Aparna Pawha

When I worked with Admissions Gateway in 2020, I signed up for a single-school package focused exclusively on INSEAD. Working with Aparna Pahwa as my lead consultant was hands down the best investment I made in my application journey and as an INSEAD MBA Class of 2022 graduate, the results speak for themselves.
A few key reasons why Aparna is exceptional:
Sharp Narrative Building: Coming from an engineering and corporate background (IIT + FMCG), I had plenty of international experience, but Aparna was instrumental in helping me synthesize complex business scenarios into a clear, compelling story.
INSEAD Expertise: She understands INSEAD’s DNA inside out, pushing me through multiple essay iterations to highlight my global exposure and post-MBA strategy goals effectively.
Direct & Actionable Feedback: Her sharp, honest critique, quick turnaround, and high standards kept me focused and accountable from resume prep to interview prep.
Thanks to her guidance, I hit my exact target and was admitted to INSEAD. I cannot recommend Aparna highly enough to anyone serious about top-tier business schools!

Beyond all this she is a kind person to work with unlike several other consultants.

I remember walking into the MBA application process feeling completely overwhelmed and unsure of myself, especially coming from an overrepresented tech background. But right from our very first call, Aparna put me at ease and made me feel right at home.

Her meticulousness is unparalleled. Right from the start, she laid out a detailed action plan and diligently followed up with me at every step. During our brainstorming sessions, she asked deep, critical questions that forced me to look at my personal story and work projects in a completely new light. She holds an exceptionally high standard for essays, continually pushing me to refine every single detail until the writing truly represented every dimension of my journey.

Something that I admired and needed most was her relentless push to keep me on schedule. At the time, I was trying to raise my GMAT score, draft MBA applications, and juggle a demanding job all at once. It was maddening! Had it not been for her constant support and drive, I would never have submitted my Round 1 applications on time.

Aparna is an absolute powerhouse. Not only does she have immense insight into what admissions committees are looking for, but she is also genuinely warm and deeply invested in your success. Having someone who truly cares about you rather than treating your drafts like just another task on a to-do list made all the difference. With her guidance, I achieved far more than I ever thought possible.

I was accepted into both Chicago Booth and Tuck, and I couldn’t have done it without her! Working with Aparna and Admissions Gateway was the single best decision I made for my MBA journey, and I cannot recommend her highly enough!

I worked with Aparna as a reapplicant, and the difference between my previous application and the one we submitted together was remarkable.

The previous year, I had received an interview invite from Harvard Business School but didn’t convert it. Going into this cycle, I genuinely believed my written application was already strong. Aparna quickly showed me how much stronger it could be.

The biggest transformation was in my resume and essays. My resume became far more strategic, allowing me to showcase significantly more impactful experiences without feeling crowded. My essays also evolved from describing isolated achievements to telling a cohesive story. For example, my curiosity essay went from being a collection of anecdotes to a narrative tracing curiosity as a defining trait from childhood through college and into my professional career. She has an exceptional ability to identify the thread that connects your experiences and bring it to life.

I also appreciated her willingness to challenge me. I started working with her only about a month before Round 1 while managing a demanding job and was determined to rush my applications. She firmly insisted that submitting the strongest possible application was more important than meeting an arbitrary deadline. Looking back, that was absolutely the right advice.

Aparna’s guidance was practical and backed by deep admissions experience. Her feedback wasn’t just about improving individual essays, it was about deciding which stories to emphasize, which to downplay, and how to tailor each application to what different schools value. Despite applying to seven schools in a single round, every application felt thoughtfully customized rather than recycled.

She was also incredibly responsive. Even when timelines became tight, she turned around detailed feedback and multiple iterations within days to help keep everything on track. Her interview preparation was equally thorough, covering not just expected questions but also unexpected scenarios and blind spots.

Beyond our original agreement, she even helped me with applications to three additional schools. I ultimately received interview invitations from four of the seven schools I applied to, including Harvard Business School, where I was admitted.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Aparna to anyone applying to top MBA programs. She doesn’t just improve your application, she helps you present the strongest, most authentic version of yourself.

When I started my MBA applications, I was in a difficult position. I had begun the process only in mid-July, leaving barely six weeks before Round 1 deadlines. On top of that, I had what many considered an unconventional profile – moving from consulting into multiple startup roles in a relatively short span. Several people I spoke to viewed these transitions as a weakness, and I received conflicting advice on how to position my story.

From my very first conversation with Aparna, her perspective was different. Instead of focusing on the “job switches,” she focused on the intent behind each decision. She saw a coherent narrative where others saw inconsistencies and gave me the confidence to own my story rather than dilute it. That clarity changed how I approached the entire application process.

Despite the compressed timeline, Aparna never let the pressure compromise the quality of the applications. We went through multiple iterations of my career goals until they genuinely reflected my aspirations. Even when deadlines were around the corner, she continued pushing me to improve sections she believed could be stronger instead of settling for “good enough.” At the same time, she never created unnecessary panic. I still remember questioning a particular line in an essay just before submission, and instead of insisting we keep it because of time constraints, she calmly said, “If it doesn’t feel authentic, let’s change it.” That balance between high standards and composure made an otherwise stressful process feel manageable.

After receiving an admit from Wharton in Round 1, we worked together on Stanford for Round 2. Those essays demanded much deeper reflection, and this is where Aparna’s biggest strength stood out. She didn’t simply edit essays – she helped me discover stories I hadn’t considered important, challenged me to think more deeply about my motivations, and helped connect different experiences into a coherent narrative. Throughout brainstorming sessions, she was refreshingly direct. If she believed an idea worked, she said so confidently. If she felt something wasn’t compelling enough, she explained why and encouraged us to find something stronger. That decisiveness made the entire process far more productive while still leaving room for my own voice.

Most importantly, I never felt like I was working with someone following a template. Aparna genuinely invested herself in understanding my journey and ensuring every application reflected me.

The results exceeded anything I had imagined, I was admitted to both Wharton and Stanford, with an 80% scholarship from Stanford. While the outcome was incredible, what I value even more is that I submitted applications that felt completely authentic to who I am. For anyone with an unconventional profile or someone looking for a consultant who combines strategic thinking with genuine empathy, I would recommend Aparna without hesitation.

When I began my MBA journey, I didn’t come from a typical feeder role or background. My experience lay deep in operations-heavy, emissions-intensive industries, where success often hinged on aligning welders and project schedules, not PowerPoints or pitchbooks. I had powerful stories to tell, about green hydrogen, biodiversity, and inclusive leadership, but I struggled to translate them into a narrative that top schools like HBS, Wharton, and Yale would recognize as leadership-ready. That’s where Aparna came in.
What stood out from the start was her intellectual curiosity and commitment to understanding my world, even when it was far from familiar. Whether it meant decoding a blast furnace shutdown or researching India’s green hydrogen policy landscape, Aparna never defaulted to surface-level edits. She dove in, researched deeply, and challenged me to think harder about not just what I’d done, but why it mattered and how it connected to the bigger questions schools care about: impact, values, and vision.
More than anything, Aparna helped me frame a cohesive arc. From my early exposure to industrial harm to leading ESG pilots in Jindal Steel, launching biodiversity programs, and mentoring grassroots changemakers, she helped me weave these threads into a powerful story about systemic change and responsibility. Every essay became more than a polished draft; it became a strategic platform that aligned my lived experiences with each school’s unique lens. Whether it was Booth’s culture of “pay it forward,” Wharton’s emphasis on impact execution, or HBS’s focus on personal clarity, Aparna ensured each application felt authentic and surgically aligned.
Her feedback was always sharp, always honest, and always grounded in both strategy and empathy. She wasn’t afraid to push back, sometimes hard, when something didn’t land. But that push came with insight and intent, and it helped me show up on paper as the most thoughtful, mission-driven version of myself.
I walked away with admits to HBS, Wharton (with scholarship), and Yale, but more importantly, with a story I could believe in. Aparna didn’t just help me write applications. She helped me define what kind of leader I want to be, and gave me the clarity to say it powerfully.

