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Number Of Expert Admissions Coaches: 1
Total Reviews: 175 | 5 Star Reviews: 175
Firm Website: http://www.ivymbaconsulting.com
With over 20 years of accumulated MBA wisdom and advisors who are top-tier program veterans, we are proud to say that our anti-laissez-faire approach has proved itself big time. Ivy MBA Consulting was the first admissions consulting firm in the world to verify success rate using a Big 4 accounting firm. Deloitte confirmed both the 91.2% success rate and $2,194,000 in total scholarships of Ivy MBA Consulting in 2014-2015 application season. A copy of the report is available to any who wish to double check. Previous reports are available as well.
I first heard of Eli from a few friends who worked with him and got into top MBA programs. After our initial call, I didn’t look any further. Eli understood exactly where I came from and how I wanted to approach the application. He exposed me to schools that fit me better than I initially thought. But this was just the start. The work with Eli exceeded everything I expected. Eli was knowledgeable in every area of the application and around it. For every dilemma I presented, he explained the options and suggested the best course of action. It was the case for the bigger questions and the smallest ones. In the more creative essays (What matters most for example), Eli demonstrated the creativity of a Novel writer which made me re-fall in love with my own story. I felt that I was in great hands and I cannot emphasize enough how important this is in such a process. Another game-changer was Eli’s availability, turnaround time, and how easy and comfortable it is to approach him. First, he never limited the length of our calls or how much we could invest in an area. For one of the major essays, we spent well above 2 hours in just brainstorming. Eli responded within a day to all the documents I sent with very detailed and constructive comments. He gave me a direct number and I was able to reach him mornings and evenings. Again, this was such an important thing as my work is very time-consuming and I needed flexibility. There were so many other things that were done perfectly, starting with helping me network and connecting me to other students and alumni, through the meticulous editing, all the way to the interview preparation. The bottom line is I got into Stanford, my dream school, in a very competitive year. I couldn’t have done it without Eli’s support.
I reached out to Eli after I received warm recommendations from friends who were accepted to Harvard and worked with him on their applications in the past. At first, I hesitated since I wasn’t sure I needed a consultant, but today I am so grateful for their recommendations and for Eli’s support and guidance.
Eli was the best consultant I could ask for to accompany me in the long application process. He was super professional and to the point, he guided me throughout the application, highlighted important angles, helped me to surface my achievements, and supported me in building a strong candidacy.
I recommend Eli without reservation!
I called Eli the same day I finished my GMAT. The moment the phone call was over, I knew I had found the person I wanted to work with on my application. Even though time was not on our side (we had exactly 8 weeks until admission), I knew I was in great hands. Everything was under control throughout the entire process, and I could feel every step of the way how Eli helped me in perfecting my application and achieving the best possible result. On top of that, I knew I could always count on him, even with questions and matters that weren’t directly connected to the application process. Eli was by my side every step of this long journey. I was admitted to my dream school – HBS (alongside other top-class MBA programs..), and I know Eli played a vital part. For that, I will always be deeply grateful to him!
My work with Eli started when I was still “feeling the water” regarding an MBA. Eli was recommended to me by two friends who were admitted to Harvard and Duke, and he provided initial advice based on my personal background and aspirations. From the beginning, I saw that Eli was able to hit the points I was concerned about and show how to remedy those.
When I made my decision to move forward with the application, Eli articulated very clearly what was expected from me as an applicant and how he would help me get there, and he was available for me almost 24/7 throughout the process even though we live in exact opposites of the world.
Eli started by building the overall strategy for my application and how to best position me to the admissions committee. Things were very clear from the get-go. Following that, Eli was helping me craft my story and highlight the most important parts of my academic and professional careers, as well as my best personality traits. While writing the essays, we went through as many iterations as needed to have the most compelling essay for each school I applied to, and Eli made sure it was with the best level of English it could be.
When it came to my resume, even though I worked with career consultants and was positive I had the best resume in hand, when I started working with Eli, we did an entire resume overhaul. I had no idea my resume could be so much better than it already was, and to test it I used it to apply to new jobs. Not only I got way more interview invitations than before – with some leading to actual new job offers – but I was constantly commended for my resume itself.
Eli helped my prepare for my conversations with my recommenders and come up with the best talking points I would want each one of them to emphasize when writing my recommendation letters. Eli was able to extract from me the best stories, work examples, and professional achievements from each position that could be beneficial in the letters.
Eli also provided me with the right tools to approach admissions representatives from different schools, which was valuable, as he rightfully emphasized that each conversation should be treated as an interview by itself rather than a casual small talk.
Lastly, when the time came for me to interview to several schools, Eli and his team helped me prepare through a series of several mock interviews, giving me very strong points for improvement and ways to articulate myself in the best way possible.
As a result of my work with Eli, I received several admission offers, with scholarships of over $130K.
I would strongly recommend Eli to any person considering applying to a business school, and that is not only because of the products of the process and the results, but also because this entire process could be overwhelming, stressful, and confusing, and Eli was always there to clarify, provide guidance, debunk myths I kept hearing from random people, and make it as clear as possible what I had to do at each step.
I worked with Eli on my deferred MBA applications and I highly recommend him. Eli was extremely organized and had a great system that got my application completed way sooner than I expected! Eli always makes himself available and is very hands-on with all the work – giving direct critique. I strongly recommend Eli as a consultant for any MBA application. He clearly knows what the school is looking for and how to structure your application to meet those wants.
After having initial meetings with a number of consultants, I decided on Eli, and could not be happier with the result of the process. Eli takes his time to fully understand the candidate, peeling back layers to uncover the true ‘why’ behind your application. He then works with you to build an incredibly cohesive school-specific narrative. Eli is meticulous with each component of the application and is relentless in helping you become the strongest candidate possible. His direct and thoughtful approach not only helped me build an incredible application but also helped me feel 10x more comfortable in my interviews, as I was prepared for any question thrown my way. Unlike other consultants, Eli would always get back to me with revisions to essays, answers to my questions, or feedback within 24 hours, and usually much faster. In doing so, he really makes you feel like you are his partner in this process, and that you are his number 1 priority. Truly, I would recommend Eli without reservation.
