Gatehouse Admissions | MBA Admissions Consultants

I started working with Rachel quite late in into round 2 (end-November 2024) and was initially nervous about whether we could pull everything together in time. From day one, Rachel jumped right in, helping me organize and prioritize the many moving pieces of my application (I still had to take the GRE on top of everything) while never making me feel rushed or behind. Her responsiveness was unmatched – whether it was (many) questions over email, quick check-ins, or strategic brainstorming sessions, Rachel always made time. I was especially grateful for her availability between Christmas and New Year’s to accommodate my short timeline, when many others would have been offline.

What truly set Rachel apart was her ability to help me tell my story. Coming from a consulting background, I struggled to differentiate myself and articulate my post-MBA goals in a compelling way. Rachel asked the right questions, challenged me to dig deeper, and helped shape a narrative that felt both authentic and impactful. Her feedback on my essays, resume, and even the short-answer questions was consistently sharp and constructive, yet always encouraging.

I was eventually admitted to Kellogg’s One-Year MBA program (my only application) and I can confidently say I wouldn’t have gotten there without her support. I was initially hesitant about the investment but can now say it was worth every penny especially if you are an international student like myself.

I’m a recent graduate from Northwestern University, where I studied Learning and Organizational Change and had a focus in marketing. I graduated with a 3.8 GPA and was applying to Kellogg’s deferred MBA program during my senior year.

Working with Rachel made a huge difference in my application process. Our time working together felt intentional and productive. She asked thoughtful questions that really pushed me to reflect on my long-term goals, and helped me build a clear narrative connecting my past experiences with where I hope to go. She checked in regularly, helped me manage my stress around the process, and gave me the freedom to shape what our work together looked like.

With Rachel’s support, I applied to the Kellogg Future Leaders Program and was accepted. I’m so grateful for her guidance and highly recommend working with her—especially if you’re looking for someone who will help you bring your story to life.

I had an awesome experience with Lynn on my application to HBS, GSB and Wharton (was fortunate enough to get into HBS and Wharton and am headed to HBS!). I spoke to a few consultants before my application process and liked that Lynn seemed focused on story-telling aspect of my application rather than just iterating on grammar / project management. I wanted to tell the story of my transition from a very traditional background (Ivy league Economics major, private equity, top percentile GRE score) into a less traditional career path afterwards, and Lynn was very quick to understand and shape the narrative going into my applications. Her perspective shone in the ideation phase, where I had a lot of discrete ideas and anecdotes that I was struggling unite under a common thread; she immediately found commonalities between these different pieces and saved me dozens of hours of me iterating on my story.

Lynn was hyper focused on every little detail of my application to make sure that we were telling this consistent story, and made sure nothing slipped through the cracks. I loved how painless the application process felt with Lynn’s support, and when I felt like I was lost or unsure through the process she helped me stay confident and on track. I was frankly much more stressed about the interviews than the essays themselves, and when my HBS and Wharton interviews came around, she was extremely supportive and made sure to answer all questions and assuage my anxieties so I felt incredibly prepared going into these interviews. Overall, I’d recommend Lynn to anyone looking for an MBA admissions coach that’s more than just an essay editor but is an insightful storyteller who can help you reflect on your life and tell a coherent, persuasive story on your professional career and MBA journey.

As a product manager at a consumer tech company with 4 years of experience, I initially thought I could tackle the HBS interview process on my own. But once I received the invite, I quickly felt overwhelmed by how much ground I needed to cover—and how high the stakes felt. That’s when I reached out to Eric, based on a friend’s referral, and I’m so glad I did.

Eric quickly helped me narrow in on the areas where I was struggling, and more importantly, helped me lean into being myself rather than over-rehearsing or posturing. I tend to be humble, sometimes to a fault, and Eric helped me recognize when it was important to celebrate my accomplishments rather than downplay them. Throughout the self-reflection work, the waitlist update, and the interview prep, he reminded me that the admissions team truly wants to understand who I am—not just what I’ve done.

His feedback was always honest and clear. He helped me cut through my tendency to overcomplicate stories and coached me to explain things more clearly and in layman’s terms. I never felt like I had to pretend or over-polish—his approach helped me convey my story with clarity and confidence.

Even after I was waitlisted, Eric didn’t disappear. He continued to support me through the process of writing an update and helped me stay grounded and optimistic without being unrealistic. I ultimately got into HBS, and I genuinely don’t think I would have navigated the experience as well without his guidance.

My stats: 3.34 GPA, GRE 158V/166Q/4.5W.

If you’re looking for someone who cuts through the noise, helps you focus on what matters, and supports you with care and candor—especially under tight timelines—Eric is the one.

Working with Hollis Kline was the single best decision I made in my MBA application journey. Thanks to her expert guidance, I was fortunate to gain admission to both Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB. But beyond the results, it was Hollis’s approach—deeply personal, calm, and incisive—that made the process so meaningful. She took the time to truly understand me: my goals, my values, and the nuances of my story. From that foundation, she helped me craft applications that were authentic, compelling, and strategically sharp.

For context, I’m a private equity associate with five years of combined experience in investment banking and PE. I studied finance at Indiana University and scored a 695 on the GMAT Focus. Like many applicants with a traditional pre-MBA background, I knew standing out would require thoughtfulness, precision, and depth. Hollis delivered on all three. She is personable and laid-back in a way that puts you at ease, yet she’s also relentlessly committed and unafraid to challenge you when needed. Her feedback was always sharp, constructive, and focused on making my application the best it could be.

Hollis is more than an admissions consultant—she’s a true partner and advisor. For anyone looking to rise above the noise and submit a distinctive, high-quality application to a top MBA program, I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Working with Rachel was truly one of the highlights of my MBA journey. I started the process quite late (mid-November for Round 2), with a GRE score slightly below the median and a background in management consulting, so I knew I needed to bring real depth to my story to stand out. Thanks to Rachel’s guidance, I was fortunate to be admitted to both Wharton and MIT out of the four schools I applied to (other ones being Kellogg and Booth).
What made working with Rachel so special wasn’t just her sharp strategic advice (which was spot-on), but how quickly she created a space where I felt I could be completely honest, something that allowed me to go deeper in my storytelling. She helped me uncover what was unique about my path and pushed me to articulate it with authenticity, confidence, and warmth.
She helped me structure my time efficiently and stay on track without feeling overwhelmed, always helping me prioritize without ever making the process feel transactional or rushed. I genuinely looked forward to our calls, which kept me grounded through a pretty intense few months.
I’ll always be grateful for Rachel’s support, and I can’t recommend her enough!

I went through my MBA application process with a vague understanding of my story and how that led me to want to apply to an MBA, but working with Eric truly helped me tie together all of the dots and crystallized for myself the value of getting an MBA degree. While working with Eric, he was consistently returning my essay drafts days ahead of schedule, which enabled me to continue to iterate while in the right headspace. Throughout it all, Eric kept me motivated and optimistic that it would all work out in the end… which it did!

Alex was an absolute joy to work with last year. I was accepted to 5 out of the M7 schools (Booth, CBS, GSB, Kellogg, Wharton) that Alex supported me on with $450k in total merit scholarship across the schools. I graduated from a top 30 school and worked in financial services after graduating. He is the right fit for someone who is all in–if that is you, work with him!

Alex was particularly helpful in the following areas:
>Forcing me to dig deep in identifying and displaying 1) the granular skills I needed to achieve my goals, and 2) the ways that a given school’s program can specifically enable me to achieve those goals. I think most consultants bring the latter but Alex really pushed me to think about the former. Gatehouse hires consultants who attended top MBA programs and often work in prestigious roles after attending those programs: this background uniquely enables Alex to see the connectivity between the classroom and real world skills.
>Pushing me to identify and highlight impact in my resume. Alex pushed me to really dig out the impact of my work even when I thought a given point was perfect: herein lies a key value driver of a talented consultant. Friends and families will typically read your work and affirm how great it is. No matter how honest you ask them to be, they won’t be because they have nothing to gain.
>Helping me stay on track and organized. Alex sent back feedback meticulously on schedule according to Gatehouse’s review timelines. Having a reliable consultant is so important and it’s so easy for part-time consultants to procrastinate in sending back feedback. However, I always felt that Alex prioritized sending me back comments in a timely manner–I couldn’t even tell that this wasn’t his full-time job!

