Betsy Massar

Master Admissions

Berkeley, California

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

I’m Betsy Massar, founder of Master Admissions. Right out of Harvard Business School I worked for Goldman Sachs and have spent most of my professional career in and around the financial industry. I worked on both the sell and buy sides (Barclays Global Investors, now Blackrock), and have worked on Wall Street (in the 80’s), Asia (in the 90’s), and San Francisco (in the new millennium!)

You might think I am partial to HBS, but I’m actually quite fond of Stanford Graduate School of Business, as a communications and resume coach, and an editor of GSB professors’ academic papers. I am also a writer and editor with Institutional Investor journals.

My partner, Frances Hochschild, bio here, offers her counsel, especially on resumes, interviewing, and on anything related to consulting. Frances, a former Bain consultant, was head of west coast recruiting for the firm, and continues to work as a recruiter for private equity firms.

Lately I’ve been doing pro-bono work for the Forte Foundation, which has amazing resources for women, and for Service2School.org, which offers free application counseling to military vets.

Company Information

Master Admissions’ number-one goal is to help you get into the business administration program of your choice. Certainly the applicant pool is competitive, but I also know that you have a compelling story that draws upon your achievements and unique personal qualities.

I help you map your strategy out so that you will succeed. So that your MBA essays stand out. Together we review your work and life experiences and carefully elicit the tangible and measurable accomplishments that you may not have seen yourself.

My goal is to get you to think creatively about your life history and where you have shown signs of outstanding personal leadership. Where you add value. Where you’ve taken the road not traveled. It’s about your authentic personal excellence – its vibrancy and its distinction.

Using supportive techniques and modern management tools, Master Admissions helps YOU make your campaign plan a reality.

Menu of Services and Associated Costs

Menu of Services and Associated Costs
Master Admissions is a high-touch, highly involved practice. The work is hard, and it’s not for everyone.
Contact us to see if we can help.

Location: Berkeley, California, United States

Phone: 510-852-9027

Email: betsy@masteradmissions.com

Website: http://MasterAdmissions.com

Provide a Candid Review

10=Without Hesitation, 1=I would advise against it.

Select "N/A" if you are a career coaching client only.

Select "N/A" if you are a career coaching client only.


The information below is for P&Q verification purposes only. It will not be published. We may email you to verify parts of your review but you will not be added to our email list. Incomplete reviews will not be published.


Please upload a pdf, png, jpg or gif file.

