mbaMission | MBA Admissions Consultants

I originally attempted to go through the process on my own but after doing a handful of free consultations with different firms, I decided to work with Harshad. He was fantastic to work with helping me craft my personal story and prepare for interviews with schools. Ultimately, working with him led to an outcome I’m thrilled about and would highly recommend him to others.

I was initially hesitant about using a consultant for the application process, but meeting Susan changed everything. Her exceptional work and invaluable insights were instrumental in securing my place at my top-choice program – HBS! Susan exceeded all my expectations, providing unwavering support and motivation through what can only be described as an emotional rollercoaster. She was always ready to address any doubts and highly responsive to my needs. Her deep knowledge and guidance significantly reduced my stress and the time spent worrying about the “what ifs.” I recommend Susan without any hesitation! If I had to go through this process again, I would undoubtedly choose to work with her once more.

I am incredibly grateful for the amazing support and guidance I received from Michael during my MBA application process. He was there for me every step of the way, making sure I stayed motivated and focused, even when things got tough.

Michael’s dedication was beyond what I expected. He offered valuable advice, gave detailed feedback, and provided constructive critiques that really improved my application. His deep knowledge of the MBA admissions process was clear in every interaction, and his insights were always spot-on.

Meeting the application deadline felt daunting at times, but I could not have done it without his support. He was always available, often going out of his way to fit my schedule and offer last-minute help when needed.

One of the best things about working with Michael is how he keeps you motivated. His positive attitude and encouragement were infectious, always boosting my confidence and determination. This not only helped me stay on track but also made the whole application process more enjoyable.

If you’re lucky enough to work with Michael, you’re in great hands. He is, without a doubt, the best consultant you could have. His professionalism, expertise, and genuine care for you and thats what makes him an exceptional choice for anyone on the MBA journey. Thank you, Michael, for being an incredible mentor and helping me achieve my dreams.

Susan has the admission process figured out and can advise step-by-step to produce a highly competitive and compelling application.

I thought I had a “good”, but not “great” GRE score and was worried about applying to the most competitive business schools. I decided to work with Susan, who’s experience and knowledge on what makes a great application and what admissions committees want to see, elevated my application to compete with the most competitive programs, despite an average GRE score. What I appreciated most was her formulaic process to preparing applications that was easy to manage while also working 70+ hours a week and traveling for work. Without her guidance, I’m not sure I would have been able to manage multiple applications, essays, or produce nearly the quality of essays I was able to prepare.

During the interview prep, Susan’s mock interviews were nearly identical to what I experienced from many top 10 programs (incl. Wharton’s TBD). I felt extremely confident during all my admission interviews with her prep.

Lastly, I signed on to work with Susan on two start-to-finish packages, but two weeks from the application deadline, I added on a third school. Only with Susan’s help, even on an accelerated timeline, I was successfully accepted to all three programs – Wharton, Kellogg and Tuck (w/ scholarship).

Looking back at my finished applications, there is no way I could have prepared as competitive of applications without Susan’s help. Her guidance and insights definitely made the difference and I could not recommend her more!

Kate was a wonderful admissions consultant to work with!! Throughout the process, she was very communicative, organized, and encouraging. When I first reached out to Kate in August 2023, I had neither taken my test nor narrowed down on what programs I wanted to apply to. I assumed it would be too late to pull off a Round 2 application, but Kate assured me that it wasn’t. With a structured scheduled, I was able to balance essays, recommendation letters, studying, and different rounds of test taking. Kate was very responsive with edits to my essays and always provided very helpful feedback. She also helped me uncover what story was best to share with the different admissions teams. Thanks to Kate, I was admitted to all 5 top 20 programs I applied to, got 3 full ride scholarships, and 1 partial scholarship, and will be attending an M7 in the fall, which was my #1 choice all along. Cannot recommend Kate enough!

From beginning to end, Susan did an amazing job. There were a few schools I thought about targeting but I wasn’t sure which direction to go. She did a great job helping me narrow them down and then how to go about targeting them. She really helped me tell my story and I can say with confidence I do not believe my essays could have been any better thanks to her assistance and guidance. Even when I had questions towards the end of the application, she was always quick to respond and thorough with her answers. I was honestly skeptical in regard to hiring an MBA consultant when I first started, now I would tell everyone to do it and would recommend Susan McInerny first and foremost. I was accepted to my target school and without her help I am not sure I would have. I highly recommend her services!!

Everything mentioned about Harold across all of these reviews are completely accurate. Harold is an exceptional advisor, coach, and mentor.

Most recently, Harold helped me navigate the school decision process after receiving my acceptances. He helped me think through what my life would look like at each school and what the main priorities I would likely have were I to go to each. I really valued his perspective because he not only has a lot of insight considering his experience, but he also always shared his thoughts in an objective and unbiased manner. Harold also provided great advice on how to approach admitted students weekends and gain the most valuable insight out of these events for my decision-making process. There are many hard decisions and second guessing one goes through throughout the business school process. My conversations with Harold continue to make me confident in the choices I have made throughout both my application and decision processes, and I often think back to them to remind myself of this.

Further, as many other reviews mention, Harold is in addition an exceptional person. It is noticeable that he geniunely cares about the current and future success of the students he works with. Harold is a very well-rounded coach who does not suggest you prioritize one aspect of life over another. These are the best and most valuable kinds of coaches.

As many have also mentioned, Harold is extremely responsive. Another thing that stands out a lot is that he actually listens and remembers what you have previously said.

Harold is a consultant I can trust. I trust his experience and insights, his logic and way of thinking, his advice and guidance, and that is the #1 thing you need in a consultant. I would 100% recommend Harold to anyone looking for a consultant, and I am confident you will recommend him yourself after just your initial consultation with him.