After submitting my applications, he set aside plenty of time to conduct mock interviews with me (another one of his strengths). I genuinely feel that I became a more natural interviewer after working with him and know that will help me when I’m applying for internships and full-time roles. By the end of the journey, I felt that Alex knew me better than most of my friends and through working together, he helped me discover myself.

Industry: Financial Services (not Investment Baking / Private Equity), 5 Years Experience in Strategy and Product; Test Score: 720 GMAT; GPA: 3.75 @ Ivy+ School, Social Sciences Major, Humanities Minor

I asked some friends for MBA consultant recommendations, and after meeting Liza, I knew I found the best one. In our first meeting, Liza described honestly, based on my high-level stats, my initial strengths and deficiencies, and how I could draft an application that harnesses both.

I truly felt that Liza’s approach as a consultant helped me to write essays that felt as authentic, well-rounded, and captivating as possible. The three most emblematic ways Liza helped me do this were:

1. Making me write an inventory of my entire life experience – childhood, personal, professional, and extracurricular experiences and stories. Writing this out was extremely helpful in reflecting on how my experiences led me to where I was and where I wanted to go next. We used this inventory to have a deep discussion on the points in my career and personal experiences that would demonstrate in applications who I was, why I wanted to pursue a MBA, and why I thought I was the right fit for certain schools. Most importantly, this experience allowed Liza to get to know me, and push me to demonstrate my most authentic self as I wrote essays.
2. Like writing a novel, I was the author and Liza was the editor – only that Liza pushed me like a track coach would push a runner in doing everything they could to hit their best ever time. With each draft I wrote, Liza pushed me for perfect – in choosing the right story, in making sure every sentence advanced the point of the essay, and ensuring my personality shined through. The journey to finishing an essay was so profound that some of my essays (even those that were only 250 words) had 10-15 drafts.
3. In preparing for interviews, Liza hosted a few mocks with me. Her feedback was vital, since she knew both what schools were looking for as well as who I was (especially so by this point in the process). She helped me realize that MBA interviews are conversations where I painted a cohesive picture on who I was within a 30-45 minute time frame.

Lastly, as a full-time professional, I appreciated how Liza helped me set the pace on how often I turned around drafts as well as holding me accountable to deadlines we set. This allowed me to chip away at essays consistently and diligently over months to avoid any significant last-minute work.

I deeply enjoyed working with Liza, who was a coach, editor, cheerleader, and friend all at the same time. I applied to three schools, and was accepted to HBS (attending), Wharton, and Sloan – in huge part thanks to the process of working with Liza!

As a healthcare tech consultant at Deloitte and Brandeis grad with a 3.4 GPA, my MBA journey had its challenges. Despite multiple attempts at the GRE, I couldn’t push my score beyond 306 – not exactly what top programs look for.

That’s where Liza and Gatehouse Admissions made all the difference. Unlike other consultants who glossed over my weaknesses, Gatehouse was refreshingly honest. Liza didn’t just tell me what I wanted to hear – she gave me straight talk about where I stood and what we needed to do to overcome my test score limitations.

What really made Gatehouse stand out was how they helped me craft my story. Looking at my initial essays now, I can see they were completely off target. Through Liza’s guidance, I discovered what actually mattered in my application – not just improving my weaknesses, but highlighting my authentic strengths in a way that made sense for MBA admissions.

Gatehouse kept me organized and accountable throughout the application process for all three schools. The structured approach helped me stay on track with deadlines, and Liza’s positive reinforcement kept me going when things got tough.

Gatehouse’s expertise in storytelling is why I got into Kellogg’s MBAi program despite my GRE score. They didn’t just edit my essays – they helped me find and articulate my unique value proposition in a way no other consultant could have.

Background: White, Female, 26, 3.91 GPA (Non-target), 715 GMAT Focus, 2 years IB + 2 years PE. I worked with Rachel on HBS (R1), Wharton (R1) and GSB (R2) and received offers from GSB and Wharton.

Rachel was referred to me by a close friend who worked with her the prior year and had a great experience + successful outcome wrt his applications. Rachel and I began working together in May (on schedule) but I struggled to make progress on my essays while also studying for the GMAT. Rachel continued to encourage me and provided constructive feedback on the drafts I shared, but she also began advocating for a change in our planned timeline. I stubbornly insisted we continue with all three applications in R1 as planned and Rachel did her best to work with me, turning comments quickly even up to the last minute. Only after submitting an incomplete application (HBS) did I listen to her advice and decide to push my GSB application to R2.

Pushing GSB to R2 gave me the time I needed to rework my application from scratch and put my best foot forward, ultimately leading to an interview (which Rachel helped me prep extensively for, even on the weekend while she was traveling) and an offer to attend. Rachel’s knowledge of the application process and timeline, her direct feedback, patience, and willingness to work through challenges with me were instrumental in my acceptance to the GSB.

Ultimately I needed to put the time and focus required into the applications (no one else will do that for you), but Rachel was patient and persistent in her support while I learned that lesson. She pushed me to make my applications and interview responses better until they were polished and reflected my best. I am incredibly happy with this outcome and would gladly choose to work with Rachel if I had to do this all over again – highly recommend and can’t thank her enough!

My background: Asian, Male, 29, 3.98 GPA (Ivy), 760 GMAT, work experience ranges across business operations, IB, and PE. I worked with Rachel on Wharton and CBS for R2, and received offers to both programs.

I cannot thank Rachel enough for all the help and support she provided through my application cycle. Initially skeptical of the value add of consultants, I had unsuccessfully applied R1 without help. I discovered that I didn’t know how to properly position my profile and highlight relevant experiences to admissions.

Then – in came Rachel, from our first call together, I knew things were going to be different. (1) Rachel is extremely direct and will let you know when things are not working. Everyone comes into these applications having an idea of what a good application looks like. However, Rachel knows what an excellent application looks like. She will keep pushing you until you present yourself in the best light. (2) Rachel is incredibly detail-oriented. She’s reviewing each sentence and bullet point providing constructive feedback on how you can sharpen your points and be more specific. She remembers things you’d previously told her and resurfaces those details where relevant. The final product she helped me shape was very thorough and thoughtful. (3) Rachel is highly supportive through the whole process. She’s done an amazing job making herself available for calls / answering even the smallest questions I had within a prompt time. It’s a challenging process and she helped me through it – every step of the way.

I cannot recommend Rachel enough. She really helped transform my applications and am so thankful to her for her help!

Working with Marcus was the best decision I made in my MBA application journey. Thanks to his guidance, I was admitted to the 2Y MBA program at Kellogg, my top-choice school, where I’ll be starting this summer.

I come from a consulting background with five years of experience in LATAM. I graduated among the top 5% of my class in Mechanical Engineering in Brazil and scored 326 on the GRE. I applied to six top MBA programs and received interview invites from Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, Fuqua, and Darden.

Marcus was essential at every stage of the process. From our first conversation, he took the time to understand my goals and adapted his approach to reflect my Brazilian background and personal story. He helped me articulate my experiences in a way that felt natural and authentic, transforming my ideas into a cohesive narrative that aligned with both my career ambitions and personal values.

We went through more than 10 essay iterations per school. Marcus reviewed each version in detail, always pushing me to go deeper, be clearer, and stay true to my voice. His feedback was thoughtful and precise, often catching nuances I would have overlooked. Beyond the essays, he helped me with every aspect of the application, including resume reviews, short answers, and interview prep. His mock interviews were especially helpful, giving me the guidance, confidence, and clarity I needed to perform at my best.

Working with Marcus didn’t just improve the quality of my applications; it transformed how I saw my own story. He challenged me, supported me, and never let me settle for “good enough.” I will always recommend him to anyone starting their MBA journey, knowing that he was a key factor in my success in gaining admission to my top-choice school.

Helen is an exceptional consultant who greatly helped me through the experience of applying to MBA programs. She made what is often an overwhelming and stressful process feel not only manageable but genuinely achievable. Helen’s unwavering support shone through as she took the time to thoroughly understand me, starting with a detailed intake form and continuing with regular, personalized calls.

The application process can be daunting, but Helen’s expertise transformed it into a series of actionable, well-structured steps, allowing me to make steady progress over several weeks. Her skill in helping me brainstorm essay ideas was invaluable, as she guided me to tell compelling examples that highlighted my leadership abilities. Helen’s advice on tailoring essays to reflect my unique experiences was super helpful and allowed me to stay true to myself in the applications. I was accepted into Tuck (with a sizable scholarship) and CBS.