Coming from a somewhat non-traditional background that combined analytics, consulting, and media/OTT strategy, I initially found it challenging to articulate a clear and compelling narrative for my applications. Aparna played a crucial role in helping me step back, identify the common threads across my experiences, and shape them into a story that was both authentic and strategically positioned for top MBA programs.

What I appreciated most was her ability to put things in perspective. During a process that can often feel overwhelming, she consistently helped me focus on what truly mattered, avoid overthinking, and make decisions with clarity. Rather than trying to fit my profile into a predefined template, she encouraged me to lean into my unique experiences and present them confidently.

Beyond the application strategy itself, Aparna was instrumental in keeping me on track throughout a long and demanding application cycle. From setting timelines and milestones to providing thoughtful feedback on essays, recommendations, and overall positioning, she ensured that I maintained momentum and submitted my strongest possible applications.

Her guidance ultimately helped me secure admission offers from Berkeley Haas and Michigan Ross, outcomes that I am incredibly grateful for. While the effort and introspection required for the application process ultimately come from the candidate, Aparna’s ability to refine my story, challenge my thinking, and provide structure throughout the journey made a meaningful difference.

I would strongly recommend Aparna to any MBA applicant, particularly those with non-traditional backgrounds who are looking for someone who can help them uncover, sharpen, and effectively communicate their unique story.

As a Product Manager re-applicant, I came into this process knowing my profile wasn’t the typical MBA archetype. No consulting stint, no finance background, just a tech career I was genuinely proud of but struggled to translate into the language admissions committees respond to.

What made working with Aparna truly special was how deeply she invested in understanding my story before offering any direction. She didn’t apply a one-size-fits-all template and one could tell she had worked with candidates across very different backgrounds, because the advice was always nuanced, specific, and grounded in what actually works at each school.

Given my hectic schedule as a PM, I especially valued how structured and efficient our sessions were. She knew how to get the most out of limited time- sharp essay feedback, focused interview prep, no fluff. For someone constantly context-switching between work and applications, that mattered more than I can say.

Across two cycles, she helped me rethink not just my essays but how I framed my entire narrative, turning my product and cross-functional experience into a genuine differentiator rather than something I had to explain away. The re-application process could have felt defeating; instead, it felt like a real upgrade.

But what I appreciated most was the support didn’t stop at submission. From waitlist strategy to MBA program selection advice post-acceptance, she was present throughout the entire journey and not just the application grind.

The outcome was interview invites from multiple M7 and top-10 schools was beyond what I’d hoped for. If you’re a non-traditional applicant wondering whether you have a shot, Aparna will help you find your story. Genuinely grateful for the guidance.

Aparna brought a depth of knowledge to this process that I hadn’t anticipated. I came in knowing I wanted an MBA, with a few years in personal loans and a genuine interest in financial empowerment. What I was missing was a way to tie it into a coherent narrative. That’s where she made the biggest difference.

She understood what adcoms look for well enough to help me see my own story more clearly. She’d ask about a specific customer outcome, a product decision, or why a process was done a particular way. Slowly, the pieces started connecting. She knew the right questions to ask until I found my story.

She’s also extremely organised. From the first conversation there was a clear plan – which schools, which essays, in what order, by when. I always knew what was due and how much runway I had. That structure took a lot of the anxiety out of it, and the work was paced well enough that nothing felt last-minute.

Resume, school selection, essay writing, interview prep – all of it was thorough. The interview prep went beyond the standard questions. She pushed me on the harder ones, the kind you can’t always prepare for, and by the time I sat down for my Tuck interview I felt ready for wherever the conversation went.

Getting into Tuck was the result of months of work. I put in the effort, but without her pushing me to think harder, keeping me on track, and being genuinely invested in how it all came together, I don’t think I’d have gotten there. I’m grateful, and I’d recommend her without hesitation.

Aparna is exceptional, and I say that with the benefit of hindsight. I worked with her through my application cycle and ended up with admits from Columbia (with a $100K scholarship) and Kellogg, among others.
When I started, my profile felt like two disconnected halves: an MNC analyst stint and then a founder’s office role at an early-stage startup. On paper, it looked like a pivot. Aparna helped me see, and write, what was actually a single continuous story, threading my professional background with personal motivations and post-MBA goals into one coherent narrative. That narrative is what carried the applications.
A few things that genuinely set her apart:
She runs the process, you don’t have to. Regular check-ins, clear next steps, and gentle but persistent follow-ups meant I never had to wonder what was due when. For someone juggling a demanding role alongside applications, that scaffolding mattered.
She is never satisfied with the first draft. Or the third. Every essay went through more iterations than I’d care to count. She pushed back until the essay was actually saying what we meant it to say, not a polished version of something adjacent. Frustrating in the moment, obviously the right call in retrospect.
She front-loads the hard work. Aparna pushed hardest in the early weeks so that by the time deadlines closed in, we had time and room to refine at pace rather than scramble. By the final week of each round, I was reviewing, not writing from scratch.
You leave the process knowing yourself better. When I read my final resume and essays now, I see things about my own story that I genuinely didn’t have language for before: patterns, motivations, through-lines. That was the byproduct of the deliberate, almost uncomfortable depth she pushed me to.
One more thing worth highlighting: it was never just about the five-school package. I was also applying to a few schools on my own, outside the contracted scope, and Aparna engaged with those just as seriously, helping me think through fit, framing, and essays with the same depth as the schools in the package. That kind of investment beyond contract is rare.
If you want a consultant who will treat your candidacy as a craft project rather than a template, work with Aparna.

Working with Aparna was one of the most valuable parts of my MBA application journey. I was based in New York while Aparna was in India, but she managed the time zone difference seamlessly and always made herself available during overlapping waking hours for discussions and reviews. That level of flexibility and commitment made the entire process far less stressful.

Coming from a role at JP Morgan, I wanted someone who truly understood how to position my experience and career goals effectively. Since Aparna had worked with many other candidates from JP Morgan, she brought very strong insights into how to make my resume more impactful and how to articulate my transition goals in a strategic and authentic way. One challenge I faced during the application process was translating my experience into a compelling MBA narrative instead of just listing responsibilities. Aparna helped me rethink how I framed my goals, leadership experiences, and project impact, and through multiple rounds of brainstorming and revisions, we were able to build a much stronger and more differentiated application story. It was due to Aparna’s support and guidance that I secured admits to Booth, Kellogg and Columbia.

What stood out to me most was that Aparna never let me settle for a version that was simply “good enough.” Whether it was essays, resume bullets, or even short application responses, she continuously pushed me to think deeper, reframe ideas, and bring out stronger stories and perspectives. That persistence made a huge difference in the quality of my applications. I would highly recommend Aparna and the Admissions Gateway team to anyone applying for MBA programs.

