mbaMission | MBA Admissions Consultants

I am a straight Asian male in finance. I am also a triple HSW interviewee who committed to the Stanford GSB Class of 2027 this week. Katharine Lewis is the bridge between those two statements.

When I started my MBA journey, I was intensely focused on finding “the best” MBA consultant to work with. Having heard stories about nightmare consultant experiences from other friends, I compiled a list of the Top 25 consultants I could find and “interviewed” most of them. Katy stood out as the singular consultant who best understood my story, allayed my fears around being an “ORM” candidate (what a ridiculous term), and had the most outstanding reviews. I hope to add this review to her existing pool of glowing testimonials – there is no doubt in my mind that I made the right choice. She is simply #1.

When we first began our essay writing process, I brainstormed and essentially sent her my life biography. While others might have balked at such a large amount of information, Katy simply took it in stride and read the entire thing. During our first session (she even met me in person), she sat down and immediately said, “What stood out to me was XXX theme.” At the risk of sounding cheesy, I heard her suggestion, which I hadn’t thought about myself, and it instantly resonated with me. I stuck with this essay topic for all three school applications, and the results speak for themselves. Just this session alone would’ve been worth the money.

During the actual application process (3 months this summer), I interacted with Katy more than any other human being. By all accounts, I was probably a nightmare client, filled with constant anxiety, self-doubt, and indecisiveness. Through my daily questions, pings, calls, and late submissions, Katy was my emotional bedrock of calmness, strategic advice, and brutal honesty. Katy brooked no bullshit – as a coach, she had a really good sense for when to light a fire under my ass and manage ME, and when to scale back to be patient and understanding. Her advice and edits were always thoughtful and value-additive, without feeling like they were stripping me of my own voice. It was clear she spent real time thinking through my questions and my work, never just offering cursory and generic platitudes.

The day of the Stanford submission deadline, I still had one entire short essay to write that I hadn’t touched. I finished a draft that morning and sent it to Katy, well after our agreed upon final review deadlines. If she had ignored me, I would’ve understood. It was my fault we were in this position to begin with. Instead, Katy spent the entire morning and afternoon iterating with me on this final essay. I submitted my final application at 3:59PM, one minute before the deadline. Katy believed in me when I didn’t even believe in myself. She never wavered in her commitment, even up until literally the last minute. I never once questioned that she was genuinely rooting for my success, well beyond the call of duty.

Then came the interviews – Katy prepared custom mock interviews for each of my three schools. Her mock questions probably covered 75%+ of the actual questions I was asked in each interview. I felt well prepared and confident stepping into the real things. When my decisions came out, Katy was my first call, even before my family and my friends. She was with me through thick and thin, and my successes were just as much hers as they were mine.

Katy is a not an essay copyeditor (although she is good at that too). She is so much more – a strategic advisor, an expert storyteller, a life coach, a therapist, and a friend. Deciding to work with Katy was easily one of the best decisions I made during my MBA process. Coming from someone who was deeply suspicious of paying for MBA consulting, I can tell you that Katy’s services were worth every penny – I could not possibly give a higher recommendation. I simply couldn’t have done it without her.

Katharine Lewis is the Stanford of MBA Admissions Consulting.

I worked with Michael Guttman at MBA Mission to prepare MBA applications and he was excellent in every dimension. Michael is very experienced, responsive, and knows how to highlight your unique strengths in applications so you are a standout candidate beyond the numbers (ex. GPA, Test Score). MBA Mission also has a lot of excellent resources that he is able to share with you to read in advance of working with him. The cost is absolutely worth it. At the end of the process I got into my top school (Wharton) which I was thrilled with. I’d highly recommend working with Michael Guttman at MBA Mission.

I was working with another consultant when I got my interview invite to HBS. I had heard about Devi’s interview prep package (and her incredible reputation), but I hesitated because of the price. After some reflection, I decided to invest in two sessions with her – I wanted to do everything I could to show up as my best self. Those sessions ended up exceeding my expectations.

To be honest, I was worried I’d leave feeling discouraged because I didn’t feel fully prepared going in. However, Devi was incredibly candid while staying so human and supportive. She didn’t just point out where I needed to improve; she gave me clear, actionable advice to actually get better. Her advice was practical and easy to implement, which made all the difference. By the end of our second session, I found myself wishing Devi could be my business coach for life.

