MBA Protocol | MBA Admissions Consultants

I had the pleasure to have Brian as my MBA coach. I had really high stress levels and was not confident at all with my profile (other MBA coaches rejected me because of my GRE), but he was able to calm me down and help me find the way to build a strong profile, increase my confidence, and have fun while doing it. With Brian’s way of giving feedback ( really objective, direct, and critical) I was able to bring out the best of me and reflect it in my application. At the end, I was able to achieve more than I expected, I got in to my dream school and I even got a 50% tuition scholarship ( in a school that doesn’t usually give scholarships). In addition to the amazing coaching experience with Brian, I was surprised by all the resources available in the Carrier Protocol platform. I found this a really useful tool that allows you to go as deep as you wish (and 24/7 availability) in learning how to strengthen your profile and abilities. This platform complemented Brian’s coaching in a perfect way.

Embarking on the journey of applying to business school can feel overwhelming, particularly when balancing a hectic schedule and applying slightly later than ideal. Fortunately, I discovered Career Protocol, and even more fortunately, I was paired with Louise. Working with her during the MBA application process was a game-changer. Louise offered a personalized approach that aligned perfectly with my needs; she set tailored deadlines, accommodated my busy schedule for reviews and meetings, and more.

Louise’s guidance was invaluable. She honed in on what truly mattered to the Admissions Committee, providing me with crucial advice on where to direct my focus. She didn’t shy away from pointing out areas of weakness in my application, instead, she helped me strengthen them before hitting ‘submit’. Thanks to her support, I not only secured a spot in my top-choice MBA program but also earned a generous scholarship.

Beyond the tangible outcomes, working with Louise was a journey of self-discovery. She helped me gain deeper insights into myself and pinpoint areas for personal growth. I am immensely grateful for her expertise and mentorship throughout this transformative process

I still can’t believe how meaningful and game-changer Brian’s counseling was for my MBA admission process. The bottom line: I got a scholarship of $70k at Haas and admission to my dream program at London Business School.

My MBA admission process started with another consultant who was very discouraging because of my low GRE scores. He told me not to even waste my time with LBS and suggested Florida instead…

But then I met Angela and Career Protocol. She matched me with Brian and my journey started. Working with Career Protocol and Brian was a transformative experience for me – they coached me to know myself better and my self-esteem grew a lot through the process. I started unsure of what value I would add to the class and I finished with a clear understanding of what matters to me and the value that my experiences have to offer to my classmates.

The Awesome Sauce call (or kick-off call), where Brian presented my life story back to me, was particularly meaningful. It helped me realize how much people mean to me, how passionate and also empathetic I am, and how one of my biggest strengths is in connecting with people.

Brian also gave me the best advice for handling the GRE and helped me stop going crazy with it.
During the whole process, he was optimistic and realistic. Not discouraging and not just a cheerleader for taking the biggest risks with the schools I applied to. Brian pushed me to chase my dreams and also to hedge with some other schools (though not Florida).

One thing I’d say to people getting started with applications is to change their mindset from “how can I make these adcoms like me” to “how can I be most myself”, and that was one of the most important mindset changes that I developed thanks to Career Protocol.

I will forever be grateful to Brian and Angela.

Thanks CP!

Coming into the MBA process, I was leaning toward working with a consultant but wasn’t really sure about the concept. I was introduced to Career Protocol through Forte and really resonated with their mission to make sure their clients were able to show admissions committees their authentic self. Whereas other companies used fear as a motivator during the admissions process and encouraged applicants to show that they checked a box, in my intro call with Louise, I felt that she really wanted to get to know me as a person and help me spotlight the unique value I would bring to the table. Throughout the process, Louise was kind and optimistic but also wasn’t afraid to push me to show more of myself through my application. This push made my applications so much richer, and I was really proud of how they turned out. I don’t know if I would have been able to get to that point without her guidance.

If you are reading this and debating whether you should work with Brian, let me save you the trouble and just say, sign up ASAP! If you don’t believe me, the results speak for themselves. I got admitted at Kellogg with a $20K scholarship and I’m still waitlisted at Booth and Columbia (I already know where I’m going :P)

I come from one of the most over-represented cohorts on the planet – hello, my Indian engineering brothers out there!- and being a reapplicant with just a 710 GMAT, I know that if it weren’t for Brian, I don’t think I would be going to Kellogg.

But beyond the admit, I’m most grateful to Brian for changing the way I write and express myself. It is something my friends and family have noticed about and is something I’m going to carry for the rest of my life. So, if you are in a time crunch and need to get to it, please set up and introductory call with Brian, if you want to learn a bit more about my journey read on!

I decided to give the M7 dream another shot this round, and I knew I needed help. Career Protocol caught my eye with their quirky website, but more importantly, I resonated deeply with their focus on authenticity. In our first call, it was clear that Brian had taken the time to understand me and my interests. I found talking to him was comfortable from the get-go, unlike some other consultants who offered templated answers.

I struggled to improve my GMAT score, but Brian’s optimism and unfiltered advice helped me keep my sanity. He encouraged me to switch to round 2 and switch to the GRE. It was uncomfortable, but his clarity and conviction convinced me it was the right move. He was my cheerleader, and eventually, I hit a 335 on the GRE. Suddenly, I felt like an M7 was within reach, something I wouldn’t have dared to apply to with a 710 GMAT.

Even though I’ve secured admission to Kellogg, I’m grateful to Brian for helping me change my storytelling ability and guiding me on writing in the right voice. I’ve learned so much about myself, becoming a more capable professional in the process. When my mom and sister read my final drafts and said, “you actually sound like a human being instead of a robot,” I knew I had a real shot.

From being a sounding board to a guiding light to helping me transform professionally, I truly thank Brian for being a part of my application journey. In this confusing space of MBA applications, he made sure that I crossed the finish line, motivating me when needed and providing clear, direct feedback.

I genuinely believe that Brian is an actual wizard! If anyone wants to make their MBA application journey truly worthwhile, do an introductory chat with him—I promise you’ll be in excellent hands. I couldn’t have done it without Brian!

I choose Career Protocol after speaking with several other consultants because of the welcoming and contagious energy that Angela has throughout the Career Protocol brand and her contents. When I spoke with Angela for the very first time, my hopes of getting in to the top schools jumped up way more than I thought initially. I didn’t feel this with other consultants.

Then I met Brian to start out the application process. Besides having an impressive and cool background himself, my favorite thing about Brian is that he is genuinely interested in people, and you will feel that he cares about you and your story more than anybody else. He gives you the floor to make you feel heard. Having somebody know your story is quite special. It felt like we were in this together, my story was being heard and that we were in this together, to win, and win we did! The essay revisions with him felt challenging and tough but when I saw the final draft, I realized the growth in my personality. I learned so much about the art of storytelling. I thought I had my goals figured out but working with Brian made my WHY so much more concrete that it boosted my confidence even more. This is exactly what you need in this difficult time. He has been a self-discovery architect to me, and I feel privileged to have known him and felt his energy as a coach and now as a friend.

I think one of the most special parts of this journey is filling out the Self Discovery document that forces you to self-reflect on your life, values, and goals. This is unique to Career Protocol and arguably one of the best things you will do at a pivot point in your life. The MBA journey is about more than just getting admitted to your dream schools. It is a self-development and self-brand journey and I truly believe that Brian and Career Protocol’s content have set me up with a strong foundation to face the challenges that lie ahead. I would do it all over again!

For reference, I applied to 8 schools, interviewed with 6, got accepted to 4 with 3 scholarship offers (including a full tuition at one), and waitlisted at 1.

