Stratus Admissions Counseling | MBA Admissions Consultants

I had such a great experience working with Melisa. She’s attentive, responsive, and extremely knowledgeable. Her advice was always very well thought out and she used our time efficiently and effectively. I would highly recommend Melisa for anyone wanting to get their MBA!

Susan unequivocally lived up to her reputation as being one of the best MBA admissions consultants in the country. Her dedication despite only working with me on a single school was simply incredible, and her energy to dig deep with her clients to uncover their compelling stories is outstanding. Most importantly, I felt like I was able to be 100% honest with Susan about some of my concerns & fears around pursuing an MBA, and she was able to provide highly helpful & candid feedback on what she has seen in her many years working with prospective applicants. If you are a prospective student, especially one who may be on the younger side of the applicant pool, I simply cannot recommend Susan enough to be your partner on your journey!

Donna was a fantastic and helpful resource during the entirety of my MBA application journey. She provided thoughtful, highly personalized guidance and was very generous with her time, and it was absolutely worth the money to utilize her great insights. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her and would recommend her to anyone looking to make sense of an often difficult and opaque process.

I HIGHLY recommend Lisa for your MBA application journey. I did significant due diligence with ALL of the admissions consulting firms/consultants, and knew right away that Lisa & the whole Stratus Admissions team was the real deal. Lisa’s greatest strength is that she’s not afraid to tell you what you NEED to hear. I personally attest to the outstanding coaching & mentorship Lisa provided.

In the beginning of my MBA admissions process, I felt so nervous about my chances that I dragged my feet and put off applying for a year. As I geared up for the next application cycle, I knew I needed the extra guidance to not only kickstart the lengthy process but also to help me feel confident about my application & not focus solely on my weaknesses. I remembered the free consultation chat I had with Susan a year ago – in just 20 minutes, she provided extremely insightful comments about my resume/profile and instantly became my personal cheerleader! In January, I signed up to work with her for the comprehensive package for my dream school. Over the first few months, Susan helped me nail down a fail proof narrative about my short and long term goals that reflected my personal values and experiences. She then helped me prepare thorough recommender memos, provided meticulous comments on my essays (some of them went through 7 revisions and ended up being a blueprint that I used for all my other b-school essays), and connected me to alums and current students at my dream school. Throughout each of these steps, it was clear that Susan had worked with thousands of clients and she ensured that I leveraged her decades of valuable lessons learned at every step. I also loved our conversations; Susan was always kind even when being candid and never let my pessimism get the best of me. In the end, telling Susan that I got into my dream school with a total scholarship package of $85K was one of the most exciting parts of my celebration! If you want an admissions consultant who truly cares about your hopes and dreams and delivers unlimited gems of advice and exceptional structured guidance, Susan and her team at Stratus are a total no-brainer!

I chose to hire a consultant because of my unusual background and lack of understanding of how to translate my background in a way that is attractive to top MBA schools. I chose Stratus because of their structured approach to the application process, and I chose Jennifer specifically because of reviews I had read on different forums, including P&Q. The specific package I purchased was 2-schools. The structured approach gave me hard deadlines to make sure I was on track for getting the essays accomplished on time. Jennifer was encouraging throughout the process, but still pushed me to think harder about certain aspects of the essays, which was critical in those moments when I was simply sick and tired of writing and drafting and thinking during the application process. There is no doubt in my mind that her guidance was critical to the success of my application. With 20/20 hindsight, the only thing I might have changed is to purchase 1 school rather than 2. I felt that much of the advice given for 1 school could be carried over to any application I was working on. (I ended up applying to 7 different T20 MBA programs Round 1, accepted to 4, 2 of which with significant scholarship).

I can confidently say that my journey to Harvard Business School and a spot on the waitlist at Stanford wouldn’t have been possible without Jennifer’s invaluable guidance.

From our very first interaction, it was clear that was an incredible listener. Throughout the entire process, she took the time to understand not only my academic and professional background but also my personal aspirations. This personalized approach made all the difference, as she helped me articulate my story in a way that truly reflected who I am.

One of her standout qualities is her exceptional brainstorming skills. Instead of merely providing answers, Jennifer guided me through thought-provoking discussions, enabling me to generate my own ideas and insights.

Moreover, I was consistently impressed by her responsiveness. Not once did I experience a delayed response; she was always quick to provide feedback, answer questions, and offer support. This level of dedication and efficiency greatly eased the stress of the application process, allowing me to focus on presenting my best self.
Her honesty was a refreshing aspect of our collaboration. She wasn’t afraid to tell me when certain details were unnecessary or when a particular approach might be more effective. This candid feedback was instrumental in refining my application to its strongest possible version.

One standout feature of working with her and the Stratus team was the access to other admissions officers. I had the chance to bounce ideas off and interview prep with various coaches.

In essence, having Jennifer as my coach was like having a steadfast supporter and mentor throughout the entire process. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone embarking on the challenging journey of MBA admissions. Thank you Jennifer for being an integral part of my success!

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Donna as my admissions consultant throughout the MBA application process, and I cannot speak highly enough of her invaluable guidance.

Donna’s expertise, professionalism, and dedication were evident from our initial interactions. She possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of MBA admissions, and her insights proved instrumental in shaping a compelling and authentic narrative for my application. Donna’s commitment was evident in her meticulous approach to every aspect of the application, from refining essays to providing strategic advice on recommendation letters.

