Esha Desai

Esha’s academic journey began at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in psychology. Her academic and professional trajectory has been marked by leadership and service, including founding the American India Foundation (AIF) Chicago Young Professionals chapter and raising its first $15,000. 

She also actively contributes to Penn Law’s International Human Rights Association and the Financial Literacy Project, where she supports underserved communities in navigating complex financial systems. Adding to her experience, she served as Chief of Staff at a private equity firm, leading cross-functional initiatives and overseeing portfolio company performance. Essha is passionate about combining her legal and business training to explore the intersections of private equity, innovation, and social impact. 

Esha’s greatest strengths as an admissions counselor lie in her ability to bring clarity, structure, and strategy to even the most non-traditional or complex application journeys. She excels at helping students distill multifaceted experiences into cohesive, values-driven narratives that resonate. Known for her empathy and editorial finesse, Esha provides tailored guidance that empowers applicants to present their most authentic selves while ensuring every detail aligns with their overarching goals. Students she has coached have been accepted to numerous T-14 law schools, including UPenn, Duke, Harvard, UChicago, Northwestern, Georgetown, and UVA. 

Her coaching style is a thoughtful blend of big-picture vision and detail-oriented execution. She begins with strategic planning and reflection, then works closely with students to refine their personal statements, resumes, and interview strategies. As someone who has advised and mentored peers across various disciplines and geographies, Esha is incredibly passionate about helping applicants with diverse experiences, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, interdisciplinary fields, or those pivoting careers.

Outside of admissions coaching, Esha loves experimenting with modern Indian recipes and uncovering the cultural history behind everyday food. She's also a movie buff who believes the best stories are the ones that make you feel seen.