Louise is undoubtedly the best MBA consultant for you if you’re aiming to infuse your application with originality and sincerity. Beyond the fantastic stories you’ll craft together, you’ll benefit from her support every step of the way. I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Louise; speaking with her was therapeutic and incredibly helpful throughout my MBA application journey. Louise is patient, amiable, and compassionate. Her guidance was instrumental in my acceptance to HBS and Wharton, accompanied by generous scholarships. For all of this, my deepest thanks to you, Louise!

In my previous life, I was a Division 1 athlete. I know well that the best coaches can help the bottom of the barrel, average, and the best athletes become world-class champions. This is Brian. He has helped many people (no matter their ability level) get into the very top MBA programs including Harvard and Wharton. He helped me overcome a major weakness: my GRE score. Many other consultants and GRE tutors told me I wouldn’t be able to get into the top 10 MBA programs. Brian didn’t blink. He was honest but also believed he could help me reach my goal. For that, I’ll forever be grateful. The result was more than I expected, I had choices to make and each school I got into offered me great scholarship amounts.

In addition, Brian not only helped me achieve my dream but also helped me grow as a person. I wasn’t going to work with any consultant, however, when I met Brian, I knew I would gain something more than an MBA admission to a top program. Brian helped me work through challenges I had at work, coached me on how to advocate for myself, and taught me how to convey my results with confidence yet humility. All are skills I will use to build a successful career beyond my MBA.

His feedback was amazing. He asked me a lot of challenging questions, which made me think deeply about my past experiences and life events. It helped me put to words past successes and failures. In addition, it really helped me understand how my past has shaped where I want to go in the future. It also helped me appreciate my most painful moments as I grew the most during those times. The essays we produced are something I’m proud of and will read happily again in the future as I reflect back on this process.

Lastly, he helped me believe in myself. He believed in me when I didn’t and encouraged me to keep going. This process is tough and to have someone in your corner who deeply cares about your success was something I’m beyond grateful for. I couldn’t have done it without Brian!

My decision to apply to business school was quite late in the game. While I could have hastily thrown together applications on my own, I know I would have achieved nowhere near the success I did without Louise’s storytelling mastery and support! From our first conversation, Louise was clearly committed to understanding my story and perspective and helping me convey those in my applications. At points when I didn’t feel my essays properly captured my ideas, she helped me brainstorm and reframe my narratives so that I felt they truly reflected me. Given my abbreviated timeline, I appreciated Louise’s responsiveness in providing feedback and her willingness to work through any challenges as they arose. While no one can fully alleviate the stress of applying to business school, Louise’s honesty, wisdom, and calm demeanor significantly helped. I am now in the incredibly fortunate position to be deciding between several M7 offers with significant scholarship on the table. While I recognize the investment in Career Protocol (or any MBA consultant) is significant, I believe it paid for itself in the multiple scholarship offers I received by telling my authentic story. I have so much gratitude to Louise for helping me achieve my goal!

Where to even start!! Angela is just the greatest beyond what words can even describe.

When I decided to apply to MBA programs, my biggest fear was working with a consultant who would add stress to an already stressful process and who would push me to write about topics that weren’t authentically me. Working with Angela could not have been more opposite of this. She came recommended by a friend, and as soon as I met with her I knew that she was the partner I needed in this process.

Angela just got me. She spent so much time upfront getting to know me, my story and my goals to the point that when we started brainstorming essays, her suggestions were genius and resonated with me every time. Her feedback was honest and constructive and she always pushed me to dig deeper where she thought I could. Angela really helped me gain confidence in myself through this process. When I submitted, I was proud that what I wrote was authentically me.

I got interviews at every school I applied to (Stanford, HBS and Wharton) and am beyond excited to be attending Stanford in the fall. Thank you, Angela, for investing in me and believing in me. YOU ARE THE BEST!

Wow, what a fantastic and rewarding experience with Louise. I found Louise from the Forte Foundation. After reading about her supportive style and holistic approach to approaching MBA applications, I was intrigued. After an intro call, it solidified that working with Louise would give me exactly what I was looking for: to unlock critical themes from my career and life to help me grow through the MBA application process. I was overwhelmed by the process of applying but Louise was great about breaking things down into smaller steps and encouraged me along the way. By the end of the process, I truly felt I submitted my best work that fully represented who I was and can confidently say I grew because of it.

I’m so happy I worked with Louise to discover the deeper themes of my life and career. I couldn’t imagine going through the entire application process without her! For anyone starting who feels like they are struggling to share their best self with MBA programs, definitely consider working with Louise and Career Protocol.

I first found Career Protocol and Louise looking for a consultant who would go above and beyond helping me in my applications. I certainly found that! Louise emphasized how identifying what motivated and defined me, and then showing that authentic self, would make for a truly strong application. Then we tirelessly revised my essays until they reflected that. I really appreciated that she was willing to do many revisions so that my applications were as strong as possible. I also appreciated what an empathetic listener she was! In they end, I got into HBS. This was my dream school and she helped me achieve this dream! To future applicants, I’d tell you that you can do it, and don’t be afraid to get help on your applications—especially with Louise.

I chose Career Protocol’s Catalyst Program because as a non-traditional MBA candidate and first-gen college graduate, my network related to MBA programs was almost non-existent. The program gave me clear steps to follow from school selection to story crafting in essays and my resume. The introspective structure increased my confidence as an applicant and certainty that pursuing an MBA is my desired path. In particular, Sarah answered my many questions throughout and left encouraging and clear feedback. During our coaching call, she read through my essay and asked clarifying questions to ensure the essay reflected the exact story I wanted to share. She celebrated my wins (invited to interview at 4/4 programs, accepted and scholarship offers to 3/4). I can’t recommend working with Career Protocol and Sarah enough; through their support I submitted an application I knew reflected who I was and what I wanted.

I began working with Brian at a vulnerable point in my life. I was recently unemployed with no expectations of getting a new job before applying. I also didn’t have a test score yet, I had no recognizable brands on my resume (schools or employers), I knew my post-MBA goals would need a lot of fleshing out and explaining, and that I’d only attend business school if I got a large scholarship.

What I did have was a lot of free time and a unique life story that I thought could lead to good results. I spent weeks interviewing a dozen or so of the top-ranked consultants on this site. A few told me what I wanted to hear to try to get my business. Most didn’t want to work with someone who had such a messy story. One of the most prominent groups went as far as to say that I probably wouldn’t get into any T15 schools and that I had a “0% chance” at M7 schools.

When I met with Brian, he didn’t say anything about potential results. All he promised was that we’d work tirelessly to tell my story in a compelling and authentic manner. Recognizing that that’s all anyone can promise, I signed up and never looked back.

Our first task was to go through my entire life and career to date, diving deep into stories that I had never thought would be relevant for applications. It didn’t take long to realize Brian is otherworldly intelligent (780 GMAT/99th percentile GRE and LSAT). But he’s not just intelligent in a fill-in-the-bubble kind of way. He’s intelligent in a pierce-through-the-nonsense (like my initial essay drafts which were flowery garbage) kind of way.

Brian quickly connected the dots between my life events in a way that I hadn’t connected in my head, and together, we worked on a story arc that fit my school’s essay prompts.

When writing this review, I looked back at the very first essay I ever sent Brian and then at the final draft of that essay that I submitted months later. There were eleven revisions in between. And, goodness, I’m surprised it only took eleven revisions. The difference between the two essays is enormous.

About seven or eight drafts in, I really thought the essay was done, and that it couldn’t get any better. It would’ve been easy for Brian to agree with me and for him to move on with his day, but he didn’t. I’d be shocked if Brian has ever used the phrase “it’s good enough.” Brian’s high standards, while tiring at times, led not only to incredible results (more on that later) but also taught me to communicate better which has been valuable even outside of the application process.