The whole experience didn’t just prepare me for HBS and other top MBA interviews – it genuinely helped me grow as a communicator in business settings. I truly believe that working with Devi made a meaningful difference in my preparation and overall experience, and I couldn’t recommend her enough.

I’ve had the privilege of working with Susan on multiple occasions and across several professional milestones, starting with my admissions process for Wharton, where I am currently an MBA student. From the very beginning, she demonstrated an exceptional ability to understand my individual strengths, clarify my goals, and pinpoint precisely what admissions committees look for. The insights and support she provided were truly invaluable, ensuring that my application was both authentic and compelling.

But Susan’s impact went far beyond that initial admissions guidance. Even after I secured my place at Wharton, I turned to her again for overall career advice and later, for support in applying to a competitive venture capital fellowship in health tech. In each instance, she not only offered strategic guidance but also helped me refine my personal narrative, articulate my value proposition, and navigate the often complex world of professional development.

What stands out most is that my relationship with Susan never felt limited to a single project. We’ve stayed in touch long after my applications were submitted and deadlines passed, and I continue to benefit from her perspective and mentorship. This long-term connection has become a valuable resource—she’s someone who really understands my evolving career path and can offer thoughtful guidance at every new juncture.

Working with Susan has been an investment in my future. She’s proven herself to be not only an extraordinary admissions advisor, but also a trusted mentor and champion, genuinely invested in my success. I’m immensely grateful for her support and can confidently recommend her to anyone seeking guidance through high-stakes admissions, career transitions, or new professional opportunities.

I was rejected by multiple schools last year. While many other consultants were hesitant to take me this year, Katy took a full, detailed analysis of my profile in the first consultation, and saw my potential in reapplying. We together built a strong package this year which got me admitted to GSB, Wharton, and Sloan all in Round 1, thanks to her effective coaching and feedback on every single detail of my application – including many tips and tricks you won’t find online, not even from other consultants who were ex-admission officers. Katy is the best!

Working with Debbie Choy has been a transformative experience. As a reapplicant to HBS, I was overwhelmed by the challenge of crafting a compelling narrative to convince the admissions team of my fit. Debbie’s expertise, dedication, and strategic insights turned what seemed like an uphill battle into a rewarding journey. She has an extraordinary ability to uncover and highlight the unique elements of your story, presenting them in a way that is authentic and impactful.

Throughout the process, Debbie was not just an advisor but a true partner. Her guidance on essays, interviews, and every nuanced part of the application was invaluable. She offered constructive feedback while respecting my voice and vision. Beyond her skills, her genuine encouragement and unwavering belief in me were game-changing, especially during moments of self-doubt. Thanks to her, I achieved my dream of being accepted to HBS.

I wholeheartedly recommend Debbie to anyone seeking an admissions consultant. Her expertise, warmth, and commitment are unparalleled, and she will bring out the best in you.

I decided to apply to business school a little later in life than (I believe) most people do. Having started to work full time early on, in the industry I have always been passionate about, I had never heard of MBA programs until I decided to make a career change. The chance of potentially studying in a top business program was a tangible path moving forward and I decided to dive in. As an international applicant with a non-traditional background, I realized I needed support along the application process if I wanted to improve my chances of success – that is when I crossed paths with mbaMission and Julie-Anne.

From the very start, Julie-Anne shared plenty of useful insights in terms of establishing a reasonable and efficient timeline for getting things ready to submit applications. As we started working on my resume, she was able to articulate feedbacks in a candid and effective way, ensuring there was always improvement after each interaction between the two of us. However, she helped me the MOST (yes, it was a lot of help) with my essays. After going through a couple of brainstorming sessions, she was able to identify specific situations and examples to be used in my essays which I would have never been able to identify by myself. After pointing me out in the right direction, she supported me with actionable feedback in every draft along the way, helping me hone each essay based on the specific prompts of each school. After the essays were ready, we worked together on short answers, and the other parts of the application process.

In my opinion, Julie-Anne’s support was instrumental to my success during application season. I applied to 6 of the M7 schools in R1, and have just accepted an offer from one of them.

