mbaMission | MBA Admissions Consultants

My job as mbaMission’s HBS Interviewer-in-Residence is to simulate the actual HBS Interview in all aspects, including questions, expectations, and most importantly, substance. To me, substance is everything. There is a lot of leeway for style, but not for substance. This was true when I was on the HBS Admissions Board, and it’s even more true now as an Executive Director at mbaMission.

This client purchased and completed three HBS Intensive Interview Simulations with me. He was not prepared for the first one and was surprised that we would discuss his work experiences – most often the source of substance for the HBS Interview.

After every Intensive Interview Simulation, I provide feedback, where I help clients dissect answers, explore what better answers would look like, and identify areas of improvement (homework for the next session).

Several of his answers didn’t feel in line with his current role where he interfaces with CXOs of his company. His answers were technical instead of strategic and didn’t provide enough business context or impact, which is what I expect of all my clients. That’s why I said his answers initially sounded like those I would expect to hear from an intern, rather than from someone in his current role. I was very happy when, during a subsequent session, he articulated his realization that what I was asking is that he speak in his HBS interview as he speaks to CXOs. That breakthrough was a turning point for him, and his answers got much better after that.

His performance did indeed improve over the three sessions. By the third session, I finally understood the scope of his role because it took that long for him to convey the breadth and depth of his projects in cogent and strategic manner. On paper, he indeed has accomplished a lot, but it wasn’t shining through in our simulations. That’s why I felt he had a high hurdle to clear given his low test score and initial interview performance with me, which I shared with him. My job is to set expectations, which I clearly did. If that is interpreted as tough, then I’m glad. Maybe he wanted me to smile more or provide greater emotional support, but that’s a matter of stylistic expectations. In each session, I prioritize substance, so my feedback was centered around substance. I felt urgency in emphasizing the message to him about substance and strategic (over technical) answers, given his weak starting point and inherent hurdles in his application.

I’m not sure he can possibly know or believe that he was admitted in spite of me when I saw significant improvement in his performance over the course of our three sessions.

I’m very pleased our sessions worked and that he was admitted to HBS! I take pride in prioritizing substance in each of my client touchpoints.

As a reapplicant, I knew I needed to take a different approach, and Harshad was instrumental in helping me achieve that. He worked closely with me to refine my story, identifying the key aspects of my life that would resonate with admissions committees. His insight into crafting a clear R1 and R2 strategy was invaluable.

Despite my struggles with the GMAT, Harshad never wavered in his belief that I could meet my target schools’ requirements. His unwavering support kept me motivated. Ultimately, I was accepted into both Kellogg and Wharton.

Harshad’s true strength lies in his deep understanding of the essay prompts. He has a unique ability to break them down and reveal what the schools are really looking for. This insight allowed me to answer each question with precision and focus, tailored specifically to each school.

Beyond his expertise, Harshad is a pleasure to work with. He makes the process smoother and less stressful, truly making your life easier and always motivating you. I couldn’t have asked for a better consultant to guide me through this journey.

Getting into a top MBA program has always been a dream for me and definitely could not have achieved it without Gavriella.
At first I really did not know much what to expect going into the admissions process with a consultant.
I was afraid they would not be able to completely understand me, my story, goals, strengths, weaknesses, reasons for taking certain decisions, etc.

Gavriella did an enormous effort in really getting to know me through discussion of a 20+ page document that asked all about me and later on kept discussing for hours and hours.
I genuinely felt she wanted to help me achieve my goals, not what was easier, not what would look better, but what really aligned to my goals.

In discussing my options on where to apply she was extremely instrumental in maintaining my hopes and motivation high, while at the same time being realistic with me during the entire process.

To me, what I valued and appreciated the most, was that during the entire timeline, she kept me aware of main deadlines, laid out the entire process clearly, guided me through each step and pushed me when it was more necessary.