I had the amazing opportunity to have Harold Simansky as my MBA Consultant Advisor. I had a tight deadline, and I recognized I needed expert advice to complete my application. My experience with Harold was brief, but those were two of the most insightful hours of my life. Thanks to him, my resume has never looked better, and my essays conveyed exactly what I wanted to say. Even though I wasn’t admitted to my school, I was more than satisfied with my application, and I know I couldn’t have done it better without the help and expertise of such an amazing consultant and mentor like Harold.

I was stuck with my stories. I felt I had so much more to unfold but couldn’t figure out how to share different parts of my life in each essay. The word count added pressure. I wanted to work with a consultant who respected the different chapters of my life and helped express my stories without changing them. That’s when I found Jessica.
From the beginning, she was very clear on expectations and helped me understand the ‘why’ behind the questions in the applications. She listened, then challenged me to think through my life.

It was truly amazing to experience the partnership and mentorship she offered. She suggested hidden themes that connected very different parts of my life and helped me reflect on my past, present, and future. From the very beginning, I knew Jessica took my application very seriously. She did not want to waste a second of my time. It was clear to follow her guidance which allowed me to take time to process my ideas and express them efficiently.
Her professionalism is top of the line. She keeps promises and went beyond what I requested. More than a couple times, Jessica would suggest that she would come back after some thought – and she really did. You know Jessica doesn’t just let things “pass”. She really values quality so you get quality. At the end of my essays, I remember reading them through and thinking, “Yeah, this is really me. This is really my story.” It’s quite amazing how talented Jessica is in storytelling! I learned so much from working with her.

The combination of her professionalism, high standards, and empathy makes Jessica truly one of the best! I will never forget this experience. Thank you, Jessica.

Kate was an incredible consultant, and I cannot recommend her enough. While the MBA application process is extremely daunting, Kate’s knowledge, thoroughness, and organization, coupled with her warm, calm presence made it feel more than manageable. With Kate’s help, I was accepted to 4/4 of the schools I applied to, including Stanford GSB and Harvard Business School, and will be attending HBS this fall.

Kate was instrumental in focusing my application to highlight my strengths and holistically capture who I was as a person. Her extensive knowledge was consistently apparent whenever I had questions about schools, the application process, or how something in my essays might be construed by the AdComm. As a woman working in biotech, Kate ensured my application was powerful for any reader, regardless of their industry background, while also successful in communicating my expertise.

Kate’s exceptional organization kept me on track and motivated throughout the entire application process. As someone who struggles with time management and rarely submits anything until the final hour, Kate’s detailed calendar and review windows allowed me to progress the application in a timely fashion without last-minute, high-anxiety sprints. The application has a lot of moving parts and with Kate’s oversight, I was always confident everything was accounted for.

Overall, I had an amazing experience working with Kate, I truly could not have done it without her.

Without the help of Rachel and mbaMission, I probably wouldn’t have gotten into business school. I decided to apply extremely late in the cycle and had to apply in Round 3 for both Columbia and NYU. Rachel explained to me that it was a risk and I might not get in, but that we could do everything in our power to try our best. From that point onward, she was extremely responsive and helpful in the essay writing process and application management. Rachel had a great system for brainstorming and essay writing and editing. She challenged me to write in a way that I wasn’t necessarily used to and if it didn’t get on the page sounding that great, she would be there to help. Rachel also helped calm me down during this stressful period of applying. That is crucial in this process. At the end, I got into NYU Stern. Overall, I would highly recommend hiring Rachel if you are looking at applying to business school.

I was referred to Devi by a friend who was accepted to HBS after working with her on his HBS application and interview prep. From our very first phone call, I felt safe knowing Devi would be on my side. She helped me meticulously craft my story to blend my professional aspirations and creative passions into an impactful personal statement. With her help, I was able to find my genuine voice, and she gave me confidence to share my story when I felt my industry was too niche or my hobbies were too broad.

Through countless long nights, flexibility and dedication on her end during the holiday season, we were able to complete all my applications and submit while I was overseas. Then, through interview prep, she brought her expertise as an HBS Interviewer and helped me work through my mind blocks and speaking with confidence. Devi is a consultant that truly strives for perfection for her applicants.

I was accepted to 2 of my dream schools: CBS and Stern, and I could not have done it without Devi’s support and expertise.
Thank you, Devi!

Gavriella was an amazing consultant! From our first introductory call to discuss school prospects and deadlines to the brainstorming, drafting, and completion of my essays, she was incredibly supportive, insightful, and re-assuring. Gavriella’s professional background and experiences were key pieces of my success in the application process, helping me to effectively articulate my personal motivations and professional narrative as catalysts for my decision to apply to business school. She was also very proactive and took the time to see the my entire process through without hesitation – after the application process, we remained in constant communication to prep for interviews, discuss school choices and her guidance ultimately played a critical role in my final school choice. I would highly recommend Gavriella to anyone considering a consultant for the MBA process.

Working with Nisha on my Haas MBA application was an incredibly rewarding experience. Nisha’s guidance was thorough and personalized, always aiming to bring out the best in my application. She was not only professional and knowledgeable but also genuinely caring and supportive throughout the entire journey. Her feedback was constructive and prompt, which greatly helped in meeting all application deadlines comfortably.

Thanks to Nisha, I felt confident and well-prepared. I am thrilled to say I have been accepted into Haas, and I couldn’t have done it without her expert assistance. I highly recommend Nisha to any prospective MBA applicant who seeks a thoughtful and effective approach to the MBA application process.