What truly sets Donna apart is her ability to draw out the unique aspects of an applicant’s experiences and aspirations. She not only helped me articulate my achievements but also encouraged me to reflect on my journey, resulting in a more authentic and impactful application. Donna’s keen eye for detail ensured that my application presented a cohesive and compelling story, a critical element in the competitive landscape of MBA admissions.

Her support extended beyond the technicalities of the application. Donna provided insightful advice on school selection, helping me tailor my choices to align with my career goals and personal aspirations. Her personalized approach, genuine enthusiasm, and unwavering support created a collaborative and motivating environment that made the challenging process more manageable.

I am thrilled to share that, with Donna’s guidance, I received an acceptance offer from Wharton’s MBA program. This outcome is a testament to Donna’s exceptional abilities as an admissions consultant. I wholeheartedly recommend Donna Bauman to anyone embarking on the MBA application journey. Her dedication makes her an invaluable partner in achieving one’s academic and professional aspirations.

I loved working with Kelly and the Stratus team. Kelly helped me with the CBS and Stanford GSB applications. As advertised, Stratus use a team approach. During each of these applications I received guidance from Kelly, Susan Cera, and multiple editors (CBS & Stanford Alums). Kelly even connected me with her classmates at CBS during the process.

The methodology that Stratus uses not only helped me complete the applications for these schools, but the introspective nature of the process prepared me for the school interviews and will definitely help me throughout my career.

Kelly is truly a marvelous mentor. She supports you and enables you to develop your own authentic narrative. She spends a lot of time to learn about you. Many times, she nudged me to dig deeper into parts of my essays based on all the information she had gleaned from my introspection exercises. Further, she is extremely diligent and patient. I completed almost 15 drafts for both the Stanford and CBS essays with Kelly. Never, did I feel that she was not completely vested in improving the narrative or was growing frustrated with stagnation. She was extremely responsive and gracious with her time.

Finally, I want to commend Kelly on never talking about my chances or trying to sway me in applying to different school. Both Susan and Kelly were fully committed to help me create the best product possible to elevate my chances of getting admitted. They provided candid feedback in a timely manner and were never closed off to new ideas or suggestions.

Kelly was instrumental in helping me get admitted to Stanford, which was my primary choice, and I wholeheartedly endorse her as a mentor to help you through the MBA application process.

Thank you Kelly and Stratus Team!!

***Final Outcome: Admitted to Stanford, Interviewed with CBS, withdrew application after Stanford Admit. ****

I had the privilege of working closely with Susan for my 2+2 MBA applications with a deadline in April 2023. Susan played a pivotal role in guiding me through the entire application process, from the initial ideation phase to crafting a compelling MBA narrative and presenting it convincingly. Her support was marked by thoughtfulness, honesty, and unwavering availability whenever I needed assistance.

One standout aspect of Susan’s support was her offer to provide input and guidance to my recommenders. This was a significant help in ensuring that my recommendations aligned perfectly with my application goals. Susan also helped me to differentiate between a standard job resume and an MBA-focused resume. She made several subtle but impactful adjustments to my application that I would have easily overlooked on my own.

I cannot recommend Susan highly enough. Her deep understanding of the MBA application process is unparalleled, and her dedication to her clients is truly commendable. Even after the application process concluded, Susan has maintained regular contact and offered to meet in person, demonstrating her genuine care and commitment. Susan is not only a remarkable coach but also a wonderful person, and anyone fortunate enough to have her as a coach is truly lucky.

Jennifer was an outstanding resource during my admissions process. Beyond being a friendly face during a stressful time, Jennifer provided invaluable admissions knowledge, strategy, and assistance during the essay writing process. Stratus’ tools for extracting and shaping my story were extremely helpful, and Jennifer’s ability to quickly understand my background and goals was incredible. She provided great feedback throughout the essay writing process as well as concise and thoughtful edits to ensure that I was communicating most effectively and within the word limit. Jennifer was also extremely responsive and always replied quickly to my countless emails, no matter how small the question. I was super excited to be admitted to my top two choices of the deferred MBA programs I applied to and could certainly not have done it without the help of Jennifer and the Stratus team.

My top piece of advice for those applying to MBA programs with high expectations would be to work with Susan. Coming into the process, I had a lot of questions about what realistic goals were for myself and how schools would view my experience. Susan immediately put those concerns to rest, assuring me that a top tier school was a possible goal, and helping me to extract my story based on both my personal and professional experiences.

Not only was this self-exploration process helpful for shaping my narrative, but it was also helpful in me better articulating to myself what I am looking to get out of an MBA program. Throughout the process any time my confidence wavered, Susan assured me and helped guide me on the right track. Ultimately, I ended up getting accepted to my top choice M7 school. This was an outcome that I was dreaming of at the beginning of the process and Susan helped to make it a reality.

I cannot recommend Susan highly enough, as she will help you present the best version of yourself throughout the entire application process. The best candidate you can possibly be can be achieved with Susan’s help, and the expert help of Stratus.

Jennifer is such an incredible resource to have through the application journey. She worked closely with me to construct a story that was cohesive, linear, and moving that I think really made the difference in my Harvard and Wharton acceptances. She was always willing to calm me down over anxieties around test scores, essays, and interview preparation. I truly felt like she was such an ally in my corner who was available for ANYTHING I needed, almost whenever I needed it. Even if my outcomes had been different, I still would owe so much to Jennifer for her guidance and support!

I highly recommend Joe Farr to anyone aspiring to get into a top business school. Thanks to his guidance and expertise, I was admitted to Wharton received a $40,000 fellowship.