At a moment, I felt Gavriella knew me even more than I knew myself, and identified which were my best stories and what differentiated me the most from other candidates.

When giving suggestions and ideas, and telling me what I should or shouldn’t do, she was always very respectful and made sure to hear me out beforehand.

I enjoyed tremendously working with Gavriella, I was really impressed by how much I was looking forward to each meeting with her and contributed to getting me excited about my MBA applications.

I was impressed by her work ethic, her responsibility and the impeccable attention she gave to me, answering emails at midnight, on weekends, etc.

I genuinely felt Gavriella cared about my application process in a deeper way than just as a customer, she was always very cordial and kind and really made a difference in what can become a really stressful process.

Admitted at:
Duke Fuqua – Full Ride Scholarship
MIT Sloan with Scholarship

Currently I am a woman in Consulting who was looking to get an MBA to focus and pivot to Technology. Kate was an incredible resource to help me figure out my MBA goals. She guided me through the process all the way from choosing schools, submitting applications, and writing letters for merit scholarships. Kate’s deep understanding of the various programs combined with insightful discussions about my career goals ensured that I shaped my applications tailored to the schools. Kate’s unwavering support made the MBA application process less daunting – providing a detailed calendar view of all next steps in order to stay on track. Through essay help, mock interviews, and continuous engagement, Kate provided an outstanding experience, and I could not recommend her more.

Kate was a wonderful consultant. As a non traditional applicant she quelled my fears and helped me during my stressful application timeline. She was very responsive, thorough with any feedback, and honest answering my questions as I took this leap of faith. She helped narrow down my school selection and was supportive during interviews and as I made my decision between a few schools I had been accepted to. If you are looking for someone insightful and earnest Kate is the consultant for you!

Jen is the absolute best. She is really diligent and meticulous about each application and made the process great for both European and Stateside MBA programs. I was very much on the fence about doing an MBA before beginning the daunting process of applying, but she was there every step of the way and really flexible working around my schedule of a 60/70 hour per week (on average) job. Jen also makes the process incredibly fun from GMAT to decision time. I can’t recommend Jen enough (and I’ve sent her two prospective applicants already)!

Kate was really easy to work with and was a huge help with preparing my MBA applications. She gives detailed feedback for all your written responses and has great resources to help you prepare for interviews. Kate helped take my applications to the next level and gave me the confidence that I was prepared to put my best foot forward. She is quick to respond and respectful of using your time with her the way you want it used.

Thanks to Kate I was accepted to my #1 choice part-time MBA program and also received a scholarship. I have multiple friends who worked with Kate who got into M7 full-time programs. We all agree that she is awesome, and we’re very glad we had her as a partner throughout the application process.

With Jen’s strong support and guidance, I was accepted into my dream business school programs (Wharton, Anderson)!! I knew very little coming into the MBA application process and Jen was especially impactful in determining my target business schools, strategizing on my applications, crafting my personal statements, selecting my recommenders, and closely reviewing my applications in a short timeline – she really did it all and was a joy to work with! Jen was great to brainstorm with, came highly prepared, and provided strong feedback and insights in all our meetings which helped me write personal statements that I felt truly reflected my personality, background, and career ambitions. Prior to working with Jen, I found the application process incredibly daunting (especially since I was taking the GMAT and working at the same time) and she was able to help coach me through the process and keep me on track so I was always focused on the most important areas. In addition to her strong expertise, Jen’s positivity and supportiveness really made the difference – from taking multiple calls prior to my TBD interview for Wharton to taking early morning calls right before the application deadline, Jen truly went the extra mile to help me accomplish my goal. I highly recommend Jen and am very fortunate to have worked with her. Thank you Jen!!!

I was incredibly fortunate to work with Kate Richardson during my MBA application process for Kellogg, and I can confidently say that her expertise was crucial to my success.

From the very beginning, Kate took the time to understand my unique background, career goals, and personal story. She provided invaluable insights into what Kellogg specifically looks for in candidates, helping me craft a compelling narrative that resonated with the admissions committee.