Heidi made a true effort to understand me and who I was and where I would be a best fit for my MBA. She helped me narrow down my schools to 6 schools that we felt I would be the best fit for. After that we worked together to really bring the best out in me in terms of everything and she really helped me stay on top of things! I ended up receiving acceptances to 4 out of 6 of my schools and was waitlisted on one other one! I got into my top choice Umich Ross and I will be attending there this fall! I can’t recommend Heidi and mbaMission enough!!

I had the privilege of working with Heidi throughout my MBA application journey and I could not be more grateful. I initially signed up for a 3-school package, but eventually decided to apply to 3 more schools in round 2. Through the process, Heidi has been nothing short of amazing as she helped me with narrowing down schools that would best fit my goals, highlighting key points in my personal story, and providing thoughtful feedback on any questions or concerns I had.

Even after I had applied to the 3 target schools in my package, she continued providing additional support and essay tips for my schools in round 2. I can confidently say she does not hesitate to go above and beyond for her clients.

Although I was initially hesitant, looking back now I can say that investing in the service has been one of the best decisions I’ve made and I have no idea how I would have tackled this process without her guidance. I would HIGHLY recommend working with Heidi as she has been fantastic and will definitely help you achieve your goals!

I worked with Jen through 2023 as I was applying to 2 UK MBA programmes: Cambridge & LBS. I initially chose to work with Jen because she had completed her own MBA at Cambridge and I liked her approach when we had our initial free consultation.

Going in to my application I had a strong career track record and University grades, however my GMAT results were well below average for my target schools, due to my quantitative incompetence (I wont be designing airplanes any time soon). I was unwilling to take the GMAT again, so instead worked with Jen to create applications that focussed on my strengths on 2/3 selection criteria.

The process was enjoyable, Jen is challenging but great to work with, her knowledge on how to present myself through an MBA application was invaluable throughout each step in the process. Ultimately , I received scholarship offers to both of my target programmes – as such I highly recommend working with Jen for anyone considering an MBA consultant in the future.

I did all my applications in a 2-3 month period that included studying for an exam retake, a bout of COVID, and full-time work.

Kate was absolutely fantastic and likely the reason I was able to submit 5 applications on time for R1. She was highly responsive and incredibly thorough with her feedback throughout all drafts of my essays and applications. There was a lot of back and forth between us on the edits and Kate was always receptive to brainstorming and changes in order to bring the best work to the table.

Additionally, she aided a lot in the organization of the overall application timeline and answered all of my questions about the process. She was available at all times to chat with and also helped prep throughout the interview process as well.

I can’t recommend Kate enough.

My dream was to attend a full-time MBA program abroad, but I knew it would be a steep uphill climb. With no international living experience and what most would consider ‘average’ test scores and GPA, I realized that effectively crafting and communicating my story and motivations would be critical to strengthening my profile. Thankfully, I reached out to mbaMission and was referred to Jen, an expert in European MBA program admissions. The main areas I worked on with Jen were developing my essays and resume, navigating the application process, and preparing for interviews.

Jen is a thoughtful and thorough consultant who positioned me for success. She is an extremely talented essay editor who understands exactly what admissions committees seek in personal statements. Jen provided school-specific insights that I wouldn’t have discovered on my own and advised me on how to effectively weave them into my essays. Additionally, she was instrumental in interview preparation, helping me frame my stories and prioritize what each school values, all while delivering candid feedback in an uplifting manner. She tailored this preparation to whether I was interviewing with an alumn or an admissions advisor, and I can honestly say that our mock interviews were incredibly reflective of the real experience.

I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome. Without her assistance with the essays and interview prep, I am certain I would not have been accepted to INSEAD, the school I will be attending. Jen was very supportive and responsive throughout the entire process, and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to get into their stretch program!

I will start by saying that Harshad and the mbaMission team / resources are phenomenal. For a bit of background, I began my MBA journey one month before R2 application deadlines. I explained my situation (MBA needed for next step in my career and targeting top 3 program). Without hesitation, Harshad agreed to the challenge and adapted his ‘typical’ working style to me. We immediately got to work crafting a story that would best position me for target school. At the same time, I needed to secure a better test score. Harshad introduced me to a private tutor and showed me how to position application around score. Throughout the process, Harshad frequently made himself available to provide feedback and discuss application strategy (even through the holidays!). When it came time to apply, I had a well-crafted application for my top school and earned admittance (with a nice scholarship)! Regardless of the outcome, I was glad I hired Harshad and the mbaMission team. I have already recommended him to numerous colleagues and friends. If you are interested in applying to a top business program, HIRE HARSHAD!

I 100% recommend working with Jen. I worked with her on my Oxford and Cambridge applications last year, where I was accepted into both. Jen has been an MBA consultant for many years now, so it’s no surprise she’s so knowledgeable and experienced. In addition, she’s a very personable and friendly person which made working with her that much better. Given that she works full time with MBA Mission, she is extremely responsive, quick to respond to emails / give feedback, and overall a complete professional. Don’t hesitate working with Jen 🙂

Nisha instantly understood exactly what my needs were. I am definitely not a writer and she helped me craft my life’s journey. She asked the right questions to help me think about my essay from different angles. I also chatted with her just before my interview and she encouraged me to be my authentic self and it worked. To be honest, I was feeling a little under confident and I really wanted to chat with someone who understood the industry and could give me their honest opinion about my candidacy. Thank you, Nisha, for being a MBA consultant + a therapist!

I was a bit late into the application game, as GMAT took longer than I had expected, but also I frankly didn’t know where to start the application. When I reached out to mbaMission, I got matched with Harshad, and I was lucky to snatch up the last spot for this application cycle. I had complete confidence in him, having read numerous positive reviews from previous applicants on various portals and websites.

