Stratus Admissions Counseling | MBA Admissions Consultants

I worked with Susan Cera at Stratus for my deferred MBA applications and had a great experience! I applied to 5 M7 programs and ended up getting accepted into 2.

Coming from a background that wasn’t traditional (finance, or consulting), I wasn’t entirely sure how to pitch my profile at first. Susan was super helpful in framing my story and showing how my path fit into my long-term goals. She was always quick to reply, helped me polish my resume, and gave clear, direct feedback on my essay drafts and interview prep.

If you’re looking for an MBA consultant who is responsive, straightforward, and knows how to highlight your unique background, I definitely recommend Susan and Stratus!

When I started the MBA application process, I knew I had strong experiences, but I wasn’t sure how to turn them into a compelling story that would resonate with admissions committees. Working with Susan Cera was easily one of the best investments I made throughout the entire process.

From our very first conversations, Susan challenged me to think more deeply about my past experiences, motivations, and long-term goals. She didn’t simply edit essays, she helped me uncover the themes that connected my personal story, professional achievements, and future aspirations into an authentic and cohesive narrative.

Susan added value at every stage of the process. She guided me through the introspection needed to identify my strongest stories, helped develop a thoughtful application strategy for each school, brainstormed and refined every essay, transformed my resume into one designed for MBA admissions, and prepared me extensively for interviews. Her feedback was always honest, strategic, and incredibly detailed, while never losing my own voice.

What impressed me most was that Susan genuinely cared about my success. She knew exactly when to push me harder, when to challenge my thinking, and when to reassure me that I was on the right track. Throughout the process, she became much more than an admissions consultant, she was a trusted advisor and coach.

The result speaks for itself: I accepted an offer to an M7 business school which was my #1 choice and I can confidently say my application was dramatically stronger because of Susan’s guidance. I have no doubt that I would not have presented the same caliber of application without her partnership.

If you’re looking for someone who combines deep admissions expertise with an incredible ability to help you tell your story in the most authentic and compelling way possible, I cannot recommend Susan Cera highly enough. She was instrumental in helping me achieve one of my biggest career goals, and I will always be grateful for her support.

If you’re liked I was 2 years ago reading this page and wondering whether to fork over a considerable sum of money and time to have Susan (or truthfully any counselor) work with you on your applications … do it and choose Susan everytime.

About me: deferred MBA candidate that did her 4-school package, accepted at Booth and Wharton (headed to Wharton in 2-4 years). Came from a big midwest state school, working in consulting post-undergrad, and felt really bleak about my odds.

So, why is Susan so uniquely phenomenal? Three reasons:

1. She’s cares enough to be blunt (when needed): Susan is the definition of someone who will push you to your fullest even when you may be reluctant to go further. When I was taking my GRE, I had really struggled to boost my score, and she provided incredibly helpful (and transparent) advice about where my lower score would get me and how to course correct. I spoke with around 6 consultants before choosing Susan, and I’m confident at least half of them would’ve sugarcoated or told me what I wanted to hear with my subpar, original GRE score. Susan, though? She’ll keep it straight and tell it to you how it is / how to fix (and that’s true for EVERY part of the application process with her).

2. She’s been in this business long enough to have actual experience WORTH drawing from: In identifying what my long-term career goals were, I was consistently waffling with unclear visions. At every turn, she must’ve rattled off 10-12 prior candidates that had quite similar backgrounds to me that provided actual inspiration. Post-Susan, she opened my eyes to Entrepreneurship through Acquisition, the career goal that came to form the basis of my b-school applications.

3. She’s just as much a consultant as she is a friend: In talking with her prior clients and what I’d gathered in our consultation, I knew she was personable. Great, I thought; however, I brushed it off to mean she’s merely a friendly person, cool. No! Susan is a true gem that goes ABOVE and BEYOND what it means to truly get to know someone, becoming a PARTNER (not just second set of eyes) in the process. She remembers every small detail you may have mentioned in passing and even remembered my birthday that was nestled in a final application read through (in the fine print) for one of my schools. She’s someone you keep in touch with long past working on MBA applications because she’s that genuine of a person.

Can’t recommend Susan enough – if you have a seed of doubt, ask her to speak with a former client or two of hers like myself, and you’ll quickly understand why so many sing her praises.

Before committing, I had intake calls with 7–8 consultants. All were well-qualified, but Susan stood out immediately. She clearly took the time to understand my profile before our call, and she went well over the allotted time to dig into my concerns about my nontraditional background. As a former collegiate soccer player herself, she also understood my story on a personal level in a way others didn’t. Her Dartmouth undergrad background and experience on Fuqua’s Admissions Committee were especially valuable given that Tuck and Fuqua were high on my list.
What stood out about working with her:
1. Introspection exercises
Susan’s exercises pushed me to think deeply and connect the dots across my experience, giving me a clear, cohesive MBA story and a strong set of examples for essays and interviews.
2. Essay brainstorming
With all that introspection, I often ended up with 4–5 drafts covering different experiences for a single essay. Susan talked through each one with me and helped me identify which one truly fit.
3. Essay editing
Tight word counts and making the “Why This School” section stand out are genuinely hard problems. Susan worked through both with me skillfully.
4. Interview prep
She made sure I had both core and school-specific questions down cold.
5. Character
Encouraging, thoughtful, instinctive, and knowledgeable — she held me accountable while giving me room to work things out on my own.
6. Confidence
Most importantly, despite multiple resume gaps and relatively short stints at my previous three companies, Susan gave me the confidence to present my background as an asset rather than a liability.

I’d recommend her without hesitation to anyone navigating a nontraditional path to business school.

Lisa was an invaluable resource throughout my MBA application and interview journey. Going into the process, I had little idea what to expect, but Lisa provided guidance every step of the way. She helped me refine my “why MBA” narrative, articulate my personal and professional story in a compelling way, and confidently communicate it throughout my interviews.