What truly stood out was Kate’s strategic approach. She helped me pinpoint the key aspects of my experience and strengths that aligned perfectly with Kellogg’s values and culture. Her feedback on my essays was both detailed and thoughtful, pushing me to dig deeper and present the most authentic and impactful version of myself.

Kate was also instrumental in preparing me for the interview process. Her mock interviews, tailored to Kellogg’s specific interview style, along with her constructive feedback, gave me the confidence I needed to excel.

Beyond her technical expertise, Kate was patient, always accessible, and a constant source of encouragement and support. The MBA application process can be daunting, but having someone in my corner who genuinely cared about my success made all the difference.

Thanks to Kate, I was accepted into Kellogg, and I couldn’t be happier. If you’re looking for an admissions consultant for an M7 MBA program who truly knows her stuff and is deeply invested in your success, I highly recommend Kate Richardson.

I highly recommend working with Jen!
Jen was essential in my admission to my dream business school. She is very personable and has a positive energy that lifted my day and encouraged me through the whole admissions process.

Jen supported my entire application and used her extensive knowledge of admission boards to help me become a strong candidate. She is incredibly talented at editing essays and helped mould my story in to a compelling essay. Following the written application, Jen ran three mock interview sessions with me that set me up perfectly for the real one with most questions anticipated.
As a full time consultant, Jen has a quick turn around time and was always available when I needed extra help by email or on zoom.

Jen helped steady me through balancing a very challenging work situation with applications, for which I am ever grateful. I couldn’t have asked for a better consultant. I highly recommend working with Jen!!

I would highly recommend mbaMission, specifically Nisha Trivedi. She is amazing, and I would not have gotten into graduate school without her constant encouragement, support, and help. I was applying to Columbia Business School on a very tight application deadline, and Nisha really helped in my messaging, resume, application, and overall story/strategy. One thing I really appreciated about Nisha was her quick response time and thoughtful help. Nisha went above and beyond, often replying to me out of business hours (holidays, weekends) – she was always there when I needed her, and she made a massive impact on the quality of my application.

mbaMission, as a company, was excellent to work with. As the leading mba consulting agency, I felt their fee was worth every penny. I benefited immensely from the institutional knowledge of all the applicants they were working with (i.e. knew when other applicants to the same school were getting interviews, excellent track record of getting students placed), and I really appreciated their tech-focus approach (you get access to a whole resource database of precedents, tips for the application, etc. through their onTrack module).

My experience with Kate was truly an extraordinary one. I started off last year with little to no information on MBA school and which ones to apply to. Kate’s structured approach and easy communication, wherein I could reach out to her anytime and I always received quick responses, really helped me in removing a lot of the pressure and confusion around admission prep – from picking your target schools intentionally, to making sure you find your story even if you may not be sure in the beginning. Working with her through all the essays, brainstorming discussions to identify clear cut patterns in strengths and weaknesses helped me to effectively articulate the same in my admissions essays as well. In addition, she also provided amazing lock interviews prep that put me at ease. She’s truly pivotal in me securing admission to three of the biggest b-schools in Europe (INSEAD, HEC Paris, IESE Spain) and i cannot thank her enough for what she did!

Kate was absolutely wonderful to work with. I came to Kate as a nontraditional MBA candidate with the desire to be admitted to one of the top business programs in the U.S. Kate was very dedicated from the beginning to the end with helping me. She was always available with any question I had and provided great insight. If it was not for Kate, I would not be where I am today (admitted and enjoying the MBA life!). I am forever grateful of Kate’s help and highly recommend!

During my initial consult with Harshad, it was clear to me that he had deep and valuable insights into the admissions process.

I began my MBA journey unsure about my prospect of admission into a top program. My undergraduate background was less than stellar, with an average GPA from a state college, few extracurriculars, etc.