Harshad exceede my expectations. From brainstorming (crafting my overall story) to detailed edits and providing emotional support when Round 1 didn’t go as planned, he was there to guide, encourage, and help me push through. As a full-time professional, it was crucial for me to use my limited time efficiently for applications and essays. Harshad had ample experience and he knew exactly how to tackle different prompts and when not to go overboard or overkill on one essay. Different schools emphasize different qualities, which can be difficult to discern from websites or conversations with current students and alumni. Harshad’s years of experience helped him understand what works best for each school. Remember this is a marathon (application process can take as a year), and Harshad is a great pacemaker by my side. I was able to get into multiple M7 schools!

Moreover, I really appreciated how he was super responsive despite tight deadlines and the fact that he may be working with multiple candidates at a time. He was always on top of his stuff. I hope to continue this friendship even after I matriculate into a school, as I genuinely like him as a person.

Susan was incredible and I would recommend her 100 times over to anyone who is interested in pursuing a competitive MBA program. She was incredibly attentive, supportive, and encouraging throughout the application process, while also providing candid and realistic feedback during our conversations and brainstorm sessions. Susan is incredibly responsive, and I felt that we built a strong relationship throughout this process. I feel like she took the time to truly learn and understand my story, and helped me translate this into a competitive application (including essays and short answers). Additionally, Susan’s expertise helped me tailor my applications appropriately, and supported me as I was looking to boost my candidacy outside of the application itself (i.e. advice on letters of support, networking, events to attend, etc.). I will be attending Columbia Business School on a full-ride scholarship (along with multiple fellowships), and could not have done this without her. I have personally recommended her to multiple friends of mine, and appreciate her openness to continuing a relationship moving forward.

Working with Gavriella was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application process. Thanks to her exceptional guidance, I was accepted into all five of the top MBA programs I applied to. Gavriella was instrumental in helping me in articulating my story on paper.

I was especially impressed with her responsiveness and availability, which were crucial given my tight deadlines and demanding work schedule. Gavriella genuinely cares about her clients. She took the time to understand my background and showed a sincere interest in my future goals.

Her support extended beyond just the application process. When I was deciding between two schools, her advice helped me make the best decision considering my future aspirations. I really recommend working with Gavriella!

I had a wonderful experience working with Debbie throughout the R1 application cycle. Debbie was thoughtful, organized, and insightful as I was developing my essays and resume. I appreciated the perspective that she brought to the unique values of each program. She was intentional about getting to know me and my story upfront which made the writing and editing process run seamlessly. Without her support, I don’t think I’d be attending my dream program this fall. I also loved having access to mbaMission’s extensive portfolio of resources and workshops; they provided lots of invaluable insights that helped demystify the application process. I’d definitely recommend working with Debbie and mbaMission!

With Krista’s guidance, I was accepted into all 4 of the schools I applied to.

TL;DR:

Krista’s key traits:
– Incredibly knowledgeable about what schools are looking for
– Transparent about school fit and your candidate qualifications
– Fast response times – effective communication
– Encouraging – knows how to get the best out of you, and genuinely cares for your success

Krista was instrumental to my MBA application success. (I was accepted into London Business School, Berkeley Haas, INSEAD, and UCLA Anderson). After discussing my qualifications, accolades and dream schools during my initial free consultation session, she helped me design a roadmap of how I should structure and schedule my application process. She also set transparent expectations for working together so that I was well-informed on what our partnership would look like.

During the 6 months we worked together, Krista was always on-time to scheduled meetings, prompt with responding to my questions over email, and most critically, beyond helpful with how to think about application prompts and interview questions.

When I first started my applications, I felt like I was throwing darts at a bulls-eye I couldn’t see. Krista’s abundance of knowledge helped me feel confident in where I was aiming.

She helped me enhance my personal narrative, cherry-pick my key career accomplishments that schools care about, and weave my professional experiences into a compelling story.

I am extremely grateful for her support.

Best ROI ever.

Susan was the best partner I could’ve asked for to help me navigate the entire application process! We connected fairly late in the process, when I was experiencing significant anxiety and doubting whether I would be able to prepare thoughtful, quality applications in time. Despite challenging circumstances and condensed timeframes, Susan was consistently positive, warm, engaged, and supportive throughout the entire process and gave me tremendous confidence.

She really took pride in understanding who I am, how my experiences molded me into the person I am today, and what matters most to me, and used that to craft an incredibly compelling narrative that helped get me into HBS!

I could not recommend her highly enough – not just for her contributions to my application and sage advice, but also for how supportive and fun she was during the entire process!! I will miss working with her!

I decided work with Heidi on an hourly basis and she was very helpful throughout my application journey, in particular helping to recraft my resume, polish my essays and become more confident at interviewing – working with Heidi allowed me to stand out much more and ultimately enabled me to secure an offer at my dream school! She was very professional, responsive and easy to work with – highly recommend!

I’ve worked with Devi to prepare for my HBS interviews via her HBS Intensive Interview Simulation and I am extremely happy with the result! Across the two hour-long sessions Devi did a tremendous amount of work on me — both content-wise and mindset-wise.

First, Devi helped me to structure my thoughts and my story to help me better communicate it during the interview. She highlighted important points in my career to pay special attention to and ways to look at them at a broader context. She also pushed me to look for my underlying drivers and themes. As a result, I was able to freely think on my feet and provide detailed and thoughtful responses to unexpected themes that the interviewer wanted to explore.

Second, she helped to get my mind in order before the interview, explaining how to behave on the call to make myself not nervous. She made sure I understand that the interviewers are my friends in the process and the only thing they want is to know me better and learn about the real me. As a result, I was extremely calm during the interview and was able to freely communicate my personality.

If you are applying to HBS, make sure to work with Devi, I could not recommend her enough.