If I were choosing a consultant today, Helen would be my top choice without hesitation. Working with her and the team at Gatehouse Admissions was a truly outstanding experience, thanks to their unparalleled expertise and dedication.

I was fortunate enough to work with Hollis on MBA admissions for over a year and would highly recommend her services to anyone considering a consultant. She was a crucial partner in the development of my applications, which ultimately resulted in admission to my top choice schools.

We initially delved deeply into my background and together weaved threads into a coherent narrative. Hollis clarified my hodgepodge of experiences and unlocked insights that bolstered my candidacy. This upfront exploration paid huge dividends as the process developed.

As we iterated on essays and short answers, Hollis was both an exacting critic and mindful strategist. She ensured that my prose succinctly and effectively mapped to the broader themes of my application. She was also a constant source of resolve through this taxing period.

Hollis then coached me through the ins and outs of the interview process, thoughtfully critiquing responses to align to school-specific priorities.

Thanks to her exhaustive and comprehensive support, I was accepted into both HSW schools to which I applied.

Hollis is a best-in-class advisor who positions her clients for success while facilitating a manageable process. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering MBA applications.

Background
Major: History
GPA: 3.8
GMAT: 780
Industry: Private Equity

I approached Eric late in the Round 2 application cycle, unsure if I could pull everything together in under two months. As a traditional applicant (white male in consulting/finance/investments) I was also concerned about how to differentiate myself in such a competitive pool. My background included a 3.8+ GPA from a non-target school and a 640–650 GMAT Focus score.

From the very first conversation, Eric was very effective. He quickly assessed my situation, understood the challenges I faced, and helped me focus on the most impactful aspects of my background. Instead of trying to fit me into a one-size-fits-all template, Eric worked with me to highlight the unique elements of my story. He helped me craft a narrative that felt both authentic and distinctive, which was crucial for overcoming the overrepresented aspects of my profile.

Eric’s approach was incredibly structured and goal-oriented, which helped me stay focused and efficient, even with the limited time we had. His feedback was always timely and actionable, allowing me to refine my essays without feeling overwhelmed. Rather than giving me generic advice, Eric pushed me to think critically about how to present my experiences in a way that would resonate with admissions committees. He encouraged me to dig deeper, ensuring my writing reflected my true voice while also making sure I was addressing each program’s unique values and priorities.

What truly set Eric apart was his ability to make the process feel manageable, even with the tight deadlines. He kept me on track with regular check-ins and deadlines, and his strategic insights helped me strengthen every part of my application. Whether it was refining my essays, preparing for interviews, or tackling the application forms, Eric’s guidance was invaluable at every stage.

As a result of Eric’s support, I was admitted to both of the M7 MBA programs I applied to, earning significant scholarships from each. I’m confident that his expertise played a major role in making my application stand out. If you’re looking for someone who can help you refine your narrative, keep you on track under pressure, and present your best self to admissions committees, Eric is a fantastic partner throughout the process.

I’m both a traditional and non-traditional applicant. Traditional in the sense that I come from a finance background, with demographics and professional experience typical of an overrepresented, international applicant pool. My stats were solid but not standout—a UK First Class degree from a non-target school and a 675 GMAT. But I’m also untraditional: I’m an older candidate, 34 years old with 10+ years of experience, and I could only justify applying to the very top—HSW or nothing.

When I first considered working with a consultant, I was skeptical. I was only applying to HSW and thought I could manage the process on my own. I wasn’t sure how much value someone could really add to something so personal. At the same time, I felt intimidated by the MBA consulting world and unsure whether I could entrust someone with such an important life decision. It felt like a leap of faith—and I wasn’t confident I’d find someone who truly understood me and my proposition.

From our first conversation, Eric brought a rare combination of calm, encouragement, realism, and genuine enthusiasm that immediately put me at ease. This was in stark contrast to other consultants who had turned me down, calling my HSW-only plan “unrealistic” given my age. But Eric didn’t flinch—he took the time to truly understand my story, my values, and my goals. That alone set him apart. I chose to work with him on an hourly basis since I was late to the game, but it didn’t take long before I wished I had engaged him earlier—and on a full package.

He has a gift for storytelling—he helped me see the through-line in my own journey and gave me the tools to articulate it with confidence (especially as English is not my first language), and helped me connect the dots in a way that felt both authentic and powerful. I always felt like I had a trusted partner on my side, and someone who genuinely cared about my success.

Working with Eric transformed this process —and ultimately led to an admit at Stanford GSB. Looking back, I genuinely can’t imagine having done it without his guidance on storytelling, planning, interview prep and steady wisdom throughout. If you’re on the fence like I was, take the leap. You’ll be glad you did.

My background: White, Male, 28, 3.95 GPA undergrad (state school), 2 years of IB & 4 years of PE, Sub 700 GMAT (old system), sponsored for MBA, Accepted to Wharton.

I came into the MBA process somewhat skeptical of the entire thing, largely due to the fact it felt like something my employer wanted rather than my desired choice. Effort and discipline around studying and essay writing certainly weren’t there from the onset but I ultimately decided, at a friends recommendation (HBS student), to reach out to Guidehouse and Rachel about getting some help. I started the process with Rachel in Sept / Oct of 2024 with deadlines centered around the round 2 timelines at HBS / Wharton / CBS.
I can confidently say that I would not have received interviews at all three schools without the guidance and insight from Rachel. She has a very direct communication style and provides thoughtful, and constructive feedback at every step of the way. As the process unfolded, I found that her feedback dramatically improved the flow and quality of my writing and story, ultimately helping craft a narrative that would help me stand out. She does an amazing job of getting to know you as a candidate early on, and despite the relatively short window you have together, is adept at understanding when and where to push you in the right direction. She takes the time and effort to go through everything with remarkable detail, helping you polish your story and application all the way down to the 50 character-limit, vanilla information questions.

The interview prep they offer (if you get through to HBS, buy the HBS Ad Comm mock!) is also invaluable. My CBS interview was nearly identical to my mock, and while the HBS interviews are a different flavor, my mock interviews with Rachel and Laura were identical in format and feel and had me at ease for what could be a nerve-wracking 30 minutes at HBS.

Reflecting back, the quality and difference between what I would have submitted and what I ultimately did were night and day, and I wouldn’t have gotten all that close without Rachel and Gatehouse. As I felt squeezed by the deadlines, it was incredibly comforting to feel like I had some fighting in my corner — it was the best possible investment for what was a stressful and hectic few months.

My background: mid-20s, half-white, half-asian male. Two years in venture capital, one year in operations as Chief of Staff at a fintech company in NYC. Graduated from Yale University with an Economics and Philosophy degree and a 3.89 GPA, 720 GMAT.

I was accepted R2 2025 to GSB and HBS. I only applied to GSB and HBS, and I do not think I would be in this position without Liza’s guidance and partnership.

Liza’s experience speaks for itself as the founder of the pre-eminent MBA consulting firm, Gatehouse, but beyond that she is a kind, empathetic, and intelligent human being. MBA essay writing is deeply personal – Liza not only helped me explore pivotal life moments but also translated them into compelling narratives that brought out the best in me.

On essay writing, Liza was instrumental. We started by laying out the full landscape of possibilities on what to write about, and then narrowed in on the key themes and topics to focus on for each essay question. In the trenches of essay writing, she was right there beside me – her comments pushing me to think deeper, write more clearly, and sometimes consider other avenues to explore.

Liza was also critically helpful in my interview prep. I found that both my GSB and HBS interviews very much approximated my actual interviews, and because of that I started both interviews on the right foot and built confidence throughout both discussions.

I am so grateful for Liza’s support and expert guidance throughout this process, and will continue to lean on her as a trusted advisor and friend for many years to come.

I worked with Lynn to apply to HBS and Sloan R1 for the Class of 2027. Coming from a more traditional background (Ivy League undergraduate education and consulting + PE work experience) with lower quantitative stats (740 GMAT, 3.4 GPA in an engineering major) my main concern was crafting a compelling narrative to differentiate against a competitive applicant pool.

I found Lynn extremely helpful throughout the application process. One thing that stood out was how she took the time to truly understand my experiences and goals upfront. This allowed her to provide thoughtful suggestions on how to best incorporate various stories into different components of the application, ensuring the end product was comprehensive and impactful. As a former editor, Lynn provided thorough feedback during the writing process, helping me refine my essays to be more engaging while still including meaningful content.