Harshad quickly identified a path forward for us to craft a compelling admissions story. He essentially took the work and academic experiences I shared with him, and presented them in a way that gave a far more favorable view of my candidacy for MBA programs.

Additionally, Harshad is an expert at identifying the parts of an essay that won’t resonate with admissions positively. Every word of my admissions essays were intentionally chosen, to provide the most compelling story for each individual program.

His expertise aside, the collaboration process was both enjoyable and efficient. Harshad is personable, and took a genuine interest in hearing my story leading up to the time of admissions. He responds to emails promptly and comprehensively.

On the whole, I would rate my experience working with Harshad an 11/10. I was admitted into the #1 program of my choice, and the process was made exponentially more efficient and effective with the help of Harshad!

I remember coming to Harold 6 weeks before R1 applications were due with lots of questions / uncertainty around my MBA application status yet shortly after our initial discussion, I felt at ease.

Harold was able to quickly and accurately assess my background and establish a strategy to get me admitted to my dream school. We first refined my resume to include high-impact accomplishments then transitioned to my essays. I thought Harold did a great job in understanding the deeper meaning within each essay question and helped me craft a unique and genuine answer that fit my background and future goals. Harold was also instrumental in ensuring I picked the correct professional contacts to complete my letters of recommendation and aided me in keeping my letter writers focused. Finally, Harold ensured I was fully prepared for interviews by guiding me through practice interview questions and potential discussion topics.

Harold was extremely easy to work with as he balanced a high degree of professionalism with a great attitude that made the process feel fun. Harold kept me cool, calm, and collected while completing numerous school applications under a tight timeline and did a great job of maintaining a positive but realistic attitude throughout the process. Further, Harold’s review and advice was always timely and thoughtful as I never thought he cut corners. Harold offered clear communication throughout the process and also made time to discuss questions I had.

If you’re looking to get into your dream school, especially if you come from a finance background, I strongly recommend working with Harold – you will not be disappointed.

Thank you, Harold!

Rachel Beck’s expertise was invaluable in guiding my MBA application process. Her deep understanding of admissions requirements and her ability to help me identify my unique strengths were instrumental in crafting compelling applications. Through her detailed guidance and strategic insights, I was able to secure multiple acceptances. This included a full scholarship at one prestigious program and several partial scholarships at others. Rachel’s effectiveness in positioning candidates competitively was evident in the results. Her personalized approach and thorough knowledge of what top MBA programs seek in applicants significantly boosted my confidence and my chances of success throughout the entire application journey. I highly recommend working with Rachel to anyone looking to maximize their MBA admissions success.

When I first started working on my MBA resume and presentation deck, I was clueless on what I should include and how to present the information. My first drafts for Devi’s review were consequently an absolute disaster.

It was fortunate that Devi was quick to steer me in the right direction: getting me started by preparing outlines till we are ready to move to the formatting/presentation design. Throughout the engagement, Devi’s comments were very helpful. They made me think hard on how to improve the substantive aspects of my MBA resume and presentation deck.

When it came to the mock interview, I was admittedly unprepared due to heavy work commitments. Notwithstanding that my actual interview was just 1 week away, Devi did not criticise me for not preparing for the mock interview and instead requested for an outline of my responses for interview questions I anticipated. This turned out to be really helpful and I performed well for the interview.

Devi, thank you so much for your patience and guidance!! I really appreciate it 🙂

When I decided to finally pursue my MBA last year, I engaged Devi because as someone from an unconventional background, I did not have M7 MBAs in my network to give me advice and feedback based on experience with these schools. I also was trying to do the entire MBA process of selecting schools, study for & take GMAT, and complete my essays/applications in a 4month time frame (lesson learned here: do not do this) and thought having a consultant will help me manage the timeline better.