Thanks to Lisa’s support, I was admitted to Darden and awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Kenan-Flagler, where I will be attending this fall. I highly recommend Lisa to anyone navigating the MBA admissions process.

I worked with Susan throughout my MBA application journey and from the intake call with her, I knew immediately that she was the person I’d want guiding me through this process, so much so that I cancelled my intake meeting with another consultant that same day!

Susan truly embodies the positive, encouraging yet accountable voice that really challenges you to think critically about your goals, the story you want to tell, and what you really want out of your MBA experience. She helped me weave together my story beautifully and craft essays that were authentic, compelling and I believe truly made me stand out in the application pool despite my lower test scores.

It was Susan’s encouragement, patience and strategic mindset that helped me get admitted to 2 M7s and admitted into 2 T15s! I’m now heading to my dream M7 program and couldn’t be more excited.

I worked with Jennifer Jackson through Stratus’s three program package, and I can’t recommend her enough. From the initial introspection work to essay editing and interview prep, Jennifer was fantastic at every stage.

What I loved most about working with Jennifer was how encouraging and kind she was. She stayed optimistic throughout the process, which really helped during the stressful moments. Whenever I needed support, she was ready to jump on a call to talk things through.

Jennifer has a gift for helping you put your thoughts into words. She pushed me to dig deeper into my experiences and find the story that connected everything together. She knew how to make my writing stronger while ensuring my authenticity. And her interview coaching gave me the confidence I needed going into each conversation. I’m really grateful for all her help and I cannot recommend her enough! With her support, I got accepted into CBS and Booth!

When you apply to B-schools, you don’t just want someone to review your essays; you want someone to put you in the right mindset and shape your stories into what B-schools look for — especially true for an international like me. For me, Susan was that coach. Her instinct and professionalism were key in landing me at Kellogg, my dream school.

My shot at US MBAs started as a stab in the dark. No one I knew had gone for a US MBA. I had a crap GPA, an old GMAT, and a turbulent day job. I knew I had a chance, but was morbidly aware of the time investment needed to make things work, and completely blind about where I should aim and land. I needed someone to guide me through a good use of my time.

I shopped around for free sessions with countless consultants. Susan was one of only two that felt genuinely like a person, and she was the only one that intuitively knew what my CV brought to the table for B-schools. She became a natural choice.

I was then introduced to Stratus’ mixture-of-experts prep process — a staged journey from introspection through interview prep. Susan stayed with me as my internal advocate throughout, while a separate strategist and school-specific reviewers poked holes in my strategy and applications behind the scenes. I had someone fully invested in my success, but was never blindsided by glaring gaps.

And Susan championed me hard. She understood my stories and motivations, instinctively picked out the winning elements, and coached me into converting them into compelling but genuine narratives. As I struggled to hold down my increasingly nightmarish job and even disappeared for a while, missing Round 1 entirely (please don’t do this to Susan!), she checked in, gave me the right push, and made sure I had the courage to push through. When video essays and interviews came and my confidence wasn’t there, her pep talks rebuilt it. What made the difference was Susan’s investment in me at pivotal moments.

Stratus’ approach is structured, and Susan adds the personal touch on top. The introspective benefits go beyond just winning admission. This is an experience no AI can replicate, and I truly recommend Susan and her team to anyone embarking on this journey.

I cannot recommend Susan Cera and the Stratus team highly enough. I first started working with Susan through the AFP program, now the Starter MBA Strategy package, and it proved to be one of the most valuable parts of my application process. Through our strategy sessions and assignments, Susan helped me organize and thoughtfully reflect on my post-MBA goals, identify the strengths and differentiators in my background, and clarify the development areas where an MBA would have the greatest impact. She also helped me build a school list that genuinely excited me and aligned with both my goals and my profile.

After that initial strategy work, I continued with Susan through an hourly package. She helped me with the horizontal components of the MBA application process, including my resume, recommender strategy, and broader application positioning, before working with me school by school. For each application, Susan helped me brainstorm responses, identify the right areas to research, and refine my essays with thoughtful, candid, and highly actionable feedback. She also went above and beyond by connecting me with former clients when I was seeking deeper insight into specific programs and post-MBA career paths. When interviews came around, she provided clear and practical guidance on how to approach each school’s format and priorities.

What stood out most was the combination of professionalism, expertise, and genuine personal investment. Susan and the Stratus team were extremely knowledgeable, responsive, and easy to work with throughout what can otherwise be a stressful and ambiguous process. I have no doubt that I ended up at a stronger MBA program because of Susan’s guidance. I would wholeheartedly recommend Susan and Stratus to anyone serious about putting forward their best possible MBA application.

I worked with Lisa through her 4-school package as a first-generation applicant without a standout academic record. What Lisa does exceptionally well is excavate the real story buried in your experiences. She helped me surface leadership moments, extracurriculars, and professional accomplishments I had undervalued or overlooked entirely.

What set Lisa apart from other consultants was her candor. After speaking with multiple consultants and firms, she was the only one who didn’t pressure me or resort to scare tactics or wave me off. Our initial call made the decision easy.

Her support spanned the entire process: school selection, story development, essay drafting, interview prep, waitlist strategy, and final decisions. She is detail-oriented and thorough at every stage, and her feedback was substantive, not surface-level.

The results spoke for themselves: I was admitted to multiple schools and received a combined $321,000 in scholarships. That outcome doesn’t happen without the quality of coaching Lisa provided.

If you’re a non-traditional applicant who feels like your story isn’t strong enough, Lisa will find what’s there and help you tell it right. I couldn’t recommend her more highly.