Applying to business school can be an overwhelming and stressful process, but with Kate Richardson, I felt like I was in safe hands every step of the way. I applied to five schools in Round 1, and Kate’s guidance and expertise were instrumental in crafting my strongest possible applications.

Kate went above and beyond in helping me think through my school strategy and research, ensuring that my choices aligned with my goals and aspirations. Her sharp eye and deft editing hand refined multiple essay drafts, ensuring they were polished, compelling, and authentic to my story. Additionally, her mock interviews were invaluable in sharpening my answers and giving me confidence for the real thing.

What stood out most was Kate’s patience, professionalism, and incredible thought partnership. She has a way of making the daunting application process feel approachable, even enjoyable. I couldn’t have done this without her, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking to elevate their MBA applications.

Working with Devi was great; she was instrumental in crafting my applications, where we ultimately secured admission at HBS. She was supportive when needed, critical when warranted, and always thoughtful. She’s surgical. If you are looking for an expert with a well-oiled process, Devi is the person. Thinking back on the application, I’d bucket it into three parts: preparation, writing, interviewing.

Preparation: Entailed working through standardized testing, ensuring diversity of work experiences, and putting together projects as needed to round out your candidate picture. Devi checked in regularly to make sure I was on track and opined on what projects she thought would be most high impact / worth prioritizing. Her opinions were very helpful, and she was able to discern what an admissions committee would find most interesting. I thought this ability to help focus my time was incredibly helpful.

Writing: This was the bulk of our work together. We did extensive brainstorming and ideating ahead of writing. Devi was very structured; she clearly has her methodology down and it is extremely thorough. This rigor helped distill the essence of “me”… which is the hardest part for any candidate. We were able to efficiently cut through the noise and package various aspects of my life into coherent stories. Moreover, after doing that, we were able to take a step back and refine the key themes. Throughout this entire process, Devi was thoughtful and honest, recognizing where I might need more prodding and where perhaps there was an angle we had not explored. Great turnaround time and always thoughtful in her comments, Devi was instrumental in crafting these essays. She also understands her clients well, and tailors her approach to evoke your best work.

Interviews: Again, her process here was spot on. Throughout our prep, she instilled in me a flexible framework to respond to their answers, such that my responses were coherent and impactful. We discussed the key ideas that needed to come across, and practiced the stories that would best deliver those. A pro here, she helped me verbalize my experiences and simply convey my experiences and goals.

Overall, she was great, and her process will set you up for success.

I purchased 2 sessions with Devi to prep for my HBS interview (outside of working with my primary consultant, Katherine Lewis, who is also fantastic). While I had interviewed with the GSB before meeting with Devi (and therefore felt like I was fairly prepped already), Devi took my (1) overall story, (2) quality of responses, and (3) general confidence to a whole new level. The first session was intense – after a 30 min. mock interview, Devi broke down / dissected each response and pushed me to answer questions directly and be more succinct. She is quite blunt. Devi gave very prescriptive homework, which I appreciated and took to heart. The second session was a whole new ball game, with another mock and final guidance. I was much more authentic and direct in my responses, and I came away from the session with newfound confidence (which I’d argue is the most important factor going into the interview). When I went to HBS to interview, I knew I had done everything in my power to succeed, which is a powerful thing to know. I owe a lot of that to the time spent with Devi. And for what it is worth, I also interviewed with Wharton after HBS – this required minimal incremental prep because of all the good work I had put in with Devi. I ended up getting into all three schools.

While there is a lot of luck in this entire process, I came away from the experience being reminded that all you can do is put your best foot forward and control what you can control – in this case, it was putting in the extra work with Devi and being incredibly disciplined in my prep. I would recommend Devi to anyone who is seriously determined to get into HBS.

I worked with Devi for 2 intensive HBS interview prep sessions and she was instrumental in me receiving an offer in R1! Devi pushed me to think about my narrative more clearly and directed me to frame my personal and professional story in a way that could more effectively resonate with the interviewer. As a former interviewer, Devi clearly understands the structure and goals of the HBS interview, as several of the questions she asked during our mock interview came up in my actual interview. This speaks volumes to the preparation Devi puts into reviewing my application ahead of our sessions together and I truly believe it is a worthwhile investment if you are looking to get HBS interview coaching! Many thanks again Devi!