Please provide a valid email address

P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • HBS Bound
    8 months ago
    HBS bound speaks for itself. I came into the process fairly scattered about my goals, and through a ton of back and forth, Betsy helped me hone in on a focused narrative for my business school "why." She's thoughtful and thorough in getting to know your background and interests. And she's candid about what aspects of your experience and motivations are impactful to include, and what may not be as impactful as you think. This candid guidance was incredibly helpful for me and saved me time from overthinking. Betsy's strengths (as I experienced them) are in her essay guidance more so than project management of your application process. My week leading up to deadlines was stressful, so just set expectations for timelines up front if ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Dual Harvard Business School / Stanford GSB Admit
    9 months ago
    Despite applying to business school as a consultant, I was very much a non-traditional applicant, having had a prior career in a non-business field. I went in with little understanding of the application process, but Betsy provided guidance throughout, particularly on which of my prior experiences were most powerful in setting me apart from other applicants. Betsy was very flexible in accommodating our interactions around my busy (and ever-changing) schedule, and our different time zones never posed any issues. Throughout the application process, Betsy became a friend and someone I deeply trust. Given her extensive experience in advising applicants, she has a network of top business school admits, students and graduates that she has introduced me to. These connections helped me make the extremely tough decision ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • HKS With Significant Fellowship
    10 months ago
    I initially reached out to Betsy for support with MBA applications, but she was already at capacity. However, when she saw my list of schools, she correctly and astutely guessed I would also be applying to Harvard Kennedy School, and offered her support for that application. The HKS application is complicated, with several CVs and many essays. Betsy has supported many applicants with this process and I felt confident I was in good hands from the start. We started from scratch to craft a narrative uniting my life and work experiences, and then strategized on how to communicate that across each component of the application. The end result was an application package that conveyed my authentic self, and which I assume resonated with the admissions ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • If You're Applying To Stanford GSB, Work With Betsy
    11 months ago
    I had previously applied to the GSB (without success) and decided to try once more. I reached out to Betsy a month before the R2 deadline with a mostly finished app, hoping to just apply the final polishing touches. After she read my essays, Betsy gave me some tough feedback and asked about my appetite to go back to the drawing board - what I had was decent, but decent wasn't going to get me into GSB (especially as a reapplicant). So began an intense month of writing, editing, laughing, arguing, and a whole lot of fun. The GSB application is complex, but with Betsy's help, I managed to write essays and stories that were personal, authentic, and compelling. She helped me connect the dots ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Wharton Lauder Class Of 2025 - Betsy Made It All Happen For Me!!!
    11 months ago
    Betsy is the wisest and coolest consultant out there and you need her next to you fighting your corner! I still vividly remember speaking with Betsy for the first time back in April 2022 – I was feeling pretty overwhelmed by the whole application process, but Betsy’s infectious energy and positivity were enough to convince me that the next few months were going to be a fun ride, and a fun ride it was, all thanks to her! What truly differentiates Betsy is how incredibly generous she is with her time. She put in genuine effort and energy to really get to know me so she could better understand my story and help me articulate it in the application. She is one of the few ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Wharton/Lauder Admit - Wouldn't Be Here But For Betsy
    11 months ago
    I would have been lost without Betsy. She helped me hone my story, emphasize my strengths, and get into Wharton. Oh, and all that in so short a timespan that she wasn't even sure it would be possible! I came to the application process late. It was already November 2022 and I hadn't even written my GRE. I wanted to apply for January 2023 deadline, just two months away. A friend referred me to Betsy, and when we first spoke, she was brutally honest (her hallmark) that if I hadn't even written my test yet, there was no way I'd get an application out for the Class of 2025. Fast forward to November 17. I had just smashed my target score on the GRE, so I reached ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Booth / Kellogg Admit - Couldn't Have Done It Without Betsy!
    12 months ago
    Betsy's greatest skill is showing you what makes you different. As an MBA candidate with a stereotypical background (Consultant, Male, etc.), Betsy provided an invaluable perspective in allowing me to shape my narrative in a way that was both unique and genuine. The application is a fairly stressful process, and Betsy's guidance helped me focus on what makes me different. Betsy feels more like a friend than an MBA coach, and this brought a level of candidness to our conversations that I would not normally be willing to share. Through this camaraderie, we engaged in candid conversations about work, life, and everything in between. As a result, Betsy helped me frame the overlap between the technical skills and the soft skills I've developed from my experiences, ...
    Read the full review
    Collin Thompson
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Kellogg Admit + HBS Interview - Would Not Be Possible Without Betsy
    12 months ago