I have nothing but fantastic things to say about Devi and her work with me this past cycle, and I’ve greatly appreciated her consistent thoughtfulness, thoroughness, and positivity. Her professionalism and deep knowledge of the admissions space wowed me during my first consultation with her, and has wowed me in each of our interactions since. Devi is a perfectionist in the absolute best sense of the word. If you want someone serious, creative, and profoundly helpful, Devi is the obvious choice to work with. I truly could not recommend Devi enough to any applicant.

I was admitted into one of my dream schools and I would not have been able to gain admission to an M7 program without John. I purchased a start-to-finish package with John and he was with me every step of the way – proving to be an instrumental part of my journey. As a first time MBA applicant, having John walk me through the process from start to finish was extremely valuable.

One of my favorite things about John was his positive outlook and attitude. The MBA application process can be quite a daunting task and it is easy to fall into a cycle of doubt. Having someone like John, who both inspired and motivated me, ensured my outlook remained positive. He not only reminded me to have fun and enjoy the journey, but also encouraged me to put my best foot forward, especially with regards to my essays.

Despite working with very little time to get my applications in for R1, John went through many iterations of my resume and essay reviews to ensure I had the best application possible. He was very patient and addressed every single one of my questions in detail. Not only is John very knowledgeable regarding what schools are looking for in a candidate, he also took the time to understand who I was as a person. John helped to detail my life experiences – using the process to curate and inspire essays unique to my specific journey. Even when John experienced a family emergency, he continued to work with me to ensure my applications were pristine and did not miss any deadlines. John is truly invested in the individual success of his clients.

My experience with John was AMAZING and I would highly recommend him to anyone who is looking for a great consultant!

I’m not exaggerating when I say that working with Melissa changed my life! Melissa’s guidance, effort, and support throughout the MBA application process got me into Wharton, which was one of my dream schools and seemed like an immense reach. Melissa helped me to craft such impactful applications that after applying to ten full-time programs, I was invited to interview at nine of them, and was ultimately accepted to eight (three of which were M7s).

What impressed me the most while working with Melissa was how she was able to take a standard draft of my essay and help me craft it into a remarkable story. Comparing my first drafts to their final versions is truly night and day, and I wouldn’t have been able to write them so effectively if it wasn’t for Melissa. I even received feedback from an admissions officer that my personal essay was one of the most memorable stories she’d read in the past few years. Melissa really understands what the admissions teams are looking for at every school, which is so crucial in a consultant!

On top of her skills in tailoring an application to a specific program, Melissa is also unbelievably attentive. I expected this relationship to be very high-level since Melissa has many clients to tend to throughout the application cycle, but the amount of effort she put into getting to know me and my goals was astonishing. She really does care so much about every one of her clients!

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Melissa is incredibly reliable during the entire process – from the brainstorming period through the final decision. She always provided feedback on documents quicker than expected, she helped set deadlines to keep me on track, she vetted all of my letters of rec and coordinated directly with the writers, she gladly responded to any question I threw her way (and there were so many of them), and she gave honest guidance regarding any school that I asked her about. Given that none of my friends or family members had gone through the MBA application process before, I simply don’t know what I would’ve done without her.

It’s only been a few weeks since I wrapped everything up with Melissa, but I already have two friends that have signed with her for this upcoming application cycle. I can’t stress enough how integral Melissa was to my success – I simply wouldn’t be where I am today without her! She’s gone from being my consultant to being my friend, and I’m excited to gush over my Wharton experience with her these next two years!

I had am amazing experience working with Nisha throughout the MBA application process. We first spoke a month before the R2 deadline for the Fall 2023 application cycle, and during this we decided that I did not have enough time to submit a strong application for my top programs. Fast forward to summer 2023, Nisha and I reconnected and began working together for the Fall 2024 R2 deadline.
She is incredibly patient, kind, accommodating and compassionate. She pushed me to discover what my true goals were and helped me craft a narrative to best showcase them. She is tapped into exactly what business schools are looking for and is able to expertly guide clients. I am so thankful to have been connected to Nisha, with her help I got into my two top schools – Wharton and Booth! For anyone considering a consultant, Nisha is the one to work with. She goes above and beyond to answer emails, provide feedback and schedule catch up calls. She’s incredibly prompt with her responses which was crucial in the weeks leading up to deadlines. She also helped keep me on track with the essay writing timeline which was immensely helpful.
This is the only review you need to read if debating between working with a consultant or not – definitely work with a consultant to maximize your ROI and when choosing your consultant, work with Nisha!

Thank you, Nisha!

After trying to work on my application processes by myself and with non-professional resources, I decided to work with Harshad hoping the investment would be worth it. My expectations were exceeded, as the whole MBAMission structure provides so much clarity and working with Harshad was in the perfect point between personal engagement and professionalism. I am very grateful with him for the support and would highly recommend him, it is worth your while.

Susan has been instrumental in my MBA journey and helped me land admissions into top schools. Initially, the admissions process felt daunting, but Susan was always there to provide words of wisdom and calm my nerves. She helped connect the dots across my experiences and personal interests to draft a compelling narrative. Her initial brainstorming sessions were incredibly helpful as she sought to get to know me on a deeper level. She truly is a gifted storyteller! Susan was super flexible when I fluctuated between schools and ensured I had all the materials provided for a strong application. Despite some of my last-minute edits, she was very responsive. I loved my interview prep with Susan as I felt that it was extremely thorough, and a lot of the questions were also asked during my actual interview.