I received interviews at both HBS and Sloan, was accepted to Sloan, and waitlisted at HBS (ultimately not admitted). I highly recommend Lynn as an MBA admissions consultant.

Rachel was instrumental in my HBS acceptance. Coming with 4+ years of experience in a nontraditional field, I knew I needed to be strategic in how I told my story. Rachel helped me dig deep to articulate my impact into quantitative outcomes, which was crucial. Her thoughtful feedback on my resume and short answers reflected just that. She was fast with her turnaround, clear with the timelines, and consistently direct in a way that was constructive and motivating. Her interview prep was also excellent. I can confidently say she made a huge difference in the strength of my application. I would highly recommend working with her.

Alex was extremely supportive which was especially important for me as someone who was worried about managing my time and staying calm throughout the process. I had a much larger list of schools before we started working together and he was a great guide for helping me identify the schools that would best fit me from both a career goals and personal vibe perspective. We worked closely on how to best articulate my story and crafted essays that I felt were the strongest version of myself and my goals. Refining my essays was so much easier with him. I also felt behind my peers when I started the process because I decided to apply to business school only a few months prior to submitting and having Alex give me guidance through each element of the process made it a lot easier to get everything done and stay confident. Overall I just really enjoyed having him in my corner throughout the whole process.

Background: B.S. in Computer Science from an Ivy-Plus university with a 3.8 GPA. I scored a 675 on the GMAT Focus and when I matriculate will have 4 YOE from a top-tier consulting firm who is sponsoring my MBA.

Results: I was admitted to Wharton, Kellogg and Ross with ~$250k in scholarships across schools.

I’m a white, non-veteran male, and was a four-year varsity athlete and graduated magna cum laude from a top liberal arts school for undergrad, had 8+ years of work experience (across strategy consulting and commercial banking) at the time of application submissions, and a 730 GMAT score. Though I had work experience across “common” pre-MBA business industries, Rachel was masterful in helping me craft a cohesive narrative that tied my work experiences together with my plans for business school and my post-MBA goals. Rachel was relentless in pushing me to sharpen my resume, application essays and short answer question responses that demonstrated the value I would bring to an MBA program. In addition to objectively letting me know where I stood as an applicant, Rachel was also extremely helpful in interview preparation and making herself available for questions prior to application submissions, pre-interview, and post-admittances. Ultimately, I received acceptances from Tuck (Dartmouth), Haas (UC Berkeley) and Yale SOM, and will be attending Tuck! I highly recommend working with Rachel.

Jennifer was everything I could possibly have asked for in a consultant. Her expertise, patience, and outstanding communication skills made the process far easier and more efficient than it would have been trying to navigate it alone.

Professionally, I was coming off of six years on active duty as an intelligence officer in the Marine Corps right into a role as a government affairs manager at an early-stage developer of nuclear fusion technology. I did my undergraduate degree at Yale (3.67 GPA), received a 329 GRE on my first go (170 Verbal, 159 Quant) and a 327 on my second go (166 Verbal, 161 Quant). Despite not having as high of a GRE score as is often recommended when applying to an M7 program, I was accepted to Columbia Business School and will matriculate in the fall of 2025.

Jennifer’s insights allowed me to identify the unique components of my story and concretely demonstrate how those experiences would allow me to have a positive impact on my cohort at CBS. Her edits to my writing were timely, extraordinarily detailed, and logical, and she made herself available to me outside of standard business hours on more occasions than I can recall. Every conversation I had with her provided tangible value, culminating in our interview prep, which made my actual interview seem like a total breeze by comparison. She truly went above and beyond for me, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been her client.

If you are serious about pursuing a competitive MBA program, I GUARANTEE you that the depth and breadth of Jennifer’s services are worth the price.

I worked with Mariesa on 3 Round 1 applications. Mariesa’s organization and attention to detail were instrumental in helping me craft my applications. She took the time to understand my experiences and goals, offering her perspective to help me reflect on central themes in my career and incorporate these in my resume, essays, and interviews. Her direct, candid feedback pushed me to write essays that best reflected my motivations for pursuing an MBA. With Mariesa, no stone was left unturned – she helped me make the most of every short answer component of the applications to strengthen my case. Her interview prep feedback was thoughtful and helped me better tell the most critical parts of my story, allowing me to feel more confident meeting with each school. Throughout the process, Mariesa’s positivity, flexibility, and professionalism made her an exceptional partner.

White 26F, 3.7 GPA from T50 undergrad uni, below average GMAT. Pre-MBA Industry is Private Equity. Rachel is incredible. She provided prompt feedback, and really went above and beyond in being responsive and easing my anxieties around the whole process. We kicked the process off with a gameplan, which allowed me to stay organized and visualize each step, and Rachel kept me accountable. I started working with Rachel in July, and we were able to complete both Booth and Kellogg’s applications by the round 1 deadline – and I was accepted to both (with $)!! It truly wouldn’t have been possible without Rachel. I also found Gatehouse’s “Experience Inventory” to be a reflective, and thoughtful approach to my essays – allowing me to dig deeper and reshape my initial approach. I couldn’t recommend Rachel and Gatehouse enough – worth the upfront investment for the peace of mind. She was the honest and reliable partner I needed, and someone I looked forward to meeting with every time! THANK YOU RACHEL!

As an applicant to HBS and GSB with a very “traditional” background on paper (Ivy League undergrad with high GPA and GMAT scores, followed by IB at a top bank, followed by large-cap PE), I knew that, although my application would be taken seriously by top programs, I would also be contrasted against a very competitive peer group. Therefore, I needed to be very focused on how I could stand out as a unique applicant.

I spoke with several consultants before Eric, but he immediately stood out in our very first conversation. I felt he had a deep understanding of the issues I faced as an applicant from an overrepresented pool. His level of financial expertise, as a former industry practitioner, was evident from the first minute we spoke. This enabled us to have a deep conversation about my specific goals (for example, different types of PE strategies I was interested in pursuing longer-term) that simply would not have been possible with other consultants. Just from that first meeting—which I’d encourage anyone to take with Eric—I left with new essay ideas that I may have otherwise never contemplated. Eric’s initial thoughts on my positioning as a candidate, including pointing out what he thought could be unique differentiators for me, also made it clear that he had plentiful experience working with candidates with my background.

Gatehouse Admissions (the agency through which I worked with Eric) does charge a premium for its services relative to most other consulting firms. This was top of mind as I considered whether to work with Eric. Ultimately, given the competitive nature of the schools I was applying to (Harvard and Stanford), and knowing several coworkers from my fund who were not accepted despite strong credentials, I decided the premium price was worthwhile for the peace of mind of getting the best possible advice.

I had a fairly long lead time to work on applications, so I ended up working closely with Eric for around seven months. Throughout that period, he exceeded my expectations in all respects.

In our initial discussions about my background, experiences, and interests, I had an initial view of how to present these qualities to the admissions committees—a view that, in hindsight, would not have been differentiated enough. Like many consultants, Eric took the time to understand my initial perspectives. However, he then pushed me to go a level deeper in terms of my motivations, helping me unearth anecdotes I likely would have never otherwise reflected on. One of these anecdotes, which I first mentioned to him offhand without thinking much of it, ended up being featured prominently in my Why Stanford essay after he helped me see how it tied together many other aspects of my story. Another such story became the basis for one of my HBS essays.

When it came time to draft essays, I benefited tremendously from Eric’s feedback. He is not afraid to tell you when an essay needs serious work, but conversely, his excitement is contagious when an essay hits the mark. As someone with a tendency to overthink, knowing that Eric would give me honest, well-informed feedback on every single draft helped me feel comfortable moving on to the next essay rather than continuing to ponder or rework essays that were already of high quality. With a consultant that I did not have as much trust in, I may have continued to iterate. However, because I knew that when Eric told me an essay was “done,” it was actually done, I finished the bulk of my application a month before the deadline, saving me from the major stress I saw other applicants go through in August.

Beyond the formal application tasks within the scope of Eric’s services, he also gave me great advice on topics more tangential to my application. For example, there were a couple of recent instances where I had a choice between different projects I could pursue, and I appreciated Eric’s willingness to offer his opinion on how each could potentially be featured in my application. I don’t think many other consultants would have offered this input with such generosity given that some of my questions may not have technically fallen within Eric’s agreed scope of work, so I greatly appreciated his help.