    I came to Betsy as a re-applicant who was highly skeptical of the value of consultants. Thinking I could do it on my own, I applied to 4 M7 schools for the Class of 2024, received 1 interview, and was waitlisted. I was determined to re-apply for the Class of 2025 with a consultant and after some research chose Betsy. One of my initial reasons for being skeptical of consultants was a fear of a "cookie-cutter" approach that wouldn't do justice to my application. Right from the jump it was clear that Betsy was invested in me and understood my own unique story. One of the things that I think is underrated about working with Betsy is how much TIME you spend working with her! She's ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The Best & Is A Friend For Life!!! CBS Class Of 2025
    12 months ago
    Betsy was an amazing consultant for my MBA applications and even more than that, a friend that I bonded with instantly and continue to stay in close contact with. As a re-applicant, Betsy's help throughout the process, from initial strategy and story to submission, was integral to my gaining admission to Columbia which was one of my top choices as an NYC resident. Throughout our work together our conversations were extremely meaningful and we were even able to meet up in person when I was in California - she put a lot of time, effort, and care into getting to know me, my career, and my life experiences. Beyond that, our conversations helped me learn a lot about myself and my story, and I will ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Harvard Business School! Thank You, Betsy!
    12 months ago
    I don't know how I would have navigated the process without Betsy. I was recommended to Betsy by a coworker who got into HBS. Prior to even applying, she was sharing insightful takeaways on the process. Betsy is tough (but in a good way). She'll really try to understand your story, talks you through your goals, and in the process, you'll not only write fantastic well-thought-out essays and be fully-prepared for the interviews but you'll also gain a friend that really cares! I took the GMAT in late July 2022 and turned to Betsy immediately to guide me through the R1 application process (HBS was the first one due which was in September - less than 5 weeks away). She kept me organized throughout the process, ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Got Me Into Kellogg!
    12 months ago
    I am an engineer in Biotech and come from a very non-traditional background. I was really skeptical about MBA Admissions consultants and whether I needed one, but when I was introduced to Betsy by a consultant friend, I immediately realized how little I knew. I was really thankful for ultimately in the end of hiring Betsy because I was able to get into nearly all the schools I applied to with tons of scholarship money and even a full-ride at schools like Northwestern, Berkeley, and Michigan. One school even gave me a full ride and a stipend! I'm currently on the waitlist at Stanford hoping to hear back good news soon. Even though Betsy doesn't come from a technical background, she was able to help ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Wharton Admit! Would Highly Recommend
    12 months ago
    Betsy was wonderful to work with. As a reapplicant with a unique background, I was careful in choosing a consultant who I felt would really take the time to understand my story. Betsy was direct and offered tough love when needed but also was my #1 supporter. She's highly competent in all aspects of the application, will call you out on your BS, but will always challenge you to present your best, authentic self. We also had a lot of fun in the process and even shared the same taste in electronica music (who would've known!). Overall the several months of working with Betsy not only helped me get into my dream school but also pushed me to discover parts of myself I didn't know ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Goes The Extra Mile To Provide Personalized, Effective Guidance & A Pleasure To Work With!
    1 year ago
    I came to Betsy as a reapplicant after 4 declines the previous year (did not engage with a consultant that prior year). In short, her guidance helped me improve my applications massively – I received interview invites from every program we worked on (three M7 schools) and was accepted at my top choice! Betsy was incredibly knowledgeable about what each program was looking for and our work together helped me craft precise essays which would both reflect my authentic background and also shine at the admissions offices. I often struggle to write/talk about myself, and her thoughtful, direct feedback enabled me to think far more creatively and really made me feel confident about my final essays and in interviews. I appreciated that her approach was not ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Thanks To Betsy, I Got Into The #1 Program In The Nation
    1 year ago
    Betsy is simply amazing! She has an unparalleled talent for helping applicants stand out in the crowded field of MBA applicants. With her expert guidance, I was able to secure admission to multiple M7 schools. Betsy is more than just a consultant; she is a true mentor, coach, and friend. She took the time to get to know me and helped me tell my story in a way that highlighted my unique qualities and experiences. Her dedication, expertise, and unwavering support were instrumental in my success. If you're looking for an MBA application consultant who truly cares about your success, look no further than Betsy! - Sending love from Minnesota!
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Got Into HKS As Reapplicant Thanks To Betsy
    2 years ago
    Betsy is simply amazing. I found her when I was so lost as a reapplicant to HKS. Most other consultants I have talked to told me that my profile was great and I just needed to "tell the story better". But Betsy was spot on when she identified my potential pitfalls and suggested alternative angles to approach my reapplication. Betsy really knows her stuff. She has a very good understanding of what makes one unique and what to bring out in the profile. In the end, we chose a very different set of stories and talked about my experiences at a level that was way deeper than the first time around. The process was not easy as I wrote and re-wrote the essays so many times. ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • A Massive Help & Exactly What I Needed
    2 years ago
    Betsy was truly helpful to work with, and laser-focused on getting me where I needed to be. She was able to guide me and help get the attention of two of my top choices, with the result being scholarship money at both, including my dream school. I was impressed by Betsy's candor and consistent ability to improve my work while pushing me to further explore myself and my experiences. Her knowledge of the historical and practical background of each school's questions was invaluable and helped me more effectively approach each question. Overall, I am incredibly thankful and highly recommend her.