I highly recommend Eli for anyone who is looking for a direct, concise, and thorough advisor to help with the admissions process. Eli helped me get into my dream school.
Working with Eli can be challenging, as he demands a lot of you and does not waste time on pleasantries. He is very direct, and will clearly articulate when you are not providing what is needed to succeed in the process. This applies to his feedback on your resume, essays, interview, and more. While your work will remain very much your own, Eli with work tirelessly with you to ensure you are most apt and representing your accomplishments in every aspect of the process. He makes himself available at all times, via email or WhatsApp, and does not hesitate to spend the time needed to support you.
Chose Eli without hesitation. He will help you get the job done.
I led a very comprehensive process to choose my MBA adviser, and cannot be happier with choosing Eli and his team. I chose them after Eli and I had a few calls and he dedicated all the time I needed to answer my questions and let me feel comfortable. Furthermore, before signing, I learned that he got my friend into HBS and her husband to MIT Sloan which made the decision easier. From the first session, I knew I made the right choice. Eli knew how to guide me in the best way that helped me bring out the best material. He had a very deep knowledge of every school and helped me understand exactly what is the admission actually looking for in each of the documents we worked on. We brainstormed a lot over the phone about each document until Eli was happy with the content. He then helped me build the right outline so that I can easily create the first draft later on. We then exchanged versions until Eli was happy with the result – and it wasn’t easy to get him to this point, as he seeks perfection in every document. A lot have talked about Eli’s availability and….so will I. It is unbelievable how quick it is to get an answer or to have him on the phone. I had his direct WhatsApp and texted him every time I had a question or needed support. He responded immediately (not sure if he ever goes to sleep…) – and his response time for the documents I sent him was also very fast. Typically, 1 day. 2 days at the latest. Most important than anything else – I felt that I submitted something that is authentic. It was me, and I was accurately represented in all these words. Eli was supporting me all along and made sure I will be on my A-game even when I was challenged. He was great to work with and I could really feel he wanted me to succeed. When I was finally admitted to the first of 2 schools, Eli was so happy as if he was admitted himself. Thank you Eli for all the work!!!
Eli helped a lot during the process of developing my own story, he gave advice about changes I had to make and it worked! I was admitted to HBS which was my dream school. I really appreciate the time that Eli took to review all the essays, he is a perfectionist and very attentive to detail. I had a busy agenda working from 9 to 7, but Eli always reminded me about the importance of this process and the time I had to dedicate to make my applications outstanding. I can tell you the process is not easy because Eli is strict and he wants you to dedicate a good amount of time to develop your applications, but this is what is really needed to get accepted to a top10 school. I want to thank Eli for his patience and because I believe he demands and promotes the best quality in every material that he reviews. I totally recommend working with Eli to get great results in this very competitive and long process to submit an MBA application.
During my MBA application process, I spoke with many different MBA consultants – but truly Eli was the best of the best. From the moment that we spoke, he truly cared about every last detail of my application. He was strategic and helped me shape my story in the most compelling way possible. I was accepted into my top choice NYU Stern and would not have been able to do it without his support.
Before I say anything about the process, here is the most important thing you should know – I came to look for a consultant, but with Ivy, I found real partners. I worked with Eli and Sharon on a round 2 application and ended up with results that I could not be happier with: I was admitted to Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. For an excellent application, you need both a great strategy and flawless execution. Ivy has the perfect combination. Eli and Sharon helped me connect the dots in my own personal story in a way that would best resonate with the admissions offices. They are extraordinary storytellers and they were as accurate as it gets in helping me choose the best strategy for my application. Once I had the strategy in place – they also worked tirelessly, under super stressed timelines, to bring this strategy to life and to put it on paper in the best way possible. Eli is super honest, super responsive, and knows how to keep you at your ease in tough points along the process – by helping you stay optimistic and realistic. Guess what – he is usually right. Personally, I had a dilemma whether to submit my application in round 2, or wait another year for the next round 1. The situation was even more complex as a colleague from my office (who also worked with Eli and Sharon!) was just admitted to HBS, Stanford, and Wharton. Eli helped me reach the right decision and accurately predicted the outcomes, thus helping me avoid losing another year and guiding me towards this phenomenal joint achievement. I would highly highly recommend choosing these awesome partners. You’ll maximize your chances, and learn how to work like a real pro.
I worked with Eli and Sharon Klapka for this MBA cycle and couldn’t be happier with the results. I was accepted to both Wharton and MIT!!! From the very start, I was very impressed by the professionalism and level of detail demonstrated by both Eli and Sharon – they truly know what they are doing and how to support candidates through the process. We invested time upfront strategizing my story, leveraging the unique strengths of my profile and even differentiators that I didn’t think were relevant! This allowed me to tell my story in a very compelling and succinct way. The level of support also translated to the interview preparation where I did multiple mock interviews with Eli and another colleague to make sure I was sufficiently polished and ready for the different interview styles of the schools. I couldn’t have achieved these results without Eli and Sharon (especially since I had a lower GMAT score) and highly recommend them!
Results first: admitted to top-5 with $200,000 scholarship!!!! I’ve first heard of Eli from my colleagues. I work in a local boutique consulting firm and Eli has a history of taking a couple of us to top-5 MBA programs every year. I worked with Eli and Sharon and was impressed by the level of care, personal connection, the MBA knowledge, and attention to detail. I won’t repeat every review before me but I do agree with all of them. For me, the most impressive part was the thinking and planning process behind each document. Spending a lot of phone time to build the perfect positioning and outline, not only made my writing process much easier, but it also reflected who I am and what my message is – in the perfect way. The attention to every word made me realize the Ivy team wanted it as much as I did. Even if we would not agree on something, and it meant more work and more calls, they didn’t let go of their beliefs of what was the right thing to do. I cannot be happier with the results and can recommend Ivy MBA Consulting with confidence.