I was ultimately admitted to both Harvard and Stanford, and I absolutely believe that Eric’s help was a key factor in that outcome. I’m thrilled with the quality of service I received from him and the entire Gatehouse team, and I’ve since recommended other associates at my fund to Eric because I’m confident they’ll have the same positive experience.

My background: White female, 2 years investment banking + 2 years private equity, Ivy League undergraduate (3.8 GPA), 735 GMAT Focus score
Result: Accepted to HBS

I am so glad I was able to work with Rachel through my MBA application process, and my acceptance to HBS would not have been possible without her. I decided relatively last minute to apply to business school – in early July, I began studying for the GMAT with the goal of submitting Round 1 applications the first week of September. Rachel agreed to take me on as a client despite my accelerated timeline, and (1) clearly laid out everything that needed to be completed and (2) helped me adhere to a timeline enabling me to submit on time. She assisted me with my resume, essays, background materials for recommenders, and interview prep. Rachel gave honest feedback that helped me highlight the core messages in my essays (i.e., “show me, don’t tell me”), which ultimately led to a more effective showcasing of my candidacy. Rachel was also very effective in helping me weave together the various parts of my background (personal, academic, professional, etc.) into a cohesive and comprehensive application. Rachel was always available to provide feedback, answer questions, and hop on the phone, even if on short notice. I had a great experience working with Rachel and could not recommend her highly enough!

Working with Eric was an exceptional experience in all ways. I was initially a bit hesitant to make the $$ plunge, but after just a few hours together I was confident that both the time and money spend would be completely worth it. Throughout the process, Eric made me a better writer, storyteller, and communicator – skills that will benefit me throughout my career. I felt incredibly fortunate to work with Eric, and this sentiment was only amplified by my outcomes in December when I was admitted to both Stanford and Harvard – 2/2 schools I worked on with Eric!

In my view, Eric shines the most in essay advice, storytelling, and executive presence. I would come to him with a somewhat fleshed out idea, and he would instantly have ideas as to how make it even stronger. His ability to help bring a story to life is truly unique. His feedback allowed me to identify which parts of a story needed more detail and which could be consolidated or jettisoned entirely. As deadlines approached, he also helped me word smith my essays to meet those tricky word count limits. Additionally, I utilized his feedback on S/H when applying to several other schools where I was also admitted with substantial and/or full scholarships; I’m not sure I would have received such fortunate outcomes had I not worked with Eric.

Eric was always honest; he wasn’t afraid to tell me when something was missing the mark. I viewed Eric’s honesty as an extremely important quality, as his candor in situations in which I wasn’t meeting expectations allowed me to trust him when he said something was “great” as well. He was always attentive and reliable, and I felt confident that he was “on it” throughout the process.

Lastly, on a personal note, I always looked forward to my meetings with Eric. He is incredibly kind and thoughtful, and he made the process meaningful and fun. I would strongly, strongly recommend working with Eric to anyone I know!

For context on my background: white female working in finance, non-Ivy undergrad in U.S., 4.0 GPA, 760 GMAT, strong leadership and extracurricular experiences across college + work + outside of work

I am confident I would not have had the same outcome if I had not worked with Rachel. As background, I went to a top non-Ivy, 3.7 GPA, 760 GMAT with 2 years IB, 3 years PE, and got accepted to both HBS and Wharton in Round 1.

Since I was only applying to / willing to attend three schools and have a relatively standard background, I was nervous about differentiating myself in the application. Off the bat, I knew Rachel was the type of consultant I needed. She is extremely organized and timely, giving me a clear idea of what to expect and guidance on how I should phase the different stages of the apps early on, which helped me stay on track.

Most importantly, Rachel gives feedback in a very straightforward and honest way, which I greatly appreciated. She clearly has knowledge on what works and what doesn’t in an essay and spent a lot of time with me to figure out what to highlight, where to add specificity, and what I was better off leaving out. She allowed me to run through many, many iterations of my essays so that, by the time I finally submitted, I felt I had put my best foot forward. The support during and after interviews was also invaluable – from both Rachel and the broader Gatehouse team (Laura, Eric, and Marcus). I highly recommend working with Gatehouse, and Rachel specifically.

When I received my HBS interview, a close friend told me that “if you want to get into HBS, you need to prep with Brooke”. He was right, and I was admitted to HBS! I attribute my acceptance to Brooke’s rigorous mock interview. She prepared me for the unique style of the HBS interview and how to best present myself during the fast moving and unpredictable 30 minutes. Background: Male, 28, majored in engineering at a well known school (low 3.3 GPA), worked in hardware engineering 6 years, 332 GRE score. When I received my HBS interview invite, I felt profound imposter syndrome and was worried about all the self-perceived flaws in the application. What I most appreciated about my prep with Brooke was how we went question by question afterwards, and she was very candid about what worked and what needed to be improved further. When the real interview occurred, I was asked questions in a very similar style, and I felt comfortable in a way that would not have been possible without her prep and insight. Would recommend Brooke’s services wholeheartedly.

Background: I applied in my 3rd year working in private equity (traditional buyout shop) before which I worked for 3 years in consulting. I majored in economics, had a 3.8 undergrad GPA and a 780 GMAT score (old GMAT). I was accepted to and will be attending HBS.

Brooke is incredibly attuned to the HBS application process. She is sharp, thoughtful, and provides brutally honest feedback. If she doesn’t think an application question or interview question response is spot on, she will be very explicit about what the issue is and propose potential changes, which I found to be exactly the type of coaching I was looking for.

I also worked with Brooke for my HBS interview. She’d clearly spent a meaningful amount of time thinking through any potential cracks in my application and rattled through them during our interview. She packed in probably twice as many questions as I was ultimately asked. The fast paced nature of our interview pushed me to be quick to the point and fluidly move between topics (which was a bit different than the more structured responses I’d prepared). After the interview, Brooke left me with a longer list of all of the potential questions she thought I’d be likely to receive, which I used to further prepare on my own. I think the largest benefit of the mock interview with Brooke was the confidence boost in knowing exactly what the HBS interview was going to be like and that the real one would likely even be a bit easier.

The last thing that I’ll note that I greatly appreciated about Brooke was her push to bring as much authenticity as possible to the interview. I think letting my guard down and readily sharing shortcomings as much as highlighting strengths allowed me to better connect interpersonally with my interviewer, and ultimately I was very pleased with having had the chance to share my genuine self with the AdCom. I would highly recommend working with Brooke if you have the opportunity to.

My background: mid 20s male. Two years investment banking, three years private equity. Graduated from HYP with 3.7 GPA. 330 GRE. Despite my academic and professional background, I was very intimidated by the MBA application process and was recommended Liza Weale at Gatehouse Admissions to guide me through it.

From the outset, Liza demonstrated a deep appreciation for my situation, understanding the demands of balancing a full-time job while preparing my applications. Together, we developed a strategic game plan to tackle each application systematically. Liza’s investment in the process was evident as she left no stone unturned, ensuring every aspect of my application was polished and well-prepared.

One of the key components of our approach was the creation of an experience repository early on. This allowed us to identify and flesh out themes from my background and experiences that would resonate in my essays. We turned essay drafts several times, and each time, Liza never “mailed it in.” She consistently provided constructive feedback, making it clear she spent significant time with each draft. Her insights pushed me to present my best form, ensuring that every essay was a true reflection of my capabilities and aspirations.

Beyond Liza’s exceptional support, the broader team at Gatehouse Admissions also played a crucial role in my journey. Their collective expertise and support were instrumental in my acceptance to Harvard Business School. I can confidently say that I could not have achieved this milestone without Liza and the remarkable team she has built at Gatehouse Admissions. She is truly one of a kind!

I entered the business school application process concerned that my vanilla background (both from a career and demographic perspective) would make it difficult to craft a unique application and moreover that there would be increased emphasis placed on my essays in light of similar scores among my peer-set. Gaining admission to one of my two target schools was also very important to me and I accordingly planned to dedicate material time to the process. Given the above, I researched and vetted a number of admissions consultants, focused on finding someone that would bring both creativity to the essay creation process and dedication to the scores of edits I knew I’d be looking for. I also wanted someone that had seen strong results working with candidates from “vanilla” industries (e.g., consulting, finance, investing). Eric was exactly what I was looking for.

