Barbara Coward

Founder and Consultant

MBA 360 Admissions

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9.75

Consultant Bio

As founder of MBA 360 Admissions, Barbara Coward believes that everyone considering business school deserves the opportunity to put a strong and compelling application forward. She has worked with successful applicants who have struggled with impostor syndrome, self-doubt, and lack of confidence. This includes supporting applicants who didn’t think they had a shot at a top-tier school, but were ultimately accepted.

Her clients benefit from her background as a former admissions director and marketing consultant for business schools across the globe. This enables her to understand the full range of options available for graduate management education as well as an appreciation of how your application comes across to the admissions reader. Most of all, she understands the importance of finding a fit.

Barbara’s unique and in-depth knowledge of the industry, coupled with her skills as an effective storyteller and strategic marketer, provides clients with a competitive edge when it comes to creating a strong application and the assurance of making informed decisions in school selection and acceptance. She was also recognized by LinkedIn as a Top 10 Voice for Education in 2020.

Company Information

Clients of mine have been accepted to top-tier schools including INSEAD, LBS, Columbia, UCLA Anderson, and Stanford GSB. My thought leadership on b-school admissions has been featured in Poets&Quants, U.S. News & World Report, Financial Times, and AACSB’s Best Business School’s Blog.

I also have developed marketing messaging for top business schools in the U.S., Canada, Europe, and China. So, I know exactly what schools are seeking in applicants.

Graduate management education is my passion seven days a week, 365 days a year! I follow and analyze social media accounts of more than seventy business schools worldwide and receive lead nurturing emails from as many – if not more – business schools. So, I have a pretty good grasp of the industry to help identify which programs best meet your needs.

Menu of Services and Associated Costs

It’s up to you! Engagements can range from a one-hour, single session (e.g., interview prep) to a full multiple school application package (with resume review, essay review, interview prep) — and everything in between. I can help you assess where I can be most helpful.
I know that applying to business schools is a labor-intensive and stressful process. So, I want to make sure that it is as enjoyable as it is productive. This is a special time in your life. We’ll work hard, but I want to make sure that you smile and laugh more than a few times as well.