Aparna is exceptional, and I say that with the benefit of hindsight. I worked with her through my application cycle and ended up with admits from Columbia (with a $100K scholarship) and Kellogg, among others.
When I started, my profile felt like two disconnected halves: an MNC analyst stint and then a founder’s office role at an early-stage startup. On paper, it looked like a pivot. Aparna helped me see, and write, what was actually a single continuous story, threading my professional background with personal motivations and post-MBA goals into one coherent narrative. That narrative is what carried the applications.
A few things that genuinely set her apart:
She runs the process, you don’t have to. Regular check-ins, clear next steps, and gentle but persistent follow-ups meant I never had to wonder what was due when. For someone juggling a demanding role alongside applications, that scaffolding mattered.
She is never satisfied with the first draft. Or the third. Every essay went through more iterations than I’d care to count. She pushed back until the essay was actually saying what we meant it to say, not a polished version of something adjacent. Frustrating in the moment, obviously the right call in retrospect.
She front-loads the hard work. Aparna pushed hardest in the early weeks so that by the time deadlines closed in, we had time and room to refine at pace rather than scramble. By the final week of each round, I was reviewing, not writing from scratch.
You leave the process knowing yourself better. When I read my final resume and essays now, I see things about my own story that I genuinely didn’t have language for before: patterns, motivations, through-lines. That was the byproduct of the deliberate, almost uncomfortable depth she pushed me to.
One more thing worth flagging: it was never just about the five-school package. I had a side project I was building during the application cycle, and Aparna engaged with that too, thinking through how it fit into my candidacy, helping me frame it for adcoms, and treating it with the same seriousness as my essays. That kind of investment beyond the scope of contract is rare.
If you want a consultant who will treat your candidacy as a craft project rather than a template, work with Aparna.

When I started my MBA application journey, I expected guidance on essays and applications. What I did not expect was someone who would help me uncover and articulate parts of my own story that I had not fully recognized myself. Despite me being in the US and Aparna being in India, she made the process feel seamless, often opening up early morning slots on her side so we could keep momentum through one of the busiest phases of my life.

What stood out most was how invested she was in helping me discover stories that genuinely reflected who I am. One example I still remember was my HBS curiosity essay. I had never thought gaming was something meaningful to include in an MBA application, but Aparna pushed me to think differently and helped me see the deeper story behind it. She encouraged me to move away from safe answers and lean into what made me unique. What made that moment memorable was that my HBS interview actually started with the essay because the interviewers mentioned how interesting they found it. That was when I realized she was not just helping me write applications, but helping me understand and present myself better.

Then came interview season, and that is where she truly went above and beyond. Receiving interview invites from HBS, CBS, Kellogg, Wharton, and Yale meant preparing for five completely different interview formats, expectations, and styles. Even though fitting in that level of preparation must have required significant effort and schedule flexibility, she made time and ensured every school was approached differently instead of using a standard playbook. Every mock interview, discussion, and feedback session felt customized and intentional.

The result was something I still find difficult to believe. Not only did I receive interviews from all five schools, but I ultimately received admits from all five as well. Outcomes like these are never because of one person alone, but I genuinely believe I would not have reached this point without Aparna’s belief, commitment, and ability to bring out the best version of me. I will always be grateful for everything she did throughout this journey.

Aparna was instrumental to my Wharton and Kellogg admit! She was extremely thorough throughout the entire process, meticulous in her approach and very detail oriented.

She took out the time to truly understand my professional and personal background. I was really stumped when it came to connecting my past experience with my future professional goals, and it didn’t make it easy that I had multiple ongoing projects at work and I was travelling to NYC, but she was patient and consistently asked the big picture questions and pushed me to bring out the best in my applications. Her eye to detail brought out instances from my life that fit seamlessly into my app, which I wouldn’t have been able to notice otherwise.

Her brainstorming sessions not only helped me in the apps process but also helped me find clarity in my post-MBA goals! Her holistic approach and ideation workshops actually helped me apply to some schools independently as well!

Before the submission deadlines she was available even during late hours for a to z support, which especially helped given my demanding work schedule.

She kept me motivated constantly and I could rely on her without hesitation. Despite the stress, she actually made the process enjoyable 🙂

I had an incredible experience working with Aparna Pahwa throughout my MBA admissions journey. She was thoughtful, strategic, deeply invested, and genuinely cared about helping me put forward the strongest version of my story.

What stood out most was her ability to push me beyond surface-level answers and help me articulate my experiences in a way that felt authentic, compelling, and true to who I am. She was extremely responsive, detail-oriented, and brought a calming presence to what can otherwise be a very stressful process.

I always felt like she was fully in my corner — not just as a consultant, but as someone who truly wanted me to succeed. Her guidance across essays, positioning, and overall application strategy was invaluable, and I honestly could not have asked for a better partner through this process.

10/10 experience. I would highly recommend Aparna to anyone applying to business school.

Aparna was extremely professional from day 1 and at the same, she was able to help bring out my stories which made an impact yet remained completely mine.
Her approach to applications is extremely methodical and meticulous. She pushed me to keep improving my applications even when I thought we didn’t need to – which helped me get better scholarships. At a point when I was out of ideas, she helped brainstorm new stories and how they can be included in interviews.
Would recommend her to anyone without any hesitation.

Having Aparna as my mentor and cheerleader made all the difference to me as a reapplicant – converted Wharton, Kellogg and Stern!!

I’ve known Aparna since 2020, and honestly, I can’t overstate how incredible she’s been—both as a consultant and as a person. I started working with her around April or May 2020, and right from the beginning, her rigor and structure stood out. Aparna was the only person I worked with during my MBA applications. I ended up applying to six schools, and she was my guiding light throughout the process.

What struck me early on was how methodical and thorough she is. Before we even got to writing essays, we spent a lot of time on intake sessions where she dug deep into my story and background. I come from an HR/People background, not the typical B-school profile, and she put in serious work to understand my journey and figure out how to best position it. I know others who’ve worked with consultants, and I can confidently say Aparna’s process is far more structured and in-depth than what I’ve seen elsewhere.

We started with three schools in Round 1: Columbia, Kellogg, and Stern. At the time, I was switching jobs and juggling a lot personally, and Aparna was just incredible about keeping everything on track. She was religiously organized, making sure we had time for at least 3–4 thorough reviews for each application. I remember vividly the night before my Kellogg and Stern applications were due, both on September 15. I was at my sister’s graduation, and Aparna was on call with me, going through every line of every essay, every extracurricular detail. She had already done more than her share, but she was still reviewing everything again to ensure not a single piece fell through the cracks. That level of ownership, treating your goals like her own, is rare.

Even during the interview prep, she was there every step of the way. She helped me prepare detailed guides, ran multiple mock interviews, and fine-tuned every answer until I felt completely confident. It’s incredible how she manages to give that kind of attention to every candidate she works with, always smiling, always encouraging, always there.

I got interview calls from Kellogg and Stern (even though I didn’t make it to Columbia), and converted both. And again, a big part of that was thanks to Aparna’s prep and constant support.

For Round 2, we had planned to apply to Wharton and Booth since I was a reapplicant to both. But I also wanted to take a shot at Harvard, and even though we’d only discussed five schools originally, Aparna jumped right in and helped me with a sixth. The time between Round 1 and Round 2 is so short, and she was working with other candidates too, but she never let that show. She treated it like it was her own deadline and gave it everything.