Julie-Anne was incredibly helpful from start to finish and I could not be more grateful to have had her help through my application process. I was admitted to HBS in R1 with her help, which was my dream outcome.

What I’m most grateful for is her no B/S type of attitude. I naturally struggle with writing, so I needed her to tell me straight up when my essay was headed in the wrong direction or came off differently than I intended it.
She was readily available throughout my application process, which was super helpful when I was in the deepest part of my writing process and needed to talk out my ideas with someone. She also gave me great tips for my interview process, which gave me the confidence to know I was fully prepared walking into my interview.

I would recommend her to anyone applying to business school.

If you want the short version, Harshad is the best! You should absolutely hire him if you are serious about wanting to be accepted to a top MBA program!
If you want the long version, please read on. When I made the decision to apply to business schools, my target schools were very ambitious. I wanted to be accepted to a program that could be truly life changing. I was mainly targeting M7 programs and was not even considering any MBA programs outside of the top 25. I come from a nontraditional background and knew that seeking the help of an admissions consultant was likely the best way for me to craft the best applications possible. During my initial consultations with several other consultants, they expressed concern about the programs that I was targeting – then I had my consultation with Harshad. I remember asking Harshad, “Which school’s application is your favorite?” He responded, “I like helping people with applications for schools that are difficult to get into.” At that point, I knew I had found the right person. I was confident that Harshad was going to push me and give me the best chance to help me achieve my lofty goal. Throughout the application process, Harshad was structured and efficient, but also very personable and kind. Harshad’s engineering background came across in the best way when I worked with him. The way he approached topics and explained information was very structured, which made it easy to follow. I found this structure extremely valuable when I felt overwhelmed by the application process (which was frequent). Harshad was also very efficient, always providing essay feedback on time or early. I appreciated this aspect increasingly as the application deadlines drew closer. Lastly, Harshad is just a great person. I felt that he truly wanted me to succeed. Whenever I felt stuck, Harshad would offer to hop on a brainstorming call with me to get the ball rolling again. He helped me recall stories from my life that shaped who I am. His essay feedback was very insightful and actionable. Harshad also had a knack for helping me trim my essays down to fit within the word count limits. When I received invitations to interview, Harshad helped me prepare by walking me through a plan for how to navigate them. Once the dust had settled, I was accepted to an M7 program with full tuition! I feel truly humbled by this incredible opportunity and feel that Harshad played a big role in my success. If you want your wildest MBA dreams to come true, I believe that Harshad is the best person to help you do that.
P.S. If you enjoy sports, Harshad is a former athlete and has a very interesting sports background.

tl;dr – Highly recommend! Go for it if you have at least a month to your application deadlines!

I had applied to one MBA school in R-3 last year – I had no idea how to navigate the process. I reached out to a few consultants who charged exorbitant fees and the one i went with, added little to no value to my application, and (unsurprisingly), I was rejected from that school. Granted, my previous application was rushed, I started early this year and purchased onTrack in June.

Having gone through the course, I feel three to six months before the application deadlines is the ideal timeframe to engage with this course and see good results. While the previous application was extremely stressful for me, this time, with onTrack, it was a much more pleasant experience. The course’s structure, content, and Jeremy’s professional delivery made the application process really enjoyable!

I rate the course highly because:

1. The course covered absolutely everything I could have asked for, comprehensively. From researching programs to writing quality essays, it included individual modules on T15 schools and even showed how to approach the short answers strategically.

2. The Resume module particularly exceptional and incredibly helpful!

3. The course provided top-notch sample essays, including before and after versions, and Jeremy talked through them, showing what works and what doesn’t. This method for essay writing was outstanding – it covered what to avoid, methodologies, and common pitfalls.

Is the course a replacement for a dedicated MBA admissions consultant? I’d say if one can pair this course with hiring a consultant on an hourly basis for a few hours, that would be optimal. The consultant could help identify any glaring mistakes, but largely, if you follow the course instructions diligently, your application is likely to be strong.

To conclude – is the course worth the time, effort, and price? Absolutely, without a doubt. Caveat : One needs to be prepared to invest at least a bare minimum of one to two months of dedicated effort (with 3-6 months being optimal imo) to the process and this course. This is probably not the right fit for those seeking a last-minute solution.