Joe’s assistance went beyond navigating the Stratus process; he provided invaluable insights into what I truly wanted out of life and business school. Through thoughtful discussions and probing questions, Joe helped me clarify my goals and aspirations.

Joe played a crucial role in helping me overcome the obstacle of a low undergraduate GPA. His expertise in helping me present my strengths and weaknesses was instrumental in securing my acceptance to Ross, Tuck, Tepper, Kellogg, and Wharton. He guided me in showcasing my growth, leadership skills, and unique attributes that demonstrated my readiness for business school.

Overall, Joe Farr’s guidance and expertise were crucial to my success in the admissions process.

Donna is a fantastic resource to anyone seeking guidance and support in their MBA application journey. With her expertise, dedication, and personalized approach, Donna helped me secure an offer from one of the top MBA programs despite a below average GPA and test scores for those schools.

From our very first interaction, Donna displayed a genuine interest in helping me understand my aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses. Before starting any school-specific applications, we went through a rigorous process of understanding key aspects of my profile that I could highlight and organizing those components into an arsenal that I could draw from. Thanks to this kind of preparation, when it came time to writing essays, I was able to spend less time on coming up with ideas and more time thinking broadly about the narrative I wanted to communicate.

Throughout the admissions process, which can be more akin to a marathon than a sprint, Donna helped me create a strategy of regular communication with admissions committees and constantly developing areas of my application that may be viewed as weaknesses. The right strategy will elevate your candidacy above any one grade or score, and through consistent effort and willingness to improve your profile, you will stand out.

To anyone who believes that the right school is out of reach for them, I strongly recommend Donna and the team at Stratus as partners in the MBA admissions process. Donna stuck with me throughout the application cycle and I couldn’t be happier with the result!

I have been wanting to get an MBA for several years, and even after participating in Forte, I still felt unsure about my prospects during the process. Melisa was extremely helpful and in no way made me feel pressured to use a consultant or even apply to business school. When I was trying to decide between not applying at all, waiting 6 months or applying this year, we decided to do the strategy package. I 100% believe EVERYONE SHOULD DO THIS! Even if you don’t use a consultant for anything else, or if you don’t end up going, this helped me really consolidate my entire profile and career goals into a comprehensive one-pager. It’s cheaper than the comprehensive packages and focuses on your general profile. If you do pay for the comprehensive package you still get this. Through this 4 week exercise, I felt extremely confident to continue on. Melisa helped me with 4 M7 schools. I applied to total of 8 schools (all T15). I received a full ride and several half scholarships, and was admitted to 2 of my 4 M7s. Melisa helped me stay organized through the entire process, not just for the 4 schools I asked for help. She was a cheerleader and went ABOVE and BEYOND to help me, even when I was waitlisted from several schools initially. I am so excited to be in Boston this fall going to my TOP SCHOOL! None of this would have been possible without Melisa and the stratus team.

I had a really positive experience with Stratus admissions consultants. One of the key aspects was the availability of multiple experts to engage with throughout the process, in addition to my primary consultant. I was able to connect with Stratus team members and Donna used her team to support us throughout the process. This added level of expertise and diverse perspectives enhanced guidance received and Stratus made sure to introduce me to an expert on their team that had experience with my target schools. I found Stratus to be flexible and accommodating, making their services not only valuable but also affordable. If you’re seeking a dedicated team that genuinely invests in your success, I would definitely recommend considering Stratus for your admissions consulting needs.

I wholeheartedly recommend Donna as an MBA admissions consultant. Throughout my application journey, Donna’s expertise, dedication, and guidance were instrumental in shaping my success.

From the very beginning, Donna showcased her profound understanding of the MBA admissions landscape. She took the time to deeply understand my strengths, experiences, and aspirations, allowing her to best help me craft my tailored application strategy that truly highlighted my unique qualities and goals.

One of Donna’s exceptional strengths is her meticulous attention to detail. She provided invaluable feedback on my approach to applications and essays, helping me refine my thoughts and strengthen my presentation with clarity and impact. I can’t thank Donna enough for her commitment to ensuring that my application best reflected my candidacy and goals.

Furthermore, Donna’s expertise in navigating the waitlist process at my top-choice program was amazing. Her guidance on how to effectively communicate my continued interest and commitment to the admissions committee was truly invaluable and help.

In conclusion, Donna’s expertise, attention to detail, and genuine dedication to her clients’ success make her an exceptional resource. With Donna’s guidance, I not only crafted a strong application strategy and essays but also successfully navigated the challenging waitlist process, ultimately securing acceptance to my top-choice MBA program. I am immensely grateful for her invaluable support throughout the process.

Background: I am an Indian male, who studied engineering. So I am part of the most oversubscribed demographic. The aim was an M7. With this in mind, I went into my consultant search, and after speaking to a few, I felt everyone was great, but when I spoke to Jennifer, I was really impressed with her positivity and encouragement. The whole experience felt like a mentor-mentee relationship, rather than transactional.

She made me feel very comfortable and confident, something that definitely kept me going through the tough process.

I also appreciated the Stratus team based approach, along with Jennifer, my material got reviewed by a school specific reader as well as a proofreader. Getting everything in one place made it easy to focus on the important stuff. Their documentation and guides are extremely detailed and helpful.

Jennifer was very helpful in brainstorming ideas, without influencing or changing the narrative. She always asked good questions and pushed me to think deeper about my motivations and intention, giving valuable input wherever necessary.

