Stratus Admissions Counseling | MBA Admissions Consultants

Jennifer supported and pushed me to extract everything I could out of my stories, and make every word count on my applications. I had some glaring holes in my profile and she helped me create a strategy that ameliorated these issues. I got into some great schools with scholarships, thanks in large part to the guidance and support Jennifer provided.

I cannot thank Joe enough for being my consultant. I had my doubts about applying for any MBA Programs because I had a mediocre GRE score and very little work experience. Joe was very straightforward and gave me detailed constructive feedback for my resume, application, and interview. I only applied to one program during Round 3 and by some miracle, I got accepted into Haas. I know I couldn’t have done it without Joe. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking into competitive programs with a low GPA/Test score or little work experience.

Donna was an amazing admissions consultant and helped me change my life during this process by my acceptance to Columbia Business School. I was one of those students that was right on the “borderline” and doubted if I had what it took to be successful at an M7 program. Like Donna, I played sports in college and we bonded over our shared competitive interests with tennis. Donna took the time to understand me and pushed me to apply and believe in myself. She also, through her deep knowledge of this process, took the time to help me taylor my application towards Columbia and helped me connect the dots with what what I wanted to pursue post-MBA and how Columbia could help me get there. She was a very hard worker during this process (incredibly quick turnaround times), took the time to put me in touch with several other CBS students/grads, and she also made sure that I utilized all of my strengths as I applied. I would highly recommend Donna to anyone in this process and she was amazing to work with!

As a deferred programs applicant, I was unsure of whether it would be worth the effort/money to engage with a consultant. After chatting with a lot of other consultants, I find myself immediately gravitating toward Susan’s radiating passion for her work and her students. I was also affirmed by her candid feedback on my profile and her realistic assessment of my chances. These characteristics – passion, candidness, and optimism – remain constant throughout my interactions with her after I purchased an hourly service.

I am so grateful that I did decide to hire a consultant. We first worked together to come up with my key themes and a strategic plan, which Susan played a significant in helping me articulate. During the essay editing process, Susan was responsive and provided thoughtful feedback for every draft. There were moments when I grew frustrated with my writing, but Susan was persistent and encouraging in helping me craft a compelling narrative that accurately portrays myself. When it came time for interviews, Susan was my biggest cheerleader. Beyond helping me with mock interviews, she would send me a note before every interview. To note, throughout my engagement with Susan, she has always been efficient with the hours I purchased.

Eventually, I got into 3/5 schools I applied to and I could not have asked for a more professional, helpful, and compassionate advocate by my side than Susan.

I initially was not going to use an admissions consultant given the high cost but decided that it’d be worth the investment if I was going to go all in on the MBA admissions process. I met with many consultants from different firms but went with Melissa because she instantly put me at ease and was really warm and easy to talk to, and never made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for the schools I was targeting. We worked together starting June 2021 and she did so much more than just help me with my applications. I was also navigating a major organizational change at work, applied for a new job at a different company, and received an offer. She provided a ton of support and advice on how I should talk to my new employer about my b-school apps and they ended up being so supportive about it! Beyond that, we spent a solid few months just getting to know everything about my background and what my story would be, while staying truly authentic and never trying to be someone I wasn’t. She helped me with every stage of the application and was always so responsive, patient, and kind, especially through the several breakdowns I had along the way! She made sure I was super prepped for all the interviews, and after receiving the decisions, helped me navigate waitlists and negotiating scholarships.

I ultimately was admitted into my dream school, and 4 out of the 6 schools I applied to. Melissa was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process and really encouraged me to bring my true self to the applications. I’m happy with the results and I would recommend her to anyone!

I still keep pinching myself, y’know. To ensure I am not stuck in an ‘inception-esque’ trance.

But I know it’s real. My destiny was sealed the day the admission letter read ‘Congratulations’ with a celebratory confetti background wallpaper.

Mins later, I sent an email to Susan telling her that we had done it. We had converted to our first US business school. The journey hadn’t been easy, especially for an ORM (over-represented minority). So, let’s dive right in.

In September 2021, I decided to finally shake off the dust of procrastination regarding my MBA plans. But, still reeling under the ‘let-me down’ eyes of self-doubt, I knew I needed guidance on the admissions process. After some secondary research online, I came across the website of Stratus Consulting and its senior director – Susan Cera.

Susan and I spoke for the first time end of September. It was a 30 mins consultation call wherein we discussed my profile. The discussion was highly directive. It was humbling to hear about my strengths and my blind spots. Susan did not mince her words, which helped me steer clear of any delusions I was carrying.

We decided to work together for the next 1-2 months, building my personalized MBA blueprint. This had three critical parts, each feeding into the other:-
a) Part 1: Gather data points by reflecting on past experiences across professional and personal settings
b) Part 2: Identify Attributes by leveraging the data points gathered
c) Part 3: Build Story by identifying stories that allude to those specific attributes

Post this exercise. We built out the second part of the strategy:-
a) Why MBA? And Why Now?
b) Post MBA goals? Short-term and Long-term

Further to this exercise, we refined my resume, driving specificity through the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework.

Finally, we bucketed my target schools across three areas, i.e., Likely/Reach/Stretch. At this point, it is essential to mention that given my debilitating test anxiety, we decided to only look at schools with a GMAT waiver.

As part of the following steps, we worked selectively on a few essays, wherein Susan reviewed my story, constantly pushing me to direct my thoughts using the STAR format. Her #1 guidance to me was that ‘specificity drives credibility,’ and those golden words have been etched into my brain since then.

Our journey led us to convert to a top 20 B-School and get waitlisted at a top 15. I honestly did not expect to cut, but Susan – as my guardian angel – was there to reassure me in every way. She was more than a consultant, a sounding board that allowed me to vent my frustrations and insecurities without turning a page of judgment. I am forever indebted to her contribution, allowing this ORM a fighting chance at the top 20 MBA programs in the US.

Donna’s approach to storytelling, beginning with a systematic review of my personal experiences and followed with introspection on these experiences’ impacts on my life trajectory and goals, struck me immediately after I began working with her. I revisited many memories I hadn’t paid attention to for a while, and with her advice, I tailored my essays to the unique characteristics of each school. Her in-depth feedback and strategies to help me convey as many important aspects of my stories as I could were instrumental to my success.

