supporting Coach Larry Cheung in launching Tigerway Prep in Boston!
Matt’s commitment to helping others extends to his involvement in various startups and ventures, including co-founding NxtFour, a college application alternative, and supporting MentorWorks, a student loan startup.
With an impressive background in top-tier education and professional experience in prestigious consulting firms, his insights and guidance will greatly benefit Tigerway Team Members in their college preparation journey.
If you'd like to work with Matt, book a call with us to ensure your spot on our list. Our team at Tigerway is dedicated to helping students achieve success on both the current and new Digital SAT. We provide a wide range of resources from our digital library, keeping our students up-to-date with the latest strategies and materials.
Additionally, our Online Private Coaching program offers support for SAT/ACT preparation, high school courses (regular/AP), and college admissions strategy. If you're interested in joining our program, please reach out to me, Program Officer Jasmine Ngo, or Coach Larry Cheung. Contact us today for a roadmap session on how academic coaching, SAT/ACT preparation and college consulting can guide you towards your goals. We currently have a waitlist for private coaching and it will be first come first serve.
Further resources:
Jack Delehey’s College Confidence Group is a forum-based community where Jack and I answer general questions for parents with college-bound teens.
Tigerway is a proud Founding Member of the National Test Prep Association (NTPA) where the NTPA consistently communicates with the College Board’s SAT Exam Team and ACT Exam to understand the future of academics and standardized testing.
Connect with us Today - get your Grades, SAT/ACT Scores, and increase the likelihood of admission offers into the most selective U.S. Universities:
Text us directly on our website: https://www.tigerwayprep.com/
Or book a call with our program officer Jasmine Ngo to get priority status on the private coaching waitlist where our private coaches help students academically and with individualized college strategy.