I wish I had engaged her sooner. Devi pushed me to dig deeper and push harder than I ever could’ve by myself. I worked with Devi for FT applications for HBS, Wharton, and CBS, and also PT applications for Booth/Kellogg. The strength and depth of my materials, as I worked with Devi, saw significant improvement through every iteration. I look back at the drafts I wrote when I first engaged her and just laugh at how bad it all was. Beyond the MBA application itself, working with Devi has helped me look at my career and future direction much more clearly, as she guided me to engage in introspection to a level I am unfamiliar with.

Devi is straight forward. She will not shy away from pointing out inadequacies in the materials you present, and rightfully so as it’s literally why you’re paying. She sees where you give a perfunctory answer and will challenge you to do better. In a somewhat ironic statement, working with a consultant, specifically Devi, has made everything much more authentic and myself.

I value her work and our engagement tremendously and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone who is looking to go further in their professional life through an MBA.

I signed up for a mock HBS interview with Devi after doing lots of research on consultants who specialized in coaching for HBS interviews. Devi was ranked by many as a top HBS consultant, and I figured that despite the higher rate she charged, I should make the most of my opportunity to interview with HBS by paying for the best. I unfortunately had a very negative experience working with Devi, and I ended up getting into HBS, along with Stanford GSB and Wharton, in spite of working with Devi, and not because of her.

The session began with quick intros and background on how the mock interview would work. Then, we began the interview itself. Devi had read my entire application beforehand and prepared questions which filled the 30 minutes. The questions themselves were well-thought-out and I felt my answers were reasonable, although fairly rough as I was early on in my interview prep. But during the feedback Devi gave after the mock interview, I found her quite rude and unprofessional.

For example, referring to one of the features I built at work, she said, “That’s such a tiny use case… Thank god I’m not a shareholder in your company.” At another point, she said, “You answered like an intern, versus a senior person.” In her entire feedback, she didn’t mention a single positive thing that I did, to improve my confidence or reinforce what was going well. Instead, it felt like she was tearing me down.

Devi was the first mock HBS interview I did, and the goal of the session was to get constructive feedback to improve my interview performance. Naturally, given how expensive the service is, my intent was to receive reasonable criticism and solid actionable feedback so I could improve. Instead, Devi went well past the point of constructive feedback and it felt like a personal attack, and I had to work a lot afterwards to rebuild my confidence.

Again, I feel very lucky to have gotten in to HBS and Stanford GSB. I think I would have had a better time preparing for interviews at both schools had I worked with another consultant instead of Devi.

I decided to apply to business school in January 2024 from a non-traditional background and knew I had my work cut out for me for the next 4 months. This daunting process was explained to me in clear steps, and supported the entire way by Nisha! I knew I could go to her with ANY questions or concerns I had along the way. I was so overwhelmed by this process, but she was always there for me. She was always quick to respond, so understanding, and so good at helping me narrow in on what I wanted my applications to show. Our frequent calls were always so helpful as she helped me realize what skills I brought to the table from a non-business background in addition to helping me determine how to best “brand” myself. If it were not for Nisha, I do not think I would have been able to get into 4 out of 5 of the schools I applied to, let alone receiving scholarship money!

I am an international applicant from Asia and I find Susan a great pleasure to work with. She is very thought provoking to enable me to think outside of the box. Her friendliness and emotional support made the entire process not only effective but also enjoyable. From our very first meeting, she encouraged me to think deeply about my goals and how best to present them in my application, which significantly strengthened my overall narrative.

One of Susan’s standout qualities is her dedication. She went to great lengths to help me meet my application deadlines, even when it required late-night sessions or quick turnaround times on drafts. Her commitment ensured that I never felt overwhelmed or rushed, but rather confident and prepared every step of the way.

Susan’s interview preparation was particularly exceptional. She provided a comprehensive list of questions tailored to my specific applications and career goals, along with robust preparation tactics that left me feeling ready for anything the interviewers might throw my way. Her insights and feedback were instrumental in helping me refine my responses and present myself authentically and compellingly.