She helped me keep on schedule, and was always prompt with her replies and feedback. I always looked forward to speaking to her, along with discussions on the applications, she would just give that extra boost of confidence that kept me going.

When I got interview invites, she immediately scheduled mock interviews. I mock interviewed with her almost 5-6 times, each time it was school specific. She even gave me some advice for schools I decided to apply on my own. When some initial rejections hit, she was very supportive, and kept the morale high.

It was a tough application cycle. I applied to 10 schools – Got interview invites for 6, and finally got into 3 schools. I finally decided to go to Kellogg.

If you are looking for someone who can bring out the best in you and keep your confidence high throughout, I would blindly go for Jennifer. The entire Status process is very comprehensive, and the team is very credible and supportive.

I was very particular in selecting a consultant to work with. I wanted someone who would realistically evaluate my profile and chances at admission, but would also be encouraging and supportive to ease my self-doubt. Donna struck a perfect balance. Most meaningfully, she was an incredible cheerleader when I was at my most stressed while waiting to hear back from schools. She was always a call away, even on short notice, if I wanted to talk something through with her – whether it be how to phrase an email to an Admissions Committee member or the best tone for an interview thank you note.

Donna’s guidance was especially helpful when it came to my essays. She provided me with school-specific insights to aid in my writing process, keeping in mind the unique attributes that each school values. She reviewed the essays meticulously and gave fabulous comments that left me with a result that captured who I was inside and outside of the office.

Thanks to Donna, I secured admission to two M7 schools with merit scholarships at both (even with a weaker GRE quant score, something I was nervous about throughout). I highly recommend working with Donna for your MBA Admissions journey – she’s the best partner I can imagine!

I first connected with Melisa through the free, 30-minute consultation offered by Stratus Admissions. She went above and beyond my expectations from that first introduction. I didn’t have a large budget to work with, so I purchased the hourly package and Melisa was so quick and efficient that I received more than enough feedback. She is the perfect mix of supportive and encouraging, while also being very rational and logical. I received an amazing scholarship to my top program because of her help. I highly recommend Melisa!

I am so grateful for Jennifer’s support throughout the MBA application process. Her guidance helped me get admitted to HBS and several other T10 schools with significant scholarship money.

In September 2022, I connected with a few consultants from other firms, looking for guidance on how to craft my application in time for R2 deadlines. I felt incredibly overwhelmed and stressed out when speaking with consultants from other firms. At the time, I was working diligently to boost my GMAT score and really needed someone to support me and hold me accountable on my applications.

When I met with Jennifer for a consultation, I could immediately tell I was in good hands. I worked on 3 schools with Jennifer and always felt that I could count on her honest, candid feedback. She is incredibly encouraging, knowledgeable, and effective in helping each client reach their goals. Jennifer pushes candidates to dig deep to reflect on what inspires/motivates them, and she provides exceptional support in clarifying your personal mission in a way that highlights your unique attributes and authentic voice. She is incredibly professional and responsive (I got always got a response 48 hours!), and a wealth of knowledge on what adcoms are looking for across MBA programs.

I found Jennifer’s advice to be incredibly candid, encouraging, and growth-oriented. She helped me build confidence in my story throughout the application/interview process. Her deep understanding of the HBS process in particular helped me with the interview and allowed me to be VERY well-prepared for all the types of questions that they can ask.

For anyone who feels unmoored by daunting MBA application process, working with Stratus will provide the structure and support you need. I am so excited to be starting at HBS in the fall — many thanks to Jennifer! 10/10 would recommend investing in yourself and working with Jennifer.

I had the privilege of getting to work with Susan as my MBA Admissions consultant. Susan was recommended to me by a friend who worked with her last year and spoke so highly of her that I knew she was someone I could trust to get my MBA applications across the finish line. Prior to working with Susan, I had written my MBA essays on my own the previous year with the plan to submit my applications without an MBA consultant. I had doubts about my ability to get my story across in my applications and I ultimately decided that working with an MBA consultant and waiting another year would give me the confidence I needed to put my best foot forward. Susan was living proof that I had made the right decision.

During my time with Susan, I had the chance to start over with my MBA applications and use the Introspection exercises to really reflect on who I was, what my passions were, and why I ultimately wanted to get an MBA. She helped me identify themes that represented who I was and channeled these themes throughout my application, essays, and recommendations. There were certain experiences I shared with her that I had not considered highlighting in my application but she saw those experiences differently, which allowed me to share a unique perspective of myself. Susan also leveraged her network and her Stratus teammates, such as Melisa Prevost (huge shoutout!), to help connect me with the right resources and chat with previous clients about their MBA admissions journey.

When it came to feedback, whether it was my essays, my resume, or my interview preparation, Susan was thorough and upfront, which made such an impact for me to not be afraid to change my content entirely or start over. She pushed me to go beyond my comfort zone by conveying my emotions in my essays and helped me to refine my resume bullet points and my interview responses to be succinct.

Overall, I can say that Susan was one of the best investments I could have made with my MBA admissions journey. Because of her, I was able to get into multiple M7 schools, including Wharton, my dream school, where I will be matriculating this year! Susan walks the walk and talks the talk and I could not be more thrilled to give her the highest of recommendations.

Joe and I worked together for almost a year crafting my story as a transitioning teacher. I had a very unique story to tell and he helped me learn more about myself and help shine myself in the best light possible to MBA schools. I had a very low GRE score which put me on the waitlist at many top-ranked schools. Joe was able to work with me to provide meaningful updates to those schools I was on the waitlist for and helped me with other schools I was applying to. Joe went the extra mile by providing meaningful advice on all the schools that I applied to, not just the ones I paid to work with him on! If you want someone who is caring, considerate, timely, and (most importantly) informative, Joe is the right person for you!