Eli’s value prop in the process is pushing your work until it is the absolute best it can be and being very straightforward about where you stand throughout the process. I contacted Eli when I was about a year and a half out from applying to business school, and he was able to give me a very objective assessment of the strengths of my application and things I should change/work on before applying. This type of straightforward feedback was a key part of the process of working with Eli. He pushed me on every essay and short answer to make sure it was the strongest possible, even if it meant doing many many (needed) iterations on some of my essays.
Compared to friends using other consultants, I really think the key differentiator is the time and attention he gives to your application (AKA you get more bang for your buck). I felt that friends who used other consultancies were given much more cookie-cutter guidance and had more rules on how much time could be dedicated to their applications. Eli was more results-oriented. It wasn’t about the time he put in, but about the output. Sometimes we wouldn’t spend much time at all on a piece of work because it was already in a good place. Other times we spent a ton of time figuring out an essay or answer. Throughout the process, he didn’t tell me what I should say or what my story should be, but rather he helped me think through it and iterated on it until it was perfect. His support was invaluable.
I applied to 4 business schools: Stanford, Wharton, Harvard, and Berkeley with a good resume, but slightly lower GMAT scores for these schools. I got into Berkeley and Harvard and will be attending Harvard in the fall. My partner also worked with Eli, and he’ll be joining me at Harvard in the fall. I am really happy with the results in what was a very difficult application cycle, and I couldn’t have done it without Eli.
I chose to reach out to Eli primarily due to the reviews on this site. As a result, I had high expectations, which Eli’s personalized support exceeded, and then some! My experience with Eli was as enjoyable, professional, and successful as all others describe below. But most importantly, I can’t underscore how much I appreciated having a consultant who truly cared about me from start to finish. Sharing the news of my acceptance with Eli was so rewarding – I felt how invested he was in my personal success, for the application process, and beyond.
Both my partner and I worked with Eli in parallel over the course of a year. The care and individualization with which he approached each of our unique processes were incredible. Thanks to Eli’s support, we had our choice of top schools to attend and will both be enrolling at HBS in the fall! We couldn’t have dreamed of a better outcome.
Eli is a top-notch consultant, but he also acts as a mentor and trusted confidant for any and all ideas and questions. He differentiates himself in four essential ways (which I imagine would make or break the application experience): 1) Attention to Detail – No stone goes unturned and no sentence goes unscrutinized 2) Flexibility / Approachability – He provides direct WhatsApp access, makes it clear no question is too small, and really means it 3) Directness – His feedback is always actionable, efficient, and unambiguous 4) Speed – Without fail, he always delivers detailed and thoughtful feedback on a document within a day or few days at most, no matter whether it is the first draft or 10th iteration.
Additionally, I was so impressed by how Eli navigated the unique processes of me and my partner. He had an acute sense for our different work styles, navigated our preferences for emotional support, and executed unique and successful plans for each of us despite our differing professional backgrounds.
I can’t recommend working with Eli highly enough!
Choosing to hire an admissions consultant is a tough decision to make. Not only is it eye-poppingly expensive, but you might be worried whether or not you are choosing the right person.
I feel incredibly fortunate to have, almost entirely by chance, decided to work with Eli when I was beginning the application process. I am 100% certain that being a current admit at my top choice MBA program wouldn’t have been possible without Eli’s help.
Eli is a 1-of-a-kind partner in the application process. He’s incredibly honest and forthcoming, pushing you to find the best version of your application at every turn. Whether it was my resume or my essay, there would be times when I felt like there were no more improvements or changes I could make, but Eli constantly pushed me on even the smallest of bullet points to find something better. That was the case for every single piece of the application process.
When we did my first practice interview, I totally bombed it. And Eli laid into me. He made it clear that if I performed like that during the interview, I won’t get admitted, full stop. It is hard to hear something like that, with so much on the line, and not completely panic. But the honesty pushed me to prepare. I spent the next few weeks going back and forth with voice memos and doing more mock interviews with his friends and colleagues. By the time the interview day came, I was leagues better than our first mock interview.
At the end of the day, using a consultant isn’t any magic guarantee of success. Don’t let any reviews try to convince you of that. Putting together a great application is incredibly burdensome and stress-inducing. But, if you’re sure that an MBA is the next step you want to take, you owe it to yourself to find someone who gives you the best possible shot to succeed. Eli does that.
I chose to work with Eli after he helped my wife to get into HBS MBA and several other acquaintances into top-5 MBA programs. I was only targeting MIT due to the GMAT waiver so a lot was at stake. Needless to say, I write this review after being admitted. Eli started helping me three years before I submitted. He advised me on career changes and the timing of certain crucial decisions. This had a significant impact on the outcome of my process. He really knows his way in this domain and can answer each question in depth. However, if you are looking for someone to constantly pat your back, he’s not the right Consultant. Eli is very results-oriented with high expectations from himself and from his applicants. He is very straightforward about your work and has one thing in his mind: finding the best version of yourself and get you into your dream school. Don’t worry – he will not yell at you 😊 he is really a great person to work with – but he will not sugarcoat or beat around the bush. He will call it as it is. Another thing I liked a lot about working with Eli is his accessibility. He works around the clock and is ALWAYS available to talk. He actually gave me his WhatsApp number and we chatted every time I had a question. Just knowing that you have this knowledgeable resource a text away is reassuring in itself. He is very approachable and he encouraged me not to wait too much if I get stuck – just to pick up the phone and call him. Bottom line – the result is what counts and I put all the eggs in one basket. Eli delivered and I will be in Boston studying alongside my wife. I strongly recommend reaching out to Eli the moment you are thinking of applying. You won’t regret it.
I cannot recommend working with Eli and Boaz of Ivy MBA enough!
They are both incredibly professional, responsive, and knowledgeable about all aspects of the MBA admissions process.
I was unemployed during the admissions cycle in which I worked with them, but somehow gained admission to my target MBA program. This is a testament to how proficient they are in their work, and they are the real deal!
Thank you very much, Eli and Boaz!