Brian is unique in that while he’s not laid back with the work itself, he’s very laid personality-wise. I didn’t realize how important this would be when I was interviewing admissions consultants. The application process is long and stressful, and it’s super valuable to have someone in your corner who doesn’t add to that stress.

I worked with Brian on three schools, two M7s and one T10. I got full rides from all three. I also applied to eigh schools on my own and got into six of them with five full scholarships and one-half scholarship. In total, I received $1.4M in scholarship offers and will be attending an M7 school on a full ride this fall. None of this would have been possible without Brian. Working with him changed the course of my life and I’ll always be grateful for that.

I am immensely grateful to the entire Career Protocol team, and especially to Sarah Mason and Angela Guido, for their invaluable guidance throughout my MBA application journey. Sarah’s profound understanding of MBA application essays and exceptional knowledge of resumes were truly instrumental. I firmly believe that the guidance and insights provided by CP significantly enhanced my chances of admission to HEC Paris.

I can only say good things about Sarah. I wholeheartedly recommend her, and I sincerely hope she continues making a positive impact on helping people achieve their dreams.

I really enjoyed working with Brian. Even though honestly it can be costy to work with an admission consultant or coach, I have absolutely no regret signing in up with Brian for this daunting journey. The results speak themselves – I got admitted into 3 out of the 5 schools (no “safety school”) that I applied to, with $$ from one of them. Later on, Brian helped me draft a letter to get a scholarship from my dream school (a M7), and we made it!

I chose to work with Career Protocol because their philosophy aligns with my value. I wanted to stay authentic in the application, and let the schools decide whether they wanted me. Before deciding to work with Brian, I researched about him online. He didn’t go to b-school and never worked as an AdCom member. Some people might think it’s a downside. However, he has very diverse experience in life and career. I personally believed a coach like him could help me better extract the essence of my stories and ensure connections to my true self, instead of trying hard to fit me into a box that looks pretty to AdComs. And I was right. Brian fully respected my voice. At first, I worried that I didn’t have great stories to tell. But he helped me dig deeper to reveal my value and highlight the leadership potential in me by asking critical questions. During assay writing, I learned how to make a bridge between my stories and who I am and connect them with the qualities that schools are seeking in applicants. This skill is valuable beyond b-school application.

In addition, as a person who tend to amplify all the little imperfection and possibility of failure, I was extra stressed and anxious working on applications. Brian acted as my anti-paranoia pill. If he told me to not worry about something, even my below average GMAT score, I was able to have a more peaceful mind and focus on more important things. And later the reality proved that he was correct. The confidence I gained by talking with him carried more weight, as he didn’t sugarcoat anything. I probably wouldn’t be able to stay mentally healthy as I did, if not because of him.

Give yourself permission to live your life out loud! Angela is a master communicator, a gift that only develops after years of understanding and helping others understand what connects us all, our humanity. I genuinely enjoyed the entire process of applying to my dream school. I’ve transformed myself and have never been more excited about my career, who I’ll meet along the way, and what light I’ll be bringing to the healthcare industry. This is your sign to take the leap!

I think if Louise were a royal, in a hundred years she’d be crowned Louise the Supporter, first of her name.
When first considering using an MBA consultant, I was hesitant. I didn’t understand why their services were “needed”. I came across Career Protocol (CP) via Forte. I was immediately impressed and hooked by Angela, founder of CP. At first, I was unsure I believed the “authentic” pitch, as the colorful style isn’t mine. Still, I was intrigued and decided to have an intro call with Angela. She recommended Louise for me, and I had an intro call with Louise before committing to CP. After my call with Louise, I knew she was right for me. She is a kind and incredible listener. She is a fierce supporter of others dreams. She makes everyone feel welcome and loves to hear what makes someone come alive or what they’re passionate about.
I enjoyed working with Louise because I needed a consultant to help me bring out my story and help me better understand myself. One of Louise’s best skills is her ability to see the best of people and to bring this out of them in their application. I recognize that the cost may be prohibitive to many, and for that I am grateful I could afford to work with Louise. If you are on the edge, and think you can afford it, I would highly recommend it!

Working with Angela at Career Protocol was an absolute game-changer for my MBA application journey. The step-by-step guides and application checklist provided a solid framework that boosted my confidence in time management and preparation. Angela’s live sessions and office hours were invaluable, offering crucial support whenever I felt stuck and enabling me to gain diverse perspectives. The self-discovery questions she facilitated were instrumental in clarifying my ‘why’ and laying the groundwork for my entire application process.

Thanks to Angela’s guidance, I not only gained acceptance into my dream school, Texas McCombs MBA Program, but also secured a top scholarship despite my initially ‘weak’ test score. Her commitment to aligning with my aspirations, as opposed to pushing for other schools (like other consultants I explored), was truly refreshing. Being part of the Bob program also allowed me the unique opportunity to connect with Angela personally at a BBQ hosted by the CEO, further solidifying her status as a gold standard consultant!

After hearing about my friend’s experience working with Angela, I knew she was the clear choice – the last thing I wanted to do was be on the other side of the process and think about “what could have been.” Said differently, this was my one shot at applying and I didn’t want to regret not going with the best option I had, especially considering how all-consuming the MBA application process can be. I’m so thankful to have gone through the unique self-discovery of it all, which was made possible by Angela/the Career Protocol method, as it has given me so much more confidence in myself and clarified my personal definition of a meaningful life. The process was by no means a walk in the park, but I could tell that Angela was genuinely invested in my growth and pushed me to really dig deep. All thanks to Angela’s guidance, each of the final applications I submitted crafted a cohesive narrative that was brutally honest yet showcased my biggest strengths. I applied to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and Booth, and I got interviews at all of them. Eventually, I got accepted at both Wharton and Booth, and got waitlisted at Stanford. I even got a 75% scholarship at Booth despite my background as an Indian male in finance. Now that I’m on the other end of the process, it makes me so happy to know how proud I am of the stories told in my essays – I know I’m going to keep all my essays to reflect on long into the future.

I highly recommend Aziz as an MBA consultant and a career coach. He very uniquely takes a route of enabling self-exploration at the center of the MBA application journey, which sets the applicant on the right track from the start. He is excellent at deciphering patterns from the details of one’s experiences and provides nuanced feedback and unique insights. Above all else, Aziz is an excellent friend who sees you for your potential and gets you on track toward your goals with the MBA being the first pitstop on the journey. He is organized, strategic, diligent, and committed to your success and through this process, you will gain an honest and supportive mentor who pushes you to become your best self. Through Aziz’s support, I was able to gain acceptance from HBS, GSB and a couple other M7 schools. I come from a non-traditional background, so Aziz’s help was also instrumental in understanding the value of going to business school. He also guided me in pursuing scholarships and making the MBA program an economically feasible endeavor.

If you’re someone who wants to bring their authentic self to the admissions process, share your story in a heartfelt way, and have a therapist and cheerleader by your side who won’t judge you and will encourage you to give it your all, Louise is the consultant for you.

Working with Louise, I never felt like I could be anything short of my authentic self. My story and my whys were enough – she helped me shape them into a concise story that reflected my passion. As a deferred candidate, I knew that getting into any school would be extremely difficult. Louise helped me get into 2 of the 3 schools I applied to; Kellogg and HBS. In fact, during the process, when I told her HBS was my dream school, she went the extra mile working with me, encouraging me to dig deep and tell my story until I created an essay 12 drafts later that I felt confident with and was truly proud of. She is also incredible when preparing for interviews – spending as much time as you need to truly feel confident and prepared. I can confidently say Louise was pivotal in my success – I wouldn’t have been able to articulate my story or share my achievements in the concise and authentic way I did without her help and support.