As a bit more about my background in case helpful to readers, I applied in my 3rd year working in private equity (traditional Boston-based buyout shop) before which I worked for 3 years in consulting (I’ll have had 6 years working prior to enrollment). I majored in economics, had a 3.8 undergrad GPA and a 780 GMAT score (old GMAT). And lastly, as mentioned earlier, I have a non-unique demographic background (white, male).

I’ll keep this targeted and share my highlights in working with Eric:
– Deeply Familiar with the Application Objectives: I think this is the most important attribute to look for when deciding among admissions consultants. There are many individuals that are great writers/editors/mock interviews; however, a much smaller number of individuals are intimately familiar with the application steps and objectives. For example, who knew that HBS’ “growth oriented” essay is just as much if not more so about showing one’s ability to listen and internalize others’ perspectives (and thus show one’s ability to meaningfully contribute to case-based discussions) as it is about curiosity and personal growth? This was just one example of many when Eric showed his deep familiarity with the (not always apparent) application objectives, which in turn allowed me to tailor my app as much as possible accordingly.
– Creative & Strong Ability to Transform Experiences Into Narratives: I view Eric to be a strong thought partner and someone who produced a number of interesting ways to incorporate my many disparate experiences into cohesive essays. Given Eric had spent a decent amount of time internalizing all of my background experiences upfront, throughout the rest of our ideation sessions, he was able to reference and incorporate relevant experiences (often connections I personally hadn’t made). This was very helpful in packing as much into what little word count you have as well as ensuring my overall application conveyed all of the disparate aspects of my life. Having a strong thought partner is essential and much harder to come by than someone who is simply a strong reviewer/editor.
– Very Strong Editor: However, on top of being a strong thought partner, Eric is also a very strong editor. I was incredibly impressed by his ability to condense my writing into the appropriate word count while keeping a very professional tone. His editing abilities are truly exceptional.
– Extremely Dedicated: At the end of my process, I counted all of my different versions across the 12 pieces I wrote (9 primary essays, 1 resume and 2 recommender memos), totaling 107 versions, each of which was reviewed carefully and commented on by Eric. That is some insane dedication!

In terms of the outcome, I was thrilled to have submitted what I felt was the best app I possibly could have assembled. It showcased a variety of experiences, which conveyed a multi-dimensional individual. And, at the same time, my app felt very authentic and genuine. In the end, I felt very proud of the app I created in partnership with Eric, and ultimately was accepted to my top choice – HBS – as part of the round 1 cycle! I was thrilled. Huge thanks to Eric for his massive effort as part of all of this!

My Background: Mid-20s, white female. Two years investment banking, two years private equity. Graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Human & Organizational Development and a 3.94 GPA. 730 GMAT. This was my second time applying—having tried 2+2 applications on my own during undergrad. Always aspiring to HBS, I knew I needed the best guidance possible for my reapplication, and Liza was the first (and only) consultant I called (recommended to me by several private equity colleagues). From our initial conversation, I knew she was the perfect fit. She genuinely wanted to understand who I was, what mattered to me, and how we could showcase my authentic story. Even before I officially signed up with her, she proactively suggested ways to strengthen my profile both inside and outside of work—a testament to her dedication and insight.

I have a particular way of working—I like to start well in advance, slowly chipping away at tasks to avoid ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed. I like putting things down and coming back to them with a fresh perspective, hence the need for significant lead time. Liza embraced this approach, beginning with me early in late March for Round 1 applications. She organized the process so clearly and methodically that I never felt like I was cramming or overburdened, spending just a few hours each week. Her structure kept me calm, focused, and confident throughout. I honestly could not have asked for a more seamless and “relaxed” MBA application process.

When it came to my essays, I initially felt paralyzed by the sheer volume of possibilities after completing my experience inventory. I was overwhelmed and unsure how to craft a cohesive story that tied everything together. Liza expertly guided me through the process, dedicating significant time to understanding my experiences and uncovering deeper layers of my story during our conversations. Her ability to identify themes and connections I hadn’t considered was remarkable, ensuring my application showcased my authentic self in the most compelling way. I was particularly anxious about HBS introducing new essay prompts this year, but Liza’s strategy put me at ease. She had me start with the GSB essays, which created a strong foundation and made transitioning to the HBS topics seamless. Despite widespread uncertainty among consultants about the new questions, Liza’s confidence and effectiveness stood out, enabling me to approach the essays with clarity and focus.

Working with Liza was hands down the best decision I made during this process. Her unwavering support, insightful guidance, and personalized approach were invaluable. More than just a consultant, Liza became a trusted partner and friend in what can often feel like an overwhelming journey. Between essay drafts, we bonded over our shared love of rescue animals and traveling, which made the experience genuinely enjoyable. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome and am beyond excited to attend HBS this fall.

My experience working with Eric was outstanding. Consistently throughout the application process, he re-oriented my focus on how best to address the admissions committee and application reviewer, nudging me with thoughtful questions designed to showcase my talents and experiences in the best light. For background, I grew up in the Midwest and attended a top 10 U.S. News university (think Duke, Northwestern, UPenn), where I majored in Economics. Upon graduation, I spent two years in investment banking and will have spent two years in private equity by B-school matriculation (fall 2025). I applied with a very strong GPA (4.0) and solid GMAT Focus (685-695). My biggest worry going into the application process was telling my “story” and being able to differentiate myself in a pool of superb candidates—I applied to HBS, Wharton, and Booth.

Eric brought tremendous thoughtfulness and engagement from the get-go, listening carefully to my background and figuring out how best to position myself to admissions. Given I’ve become numb to my own experiences, it’s easy to overlook something that may standout to a third-party. This is where Eric excels. He has you consider things that you may have overlooked, using them to better round you out as a candidate. This shows up time and time again during the essay writing process. Eric reviewed my writing, re-directing it as appropriate and offering recommendations to make it more concise and focused. During interview prep, Eric both supplied comprehensive materials and simulated an environment that mirrored what I experienced with my actual interviewers. Walking away from both my one-on-one and team-based interview, I felt as though both were incredibly additive to my application (rather than a check-the-box)—largely due to the rigorous prep provided by Eric.

Without question, I am blessed to have worked with Eric and credit him with much of the success experienced in the 2024-25 MBA application cycle (admitted to Booth and Wharton with significant scholarship).

I approached Eric as a reapplicant for the HBS Class of 2027 after an unsuccessful attempt in the previous application cycle for the Class of 2026. As a traditional applicant (MBB background) with solid but average stats (Top LAC undergrad, 3.7 GPA in STEM, 740 GMAT) and a short time frame to reestablish my candidacy, I knew I needed a strategic edge to stand out in a hyper-competitive applicant pool. Eric proved to be that game-changing differentiator.

Eric’s dedication and creativity as an advisor were evident from the start. He conducted a meticulous review of my prior application, pinpointed the execution flaws, and developed a fresh strategy that highlighted untapped aspects of my profile. An example of Eric’s many creative contributions was identifying a major extracurricular activity I had begun in college and helping me reframe it into the centerpiece of my narrative. This became the foundation of a cohesive and compelling story that I wove through all my applications.

Eric’s thoroughness and commitment to excellence were unparalleled. During the essay writing process, he challenged every sentence I wrote to ensure it met the highest standards. His brainstorming sessions were invaluable in overcoming storytelling roadblocks, and he was instrumental in refining my resume and devising a robust recommender strategy. When it came to interview prep, Eric was proactive, consistently checking in, and providing fresh insights to enhance my preparation.

In the end, I was admitted to my dream school, HBS, in R1—just nine months after my initial rejection. Eric was the true difference-maker in this journey, and I can’t recommend working with Eric highly enough.

Eric was great to work with over the past few months and I’d highly recommend him to others that may be considering applying to top MBA programs and are looking for support differentiating themselves in their applications. I come from a finance background and felt that my GPA (3.8+) and GRE (168Q/162V) may be competitive alongside my work experience but was concerned that my “story” may not be as compelling as others applying to top MBA programs (I applied to Booth and Kellogg). Eric’s assistance with the essay writing portion of the application was particularly helpful, as he was able to help me outline the key ideas I wanted to focus on, bring out the most important qualities and traits that illustrated the strength of my candidacy, while still maintaining the personal feel of the writing so the reader could get a true sense of who I was. He made my writing much more concise and direct, so it was easier to follow. After submitting the applications, Eric also was very helpful with my interview prep. We walked through many different types of questions I might encounter, so I was extremely well prepared for the interviews. As a result, I thought my interviews were a particularly strong component of my application and I believe the key driver behind the scholarship I was able to receive. With Eric’s support and guidance, I was fortunate to be admitted to both Booth and Kellogg with meaningful scholarship!