As a reapplicant, it was even tougher. But Aparna sat down with me, reviewed my earlier applications in detail, and helped me craft a much stronger narrative this time around. We managed to turn around three strong applications by the first week of January. And then on Valentine’s Day, Feb 14, I remember getting my interview call from Wharton. That was one of the happiest moments of my life.

Aparna was so excited, and she told me I had to convert this. She pushed me to give it everything, and again, ran multiple mock interviews. Wharton has a Team-Based Discussion format followed by an individual interview, and she made sure I did multiple mock TBDs with the larger Admissions Gateway community interviewees and was prepared for every possible scenario.

Every school where I got an interview, I converted. I got into Kellogg, Stern, and Wharton. And I owe so much of that to Aparna. I don’t think I would’ve had a single admit without her. She’s thoughtful, she’s committed, and she genuinely cares.

I eventually joined Wharton (Class of 2024), and now I’m working at BCG. But even now, four years later, I still remember the level of effort, empathy, and dedication Aparna brought to every step of the journey. I got incredibly lucky to have her by my side.

Working with Aparna was the turning point in my MBA journey. Coming in as a re-applicant after unsuccessful attempts. I knew I needed to rethink my entire approach. Aparna immediately brought both structure and perspective to the process. She helped me identify the gaps in my earlier applications and guided me in building a stronger, more balanced school strategy this time around.

What stood out was her relentless attention to detail and willingness to iterate infinitely. Whether it was refining my essays, strengthening my resume, or weaving in elements of my personal life outside of work, she constantly pushed me to present a more holistic version of myself. Even when Round 1 didn’t go as planned, Aparna never let me lose momentum. She helped me re-strategize for Round 2 with clarity and conviction, ensuring that every piece of the application reflected growth and depth.

The result was my admit to NYU Stern, something I am incredibly proud of given where I started. Beyond the admit itself, what I value most is how Aparna challenged me to reflect deeply, to bring authenticity into my essays, and to stay resilient throughout the process. She was not just a consultant but a true partner who believed in my potential and invested wholeheartedly in my success.

When I first decided to apply to business schools, I was told to not target anything under T10. While I was confident of my chances, those discouraging words definitely took me back. A lot of consultants were doubtful about my distinct career trajectory. Aparna gave me the confidence to go for my targets. Despite having a 80hr work week, Aparna used to make me stay on track with everything and she used to never hesitate in pushing me to get the best of the out comes. When my R1 results did not go as planned, she still didn’t doubt my candidature, and motivated me to shoot for schools I wouldn’t have personally applied for. Even more than a counsellor, she’s has been a mentor who always pushed me to deliver the best that I can. She never hesitated to go beyond her responsibilities and help me with my applications that are not included in the package. She’s definitely the right person to travel this bumpy journey with.

Aparna brought immense clarity, structure, and deep expertise to my MBA application journey. Having worked with numerous applicants across top schools, she has a strong grasp of what each program values and how to strategically position a candidate. That level of insight gave me the confidence to trust her process entirely—she helped cut through the noise and focus on what really mattered.

Where she stood out most was in helping me refine and elevate my stories. My goals and general direction were clear, but Aparna pushed me to examine my experiences from different angles—highlighting nuances, drawing out learnings, and making sure each story directly aligned with my goals and the school’s ethos. This wasn’t about completely reinventing my story—it was about adding depth, coherence, and sharpness. She never rushed the process, even when we went over standard timelines. Her priority was always the quality of the output.

Given my demanding consulting role at McKinsey—often working 14–16 hour days—Aparna made the process incredibly efficient. We had focused one-hour brainstorming sessions whenever I could spare time, and she streamlined my workload to ensure I only spent energy where it was truly needed. Her support helped me manage a high-stakes process alongside a heavy job.

Beyond standard Admissions Gateway resources, Aparna also offered personal support that went above and beyond. When I struggled to connect with alumni from LBS and Booth, she leveraged her own network—people she had worked with in previous cycles—to help me have those important conversations. This saved me hours and allowed me to make more informed decisions during the application process.

In terms of application components, the most critical areas for me were essays, and interviews. With ~10 years of experience, it was essential to present achievements that reflected both depth and seniority—without overstating. Aparna helped strike that balance, ensuring the LORs and essays conveyed strong EQ, maturity, and leadership while staying grounded and authentic.

Interviews were another area where she made a big difference. Coming from a highly technical, engineering-heavy background, I had never spoken about softer elements like leadership style, diversity experiences, or personal growth. Aparna worked with me through four to five mock sessions—far more than the usual two or three—to help me build fluency in these topics and bring my personality forward with confidence. Her guidance significantly elevated my performance helping me land an admit from Tuck.

Looking back, I can confidently say that Aparna was more than just a consultant—she was a partner in the truest sense.

Working with Aparna was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application journey. Coming from Nepal with a unique professional and personal background, she took the time to deeply understand my story and identify the strengths that would resonate most with top business schools. Her guidance was not limited to the schools I had initially signed up for—she went above and beyond to support me with applications to additional programs, ensuring that every essay, recommendation, and interview preparation reflected my true self.

Her strategic advice and honest feedback were instrumental in securing interview invitations from Harvard, Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Ross, LBS, and Darden, and ultimately converting Darden. She provided clear direction on how to position my experiences, always with genuine care for my success, and her insights even proved valuable during my internship. Her dedication, responsiveness, and ability to challenge me to think more critically about my goals made a real difference in my application outcomes and professional growth.

Working with Aparna was a super productive experience. She helped me focus on what to cut from my essays and résumé, which made my story much clearer and sharper throughout. By the time we got to the final version, my application read far more crisply and reflected exactly what I wanted to convey.

Aparna was very responsive, hands-on, paid close attention to detail, and always pushed me to think harder about my experiences. Her inputs played a big role in strengthening my application and securing an $80,000 scholarship from Chicago Booth. I genuinely appreciate the structure and focus she brought to the process.

A fast-paced yet thoughtful MBA journey to Wharton with a $50,000 scholarship made possible by Aparna who felt like having a coach, collaborator, and cheerleader all rolled into one.