Location: United States

Phone: 4439090686

Email: bcoward@enrollmentstrategies.net

Website: https://mba360admissions.com/services

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Committed, Genuine, & Effective!
    3 months ago
    Barbara was a great resource for me in my MBA application journey since I was applying to B-school from a less-traditional path. My background is in engineering and industrial project management, but I have long had aspirations to become an impactful business leader at the broader organizational level. With Barbara's help, I was able to craft my strengths and goals into a compelling narrative and draw the attention of my target schools, receiving scholarship offers from 2/3 of my top choices! Barbara was an amazing resource during every step in the process, and I'm certain I couldn't have been so successful without her help!
    Connor Devlin
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Barbara Is The Best!
    8 months ago
    Working with Barbara was an absolute pleasure. She is an expert in refining your message and helping you put your best foot forward. She came highly recommended from a friend of mine, and she did not disappoint. I was accepted into every program I applied to with scholarship, which is very impressive considering I had a 3.1 GPA.
    Class of 2026 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Personalized Attention Every Step Of The Process!
    8 months ago
    Working with Barbara through my application to Booth was such a great experience! From the professionalized advise to her insider knowledge on different schools, processes, and insights, Barbara was such a big help in my process. She helped me edit and refine my essay, challenging certain topics and points that should be done differently, and offering insights on different phases of the process. I often felt like I was Barbara's only client and it was clear that she truly cared about my admission.
    Owen Moore
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • On To The Point & Great Advice!
    11 months ago
    Helped me to land interviews for the MBA Program of Rotman and LBS. Great advice in how to structure the essays.
    Fiorella Torres
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Helped Me Each Step From Not Knowing To Landing At IMD
    1 year ago
    Loved each interaction with Barbara, learned a lot and she was always open to reviewing and giving me advice for each step of the application process.
    Thiago Nascimento
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Admitted - CBS J-Term 2024 Entry
    1 year ago
    1) Barbara really understands the "personality" of each school well, and can help you customize your profile accordingly and pick your school strategically 2) Barbara really know how to craft your story to make you stand out from your competitors. As she mentioned, she would be acting as your attorney to argue for your strength and against your weakness 3) Barbara is honest and dedicated, and she returned your work very quickly with very detailed comments, and she is always available for a call for further explanation
    Alex Liu
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Could Not Ask For A Better Outcome
    2 years ago
    Barbara was instrumental in helping me achieve my goal of getting into my first pick business school. She provided invaluable guidance on how to structure all deliverables of the admissions process from resume to essays and ultimately, helped secure my acceptance at both schools I applied to. Even after I received my acceptance letters, Barbara continued to provide me with effective coaching and guidance. I ultimately decided to defer and it was her logic and thoughtful reasoning that helped me come to this conclusion. I highly recommend Barbara to anyone looking for a stellar admissions consultant. Thank you, Barbara, for all your help!
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • A True Cheerleader
    2 years ago
    I highly recommend Barbara as an exceptional coach for MBA candidates! Her depth of knowledge and expertise in the field is evident in her ability to guide and support students through the rigorous MBA application process. Barbara is extremely skilled at identifying unique strengths and weaknesses and providing tailored guidance to help create a story that showcases your true self. Barbara’s coaching and mentorship were key factors in my success during the application process and ultimately in my acceptance to Columbia and Wharton with scholarship offers!
    Jessica Slade
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Can't Say Enough Good Things
    2 years ago
    I highly recommend Barbara as an MBA consultant. She helped me get accepted into my dream MBA program. Her expertise in the application process was invaluable, and she helped me position my resume, and story and understand the nuances of what admissions offices were looking for. Barbara's support and encouragement throughout the process were outstanding, and I felt like I gained a friend for life. Thanks to her guidance, I was able to submit strong and compelling applications to five different MBA programs. Overall, I am deeply grateful for Barbara's assistance, and I wholeheartedly endorse her as an outstanding MBA consultant. I'm confident that her expertise and support will help others achieve their academic and professional goals as well.
    Ty Black
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • The B-E-S-T
    2 years ago
    I can't say enough good about Barbara. She has been more than a consultant for me but also a life coach in a sense. She gets "IT" and demonstrates that through her passion of staying ahead of the curve and speaking on topics on platforms like Linkedin that most consultants aren't speaking on. Barbara's involvement does not stop when a candidate gets accepted into their dream school. She is and continues to remain a cheerleader for those who've been through the journey of applying to B-School. This journey isn't for the faint of heart as Barbara is the first to say. I just got accepted into my dream school on the account of Barbara talking through this process and keeping me motivated to finish strong. ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Great Advisor!
    2 years ago
    Since day one on LinkedIn, Barbara was of great support. She would make herself available to go over doubts or obstacles, which with time-sensitive deadlines is something to be grateful for. Barbara always conveys a positive attitude, managing to bring calm to what is a complex process. Barbara provided detailed guidance from start to finish. I can’t tell you how many times I sent an email asking for help or a quick call to go discuss a part of the application and she would reply in the following hours with an opening to talk. This was something I noticed from my first communications with Barbara and this support did not change throughout the whole process. Finally, you can really notice Barbara’s authentic involvement in your application ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Barbara Made It Happen!
    2 years ago