Harshad is a joy to work with. I applied only to MS/MBA programs and, given his engineering background, he was really able to identify how I could better frame the work I did as an engineer in ways the admissions committees would understand. Beyond that, I really appreciated his directness during our conversations. He has a fantastic sense of what parts of my story, background, and future interests the schools want to hear about as well as how to give feedback that elicits that in my writing. He was always willing to point out when he didn’t think an essay came across well enough and explained his reasoning clearly. I think his willingness to have conversations like these took my essays to the next level and pushed me to write more compellingly. He was also very quick to reply and provide feedback! Overall, Harshad was great both as a consultant and as a person to ask for advice and guidance. I’m very happy with the results and can say that the investment was worth it. I ended up getting into CBS, MIT, and Berkeley with his help.

Devi Vallabhaneni is unparalleled in her field, and I cannot recommend her highly enough for her exceptional guidance during my Harvard Business School interview prep. Devi’s in-depth understanding of the HBS interview process (as a former HBS interviewer and admissions board member) and her ability to customize her approach to my specific background were key to my admission to HBS and Stanford. Her precise advice and one-on-one coaching not only refined my interview skills but also enabled me to present my story with authenticity and impact. I signed up for 5 mock interview sessions with Devi, and every moment of preparation with her was incredibly valuable.

From the outset, it was clear that Devi had spent several hours reviewing my application based on the specific, probing questions that she asked during my first interview. She made sure to leave no stone unturned and ensured that we addressed every aspect of my application. Furthermore, Devi’s direct, no-nonsense feedback on my interview responses, as well as her strategic tips on how to frame my answers, were invaluable. She pushed me to think critically about my experiences and draw meaningful connections that highlighted my fit with HBS. Devi’s insights into the types of questions I might face and her strategies for structuring my responses allowed me to enter the interview with confidence, and many of the questions in my actual interview were verbatim or very similar to the questions I practiced during our sessions.

In summary, Devi’s expertise in HBS interview preparation is unmatched. For those serious about gaining admission to their dream school, working with Devi is an essential step. You won’t regret it!

Simply put, Katy is the gold standard in MBA consulting!

She was an invaluable resource throughout my MBA application journey, and I owe my admission to both Harvard and Stanford to her expertise. Having been waitlisted at both schools the previous year, I was eager to improve my application with Katy’s help.

What stood out most about Katy was her tailored approach and deep understanding of the admissions process for both HBS and Stanford. She carefully analyzed my previous application and immediately identified areas for improvement, offering specific, targeted advice to enhance my candidacy. Katy’s guidance on how to craft compelling and cohesive essays was particularly impactful. She helped me draw on my unique experiences to tell a story that highlighted my strengths and fit with each school’s culture. Her attention to detail and thoughtful critique ensured that my essays were polished and authentic.

During our mock interview sessions, Katy’s insights into potential questions and her strategic tips on framing responses were game-changing. She pushed me to think critically about my experiences and present my story with clarity and confidence. The feedback she provided was direct and actionable, helping me navigate the interviews with ease.

On a personal note, working with Katy has been a truly wonderful experience. She is not only knowledgeable and professional, but also incredibly warm and caring. She goes above and beyond to support her clients, and I’ve been fortunate to build a strong personal connection with her. She provided unwavering confidence and encouragement in every email and conversation, helping me stay accountable and motivated throughout the often lengthy and stressful application process. If you have the opportunity to work with Katy, consider yourself lucky – you’ll be in exceptional hands!

In summary, Katy’s guidance played a pivotal role in my successful admission to both HBS and Stanford this year. Her knowledge, attention to detail, and personalized approach set her apart, and I would highly recommend her to anyone serious about achieving their MBA dreams.

Thank you, Katy!

Choosing Gavi as my MBA application consultant was one of the best decisions I made during my business school application process. Right from the start, Gavi was incredibly helpful, offering insights and guidance that were both challenging and enlightening.

Working with Gavi involved a deep dive into self-discovery through her structured “discovery questions.” This exercise was more than just form-filling; it was an introspective journey that allowed me to understand myself better and clearly define my career goals and aspirations. This initial phase set a strong foundation for the rest of my application.

Gavi’s availability and responsiveness were remarkable. No matter when I reached out with doubts or required feedback, she was always prompt, generally replying to my emails within 30 minutes. This responsiveness made the stressful application process much smoother and less daunting.

Her approach to crafting my story was nothing short of creative. Gavi encouraged me to think outside the box and find unique angles to my narrative, making my application stand out. She was supportive and collaborative, always ensuring she was alongside me, guiding me rather than dictating what to do.

The interview preparation was another area where Gavi excelled. Her coaching was spot-on, equipping me with the confidence and readiness to tackle even the toughest questions. The mock interviews we conducted were critical in honing my delivery and demeanor, which proved invaluable during the actual interviews.

Towards the conclusion of the application process, Gavi’s support extended beyond just securing admissions. She adeptly assisted me in negotiating with schools, which ultimately led to me securing a merit-based scholarship at Kellogg. This was a significant achievement for me and I credit a large part of this success to Gavi’s expert advice and negotiation tactics.

In summary, Gavi isn’t just an advisor; she’s a mentor and a strategist, the kind who will ensure you put your best foot forward. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for not just a consultant, but a true partner in navigating the competitive waters of MBA admissions. With Gavi’s help, I felt prepared, supported, and confident throughout my journey. Thank you, Gavi, for being awesome!

I was accepted to both Wharton and Columbia Business School, a testament to the invaluable assistance provided by Gavriella. Coming from an international background, this was my first application to a U.S. school. Gavriella was always available to answer any questions about the process with patience and clarity. Working with her was a genuinely rewarding experience. She maintained utmost professionalism throughout the process and was consistently prompt and attentive to all inquiries. Gavriella excels at expertly highlighting the unique aspects of personal stories and possesses a deep understanding of what universities are looking for in candidates. She effectively bolsters confidence in one’s background and abilities. Based on my personal experience, I highly recommend working with her for any MBA application.