I worked with Eli and Sharon Klapka and it was an amazing process with awesome results! I connected with Eli originally a couple of years back as he was highly recommended by multiple friends. He gave me guidance ahead of even deciding to apply to any school. Once I decided it was the time I connected Eli again but had a very short timeline. He and Sharon have supported me every step of the way in a super short time frame that allowed me to apply in the first round. They were extremely professional and knew exactly what I should do to maximize my chances. They invested many hours in my application even when I wanted to do last-minute changes. The result was perfect! I applied to one tier 1 school and got accepted, while also receiving a great scholarship. I highly recommend working with both Eli and Sharon, there are no better consultants to support you in this journey.
Eli is extremely knowledgeable, brutally honest, and relentlessly focused on achieving the best possible outcomes. What I appreciated the most is that he is really a mentor rather than a consultant, and motivated me to go above and beyond. I was targeting a top-15 MBA in the US and Eli was able to get me into an M7 school, something I still struggle to believe.
The process of working with Eli was very smooth and the results were remarkable. At the beginning of my MBA application journey, Eli helped me select the right schools and develop a compelling storyline. Then, we iterated countless drafts of my resume and essays and went through a number of mock interviews, which proved to be crucial to the final success. Eventually, I was admitted into my dream school and several others. I could not have done it without him and I cannot recommend him highly enough!
I worked with the Eli and Sharon duo and could not be happier with the process and results. The process was extremely professional and efficient, and the best part is I always felt as if I was their only client and always had their attention. They worked very closely with me throughout the entire process, and most importantly they delivered phenomenally – I was admitted to HBS, Stanford GSB, and Wharton (I never expected to achieve this). I must admit that I wasn’t the easiest client, but they were always responsive and invested countless hours on improving my strategy, essays, and preparing me for the interview process. We went through countless essay drafts and did not stop until we felt we had the best possible product. I was impressed by how perfectionists they were and how every detail counted. They know exactly what the focus should be on each essay and build a great application for every school I wanted to apply to. Great process and excellent result. I would highly recommend working with Eli!
There is no doubt in my mind that I am today sitting with offers from HBS and Wharton because of David and the Ivy MBA team.
Do not be fooled – the application process is absolutely grueling. But working with David was a phenomenal experience from the start. He was not just an extremely professional admissions consultant, but a strategy guru and life coach.
On our first call, David suggested that I wait a year to get more experience in my new job. I was quite surprised by that advice as he was essentially risking missing out on a client. But that’s David – he’s not just going to take you on because he’s getting some business; he’ll take you on because he truly believes you have the ability to get into your dream schools and that he can help you get there. That brutal honesty convinced me to take his advice, and I’m truly grateful for it.
From the start, David coached and challenged me. He worked with me to construct a competitive profile and application strategy, and throughout the experience was realistic about the challenges I faced and the ways we could address and work them into the applications. Moreover, he actually identified strengths in my profile that I hadn’t considered as relevant as I was engrossed in looking for weaknesses.
He would not allow me to complete a document until he was fully satisfied with it. Despite my insistence on several occasions that I had done the best I could, he would push my limits and gave me clear constructive feedback on areas that I needed to improve. When I’d hit a wall, we would brainstorm ideas together and I’d leave with 2-3 more directions to try. On interviews, I was preparing well in advance of even receiving interview decisions (that’s how confident he was!). David organized independent interviewers for mock sessions which were extremely valuable. For Wharton, he even organized a 5-person mock TBD! His confidence definitely yielded results.
David was literally always available. I honestly couldn’t believe it. We were constantly exchanging emails, WhatsApp, and calls. Initially, I would reach out to schedule calls, to which he told me to just call him anytime, and he actually replied, anytime. He would also revert back with comments on my essays/documents max within 1 day, and often chased me if I was falling behind on some items. He really kept me on my toes!
As a final word, I’d like to add that the journey working with David really helped me to build my self-confidence. There’s a lot of introspection involved in this process, and I often faced lows where I thought I wasn’t good enough for the top schools. David was instrumental in lifting my spirits and in showing me I was absolutely aiming where I should be. This approach undoubtedly yielded results that emerged in my writing and in my interviews and have better prepared me for the MBA program.
Here is something that was not mentioned in the dozens of the reviews here below: Eli’s emotional support throughout the process was a game-changer for me.
Before starting the process, I read all the reviews and yes – everything is accurate. I received the full guidance on all the documents, on every single word. The response time was extremely fast and Eli gave me his WhatsApp so I can reach him at any moment. It was all amazing.
After being admitted to 2 top-5 schools, I can say with certainty that the application process is not easy for everyone. For me, it was challenging and stressful. I had doubts about everything and there was several moments I wanted to stop and quit. In each of these times I reached out to Eli and he spent all the time (sometimes as long as 30 minutes) just encouraging me and rebuilding my confidence. This made all the difference and helped me carry on all the way to receiving 2 thrilling phone-calls from my top choices.
The bottom line is that Eli is simply one of the best in delivering results – I was accepted to 2 M7 schools. He is incredibly professional, experienced, quick to respond and is available 24/7 (other people wrote this before, but he is ALWAYS available!) to coach me in anything I needed throughout the application process. There are two thing I especially love about Eli – Firstly, he was always very truthful and straightforward, even if I didn’t want to hear it (e.g. in our first conversation before we started working together, he told me I should wait one more year before applying to B-Schools in order to gain experience); Secondly, he is extremely meticulous – every part of my application was nothing shorter than perfect. Applying to B-schools is challenging, and you want someone you can trust and who knows the game. I could not think of anyone who is more perfect for this job than Eli.