I worked with Nisha for my Round 1 application at an M7 school. After speaking with several consultants, I ultimately chose Nisha and am very glad I did. As it was my first time working with an MBA consultant, I opted for hourly services, choosing the 5-hour package. This ended up being just the perfect amount of time for me, but depending on your situation, you have the flexibility to choose a plan that fits your needs/budget.

From the start, I was very impressed with Nisha’s dedication and professionalism: she was very responsive to my questions and gave very quick turnarounds on all my requests. Most importantly, she took the time to really listen and understand my story, providing tailored advice to highlight my unique strengths and accomplishments, as opposed to a generic approach. What I found most valuable was that she was able to ask the right questions to get me to reflect on my experiences and articulate my intrinsic motivations behind pursuing an MBA. I believe this extra level of thoughtfulness and depth in my essays meaningfully elevated the quality of my application. Lastly, she is very knowledgeable and detail oriented, so I always had the peace of mind of not worrying about having overlooked anything.

Overall, my experience with Nisha and mbaMission as a whole (a lot of great free resources on their website as well) has been amazing. If you’re on the fence about getting an MBA consultant, I highly recommend reaching out to Nisha for a consultation!

Ever since the start, I could tell that Nisha was extremely well prepared and detail-oriented. In fact, this first struck me during our introductory call when she was already asking me intricate questions about my education and work history — the wheels were turning even then during our free 30-minute call!

In the months that we worked together, Nisha fully engrossed herself into my applicant profile, helping me generate a compelling narrative about my candidacy and why I needed each particular school’s help to advance my career, and what I’d contribute during my time there. By the end of it all, I felt that she knew me better than I knew myself!

Her insistence on specific details in each of my essays for each of my target programs not only helped me become a stronger writer, but also demonstrated to admissions committee members why I was a candidate that they could not pass up. At the end of it all, I got admitted to all three schools that Nisha and I worked on, and I know this certainly wouldn’t have been possible without her guidance along the way. The investment in Nisha paid off as I recouped that fee several times over in scholarship amounts.

If you’re seeking to elevate your applications by bringing together the disparate parts of your education, career, and extracurriculars, and synthesize them into one cohesive narrative easily digestible for admissions committee members, you must have Nisha alongside you. Do so and you will certainly be putting your best foot forward.

I had the pleasure of working with Debbie on my MIT Sloan Round 1 application, and I couldn’t be happier with the experience. From the very beginning, she took the time to understand my unique background, goals, and challenges in depth. One of the most valuable aspects of working with Debbie was how she helped me uncover the standout elements of my story, which gave me the confidence to present myself authentically and effectively.
I initially found the MBA application process to be quite daunting, but Debbie’s expertise and encouragement kept me focused and on track. Her thoughtful feedback helped me craft a cohesive application where every component contributed to a compelling narrative. Debbie also went beyond generic advice by tailoring her guidance to my profile, ensuring that my application aligned perfectly with Sloan’s values and expectations.
Debbie’s personalized approach, insightful feedback, and unwavering support were instrumental in my success, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone navigating the MBA application journey.

Working with Julie-Anne was amazing. I was looking to advance in my current industry through a MBA, with 2 YOE & a 325 GRE. She is very blunt with her feedback and does not sugar coat things, which is what I wanted. But she is also very encouraging & walks alongside you on the journey of the application process. The difference in my essay’s first draft and final draft was night & day due to her expertise on each school individually. She is worth the money.

I applied to one of HSW schools, coming from a consulting and PE/VC background. I was coming from a challenging demographic with a lot of applicants like myself (not URM, working in Finance, etc). I had the GMAT out of the way but really needed to focus on essays. I had a friend who had worked with Julie-Anne last year and had a very successful outcome on his/her HSW applications.

Overall, Julie-Anne was very helpful in brainstorming my potential stories, building out ideas, iterating on them, organizing ideas into short stories vs. main essay, etc. I applied in undergrad with a similar story and was rejected, but likely got in this time because we presented it in a different way. Brainstorming my entire background with Julie-Anne was super helpful during my application.

She has very strong inside knowledge of how MBA admissions work – knowledge you don’t have applying by yourself. That insight can help guide how to craft your stories and is definitely a value add. Her program has organized milestones and a process built around ushering you through an application, which helps a lot, particularly if you are juggling applying outside of your day job.