I had the pleasure of working with Heidi during my MBA application process, and I can confidently say it was an enjoyable experience. From start to finish, the process was seamless thanks to Heidi’s exceptional organization skills. Her ability to break down tasks and help me set achievable goals alleviated much of the stress associated with applying to MBA programs.

Heidi’s support throughout the process was invaluable. Despite the inherent stress of applying to top-tier schools, I felt reassured knowing that she was always available to offer guidance and assistance. Her thoughtful approach and willingness to go above and beyond ensured that I never felt overwhelmed or alone.

In terms of helpfulness, Heidi exceeded my expectations. While I initially had a clear idea of what I wanted to convey in my essays, Heidi encouraged me to delve deeper into my life experiences and goals. Through our collaboration, I found myself revisiting and refining my narrative in ways I hadn’t anticipated. In the end, my essay practically wrote itself, and I owe much of that success to Heidi’s expertise and support.

And the ultimate outcome speaks volumes: I was accepted into Stanford! Heidi’s guidance undoubtedly played a significant role in this achievement, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Without hesitation, I would wholeheartedly recommend Heidi to anyone embarking on their MBA journey. Her combination of kindness, intelligence, and insight creates a supportive environment where applicants can thrive and succeed.

Harold’s expertise and support were indispensable from start to finish of my MBA journey. His practical guidance and consistent reassurance made the daunting application process manageable and ultimately successful. Despite my below-average GPA, Harold’s strategic insights led to my acceptance at Dartmouth Tuck and Chicago Booth, with significant scholarships, and admittance to another T10 school.

The process began with strategizing for the GMAT and upgrading my resume. Harold advised me on the best timing for the exam and identified a score range appropriate for my target schools. His high-level tips were crucial in achieving my desired score within three months. Simultaneously, Harold facilitated an extensive brainstorming process to unearth and polish stories and accomplishments that would resonate in my essays and interviews. His keen eye for detail and deep understanding of what top business schools look for in candidates enabled me to select the most compelling content for my applications.

As we tackled each school’s application, Harold’s meticulous feedback on my essays was particularly impactful. He helped refine my narratives to ensure clarity and purpose, aligning them closely with each school’s values and expectations. His ability to tailor content to specific schools was remarkable, allowing me to present myself authentically and persuasively.

During the application process, Harold also provided strategic advice on which schools to visit, and which events to attend. He provided me with special contacts at some of the schools that I could reach out to for the particular industry that I was interested in. This not only enhanced my applications but also broadened my understanding of the MBA landscape.

Interview preparations with Harold were thorough, covering frequently asked questions and refining my responses to reflect each school’s unique characteristics. His support was crucial in building my confidence and enabling me to handle the toughest questions smoothly, without sounding rehearsed.

After receiving multiple admissions offers, Harold guided me through the scholarship negotiation process, helping me leverage offers effectively to maximize my financial aid. For the schools where I was waitlisted, Harold advised me on additional information to submit and how to communicate effectively with admissions committees, further strengthening my standing.

Harold’s professionalism and expertise were matched by his personal dedication and optimism. Throughout this challenging journey, his positive attitude and personalized approach not only bolstered my applications but also kept me motivated and focused. His guidance was a major factor in my successful MBA admissions outcomes, and I am grateful for his involvement.

For anyone navigating the complexities of MBA applications, I wholeheartedly recommend Harold as a knowledgeable, strategic, and supportive teammate who will go above and beyond to ensure your success. His combination of professional acumen and personal commitment makes him an outstanding guide for any prospective MBA student.

I had a fabulous experience working with Melissa. Her biggest strength is how incredibly engaged she is throughout the application process. During my journey, this meant she helped me understand the strengths of different schools, asked thoughtful questions while brainstorming my essay topics, had an impressively quick turnaround time on edits and questions, kindly kept me on track to my deadlines, and followed up after interviews to hear how they went.
The best part of working with Melissa was how thoughtfully she got to know me as a person and how loud of a cheerleader she was throughout my process. Applying to grad school can cause a lot of stress and uncertainty, but Melissa’s confidence and encouragement guided me through the most difficult times of applying. My admissions results are a testament to her skill. I’m deeply grateful for her partnership and will miss our calls while I’m attending HBS this fall!

Working with Nisha throughout the whole process made MBA applications feel less daunting. I’m a nontraditional candidate and knew that I needing a guiding hand throughout this process. I worked with Nisha to apply to 2 schools, as well as the base application for Consortium. She really took the time to get to know me, and teased out aspects of my story that I would not have otherwise chosen to emphasize. I found her feedback to be firm (extremely helpful when second-guessing every aspect of an application!) yet remarkably kind. And she was extremely available over email for every small, nit-picking question that I wanted to think through together.

Susan was a great consultant. I did the 30min free session with her at the start which helped me understand how many and which universities I should target. After purchasing the hourly sessions, Susan shared a lot of valuable resources she had prepared to help with the essay writing process. She was very efficient with her time, and I got through the majority of essays I needed to with the hours I purchased. In addition, she had a quick response time, enabling me to meet all my deadlines. Her experience shows, and helped my craft a unique story to stand out as a candidate. In addition, she provided great resources so I could prep for the interviews and was easily reachable by mail. In the end, I got accepted into my target school with an entrance award!