Louise is honest, and will tell you like it is if she knows you’re capable of more than you’re giving to the process. She’ll also appreciate your hard work every step along the way and remind you of your strengths. It is so important to have that during the challenging and uncertain admissions process. She made me feel confident in my story and my qualities while encouraging honest and thorough work. She never lost energy while working with me, and when I would articulate concerns, worries, or fears, she would patiently work them out, getting to the root cause and helping me find a solution (literally the best therapist you can ask for).

Working with her, you can also learn a lot about the storytelling process, how to be a dedicated mentor, and the power of listening. She knew my story as well as I did which was incredibly helpful while she guided me to answering my next “why” or “how” questions.

I can confidently say Louise was pivotal in my admissions successes, and she helped me see qualities, traits, and facets of my own story which I wouldn’t have without her helping me reflect and verbalize those. If you work with her, she’ll help you share your story in the most authentic way possible, and I PROMISE you won’t regret it because you WILL see results.

TL;DR Angela is an absolute legend. Working with her felt like someone was looking into my soul with a magnifying glass and teasing out elements of my story that I hadn’t fully appreciated myself.

In my opinion, the top 3 characteristics that an applicant should look for in a consultant are: (1) someone who gives very candid feedback, (2) someone who has the ability to not only extract your unique story, but also bring out your unique voice in the storytelling, and (3) a trusted, end-to-end, holistic advisor that is with you every step of the way. Angela is THE unparalleled standard on all of these aspects and more — (1) if I wrote a bad essay draft, I heard as such (in a constructive manner, of course), (2) if Angela hadn’t course-corrected my initial story idea and communication style, I don’t think I would’ve achieved the results I did, and (3) Angela not only helped ideate and construct my core story, but also advised on holistic application packaging (including the short answer sections within each application, which should not be overlooked), as well as interview and waitlist guidance. Throughout the process, she was my biggest cheerleader and made a typically stressful period fun — I felt at ease at all times knowing Angela was in my corner.

The results speak for themselves. For context, I’m a South Asian male in finance who went to an Ivy League institution for undergrad and had a non-traditional path after undergrad. My undergrad academic performance was not the most ideal (3.3 GPA with an F on my transcript). Despite these circumstances, I got into Wharton ($105K scholarship) and Booth and have made it all the way to the summer waitlist at HBS. To be clear, it is quite literally unheard of for someone from my demographic and background to get $105K from an institution like Wharton. If Angela had not been in my corner, then absolutely none of these results would have been possible.

Don’t think further — hire Angela and make your life that much easier and fun.

One of the amazing things about Angela and the Career Protocol team is that they helped me whittle the many vast ideas in my brain down to concise essays that got results. Results including acceptances from 7 out of the 8 programs I applied to, with 5 of them offering me scholarships totaling $500,000. I went from worrying about not getting in anywhere to getting in virtually everywhere I applied. Acceptances included: Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Columbia, Ross, Johnson, Fuqua.

The Career Protocol team helped me through the process end to end. I wholeheartedly recommend Angela Guido at Career Protocol.

My main comment: How do you guys do all of this??? How is the secret not out about how amazing you guys are??? I suppose I take it as a personal sense of pride that I found you guys since somehow other people don’t??? You guys made the process human.

Here are my stream of consciousness gratitude bullets about Angela:
• CP Community – I really like this. It makes it feel not so transactional. Enjoyed meeting other instructors, other clients, and being a part of something greater. I love that we are all lifting each other up.
• This process is stressful enough, and I really appreciate, value, and connect with the way Angela and the rest of the CP team stay grounded in what matters, focusing on the individual, etc.
• I didn’t know what I was getting into but took a leap of faith. I am so glad I did.
• Angela really cares.
• These are good people that I trust. I have already told friends about them.
• I hope they can keep the feel of this program / company over time. It’s very personalized. I don’t know how they do it. It is so impressive. A true gem in the noise of what is out there.
• As a biproduct, I happened to meet several other clients that I now consider friends! CP makes sure that anyone that wants to stay anonymous can do so. It is such a supportive environment.
• Their material really is top notch. I was VERY skeptical about the process, self-guided modules, and so forth. However, it was much more efficient and allowed me to come better educated and prepared to conversations… or to be able to make progress on my own.
• I bought Angela’s books to have for the future too. I haven’t had a chance to read them yet, but I’m happy that I have them since they will be useful during the recruiting process.
• This process revealed a lot about myself and pushed me to grow. I didn’t know how hard it would be. I also did not know how much I would get out of it with them. Truly 10/10.
• Most admissions consultants’ sites have a stuffy formal feeling. CP’s site may throw you off since it is the complete opposite with color, animations, unicorns, etc. I think we could all use more humor, silliness, and joy in life. Why take ourselves so seriously? They are that good that they can really be themselves. And I think this is a positive thing. My gut was right 
• I’ll never forget when I committed – Angela emailed me while I was out for a run. I checked my email, and she said a spot opened up with her. I stood there for a second and thought, this is one of those life moments and a sign. Let’s do it!!
• It is expensive, but you really do get the value from it. I know I would not have been able to complete as many applications, the quality of applications, etc. that I did. The scholarship money I was offered was unreal. While it cannot be expected, that alone covers the cost of the services.
• The messaging is loud and clear and effective. Focusing on human connection, relationships, what brings you joy, telling great stories, being vulnerable, making a friend.
• They really listened to me. Built trust.

Thank you thank you thank you for trying something new and tag teaming with Brian for me. Thanks for staying with me through my quirks (over communicating and then radio silence after acceptances – Angela haha).

Thank you both for taking a chance on me. Brian, I really cannot thank you enough for your thoughtfulness, wisdom, kindness, empathy, enthusiasm, and downright hard work. You really went above and beyond for me when I know you didn’t have to.

Angela – you helped play mastermind. Helping think through stories, structures for essays, schools to apply to, etc. THANK YOU! Thanks for keeping it real with me.

Personalized introspective MBA application experience with stellar outcomes.

One of the amazing things about Brian and the Career Protocol team is that they helped me whittle the many vast ideas in my brain down to concise essays that got results. Results including acceptances from 7 out of the 8 programs I applied to, with 5 of them offering me scholarships totaling $500,000. I went from worrying about not getting in anywhere to getting in virtually everywhere I applied. Acceptances included: Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Columbia, Ross, Johnson, Fuqua. Brian helped me through the process end to end, and I wholeheartedly recommend Brian Birdwell at Career Protocol.