I was also impressed by Donna’s empathy and personal touch – her unbiased evaluation of my strengths and weaknesses and how each school aligned with my long-term goals made me confident that I would thrive anywhere I ended up applying. She also gently reminded me of deadlines and helped me stay on top of the application process, from test-taking to school research to essay-writing, which was plenty to juggle along with a full-time job. As a whole, I found her very enthusiastic, encouraging, and responsive, and I highly recommend her. Thanks again for your help, Donna!

I worked with Dom on my JD/MBA applications. Despite not really having any great full-time work experience, we strategized my start-up experience and highlighted things that I had learned as well as my personal growth. He held me to high standards and worked even during weekends to fix my grammar and details of the application so that I could submit them in time. It was really great working with him and in the end, I have some great business school options.

As a mechanical engineer working at a refinery in Singapore, when I decided to pursue an MBA in the US, I was dreading the process of writing application essays to portray my skills and leadership qualities. Working in a single company all my life, I had very little (recent) experience with behavioral interviews as well.

I am extremely grateful to Donna for guiding and coaching me through the application process. She was extremely patient with me as we dived deeper into my personal motivations and post-MBA goals. Based on my aspirations, she worked with me to narrow down the schools which were a fit for me based on my preferences. Eventually, I opted to work at 4 schools – out of which I got accepted into 2, one of which provided a significant scholarship.

What truly sets Donna apart is the quality of her feedback. From conducting mock interviews, and reviewing my resumes, to critiquing my essays through multiple revisions (sometimes up to 6 times), she was always eager to help me ensure that my application was holistic and represented my best self. I’d also like to recognize her team at Stratus which included a proofreader and an independent school reviewer, whose insights were invaluable to my application.

After working with her for more than 8 months, I’m extremely delighted to be going to one of the top business schools in the US next fall. I owe this success to Donna. I’ve been extremely fortunate to have been mentored by her and couldn’t recommend her enough to anyone who is looking to begin a similar journey.

If I could offer a single piece of advice to someone interested in business school, it would be: work with Susan Cera. Susan helped me secure multiple acceptances, including 3 full-ride scholarships (including one to an M7) and a substantial scholarship to Wharton. Honestly, that success alone is enough for me to offer Susan my highest recommendation (11/10 !) and to tell everyone I know to hire her ASAP. However, Susan brought so much more to our relationship than the feedback one would expect from a consultant. She brought unyielding support (at times, she felt more like a therapist than coach), so much positivity (even while chatting as her daughter was in the hospital), and, truthfully, heart. Susan really, really will be in your corner throughout this process. She wants the best for her clients and consistently (underscore consistently!) goes above and beyond to ensure they submit high-caliber applications that reflect who they are.

When I first connected with Susan, I had a “feeling” as to why business school was the right next step for me, but as a nontraditional candidate, I was super naive about the process and business school, in general. I had an ambiguous dream career and a surface-level rationale as to why an MBA would help me get there. Susan always knew what questions to ask and what sort of guidance to offer to help me tease out my short- and long-term goals. She also has extensive knowledge of business school and the different programs, so she helped me connect the dots between the skills I wanted to develop and what I would learn from an MBA. This helped me answer the “why an MBA now?” interview question confidently and with ease. Perhaps more importantly, Susan made me believe that I was a strong fit for business school. Susan made such an effort to get to know me and helped me realize my place at top MBA programs. She also ensured my applications were an authentic reflection of me, my experiences, and my dreams, and it was this authenticity that I think caught the eyes of admissions committees. On that note, I feel more confident entering business school after having worked with Susan. Knowing that I presented my full self to admissions and was accepted has lessened my imposter syndrome. I was accepted based on who I am and what I can bring to the table – I cannot thank Susan enough for this confidence boost and peace of mind!!

Overall, I am, of course, thrilled to be attending school in the fall and to be done with this arduous process, but at the same time, I will miss my sessions with Susan. She is THAT wonderful, THAT motivating, THAT inspiring. I feel immensely lucky to have worked with her!

Lastly, a big shoutout to Melisa – she was another huge help in my strategy session and congratulated me with every interview invite and acceptance I received. Thanks, Melisa, for your support and warmth! I am glad Susan brought you into our sessions.

As a candidate from an overrepresented category – teaming up with Susan was the best decision I made. Susan really puts in the additional effort to understand the applicant’s story. Her attention to detail is impeccable and her dedication was a constant source of support throughout the application process. She is kind and candid – the best of both! With her help, I will be attending MIT Sloan!

I highly recommend working with Jennifer and Stratus! She is absolutely incredible and made the biggest difference in my application journey. I was terrified of this process and felt that I had a lot working against me as I considered business school, with an undergraduate GPA much lower than the average at my top choice programs. Jennifer participated in a webinar with my Forte MBALaunch cohort, and I immediately knew I wanted to work with her.

Jennifer helped me explain the challenges I faced during my undergraduate years and provided constructive feedback every step of the way. She also helped me stick to my timeline and followed up with me when I was working long hours and needed additional reminders to stay on track with my applications. Her guidance helped me take my confusing career goals and articulate them in a simple way that tied in with my professional background and personal experiences.

When I started receiving invitations to interview, Jennifer set aside time to complete a mock interview for every school. I felt fully prepared for each one, to the point that I wasn’t even nervous for the actual interview! I felt more confident in myself and my candidacy by working with Jennifer.

She went above and beyond the entire time I worked with her, and I could tell she was just as invested in my MBA journey as I was. In the end, I received multiple acceptances with scholarships at every school, and Jennifer helped me navigate negotiating financial aid. I will be attending my top choice, Chicago Booth, this fall, and I wouldn’t be here without Jennifer. Beyond my applications, her guidance has helped me refine my career goals and identify what I really want to accomplish during my MBA program. I can’t thank her enough and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her!

Going into the business school process, I had a lot of imposter syndrome as a “non traditional” applicant. There were parts of my application that I was particularly insecure about and I felt that investing in a consultant was the right choice for me. I spoke with multiple consultants but immediately upon speaking with Melisa, knew she was the best fit and would help make my application representative of who I really was. She provided specific, prompt, and tangible guidance on how to strengthen all parts of my application. She also encouraged me to have faith in myself and recognize all that I brought to the table. More than anything though, Melisa acted as a kind friend and confidant — one who this process would have been a lot more confusing and intimidating without. She motivated me to apply to all the schools I was interested in, even the ones that felt out of reach, and I ended up getting into 3 of my top choices. I highly recommend working with her and I’m so happy I made this decision. THANK YOU MELISA!