I have used several undergrad admissions consultants as well as an MBA consultant from a large admissions company prior to David, and I can very confidently say that David is the best admissions consultant I’ve ever had. I am very happy to share that, after initially feeling like I wouldn’t be able to gain admission into any business school this year, I have been accepted into Chicago Booth MBA which was my target business school. I first signed up for a very popular MBA admissions service before I signed up with David. They were extremely helpful and quick to respond until I signed up and gave them my money. Subsequently, it would take several days for them to respond to a simple email question and I had to follow up with them several times in order to even get a resume reviewed. The quality of their feedback was also cursory and substandard. After getting rejected from one of my main target schools, I decided to sign up with another company. I spoke to 8 different consultants to get an idea of their services. I chose David because he seemed the most realistic, methodical, and detail-oriented. While working with David, I never had a problem with communication. He gave me his WhatsApp cell phone number and he would answer my questions within minutes. If I sent him essays for review late night, I would have them back in my hands by noon the next day. His feedback was always very precise and descriptive. He would make it very clear exactly what I had to do in order to improve my essay or resume. David was also very particular about the quality of my work. Contrary to the other consultants who took 2 looks at my resume and told me that it was good to go, David and I went through 7 iterations of my resume before we decided that it was satisfactory. On many of my essays, we would do 5 or more back and forth iterations before we reached a place where the essay was perfect. For those who are similar to me in needing very prescriptive guidelines rather than general feedback, David is the right person to go to. Although I was the one who lived my experiences, David was able to coax them out of me and make every aspect of my profile an advantage. He made me really think about the impact that I’ve had in various places of my life, and then worked very hard with me to craft a story that accurately and convincingly communicated that impact. He also understands what to emphasize for each school in order to make that school really like your profile. Overall, I cannot recommend David enough and my experience with him has been absolutely incredible – I really credit my admission into Chicago Booth to him.
When Eli says that the process does not end when you submit the application he truly means it. Actions speak louder than words and I think my story shows it. I first talked to Eli 2 years ago when the GMAT was still my barrier from starting the process to the schools I wanted, beyond the motivation Eli gave me sound advice on what to focus on and how so that I can make progress as fast as possible. Linking me to the right people and graduates to learn more about the schools and how to get the GMAT done in a good way. Once that was out of the way we started thinking together about which schools fit my professional goals and my profile, I really liked the fact that he knew a lot about the schools and went out of his way to make sure I am linked to alumni to help me make the right decision. The process of the application itself might have been the shortest in terms of duration but was the most intense, daily calls, emails in the middle of the night, and countless hours on the phone thinking together how to bring my story across and how to make it stand out. Sometimes it’s hard to make your application and story stand out, but Eli’s questions really helped to do that, focus on the impact I have made, and to also make me realize that I have accomplished quite a lot in my professional career until today. That, among the personal care of preparing me to the interviews really helped when the writing ended and it was time to talk face to face (or zoom to zoom as it is now). I know that the process matters, but the end result matters even more. I got accepted, I am certain that I would not have reached the same result if I had done it on my own or with anyone else.
Thank you for the help and support!
Working with Eli was an experience far beyond what I expected. I applied to only one school in the last round and needless to say – I needed this one shot to succeed. If I had to say what were the things that were most amazing in working with Ivy, I would say that they are (1) Eli’s responsiveness – he is ALWAYS available. Not sure how he does that but he really is. We jumped on briefing calls with a notice of less than an hour and often on the spot. It truly felt like he is always there for me (2) Eli’s thoroughness – even when I was ready to submit or wrap up an essay, Eli kept pushing that it could be better and guided me with very clear feedback on how to improve my documents. He didn’t count iteration or limited the work in any way. He pushed me even when I was demotivated to achieve a better result. (3) Eli’s attitude is one that inspires confidence. He had no doubt we would make the deadline (we had 3 weeks!) and was very confident that I would get admitted. Other than the above, the operation was flawless and with high quality. The documents came back from editing much stronger and the interview prep process that included prep material and live mocks was extremely helpful. Overall, I felt I have a true partner for the process and I cannot recommend Ivy MBA Consulting more. Thank you!!
Warning: This will be a longer-than-usual review as Eli David was not my first MBA adviser, nor even my second. He was, however, my savior.
Notably, I am usually not the type of person to write reviews for anybody, but my experience with Eli was so overwhelmingly positive, I had to make an exception. I’m still uncertain that 1,000 words are sufficient to describe how much Eli helped me throughout the entire journey and how much I appreciated him. I will do my best.
Before the end of the round-one application process this year, I had already lost confidence in all MBA admission consultants. By that time, I’d spent nearly $15K USD on consultations but had received nearly nothing of value in return. What’s worse, my confidence level was nearly at rock bottom.
I’d first worked with one of the big-name admission-consulting firms during round two of the previous year and had ended up being rejected by my dream school without even getting an interview. I then worked with a top-rated consultant during round one of this year, which turned out to be one of the worst experiences in my life. Simply because I had an average GMAT score and was from an overrepresented applicants pool, the advisor asked me to downgrade my initial school list from M7 to S16 – and forced me to believe I had no choice but to accept.
Making matters worse, the advisor I worked with took between 10 and 15 days to provide feedback on each of my documents, and after just one iteration, he would claim the document was ready to submit. I truly felt as though he just wanted to take my money and didn’t care about me or my success. Worse yet, he always made me feel as though my feedback was unimportant. I was truly devastated.
By this point, I was completely lost – but I was not ready to give up. I called a few more consultants to evaluate my profiles. I distinctly remember that one afternoon when Eli called me almost immediately after I’d written him an inquiry email. He told me that with my unique experience, “You should be sitting in the classroom of your dream school! You are the exact person they are looking for.”
Although I was initially skeptical about what Eli said, my gut told me to give him – and myself – another chance. We quickly came up with a one-school deal for this year’s R1, applying to the program that had previously rejected me without an interview. Understanding my unpleasant experiences with the other advisor, Eli suggested that I work with him on an hourly basis until I gained trust, and we agreed that if I got a good result, we would work extensively on other schools in R2.
I was amazed when Eli decided to change every single document I’d worked on before. He responded within a day to each document I sent him, and he was constantly available to answer all of my questions on WhatsApp. I honestly don’t know how he does it!
One month later, I was absolutely thrilled to be invited for an interview with the school that had rejected me six months prior. Remembering how many times Eli and I went back and forth about my essays, videos, resumes, I am convinced that his timely and insightful feedback made all the difference.