But since essays are done, here are some bullet points that describe how amazing it was to work with Brian:
• When I initially decided to apply to MBA programs and work with Brian and the Career Protocol team, I didn’t know what I was getting into but took a leap of faith. I am so glad I did.
• When I decided to go forward with applying to MBA programs, I felt behind. Brian accelerated my process to apply to 8 schools during ONE ROUND. He helped me through the journey by meeting me where I was at. He knocked it out of the park.
• Brian keeps it real. He is very down to earth and easy to talk to. This was so helpful for me to be able to be authentic with him, the process, and my applications.
• He was firm when needed and encouraging when I felt down.
• Brian knows and has in-depth experience with the application process, enabling him to help me maintain the right mindset and avoid overthinking.
• Brian is organized, thorough, sharp, and really knows his stuff. He’s extremely talented and smart. He kept the process lighthearted, which helped me relax. I definitely needed the humor and those laughs!
• He is RELIABLE. I would hear back from him quickly with updates. Communication felt easy.
• Scheduling video calls was easy, even with my busy schedule. Him being based in the United States / the time zones worked well for me.
• He was one of my biggest cheerleaders throughout this process and helped motivate me to keep pushing forward. This helped me cross each hurdle, especially when it came time for interviews.
• He focused on me and who I am rather than using a school focused lens throughout the process. It helped me reframe my thinking toward what I have to offer and who I am vs. trying to say things that I think the school wants to hear. He genuinely cares.
• He offers great practical advice that I took to heart. Also, lots of great wisdom that I’ll cherish.
• As we combed through the details of my life, the ups and downs, and dug into who I am as a person, I noticed his incredible attention to detail and story crafting abilities. When we would brainstorm together, he would bring up things about me that I was sure that he wouldn’t have remembered. Goes to show how much he cares and how personalized they make this experience.
• Somehow Brian knew the right way to support me… pumping me up when I’m down, reminding me that I really don’t have to be so self-critical, also sharing KEY ADVICE to act as if each interview is my only interview…. Totally immerse myself in the school’s program for the 48 hours prior to the interview and only think about that school (because he noticed I was getting distracted thinking about other schools). SERIOUSLY such good advice that stuck with me and I adhered to it!!!!
• Truly listened to me. Got to know me and focused on looking at this as the whole package.
• Built my confidence to meet people, talk to admissions, talk to other candidates. Made friends!!!
• Networking, campus visits, school research… guided me through it all! All the materials were so helpful.
• Resume – killer job helping me with one of the things I dreaded and put off THE MOST.
• Stories – many times I wanted to give up. But we kept going.
• Knew how to cut the right corners for me and focus on the right things at the right times.
• Brian offered encouragement and praise where he saw I was progressing. It may sound funny, but not only did it help motivate me, but it also demonstrates how much he cares and how much attention to detail he is giving. To be able to comment on someone’s improvements takes time and it takes knowing the person to have something to compare against.
• Brian offered critiques and was a straight shooter when I was way off (e.g., stories, essays, video essays, interview mindset & approach)
• Short responses / mini essays – they sneak up and can be a lot. Did a great job working through this with me and really the whole package end to end.
• Interviews + Mock Interviews – practiced interviewing with Brian over video calls. Very helpful to get in the right headspace and think about how to approach it. By the time interviews came around, we had done so much self-reflection and digging deep into my values as a person that the interviews were an easier lift than I expected. And more enjoyable 🙂
• I had some atypical interviews but rolled with them. Brian would check in on me, provide his thoughts on my reflection, etc. He was there every step of the way.
• Strategized applications together for 4 schools that I applied to independently. Got into all of them! Got into 3 of the 4 I worked closely with him on. This was where the real leg work was done.
• This process revealed a lot about myself and pushed me to grow. I didn’t know how hard it would be. I also did not know how much I would get out of it with them. Truly 10/10.
• These are good people that I trust. I have already recommended them to my friends.

Last words. I had the rare opportunity to work with both Brian Birdwell and Angela Guido. You both amaze me. The speed at which you’re able to think, your relaxed demeanor, the enthusiasm you have. I hope it never dies for either of you. You are both such wonderful, talented, kind people. I can never share my appreciation enough.

Thank you both for taking a chance on me. Brian, I really cannot thank you enough for your thoughtfulness, wisdom, kindness, empathy, enthusiasm, and downright hard work. You really went above and beyond for me when I know you didn’t have to.

I remember showing my significant other one of your emails, and him being really impressed. Several times he has mentioned that it seems like I’m getting exceptional value for the investment.

You both always have people’s best interest at heart.

I cannot help starting this review with a HUGE thank you to Angela Guido! Not only she’s the most hard-working, passionate consultant but she also fuels her candidates with strong positive energy.

Now onto the juice. If you are considering whether Angela is worth the investment, let me tell you something: she’s gonna be your MOST WORTH investment for business school applications!

Her unique approach will let you deeply look into yourself and explore your most inner motivations to become a leader. She followed both me and my partner through each step of our applications, always providing exceptionally constructive feedback. I especially appreciated how she differentiated her approach with me vs with my partner.

You’ve probably already figured the result: we both made it into our top choice MBA at HBS!

I had the fortunate opportunity to work with Angela during my MBA Round 2 for full-time Fall ’23. At the beginning, I had a lot of doubts about my profile and whether I could get into a top 15 school. I was worried about my undergraduate GPA (3.17/4), my relatively lower than average GMAT score (680), and my atypical background (non-diverse male in real estate construction finance). But choosing to work with Angela was, no doubt, the best decision I made. From the get-go, I was blown away by how obvious it was to her on how to counteract my weak stats by leveraging my ‘great, collaborative, and fun’ (her words) personality and my unique career experiences as my strengths within my application. She always had complete faith that these strengths are exactly what will help me successfully cross the finish line. Not only that, she gave me the tools to juggle and manage around 8 different applications, and submit each application with full confidence that it showed my best abilities and life stories.

Angela is a MASTER at helping people embrace their own stories and express them effectively. She understands how important it is to stand out among thousands of other applicants, focusing on what made me unique rather than just telling the AdCom what they wanted to hear. Surprisingly, I ended up using many life stories in my applications that I initially thought were irrelevant, but they turned out to be pivotal moments that perfectly showcased who I am and what I’m all about.

She’s brutally honest and it’s BEAUTIFUL. It is exactly what I needed during the process. She knows when to say no and offers alternative perspectives and solutions. It was confusing at times and even overwhelming to go against some information that I would find in online forums, Reddit, and speaking with other applicants, but putting full trust in her quirky and exciting process is what led to my success.

When I initially applied to 5 schools and found out that I was waitlisted at 4 of my top choices. Angela sensed the urgency and immediately helped me prioritize a game plan to stand out and get off the waitlist. Right away, she told me the hard truth of being on the waitlist and also told me something that I didn’t want to hear, which was to take the GRE instead of the GMAT. Looking back, this was the best advice and just one example of how strategic she is in her approach. She also pushed me to get creative with a video response that a school requested while I was on the waitlist, rather than taking the boring path. Thanks to all her efforts, dedication, and vast knowledge, I got accepted into 3 schools (still counting) and ultimately my top choice, Booth.

Overall, Angela is an amazing ROCKSTAR and a genius, enthusiastic person who brought out the best of my stories and I’ve learned a lifelong skill of creative self-advocacy. If you want to succeed in your MBA aspirations, I highly recommend working with Angela and her team at Career Protocol!

Louise kept me on track and helped me submit the applications of my dreams. I say that specifically because she worked so diligently to get to know my dreams – my hopes for my future, the impact I want to leave, and the legacy I am starting to build by obtaining my MBA. Despite some roadblocks along the way (I experienced a strong case of COVID and then spent some time grieving the loss of a coworker), Louise led with empathy to help me stay positive and focused to submit my applications. She took the time to get to know me and made sure I focused on the North Star of my authentic self every step through the process. When it came to essay writing, she helped me look beyond my tunnel vision to see a broader picture that I could paint by helping the schools know me through the stories of my past and how they will lead to my future. I was admitted to 3 out of the 4 schools with generous scholarships. While I potentially could have gotten into the schools on my own, I can say with confidence that there’s no way that I would have been awarded over 250K in scholarships without Louise’s guidance. Louise was there to support me through the most difficult part of the process – making the tough choice between multiple phenomenal offers. Like Mufasa from the Lion King, she guided me through remembering who I am to choose the school that will bring me closer to my dreams and bring me joy through the journey. Louise is my MBA angel without a doubt.

This is my second year applying for MBAs. In 2021 I applied to MIT, Wharton, Harvard and Stanford with the help of another admissions consultant. I was interviewed by HBS and Wharton and got admitted to none. I felt that my applications were superficial and did not reflect my true self, and contained what I thought schools wanted to see.