Julie-Anne (and an admissions consultant in general) is a worthy investment if you’re sure on business school. Those dollars spent will pay dividends down the road.

Thanks to Susan’s outstanding coaching strategy and focused approach, I was admitted into Columbia Business School’s MBA program. She was structured, analytical, logical, and critical in all the best ways. Susan is an excellent communicator and shares insightful anecdotal examples that help you get the best out of your essays, resume, and short answers, in order to build the best case for yourself to get admitted into your dream school. Susan is also an outstanding critic, highlighting ares of weakness and proposing with shrewdness new approaches that helped me refine my work along the way.

If you want to get into your dream program, keep calm and work with Susan!

Working with Krista was an incredibly positive experience from start to finish. The personal attention, quick feedback and support throughout the whole application process made me confident to submit my application and interview. Her professionalism coupled with her friendly personality made the experience easy and enjoyable. She was straightforward about what was unnecessary and what needed fixing, without worrying about sugarcoating—something I really appreciated.
Thanks to her I submitted my application and interviewed with confidence and I am thrilled to say I got into my target MBA program Darden! I highly recommend Krista to anyone looking for expert, personalized support throughout their application journey.

I had worked with Debbie in the past few months and just received my dream offer. She gave me guidance to create a strong overall application based on my profile. My favorite part is that she helped me discover the highlights in my personal stories that makes me unique. With international background, she also understood my unique journey and provides me with insights pertaining to my situation. She also keeps on providing encouragement to me to be more confident about telling my story. In the end, I was able to receive my dream offer, beyond my initial expectations, and I cannot do it without Debbie’s help.

I got accepted to Ross MBA program. Ross was the only school I was applying to so I took the hourly package and bought 5 hours. I initially chatted with Michael and felt connected to him and decided to go with him.
He gave very detailed feedback on my essays and resumes which forced me to think in new ways I hadn’t had thought of. Michael went above and beyond in providing me with quality feedback and I saw a day and night difference in first and the final draft of my essays and resume.
Michael setup me up for success before I submitted my application and then did a mock interview once I received the invite. Michael took the time to prepare potential questions for me and provided excellent feedback during the mock interview.
All in all, Michael was a great resource and I highly recommend him, especially for Ross (he went to Ross himself)!!

Working with Devi as my MBA admissions consultant was one of the most eye-opening and, honestly, humbling experiences I’ve ever had. From the beginning, she had this uncanny ability to get right to the heart of what mattered in my application. I remember our first call, she was direct, maybe even a bit blunt, but in a way that felt real. She saw straight through the polished answers I thought were impressive and pushed me to talk about what actually mattered to me.

As we worked through my essay, Devi didn’t just help with structure; she challenged everything. When I’d say, “I want to make a difference,” she’d ask, “What difference? Why do you care?” It wasn’t about impressing her or ticking boxes; it was about digging into my own story until I found the real, messy, impactful parts. With her guidance, I started seeing how my experiences aligned with my goals in a way I hadn’t realized. Devi helped me build a story that felt like me, not just the accomplishments, but my values and my dreams.

Then came the interview prep. I’ll never forget our first mock interview. Devi didn’t sugarcoat it, she told me flat-out that I was nowhere near ready and that if I didn’t put in serious practice, I’d waste my chances. I was a bit stunned, to be honest, but it was the wake-up call I needed. She made every session feel more intense than the actual interview would be, challenging me with questions I’d never even considered and forcing me to go beyond surface-level answers. By the end, I felt not only prepared but confident.
Devi’s guidance didn’t just help me prepare, it pushed me to dive deeper and make my unique journey stand out in every aspect of my application. Thanks to her dedicated support, I was admitted to my top-choice MBA program, and I couldn’t be more grateful. If you want a consultant who will bring out your best work and isn’t afraid to push you hard to get there, Devi is exactly who you need.