After my initial success with Eli, I immediately decided to trust him again by signing up for a five-school package for R2. Crazy though it may sound, we initially decided for me to apply to the top five MBA programs in the US this time: Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Booth, and Kellogg. Throughout this whole process, I continued having doubts about my profile, GMAT scores, and everything else. Eli never let me down, however, and he always encouraged me with positive communication.
I do want to stress that working with Eli was not easy: He is a perfectionist and he will never let you finish with a document until he’s is fully satisfied with it. Meeting his expectations requires a considerable amount of time spent on thinking and writing. In truth, I sometimes felt frustrated, or even angry, when I’d reach my limit on a document and he’d remain unsatisfied. He will always guide you and push your limits so that you’ll achieve what you had previously thought was beyond your abilities.
Though the application process was grueling, Eli’s demands for excellence proved worthwhile in the end: After a two-month wait, I received invitations to interview for all of the five top schools I’d applied for in R2. Eli did an amazing job in preparing me for the interviews, tailoring his guidance to address my weaknesses. I even underwent a five-person practice interview that emulated Wharton’s interview style.
Ultimately, I was admitted to HBS and a few other top schools. (As I write this, I am on the Stanford GSB waitlist – but Eli remains optimistic about my chances). I could not have achieved any of this without Eli.
One final note about Eli: Working with him is not simply a matter of signing up for a service. For me, Eli was effectively a life coach, and his unique perspective on admissions and life, in general, helped me and guided me in the right direction. He is, in my view, the best example of a true college-admissions consultant who not only helps you get into your dream school but always guides you into the next phase of your life.
Thank you, Eli! I will always be one of your biggest fans.
I can’t stress enough how big a part Eli played in my getting into my dream MBA program. I reached out to Ivy hoping just to be able to make it into a US top-10 school, and ended up getting into Stanford!! Before working with Eli, I was sure that my low GMAT score would hold me back, but after our first few meetings, I had enough confidence to apply to schools I thought were out of my reach. Not because Eli told me only what I wanted to hear either: just the opposite, he was upfront from the get-go about the challenges we were facing. But he showed his commitment to taking on those challenges with me and being invested in the process from start to finish. Additionally, with his vast experience in the field, he was able to identify strengths in my profile that even I had missed while I was focused only on what looked “wrong.”
Needless to say, Eli backed up this show of confidence with hard work that yielded real results. First of all, he responded right away to any question and was available literally around the clock (I still don’t know how he does that!). He also put in incredible effort helping me brainstorm my essays and make sure my application looked impeccable down to the last dot on my CV. His amazing interview prep was a major game-changer for me too. At this point, I can’t imagine going through this process with any consultant less experienced, dedicated, or willing to go above and beyond as Eli, and I’m sure having Ivy as my consultant is what really clinched the deal for me. I’m so thankful to Eli and his team, not only for helping me get farther than I thought I’d ever go but also for making the whole process feel so productive yet pleasant. I really can’t recommend Eli and Ivy enough.
I worked with Ivy 2 years ago when I got into Wharton where I currently am but it is never too late to chime in and let everyone know what a great experience working with David and his team was. As if getting into my dream school wasn’t proof enough, the whole process of applying was just made so smooth and seamless by Ivy. I literally cannot imagine a better application experience. I got all the support and guidance I could’ve hoped for from David, who was available and ready with an answer pretty much around the clock. At the same time, he really put his top effort and pushed me to do the same, for brainstorming my message and crafting the image that would make the best case for the schools I wanted to get into.
I don’t know whether I appreciated more the dedication and encouragement I received from David or the fact that every document was flawlessly prepared by his team, so I felt like, no matter what happened, I was putting my absolute best foot forward. Either way I’m just so thankful to Ivy for the amazing opportunity of a Wharton MBA, and the feeling hasn’t worn off one bit in the past year. That’s why I decided to post here and let anyone who’s considering Ivy that there’s no need to look further, it’s totally and completely worth every penny and every step of the way. You’ll be thanking them for this game-changing move for the rest of your career.
I went into the MBA application process, not imagining that several months later I would have an offer from Stanford, HBS, AND several other M7 schools, which I think pretty much tells you everything you need to know about David and Ivy MBA Consulting. When I started out, I was so sure I couldn’t risk presenting anything less than a stellar profile that I looked for a consultant to work with way ahead of time. That’s when David impressed me from the get-go with his willingness to work with me BEFORE the normal application cycle started. He gave me important advice about career options I had that when it came time to actually apply, I ended up making a major difference. Before I even started applying, I was already very glad to have found Ivy and was sure, whatever the outcome, I had made the right choice for my consultant.
When I got to the actual application, David and Sharon showed at every step of the way how dedicated they were to showing me in my best light and giving me every shot at success. Sharon was just a joy to work with, going through intense brainstorming sessions with me to painstakingly shape my message in the required essays. She knew Stanford was my dream school and I don’t know how long we spent on their “What Matters Most” essay (although once documents are drafted turnaround for final versions is incredibly fast and impeccable!). But both she and David were also super supportive throughout the whole process, even helping me not to get bogged down emotionally when the application cycle started to feel overwhelming towards the peak.
Obviously, their support and dedication paid off, and I honestly don’t know if I was more shocked and excited to get into my dream school, or to get into other top schools at the same time! The whole experience went literally like a dream, and I really owe that to Ivy. I seriously cannot recommend or thank them enough for the wonderful work they do.
Choosing Ivy for my MBA consultant was one of the best decisions I made throughout the process —and I have my Wharton admission to show for it!
Eli really impressed me with his commitment to my success, even when it didn’t just involve telling me what I wanted to hear. I don’t know how many drafts I went through for my essays, not to mention the super involved brainstorming process we had for them. Eli was adamant we couldn’t leave any stone unturned or loose ends untied, anything that would help tell my story and stand out, and he put in a lot of his own time and effort to back it up. Honestly, I felt like he really had my back, and anytime I had any question or concern he was there with a reply in literally minutes (it’s like he never takes time off or sleeps!).