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Get This Woman In Your Corner!
    2 years ago
    Betsy was incredible to work with, and I can't imagine having been as successful as I was this application cycle without her thoughtful and challenging questions pushing me to dig deeper and draw connections from my background, career, and extracurriculars to create a cohesive package and story. Betsy helped me see my own value and contributions that I may have overlooked as part of my narrative. With her help, I was able to overcome an uphill battle, given a pandemic career detour, and emerged triumphant receiving admission to 4/5 top 20 schools (waitlisted at one), and awarded at least 50% tuition scholarship at all. If you give it your all, she will give you her all. What I appreciated most was that she heard me ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • I Got My Dream School With Betsy!
    2 years ago
    Betsy was personally recommended to me, and we worked together on B-school and policy school applications. I ended up with three top-10 MBA offers, and my absolute dream offer of an MPP at Harvard Kennedy School, plus $400k+ of scholarships across all schools. Betsy was a hard taskmaster, and I wouldn't say it was an easy process. But it was obvious that she wanted the best for me and I'm totally convinced I wouldn't have gotten the offers I did without her pushing me to find and shape the most compelling stories. She was also really responsive (despite our 8-hour time difference) which made last-minute submission stress manageable. Finally – and surprisingly! – I feel like we have a relationship that won't end with the application. ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Great experience
    2 years ago
    I reached out to Betsy late in my application process, and she was a huge help. Betsy gave me great advice for what sort of traits to highlight and what sort of stories would really resonate in my application. She got to know me and helped highlight experiences that I had overlooked but were actually representative of me and my approach to the world. I also was someone without a lot of obvious leadership positions on my resume, so Betsy helped a lot to showcase the ways I had demonstrated leadership in my previous roles. Betsy was incredibly responsive. She would reply to my emails about essays or application questions almost always within hours no matter what was going on. As mentioned, I worked with Betsy ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Headed To Wharton - Thanks To My Advisor/Coach/Friend, Betsy!
    2 years ago
    I am so thankful I got to work with Betsy for my business school applications - there is no way I could have done it without her! I got into Kellogg, Stern, and Haas, all with scholarships, but am headed to my dream school, Wharton. From the moment I started working with Betsy, I knew I made the right decision. I come from the traditional ‘consulting’ background, and was worried about how I’d stand out - but Betsy got me thinking differently about my application. She first worked to understand me as a person so that she could help craft my stories. And because she knew me so well, she doubled as my friend and therapist as we went through the application process - I ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn't Have Done It Without Betsy
    2 years ago
    I have worked with Betsy for the past 14 months and do not have enough positive things to say. As far as results, I am attending NYU Stern in the fall which was one of my top choices given I currently live in New York City. I was also accepted to Darden and waitlisted at two top-3 schools (according to US News). Despite my MBA admissions process being nearly complete, Betsy has continued to coach me as I navigate both the waitlist process and pre-MBA enrollment journey. Whether a question was big or small, Betsy was always available for a quick email response or a lengthy phone call and made me feel like I was not alone during a murky and stress-inducing ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Came In Looking For A Consultant, Left With A Friend!
    2 years ago
    Betsy is by far the best admissions consultant! She really stands out from the rest in her ability to provide super individualized support for each candidate. I came into the application process looking for some high-level, low-touch support and guidance (think resume review, copy editing). A friend of mine recommended I reach out to Betsy. From day 1, what was immediately obvious was how much individualized support Betsy offered. As time went on, it became clear just how much Betsy cares about her clients. She worked endlessly to help each candidate craft their stories, realize how impressive and valuable their experiences actually are, and figure out how to be “your best self” in each applicant’s application. The impressive thing about Betsy is that she really ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The Absolute Best!
    2 years ago
    It’s challenging to put into words how much of an asset Betsy is during the MBA admissions process. I received interviews at every school I applied to, and ultimately decided to attend HBS, though I received scholarships at other M7 schools. The best part of working with Betsy is that she finds the perfect balance of being your cheerleader, supporting you during the grueling application and interview process, while also pushing you to be the best that you can be. Betsy is not afraid to challenge you, nudge you in a different direction, or help you refine your thinking to put your best foot forward. Coming from a consulting background, Betsy was incredibly helpful in identifying the pieces of my work experience that would stand ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Working With Betsy Is The Best Decision You Can Make
    2 years ago
    Betsy is an absolute star. She is so thoughtful in her approach, really helping to pull together your unique story and tailor it to individual schools. I came to her just a few weeks before the HBS deadline and the impact she had on the quality of my essays was astounding (don't leave it this late to contact her - I only snuck in because she had a drop out). I only applied to one course, an MS/MBA joint degree at Harvard, so a 100% acceptance rate, all thanks to Betsy!