Jennifer was incredible throughout my MBA application process. She took my non-traditional background and helped shape it into a clear, compelling narrative that truly resonated with top programs. With her guidance, I was admitted to Stanford, Wharton, Booth, Columbia, and Yale. Beyond outcomes, what stood out most was her ability to balance challenge and support. She consistently pushed me to elevate my thinking while ensuring my voice remained authentic. I truly don’t believe I would have achieved these results without her guidance. I highly recommend Jennifer to anyone serious about top MBA programs! She is the very best!

Have had the pleasure of working with Donna over an extended period, and can attest to her commitment and expertise. Navigating the MBA admissions process is an incredibly arduous process / journey, but Donna was instrumental in helping me stay the course, providing the structure and encouragement needed to ensure every application was submitted on time. Ultimately, her guidance was a key factor in me getting into my dream MBA program.

What sets Donna apart is her uncanny ability to delve deep into a candidate’s background, and to hone in on a compelling narrative. She helped me articulate my story in a way that was impactful and authentic, ensuring my true voice was never lost in the process. Her intuition for storytelling, combined with her rigorous professional standards, makes her an invaluable asset to any applicant. I cannot speak highly enough of Donna and would highly recommend her to anyone apply for B-School.

I started working with Donna roughly 4 months before R1 applications and I knew she was the perfect match for me from our very first call. What stood out to me about Donna right off the bat was just how encouraging and positive she was. I was making an unexpected career pivot and most other consultants had left me feeling demotivated and hopeless about my situation. In contrast, Donna celebrated the strengths that my application could build on and kept cheering me on. Speaking to her was the first time I felt confident enough that I could be accepted to an MBA at all. She chose to have faith in me when I didn’t.

In terms of working on the actual application, Donna is meticulous from start to finish. The brainstorming and strategy sessions were so crucial before I started writing my essays and Donna fleshed out the most unique narrative from the stories I shared with her. She pushed me to think deeply about each of my academic and extracurricular involvements and how they could be best presented in my application. Donna is also tremendously organized and made sure to nudge me along the various parts of the applications in a very timely manner. She is not afraid to do as many drafts as it takes until each essay is perfectly nailed down. She also roped in multiple different consultants from within Stratus to make sure I had the best insights and feedback that would be most relevant for that particular school. I was also very grateful for the support she provided with mock interviews. Donna tailored the questions to each school and gave very poignant feedback about how I could make each answer more memorable.

What I am most grateful for with Donna though is just how patient and reliable she is. I had about a million random questions pop up at every random stage of the process and I always preferred to discuss things live. Within a day of me emailing Donna with a doubt, she would promptly set up a meeting for us and resolve whatever was on my mind. There was never a cap on the number of times we spoke; whenever I needed her, she was always just a phone call away for me. Even though we live on different continents, I felt so so supported every step of the way and that is really all you would want in a consultant!

I would highly recommend her to any prospective students – as the headline says, she is the best investment you can make in the MBA process.

Working with Donna was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application process.

When I started, I had a rough sense of where I wanted to end up, but no clear strategy on how to position myself or tell my story effectively. Donna brought immediate structure and clarity. She was honest from day one about where I stood, what was realistic, and where we needed to focus — which I really valued.

What stood out most was her ability to help me translate my experiences into a compelling narrative. I had the raw material, but she pushed me to go deeper, be more specific, and actually articulate the “why” behind my decisions and goals. That made a huge difference across my applications.

She was also incredibly practical throughout — whether it was refining essays, keeping me on track with timelines, or preparing for interviews. At every stage, I felt like I had someone experienced in my corner who knew exactly what mattered (and what didn’t).

The process can feel noisy and overwhelming, especially with so much conflicting advice online. Donna cut through all of that and gave me a clear path forward.

I ultimately got into the school I wanted, and I’m confident I wouldn’t have achieved that outcome without her support.

I’d highly recommend her to anyone going through the MBA application process.

Thank you again for all of the help and insight you’ve given me this past year, above and beyond what was expected. When I started studying for the GMAT/GRE, I never thought I would be remotely competitive for schools like HBS, Wharton, and Sloan. You helped immensely in sharpening my applications without changing my voice and in giving me confidence that my story is competitive.

Working with Lisa Cummings was the single best decision I made in my MBA application journey. As an Air Force officer transitioning from a military acquisitions career, I knew I had strong experiences but struggled to translate them into a compelling narrative for a school like Wharton. Lisa immediately understood my background, leadership trajectory, and long-term goals, and helped me craft a clear, cohesive story that felt authentic and strategically aligned. Her experience on the MIT Sloan admissions committee was evident in the way she pushed me—directly and constructively—to elevate every essay, sharpen my resume, and eliminate jargon that wouldn’t resonate with admissions readers. She struck the perfect balance between coach and challenger, never letting me settle for “good enough.” The broader Stratus team-based approach added tremendous value, from second readers to targeted interview prep that prepared me thoroughly for Wharton’s unique format. I would recommend Lisa without hesitation (10/10). She didn’t just help me get accepted to Wharton—she helped me present the strongest version of myself.

Working with Donna was fantastic. She not only helped me navigate the MBA application process, but also helped me gain real clarity on my career direction and long-term goals. Donna consistently pushed me to think more deeply about my experiences, strengths, and areas for growth.

Donna was extremely professional throughout our work together. She outlined clear expectations and SLAs at the start and consistently turned feedback around quickly, delivering everything on time and as expected.

Stratus was also incredibly supportive throughout the journey. Getting input from multiple perspectives across the Stratus team at different stages, from early strategy and school selection to interview prep, made a big difference. I felt well prepared and confident at every step of the application process.

I’d strongly recommend Donna to anyone going through the MBA application process!