Susan successfully helped me to get into my dream school in US. I strongly recommend her services to international applicants like me.

After speaking with many consultants across various companies, I told Rachel: ‘I want to work with you because I feel like I would be taken care of well at mbaMission’– and she did not disappoint!

Through each stage of the long and sometimes gruelling process, I was reminded again and again of what a great support system she provides. Rachel keeps it real while still being supportive to get the best possible outcome- This is something I appreciate most about Rachel.

She is an amazing storyteller. The brainstorming phase really set us up for success as we picked the right story to tell for the right application area. I particularly loved our brainstorming sessions prior to writing each essay — talking to her in these sessions gave so much clarity to my narrative and the actual essay writing became so much easier because of them!

All these great things about the process ultimately got me the result I so eagerly wanted- I got into CBS and INSEAD!!
My wife will be applying in the next cycle and we are most definitely going to work with Rachel!

Partnering with Gavriella altered the course of my life; if you are looking for application partnership, business school preparation and intangibles that will develop you as a person, please read below.

I partnered with Gavriella on a 3 school package through mbaMission.

We applied to (and I got into):
1. Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management
2. University of Chicago – Booth School of Business
3. I choose not to apply after getting into Kellogg and Booth.

Gavriella is simply amazing. I cannot put into words the way she impacted my life, changed my life and was an invaluable aspect to this application process. Look no further for application partnership.

These applications are extremely stringent and encompass a recap of your whole life story that you then have to turn into an application that appeals and speaks to admissions teams. Admissions teams get hundreds if not thousands of applications so how do you stand out, how do you get noticed? In the two months that we worked together, Gavriella was incredibly thorough, we communicated almost daily and she taught me so much about myself in this process. Honestly estimating, there were at least 300 valuable pieces to this application that Gavriella provided.

When writing your story in these applications, an external source is very helpful. Gavriella went FAR beyond that. She read the 20 page narrative I wrote, picked out the big ideas and small details and we brought together an incredible application.
This was applied to my resume reworking, 2+ essays, recommendation essays, short answer questions, optional essays, application interviews and everywhere else in this application.

After we completed the two STRONG applications, Gavriella’s assistance through the interview process was invaluable. In these interviews, you have a very short window to convey your life story, what’s important to you, what you like about the specific schools, how you will make an impact, what your presence at the school will be, how you’ve thought about this next step (grad school), and so, so much more. Without her help, my interviews would have been completely different, completely.

She took my “weaker points” and turned them into strengths, making my application very strong and well-rounded.

What truly impressed me is through this process with Gavriella, she taught me so much about myself. Can you list your short term and long term goals in 20 seconds, with complete clarity, using the right verbiage and conveying exactly what you feel to an admissions team? I couldn’t before, but that is one of hundreds of examples of Gavriella’s help. She brings so much information to the table that it felt like I was already in business school. She familiarized me with the business school “language” and terminology. She prepared me for business school more than anyone has (and trust me, I have incredible resources by my side).

You’re not going to be able to find these things in books, in articles or by reading about the application; you just can’t. You could read a thousand pages about how to complete a business school application and it wouldn’t touch the value that Gavriella brought to my process, wouldn’t even get close, at all.

What you’re going to get from Gavriella is not just the best possible chance for success, but you’re going to get things out of working with her that will last you a lifetime. Gavriella is brilliant and knows this space better than anyone and her expertise is astounding, she knows everything and I mean everything. In addition to expertise, Gavriella brings a passion and care for your application that will change your life, as it did mine. It is very rare to find someone who has incredibly refined excellence in both expertise AND passion/EQ/emotional intelligence and awareness.

I will say it again, Gavriella changed my life. If you are looking for an application partner, please, please do not look any further. Please, please sign up with her immediately and I promise that you will have made the BEST decision.

My biggest dream for the past three years came true, I am pursuing my MBA at Northwestern University – Kellogg School of Management and I could not have done it without Gavriella.