As a non-traditional candidate who was still figuring out what type of program to apply to (full-time, executive, part-time), I very much appreciated having Susan’s support during the process. She made sure to adapt to my changing plans and offer information and advice on some alternative program structures. I also appreciated her feedback on my written materials and found her to be very responsive (frequently ahead of stated turnaround times). Susan was supportive, but also did not sugarcoat things, and she provided helpful and effective feedback. I ended up getting into the one program I applied to with a small scholarship. I enjoyed my time working with Susan and would definitely recommend her to others (and also a shoutout to Jennifer for her assistance in the process, as well!).

I chose to work with Melisa after speaking with dozen of consultants from numerous companies. Melisa sealed the deal for me after our first interaction with her cadid passion and rich experiences in helping candidates getting into their target MBA programs. My results showed that I made the right decision. With Melisa, I was invited to interview with all five M7 schools I applied to and received offers from three.

When choosing someone to work with in the application process, it’s really like choosing a partner to survive through a long and daunting journey. Melisa is the most reliable partner one could ever ask for. She guided me through the self-discovery process, and let me to “feel” what’s authentic to me and make the “real me” shine throughout the process. She encouraged me whenever I felt down or hopeless and had been my biggest cheerleader. She truly cared about clients who work with her and tried to be as helpful as possible under all circumstances. In short, Melisa is the best!!

I could not recommend Jennifer more! From the beginning, Jennifer made me feel comfortable. I was not very confident in the application process prior to working with Jennifer because I come from a non-traditional major/career for business school. Jennifer was able to help me see this as a strength and to use my work experience to my advantage when applying. Additionally, I was very nervous when I started the application process because I was working long hours and was not sure when I could make the time for applications. Thanks to Jennifer, I had a structured approach to my MBA applications. This allowed me to stay on track timing-wise and to have a more stress-free approach to essay writing. I most definitely recommend Stratus, the attention to detail and care the team puts into their work makes a tremendous difference. I will be attending Columbia Business School in the fall and can say with confidence that I would not be here without Jennifer and Stratus.

As a non-traditional candidate, I needed someone to help me translate my real-life experience into something business schools could understand. After just a few hours as part of an hourly package, I felt very confident with my applications and received $120k merit to CBS and over $300k from NYU, Haas, and Georgetown combined. If you’re looking to pay for school with merit money, there’s no smarter investment than working with Susan!!

Choosing a consultant is a daunting task, given the number of options. However, if you care about having someone with plenty of experience, many success stories, and a personality that fills you with optimism and energy, then look no further than Melisa. I chose Melisa because of how enthusiastic she was in our first meeting and how well she made me feel about my prospects. MBA applications are daunting, and there are many things that you need to navigate, so having a structured process and someone experienced to lean on is remarkably uplifting and comforting. If you are looking for a consultant, you must be in the same boat as I was – confident that you qualify but not sure whether you can tell a cohesive and convincing story. Melisa is so skillful at recognizing the different pieces of your story and helping you put them into a captivating application that you will gain a new appreciation for your accomplishments. Thanks to Melisa, I ended up with a few options to choose from and a merit scholarship that sweetened the deal. I did not expect to receive a significant amount in scholarship, but Darden offered 1/3 and Cornell Johnson over 1/2 of the tuition, which made me choose Johnson. Whatever your dream school is, Melisa will ensure that you put your best foot forward. No one can guarantee admission to Harvard or MIT, but if you want to stand a chance and feel confident that you will have options to choose from, I encourage you to let Melisa guide you. You will not be disappointed!

Overall, Stratus was a great investment toward my MBA admissions and Lisa Cummings is awesome to work with. I applied to six schools total R1, two using Stratus. I interviewed with 5/6, was accepted by 3/6 with $$-$$$, and was waitlisted at 1/6. I will be attending an M7 with an $80k scholarship next year (one of the schools I worked on with Lisa).

After months of debating whether I should hire an admissions consultant and setting up informational interviews with multiple companies (including Stacy Blackman, Fortuna, MBAMission, Career Protocol, and MBA Prep School), I ultimately chose Stratus for their team-based approach to reviewing candidates’ materials and the fact that their consultants were realistic but optimistic. What turned me off about some of the other consulting firms during the initial calls was that they took one look at my profile (F/Asian/Consulting) and my GMAT score (720) and discouraged me from applying to certain schools. This wasn’t the case at Stratus. Although Lisa was my primary consultant, everyone I interacted with, including Jennifer Jackson and Melisa Prevost, was extremely helpful and encouraging.

I chose to work with Lisa because she is straightforward and efficient yet thorough (and yes, I could get this from our introduction call). We spent the spring brainstorming and developing my story and resume. She made sure to capture my entire story in a thoughtful manner. She also ensured that I did enough of my own research on the schools so I knew what I was getting into when applying to each. Then, over the summer we worked on multiple iterations of my admissions essays. This phase was the most valuable part of the experience. Lisa quickly turned around drafts of my essays (1-2 business days) and provided incisive feedback. After we finished my essays, she sent them to an unbiased school expert for a final review. In the fall, Lisa conducted mock interviews which prepared me for all of the schools I applied to. When it came to making my decision between schools, all of the introspection and reflection I had done in the spring made my decision easy.

Lisa is super responsive and flexible. She caters to your style (I preferred occasional check-in calls with frequent emails). She was always available to answer any of my questions, particularly as I was filling out my applications. She also went above and beyond – even though I only worked with her in two schools, she provided tips and advice for the other schools I applied to as well.

While hiring an admissions consultant can certainly be pricey, I think it is well worth the investment to have a team of professionals supporting you along the way. It is also a small cost in exchange for peace of mind throughout the process (i.e, essentially a project manager to keep you on track and an editor to help you review), and in my case, help to get into my dream school with a significant scholarship.

Do yourself a favor and work with Melisa! As a nontraditional applicant, I had many fears about the admission process. I chatted with a few other consultants but within the first 10 minutes of my intro call with Melisa, it was clear that she could help me achieve my goals. With Melisa’s support, I was able to receive full rides at 4 of my top programs!