Last year (2022) I had Angela’s help to reflect and understand my personal stories and values during the application process, this completely changed the application experience. Moreover, my self-discoveries during this journey will greatly impact decisions in my personal life and career over many years to come. This second time, I applied to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton/Lauder, MIT, Booth, Kellogg and Berkeley. I landed interviews at Stanford, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg and Berkeley. Angela’s interview preparation was invaluable and contributed to my admissions at Booth (with a USD 40k merit scholarship), Kellogg, Berkeley and a waitlist spot at Wharton / Lauder.

Finally, I am so supportive of Angela’s and Career Protocol’s work that I have sponsored their services for a dear friend, Ronaldo, from an underprivileged background with aspirations to change education in Brazil. With Career Protocol’s help, he was admitted at MPAs / MPP both at Columbia and the University of Chicago, both of them with extremely generous scholarships.

Jackie is simply amazing. As a consultant, mentor, friend (and, very importantly, cat mom!). I felt so lucky having her in my corner throughout the MBA journey. It all started with our initial discovery call – I felt certain everything was going to work out and I was going to learn more from Jackie than I ever imagined. She demystified the process (which I really appreciated as someone with a non-traditional pre-MBA background), helped me realize that my story was a powerful source of strength to draw from, and helped me get more clarity on my career aspirations. On top of all that, I feel so grateful for the storytelling training I received while we were working together: it was truly incredible watching Jackie listen to a chaotic stream of my thoughts, memories, and observations and help me turn it into a candid and coherent story! I also learned more about myself through this journey – it was life changing to have someone who was so dedicated help me discover parts of myself I took for granted my entire life. When I first saw myself through Jackie’s eyes in the discovery presentation, I cried and did not even try to hide it. Fast forward a year, and I got admitted to five top MBA programs with 80% to full-ride scholarships, including Harvard. If you ever get a chance to work with Jackie, please do yourself a favor and take it!

Brian truly embodies the “Under-commit and OVER Deliver” spirit, and the career protocol package is both super-detailed and truly end-to-end (they guide on everything: from deciding which schools to apply for  to now sharing tips on how to maximize the next 2 years).

Top 3 value adds for me: helping me improve my GMAT score from 740 to 770 (V47!!), helping me find my calling and encouraging me to make a pre-MBA pivot from consulting to Venture Capital, and of course, helping me land an offer from my dream school, Booth!
I applied to 7 schools (Harvard, Stanford, Booth, Columbia, Duke, UCLA, and McCombs), got interview invites from 5 of them, and finally got into 3 (Booth + UCLA and McCombs with 50% scholarship).

I’ve had a FANTASTIC experience working with them and would highly recommend them to anyone who’s willing to put in the time and effort. Below are my top 5 reasons:

• Extensive support – When you sign up with CP, you don’t just get a consultant, you get an army of people who have your back and a community of applicants who are driven and supportive. I am someone who asks a LOT of questions, and I can safely say that their team has a wealth of experience to guide you/point you in the right direction. For instance, I was gutted when I learned that I was waitlisted from Booth in R1. Soon enough, another member from the CP team who was a waitlist expert stepped in. She gave me tips on how I can continue engaging with the school and helped me approach the waitlist process with a positive mindset.

• They give you “no-nonsense” advice – I come from an over-represented Indian, Engineer, Male demographic. Brian was honest about what was realistic for me and had enough knowledge and inspiration to help me make a valiant attempt for the top. He didn’t hesitate from telling me if I needed to completely scrap off an essay draft or that I needed to retake the GMAT.

• Their process is painfully introspective – When I signed up with CP, I was completely clueless about what I wanted from my MBA. Their “Discovery process” pushed me to take a pause and reflect on my life experiences: My successes, failures, choices, everything. For someone who’s not as open about their life, Brian created a comfortable environment for me to express myself freely which led to some beautiful essays, and ensured that my applications were 100%, authentically me. (That’s their way of helping you stand out). Beyond the results, their process was transformational for me. Personally, I’ve become much more comfortable owning my story. Career-wise, I’ve been able to join a VC firm. Something I could not have imagined doing a year prior. The clarity I gained on what I wanted motivated me to consider my options and the confidence he inspired enabled me to boldly “go for it” and pursue the change.

• Brian is a GMAT God! – I thought I had maxed out when I scored 740 and didn’t know how to go beyond that. Brian used his expertise to quickly identify what my gaps were (Verbal + taking too much stress) and gave me advice that inspired me to take a fresh approach to the test, which combined with my work ethic, helped me score 770 in <1 month. This gave me a lot of confidence as I approached R1 applications at top B-schools.

• Value for Money! Brian works with only a handful of applicants every year and I could feel that he was genuinely invested in my success. As an international student, their package was well out of my budget. But I can reassure you, that he is worth every penny and then some more. By the end of our time together, Brian knew my stories better than I did. He is very generous with his time and leaves no stone unturned: he happily responded to my countless questions, returned drafts faster than expected as deadlines approached, and things like GMAT advice, and preparing for VC interviews were technically not a part of our MBA application scope. Yet, he did that. (with a smile!)

Lastly, I would like to add that the MBA application process is a long and tedious journey, when you do it with someone like Brian, it doesn’t seem like “work”.

Good luck with your applications! 😊

Preparing for my MBA interview, I searched for the best service out there, and after all, choosing Career Protocol was the best decision ever for me.
Career Protocol offers “Career Protocl Academy” where you can choose various topics of training programs to take. Along with the Mock interview sessions, I also chose “The Interview Hero Training Program” and the contents were so well constructed with a high quality, providing step by step videos, instructions and helpful workbooks and checklists truly enabled me to brainstorm who I am and what I’ve accomplished in and out of profesison. I really felt they know what they do and truly offers authentic, high quality, well constructed contents to assist MBA applicants as well as job applicants to prep their important interview!

I only applied to one school only with a specific healthcare related pathway and after I was invited for an interview, I started working with Jenn for the interview prep. Being an international, English as a second language, applying at R3, the final gate to the MBA entrance, which is the interview, had to be prepared very well.
Jenn had an exceptional ability to comprehend my application packet, and really pick and choose the strengths and weaknesses of my application to tell a story as effective & efficient as possible when facing a possible interview questions. As English is not my native language, I worried I would get nervous during a real interview and not performing best of my abilities, but Jenn’s naturally approachable personality really made me comfortable at my interview chair and enabled me to be just true myself. After two mock interviews with Jenn, I had a real interview with the school and I felt so good and I knew in my heart that I got through the interview successfully. I not only got accepted, I received a Dean’s scholarship to enter their full-time MBA program. Choose Jenn, you won’t regret it!

I was offered admission at my dream school, so I’d say this worked. Brian helped me craft my admissions profile, showcasing the full package that I’d bring to school. I wasn’t the strongest candidate on paper, with an underwhelming GPA and test statistics, so I chose Career Protocol because it helped me believe that my personal story was compelling. As he states above, this is a once-in-a-lifetime process, so I spilled out my most personal struggle, which he helped me turn into an inspirational admissions essay. I trust Brian. This was one of the most reflective periods in my life – I had never thought so deeply about what I wanted and why I wanted it – and Brian was there to support and guide me every step of the way. The process is extremely daunting but having a guide and coach makes it feasible – and successful! See some of you in business school 🙂

Working with Louise has been such a rewarding experience. She has pushed me to be true to my passion and aspiration instead of trying to put me into a certain/specific “MBA profile” of what the schools might be looking for. She has been genuine in believing in me, despite my weaknesses in several areas (e.g. standardized tests). She has been my #1 cheerleader throughout the process. I would recommend her to anyone who is looking for a kind-hearted consultant who will ensure your application process is stress-free!