When I started my MBA application journey, I had absolutely nothing ready—no resume, no draft essays, no cohesive narrative. I signed up with Aparna on November 24, which left us barely six weeks to complete my applications. The plan was to apply to three schools. We ended up submitting five: Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, and Kellogg.
And looking back now, I genuinely don’t know how we pulled it off—but I do know that we couldn’t have done it without Aparna.
From day one, her commitment and stamina blew me away. This wasn’t surface-level support. Aparna was deeply involved—thinking, writing, editing, and reworking things with me every single day. On the day of the Stanford deadline, for instance, we exchanged over 50 documents back and forth. I would tweak something, she would send it back with comments and changes within minutes. She never missed a beat. There were no boundaries on effort or time—she went all in, with me and for me.
But what stood out even more was how creative and strategic she was. I came in with a jumble of stories and disconnected experiences. She listened—really listened—and then helped me structure my goals and narrative in a way that felt true to me but far more powerful. She didn’t force a direction or framework. Instead, she pulled from my own experiences and strengths, and helped me build a story that was both authentic and MBA-worthy. Her ability to draw connections between things I’d completely overlooked, and then shape that into a compelling arc was incredible.
She’s also an exceptional writer. I often found myself writing a paragraph that felt okay-ish, and then watching her transform it into something layered, clear, and deeply persuasive. She has this unique skill of making transitions feel natural, weaving together different elements of your story in a way that flows effortlessly. And her feedback wasn’t just editorial; it was strategic. She knew exactly what each school was looking for and helped me tailor every single word to match that.
When it came to interviews, she was just as hands-on. We did multiple mock rounds, and she gave me concrete, personalized feedback about content, structure, tone, and delivery. She pointed out exactly what sounded scripted, what needed more depth, and what came across as too vague or over-rehearsed. Her communication style is incredibly articulate, so just listening to her speak was a masterclass in how to present with clarity and confidence.
Another thing I appreciated deeply was how flexible and supportive she was. Even when I decided last-minute to add Stanford to the list—something we hadn’t originally planned, she didn’t hesitate for a second. She jumped in, fully committed, and we made it work. There was never a moment when she said, “This isn’t part of the plan.” It was always: “Let’s figure it out.”
If I had to sum it up, working with Aparna felt like having a coach, collaborator, and cheerleader all rolled into one. She didn’t just help me apply to business schools—she helped me reflect on who I am, what I want, and how to tell my story with honesty and impact.
I ultimately got into Wharton with a $50,000 scholarship, and while I didn’t get into all the schools I applied to, I know I submitted the strongest possible versions of my application to each one. I have zero regrets.
And most of that credit goes to Aparna. Her work ethic, creativity, emotional intelligence, and storytelling instincts are rare, and I feel incredibly lucky to have had her in my corner.
If you’re applying to business school and want someone who will actually care, someone who will actually show up, and someone who will help you bring your story to life in the best possible way, look no further.

I’m Sharmila Jothi Mahamandra, an MBA graduate from The Fuqua School of Business, Duke University, Class of 2024. I had the pleasure of working with Aparna from Rajdeep’s consulting firm during my MBA application journey, and I can confidently say that her guidance played a pivotal role in my application journey.

Aparna provided comprehensive, end-to-end support—right from helping me shortlist schools that aligned with my profile, to brainstorming my personal stories and refining essays to reflect how my core values resonated with each program. Her process is well-structured, and tailored to each applicant’s needs. She was always on top of deadlines and school-specific requirements, and went above and beyond to accommodate my schedule, even with the time zone difference between the U.S. and India.

Having rushed through my first B-school application attempt during the lockdown, it was incredibly important for me to do things right the second time. Aparna helped me present my best self—and thanks to her expertise and commitment, I was admitted to three of my target schools.

I came to Aparna on the back of strong recommendations from a close friend who went to Wharton, and from our very first call, I saw exactly what they meant. Unlike other experiences I had heard of – where the applicant had to steer the process – Aparna brought a level of ownership and investment that made it feel like this was her application as much as mine.

She took the time to deeply understand my story, even reviewing materials I had already submitted elsewhere. She didn’t just nod along – she pointed out what was missing and laid out a clear, structured path forward. I could immediately see that she knew what she was saying – her experience in this field was evident. That clarity and conviction from Day 1 made a huge difference.

What stood out most was her energy. Aparna brings a certain momentum that pushes you to aim higher. She’s always prompt, willing to roll up her sleeves, and open to reworking drafts till they truly reflect your voice and strengths. There were moments when we didn’t know which direction an essay should take – but she encouraged iteration, and that made all the difference. She also ensured that my story had a clear and compelling linkage with my goals – something that really helped my applications stand out.

More than just reviewing essays, she helped me understand why a prompt was framed a certain way – what the admissions committee was really looking for. Her experience was evident in the way she guided me in framing my thoughts and interpreting the intent behind each question. Having that clarity on the first principles allowed me to be more thoughtful in structuring responses, presenting a genuine, holistic view, and selecting the right life stories to share.

I had a mix of essays, interviews, and waitlist updates, many of which had non-standard formats and tight deadlines. Aparna helped me map out timelines, shared tailored guidance, and made sure we were always ahead of schedule. Those daily 15-20 minutes discussions were what helped me sail through the crunch.

Before my final INSEAD submission, she didn’t leave even an inch to assumption – checking in to confirm everything was in place, from form details to essays, and even offering to read the final drafts one more time.

She was incredibly proactive when it came to waitlist updates – always checking in to ask if there was anything new to share, and prompting me with the right questions to ensure I wasn’t missing important developments across four waitlists. She also prepared me thoroughly for the Booth video essay, helping me feel confident and ensuring I put my best foot forward.

When it came to interview prep, her feedback really helped me shift my approach. I learned to treat interviews as conversations – not performances – and to make sure the interviewer walked away with a holistic picture of who I am, beyond just my resume. The mock interviews with Aparna were golden – realistic, insightful, and focused on helping me sharpen both my content and delivery.

Working with Aparna didn’t feel like working with a consultant. It felt like having a true partner –someone who genuinely cared, stayed invested, and made this journey personal.

When I decided to apply for an MBA, I thought I’ll try to make it on my own. However, things didn’t go in my favor and I didn’t get into the schools I was aiming for. So, I knew I needed professional guidance the second time around. That’s when I reached out to Admissions Gateway and started working with Aparna. My experience with her was incredibly positive. She brought a complete overhaul to my application strategy.

We began with a joint brainstorming session that really pushed me to reflect on why I was pursuing an MBA and what elements of my journey I wanted to highlight. From there, everything followed a very structured process. We reworked my CV over multiple iterations, and I could see genuine improvement in each round. Aparna helped me identify key aspects of my career and experiences that I had previously missed, and the final version was significantly stronger than what I had created on my own.

As we moved into the essay writing phase, I could feel how deeply invested and involved she was. We brainstormed together to align on what each essay needed to convey, and then numerous rounds of edits until I could see she was highly satisfied. Each round added meaningful depth and polish, and I felt supported throughout.

One thing I particularly appreciated was how efficiently we worked. I would typically use my weekends to work on drafts and send them over by Sunday evening, and Aparna would work on them during the week while I was tied up with my job. That rhythm kept things moving at a comfortable but steady pace, which made the whole process feel manageable.

Her involvement was so comprehensive that even when I had to prepare a 10-minute presentation for HEC Paris, she provided extensive support to refine it. She also conducted mock interviews, which helped me practice and improve my pitch with targeted feedback.

All in all, she was not just a consultant, but a steady partner throughout the application process

I started working with Aparna in May 2024. To be honest, I felt a bit behind—most people had started earlier. I had this quiet sense of panic underneath it all: Will I have enough time? Will I be able to tell my story well enough? Will any of this work out?

But from the very beginning, Aparna met me exactly where I was. We didn’t follow a strict weekly schedule or a fixed plan. Our pace was my pace. Every time I had a draft ready, a set of thoughts, or even just a rough idea—I’d share it with her, and she’d respond with care and precision. It was deeply iterative, fluid, and responsive. And that rhythm became a game-changer. It gave us the space to explore more, revise more, and most importantly, think more deeply.

One of the first things that struck me was how seriously she took the process of understanding me. Even before our first call, she had researched my startup, Varaha—a small, mission-driven organization not many people had heard of. I still remember her saying that my resume didn’t even begin to reflect the depth and impact of my work. And she was right. That conversation was the first of many where she challenged me—not unkindly, but gently and thoughtfully—to rethink how I saw myself.