Lisa and I clicked on our initial call, and I knew we would have a great relationship throughout my application process. Lisa was always available to hop on a call and discuss any concerns I had, and even accommodated difficult time zones as I was deployed to Asia. She offered thoughtful and actionable feedback on all my essays, and transformed my experiences into a coherent and well articulated background. I had a very low undergraduate GPA, and Lisa was able to help me overcome it by developing the rest of my profile.I strongly recommend Lisa to anyone who is applying to business school, especially if you are transitioning out of the military.

Lisa was truly an incredible admissions consultant!! She is thorough, personable, and takes the time to give deep, constructive feedback to help you build your story. I did hourly services and she does not include time spent on emails as part of that package – and she would send very lengthy (extremely helpful) emails to ensure you got every bit of feedback from her perspective. She is also very responsive and works around her schedule to make sure she gives you the time needed. Through Lisa’s help, admitted to MIT Sloan with scholarship and currently invited to interviews for both HBS and GSB! I highly, HIGHLY recommend Lisa if you are looking for strong, honest assistance with MBA applications!!

I had started my MBA admission process as a headless chicken. As a Canadian, I knew very little about navigating the US B-school landscape. I had already spent a few months studying and was referred to Donna. As someone who has made decisions based on the knowns, giving my complete trust to Donna was something I was not used to. I am so glad I followed her guidance, because it got me admitted to an M7 school! We went through my profile, and she was very honest from the very beginning. I was not a home-run candidate, but I did have a chance, and she made me feel that we could achieve my goals. My story and experience were unique and exceptional, but I needed to explain my undergraduate grades and personal circumstances to admissions. We focused on dialling in on my experiences and goals, and, lastly, she was a great sounding board for my interview prep. There are so many unknowns that you cannot navigate through Google or Reddit. I can tell you that Donna was the shepherd I needed from the very beginning. Without her, it would be impossible to navigate through the noise of the internet, especially as an international student. Donna’s guidance not only helped me with B-school prep but also provided a framework for sharing my story with anyone.

I am so glad that I chose to work with Donna. She helped me highlight parts of my profile that I never would have thought to emphasize, and her extensive knowledge of the admissions process played a huge role in helping me secure a spot at one of my top-choice schools.

Beyond her expertise, Donna was constantly supportive throughout the entire journey. Whenever I needed someone uplifting and encouraging, she was that person for me. The process she guided me through was structured, easy to follow, and helped me craft a truly strong application. From reflecting on my achievements and strengths, to writing essays, to preparing for interviews, I felt supported every step of the way.

I ultimately chose to work with Donna because of how genuine she is. I have asked countless questions and had numerous calls with her, and she is always happy to help and offer thoughtful guidance. It truly feels like she wants the best for me – more like working with a trusted family friend than a stranger on the internet. I cannot recommend her highly enough!

Susan Cera was truly amazing to work with, as were the other members of the Stratus team who supported me throughout my MBA application process. I ultimately got into each of the schools I applied to—several of which felt like “reaches” when I first began—and I don’t think I could’ve done it without Susan and Stratus.

Susan is a true expert at her job and helped me effectively navigate every aspect of the MBA application process, which is time-intensive and can feel daunting at times. She was there every step of the way, rolling up her sleeves alongside me as I shaped my narrative, wrote my essays, drafted my applications and resume, prepared for interviews, and ultimately decided which school to attend. Every time I faced a situation I wasn’t sure how to approach, Susan knew exactly what to do. From the very beginning, she took the time to truly get to know me—spending months before I even started writing essays helping me think through my professional, personal, and educational experiences, my values, and my future goals, and tying those together into a cohesive narrative. She did an amazing job of helping me recognize themes in my life that hadn’t been top of mind but that are very true to who I am and ultimately shaped much of my application process. She worked tirelessly alongside me as I translated those themes into cohesive essays and applications that genuinely reflected who I am, and later as I prepared for interviews. I felt like I had Susan’s full attention the entire time—she was incredibly responsive; we often spoke multiple times per week and iterated on my essays several times each week. She put tremendous effort and thought into every aspect of my application and interview process and provided insightful feedback that helped me frame and elevate many parts of my application in more effective ways.

Susan and Stratus have the MBA admissions process down to a science—not in a cookie-cutter way, but in a way that is highly personal and provides the structure, methodology, and resources that enabled me to navigate a complex, multi-step, months-long process. Susan broke everything down into discrete steps, each with resources and guidance to help me approach it correctly—from brainstorming relevant life experiences, conducting school research, and developing my key themes and application strategy, to crafting my MBA resume, briefing my recommenders, writing my essays and applications, and preparing for interviews. I felt in control at every stage because I knew exactly what I needed to do and what to expect next. Stratus brings together so many unique resources from its years of experience—I not only worked closely with Susan, but also received feedback at multiple points from Melisa and Lisa as I refined my narrative and prepared for interviews, as well as from reviewers who are experts in each school’s application. I also had the opportunity to connect with past Stratus clients and students at my target schools to learn directly from their experiences.

Overall, I greatly enjoyed working with Susan, feel like she really got to know me personally and really invested in my success. I could not recommend working with her and Stratus more highly.

Choosing Stratus was the best decision I made during this entire MBA journey. Being a younger candidate and from an over represented pool, I knew my path would be difficult to get into my dream M7 program, but Stratus supported me in every part of my journey and not only helped me get an acceptance, but also a massive $140K scholarship!! This would not have been possible without the help of Donna, who is the ABSOLUTE BEST!

Donna helped me work on and refine every single step, right from creating an application strategy, setting goals, reviewing essays, refining my resume, and getting me prepared for the interviews. The best part about stratus is the team based approach. Apart from Donna, the other counselors also provided a lot of help and great feedback to get the best version of my application ready. There were several moments when I felt confused, burnt out, and contemplated everything, but Donna constantly supported me and helped me set realistic timelines to be able to manage all my applications. Thank you SO MUCH to the entire team, and I would 100% recommended Stratus to anyone thinking about getting help in this process.