From the very first day, Melisa took the time to truly understand my story, help craft my narrative, identify my strengths, and put together the best possible applications, all while encouraging me to be my most authentic self throughout the process – she even provided guidance on identifying the best target schools when I was indecisive. Not only did she provide guidance but she was always one email away. I knew I could reach out to her with anything and she’d provide me with a thoughtful response in a timely manner.

Melisa went above and beyond in helping me edit my essays and preparing me for my interviews. When everything seemed to pile on in the last few days leading up to submitting apps Melisa was so incredibly supportive and flexible with her schedule. I was lucky enough to have received interviews at all of the programs I applied to and even though I had not purchased packages for all of the schools Melisa went out of her way to ensure I was prepared for each of them. She was extremely generous with her time and proved to be genuinely invested in my success.

I know for a fact that I would not be in the position that I am in right now without Melisa’s support. I am beyond thankful to have worked with someone as genuine, dedicated, and knowledgeable as her! If you are looking for a consultant who will not only provide results, but also encourage and motivate you throughout the process, you have to work with Melisa!!

I cannot recommend Susan highly enough – if there was an 11/10 option she would be worthy of that score and more. I knew that I was going to be working with a top-notch admissions expert of her reputation, but the experience I had greatly exceeded my expectations. She took the time to really get to know me so that I could identify what is unique about me and present my most authentic self through my essays and interviews, and through her introspective inquiry process helped me come to realize my personal and career ambitions. She provides super timely feedback and communication and was even willing to give me helpful pep talks and prep sessions before interviews to keep me on point. She was able to flawlessly apply the lens of a tenured admissions officer with her feedback on all areas of my application, including making my resume more poignant and impact-oriented. While I was waitlisted and was losing faith in myself, she encouraged me to not give up and helped me secure interviews/acceptances from that seemingly unfavorable position. What meant the most to me was seeing how invested she was in my success at every node of this long journey. I ended up getting into Harvard as well as multiple other top business schools with scholarships/fellowships – something unfathomable to me as I was worried about having a low GPA, being a re-applicant with no success my first go-around, and providing a GRE score instead of GMAT. I do not believe I would have achieved my dream of going to Harvard if I had anyone else in my corner coaching and supporting me. I am beyond grateful to have had the absolute best in the business on my team and I could not recommend her highly enough if you want the same.

Lisa was an incredible pleasure to work with. I had a low GPA due to several health issues through college, and Lisa knew exactly how to structure my applications to speak to them in a constructive light, which paid incredible dividends. She was also a great resource for gut-checking my assumptions and feelings; she didn’t shy away from letting me know if a given school was going to be a stretch or if another would be more in my ballpark, which I really appreciated. If you’re looking for a consultant who will give it to you straight while also being one of the greatest supporters in your journey, I couldn’t recommend Lisa enough!!

Lisa shared insights and actionable feedback throughout the application process to help me put my best foot forward from early conversations on ways to strengthen my overall profile to essay outlining and interview prep. There were a few earlier essays where Lisa was particularly helpful in identifying critical background that I needed to share with the reader in a non-industry-jargony way to best tell my story. While there are maybe three types of MBA interviews, I really appreciated the practice interview with different questions available for every school where I received an invite. Although I only planned to apply in R1, Lisa was flexible in letting me submit applications for some schools in R1 and working with me on R2.
I learned about Stratus through different organizations and from friends’ experiences but only decided on Lisa from Stratus after meeting with eight different consultants/companies. Lisa from Stratus was a great match for a multi-school full package.

Melisa was beyond amazing to work with, and I’m confident that my application was the best it could be after working together! I went back and forth on deciding to hire an admissions consultant but ultimately decided it was worth the upfront investment, and it more than paid off since I’ll be going to Booth with a $100K scholarship!

From the beginning, I felt Melisa genuinely cared and had my best interests in mind. We worked together for over eight months and had weekly video calls in the thick of applications! She took the time to get to know me and really learn my story, which is necessary to create strong and authentic applications. She went above and beyond in giving me her time and expert advice. Most importantly, I really enjoyed working with her and she made the daunting application process feel manageable. Melisa is the best guide, confidant, and cheerleader!

I worked with Jennifer on my MBA application essays and interview preparation. I entered the process already having done a lot of introspection and goal setting, but knew that I needed another perspective (outside of family and friends) to advise me on what stories to highlight in my essays. I appreciated Jennifer’s succinct communication, thorough comments on my essays, and clear advice. Her advice made me confident that I was putting forward a strong application. After I was admitted to several programs, I reached out to her for additional advice on negotiating financial aid and communicating with Admissions officers.

Donna Bauman came highly recommended by my wife who had worked with Donna on her MBA application process a few years back. My wife was able to get into her #1 choice (Duke)! Although I was considering not using a consultant, my wife convinced me otherwise and so I scheduled a call with Donna and within the first few minutes, I knew I wanted to work with her on my application process.
Donna helped me structure my thoughts and story so as to make my application as strong as I possibly could. Although the packages that Stratus offers are expensive it is the best decision I could have made. I was able to get into my #1 choice school (Babson) with a full-tuition scholarship. I strongly recommend working with Donna.

I started working with Donna just a few weeks before my applications were due and my only regret is not working with her earlier on! I had drafts of my applications ready but wanted guidance to polish them up and prep for interviews. Donna pushed me to improve my essays to make them shine and stand out from the crowd and was absolutely critical in preparing me for interviews. She knew the culture of every school, what would work well vs not, and helped me craft tailored answers that reflected who I am while also being tailored to the schools. She also gave me tips and feedback on each and every answer of mine for the interview which was really helpful..all this in a very short period of time! I am so grateful and think this was an excellent investment to help me put my best foot forward for the schools. I’ve now gotten into 2 of the top 10 schools and couldn’t have done this without Donna. Thank you so much again!

Susan helped me apply to 6 MBA programs, of which I was admitted to 4, and am now a first-year MBA at Wharton. Susan did such a great job of helping me not only write/edit my essays but also clarify my overall career goals and vision for my future. She was so kind, supportive, and overall an incredible resource to guide me through the application process. I’ve since recommended her to other friends of mine who’ve also had great experiences! Susan also helped me with my dual degree application to the Harvard Kennedy School while I was in the fall of my first year at Wharton, where I was also just admitted!