What followed was not just application prep. It was a journey of self-inquiry. Aparna and I spent hours talking—not just about my professional milestones, but about where I grew up, the people who shaped me, childhood memories I’d almost forgotten, and moments of doubt and joy that quietly steered the course of my life.

Writing essays—especially ones like Stanford’s “What matters most to you and why?”—wasn’t easy. But Aparna never let me settle for generic answers. She asked hard questions. She nudged me to go deeper, to sit with the uncomfortable moments, to connect the dots I hadn’t seen before. It was emotional. At times, it was exhausting. But it was real. And in that process, I began to understand not just what I wanted to say, but why it mattered.

When we moved on to interview prep, I was nervous again. I had all these stories, but would I be able to tell them well? Would I come across as authentic, composed, confident? Aparna stepped in again—not just with frameworks or standard prep—but with presence. She helped me practice, refine my tone, get comfortable in my skin. She never rushed me. She was willing to do as many mocks, as many calls, as it took for me to feel ready. And her feedback—always honest, always kind—made all the difference.

She also went beyond what I expected from any admissions counselor. Whether it was help with the smallest parts of the application—short answers, contextual sections—or connecting me with alumni from my target schools, she was always thinking a step ahead, and always willing to put in more effort than required.

But what truly sets Aparna apart is something less tangible:
She sees you. She listens without judgment. She remembers things you mention in passing and brings them back when they matter. She helps you make sense of your story—not by rewriting it, but by holding up a mirror so you can finally see it clearly.

With her support, I landed interviews at all four schools I applied to—Stanford, Wharton, Harvard, and Kellogg—and was fortunate to receive offers from three of them. But even if I hadn’t, this process would still have been one of the most meaningful things I’ve done. It gave me clarity, confidence, and a sense of peace I hadn’t expected to find.

Aparna isn’t just a consultant. She’s a partner. A guide. Sometimes, even a friend. And I know that long after this application journey is over, I’ll carry the conversations I had with her for a long, long time.

Aparna came through for me. I knew what I wanted to do based on my work experience, and she helped me frame how I envisioned my goals. Her knowledge of the core values of each school is amazing. She helped me see how I can present my goals and learning plans customized to the learning experiences offered by the schools.

Our brainstorming sessions were super helpful in enabling me to translate my vision onto paper and bring clarity to my goals. This is the toughest aspect of the application—because everything else is a testimonial of what you’ve done over the past few years—but the clarity on goals and crafting the right career vision, which is a reflection of the qualitative impact that you want to make, is something that a good consultant does a great job at. And that’s what Aparna helped me out with.

She’s super friendly and made me feel completely at home, which is great because I’m a very jovial, very easy-going person. So I needed a consultant who was also very similar in that way. I applied only in December, so I needed someone who could keep me on track. She has a fantastic balance of professionalism while making me feel completely at ease. I go into introspective or artist-like phases where I want my essays to seem super poetic. I write very emotionally. While she gave me my space to be creative, she was also very practical and pragmatic.

When I was doing my interview prep, she was very clear on what my strengths are—and she didn’t ask me to fall into a certain format. Her advice was clear: being a jovial, congenial person is my strength, so don’t shy away from showing this aspect of my personality. That was fantastic input because I think I didn’t shy away from using humor in every single interview of mine! It’s very easy to say “champion authenticity,” but when there are tangible outcomes on the line, people compromise. She didn’t let me compromise on that.

It’s a win to have a consultant who lets me be me and also puts me on track, because otherwise, the completion of the application before the deadlines would have been tight, given the short timeframe and my work commitments. It was a run till the finish line, and Aparna was a cheerleader, helping me secure admits to Harvard and Wharton.

Aparna’s high emotional intelligence to connect the dots and effectively stitch together my diverse professional and personal experiences across three geographies helped me land admits.

When I started the MBA process, I was balancing a full-time job, a part-time master’s program, and a chaotic schedule. I wasn’t sure I could pull it all off — but working with Aparna made it possible.

One of the biggest things she brought to the table was accountability. She was constantly on top of the timeline, nudging me when needed, helping me prioritize, and making sure we didn’t miss a single deadline. Even though we were in different time zones, she was flexible with calls — whether it meant early mornings or late nights — and always found a way to make things work.

More than that, she helped me translate life experiences into meaningful application material. I’ve lived through some fairly unique events, including civil unrest and other formative moments, but hadn’t figured out how to shape those into a story that was MBA-worthy. Aparna helped me unpack those experiences, identify what they said about me, and build a cohesive, authentic narrative around them. This was especially important for HBS, where the story really has to hold weight.

Her understanding of school-specific expectations was also incredibly valuable. She knew exactly what schools were looking for, like how Columbia cares about school engagement and specific interests, while HBS is much more focused on your personal journey. Every essay and every piece of the application was tailored to fit that school’s culture and criteria.

Another area where she added a ton of value was planning and strategy. Given my schedule, I had no idea how to split schools across R1 and R2. Aparna mapped out a smart plan: we went with target M7 schools in Round 1 to test the waters, and when we saw that the story landed well (I got interviews at all of them), we pushed for stretch schools in Round 2. That approach gave me time, confidence, and a solid foundation to aim higher, which ultimately led to an HBS admit.

The essay work, especially for HBS, was tricky this year because they changed the prompt. Since we didn’t have prior examples to lean on, Aparna took the time to break down the new prompt line by line, helping me understand exactly what it was asking. Because she already knew my profile so well by then, she could point out specific moments and stories we’d used in other essays that could work here too. That gave us a clear starting point to build a compelling draft.

Finally, her help with interviews, especially for HBS was extremely effective. We did multiple mocks where she asked detailed, resume-specific questions, just like the actual HBS style. She knew my life as well as I did by that point, which meant her questions were sharp, unexpected, and exactly the kind of thing I ended up facing in the real interview.

From start to finish, Aparna brought a mix of strategic depth, emotional intelligence, and genuine commitment. Her process is structured but flexible, high-touch but empowering, and most of all, deeply personal. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner on this journey. I ended up with admits from multiple M7 schools, including Harvard, Columbia, and Kellogg, with $70k.

I’ve spent my life in high-performance, high-expectation environments. But the MBA application process is something else altogether. It’s personal, self-reflective, and extremely demanding. Aparna was my steady partner through all of it.

What I valued most was her ability to take my very initial thoughts, sometimes just a line or a feeling, and turn them into something much deeper. She could always see what I was trying to say, even when I couldn’t fully articulate it myself. A lot of our best essays came from sparks that didn’t seem significant when I first shared them, but she helped me build them out with depth and structure. She has this unique ability to take something from “1 to 1000.”

Importantly, she never made my essays sound like anyone else. She always ensured that my voice came through. The way I think and speak, as well as my tone and values, were never lost. Even when we rewrote stories multiple times, it always still felt like me.

She was also incredibly strategic about how we approached each school. I was applying to a range of programs, including INSEAD, which has a completely different format and tone, and she made sure we were tailoring every application thoughtfully. Even our interview prep was tailored, not just across schools, but depending on whether I was interviewing with alumni or adcom. I remember how, before one of my CBS interviews, she dug into the tone and feedback of past interviews I’d done just to make sure I wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes.