    I first engaged with Barbara via LinkedIn to ask her questions regarding the MBA process. Barbara always shares insightful and valuable information with her followers. She was always willing to answer any question I had and offer up recommendations to me. If you are interested in learning more about the MBA process and want to work with an expert in the field then she is your trusted advisor, let me be clear when I say this – you would be making a mistake by not engaging with her. Barbara always has a positive attitude and is invested in making your dream happen! The MBA changed my life, and it will change yours too!
    Michael Madrigal
    MBA Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Took My Application To The Next Level
    2 years ago
    Barbara was pivotal in helping me craft my story to stand out throughout the admissions process and ultimately earn admission to Chicago Booth. Her guidance showed me how to better draw from my background and experiences in order to showcase my best qualities to admissions teams. She was also crucial in helping me navigate the nuances of each school and truly understand their core values in order to crush the interviews. Barbara's insight was all I could have hoped for and more.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Barbara Made It Happen!
    2 years ago
    Barbara was invaluable in preparing my MBA application for Kellogg. This was the only program I applied for, so our sessions were very targeted and focused. Always encouraging and great to work with, Barbara initially helped review my essays and other parts of my application. Over a few appointments, she not only offered several recommendations to improve it but also took the time to help me formulate my pitch and reflect it appropriately throughout. She always made sure I understand the rationale behind her suggestions and that I feel comfortable with the direction we were taking. Later, when I received my interview invitation, she found time to meet with me with only a day's notice (!). We went over a series of potential issues, reviewed ...
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    Yannis Normand
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • A Trusted Advisor
    3 years ago
    I've been working with Barbara for over two years as I was a re-applicant for most of the programs I applied to this year. What stood out about Barbara is her extremely personable, supportive, and positive personality - she has the expertise in the schools and admission process, but more importantly, she understood me as a person beyond the admissions criteria. As a result, she recommended schools to me that turned out to be a great fit but would've slipped through my radar otherwise. She is also well connected in the industry and always happy to make introductions. I couldn't recommend Barbara more!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Round 3 Miracle
    3 years ago
    With Barbara's help, I was accepted to Tuck, Ross, and Fuqua in Round 3 with a named fellowship at each school. I will be attending Tuck, which still feels unreal to me. I was defeated from the start of the application process: I struggled with the GMAT/GRE for over a year and ultimately got an okay score despite taking the test multiple times, I had a lower than average GPA from a large state school in a non-quantitative background, am in an overrepresented minority group, and work in financial services, a highly represented and competitive applicant pool. Due to personal circumstances, I was not able to apply in Round 1 or 2 and everyone highly discouraged me from applying in Round 3. I am about ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Barbara Gave Me Wings
    3 years ago
    Barbara gave me wings. Going into the MBA application process, I lacked the confidence to apply to the top MBA programs. I felt my academic record was mundane and that I didn’t have the necessary extracurriculars on my resume to stand me out. All that changed when I met Barbara. She made me realize the outstanding achievements that I was discounting. She encouraged me to apply to some schools that I love but into which I did not feel like I could gain admission. She prepared me to tell my story in my essays as well as in interviews. I gained acceptance into all the schools that I applied to including a US Ivy League MBA program as well as a top European business school. ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • A True Expert On Admission
    3 years ago
    I worked with Barbara on my application to MIT. With her extensive insight on the admission process, she provided valuable feedback to make my resume and essays more appealing to admission officers. She pointed out the mistakes that could be devastating to my application. Barbara also helped connect me with an alumnus to enrich my understanding of the school and the program. I highly recommend Barbara to any prospective student.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • The Best Cheerleader & Mentor!
    3 years ago
    Barbara is simply the best! I have dreamed about getting an MBA from a top tiered school for many years now, but I worried about whether I could get accepted into a top business school, knowing that standardized testing is not a strong suit of mine. Barbara took the time to really get to know me and my story. She helped me bring my story to life within each application to help the admissions committees understand that I am more than a test score. She became fully invested to the point where it felt that she is going on this MBA journey with me. As a result, I never felt alone and I could always reach out to her at any time for advice when ...
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    Brandon Mistry
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Calm & Confident Guidance
    3 years ago
    Barbara was great to work with because she brought calm and confidence to the application process. I had so much going on with work and GMAT studying that the application process was completely overwhelming until I hired Barbara. She created a plan for me that helped me focus on one task at a time and we got everything completed in time for the application deadlines. I also got into my dream program. Thank you Barbara for helping me get into Haas!
    Noah Carson
    EMBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • The Best Admissions Consultant
    3 years ago
    My experience with Barbara was amazing, to say the least. She was supportive and helped me on my MBA journey. I worked with her on my applications and interview preparation. I got into all the schools that I applied to, which included two of the top schools in Europe and the top two in Canada. She is an amazing coach, and I have recommended her to friends and family. She was readily available when needed and was able to adjust to fit my work and personal schedule for any items that needed to be actioned throughout the entire admission process. If your goal is to get into top schools, work with Barbara.
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Thank You Barbara For Your Support
    3 years ago
    Barbara was very supportive, empathetic and motivated me when I felt like giving up. Thank you for your support and for being a great advisor when I needed help. I finally made it into my dream school and I cant wait to start in 2022!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Tailored For You
    4 years ago