I had Rachel as my admissions consultant for the recent deferred MBA application cycle. Out of the 4 M7 schools I applied, Rachel helped me get into 3 of them, including HBS – my dream school.

From our consultation call, it is evident that Rachel brings her many years of expertise to the table. The biggest challenge I faced was being an applicant from an untraditional career path – none of my internships and post graduate job established a linear career trajectory. I switched industries and job functions for every experience. Rachel, with her phenomenal storytelling capacity, immediately helped me come up with a convincing narrative that strategically positioned me as a unique candidate. We all know that MBA Admissions is a lot of soul searching – as a deferred admissions applicant who just graduated from college, I had to map out my life for the next 5-10 years. Without Rachel’s thoughtful questions, I wouldn’t have come up with a solid case for why MBA and realized a lot of strengths that I personally have.

One thing I appreciate Rachel the most is how reliable and supportive a partner she has been. She was always available for me throughout my application journey, from helping me edit an essay to the 10th draft (because I personally thought I wasn’t there yet) to answering my nervous calls before going into interviews and even giving me advice for things going on at school and work. She never set unrealistic expectations but straightforwardly helped me understand which steps I needed to take to find success, one step at a time. It’s a scary process, but I never thought I was alone. She really motivated me to be my 100%!

In all, work with Rachel! I can reasonably say that partnering with Rachel was the best decision I made that led to the positive outcomes. She’s the best!

I had an amazing experience working with Katharine. As I am someone who had very little idea about MBA admissions, her help was pivotal for me to get through the applications smoothly. She helped me straighten my story which showcased not only my strengths but also reflected who I am as a person. She helped me structure my resume which showcased my impact points concisely and effectively. She even helped me effectively communicate with my recommenders which was extremely critical as this was the first time they were recommending anyone to a Business School. She took my mock interview for Columbia and her questions were very similar to the ones asked in the actual one. The mock interview made me more confident to tackle the main interview. Apart from everything working with her gave me a sense of satisfaction and calmness that allowed me to give my best shot without worrying much about the result. From Brainstorming Sessions to Essays to LoRs to Short Questions to Kelogg’s Video Essay to Mock Interviews to Answering all small questions effectively her rock-solid support pushed me through all obstacles. I can confidently say that anyone would be lucky to work with her and she is the best that one can work with for MBA applications. I feel lucky that she was the most critical part of my MBA and it wouldn’t have been possible without her.

Before connecting with Susan Kaplan through mbaMission, I truly believed me getting admitted into a MBA program was a long shot. Coming from someone who struggled academically, and graduated with a 2.1 GPA, not coming from either a business or engineering background, I didn’t think I had what it take to convince an admissions committee that I was a valuable pick to their program.

Working with Susan changed everything.

She kept me on track for my tight deadlines, so I was able to apply to four programs in two months, applying for the final deadline for three of them, and getting into 3/4 programs, with scholarships offered for two of them. She didn’t go easy on me, and she wasn’t simply giving me answers on what to say, but rather she taught me the process I needed to get ahead. On top of the admissions essay prep, the back and forth we did reviewing my resume was integral to showcasing my prior experiences and how they differentiated me in a positive light.

Ultimately, hiring a consultant and going for the full school package is a hefty investment, but using the tips that Susan provided I was able to obtain a higher scholarship than was initially offered, essentially offsetting the entire cost.

I cannot recommend Susan more than enough!

Susan is a fantastic consultant and an incredible person. Right from the start, Susan took the time to learn as much as possible about my professional and personal life, helping me highlight aspects of my life that I didn’t even realize distinguished me from other applicants. She helped me piece together an application that I was extremely proud of for four programs, all of which I received interview invites for (and three of which were M7s). I am now extremely fortunate to say that I am heading to Kellogg this fall.