I worked with Donna Bauman on my EMBA applications to six top business schools (four of them M7) and was admitted to all six. Two of the schools also offered merit-based scholarships of around $20K each, which is relatively rare for EMBA programs. Looking back, I genuinely believe these results were a byproduct of the process Donna guided me through, not just the final applications themselves.

Early on, Donna helped me slow down and deeply explore my past experiences. The introspection phase wasn’t about “finding good stories” for essays; it was about understanding patterns, themes, and motivations that I hadn’t fully articulated before. That work completely changed how I thought about my own career and leadership journey, and it became the foundation for everything that followed.

From there, Donna helped me create a clear application strategy across schools – what to emphasize, what not to force, and how to stay authentic while still being intentional. When we moved into brainstorming and essay writing, I could clearly see how different this approach was compared to simply drafting or polishing content. Before working with Donna, I had even considered using ChatGPT to help write my essays. At the time it felt efficient, but after going through this process, I now see how risky that would have been. There is a real and obvious difference between AI-generated writing and essays grounded in deep self-reflection.

Donna also helped refine my resume so that it aligned with the broader story I was telling, rather than just listing achievements. Everything felt connected instead of piecemeal. The team-based approach at Stratus was another big plus. I received feedback from multiple consultants at different stages, which felt very similar to how admissions committees actually review applications.

Interview preparation was another area where Donna made a huge difference. I completed six mock interviews for six schools, and I could feel myself improving after each one. More clarity, better structure, and stronger presence. By the time the real interviews came around, I felt prepared but still natural.

Finally, even after the offers came in, Donna helped me think through my options objectively, not just rankings. Throughout the entire process, she was always responsive and consistently offered candid, honest advice, even when it meant challenging my initial thinking.

Working with Donna Bauman and the Stratus team was easily one of the best decisions I made during my EMBA journey. I would highly recommend them to anyone aiming for top EMBA/MBA programs and who wants a process that genuinely adds value at every step, not just better essays.

When I started my MBA journey, I was in dire need of help. I had a high gre score (331) but low GPA (3.17), and average to slightly below average work experience (no name brand company). I wanted to transition from human capital to investment banking and knew that I needed to get into a T15 to have a shot. At the time, I was thinking about choosing consulting for my application MBA goal as I did not have professional finance experience. After a consultation with Susan Cera and then Joe Farr, they convinced me to be honest about targeting IB and that business schools wouldn’t hold my lack of finance experience against me. I started working with Joe almost a year prior to the 2025 cycle. Joe’s level of attention and care remained consistent throughout! He was always available and stayed true to Stratuses mandate of replying within 2 days, and his replies were always packed with detail. I think Joe’s true strength is his ability to comfort and reassure. I applied to 5 schools – Wharton, Tuck (guaranteed interview deadline) and through the consortium CBS, Yale, and Johnson. After sending in my apps, I did not hear from any school until the end of the interview period. Wharton was the first to get back to me with a ding without interview. I remember being crushed and super paranoid that I was going to go 0/5 and began second guessing the strategy that Joe and I had formalized. I remember a specific call with Joe in which I shared my fears (and my mini depression), and he did a GREAT job of talking me off a cliff. His calming presence and encouragement was much necessary and extremely valuable during a very stressful time! Joe is not only a pleasure to work with, but truly cares about his clients. He did not need to start working with me so early in the process but chose to do so because I think he could tell I really wanted to start working asap. Joe also set up a connection with an alumni from one of the schools I applied to for a very valuable chat about banking. With Joe’s help, I got into Johnson $$, Tuck $, and am currently waitlisted at CBS and Yale. I could not have achieved this without him. Side note, having Susan as a second pair of eyes is also extremely valuable – she knows the application process inside and out and is very candid in her feedback. I loved my experience at Stratus!

Jennifer was absolutely instrumental to my MBA application journey. She was knowledgeable in what each school was looking for, and she provided valuable insight and information in helping me tailor my essays and story around each school. Most importantly, Jennifer knew how to poke your essays and ask the right questions – her feedback led me to think deeply about my story and what I was trying to convey through my essays. The entire process was very comprehensive, from drafting my story to essay revision to interview prep. Jennifer is an all-star consultant who will lead you to success!

I ended up getting accepted into all of my schools I applied to with scholarships (3 M7s). I truly believe I wouldn’t have had this outcome without Jennifer, especially as an applicant from a non-business/finance background. Jennifer is your best bet in securing your dream MBA program!

Working with Melisa was one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process. Applying to MBA programs is no walk in the park, and I truly appreciated her guidance every step of the way, from helping me identify the right schools for my goals, crafting an authentic yet compelling story in my essays, to deciding which school to attend.

She provided thoughtful, strategic advice throughout my application process, yet always empowered me to make the final decision, never pressuring me towards a choice I wasn’t comfortable with. While the process felt long and, at times, overwhelming, Melisa was a constant source of support and encouragement. I always felt she genuinely cared about me and was invested in my success.

Thanks to her support, I was accepted to multiple programs with scholarships, including my top choice. I’m incredibly grateful for her help and wholeheartedly recommend working with her!

Susan went above and beyond my expectations of an MBA consultant going into this process. She is a true professional, and her and the team at Stratus are exceptional. She added so much value to my application, helping me explore my past experiences to shape my key themes, create a strategy for my application, brainstorm essay content, update and refine my resume, and prepare for my interview. She also encouraged me to submit a late application to my top school, and I ended up getting into my top MBA program a year earlier than I thought I would! I am so grateful for Susan and all the help she gave me in helping me achieve my MBA goals.

Working with Donna was by far one of the most enjoyable and most valuable parts of my MBA application journey!