    Barbara was a stellar professional and really let me maneuver the sessions as I needed to. I purchased 10 hours with Barbara and was very specific about the support I needed with my essays. Barbara was efficient and communicative throughout the process. She never missed a deadline. When it came to the revisions themselves, she really helped me think through how each detail I choose to include could be interpreted by the admission committees. Given her understanding of the ethos associated with top programs, she was able to help me decipher what could "fly" at one program, but not another. She also helped me synthesize my supporting statements/examples to meet my character limits and still get my point across. I would recommend Barbara to other ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Best Professional Conslutant!
    4 years ago
    I am deeply grateful to Barbara for the professional approach. She has guided me throughout the application process by providing emotional and constructive support. She has helped me realize the key points I need to address in my resume and application as a whole. Working with her has been amazing. Barbara has helped me build my confidence and I have been accepted to one of the best schools in the world.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Great Experience!
    4 years ago
    Barbara's advice and experience have been a key element in the preparation of my applications. Her advice helped me to present my experiences and credentials in a memorable and impactful way. Without changing my voice or point of view, she allowed me to present my story in a way suitable for this type of program. Barbara is meticulous, responsive, and always available and present, providing the necessary support during a stressful and important period such as applying for an MBA. Fully recommended.
    Raimundo Honorato
    MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Can't Beat Her Expertise
    4 years ago
    Barbara is a wealth of knowledge, simply put. For context, I applied to one, specialized master's program in London. It was my dream school and program. Before working with Barbara, I lacked confidence in my application, knowing how competitive the program is. Additionally, I had no prior experience applying to really anything (was able to avoid the undergrad application process, thanks to college sports). It's clear that Barbara's expertise and guidance played a pivotal part in me being accepted. She consulted me on how to specifically illustrate why this program was a perfect fit for me, helping me to connect the dots between my background and the program. With all of her experience, she knew the school and their admissions style and tailored her guidance ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Barbara Is Great!
    4 years ago
    Barbara has been so helpful in my MBA application process - from brainstorming LOR content, essay edits, to interview prep. She knows a lot about different MBA programs and what they are looking for in applicants. Barbara helped me stand out in my essays, find my voice, and narrate my story in a way that I could not have done by myself. I am really thankful for her knowledge, responsiveness, and support throughout my MBA application journey.
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Excellent Experience
    4 years ago
    My experience with Barbara was fabulous. Barbara is a thorough professional. She understood the details of my profile really well and gave her best advice. She helped me craft my story and structure my essays, according to the schools I was applying to. At every step, she constantly gave honest feedback and was always ready to go the extra mile to ensure that the quality of the essays is impeccable and the overall profile is school-ready! She was also incredibly approachable and available to do essay reviews on all days of the week and all times of the day, which really helped me meet deadlines for school applications.
    Class of 2023 Applicant
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  • Barbara Is Fabulous!
    4 years ago
    I cannot thank Barbara enough for her strategic feedback and vision throughout my application process. She is such a delight to work with and really paints a picture of what the admissions team will want to see across each piece of the application. She makes you think outside of your current career path and how to craft your long-term career goals in a clear way to the admissions team. I recommend Barbara to anyone looking to apply for full-time or part-time MBA programs!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Life-Changing Experience
    4 years ago
    Barbara Coward changed my life in the best way possible. Some background on myself: I attended undergraduate at a large public university, and then worked in financial services industry for two years. I was unhappy with my job and my life. I felt lost and discouraged, and then I connected with Barbara and everything changed. "What proof do you have that she's phenomenal?" -- you might ask. I was admitted to every single school I applied to, and am/will be attending two Ivy League institutions over the next three years. Barbara helped me believe in myself again, and make sense of where I was in my life and what I needed to do to pivot to a career that would truly fulfill me. My most valuable ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Simply The Best!
    4 years ago
    Working with Barbara was one of the best decisions I could have made -- outside of deciding to go to business school! She was incredibly knowledgeable about all aspects of the process and helped me craft my best application possible. We worked together on everything from applications to essays and interview prep. On a personal note, Barbara was an absolute joy to work with. She is warm, personable, and was genuinely invested in my success. Applying to b-school can be an overwhelming, draining, and tedious process. Barbara brought energy, passion and insights to our discussions -- I looked forward to my meetings with Barbara! I applied to 3 schools in Round 3 and was accepted to every program. I am now enrolled in Wharton! I highly recommend ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • The Best MBA Consultant!
    4 years ago
    I'm so fortunate that I met Barbara as she helped me navigate the MBA process. She was clear and honest with me and my chances at my prospective schools. She was always available and is very knowledgeable about the entire process! She properly prepares you in conveying your story on the application and for the school interviews. I would recommend Barbara to anyone and I can't thank her enough for all that she's done for me!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A true expert to connect with!
    6 years ago
    I know, out of personal experience as well as that of friends and family, that applying to business schools is a tedious process. But after I started working with Barbara, I feel confident and calm about this journey. Barbara is a superb consultant as she knows how to put your mind at ease. She is diligent and an expert in her work. Barbara is very professional and takes the time out to support her clients. In addition to everything, she is a great human being!
    - Vidur Yash Ahluwalia
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