As a whole, Stratus Consulting has provided me with a plethora of resources that not only help with the MBA application process but carry on into recruiting and pre-MBA events! I cannot say enough that hiring Joe and working with Stratus was one of the best investments I’ve made!

Just two weeks before application deadlines, I reached out to Kelly Lundy from Stratus as I was scrambling to complete 8 applications. Kelly took the time to understand the circumstances under which I was reaching out and we quickly created a game plan to rework my resume and work on all of my essays. Kelly was very quick to provide feedback on my essays, which included probing questions, school-specific guidance, and personalized suggestions based on what Kelly has learned about me over the course of just a few days. Despite the expedited timeline, I was able to submit all of my applications before my deadlines. Just under one week before I submitted my applications, I received my first interview invitation and Kelly was quick to provide interview guidance and walk me through a mock! With Kelly’s help and extensive knowledge of the various business schools, I was admitted to 6 schools and awarded multiple scholarships. Kelly has a niche for delivering on her client’s needs with enthusiasm, care, and active communication and I’ll always be grateful to her and the Stratus team for all the support and for believing in me!

I had an amazing experience working with Joe as my admission consultant. He truly went above and beyond in every aspect of the application process. Despite the 15-hour time difference between China and the west coast of California where Joe was based, he was always prompt and responsive in answering all my questions, providing feedback on my essays, and guiding me on school selection.

I remember having multiple drafts for my essays, and Joe took the time to provide detailed feedback for every single one of them. He patiently answered all my questions, even though I had a lot of them, and provided valuable insights and suggestions for improvement. As the submission deadline approached, I was amazed and truly grateful for Joe’s quick turn-around time, even sacrificing his sleep to provide feedback during odd hours, sometimes as late as 3 am or 4 am his time in the Pacific time zone.

Joe’s dedication and commitment to his clients were evident in every interaction. He was not only prompt in his responses but also went the extra mile to ensure that I was confident and well-prepared throughout the application process. His encouragement and support were invaluable, especially during times when I felt underconfident.

Overall, Joe is the most responsible and dedicated admission consultant I have ever worked with. His expertise, commitment, and encouragement helped me put forth my best application. I highly recommend Joe Farr to anyone seeking expert guidance and support in their MBA application journey.

I had an amazing experience with Melisa! I came into the process knowing very little about the application process, what schools I might be interested in, and what schools I might have a chance at. Melisa was an amazing partner throughout the process by helping me structure my thinking and answering the countless questions I had. She was always genuinely interested in me and my motivations for business school, and she was the best cheerleader as I had successes along the way. I would wholeheartedly recommend her!!

I got accepted to my dream school and received a generous scholarship offer, despite having a GPA and GMAT score lower than the school’s average and I could not have done it without the help from Sophie and the rest of the Stratus team. Sophie was an incredible mentor throughout this whole process, she help me frame my story in a way that was genuine but also highlighted characteristics that would leave an impression on the admission committee. Stratus was the best investment I made during this whole application process and I would absolutely recommend Stratus Consulting to anyone who wants to get into the best B-school possible.

Like many aspiring MBA applicants, I “shopped around” for an admissions consultant by listening to webinars, capitalizing on free consultations, and reading online reviews. Stratus immediately stood out to me not only because of their team-based approach and proven track record of success but also because they were the one counseling team that encouraged me to apply to reach programs and didn’t try to use scare tactics on me. I had a ‘fit’ call with Lisa and knew that her experiences and personality were exactly what I wanted from an admissions consultant.

I could easily write paragraphs upon paragraphs about how truly invaluable she was to my application process, but I’ll focus on what I found to be the four greatest benefits of working with Lisa.

1. Refining My Story – Whether MBA hopefuls like to admit it or not, your story is a major part of your application. Lisa pushed me to develop an air-tight story that logically conveyed where I’m at (pre-MBA), where I want to be (post-MBA), and how I’m going to get there (through the MBA). I had moments where I was tired of answering the constant “Why? Why? Why?” questions that seemed to follow every statement of mine, but it was these questions that built the foundation of my applications. She also helped me strategize how to best incorporate my story throughout my application, not just the essays. Without Lisa, my story and subsequently my applications would not have been near as strong as they were.

2. Polishing Essays – I wrote an average of six/seven drafts for every essay I submitted (note that I didn’t even start drafting until multiple iterations of an outline were reviewed). Lisa provided timely and THOROUGH feedback for every single draft. Her feedback went beyond surface-level comments and provided real value to my essays – she told me where I needed to show versus tell, pointed out if my essays didn’t reflect enough school research, noted where phrasing needed to be improved, etc. There were times at which I was very close to accepting an essay that was “good enough,” but Lisa pushed me to submit the best version possible of every essay. I can look back at this application cycle and be proud of everything I submitted because Lisa challenged me to do my best work.

3. Interview Prep – Though getting an interview invite from a school is something to celebrate, my happiness would quickly turn into panic. I have always struggled with interviews and knew they would be a major challenge for me. I shared my concerns with Lisa and she went above and beyond in helping me prepare for them. She sent me interview guides, which included commonly asked questions, for every school I was interviewing with. Additionally, she set up multiple mock interviews to provide me with the opportunity to practice answering interview questions. She provided excellent feedback during these sessions, which helped calm my nerves during the actual interviews.