First things first – Yes, my stats (GMAT, GPA, etc.) were in line with medians for the programs to which I applied (all M7 tier). They were not a tremendous help but definitely did not put me at a disadvantage. However, my profile is non-traditional by non-traditional standards, with a couple of outlandishly big red flags that desperately needed to be put into context. Every time I would broach them in my initial essay attempts, my mind and pen would fail me, and the story would devolve into what I felt was a mess of excuses. This is why I reached out to Susan for guidance.

Saying that my expectations were exceeded beyond anything I could have imagined is an understatement. Susan cannot work miracles, but she can help you put on full display the person that you know yourself to be, provided you are willing to be honest and bare your heart to her. Prior to working with Susan, my story was merely a stream of lived experiences and memories, but I had never actually taken a concerted walk down this path. For the first time in my life, there are now concrete words to explain exactly who I am, rather than this amorphous feeling that floats in my head. I’ve read through my essays several times since receiving admittances, because they genuinely make me happy and proud. I will forever cherish the self-exploration, the probing questions, and the committing of my life’s story to paper, all of which was made possible by Susan.

In exact terms, things you will gain by working with Susan: first, a better understanding of how to succinctly, yet powerfully, address every facet of every essay and interview potentiality. This is a big one. By all means, you could read countless MBA forums to gain some insight or use a “do it yourself” platform geared toward the application process. I did both of these before contacting Susan, but I did not feel genuine when writing or “rehearsing” for potential interviews. This self-doubt was valid; I was mimicking what had worked for some (and failed for others), trying to force my experiences into someone else’s application template. Conversely, Susan’s approach was bespoke. Before even beginning essays, we had deep conversations about my life – some things that I had not even considered to be material for the applications. She asked sincere, follow-on questions to every sentence, phrase, and sometimes word that came out of my mouth, wanting to learn exactly what I meant and how I felt. You cannot get this from an impersonal forum.

Next, Susan’s compassion toward her clients and enthusiasm for her advisory role is unparalleled. Setting appointments with her was seamless, and she always made time when key dates were approaching. There were even a couple of times when an issue needed immediate attention, and she made herself available for a lightning round of questions and advice. It just shows how committed she is to her clients and speaks volumes about the kind of person she is.

Lastly, peace of mind. If you are worried about the strength of your application, then you have a very compelling reason to give Susan a call. You will sleep better knowing that you did absolutely everything within your power to achieve your dreams. She’s not going to steer you in the wrong direction. Now if you’re already confident in your ability to go it alone, I’d argue that is an even stronger reason to work with her. Your post-MBA opportunities make the small-ish consultant fee inconsequential. Similarly, things like apartment referral bonus sharing from the MBA class ahead of you, Uber/Lyft passes from school, free meals on admit weekends, all the cool merch schools send you, etc. will easily negate Susan’s hourly over the next couple of years. (I bet you hadn’t considered all the fringe benefits!) So just do it.

My results: admitted to 5 of 7 programs to which I applied and over $650k in total scholarships ($$$$ at all but one). Could I have done this without her? Well sure, my application was 100% me. Would it have been likely? Absolutely. No. Way.

I was so grateful to have Susan’s support throughout the MBA application process! She provided invaluable insight and direction as I brainstormed my application strategy and essays. It was super helpful to have her support and accountability and made the app process more enjoyable. So worth it!

You know the feeling when you are about to submit a paper in college, and you know you just killed it? That’s how I felt submitting every application that I did with Susan. My essays were my own work with my own tone, but Susan (and I should say Stratus as a team since our essays are read by a school reviewer to make sure nothing is missed) helped me tighten, streamline, and edit to make sure it was my best work.

Going into the process, I knew that I didn’t have a fantastic GMAT score or a name-brand school with a high GPA. I talked to so many consultants about my MBA ambitions. Susan was the only one who made me feel like she was genuine in providing me advice (even though it was a free consult). She went above and beyond to make sure that my MBA story and career aspirations made sense. When I was in town for a weekend, she even went out of her way to meet up! She made me feel like she really cared about me as a person, and it was actually really fun to work with her.

Heading off to the perfect program for me this fall at a T15 with a nice scholarship – and couldn’t have done it without Susan’s help.

The mock interview I had with Kelly was extremely helpful in my admission process. She asked questions that were specifically catered to my target school and provided invaluable feedback. She made suggestions on how to add clarity, brevity, and specificity to my responses. As a result, I went into my actual interview a week later feeling very confident. Not to my surprise, the framework of the real interview was almost identical. I ended up getting admitted to the M7 target school I interviewed for, and I know that Kelly’s interview guidance played a huge role. Beyond that, she is very friendly and has a strong sense of what an interviewer will and won’t want to hear. Even beyond the interview, she’s answered my general questions about the MBA program and given me great advice on ways to interact with other admits prior to matriculation. I highly recommend working with her!!

I made the decision to pursue an MBA at an M7 school in the Summer of 2021. Prior to that, I had no friends, relatives, or even acquaintances in my circle that had gone to an M7 – suffice it to say that my knowledge and understanding of the application process was lacking.

As I researched online, I quickly realized that the process was INTENSE. I came to P&Q to get some guidance and stumbled upon this admissions consulting page. Sad to admit, but I didn’t even know admissions consulting was a thing haha. Susan was ranked No. 1 and had glowing reviews. Knowing an M7 was a long shot for me, I figured I might as well go with a top-ranked consultant to give me an edge.

From our first 30-minute consultation call, I immediately recognized the value that Susan brought to the table – She causally listed off programs, tips, and nuggets of information that I was completely unaware of. When we began working together, I was constantly amazed at how she could bring out the best in my personal experiences, and help me synthesize them into a strong, cohesive application. From my essays to my resume to my interview – everything was elevated as a result of Susan’s coaching. She knows what the admissions teams are looking for, and how to convey your story to show them you have what it takes. And our brainstorming sessions were essential in helping me solidify my goals.

Besides that, Susan has a TON of connections – whatever you’re pursuing she’ll have a previous client or associate that’s knowledgeable about a program and willing to talk to you. Through the course of working together, she introduced me to no less than 3 different amazing individuals that gave me invaluable insights. And even after working together she’s made it clear that she’ll always be willing to make a connection.