Devi is a must for anyone serious about getting an MBA. I got Devi’s all-inclusive package and it was worth every cent. I went into the application process without much time or knowledge of how to tackle everything (and there’s a lot to do!) — with Devi, I felt completely reassured that I was covering ALL my grounds efficiently and creating the best possible product. At the very start, through brainstorming sessions, Devi was able to weave together and inspire me to bring out my most compelling story. Additionally, while I would think of my own ways to answer certain prompts, Devi would provide brilliant ideas that I had never thought of and that immediately improved my narrative. Her reviews pushed me to create a product that was the best possible version of itself. Also, as you’ve probably read in her other reviews, Devi’s interview support is second to none — my one hour mock with Devi was the best one hour spent in improving my interview prep and covered nearly everything that actually happened in the interview. It also made me feel way less nervous about the real interview. Finally, outside of the consulting, Devi’s an incredible human being who’s super down to earth and cares about the people she chooses to work with. Go with Devi!

I found Debbie when I was panicking in mid-Oct about R2 applications. At that time, I had a subpar GMAT and not even a draft school list. I had free consultations with a bunch of firms small and large, but I felt the most confident coming out of the conversation with Debbie. In our free consultation, she gave very practical and useful feedback. She suggested what schools I can consider based on my career goals and preferences. Some schools were ones that never crossed my mind beforehand. I appreciate how she left options open depending on my upcoming GMAT retake while other consultants didn’t think I could make it which discouraged me further in this stressful moment. Don’t be mistaken, Debbie doesn’t give you false hopes.

I also appreciate Debbie’s attitude towards potential clients. She never pushed me to purchase services and offered to recommend lower-priced consultants on her team. She reminded me about mbaMission’s service contract period, so if I wasn’t going to apply for MBA this year don’t bother starting a package yet. In all my free consultations, I asked how many schools clients typically buy for comprehensive packages. Debbie said 2-3 which I felt is an honest answer (rather than pressuring you to pay more) because you can reuse a lot of the content and learnings between schools. There are plenty of consultants out there who tell you to buy as many schools as you’re applying to. Due to the timing of the year, Debbie was also very practical in telling me what’s the max number of schools I should realistically apply to, and I decided to purchase a package less than that number.

I spoke with Debbie almost every week from Nov to Mar whether it’s back and forth updates to essays, questions from me about the process, and other status updates. The cadence came naturally because there’s just that much going on! I like mbaMission’s essay turnaround time cutoff, because that schedule pushed me to send essays over at a regular schedule in order to be the most efficient with revisions. It helps us both be accountable rather than other firms that just reply “as they get to it” which can be much longer the closer we get to deadlines. Debbie generally responds quickly to non-essay emails, 1-2 day response rate. She’ll let you know in advance when she’s taking off and how that’ll affect the response time.

Debbie is great at decluttering my thoughts and pulling out pieces that are actually relevant to essays and interviews. She will tell you straight up if certain ideas send the wrong message or are incohesive with the rest of your story. This is the harsh criticism I needed. Of course, feel free to push back since this is your application, but Debbie will work with you to find a middle ground. She’s knowledgeable about what the schools prefer and what works in applications, but also understand she can’t know every single itty-bitty detail. You still have to do your homework!

Coming out of this process, I’m glad I found Debbie to guide me. I’m not the type who’s thought about getting an MBA for years and my network doesn’t have any MBAs. The idea only came to me over the summer, so I had a lotto catch up on in a short period of time. She really gave me the confidence to push through and get admits to two M7s and two T10s which I doubt I could’ve made it without her. I chose Debbie due to her personality (also happy to support Asian women) because we would work very closely together during this period. That helped me feel comfortable asking her weirder questions relating to applications. Thank you again Debbie for your patience in responding to my long emails and addressing my boatload of comments in each essay. 

When I decided to apply for an MBA program from my job in consulting, I knew I was facing challenges as a young applicant with limited work experience (having worked at a single company since graduating from undergrad). However, I believed in my story and had confidence in my background, so I chose to work with Julie-Anne. It turned out to be the best decision I made throughout the entire process.

As someone who has always been more comfortable with numbers than with essays, I found the application process daunting. However, Julie-Anne’s expertise and guidance were evident at every step. She consistently pushed me to bring out my best in every aspect of my work, from crafting compelling essays to preparing for interviews. Her level of skill and knowledge exceeded my expectations. Despite what I initially saw as insurmountable barriers, Julie-Anne’s approach and unwavering dedication helped me secure admission to all three schools I applied to. Moreover, the introspective nature of the process and Julie-Anne’s incredible mentorship allowed me to learn a great deal about myself along the way. I truly believe that no one else could have achieved the same remarkable results as she did with me.

Julie-Anne sets high expectations and will push you to reach your full potential. Her meticulous attention to detail played a pivotal role in my successful MBA admissions journey. For the first time, I feel that my essays and writing are truly exceptional. I wholeheartedly recommend Julie-Anne to anyone considering the MBA application process.

In June 2023, I had the pleasure of speaking with Melissa Blakeslee from MBA Mission, among over ten other consultants. Melissa stood out immediately due to her genuine interest and insightful feedback on my MBA application strategy. Unlike others, she invested time to understand my unique background and aspirations, which made our interaction feel less like a transaction and more like a partnership aimed at my success.
Her expertise was invaluable in selecting schools. We targeted three ambitious programs, and I was thrilled to receive admission offers with scholarships from two of them. Melissa’s quick and actionable feedback throughout the application process was crucial, especially given our tight timeline. Even when I decided to add another school to my package last minute, Melissa welcomed the challenge without hesitation. Impressively, she was even responsive during her Christmas vacation, underscoring her dedication to my success.
Post-admission, Melissa has been instrumental in helping me decide which offer to accept. Her ongoing guidance has been a beacon through this significant life decision. I wholeheartedly recommend Melissa to anyone seeking a deeply committed and effective MBA admissions consultant. If you’re looking for someone who will truly care about your journey and outcomes, sign up with Melissa Blakeslee — you won’t regret it!