4. Genuine Care – If there was a single reason I’d recommend working with Lisa, it is because she genuinely cares about you as both an applicant and a person. I lost both my uncle and grandma while applying to business school and consequently fell behind on some of my applications. Lisa (and another member of the Stratus team) were so understanding and worked overtime to help me submit my applications by the deadline. I can’t put into words how much it meant to me when the Stratus team rallied behind me to help me through what was a very difficult time.

I applied to 6 schools across the T15 and was ultimately accepted by 4 of them (with over $340,000 in scholarships, collectively) and waitlisted by the other 2. I’ll be attending an M7 (with a scholarship!) this fall and I could not have done it without Lisa or the Stratus team. I know the thought of hiring an admissions consultant can be daunting as they do come with a price tag, but I can personally attest to Lisa being more than worth it. You only do your MBA once and I knew I wanted to get into the best school I could, and Lisa helped me do just that.

From day 1, Melisa has been such a pleasure to work with. She was very accommodating to my busy work schedule, and she helped me narrow down my list of schools to match perfectly with my interests and goals. She brought insight and experience for each program I applied to and helped me highlight my strengths throughout my application. I could tell that Melisa genuinely cared about my success, and now I see her as more of a friend than an admissions consultant. I would recommend Melisa to anyone interested in pursuing an MBA!

When I began applying to business school, I only had a vague sense of what I wanted out of the experience. Beyond thinking it was the “logical” next step, I didn’t have a clear vision for what I wanted out of my b-school experience.

All of that changed when I went to work with Susan. Over the course of a few months, Susan not only helped me hammer out my post-MBA goals, but she also coached me through the best ways to position my application. I know for a fact that our time spent together will remain with me over the duration of my MBA experience and beyond!

Melisa Prevost was amazing to work with. She really took the time to get to know me and even though I was very indecisive throughout the process she asked me questions that helped me to do better research and understand more about myself. In the essay writing process I never felt like I lost my voice, and her edits and comments really made me think more about why I wanted to do an MBA and why I was excited about a particular program. She was always available to answer the smallest questions via email, and when I had more vague/existential questions she would make time for a phone call to talk things through. It was really helpful to have her expertise and guidance throughout the process, and it allowed me to take a more structured approach to MBA research, the application process, setting goals, celebrating schools I got into, and navigating the waitlist. Thank you for everything, Melisa!!

I am very grateful for Donna’s support and guidance. I absolutely could not have done this without her assistance. I truly appreciate Stratus’ structured approach to writing essays and ensuring that I am appropriately following the timeline to submit my essays in a timely manner.

They made sure that I followed my choice of school’s theme so that I had the best shot of getting an admit. And, they helped me save a lot of time when structuring themes to tackle the essay prompts head-on!

The editing of my essays was great too! The grammar and spell-checking polished my ideas.

I was admitted to an M7 with a healthy merit scholarship!

Admittedly, I did not work with Joe in an official capacity. However, we went back and forth over email after a brief call, and he sent me lots of advice and links, and follow-up information. I felt like Joe really went the extra mile to help me out, even in an unofficial capacity. Due to Joe’s advice, I’ve received full tuition offers from a handful of top MBA programs. His advice was invaluable to me! I highly recommend working with Joe on your MBA applications.

I am immensely grateful for Susan’s guidance, which helped me get admitted to my dream MBA program at Stanford!

Susan was instrumental in working with me to sift through essay ideas and find my “voice.” Susan prepared me thoroughly for my MBA interview, providing critical feedback on how my responses would be perceived from an interviewer’s point of view and helping me to gain the confidence to succeed. As a former admissions officer who has also coached so many other candidates, Susan brings a level of insight and judgment that friends, family, and colleagues cannot replicate. Furthermore, Susan encouraged me to apply for a merit scholarship, which I would not have considered on my own. Susan has helped me better understand myself even beyond the MBA application.

Looking back, I remember browsing these forums when trying to decide whether to work with Susan and her team at Stratus. I would say to my old self without hesitation to work with Susan – see it as a worthwhile investment in yourself!

I have had a positive experience working with Melisa. Even after our time was up, Melisa was a great help in helping me select the best MBA program I was accepted to. She is personable and friendly and took a genuine interest in my success in the MBA application process. If I were to apply again, I would use Melisa as my consultant.

I applied to only one school with no backup plan, and Kelly was my secret weapon. She helped me tailor every part of my application and interview to successfully resonate with my target school. This means that she not only knew everything there was to know about admissions for my target school but also how to work with me to perfect my messaging. She was also friendly, responsive, candid, and just nice to work with.

As the header says, I would not have succeeded without Susan. I came in with a good GMAT score, my heart set on one M7 program, zero preparation, no backup plan, and a 4-week deadline. Luckily, I found Susan who took me on as a client and righted the ship immediately. Not only did I get accepted, but Susan helped me articulate my character and personal narrative in ways that I still use today. I recommend Susan to anyone who wants to maximize their business school application.

I started the MBA application process with tremendous imposter syndrome – I knew I needed someone to guide me and hold me accountable to get to the finish line. I heard about Jennifer from a friend of a friend and somehow clicked with her through my first consultation. At the time, I was speed-dating with a bunch of consultants at other firms and came to the conclusion that Jennifer and the greater Stratus team were genuinely supportive of my MBA pursuits, not simply upselling services for the sake of business.