I think Eli’s dedication didn’t just help me to put together a great application, it also motivated me to put my best into the process. When it came to the interview prep, Eli and his team fully simulated the Wharton interview with a 5-person panel that kept me on my toes and prepared me so well for the real thing was a breeze in comparison! I can’t thank them enough, not only for all the work they did but also for making the whole experience so pleasant! Eli’s very professional and serious about his work but he’s also nice and really easy to work with.
Overall, I completely recommend Ivy and with all their professionalism I can’t imagine anyone having less than the great experience I did with them!
Eli and his team were invaluable for my MBA application and subsequent admission! In a collaborative process, Eli helped me identify my target schools, build the right strategy for each, and craft winning applications. The team has been available 24/7 throughout the entire process to listen and act on every question, idea, or change I wanted to make. Even if you’ve been working with someone else, or feel you can do it on your own, I would urge you to get on the phone with this group of top-notch professionals, and get a second piece of advice! After all, it is your future we’re talking about here and you can’t afford to compromise. I can guarantee – the investment will pay off very quickly!
Choosing Ivy as my MBA consultant was literally the move that made the application process. From day one Eli was one-hundred percent available and ready with all the answers and support I needed. When it came to the actual application, Eli put incredible effort into helping me with everything. This made even the things I was worried about go smoothly, like crafting my essays: Eli identified strengths of mine that I didn’t think of, just because they maybe didn’t fit in a CV, but were just as important if not more to make my story compelling. I’m sure I couldn’t have presented a better version of myself than what they helped me put on paper (and later in in-person interviews). I really felt he was with me every step of the way and was as dedicated to the outcome as I was.
Not only that, but Eli’s dedication went even beyond the application process. When I was waitlisted for HBS, he gave me crucial guidance for navigating the waitlist process. After I ended up getting in, I felt sincere happiness as if he was admitted himself. Getting into the Harvard MBA will probably be one of the biggest turning points in my life, and I owe so much to Ivy and Eli for helping make that happen for me. I can’t thank and recommend them enough!
I interviewed a number of consultants but was sold by David’s enthusiasm about my profile and conviction that I was very competitive for Harvard and Wharton.
David was the consummate professional, guiding me through every step of the process and ensuring that my application was perfect before hitting submit. David significantly increased the quality of my application which is evidenced by my eventual admittance to Wharton. David’s interview prep and mock-TBD were both game-changing and gave me a significant leg up once I was invited to the interview process for Wharton.
All in all, David made a huge effort to get to know me, and my story, and helped me present it in an incredibly compelling way that I could never have imagined without his help. I owe my Wharton admittance to David.
I would like to thank Eli and Sharon for helping me make my dream come true. The application process was a tiring and exhausting process and I cannot stress enough how much Sharon’s support and guidance helped me go through it successfully. The narrative we built together felt natural and right for me, which made my application and essays strong, inspiring, and successful. Even though I did not feel fully prepared for each interview, Eli’s confidence in me was proven correct as I got accepted to where I wanted. Thank you Ivy Consulting.
David and his team were an integral part of my success in getting admitted to a prestigious MBA program in one of the top schools in the US. I started the process with a lot of doubts and uncertainty. Lucky for me, David had all the right answers and guidance through the process that helped me to achieve my goals. David came with rich and varied experience, and from the beginning identified my strengths and uniqueness and helped me to find the most exciting and authentic way to tell my story, along with a focus on refining the details and highlighting the parts unique to each and every school. Equally important to the uncompromising professionalism was the relaxed and pleasant work environment, the full support along the way, and, most importantly, the belief in me that I could conquer any destination I can imagine. I highly recommend Ivy MBA Consulting team and Eli David. I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor to walk me through this challenging process.
On my first conversation with Ivy Consulting, they told me that “we are about changing lives”. Six months later, I can’t emphasize how much they were right.
I went into the applications process with some hesitations, without being sure about my future directions, fearing that I would not be admitted to one of the top schools I’ve applied to. Thanks to Eli, I learned how to write a coherent essay about myself, not underestimate my achievements, and gained confidence in English essay writing. Maya (his colleague) did a wonderful job preparing me for the interview. He was always accessible and professional. Thanks to his consulting, my application was uncomparable to my original essays and ideas. Eventually, thanks to him and his team, I was admitted to two top schools as I wished.
The way that Eli and his team worked was just what I needed. They made sure always to be available for any question or rewrite I required, they taught me the “MBA Application’s” language, and explained the intricacies of each school and how to approach them. Talking with the team felt like this mission wasn’t mine alone; they were with me under the stretcher.
Looking back at the process, I can honestly say that having Eli and his team as my consultants made the difference.
Working with David and Sharon was clearly the main factor for my success in the process. I placed all my eggs in one basket and submitted it to one M7 school. To make things more challenging, I was targeting a specific, extremely competitive, full scholarship. Writing this review is obviously after I succeeded in achieving both objectives. Both David and Sharon were available throughout the process to work on all the documents. They made me work hard and put in a lot of work on the documents. We had great brainstorming sessions and I felt the best version of me was definitely coming out. And as I mentioned, the results were perfect. Thank you guys for an amazing experience!!
In my opinion, Eli is one of the best MBA consultants. He is really strong at strategic planning and storytelling. In the early stage, when we discussed the right MBA programs for my background and career goals, Eli showed me a deep dive analysis and presented the strength of each top program. In addition, he also gave me an overview of his working style and the entire application process with a roadmap, alleviating my concern. Moreover, because of his excellent strategy, we were able to manage the time efficiently and eventually submit 4 applications at round 1 within a tight timeline.
Eli’s other strength is his storytelling ability. To help me distinguish from other applicants for the top MBA programs, Eli pushed really hard on me to think about unique and interesting stories from my past experience that can be easily remembered by the admission officers. We brainstormed lots of ideas. After many iterations, we finalized a list of interesting stories that can demonstrate my best skill sets and unique personality. This is not an easy process, but I felt super supported by him both mentally and emotionally.
Nevertheless, Eli is very flexible with his schedule and made himself available at any time when I need help. As a result, I received an offer from one of the top MBA programs in the world. In short, the MBA application is a long and difficult journey. If you are still hesitant and have questions, I highly recommend that you can schedule 30 minutes of free consultation with him and learn the great stories from him.