She was also deeply available. There were points when I was working 70–80 hours and falling behind. She kept following up, gently pushing me, sometimes over weekends so I could get everything in on time. At no point did I feel like I was doing this alone. She’d check in constantly, sometimes just to ask how I was doing.

What I appreciated most was her belief in me. She nudged me to retake my GMAT when I was on the fence. And I’m so glad she did, because I ended up getting into multiple schools with great scholarships!

I’ve worked with some of the smartest, most capable people at work but what stood out about Aparna was how invested she was. This wasn’t just a job to her, and I don’t think I could have done this without her. I’m really excited to have gotten into Wharton, CBS, Kellogg and INSEAD with $90k.

When my MBA application journey began, I was clear about one thing—I wanted to aim for the M7 schools and needed a strong application strategy to achieve my goal. After scoring well on the GMAT and connecting with my network of friends and seniors, multiple folks recommended I connect with Admissions Gateway. After initial discussions with the team at AG, I began working with Aparna.

I started off my journey in May, and initially, I felt the pressure of applying to five colleges. I had a lot of preconceived ideas in mind based on what my seniors had done, but after interacting with Aparna, I could see a clarity in my path. After deep discussions with Aparna, we decided to take a shot at three schools in R1 and keep the rest for R2, considering the timelines and the need to have a balanced approach to filing those applications. Aparna made me realize that quality is more important than the number of colleges I applied to in the first round since we had limited time, and she was spot on.

When we worked on the essays and resumes, we often had opposite ideas in mind. Aparna never imposed her thoughts on me. Instead, she had a highly collaborative approach wherein we discussed each idea in detail, made versions with the top ideas, and refined them through iterations. This really helped in bringing out the best of my stories to the table. Aparna was highly encouraging and supportive, especially during the busiest work season. She consistently encouraged me to get everything reviewed, whether it was the minor details we filled out in the forms or drafting the short questions like a job description or achievements. She made sure I put the best foot forward in every aspect of my application and maximized the usage of the real estate available.

The timelines were always very tight due to my professional commitments. There were times when I could not perform on the committed timelines to her, but she was highly adept at managing that. We also worked on weekends and after office hours, getting on those quick calls and making edits. She always reverted in a speedy fashion to ensure that I could add incremental value in the limited window I had. This ensured that our pace was on track despite scheduling issues on my end. This kind of adaptability on her part was invaluable. She always found time for last-minute practice sessions and addressed any lingering concerns. Thanks to her preparation, I felt calm and confident walking into my interviews, which significantly contributed to securing my Wharton and Kellogg admits.

I started my MBA journey with Columbia in Round 1. For Round 2, I applied to six schools: four with Aparna i.e. Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, and HBS and two on my own Tuck and Yale. I ended up receiving admits from Wharton with a $50,000 scholarship and Yale with $35,000. I was waitlisted at Booth and Kellogg, and was rejected from Tuck and HBS.

When I first started the process, I had just finished my GMAT and reached out to work with AG in Round 2. But the team strongly encouraged me not to waste August and suggested applying to Columbia as a great way to get started. That early push made a big difference.

To be honest, I hadn’t done a lot of in-depth research before starting. But once I began working with Aparna, her support and the AG resources and workshops really helped me hit the ground running. I hadn’t yet thought deeply about how to present my goals or how to bring out the softer aspects of my profile, but she helped me gain that clarity very quickly.

One of the biggest things that stood out was Aparna’s responsiveness and flexibility. I had a lot going on personally and professionally. Just as we were working on Columbia, I had to move to New York for a rotational program. Despite her many commitments, Aparna was always there. Even if I sent drafts late at night, I would wake up to thoughtful comments and revisions the next morning. She was never short on time, even on short notice.

What helped even more was how flexible and adaptive she was throughout the journey. I was constantly switching time zones, starting in India, then in New York for two months, then back in India, and yet we were always able to make it work. She was understanding when I couldn’t meet our timelines due to work, and she gently pushed me forward when I needed the nudge. Her structure kept me accountable, while her empathy made the process feel manageable.

Aparna’s feedback was always honest, sometimes brutally so. But that was exactly what I needed. She helped me think practically about my school list, and was never afraid to challenge me when something didn’t feel authentic or aligned. And more than anything, the personal connection we built through this process was what made her stand out.

She made the process feel like we were applying together, not just me. She was my biggest cheerleader. When CBS didn’t work out in Round 1, she was one of the first people to check in and keep my spirits up. Her empathy, her investment in my journey, and her ability to truly understand who I was as a person made all the difference.

Even after applications were done, she continued supporting me through interviews. I was struggling with how to present myself clearly and confidently, and her insights and tips helped me deliver my best.

Aparna’s storytelling skills are a knockout. I had strong personal stories, but I didn’t know how to present them powerfully. Aparna helped me shape those stories so they clearly connected with my goals and values. Whether it was the resume or the essays, we went through countless iterations, and each time, she brought a new lens. She’d often share personal anecdotes or work experiences of her own, which gave me new perspectives on how to think about and shape my own.

In short, I came in with a general idea of what I wanted, but Aparna helped me build it into a powerful narrative that felt authentic to me.

When I started my MBA application journey, I knew balancing work and applications would be challenging, and there was definitely room for me to be more structured in my approach. Aparna was instrumental in ensuring I stayed on track, bringing in a great deal of accountability.

She wasn’t just a consultant—she was my mentor, and my biggest support system. She understood the demands of this process and knew exactly when to encourage, or challenge me to push me forward. Her involvement wasn’t just about reviewing applications; she took the time to truly understand my strengths, aspirations, and unique story.

The essays were initially overwhelming for me. I had never really introspected at that level before, and articulating my experiences meaningfully felt daunting. Aparna made the process seamless by breaking it down into clear, structured steps, making sure I could focus on one thing at a time. She helped me see the depth of my own journey, bringing out nuances I hadn’t fully appreciated. Looking back, I feel incredibly proud of how my story came together.

Through multiple drafts, Aparna refined my essays, ensuring that my impact and leadership were highlighted effectively. I could completely trust her ability to elevate my application while keeping my narrative authentic and compelling.

When it came to interviews, she was just as proactive and detail-oriented. From mock sessions to feedback on how I must articulate my answers, she ensured I was fully prepared to share my story with confidence. Managing the process alongside work was challenging, but Aparna’s consistent check-ins and structured approach made all the difference.

Looking back, this application journey was more than just getting into business school—it helped me realize my own ambitions. It made me comprehend the full extent of what I had achieved and how ambitious I truly was in my heart, but had limited understanding of.

Thanks to Aparna’s unwavering support, I got admitted into Columbia Business School.

If you’re applying to business school and need someone who will help you bring out your best, push you forward, and ensure your application is the strongest it can be, Aparna is the one.

Working with Aparna was instrumental in shaping my applications, and her guidance played a key role in my successful applications.

One of the standout qualities of working with Aparna was her approachability and flexibility. Despite a six-hour time difference, she was always responsive, ensuring that I never felt stuck or delayed in the process. With my LSE exams coinciding with critical MBA deadlines, she was quite accommodating of my schedule, helping me balance both effectively.

Throughout the process, Aparna was brutally honest and transparent in her feedback. She never sugarcoated things. If my research was lacking or an aspect of my application needed refinement, she would point it out immediately, ensuring that nothing was left to chance. This attention to detail made a huge difference in how I positioned my application.