I worked with Jennifer from June 2022 through January 2023 comprehensively with 2 schools in R1 and 1 school in R2 (all M7 schools). She is the perfect sounding board (honest and supportive) when it comes to ideas and helps you build confidence in your story. I initially started the process very concerned about how to build my story and quite frankly, figuring out what it even was. Jennifer makes sure you put in the work, and in the end, you’ll be very happy with the novel you’ve written for yourself. She goes above and beyond making herself readily available especially when I was feeling very defeated and needed an ear – her feedback is never sugar-coated, it’s real talk, but always enough to nudge you back on track. I appreciated her flexibility (sometimes last-minute edits for deadlines) and attentiveness in interview prep (I was able to stress test my answers/stories with other coaches, an amazing plus!) and ultimately deliberating between multiple offers! Thanks to Jennifer, I was able to land $300k in scholarships across three top 10 programs (the foundation you build in the introspection/strategy phase really sets you up for successful applications at other schools even if you don’t work with Stratus comprehensively on all your schools).

I’m super excited to be starting my MBA journey at Wharton in the fall – a million thank you’s to Jennifer!

Lisa was an absolute superstar through this entire process, and beyond. She not only did an amazing job of guiding me through voicing my own story, but helped me create an amazing application for school but also aiding me as I reflected on life and what I wanted from my future, all without being overly hands-on. I cannot thank her enough for everything. After I was accepted, she then continued to make herself available as I spoke through a few important decisions. It felt as though she were a mentor and even a friend by the end of the process.

When starting my MBA application process, I met with various consultants to understand their services and to get a feel for different people’s personalities. I met with a few consultants who stressed me out and made me feel like I was not a strong enough candidate. Jennifer, on the other hand, was incredibly positive and encouraging from the start. The MBA application process can feel overwhelming but Jennifer’s structured approach and advice made it possible to apply to 6 top-tier programs. She helped me find my rhythm for essay writing, made me confident in my story, and provided school-specific tips that strengthened my candidacy. I ended up with acceptances and scholarships from 4/6 programs. I highly recommend working with Jennifer, I could not have done it without her!

I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor and support resource throughout the MBA application process than Melisa. As a first-generation graduate student and child of immigrants, I was quite intimidated to start the application process. Melisa really took the time to get to know me as a person, understand my story and how it tied to my goals and gave me the confidence and support that I needed to really excel at the process. I also did not have a traditional MBA background but Melisa really helped me convey my unique traits and skill sets to admissions teams.

I looked into other consulting options and did not find anyone as kind and approachable as Melisa. She went above and beyond and truly took the time to help me achieve my goals even though I felt a few programs were out of reach for me. She also has a very flexible working style that works quite well for the working professional and others juggling multiple responsibilities. She kept in touch via email throughout the process and also gladly took virtual meetings whenever I needed the extra time to talk things through.

Because of Melisa’s guidance and support, I will be attending a top 10 MBA program on a full scholarship, and I can’t think of a better outcome or fit. I strongly recommend Melisa to any prospective applicant and look forward to seeing all the great things she will continue to do!

Throughout the admissions process, Melisa and her team were nothing short of incredible! I just started my second quarter at UCLA Anderson, and I am still in disbelief at all the offers I was able to choose from when considering my MBA. My relationship with Melisa was amazing and it kept me motivated and confident throughout the entire journey. To be completely transparent, I had a few moments of “nervous breakdowns” (as many of us do when facing high-pressure challenges) but Melisa was always there to bring me back down to earth and provide reassurance. I came into the admissions process thinking I had it all figured out, not that Melisa changed my mind, but she did her due diligence to help me discover what it was I truly wanted, and more importantly where I would be the happiest. Melisa provided a road map every step of the way while setting realistic goals and timelines that I was comfortable with. Any possible worry I had in the admissions process whether it be choosing a program, writing essays, updating my resume, or preparing for interviews, Melisa provided support and helped me prepare mentally and emotionally. Any time the admissions process comes up in conversation, Melisa is the first person that comes to mind. I am proud to say that her guidance quite literally changed my life and allowed me to reach my full potential and attend the MBA program of my dreams.

When I started my process, I was unsure on if I even wanted to apply, let alone where I should apply or what my post-MBA goals were. Donna helped me tremendously by providing school insight, helping me focus on my professional goals, and curating a cohesive personal story. She was also incredibly flexible with my unpredictable work schedule and was able to tailor a structured deliverable timeline around what worked for me. The process can be incredibly daunting and stressful and having a cheerleader and guiding hand like Donna in your corner is so important! She and the entire Stratus community were incredibly instrumental in my admission to several programs, and I am so grateful. Thank you, Donna!

I received several M7 acceptances with Lisa’s help. Her biggest strength is that she will help you put your best foot forward on each application and every interview you will get.

Lisa understands admissions at b-schools. She has years of experience in admissions at a top business school. She understands what admissions offices look for in b-school candidates.

Lisa is excellent at identifying your strengths, weaknesses, and story. She spends a great deal of time learning about you, your background, what makes you tick, accomplishments you are proud of, and the strengths to highlight and the weaknesses to minimize on your application. This personal touch, tied in with her deep knowledge of b-school admissions, is an excellent combination to create a winning formula to present yourself exactly how b-schools want to see their applicants presented.

Lisa holds no punches and drills into your story, essays, and interview answers. She isn’t going to let you slide with anything that isn’t your best. She’s going to point it out, and work with you to make it your best. However, she communicates in a very effective way. She conveys her critiques less as criticisms and more as opportunities. You feel empowered and excited when she tells you that you can make something better.