I’ve always thought that the most compelling stories are authentic, so in preparing for my applications, I sought a coach that could listen to my story, help me make sense of who I am, and show me how I might weave the most meaningful parts of myself into a genuine narrative. I lucked out with Jenn—not just because she’s a creative, meticulous editor or an absolute professional, but because she’s one of the most thoughtful and deeply empathetic people I know. Because Jenn is so committed to understanding others and has such a wealth of experiences to pull from, the suggestions she provides are always well-thought-out and well-timed. She has an innate ability to connect with people that, in combination with her fierce and unwavering support, made her one of the best teammates and coaches I’ve ever had.

While other consultants hesitated on our fit calls (I was a “younger applicant”, my professional experience “would draw questions”), Jenn didn’t—she had complete confidence in me throughout the process and she made that confidence known. Her experience was invaluable while we crafted application strategies, made plans for navigating school visits, and worked together to prepare for interviews. At every point in the process, Jenn ensured I felt well-prepared.

The real gem, though, was the essay-writing experience. My essays took a tremendous amount of time and effort to write, but Jenn matched my effort while providing consistent and creative feedback and helping me rethink my overarching narrative—even when I was so frustrated that I considered giving up. We were both obsessed with the stories I told, and the end result was some of the best writing I’ve ever done.

This process was a challenge, but it was rewarding. Beyond getting into schools and pocketing a scholarship, I have a better idea of the kind of person I am, the kinds of teams I like to work with, how I can most effectively present myself to others, and how I might carve out a career for myself. If this resonates with you, and you’re the kind of person that wants to get something out of the application process, beyond just collecting interviews and acceptances, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better mentor and supporter than Jenn.

Applying to business school is riddled with fees and extra costs, from application fees to GMAT testing and prep fees. I’m someone who tries to do everything on my own before spending any money. I will tell you though that working with Louise was worth every penny.

Coming from a nontraditional background, my main concern when crafting MBA applications was that I did not know what top business schools were looking for. I needed someone with the technical experience to highlight how to connect the dots and frame aspects of my application. When I was assigned to Louise through Career Protocol, I was initially worried that her not having an MBA wouldn’t meet my consulting needs. However, I was dead wrong. Louise brought a technical experience that cut out all the mystery of business school applications and had the storytelling skills to help me frame my journey.

I worked with Louise on 6 applications for roughly 8 months. Those applications were daunting and draining, but Louise made the entire process fun and light. On every call we had, she brought a reassuring, optimistic attitude. She was very intentional and open to ensuring my voice and story radiated through my application. She was strategic with which stories she recommended highlighting to ensure my full self was captured in the application. By the time I submitted those 6 applications, I felt that even if I were rejected, the school would be rejecting my best self and I would be okay with that. Thanks to Louise I got into 4 of my 6 schools with partial to full scholarships (and even a living stipend)!

Prior to starting my MBA applications, I interviewed a handful of the top consultants and ultimately chose Career Protocol because it felt like a much more personal approach. When speaking with the others, I felt like just a number. I didn’t come from a top undergrad program and the other firms told me to not even bother applying with my test score. My initial call with Career Protocol couldn’t have been more different – it was positive, yet realistic, constructive and encouraging. Ultimately, I got into three out of the three M7 schools I applied to, including Booth with $50k.

Working with Brian was quite the journey. I came to Career Protocol and Brian with three weeks to apply to three top schools (which I do not recommend… give yourself more time if possible!). Brian was efficient and provided flexibility to get the job done. He didn’t hold my hand, but held me accountable and provided honest, clear feedback that was greatly appreciated given the time crunch.

Brian also did a great job of motivating and inspiring me in a short amount of time, giving me a new perspective on the whole process. He taught me that you don’t need to create the cure for cancer to earn admissions to a top MBA program. However, you do need to communicate your own challenges and values while articulating why they are meaningful to you. Beyond learning a lot about business school applications, I learned how to communicate my goals, stories, and ideas with confident humility, which is a skill I will use in many future personal and professional endeavors.

Among dozens of MBA consulting firms out there, Career Protocol shined the brightest to me at first sight – their philosophy and genuine care about the uniqueness of applicants rather than the stats alone made me choose them right away without any hesitation.

The day I met Louise changed everything! Being an international applicant without a decent GMAT score didn’t feel great from the start. Besides, at that time I was very late in my application process and had only 40 days to build the whole application package from scratch for 3 schools. Louise became a navigational star for me in a such complicated process so that my overwhelming stress and anxiety were fully replaced by excitement and hope after the first week of working together. At that point, I knew I was in good hands and could fully trust her throughout the process.

Louise was always supportive, thoughtful, patient, fun, and incredibly fast at responding to my emails, answering any questions, and providing her feedback on my essay drafts. She got my back 24/7 – I don’t think I could ever thank her enough for that given my time-sensitive situation. Louise was the only person who could get me back on track whenever I felt so down and discouraged to keep going forward. She inspired confidence and helped me unleash my potential, embrace my individuality and authenticity, and, most importantly, express my best self in my MBA applications.

I owe a lot of my success to an absolute superstar Louise! I couldn’t have gone that far without the perfect combination of her invaluable help, endless support, shared energy, and positive attitude that was the key to everything. I highly recommend working with Louise to anyone who is serious about going to b-school as well as wants to go beyond the current limits and aim higher.

My only advice here: start working on your applications earlier for your own peace of mind and don’t forget to have fun on your MBA journey!

Louise is the best storyteller and a supporter of your MBA application journey. I can tell you why below:

I was very skeptical when I first chatted with Career Protocol founder Angela Guido for a 30-minute consultation. (The main reason for my skepticism was that I already had about ten consulting firms that told me that my profile is not near to any of the “Top” MBA programs”) After the consultation, Angela introduced me to Louise, as Angela thought Louise would be the best fit for me. After the first chat and introductory zoom call with her, I was drawn to Louise’s energy and encouragement.

One of the fantastic and unique things about the Career Protocol’s approach to the MBA application is the discovery process (and Louise was serious about this process). The process was strenuous and stressful as I had to look back at my entire personal and professional life and figure out what I needed.

Louise helped me thoroughly with this process and I was extremely grateful for her support whenever I felt overwhelmed with all the required essays and introspections I had to do during the process.

With her amazing storytelling skills and support, I was admitted to many of the top programs namely: Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT Sloan, and Yale SOM (combined scholarship worth over $350,000)!

I approached Brian and the Career Protocol team as a re-applicant, after being waitlisted and dinged from my dream school, and having received no interview invites from 5 other schools.

I chose to work with Career Protocol because of their small team and the impression I would be important to them. And it was true! It was clear that Brian really cared about me and my success. From the beginning, he was interested in my story and digging deep into various moments of my life to get to know me. I was surprised by how thoroughly he knew me and could recall all the little stories we talked about in our first meeting, and how to make them relevant to my essays.

I loved how Brian didn’t settle for anything but the best, and how he pushed me towards improving my essays, even if sometimes his feedback was tough to hear. We even had a sort of “father/son” moment when he asked me to throw one of my drafts away and start completely over. It wasn’t easy to hear, but I knew he said it because I could do better and there was genuine support behind his feedback.

Brian is a hard worker, he matches your output, motivates you, and brings out your most original work. He always delivered on time and was there to push me to do the same, and our progress was immense.

For me, the re-applying experience was truly transformative. The introspection and coaching I received from Brian helped me set more believable goals and helped me discover how I could combine my passions and skills to find a meaningful purpose in my professional career. And the results speak for themselves. I was accepted to 4 schools with $$, including my admission to Booth, my dream school!