If you are considering working with a consultant, Susan is who you want. She truly cares. She is 100% in the trenches with you, helping and encouraging every step of the way. This is someone who has found her calling and is doing something she truly loves! I ended up getting into the M7 I really wanted, and I can honestly say it was a direct result of the guidance from Susan and the rest of the Stratus Admissions Team. Without it, my application would have been ok, but we all know that ok doesn’t cut it for b-school!

I was not confident in the essays for my MBA essays and approached Stratus for help crafting my story. Jennifer took the time to understand where I was in the MBA application process and was clear with the package that she thought would be the best investment. And the investment more than paid off! Jennifer took the time to learn all of the interesting things about me and helped highlight some of the areas that I could grow from an MBA program that I hadn’t thought of before. The process with Stratus includes several exploratory exercises that help you frame your past experiences and clearly point to your goals with an MBA. These took some time but were so critical to being able to articulate why I need an MBA and my strengths/weaknesses. I ended up getting accepted to my top choice programs with considerable scholarships. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Jennifer!

For those interested in business school admissions consulting services, look no further than Lisa Cummings of Stratus Admissions Counseling. It is hard to describe how immensely helpful Lisa was in helping me apply to MBA programs this fall.

When it came to the essays, Lisa continually pushed me to uncover my personal story for WHAT my career goals were and WHY I wanted to get my MBA. She was always frank yet constructive in her feedback, something I really appreciated. She also returned her feedback very quickly; there was never a time that I could not move forward on my essays because I was waiting for a response from her.

Moreover, before I started working with Lisa, my resume was outdated and in no shape to be submitted to MBA programs. Yet Lisa’s expert insight allowed me to expand my resume where needed while removing all of the content that was unnecessary. Likewise, when I found out that I was fortunate enough to receive interviews at several MBA programs, Lisa did everything in her power to ensure I was prepared. Not only did she send me detailed, school-specific interview guides, but she also set aside time to conduct multiple mock interviews with me.

In summary, from essay writing, to resume updating, to interview preparation, Lisa proved an indispensable resource during my MBA application process. However, what impressed me most about Lisa is that I can tell that she truly CARES about her clients. After my interviews were done, it would have been easy for Lisa to simply wish me the best of luck and move on. Instead, she took the time to talk me through the decision I was making between two business schools, offering very helpful advice. Overall, for those looking into MBA admissions consulting services, you should undoubtedly consider Lisa Cummings. I promise you will not regret this decision.

I was a re-applicant to several schools this cycle and was looking for targeted hourly help on a couple of schools. Stratus’s flexible packages were just what I needed and Lisa especially was instrumental in helping me put my best foot forward the second time around. Haas was one of the schools I received direct help on and ended up getting accepted with a scholarship. Lisa was a great counselor and supporter throughout the process – from helping me update my Resume, to developing coherent & concise essays, to Interview preparation. Moreover, I always felt that Lisa was very flexible in he approach and available to support me in any way possible. I would highly recommend Lisa and the Stratus Admissions team.

I come from a technical atypical background with a lower than average GPA for M7 schools without anyone in my friends/family circle having pursued an MBA. Naturally, the MBA admissions process was a big mystery to me so I decided to look into admissions consultants. I talked to a few but stopped the process the day I first chatted with Susan Cera from Stratus Admissions. We immediately clicked because of having similar backgrounds and more importantly because Susan seemed very down to earth and was also very honest with her assessment of my overall profile. Once I took care of the GMAT in May, off we went with our journey. Btw, Susan said she will be my biggest cheerleader throughout the day I signed up with Stratus and that could not be more true.

For the first half of the summer, Susan and I met every other week and would discuss in detail my background, my stories, the big defining moments of my life and Susan would provide constructive feedback throughout these take-home introspection assignments. I could tell the team at Stratus over the years have put in a lot of work by looking at the activities and questions Susan would ask me about my background. By July we essentially had crafted and narrowed down my personalized MBA strategy – essentially the why MBA, why now but tailored to me. This included an overview of some key stories, themes, and arcs that I would highlight in my essays.

At this point, Susan introduced Melissa from the Stratus team to take a look at my story and provide an unbiased and fresh perspective. Melissa pointed out a few areas for us to focus on moving forward.

Next came resume building and honestly, words cannot describe how pivotal Susan was in this. Due to my technical background I essentially had to do a complete makeover and Susan’s skill, or should I say, art, came to the rescue. I could tell Susan gives in her 100% because she was not satisfied until the finished results meets her high standards.

Finally, when it came to essay writing Susan worked tirelessly with me to provide ideas, tips, and overall strategies that I should employ when writing my drafts. Her feedbacks were spot on, and more importantly if at any time I’d get stuck during the essay writing process she would promptly hop on a quick call to help me get unstuck. Once the interviews started rolling in, she helped me prep up for those using a combination of mock interviews, themes/arcs to talk about and the do’s and don’t of interviews tailored to each specific school.

I applied to 6 T20 programs in Round 1, got into 2 T20s with $$, WL at 1 T10, and got into one of my top choice M7 with some $. Do not think any of this would be possible without Susan. I’m glad I went with Stratus and I’m glad I got to know Susan and what a kind, warming, wonderful and amazingly talented person she is. I would 100% recommend Stratus/Susan to anyone exploring admissions consultants.

Initially, I was pretty overwhelmed with the MBA application process. I don’t have many friends or family members who’ve gone through it and didn’t know what to expect, but from my first consultation with Jennifer, I knew I’d found someone who could guide me. Jennifer actually took the time to get to know me beyond my “stats”, and I appreciated that Jennifer talked me through all the Stratus packages without trying to upsell me. I ultimately went with the one-school comprehensive package, and Jennifer was super helpful in giving advice that I could apply across the other schools I was also applying to, too.

In terms of support, Jennifer and the Stratus team were fantastic. I struggled a lot to articulate my career goals until I started working with Jennifer – and within a few weeks of working together, I had a crisp, articulate career path mapped out for the next 3, 5 and 10 years! Jennifer kept the whole process organized and manageable with a calendar, modules, milestones, etc. Her approach really took all the stress out of applying to MBA programs, so I could focus on self-reflection, and because of her I actually enjoyed the process of applying to b-school!