Donna was extremely helpful from day one! We started with her self-discovery phase, which helped me more deeply understand myself, my needs, and my aspirations. She has a very well-structured process that guides you to reflect on what drives you and why you really want to do an MBA. The learnings I gained from that part of the process were actually valuable beyond the MBA applications, helping me think more broadly about my career and long-term goals.

In terms of essay writing, Donna again has a structured process that really works (you can tell she is extremely experienced and has been doing it for years). She starts with an essay outline that is thoroughly reviewed and discussed before moving into writing drafts. Donna’s use of Stratus’s broader network of school experts was also incredibly valuable. She connected me with people who knew my target programs inside out, which helped me tailor my essays and give them that extra edge – that was a game changer for me!

Donna and Stratus’s resume update support was also extremely valuable. They are incredibly thorough, paying attention to even the smallest details and when all those refinements come together, I truly believe they make a big difference in the final result. Again, I came away with many broader learnings that I’ll carry forward when updating my resume in the future.

Be aware that this whole process is hard work. But this is another area where Donna really adds value as she keeps you on track with well-thought-out deadlines and an easy way to manage and track progress. She also properly holds you accountable, which really helps keep momentum. I always felt like there was a solid plan in place, and that made a big difference.

I can say without a doubt that hiring Susan was one of the best investments I have ever made in my own success. Susan expertly guided me through the decision to apply on a condensed timeline using test waivers and her thorough knowledge of the culture, fit, and points of differentiation between top business schools expanded the range of schools I applied to and was ultimately accepted to. From narrative and strategy crafting to in-depth resumé and essay guidance to school specific interview prep, Susan added tremendous value every step of the MBA admissions journey. If you come ready to work, Susan will help you achieve incredible results.

Working with Susan was one of the best decisions I made during my deferred MBA application journey. From day one, she brought warmth, structure, and unwavering encouragement to a process that often felt intimidating and uncertain.

What stood out to me most was how deeply Susan believed in my story and potential. She never let me lose sight of my strengths, even when I doubted whether my profile could stand out. She helped me craft a compelling and authentic narrative by drawing out meaningful insights from my past experiences, and pushed me to think more strategically and introspectively at every stage.

Susan’s emotional support and consistent reassurance were game-changers. I was able to walk away with an admit to a top M7 program. I can’t recommend Susan highly enough.

Working with Donna through Stratus on a four-school package was the best decision I made during the MBA application process. From day one, she helped me navigate every aspect of the journey — from refining my resume and building a thoughtful school selection strategy to tackling essays and preparing for interviews. Her guidance made the process far more manageable, especially when it came to understanding the unknowns of the application and interview process.

For the essays, Donna pushed me to reflect deeply on my experiences and helped shape them into compelling, cohesive narratives aligned with my goals. We went through six or more drafts for all four schools I worked on with Donna, and her detailed feedback helped me elevate each version.

It was also extremely reassuring to know that the four-school package included Round 2 support if needed. Having that safety net gave me the confidence to give my all in Round 1.

In the end, I was fortunate to have strong options, and Donna was a steady, supportive sounding board as I weighed my final decision. When I visited one of the schools I was accepted to, Donna went above and beyond — giving me a personalized tour of the town and even offering me a ride to the airport. That experience highlights the level of care and commitment she brings to her work.

I’m truly grateful for her insight, responsiveness, and unwavering support throughout the process — it made all the difference.

As someone with a more traditional background in consulting / audit, I knew that I needed a consultant who would help me craft a unique story in order to stand out. Donna helped me reflect on some of my life and work experiences in a way that helped me showcase my own individuality. When the dust settled, I was admitted into one of my top programs with a full-ride scholarship. However, I know that some of the lessons I learned working with Donna such as how to sell myself, how to craft a resume, and how to tailor my past experiences to where I want to be in the future, are all things that I will continue to take with me throughout the rest of my career.

I came into the MBA experience late and overwhelmed. Donna and the Stratus team took off a great deal of this stress from making a personalized timeline to detailing the steps I need to do. She was great at pulling out my experiences and seeing how it all tied together in ways I couldn’t see. Working with Donna definitely increased my application material quality and I loved the team-based approach where I got brutally honest feedback from multiple perspectives. I was able to land at multiple M7 schools including one of my top choices and couldn’t be happier with the outcome!

I worked with Donna on my applications to top MFE programs, and the experience was truly exceptional. She helped me craft a narrative that was not only authentic and personal but also strategically framed to show admissions committees who I really am — beyond just numbers and credentials.

I was facing extremely tight deadlines — for my top-choice school, I started writing essays just 36 hours before the deadline. Donna edited my drafts multiple times, on a Saturday when she had other commitments, ensuring everything was polished and submitted on time.

Most importantly, we got great results: I applied to two top U.S. programs and was accepted to both. Grad admissions can be stressful, especially when you’re constantly comparing yourself to others. Donna helped me tune that out and gave me the confidence to present my own story — not someone else’s. I’m really grateful for her support.

When prepping for my MBA, there were so many people telling me to do 10,000 things, but a friend said to forget all of that and just work with Jennifer (she had helped him get into Wharton). I took his advice and don’t regret it one bit. Jennifer worked with me to develop my narrative and edit my essays, prepare for interviews, and even negotiate scholarships. I ended up with a full ride to Columbia and admission into Wharton.

Jennifer was the perfect support and sounding board during my MBA journey that yielded 3 M7 acceptances + scholarships. Jennifer has a knack for empathizing with her counselees and I felt that she really cared about my story/my goals. Jennifer was a joy to work with, always responded within 1-2 days, and was not afraid to challenge/question for the sake of constructive feedback. I purchased an hourly package with Stratus and thought the process was very comprehensive. I have no regrets from working with Jennifer and I don’t think I could have done this without her!