Her collaborative nature was another highlight. Coming from a family where my two older brothers had also applied to business schools in the last 2 years, I wanted my application to stand out and not have overlapping narratives. Aparna worked closely with me and even engaged with my brothers to ensure my story was distinct, unique, and impactful.

A major challenge I faced was with structuring my essays. I struggled with organizing them into a compelling, well-structured narrative. Aparna masterfully broke things down into small, manageable parts, from ensuring my essay was engaging and packed with in-depth research, to ensuring the conclusion seamlessly tied with the overall story, she truly supported me in all possible ways. She also encouraged me to speak with alumni and integrate their insights into my essays, making my application even more robust.

Along with essay development, Aparna helped me strategize my entire application approach. She guided me on how to pitch myself to different stakeholders—my professors and internship manager, ensuring that they were well-aligned with my application story. Her expert approach here helped me present a cohesive and well-rounded application.

Given the tight timeline, her quick turnaround on iterations was impressive. She ensured that every essay was refined swiftly, leveraging our time zone differences as an advantage rather than a challenge. While I worked on one essay, she would review another, creating an efficient cycle of improvements.

Thanks to her support, I was accepted to Wharton, Columbia, and Booth. I would highly recommend Aparna to anyone applying to top business schools. Her ability to push candidates to their full potential is truly unmatched.

When I made the decision to pursue an MBA, I knew I required the best guidance to go through the intense application process. My brother’s success influenced my decision to work with Admissions Gateway.

From my first interaction with Aparna, I felt reassured about the process ahead. Her structured approach and dedication to aim higher pushed me to never settle for anything less than my best.

The process began with multiple iterations of my resume. Her guidance helped me transform my resume into a more compelling one that highlights my leadership qualities and measurable impact. After it was finalized, we moved on to defining my goals.

Aparna encouraged me to build my narrative around personal experiences, my background in financial services, and my aspiration to drive financial inclusion in India through FinTech. The brainstorming sessions with her helped me curate a powerful story that aligned with my vision for the future.

With good attention to detail, we started framing the fit essays (goals and contribution), the most challenging aspect of the application, and Aparna believed that cracking it would streamline the process for all schools. She then shared interesting insights on how I should present my strengths while also building a narrative to align with each school’s unique values.

The interview preparation process was rigorous as I was juggling work commitments and tight deadlines. Aparna’s support was invaluable at this time. She showed promptness and patience and helped me prepare for behavioral, leadership, and school-specific questions through multiple mock sessions. The process helped me refine my responses and boosted my confidence.

Whether it was following up on drafts, offering fresh perspectives, or encouraging me when I had moments of self-doubt, she was there every step of the way, and thanks to her guidance, I received admits to Kellogg and Michigan Ross (with a $120,000 scholarship).

Aparna Was Transformative In My MBA Application Journey

I had previously applied to Business schools with a great GMAT score. However, my applications were rejected the first time, leaving me a bit disheartened. Yet, I was determined to try my luck again as a reapplicant. This time, I partnered with Aparna from Admission Gateway, which truly made all the difference.

From the very beginning, I realized that Aparna’s approach was a complete departure from my previous experience. She helped me rework my resume, transforming it from a generic job description into a concise, impact-driven one using the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) framework. This was a significant shift in how I presented my professional journey earlier.

When it came to essays, unlike my earlier applications, which were written in such a generic way that one could change the name and the application would still hold true for another applicant, this time, each essay was highly customized. Aparna pushed me to dig deeper. Her guidance on linking my personal and professional experiences with my goals was impressive. The essays we crafted together reflected a genuine interest in each program and showcased how I would contribute to and benefit from the schools.

If I asked her any doubt at any given time, she would respond in a very detailed way, and the meticulousness with which she handled every single essay sometimes convinced me that nothing more could be done. Still, if she found even a single sentence that could be customized for higher impact, she would make edits to it herself or encourage me to rewrite it until I reached perfection.

She also encouraged me to reach out to alumni, attend school webinars, and gather insights that added deeper commitment and further strengthened my alignment with the schools. This effort definitely made a positive impact in shaping my essays and interview responses.

During the interview preparations, Aparna provided tailored preparation for each school. She shared detailed question sets, conducted multiple mock sessions, and gave actionable feedback that helped improve my delivery. She was always available to address my doubts and really eased my stress of re-applying.

Thanks to her guidance, I received admits to NYU Stern and Cornell Johnson with a $60,000 scholarship. Cornell even offered me admission to its Tech MBA and 1+1 programs without even submitting my application for those programs because they could really see me fitting into their cohorts.

When I decided to pursue an MBA, I knew it would be a challenging journey, given the grueling nature of the top business school admissions. Initially, I reached out to Admissions Gateway with a GMAT score of 730. However, the team encouraged me to aim higher and suggested I attempt the GMAT again. Thankfully, the advice was right, and I eventually achieved a GMAT score of 750.
After receiving a great GMAT score, the AG team connected me to Aparna, and from the very beginning, her expertise and structured approach were evident. She was aware of every tiny detail to the last dot. Aparna conducted a detailed profile evaluation to understand my strengths, experiences, and goals. She then helped me craft a cohesive narrative that tied my technical background and professional achievements to my passion for FinTech and my aspirations for the future.
Since I was used to writing job resumes, which are very different from an MBA resume, her inputs were quite valuable. She nudged me to move away from a technically dense job resume and instead focus on showcasing tangible business impact, leadership qualities, and strategic achievements. Her approach to using precise and impactful language ensured that my application stood out.
When it came to essays, Aparna’s consistent emphasis on writing an exemplary essay was invaluable. At times I felt that my drafts were near-perfect, but she always found areas for improvement. Her guidance helped me refine my essays, ensuring that they authentically reflected my voice while also resonating with what the admissions committees sought.
Her interview preparation sessions were a game-changer for me. Aparna introduced me to the standard set of interview questions, including motivations to pursue an MBA, alignment with the school, and behavioral questions. Having mostly given technical interviews, I initially grappled to adapt to the more personal and reflective style of MBA interviews.
Aparna helped me bridge that gap, teaching me how to articulate my story, motivations, and goals confidently. Her patience and encouragement during the mock sessions helped me overcome my initial anxiety and empowered me to approach real interviews more confidently. Aparna’s expertise and personalized guidance have played a pivotal role in my acceptance to Kellogg.

As an entrepreneur and engineer I had no prior experience in narrative writing, I faced significant challenges in articulating my thoughts clearly. Aparna was an invaluable resource throughout this process, providing the approachable and flexible support I needed. She was there with me throughout and her support was critical in helping me navigate the complexities of the application process. Moreover, I was spending 12+ hours a day at work, Aparna was extremely flexible and was very respectful of my context.

After being rejected post-interview by Darden, Tepper, and UNC, I was discouraged. However, Aparna’s individualized approach, especially her mock interviews with tailored questions, helped restore my confidence. Her belief in my profile and her perseverance made a world of difference. She identified my weaknesses and gave actionable insights which were instrumental to my success.

Thanks to Aparna’s guidance, I eventually received admits from McCombs, Duke, and Cornell, with Duke being my top priority. Aparna went above and beyond, dedicating extra effort to help me secure my spot at Duke, and I was thrilled to receive a $50K scholarship. Her genuine interest in my journey and support were key to achieving my goals. I highly recommend working with Aparna and the Admissions Gateway team.