The last thing I’ll add – Jennifer is really encouraging. I wasn’t even considering applying to Wharton until Jennifer encouraged me to, and I ended up being admitted with a scholarship. Ultimately, her guidance helped me land acceptances from 6 of the top 10 programs, with scholarships at all of them – something I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams!

I would 1000% recommend Susan to anyone who is planning to apply to MBA school and looking for extra support. I worked with Susan over the summer prior to applying to schools to help define and articulate my “why” and my overall application story via the MBA Application Fundamentals. I was coming from a traditional background with solid, but not amazing ECs and scores and, her wisdom, advice, and encouragement played a huge role in helping me feel confident my application was the best it could be. From day one, she was an engaged listener that took the time to walk through my goals and background to help me craft the best story. She answered my panicked emails freaking out about various parts of the application process and was a trusted advisor throughout the whole process. Even after we were done working together, she sent emails checking in on my progress and congratulating successes. I earned 4 R1 admits including two M7 with scholarship, and I cannot say enough about how much I enjoyed working with Susan. I would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone looking for a supportive, encouraging guide to the MBA application process!!

I decided to work with Susan after consulting with a few different firms/consultants. Susan really understood my background (engineering/tech industry) and goals, and she cared about helping me put my best foot forward in the MBA admissions process. I worked with Susan on the four school package and was admitted to one of my top choice programs!

I started working with Susan a couple of years ago, but I ultimately decided to defer applying until this past year. Picking things back up with Susan was extremely easy – she remembered me and what we had worked on before. Susan was super helpful and supportive throughout the entire process, from helping me uncover my story to practicing mock interviews until I felt comfortable. Her feedback on my MBA resume was especially helpful – I’ve even incorporated her feedback into my professional resume!

Susan always listened patiently, especially when I was feeling unsure or unmotivated and needed a pep talk, and she promptly gave feedback on deliverables and replied to all of my questions. I highly recommend her if you want to work with a consultant who cares about you as a person – she will help you achieve your goals!

Susan Cera is hands down the best MBA consultant out there. I interviewed about 5 different consultants and decided to go with Susan. With her help, I got into my dream school (one of M7) with a scholarship!!! She was super supportive during the whole process, but was also very candid when she thought I wasn’t giving 100% on my essays. I would recommend Susan to anyone who is looking for a consultant who truly cares and build a compelling story.

Donna was truly instrumental throughout my MBA application process and connecting with her was a fantastic investment for me. I interviewed 7 consultants and was ultimately drawn to Donna – she asked thoughtful questions, listened and was very transparent and honest about what she thought I needed out of a consultant. Once engaged, Donna assisted with every aspect of the application process. Most importantly, she challenged me to take the necessary time to think through my experiences and to hone in on specific examples that best fit the overall narrative of my application. After the initial introspection work, she helped me craft a cohesive story that highlighted my career aspirations in a way that also allowed my personality and voice to come through on paper. We went through countless iterations of my resume and essays, ultimately leading to a final product that I was proud of. She was always accessible, responsive, insightful, quick to make time to talk and even helped ease the anxiety of the application process. Without Donna’s help, I wouldn’t have been accepted to my top choice program!

Honestly, thank you, Donna! I was admitted to HBS /1 M7, and waitlisted at a T10 with Donna’s guidance. I was rejected at 2 other M7s.

Here is the thing: I am an international student so I didn’t have experience going through such a rigorous admissions process when I was in my undergrad. At the same time, I am also extremely Type A so I wanted someone who would answer the most inane questions. Donna and the Stratus team did exactly that. The package helped me self-reflect on my life goals, and how the MBA would contribute to that trajectory. I think this is the basis for good essays. Then, throughout the writing process, Donna offered me feedback (what kind of tone should I take for different schools, what type of essays have been successful in the past, etc.), along with “school experts”. Beyond the essays, we also worked on how to write an MBA resume, how to best direct my recommenders on LOR, how to cater my interviews for each school – basically, every step, I wasn’t alone.

Now, let’s talk about the emotional aspect of this process. I was up and down like crazy – one month, I got 2 interviews; the next, I got rejected by 2 schools. Donna was there to help with my self-doubt, and I think that was an important part of making it through this process is somewhat of a good mental mindset.

Finally, I spoke to multiple consultants when I first looked into admissions consultants. Many consultants were very hard focused on my stats (which are comparable given the schools but not anything spectacular). One consultant even told me I probably had a rough chance at the schools on my list. Other consultants were too busy and took on a lot more clients than they should. One of Donna’s first questions for me was: “what is something you spend too much time on but have no regrets?”. In reflection, I think it’s because Donna cares to get to know her clients’ stories, and ultimately, the stories are what will differentiate you from everyone else with a high GPA/ GMAT/ MBB, etc.

Good luck!

Donna was beyond instrumental in helping me gain admittance into a top 10 MBA program! While I was definitely a qualified candidate, my “statistics” (GPA, GMAT) did not necessarily jump off the page. Donna helped me craft my narrative through some intense introspection and goal-setting exercises, and we were able to maximize the “intangibles” from my background to put forward strong, competitive applications. Throughout the process, I began to feel increasingly confident in what I can bring to the table for MBA programs and future employers. I would not have rediscovered my corporate “swagger” had it not been for Donna, and our time together was a great investment. Donna was responsive, punctual, insightful, and a powerful advisor to have in my corner.

The MBA application process can be overwhelming, and in hindsight, it’s hard to imagine going through it without Donna’s support. Donna is an expert storyteller, and whenever I felt stumped by an essay prompt, it made a huge difference to be able to consult with Donna to go over the options we had to tell the strongest story to each school. Donna truly made the effort to get to know me through the introspection work we had done together early in the process, and she had advice on areas of my experience to focus on in essays and interviews that I probably wouldn’t have come up with on my own. Donna’s feedback on my work was always honest, constructive, and fast, and motivated me to stay on schedule despite other personal and professional distractions. Donna is extremely reliable and trustworthy, and I can’t recommend her highly enough!