Working with Jennifer Jackson at Stratus was crucial as an older, non-traditional MBA candidate planning a significant career pivot. The most helpful part of working with Jennifer, and the Stratus approach more broadly, was all the preparation we did before starting the application. Stratus understands that MBA applications require significant introspection; Jennifer really helped me dig deep, and it was clear she was genuinely invested in my success. Without Jennifer’s help, I firmly believe my outcome would have been different. I highly recommend Jennifer and Stratus to anyone considering pursuing an MBA—well worth the investment!

Donna made a huge difference in my application journey. She was very thorough with her suggestions and straightforward when she felt like my story wasn’t strong enough. She pushed me to think deeper in my past experiences and made personalized suggestions on which schools/programs are the best fit for me and my career goals. I ended up getting into a very unique M7 program that I am thrilled to be attending in a few months!!
The team-based approach Stratus has was also very unique and I feel supported throughout my experience. While Donna had been with me every step of my application journey, I was advised and motivated by Susan and a few other experienced consultants based on the schools I applied to.

Working with Sophie made the whole process feel like more than just an application. Her background as a veteran and outdoor enthusiast created our initial connection, but her supportive and positive attitude solidified my desire to work with her. Sophie went above and beyond – coaching and mentoring me through not only the applications, but also helping me refine my life goals. I have no doubt working with her directly contributed to my success admission and scholarship offers.

Melisa was incredibly helpful in providing the support and guidance I needed through my application process. Her thoughtfulness and knowledge of the admissions process (and individual schools) helped me to shape my own preferences, as well as provide me with excellent advice on essays, interviews, etc.. I was very grateful to be admitted to several of my top choice schools — a position I would not have been in without Melisa!

Sophie and Stratus as a whole were great and super helpful throughout the entire process. Sophie was always available, even on weekends or late at night during crunch time for applications. Stratus’ process driven approach from introspection to writing essays helped me best craft my applications and pitch myself to these schools. If you’re like me and into sports, fitness, activelife, hiking, etc..then Sophie will be the perfect fit for you. She understood my point of view when crafting essays, which was important later for applications and essays. One small detail about Sophie was that I never had to remind her about my schools, interests, goals, and concerns – working with her felt like I was her only client. I ended up overachieving my goal with some scholarship money to my original target school and getting into a very prestigious top 10 MBA that I never thought I could get into with my background. Other top MBA consulting firms told me I had no shot!

Like many candidates, prior to working with Susan, I engaged with the big name shops in admissions consulting (Fortuna, mbaMission, Stacy Blackman etc). While Susan’s credentials of being a former Adcom stood out, what made me ultimately choose Susan was the feeling I had after our first call. For context, I come from a non-traditional background and even hold a title that may be perceived as lacking leadership experience – Executive Assistant. As I rattled off my target school list, Susan left me feeling confident that although I would need to work hard to get there, it was possible. From the first minute, you can tell she deeply cares about understanding who you are and the why behind your actions.

Throughout our time together, Susan was incredible in drawing out a cohesive personal narrative and themes that would pervade each essay. From brainstorming to revisions, she provided timely and transparent feedback (especially when I was off mark!) that allowed me to adjust my storytelling approach and pushed me in the right direction. Her process offers structure, which was critical as someone who was testing and working on applications simultaneously, all while maintaining a full-time job. She is there every step of the way, and I know her help and support were instrumental to my success in admissions outcomes (accepted to 4 of 5 programs). I am so excited to be attending Columbia on a generous scholarship, which was my dream outcome and one which other admissions consultants told me would not be possible given my title. Susan believed in me, and through the confidence she instilled, I eradicated self-doubt and went for my dream.

I couldn’t recommend Susan enough and feel extremely grateful I got to work with her during my MBA process! Choosing Susan is choosing a life-changing coach – the best investment of all-time!

I have many great things to say about Donna!
I started the my MBA application process, in hindsight, very unprepared and quite late, yet eager to apply to the top school despite having some obstacles in my profile.
Though I had some solid work experiences, I came with an average college GPA that I couldn’t do much about, a long GMAT retesting road ahead because I couldn’t reach the score I needed to, and lacking the confidence and clarity to pull my story together for top B-schools. Plus I came from an overprescribed demographic pool and hardly had any MBA folks in my circle to lean on for advice.
Donna encouraged me to apply to my dream schools and worked closely with me to make sure I was making progress and not giving up. Stratus’ introspection and upfront brainstorming strategy session were pivotal here and their school specific reviewers really help polish your essays to the finest detail.
Donna goes above and beyond in preparing you, whether it’s advising on overall application strategy, helping curate/ pressure test essays/ personal story telling, or interview prep. She was patient and empathetic with me while keeping firm accountability on progress- especially in the beginning when I was “stuck” and needed that extra coaching to write and pull my stories together.
I did the all-in consulting packages for a few schools with Status and did the rest on my own- Donna was kind enough to even provide advice on areas that I was not directly working with her on. My interview was scheduled right after a holiday weekend and Donna coached me on her day off.
Just speaks to her commitment to make sure her clients are successful. 
Many many thanks to Donna!!

From my first discussion with Lisa, I could tell that she was a different style of MBA admissions consultant, but I did not yet know the profound impact she would make on my application strategy and results. As someone reeling from multiple rejections despite strong stats and experience, I was nervous at the thought of reapplication and didn’t quite know where to start. I spoke with almost 20 different consultants, but Lisa was the only one that immediately recognized how my background, academic interests, and career vision came together to tell a convincing personal story. She was the optimal choice to help me hone my approach and I am so glad to have worked with her.

Lisa’s greatest strength is teaching the delicate art of how to translate your motivations, achievements, and uniqueness in a way that resonates with admissions committees. She helped me recognize leadership qualities I didn’t know that I have, pare down my stories to communicate the most impactful examples, and become more comfortable with expressing personal experiences that have shaped me. Lisa believes that each applicant has unique aspects that no other applicant shares; she uses this fact to help build your confidence and clearly demonstrate your value to any MBA program.