Eric is a candid and meticulous consultant. I am an engineer and have been in the industry for around 10 years. My GMAT score (700+) and GPA (range 3.5 – 4.0) were satisfactory, but I had a unique plan distinct from other applicants. Eric empathetically considered my perspective, offering constructive feedback, whether positive or negative. Throughout the application process, he meticulously reviewed every aspect, from essay writing to transcript submission, ensuring thoroughness. His insights included valuable suggestions I hadn’t considered, and he maintained punctuality, returning my essays and emails promptly. Eric was consistently reliable for any inquiries, from application strategies to MBA program selection. I applied for two top 5 schools (u.s news ranking) and got into both! It would be impossible for me to land two dream schools without his professional consultation. I wholeheartedly recommend his services!

I had an amazing experience working with Rachel throughout the MBA application process, and I could not recommend her, or Gatehouse Admissions, enough.

For context on my background, I am a white female with a 3.8 GPA from a top liberal arts undergraduate college, 750 GMAT, and 4 years work experience in Private Equity. I was accepted to HBS and waitlisted at GSB.

I was introduced to Gatehouse by a friend and colleague who had amazing things to say about the team. I was matched with Rachel Nelson and was immediately sold after our introductory call – even in our first call Rachel understood my background, provided thoughtful advice on ways to boost my resume ahead of applications (e.g., additional extra-curriculars), and shared perspectives on the application processes across the schools I was considering (even ones I was officially hiring her for).

Our first step of the process was to fill out an “Experience Inventory” which was a very thorough (10+ pg) word document detailing my background from childhood, through academics, extra curriculars, work experience, and personal/professional goals. This was an amazing exercise both for Rachel to get caught up to speed on my background, and for me to clearly outline all of my experiences and identify common threads which could help craft a powerful story in my essays. During our next session Rachel came with a list of themes she’d noticed and potential areas for me to focus on in my essays – her brainstorming style was perfect in providing helpful suggestions, while always keeping me in the driver’s seat of creation and the direction my essays would take. In the essay drafting stages her reviews are incredibly thorough and she was always transparent with timing commitments which made it easy to work together. She was a perfectionist in the best way possible, making sure we were using the word count to its fullest and never losing sight of how my essays, resume, and short answers all wove together into a comprehensive application.

Her interview prep thoughtfully started with “general interview” preparation and then offered advice and materials targeted to specific schools – this structure demonstrating her expertise and experience working with the different school’s admissions styles. Her feedback was pointed and specific, which gave me very focused areas to work on.

Rachel was an amazing thought partner throughout the entire process, and overall, just a great person – I could not recommend her enough!

Marcus was incredible to work with and an absolutely essential part of my application success.

I graduated from a top 20 undergrad with a 3.1 GPA and earned a 760 GMAT. Work experience in finance and tech. I applied to Booth, Columbia, Sloan, and Wharton.

For each school I was applying to, Marcus provided a comprehensive list of deliverables I would have to complete, which was extremely helpful for me in getting organized.

I cannot say enough about how much Marcus helped me on the essays. He provided detailed feedback on every aspect from topic selection, narrative structure, what examples to use, and even cutting out words to reach word count. He reviewed 5+ drafts for many of the essays, and the final products were night and day from when I started. Being able to bounce ideas and drafts off of Marcus was a lifesaver, especially for the open-ended prompts like Booth’s “Tell us something about who you are.” As the deadlines approached, Marcus went above and beyond in giving me lots of meaningful same-day essay feedback.

Marcus also gave me great prep for interviews by doing a full-length mock interview for each school for which I received an interview. Additionally, Gatehouse has lots of in-house interview prep material that was very helpful.

When I got waitlisted at Booth, Marcus gave me incredibly helpful advice on what I could do to stand out. He reviewed my supplemental materials and video and brought to my attention Booth’s “Shape the Class” endorsement letters, which are sort of an open secret but which I may have missed altogether without him.

On a personal level, Marcus has an effective style that balances support with tough feedback. He did not hesitate to (wisely) tell me I needed to entirely scrap some essay drafts, but also gave me confidence boosts through our interview prep. I was initially a tiny bit hesitant about the time zones with Marcus being in Sweden, but it actually worked great because he could review stuff while I was asleep, and he was flexible in finding time for calls. His background in entrepreneurship also helped me frame my own entrepreneurial goals in my application.

I ended up getting interviews at Booth, Columbia, and Wharton. I got accepted at Columbia, with a $50k merit scholarship, as well as Booth. I ultimately chose Booth for fit reasons.

There is no way I would have gotten accepted at two M7 schools (one with scholarship) without Marcus’s support. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

Background: Female, 27, majored in statistics at a small liberal arts college (3.7 GPA), worked in consulting and private equity operations for 5 years, 710 GMAT score.

From the moment I met Brooke, I felt an immediate connection. She grasped my journey from our first conversation, making me feel understood in a profound way. While another Gatehouse consultant guided me closely through the MBA application process, Brooke was always there for feedback and counsel. She instilled in me the utmost confidence that I was presenting the most genuine version of my story to the admissions committees.

My collaboration with Brooke intensified during HBS mock interviews. Her approach was professional, insightful, and rigorous. She adeptly drew out aspects of my narrative that were both distinctive and reflective of my aspirations. The mock interview preparation with Brooke proved more challenging than the actual interview, which notably eased my nerves during the real thing.

Throughout the entire application journey, Brooke offered unwavering support. Her guidance was instrumental in my acceptance to HBS, and I credit her significantly for this achievement. I enthusiastically recommend Brooke as an admissions consultant and interview coach.

Alex was a hugely valuable resource throughout the application process. I decided to apply to business school relatively late and ended up applying R2. When I started working with Alex, I had taken the GRE once and gotten within range of my target score, but I was planning on taking it again. Balancing studying for and taking a standardized test (for the first time in a decade), doing the deep self-reflection needed to brainstorm worthy essay subjects, writing the essays, filling out all the small (yet time-consuming) bits, choosing and providing helpful context to recommenders, preparing for interviews, and more on top of a full-time job and trying to stay healthy is HARD. Before I started working with Alex, I wasn’t sure if I would be able to get it all done in time and considered waiting to apply in the next cycle. But from the beginning, Alex made it all feel possible and even manageable. Alex helped keep me accountable for my progress with clear timelines, assignments, and deadlines and helped me stay motivated and optimistic with reassurance and encouragement. During the most hectic times leading up to submission deadlines (even around the holidays!), Alex went above and beyond in replying to my anxious emails sooner than his stated response time. Most of all, Alex helped create an environment in which I could tell my authentic story best. By getting to know me so well, much like a friend, he was able to encourage me to lean into my unique strengths and ask thought-provoking questions that helped me get closer to the heart of my story. Having completed the process, I feel proud of the stories I told because they were true to me.

Background: I graduated from an Ivy League university in the top 5% of my class. I had ~4 years of work experience in tech and a 330+ GRE score.

Result: I ended up getting into all the schools I applied to (HSW schools), and I couldn’t be more thankful for my result.

TLDR: Working with Liza was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I recommend anyone seriously considering top MBA programs to reach out and see if she’s available! With her help, I’m really excited to be heading to Wharton in the fall!

My background: Mid-20s, Asian American Male – applied to a select small group of schools from a traditional MBB consulting / Private Equity investing background. Test scores and GPA are in line with the medians of the top schools, but are not outstanding by any measure. I had applied once a few years ago to one school only, with the assistance of an admissions consultant who wasn’t too helpful – so I was a bit skeptical this time around. However, from the moment I first had a consultation with Liza, I knew that she was on top of her game and treated each of her candidates not just as a paycheck, but a friend she works closely with from day one as a true thought partner.