I couldn’t have done it without Brian’s help. He will bring the best out of you and make this stressful MBA application journey much funnier and more enjoyable.

I had the privilege of working with Angela Guido for the MBA R1 application process. For me, this was the second go around after working with a different consultant and candidly it was a night-and-day difference in terms of (1) depth, (2) story articulation, and (3) personal support.
Angela challenged me to look within myself in ways that I hadn’t done before. As someone who was on the fence about business school, this was focused on really thinking critically about why I wanted to go to business school and what my personal narrative was. Despite having gone through this process before, I found myself re-evaluating critical life events through a different lens and crafting my own personal story in a much more authentic way. Whereas at times I felt like I was just going through a set process with the prior consultant, I always felt championed by Angela throughout in a personalized approach. Angela isn’t afraid to give tough love criticism, but it’s because she wants you to unlock your inner potential…like Tina Fey’s character from Mean Girls – she pushes people.
Although it didn’t end in the outcome I had hoped for (not admitted to schools of choice), after working with Angela, I have no regrets. I developed a stronger sense of self, both professionally and personally, and have been able to utilize the “storytelling” skills learned from Angela in other aspects of my life. The clarity and development I received were worth the experience and I’d easily sign up to work with Angela again, even knowing the outcome. I would wholeheartedly recommend Angela to anyone considering an MBA – she is truly an invaluable life coach.

I was in over my head when I started the MBA application journey. I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Brian kept me on task but didn’t inundate me with what I should/shouldn’t be doing. All along the way, Brian always met me where I was on my journey, whether I was really energized and overwhelmed (at the beginning), with lists of lots of schools to research, or anxious or after a few tough drafts when I wanted to throw in the towel and quit, or worried about not getting in, Brian met me where I was at each step of the way.
I needed someone who wouldn’t just be a coach but would also be a reassuring and steady friend.
As I dug into writing essays Brian helped me break down some barriers and challenged me to be more vulnerable in my message. What I think I didn’t know I was looking for but what I got was that Brian helped me get deeper into the stories. Of course, it helped me with the essays and getting into schools, but it has helped sharpen my goals and understanding of why I want to go to business school and what I want to do.
Through my work with Brian, I learned to trust my intuition, especially as I was choosing between schools to which I was accepted — including 2 top ten schools and a scholarship offer. I ultimately figured out what kind of community would make me thrive. Brian helped me understand that.

I loved my time working with Jenn and am so thankful for her support! As a non-traditional applicant (education and non-profit background) I felt some hesitancies around the MBA admissions process and was unsure how I could communicate my passions and values-driven career goals to an audience that felt unfamiliar to me. Jenn made the whole process feel so authentic to me, and I ultimately feel like I got so much value and reflection from the application process, even before I heard back from schools. I felt so supported, from the highest level brainstorming to specific questions about minute application details, I knew I could go to Jenn with anything. Jenn was also so instrumental in helping me prepare for my interviews. After our prep sessions, I walked into all my interviews feeling confident and ready, and able to express my true self. I am so excited and grateful (and pleasantly surprised!!) for the MBA options I have now and I know Jenn was a cornerstone of my success.

After having exposure to several admissions consultants through the Forte MBA Launch On Demand program, Career Protocol’s mission and vision resonated with me the most: I wanted to use the MBA application process not only to get into b-school but also to learn and grow while doing it!

Luckily, I got paired with Jenn: she has been an incredible partner, coach, and friend. During our early “discovery process” I was surprised at how quickly and deeply she was able to get to know me and extract key ideas to incorporate into essays. As for the essay writing, Jenn played a huge part in turning my “raw” nuggets into beautifully polished gemstones by helping to tie ideas together into over-arching essay themes and turning up the energy/cadence in my writing. I’m really proud of my essays and credit that to Jenn’s attention to detail. During interview prep, Jenn gave caring, honest, specific, and actionable feedback. I really value the career protocol process and specifically my time with Jenn in helping me to find and articulate my authentic self.

If I had a chance to work with Jenn again, I’d do it again in a heartbeat. She will challenge you in the most kind and caring ways. You will not go wrong with her!

Let me start with the end. I got into HBS, my top school. I would totally recommend her.

A bit about myself, I am currently working in VC, and before I was a management consultant at MBB. I had already applied to Harvard twice, once for college and once for the 2+2, and got dinged twice.

This time I decided to go for the best consultant I could find online based on reviews and personal experiences of friends.

Angela has a truly unique approach for several reasons. She takes a holistic approach to getting to know you, or better “getting you to know yourself”. Once you have laid out all the aspects of your personality, your background, your dreams, and your achievements, she helps you write your story using advanced story-telling techniques.

Angela does not write your essays. This is another major difference from what you might expect from your consultant. I don’t think she wrote a single line. She helps you put your thoughts together, connecting the dots and turning them into a story, giving comments, feedback, and nudging ideas. In the end, the story is 100% yours – and you can take the merit of everything.

Looking back at the application process, I can confidently say that I enjoyed working with Angela. I did not only get into HBS, but I also got to know myself better.

I had the pleasure of working with Jenn as my MBA consultant. As someone who had to accelerate my application submission process, Jenn helped me remain focused and inspired as we evolved the story I wanted to tell. Importantly, Jenn is more than a mentor, cheerleader, or advisor—she is an empowerer. Not only did she guide me to explore and synthesize my experiences authentically, but she also compartmentalized the application process into something that felt seamless and fulfilling. With an eye for editing, a mind for the inner workings of MBA admissions, and a heart for crafting personal stories, Jenn is a rockstar at balancing the strategic with the tactical. Even after receiving acceptances from all 4 of my applied schools, 3 of which are M7s, I found the process of discovering and articulating my story with Jenn perhaps the most rewarding part of the application.

When I decided to pivot into a new industry and role, I was motivated to get an MBA. I was overwhelmed a few weeks into the process. Vijay’s help arrived just in time. He helped me see my application prep and post-MBA goals from a fresh perspective after our first call. In the following weeks, my list of target schools changed, I simplified my test preparation, and I stopped limiting myself to Texas-based schools. Vijay provided a robust framework for creating my career game plan and helped me look at schools that would be a good fit, given long-term goals and cultural fit. He advised me to take the EA instead of the GMAT based on my strengths. Vijay’s work with me was thorough at every step, whether 1:1 calls or async communication, and he challenged me to improve my essay writing. I am a proud Booth student today, and thanks to Vijay.

I spoke to Angela when I was waitlisted at Stanford for round 3. She went through my application and gave me honest feedback that helped me ace my application next round.

For my Wharton TBD, Angela helped me find my best self in a team setting. Angela and her team’s review helped me put my best self forward.

Angela is the best, kind-hearted person who is talented enough to take your application to the next level. If you are trying for the top 10, she will make you eligible for M7 and if you are trying for M7, you have a great chance for HSW. For me, she took my application from the top ten to the HSW level. I’m very grateful to her.

Jenn was an absolute pleasure to work with throughout the MBA application process. I came to her with only a few months before the R1 deadlines, but she was able to seamlessly guide me through every step of the way, and remind me that I CAN do this! We started by diving into my motivations, values, and strengths to craft my story. Through this, we were able to fine-tune my essays to be as clear, creative, and unique as possible. Her attention to detail also helped me in coaching my recommenders to write me the most effective recommendations possible. Jenn allowed me to express myself through my apps while always providing me with the structure and support I needed. Once my apps were submitted, she was fantastic with interview prep, conducting mock interviews, and helping me craft meaningful responses to the anticipated questions that may pop up in the interview. Fast forward a few months, I got accepted to all 5 of the schools I applied to! Go with Jenn, you will not regret it!