I decided to pursue my MBA this year after realizing it was undeniably necessary in order for me to achieve my career goals that began to feel further and further out of reach. I was still in my program exploration phase when I met Jen and new to the process, I was grateful to have met Jen via mbaMission when I did. As a woman of color, it was important to me to find a coach I believed I could connect with. A coach that didn’t make me feel like a burden or just another number and who took the time to see and understand me as an individual. From our first conversation it was undeniable that Jen was the absolute best fit for me. I am naturally an excited and driven person, imagine the joy I felt when my excitement and enthusiasm was met by Jen’s?! She is a phenomenal coach with a wealth of knowledge concerning the MBA process and programs. She is extremely skilled and helped me lock in on my story, painting a picture of who I am on paper for the reader. With her expertise coaching, I applied to my dream program with confidence and was extremely grateful to have been admitted to UVA Darden, starting August 2025.

Working with Rachel through MBA.com was the best decision I’ve made! I genuinely don’t know if I would have gotten into Columbia Business School without her help. From our very first consulting session, I quickly realized that her expertise in CBS admissions and essay crafting would be crucial for my application success.

The entire process was incredibly organized, and Rachel truly helped me define my post-MBA goals and present them effectively. Initially, I started working with Rachel after I had already written all my essays. To be honest, I didn’t think I needed her at the beginning because I felt confident in my work. Also, the price made me hesitate—is it really worth it? But Rachel helped me transform my essays from good to outstanding.

What sets Rachel apart is how fast she works, how clearly she communicates, and the way she consistently goes the extra mile—even scheduling meetings on Sundays. But beyond her professionalism, it was her personal engagement that truly stood out. My interview-to-acceptance period took longer than usual, about five weeks, which was filled with uncertainty. During this time, Rachel supported me beyond what I expected, frequently checking in on me, even though her official role ended once my application was submitted.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Rachel to anyone! With her guidance, getting accepted is absolutely achievable!

Kate was an amazing resource throughout the entire process. An MBA application can be very daunting but her and I worked through each part step by step until I was comfortable and confident. This ranged from essay reviews and recommendations, programs I should be thinking about and why, interview prep, and initial brainstorming. I can’t thank Kate enough for her level of detail and expertise as it certainly was very beneficial for my admittance into my dream school.

I hired Devi for a four school comprehensive package, and she was instrumental in helping me craft my MBA applications and prepare for my interviews. She worked with me to develop and sharpen the story I was trying to tell through my applications and her advice was always effective and on point, especially in how she constantly pushed me to be more specific and concrete about my own career goals and how an MBA would help me achieve them, which I have no doubt substantially improved my applications and helped me receive an acceptance from Columbia. While I am still waiting to hear back regarding my other applications, I am confident that I put my best foot forward thanks to Devi.

On the professional side, Devi always responded in a timely manner to drafts and emails and was very flexible with scheduling calls on short notice, including volunteering to schedule a follow up interview practice session when she felt that I needed more practice in a certain area. I will note that Devi can be very direct and to the point with her feedback in a tough love kind of way, so you should be comfortable with this kind of communication style if you choose to work with her, but if so, I am confident that she will be able to improve your application(s) as she did with mine.

After doing several free consultation interviews, I chose to work with Susan who is extremely knowledgeable. She was amazing to meet, had the best insights and went above and beyond to understand my unique situation and provide advice that was best tailored to help me achieve my goals.

It was amazing working with Harshad with mbaMission and well worth the effort and resources. I came to him with a seemingly impossible task of a week turnaround time for an application, start to finish, but he was more than up to the challenge and approached each step of supporting me with brainstorming, essay strengthening, resume revision, and interview preparation with clear, concise, relevant, comprehensive, and manageable steps. He was direct and upfront with telling me when I had good content but needed significant work to present it in a much clearer way and that aligned more in what the schools are looking for. He provided a good balance of a challenge to work hard to strengthen my application in very applicable and tangible ways while keep me moving forward at a pace necessary to reach the deadline. His direct and to the point guidance on where to put my effort, thoughtful feedback, and structure in the calls and emails were clear about what was well done, what needed work, and how to do it. He invited me to guide his support for where I most wanted to focus on. Through his support in overhauling and strengthening my application, it led me to being accepted at my top school of choice.

