Leo Cao
College admissions counselor helping students reach top 25 universities
| Hourly rate range | $70 to $130 an hour |
|---|---|
| Focus areas | |
| Works with | Students |
| Credentials | Bachelor of Business Administration, Concentration: Global Management; Y Combinator Startup School 2026 participant |
| Practice | The Scholar's Bureau |
Leo Cao is a college admissions counselor who helps students get into top universities. He founded The Scholar's Bureau, an admissions coaching practice. He says 80% of his students landed at a top 25 university, even with poor GPAs. His method is built on what he learned from admissions committees at Stanford, UC Berkeley and NYU. Last year his students got into UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC, NYU and Boston University.
What Leo helps with
Leo works with students who want to get into top universities, including those whose GPAs are weaker than average.
- Getting into a top 25 university
- Applying with a lower GPA
- Showing intellectual vitality in an application
- Meeting what top 20 admissions rubrics look for
- Applying to UC schools, USC and NYU
Who Leo works with
Leo works with college applicants aiming for top universities. Last year his students had GPAs of 3.6 to 3.8. He also works with students whose GPAs are poor and who still want a spot at a top 25 school.
How Leo works
Leo builds his coaching around intellectual vitality. He says it shows up in every top 20 admissions rubric. He teaches students how to bring it out in their applications. His method comes from what he learned from admissions committees at Stanford, UC Berkeley and NYU.
Background and qualifications
Leo Cao is the founder and CEO of The Scholar's Bureau, an affordable admissions coaching practice. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Global Management. From November 2023 to December 2025 he was an economics intern working with Nobel Laureates and professors in Stanford's Department of Economics. There he studied economic mobility in immigrant communities. He was also selected for Y Combinator Startup School 2026 in San Francisco.
Leo Cao pricing
Programs and services
- Custom hourly sessions
Leo Cao reviews
Leo Cao has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 2 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
The CoachVouch take
Leo builds his coaching on what he learned from admissions committees at Stanford, UC Berkeley and NYU.
Best for students who want a top 25 university and need help standing out beyond their GPA.
Common questions
How much does Leo Cao charge?
Coaching with Leo runs $70 to $130 an hour. Message Leo from this page for an exact quote.
What does Leo Cao help with?
Leo Cao helps with getting into a top 25 university, applying with a lower GPA, showing intellectual vitality in an application and meeting what top 20 admissions rubrics look for.
Does Leo Cao have reviews?
Leo Cao has a 5.0 out of 5 rating from 2 reviews on Leland, as of September 2026.
Is Leo Cao certified?
Leo Cao lists: Bachelor of Business Administration, Concentration: Global Management; Y Combinator Startup School 2026 participant.
Can Leo Cao help students with lower GPAs?
Yes. Leo says 80% of his students ended up at a top 25 university despite poor GPAs.
How do I contact Leo Cao?
Send Leo a message from this page. It's free and takes a minute.
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Last updated September 2026. Request a correction.