Lisa is the utmost professional, with excellent availability and quick turnaround on edits. At the same time, she is completely invested in your success and personal well-being. She acknowledges the massive amount of work involved in applying to MBA programs and the difficulty of overcoming roadblocks along the way. She is a true advocate of your potential as an applicant, which helped keep me focused and resilient when the process felt overwhelming.

I am confident that Lisa’s guidance played an instrumental role in my admission to multiple Top 10 MBA programs, including my first choice. I recommend her unequivocally and urge you to reach out to her if you are considering an MBA admissions consultant.

I had an exceptional experience working with Donna and the Stratus team throughout my MBA application journey. One of my favorite aspects of working with Donna was her unwavering support during an unexpected challenge. In the middle of the application process, I was laid off due to tech redundancies, and was worried this would derail the months of work I had put into my applications. Donna immediately reassured me, sharing that she had worked with other clients in similar situations whose MBA journeys were not negatively impacted. Beyond her role as a consultant, she went above and beyond by quickly connecting me with people in my intended post-MBA industry, helping me explore job opportunities and expand my network. Her empathy and proactive approach made a stressful situation feel far more manageable, and her reassurance helped me to land a new job in the tech industry, just 2 months after the layoff in a difficult job market.

From the start, Donna was clear that she would match my working pace. Whether I sent her multiple lengthy school drafts in a day or needed quick feedback, she was always incredibly responsive. Her comments were thoughtful and thorough, demonstrating her ability to understand the bigger picture of what I was trying to communicate. She never made edits just for the sake of it—it was clear she fully read through each draft and provided comments that were appropriate to the stage of the process, whether we were refining core themes or fine-tuning language.

The Stratus framework itself was highly structured and effective. The process moved from broad-strokes brainstorming to increasingly narrow and refined drafts, helping shape my narrative in a clear and compelling way. The team’s collective experience was evident throughout, as they provided insightful guidance and industry knowledge that strengthened my overall application.

I highly recommend Donna and Stratus to anyone navigating the MBA application process. Their expertise, dedication, and genuine support made all the difference in helping me tell my story authentically and effectively.

Donna is an amazing admissions counselor, and went above and beyond to support me as I navigated the MBA application process. From the very beginning, she was warm, kind, and expressed a genuine interest in getting to know me and my career goals.

We spent several sessions on introspection activities that helped me identify and articulate how my past career experiences, skills, and strengths made me a competitive applicant for business school. From these activities, I was able to refine my career goals, and develop a strong application strategy. As well, the exercises helped me brainstorm various experiences I could discuss in my essays and made my writing process much more organized and succinct.

Donna conducted multiple reviews of my essays and short answers responses, providing essential feedback on areas I could improve and significant areas to highlight. She provided a thorough resume review and held mock interview sessions with me to practice and prep. Donna always gave me constructive feedback and was an invaluable resource. She was very responsive, and reviewed my essay drafts and answered any questions I had in a timely manner. Whenever I had doubts or concerns about a weak component of my application, she was empathetic and helped me reframe/strategize how I could address any weaknesses and improve.

Through her guidance, I was accepted to multiple schools with scholarship offers. Thank you Donna, I’m incredibly thankful I had the opportunity to work with you!

I worked with Lisa at Stratus for my MBA applications and couldn’t be happier with the experience. I applied to HBS, Stanford, and Wharton, ultimately getting into Wharton—which I’m absolutely thrilled about!

Lisa’s background as a former admissions officer at Sloan was invaluable. She knew exactly which clichés to avoid and what would resonate most with the admissions committees. Her insights helped me craft a compelling, authentic application that truly reflected my story.

One of the best parts of working with Stratus was the comprehensive support. Beyond Lisa’s guidance, I had other experts stress-test my application, a school-specific reviewer to ensure fit, and mock interviews that prepared me exceptionally well—especially for Wharton’s unique group discussion format.

I was a bit disappointed not to get into Stanford or Harvard (or even get an interview), but I genuinely feel that the application I submitted was the best it could be. The price tag is steep, but relative to the cost of the MBA, it felt important to give it my best shot. If you’re looking for expert guidance and a structured, thorough process, I highly recommend Lisa and Stratus!

I highly recommend Susan Cera to anyone looking to boost their chances of getting into a top business school. From the start, she took the time to understand my academic background, work experience, and community involvement to build a strong foundation for my applications. As my story evolved, she helped me craft a tailored strategy for each of the three schools I applied to.
Susan was incredibly patient as I refined my resume, guiding me on how to shape it for business school admissions rather than just a future employer. She was also instrumental in helping me push through writer’s block during the essay process. When it came time for interviews, she offered to arrange Zoom mock sessions for each school.
With her guidance, I was accepted to all three M7 schools I applied to. Beyond her expertise, Susan genuinely cares about her clients and is a true professional. I can’t recommend her enough!

Jennifer helped me discover the beauty in the ordinary. She guided me to uncover hidden gems in my story and answered many of the “so what’s” that I struggled with in my essays. She continuously pushed me to dig deeper and brought out the best in each of my essays. Always available to answer questions, hop on calls, and provide reassurance when things got tough, Jennifer was a constant source of support.

She also played a crucial role in helping me strategically select schools and encouraged me when certain schools seemed out of reach. Without her, I wouldn’t have gotten into many of my top choices. Her work ethic kept me organized and on track throughout the entire process. Additionally, she connected me with students and professionals along the way, further enriching my experience.

Though she rigorously prepared me during mock interviews, she ensured that I walked away from each one feeling confident and ready to ace it. I received interview invites from all the schools we worked on together and was even accepted into schools we hadn’t focused on, all thanks to her guidance.

Jennifer has been a blessing in disguise, and I’m incredibly grateful for her support. She truly is the best!