I decided to apply to MBA programs relatively ‘late in the game’ but Kate made sure that that would not put me at a disadvantage. With her support, I applied to and was accepted into the three top schools to which I applied. Starting the MBA application process, I knew the schools I was interested in, but did not know the best way to showcase my skillset and curate my application – that was where Kate came in. Her expertise and guidance was critical to my putting forth my best self in the application. She knew how to help me tailor my application to each school’s program. Working with a tight deadline, I had questions that needed quick answers, and Kate always responded in a timely manner. She was communicative, reaching out with her schedule way in advance to make sure I’d have everything I needed. Even after I got in, she helped me choose the program that was best for me, given my goals and experience, and I’m so excited to have taken the leap to move to another country and start studying at London Business School.

I had a great experience working with Kate! Her expertise helped me refine my resume and essay significantly. She provided invaluable insights that greatly enhanced my overall application. Her guidance was both professional and personalized, making the entire process smooth and effective. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to elevate their MBA application.

Kate was an excellent admissions coach. She helped review my application and position my experience and motivation to get into both Wharton and Booth. Highly attentive to detail and very willing to help with whatever is needed to get a strong application.
Her interview prep sessions were very helpful to identify improvements in phrasing my answers, which really helped during the real thing.

With Kate’s support, I applied to and was accepted into both Kellogg’s and Booth’s part-time MBA programs. Her guidance played a crucial role in shaping my story in the most compelling way possible. Despite a tight deadline and a demanding job, she kept me on track with her quick responses and clear, actionable feedback, which I highly valued.

Preparing for MBA interviews is especially challenging, and this is where Kate’s support made a significant difference. We ran through several mock interviews and prep sessions, which helped me stay calm and collected, allowing me to answer questions systematically.

After I received my acceptance, Kate’s insights and advice guided me through the tough decision between the two schools.

Overall, my experience working with Kate exceeded my expectations. Her expertise, commitment to my success, and outstanding support made all the difference. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to maximize their chances of getting into their top-choice MBA programs.

When I contemplated engaging an admissions consultant for my MBA applications, I was uncertain about the investment versus the value it would bring. But I wanted to learn what additional benefits admissions consultants had to offer. I talked to several folks, but Kate stood out more than anyone else. As an Indian male engineer, I recognized the competitiveness of my background. Kate helped me uncover my unique strengths, shaping a genuine and compelling narrative tailored to the schools I targeted. After experiencing her exceptional service with one MBA application, I was so satisfied that I chose to engage her for another school as well. And it doesn’t stop there. Kate has an amazing network of current and former MBA students. During the application process, she connected me with current MBA students at the schools I was interested in. This was extremely helpful in comparing MBA programs across culture, organizations, and career potentials. Even better, currently I’m going into my second year of the MBA program and trying to transition into product management (PM). Through Kate, I was able to connect with a current PM at the company I am going to intern with over the summer. I wholeheartedly endorse Kate as an admissions consultant. She offers comprehensive support from application to post-admission success, ensuring your journey to top programs is both fruitful and fulfilling.

After being denied by the full time MBA programs at Columbia Business School and McCombs Business School, I reached out to Debbie based on the recommendation of another reapplicant at CBS. Debbie took careful time to understand my very unique situation thoroughly and was incredibly empathetic. She helped me write truly differentiating reapplicant essays. Ten days after submitting my reapplication to CBS, I was offered admission. I honestly believe it was Debbie’s thoughtful and dedicated effort that got me over the hump and admitted to my first choice in b school, despite average test scored and a below average undergrad GPA. I worked with other MBA consultants during my initial application and Debbie outmatched them in every way. From her attention to detail, to her quick turnaround to answer obvious questions, to her top-tier edits on my essays, I never felt like I wasn’t getting every bit of care and assistance I felt I needed. Debbie will always be the first word out of my mouth if anyone ever asks me how to get into business school. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, Debbie!!!!

By the time I met with Harshad, I had applied to 4 different schools, with fairly dismal results (3 rejections, 1 waitlist). While I thought I had a fairly good story, Harshad clearly spotted areas that could have been perceived as “weak” on my application and other areas that needed to be either fleshed out more or highlighted. When tackling my weaker areas, he always kept a can-do attitude and continuously encouraged me through the application. When stumped over an essay point, Harshad got me on a call and we worked through the essay prompt and brainstormed ideas for me to use!

Harshad was never afraid to tell me what he really thought, and I appreciated that immensely, even when I had to choose between the better-fit school and my dream city. Ultimately ended up in a T10 school, which turned out to be the right school for me, with so much thanks for Harshad!

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!