Last year (2021), I took the GMAT and scored a 730. I did not want to take any chances with my MBA applications and wanted to work with the absolute best. I must have talked to at least 35 consultants across the globe. In our first conversation from the get-go, Donna blew me away. She was the first consultant who had gone over my resume and other details that I had shared with her before the call. She told me the strengths of my application and how she can help guide me in telling my story. Our call was scheduled for 30 mins. But it lasted almost 60mins. At the end of it, I knew she was the best consultant I had talked to. So when I asked her for the charges, I was slightly hesitant because I had not budgeted that much money for the applications. I asked Donna if I should buy her hourly services. She left the decision to me, but told me that if she puts in the hours, hourly services will cost me more than the comprehensive package. I slept over this for a couple of days but then decided that I needed to be in the right hands. And so I signed up for her comprehensive package.

I cannot thank Donna enough to have helped me find my voice to write the most personalized story that I could ever tell. She and I spent the first month only on me sharing my story with her and brainstorming the exact reason why I even wanted to do an MBA. Then once we had my story and reasons for MBA ready, she got it all reviewed by Susan Cera. They both guided me to the main highlights of my achievements and my goals post MBA and helped me articulate it as well as I could. When it was time to work on my resume and my essays, Donna did not cut ANY corners at all. She believes in “tough love” because she wants the best for her clients. During the entire essay drafting phase, we had numerous calls and she must have put countless hours in reviewing each draft that I was writing. And she was giving me detailed feedback about each draft. Only when she was satisfied, she would send the essays to the school reviewers of that specific school in their team at Stratus. And then they would give more detailed feedback on how to improve the application further. Never ever did she look at the clock and tell me that she has spent way many hours on my application that she would have liked. There were so many times when I needed to get on call with her on very short notice and before I would ask her, she would set up a mutually convenient time. Sometimes within 15 mins of our email conversation. She even helped proof-read the entire application with me. She will never write the essays or the application for you. Trust me, she will teach you how to craft your story. After all my applications were submitted (6 of them), she took my mock interviews and provided me with live feedback and also a recording of the entire interview for me to watch later and make specific notes in areas of improvement. Then there were days when I used to feel low and not confident if I will make it into any of my dream programs. And she would drop me a note or sometimes get on video call to cheer me up and motivate me and ask me to stay positive. She does not believe in forecasting how many and what all admits one will get. She only believes in crafting the best application and putting the best foot forward. I can confidently say that she must have put 100+ hours on my 6 applications.

While I am still waiting on one decision, I have been accepted at an M7 program! None of this would ever have been possible without the help from Donna, Susan, and the rest of the staff at Stratus. I cannot be more thankful to each one of them. At this point, I am confident in saying that I was truly blessed to have been referred to by GMATNinja and that the money that they charge is way less than what Donna (and the team) truly deserve. The fact that she helped me get into a dream school and has been there for me every time I needed it, is something that I cannot be thankful enough for. She is my guiding light. My angel. I am writing this review so that it could help motivate others to join her and get the best in their applications for themselves. She is the best in the business and I wish her all the luck and love and more than she expects. I wish I could give her 10 stars. 🙂

Donna was instrumental in helping me prepare for my interviews and essays. I felt ready for each of my interviews thanks to her tailored interview preparation techniques. Stratus’ essay review process provided excellent feedback and helped me emphasize the elements of my application that would resonate the most with each of the respective MBA programs. Donna’s professionalism comes across immediately. She is very timely with her email responses and is always willing to set up a quick call to discuss your application. If you are looking for an MBA tutor I highly recommend you look at Donna and Stratus. They helped me get into the top 3 European MBA programs and a top 10 American MBA program.

In such a high-pressure process, it’s important to work with a coach who can not only identify your strengths as a candidate but can also keep you level-headed and grounded. As a “nontraditional” applicant coming from PR, Melisa made the process as enjoyable as possible and played an instrumental role in my Columbia acceptance.

Even before we started officially working together, Melisa sent me a number of test and quant prep resources to show me that there were multiple ways to demonstrate my quantitative reasoning capabilities to admissions. Throughout the onboarding and essay writing process, she was thorough, empathetic, and constantly suggested fresh ways to frame my MBA story. She took the time to fully understand my personal story and long-term goals which made my application more authentic and convincing.

What really stood out about Melisa’s approach was her ability to guide her clients to what’s actually best for them. When I was interviewing other potential MBA consultants, I often felt like they were either trying to upsell me by convincing me to apply to as many schools as possible or were so focused on my application stats that I felt discouraged from the get-go. By contrast, Melisa was warm, never dismissive of my goals, and worked with me to find schools that were actually the right cultural and professional fit, regardless of the program’s ranking.

I feel fortunate to have worked with Melisa who made this daunting task extremely approachable. She went above and beyond to make sure I felt supported and prepared for each step by either doing additional research in her own time or connecting me with former clients in her network who could provide better insight on a specific topic. This is a worthwhile investment for anyone who is passionate about their academic and professional goals and wants to make sure all their bases are covered during the application process.

After what I might’ve called a traumatic undergraduate college admissions experience, I feel confident saying I’ve finally moved past it after the tremendous success I’ve now had with getting into business school. I owe most of this success to Donna. Out of the 6 schools where she helped me, I got into 4 (Northwestern Kellogg, UVA Darden, USC Marshall and UNC Kenan-Flagler) and all with significant scholarships. I started working with her in February and feel I was really rewarded with almost a year of advice and mentorship throughout this often very stressful process. My initial drafts for my essays were very rough and Donna helped me refine them through more than 8 drafts sometimes, until we both, plus the additional objective third party reviewer at Stratus, felt they were strong – and they were! I got in! I feel very lucky to have worked with Donna and couldn’t recommend her enough to anyone who is embarking on this process. Start early! It pays off in spades.

I came across Ms. Jackson’s profile while looking for another consultant at Stratus. I spoke to Ms. Jackson and immediately felt I was in the right hands. She’s admirable in her mannerism, her Harvard pedigree shows.

Ms. Jackson created milestones for me, her technique and format truly hit the target. She made me really get to know my school and each step of the way she lead me to step up my representation through my essays.

She carefully assessed each art of my application, from resume to interview preparation.

She was truly dedicated to my success as if it was hers. Even when I ran short of hours she didn’t care but led me to the finish line. I felt like working with a parent/a friend. Her interest was never what package I bought, but if I was doing a good job in my application.

I only wrote one application with her and it landed me where I wanted. Working with Ms. Jackson was a rewarding experience.