Susan will push you, but once interview invites come out, and later final decisions, you won’t be saying, “Darn, I wish Susan took it easy on me”, you’ll be saying, “Thank God Susan didn’t take it easy on me.” Trust me, when things get close to the deadline and you’re feeling the pressure, you don’t want someone who is going to let you settle. Susan will make sure you put your best application together because that’s just how she operates. She has immense passion for her work and truly cares about her clients. I think Susan was happier for me when I got engaged and then later married than some of my friends.

Susan’s help in preparing me for interviews was also exceptional. I tend to drone on and on when I provide anecdotes for behavioral questions, and Susan helped me nail down my stories to highlight actions that demonstrated my key skillset to supplement my written application. I remember panicking before I had my HBS interview, but she went above and beyond to make sure that I was ready and felt confident going into each interview. After the process was all said and done I told Susan, “I would’ve been screwed without you.” I would not be in the position I’m in now without her support. I cannot recommend Susan enough!

Harold was thoughtful, kind, and generous with his feedback and assistance during my application process. I was not planning on using a consultant initially, but I realized late in the process that having someone knowledgeable provide key feedback would make me more comfortable with my application. Harold far exceeded my expectations in that regard – he made important tweaks to all of my materials that made me much more confident when I pressed “submit.” He was always quick to respond and provide clear guidance. I am so happy I had Harold as a resource during this process and would recommend him to anyone applying to B-school.

Nisha is an excellent advisor, listener and a guide. She was excellent with her balanced opinion and prompt with her responses in helping me wrap up my application essays.
She is highly professional, and was effective in helping me reflect on focus areas such that I could put together a cogent and consistent story. Nisha was also an excellent guide for the interview prep.
I recommend her highly as an admissions consultant and as a mentor.

I can’t say enough good things about my experience with Melissa! She was fantastic to work with throughout the whole process. She helped me determine a target school list based off of culture fit and what aligned with my career goals. She was encouraging but also pragmatic about what schools were realistic targets given my profile and background. I settled on applying to six schools and worked with Melissa on 3 of them.

Once we identified the target schools, the comprehensive brainstorm process greatly helped me refine my story. Her continued support throughout the essay writing process allowed me refine my message without losing my own personal voice. Additionally, the she assisted my LOR writers which helped drastically improve the quality of my rec letters.

The interview prep process was extremely helpful in preparing me and ensured that nothing caught me off-guard during the real interviews.

Overall, the application process was successful as I was admitted into 4/6 schools that I applied to. She advised me on negotiating scholarships and I was able to secure a 50% scholarship from a T15 and a 25% scholarship from a M7 were I will be matriculating at. I am thrilled to be attending my dream school this fall and I don’t think that I could have done it without Melissa!

Gavriella is excellent! She went above and beyond with me, giving me advice and support every step of the way. She is considerate, really tries to understand every candidate and is very efficient with responding to inquiries. I highly recommend her!

Without Michael, I simply would not have gotten into my top choice – Berkeley Haas EWMBA program. I signed up for one school package and it was the best investment I could make. When I reached out to Michael, I only had 5 weeks until the R3 deadline and I was worried I wouldn’t make it to R3. Michael was fully dedicated from day one. In these 5 weeks, he helped me to brainstorm and discuss my goals and “story”. We discussed things I hadn’t even thought about mentioning in my application. My “story” about who I am and why I wanted to get my MBA was now much stronger. We balanced the line of writing about some very personal stuff, while making sure it wasn’t too personal and too much for my applications. I really appreciate the instant feedbacks from Michael, since he knew I was anxious about not having enough time toward the deadline. We had phone calls whenever I had questions or felt anxious about my application, besides the great feedback he provided on my resume and essays, he also calmed my anxiety and motivated me during these 5 weeks. I can’t thank Michael enough for being so helpful, empathetic and being so dedicated to making sure we applied by the deadline. I got into all 3 programs I applied – Berkeley, UCLA, USC and received scholarship. I am so excited and I am so thankful that I chose Michael.

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.