Lisa is always available to you. She responds to emails quickly and always makes time for calls to explain the nuances of some of her ideas and the business school requirements.

Stratus has excellent resources, including experts on all of the major b-schools. Lisa routinely shared my essays and ideas with school experts who were able to provide valuable feedback to tweak a few things to capture the spirit of the individual programs.

The most difficult aspect of the interviews is the unknowns. What questions will they ask? What answers do they want to hear? How much of the school should I discuss? Lisa provided me with school-specific questions and completed a mock interview with me and offered to continue doing mock interviews for each school. I walked into each of my interviews having already heard each question they could ask, practiced answering them, and received feedback on what I did well and what I could improve. I knocked my interviews out of the park because of that.

The best investment is an investment in yourself. Get into the best b-school you can. Use Lisa to help you achieve that.

I was referred to Jennifer by a friend who had a great experience. I was at first skeptical about using a consultant since I had already largely drafted my essays and application, but I’m so glad I wound up working with Jennifer. She can be helpful with any amount of support (i.e. full application support or more focused refinement if you’ve already done some of the work). I came to her with questions regarding applications and essays for 3 schools and she had insightful advice for all three – tailored advice for that particular school and what they might be looking for. She also supported me in preparation for interviews. I wound up being admitted to 2/3 (including M7) with extensive scholarship awards. I would highly recommend working with her and investing in your business school future!

After my first attempt in 2020 to tackle the admission process alone and not securing a single admit, this time, I decided to work with an admissions consultant. Soon after my initial call with Donna, I knew that she would be the perfect fit!

We started around 3 months before the R1 deadline and from the get go, Donna would spend hours on call getting to know me and brainstorming ideas to come up with the key strengths we wanted to portray. It felt like Donna was always truly invested in my success. I ended up applying to 5 schools and Donna, unlike other consultants I initially spoke with, encouraged me to apply to my dream schools.

Once we started working on the essays, I was surprised by the detailed insights that Donna sent out — often with in a day and sometimes, even a few hours! There was a remarkable difference between my first draft and the final essays — Donna’s feedback, along with the school specific reviews really helped me put my best foot forward! The Stratus process truly worked wonders.

In the end, I secured admits from two M7 schools! Throughout this entire process, Donna has been more than a consultant — a mentor and a friend. Even after I secured these admits, Donna connected me with her previous clients at these schools to help inform my decision. Working with Donna on my applications was one of the best decisions I have ever made! If you want to put your best foot forward — I would highly recommend Donna.

I loved working with Kelly Lundy from Stratus! After looking into multiple admissions consultants, I decided to sign up for the hourly package with Kelly. Her expertise and deep knowledge of MBA admissions, especially as a Columbia Business School alum, was evident from our first consultation. With her experience in the tech industry, she offered personalized advice and targeted feedback on how to craft my essays. sharpen my resume, and prepare for my interviews! Initially, I found the essays to be very challenging. But with Kelly’s feedback, I was able to hone in on my career goals with school-specific details. Kelly also helped me improve my resume to quantify my impact and leadership experience. She was very quick with her feedback and edits, especially in the final days leading up to the deadline. During our mock interview, Kelly provided me with sample questions and advice that made me feel extremely prepared for the real interview. I also appreciated her checking in on me throughout the entire process! She was so encouraging and supportive. Applying to MBA programs can be a stressful time, but Kelly made the process so seamless!

I could not have gotten into my top-choice school this fall without Kelly’s help. I 100% recommend her for anyone considering an MBA admissions consultant!

I worked with Donna over the past year to prepare for MBA applications. Her advice was invaluable in crafting the right story blending my personal background and career interests.

I had a series of difficult life events occur during my application process and she was extremely empathetic and understanding, helping to coach me through this time as it related to even beyond my MBA applications. Donna is extremely caring and will take the time to help you in the process, she often provided career advice and interview help even beyond what was required. She was also able to connect me with some of her former students to help me prep for interviews once invited.

Due to working with Donna, I was admitted to two M7 programs despite having a GMAT score below their averages, this would not have been possible without her support and guidance.

I was first introduced to Donna, having worked with Charles at GMAT Ninja – and he had only positive things to say about her. I scheduled calls with several other consultants but was instantly drawn to Donna, not only because of our shared athletic backgrounds but also because she didn’t ask the traditional, cookie-cutter questions that every other consultant had asked me. It seemed personalized from the start, and it was her style all the way through. Donna informed me that her process would be very therapeutic, and she was right – I learned more things about myself in my few months working with her than I did for the previous 5 years.
Time was not on my side as I had less than 2 months to get all my MBA applications submitted, but she was fully on board. I apologized for making her work overtime as there were many weekends or late nights when I would be receiving her edits, but it spoke volumes about her level of commitment. If you had a look at my first essay drafts vs. my final submission, it’s hard to believe that it was the same person writing it – she really brought the best out of me.
Donna really knows the ins and outs of the admission process, from the essay themes that resonated with certain schools to the consistent interview questions that I would receive. She was also able to connect me with some of her former students at my target schools, who were able to share their interview experiences and helped me brainstorm essay ideas.
Finally – Stratus has no shortage of resources for all the renowned, global schools. So not only do you get to work with Donna, but also her incredible team of proofreaders, target school reviewers, and application strategists. Thank you, Donna, for helping me gain admission to Columbia Business School. You really have changed my life as you have done to countless other individuals.