From when you start working with her, she is meticulously detailed and organized, something that I found tremendously valuable while balancing a full time job with applications. Through working with Liza, I found that no question was too silly, no essay or short answer too poorly written, no idea too random. She is willing always to explore different angles and problem solve with you as you approach an application – something I found really comforting to have throughout. Liza excels in helping you throughout the process – from the macro brainstorming around essays, all the way down to catching the most minute grammatical errors in a short-answer response.

She is a talented editor and partner to brainstorm with as you’re approaching the large essays for each school – but she is also there to help provide suggestions on how you architect your whole application – from connecting the essays, to recommendations, to short answers and interviews – to make the whole package come together. Furthermore, she is so dedicated to your cause and success – if you were to equate applying to business school with going through an exhausting, 12-round boxing match, Liza would be your trainer in the corner at all times there to chat in between rounds – giving you tips, prepping you, helping you up when you get knocked down, and always there to be your biggest cheerleader. Even now, as I’m in the summer prepping for business school, Liza continues to be a thought partner on navigating another school’s waitlist I’m still on!

I think beyond everything else – what makes Liza stand out is the fact that she balances being an adept, experienced consultant on the tactical portions of the application with being a tremendously empathetic, thoughtful friend that goes through the ups and downs with you when you’re applying. More likely than not – you’re going to get a rejection from at least 1 school. I’m sure many consultants are good at celebrating their clients’ successes when they get into school – but I believe Liza is singular in her ability to be there when you actually face rejection – and need to pick yourself up for your other interviews and applications. No consultant will be a magician that can sprinkle pixie dust that will grant you admission into all your schools – but Liza is as close as you can get – she’ll take your experiences, your stories, your personality – and help you package it in a way that you don’t believe is possible. It’s not cheap – but then again – neither is business school! If you’re thinking seriously about an MBA – I think it’s a small price to pay to get you to a place you’re happy at!

Background: White female who worked at a PE fund for two years and Investment Banking prior to that. “Ivy plus” undergraduate with above average GPA and 740 GMAT. Cannot thank Rachel enough for her help and encouragement! She guided me through reflection, helping me to articulate my experiences and goals in a cohesive and compelling manner while avoiding sounding trite. Rachel was direct and targeted with feedback, providing me with clear, actionable steps to enhance my application. Her honesty about deadlines and efforts to keep me accountable ensured that I stayed on track while balancing applications with an intense work schedule. Thanks to Rachel’s support, I was able to submit a strong application that truly represented my best self and was admitted to Wharton and Sloan!

I am thrilled to recommend April Stewart of Gatehouse Admissions, whose expertise and dedication were instrumental in my successful business school application journey. For context, I am a white male with an HYP undergraduate degree, an undergraduate GPA of 3.81, and a GRE score of 334. Thanks to April’s exceptional guidance, I received offers from Wharton, Columbia, and Stern, each accompanied by significant merit-based aid.

April’s approach to project planning was meticulous. From our initial consultation, she laid out a comprehensive timeline for each component of the application process. This level of organization ensured that every task was completed well ahead of deadlines, allowing ample time for revision and refinement. Her ability to break down the daunting application process into manageable steps made the entire experience far less overwhelming.

One of April’s standout qualities is her attention to detail, particularly when it comes to essay editing. She meticulously reviewed each draft, providing thorough and insightful feedback that significantly elevated the quality of my writing. Her edits were not just about correcting grammar; they focused on enhancing the coherence and flow of ideas. Over multiple drafts, April helped me develop a narrative that was compelling and cohesive, ensuring that my essays reflected my unique strengths.

Moreover, April’s skill at ideating on a story that would resonate with business schools was remarkable. She invested considerable time in understanding my background, experiences, and aspirations. Together, we brainstormed and crafted a narrative that was not only appealing to the admissions committees but also inspiring to me. April’s ability to draw out and refine the most impactful aspects of my journey was a testament to her deep knowledge of what top business schools seek in applicants.

Working with April was a terrific experience. Her strategic insights, combined with her support and encouragement, played a pivotal role in my acceptances. I wholeheartedly recommend her and the Gatehouse team to anyone seeking a highly skilled and dedicated business school application consultant.

Background: In-state undergrad, 2 years of banking, 3 years of private equity. 750 GMAT. MBA being sponsored through my current fund

Result: Admitted to HBS; GBS; Wharton (with $55k per year scholarship). Chose HBS

Rachel is the best there is. I come from a very overrepresented background of MBA applicants and did my undergrad at my generic middle-of-the-pack state school. On paper, my resume looks very similar to many folks with my background, but Rachel was critical in helping me tell a compelling story that gave schools a deep understanding of who I am and allowed me to stand out in the ways I hoped. She guided me through all parts of each application and every single line (down to the 100 character entries on the online apps after you’ve uploaded all your essays) was thoughtfully crafted. Rachel got an incredible sense of me as a person over this process and then helped me think about the mosaic I wanted to build out with each aspect of my application (i.e. let Recommender A cover X, so you can use real estate in your essay to elaborate on Y). Most critically, she was able to see throughlines in my experiences that allowed me to have connected themes and narratives guide my essays. She had my back every step of the way and wasn’t afraid to tell me when to pick it up (either in my quality of drafting documents or in the pace of turning them to meet my target deadlines). She is a wonderful thought partner and an especially kind and caring person. I tremendously enjoyed working with her and couldn’t recommend her enough.

I would not have had the success that I did with my MBA applications, had I not worked with Gatehouse Admissions and namely, Rachel Nelson. As an Indian-American male who graduated from Vanderbilt University with a 3.55 GPA as an undergraduate Chemical Engineer with a 770 GMAT score, I believed that I had a chance to get into an M7 Full-Time MBA Program, but I had some concerns. I’m not a strong writer, I knew I needed help managing the concurrent admissions deadlines, and I came from a non-traditional industry (I work in pharmaceuticals manufacturing). When I did introductory calls with many consultant firms, they all spent the time “selling” me on how much they would help me, while Gatehouse Admissions (where I spoke with Hollis Kline) went ahead and showed me. The intro call itself felt like a working session, and after hiring Gatehouse I was paired with Rachel Nelson. She is timely, honest, encouraging, and darn good at what she does! She turned my “pharma jargon” into translatable achievements while helping me identify and develop the themes of my essays. Her reviews are incredibly thorough, and she sent me back her reviews early multiple times, allowing me to have extra time to ensure my applications were strong. Her interview prep is targeted and effective, but also not too repetitive. When my work wasn’t good enough, she told me so in a manner that helped me improve. I found that the stronger writing skills I developed through her showed in my job too! If she felt that I could do even better, she pushed me for another draft, and I know that this “final push” led to me receiving admission at Tuck, Kellogg, and Booth, while also currently being waitlisted at HBS and Sloan despite applying to both of those programs in the highly competitive Round 2. Even as I am currently waitlisted at both programs, Rachel is actively helping me to get off these waitlists by reviewing additional recommender letters and application updates. I truly believe that pairing with Gatehouse Admissions and Rachel Nelson was the “edge” that allowed me to experience such a successful application process in the incoming MBA Class of 2026’s competitive landscape!

Liza was incredible to work with and is the reason I got into UVA Darden.

Some background: I have been working in SaaS sales for the past 5 years and wanted to pursue business school as it was an opportunity to pivot into a consulting and jumpstart a more strategic career. However, coming from small liberal arts school outside the t20 with an average GPA and no financial or strategic work experience I knew it would be an uphill battle to get into my dream school. I scored a 322 (161V/16 Q) on the GRE which was solid but knew my application would need to shine… enter Liza. She was a master at highlighting my strengths and storytelling to make my essays excellent. From our first meeting it was clear she was an expert in the process and was proactive in keeping us to a clearly defined timeline. I had very few friends, family, and colleagues that had gone through the bschool process, so Liza was my lifeline and true advisor (even a motivator when I was down on myself!). I would not have gotten into a t15 school without Liza’s help and for anyone looking to unlock the keys to success in the bschool application process, look no further. Thank you Liza!

I had a great experience working with Brooke and believe she made a huge difference in my application. I come from a traditional finance background (IB -> PE) and worked with Brooke on my application for HBS. I was waitlisted and accepted in Round 2. Her expertise and experience were instrumental in helping me prepare for the interview and in developing my waitlist update letter. It is clear she has decades of experience evaluating MBA candidates – she brings a differentiated perspective to the table. She was exceptional at helping me identify the aspects of my application that were unique and pushed me to build on those themes with each step of the process. I would highly recommend working with Brooke.