When I decided to pursue an MBA, I was late to the process. It was the end of October and I wanted to make R2 so I only had a couple of months to work with… Unsure whether I wanted to work with an MBA consultant at all, I took calls with more than 10 top firms that appealed to me on the P&Q list.
David stood out to me for two main reasons… (1) Speed: he responded to me within hours and set up the first call the same day, offering me a small demo of what it might look like to work together (2) No “bs”: when you go through the process of scouting consultants, you end up hearing a lot of the same pitches. The questions are the same, they will tell you where the weaknesses in your application are, and why you need them. David’s assessment of my candidacy felt the most authentic and sincere. It didn’t feel like he was trying to sell me and I liked his direct communication style. He also connected me with students that he had worked with in the past at my target schools (the only consultant that offered to do this).
My goal was a top 5 program (globally) and we succeeded in getting offers from Wharton and INSEAD.
I am not entirely sure when – or if – David sleeps, but one of the most important aspects for me was that he was always available and willing to go beyond the line of duty.
David can be ruthlessly honest but he will always push you to go further than what is seemingly possible.
I would wholeheartedly recommend David to anyone who is going through this process.
No review will do justice to the amount of help and guidance David gave me during my MBA application. He is to the point, hardworking, wise, and kind. I was in a unique situation throughout my application process and David was superb, from helping me re-write my CV to pointing out the smallest of details in the online application web forms. He was always available, and the first to push me and make my application stronger. He not only excels at strategy and fine-tuning the smallest details but he also doesn’t lose track of the totality of your application, a crucial perspective. I can say without a shadow of a doubt it is thanks to David that I got into my top choice MBA program (among others) and I can’t thank him enough. If you have the chance to work with him do not pass it up. Thank you, David!!!
Looking back, the decision to work with David was a game-changer for me. I was aiming for a top 10 but did not have a single brand in my resume. David developed a winning strategy that I was extremely comfortable with and enabled me to get the offer I wanted. Throughout the process, David was available on call7 days a week and I never waited long to get the answers I needed. He had a vision of how things should look and managed the process professionally to get there. I highly recommend working with David!!
I first talked to Eli 2 years before starting my application for my MBA – from that point on Eli has mentored me in choices to help me get into a top MBA program. When working on my application Eli has been there for me almost 24/7, always available for a call on every small detail. His advices are priceless – in every conversation with him it is clear that he is a professional who has been doing this for years. I had already recommended Eli to one of my closest friends – which is probably the best sign of how happy I am that I chose to work with him, and I would definitely recommend that to everyone.
Very professional and efficient process. The help I received on planning the process and understanding how to get started on tasks was most important to me.
Eli helped me achieve my dreams as I got accepted into 3 top MBA schools, including my top choice. During the process I felt I had someone I could count on and consult with, which made the entire process smoother and less stressful. Together we built a strategy for the application process, decided to which schools I should apply and of course, worked hard on each application. Eli’s ideas, creativity, availability and guidance are truly remarkable and are what makes him the perfect guide. Looking back, I couldn’t have done it without him. Thank you!
Ivy’s work was incredible and exceeded any expectations I had starting the process. From day-one Eli, Sharon and the team pushed me relentlessly to improve my application, making me think harder and deeper. Their availability and short lead times were incredible, and even though I applied while working in a demanding job I was able to submit well ahead of time. Eli was there when I had day-before-interview jitters, making sure I come focused. The depth of the work, the time they invested, and the fact they truly cared about my application helped me get my dream school (Starts with an S, in Palo Alto :-)). All along the process, Eli & the team provided useful, insightful up-to-date tips and tricks that helped me be as ready as I could be. In a few years time, when my younger brother will pursue an MBA I will tell not even to waste time talking to other firms. THANK YOU ELI!!!
From the very beginning, I knew that I would choose Ivy to assist me in the entire application process. After talking to a few close friends who have been successfully admitted to their desired MBA programs, I knew that I would choose Ivy, without even talking to additional consulting companies beforehand. From the first phone call I had with Eli, he was very pleasant to talk to, and he instilled so much confidence in me and my own personal story.
The journey to an MBA is not an easy one, and from time to time you have doubts if you are indeed good enough to fulfill your lifelong dream school of choice. Eli was always there for me for support, for each and every step of the process, making me confident that my dream is reachable. He was very professional and responsive to each inquiry that I had, from the very small and detailed one to the more significant ones.
Eli advised that I work directly with Sharon and indeed she was a perfect fit for me. She was very responsive, thorough, and professional in each aspect that I worked with her on. She never compromised on anything less than perfect.
Looking back on this period, it is not just the entire process that I highly recommend with Ivy, but it’s also the results, which I think speak for themselves; I was admitted to all schools that I applied for, including my lifelong dream one! So thank you, Eli and Sharon, for making my dream come true. I definitely couldn’t have done this journey without your amazing support and true dedication. I strongly recommend them to anyone who wants a professional but also a personal and supporting team that will be with you from beginning to end.
The work Eli has done is pure magic! After getting the results, I can say that for sure.
Eli’s dedication is just extraordinary. From putting so many hours of his time on brainstorming and picking the right application strategy to going over every single word in the online application form. He did it all with great enthusiasm, super-fast responsiveness, and great effort.
On top of that, Eli has done it all in the most professional way you could imagine. He won’t compromise on any part of the application and every time he signed-off on an item, I felt extremely comfortable I had a top-notch product. His feedback is on point, very constructive and always within the scope of his amazing strategic view.
The work Eli has done with preparing me for interviews was incredible. He quickly spotted my weaknesses and managed to improve them significantly. Also, Eli’s vast experience and knowledge in each of the schools is a valuable asset. I was not surprised at all in any of my interviews, as our simulations were very similar to reality. I couldn’t have asked for anything more than that.
To summarize – Eli is a true professional, partner, mentor, and friend. It was a real pleasure to work together with him and I highly recommend it for you as well. You won’t regret it!
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