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Admitted To Harvard, Stanford, Wharton With Betsy's Help!
    2 years ago
    Betsy is the best MBA admissions consultant on the market. With her help, I got into Harvard, Stanford, Wharton (with $), Tuck (with $), and Booth. Anyone can help edit essays and spice up a resume - Betsy knows how to pull your story out of you and tell it in an incredibly fresh and interesting way that appeals to the most selective adcoms. Not only is she absolutely incredible in helping you find your story, she goes above and beyond at every step of the application. She connected me with incredibly interesting students and alumni at every school I applied to, understood my non-traditional military background, and gave me incredible post-acceptance support to help me decide which program to select. Most importantly, Betsy makes the ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admitted
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The BEST
    2 years ago
    Betsy is amazing, and her method works (trust the process!). From day one, Betsy takes the time to get to know who you are and the best way to represent YOU. Her efforts helped me get into Wharton and I could not have done it without her. "People often think they're much less interesting than they really are, but the things they DO think are interesting about themselves...are usually not the most interesting things about them." - Betsy Even after I got in, we have stayed in touch and she remains an awesome resource. Putting me in touch with current students / new admits, guiding me as I decided between schools, and even turning me on to various programs within the schools--Betsy is truly ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Scholarship Application
    2 years ago
    Betsy and I only had a one-hour brainstorming session, and it was a very productive conversation to help me identify my edge in leadership, especially in a way that differentiates me from others! Betsy is also always happy to help in all aspects, including connecting me with alums! :) Betsy is also great at boosting confidence for you - which is a necessity during the stressful application period.
    Class of 2024 Pending
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • A Joy To Work With!
    2 years ago
    Betsy utilized an intensive approach to get to know me as an applicant, and as a person. Her unique way of squeezing out my best stories and sides in my writing and application was critical in getting accepted to CBS. For reference, her hands were tied as I applied with a 2.91 GPA and a 328 GRE / 710 GMAT. Also as a white male, these were not impressive stats. I was also unique in that I was a reapplicant, and worked with Betsy both years. I only applied M7 and was determined to get there, Betsy helped me every step of the way and as I said previously, she illuminated parts about myself that I could not have organically gravitated toward while crafting my applications. ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The Best To Work With!
    2 years ago
    I had the most amazing experience working with Betsy - she was so thoughtful throughout the entire process and provided incredible support across all aspects of the application (crafting a story, updating my CV, improving my essays, and interview prep)! Without her guidance, I would not have applied to the Lauder Institute at Wharton, but I am so glad that I did as it has been the perfect program for me. Working with her brought out the best of me in my applications, and she was also an absolute blast to work with and made the application process as painless as possible. I highly recommend working with her, as I don't think there is anyone else out there who is as committed to getting to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • The Best!
    2 years ago
    Betsy was an absolute pleasure to work with, and she really enhanced my application and gave me all the tools I needed to succeed and get in where I wanted. Totally worth the investment and so valuable.
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Accepted To Stanford GSB Thanks To Betsy!
    3 years ago
    Being accepted to Stanford GSB was a dream come true and I am truly grateful for Betsy’s help. I could not have done it without her help. Betsy ensured that I put my best foot forward on all my applications and de-mystified the MBA application process with insights from her over a decade of experience. As an Ivy League graduate working in finance, I worried that my application would not stand out. We both agreed that my authenticity was the biggest differentiator. Betsy helped me highlight my personality and it worked! In addition, I had a complicated set of jobs and professional experiences, and Betsy was instrumental in helping me make them universally understandable. One of the things I appreciated most about working with Betsy ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Making Applications Fun Again!
    3 years ago
    Betsy was phenomenal throughout the application process – guiding me through the maze of drafting essays, approaching recommenders, and tackling interviews. She had an intimate knowledge of what each school was looking for and was invaluable in helping me to distill my story. Having worked in the finance industry herself, she helped me to interpret some of my own wins in a way that gave good color, context, and helped me to stand out – ultimately, Betsy helped me to get into Sloan, and all the way onto the HBS waitlist. Betsy is also super-fun to work with and we had a lot of laughs about things other than my poor writing – I dare say she made the application process even enjoyable…a big surprise compared ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Haas With Full Ride
    3 years ago
    Betsy was a godsend during my MBA applications. I received offers from Berkeley, UCLA, NYU, Michigan, and Georgetown thanks to her intimate understanding of various MBA programs and their admissions processes. I had a competitive profile, but no idea how to articulate my case in essays. Betsy coached and mentored me rigorously despite me reaching out to her only weeks before the deadlines. She helped me craft compelling essays and revamp my CV. The conversations in self-reflection and post-MBA directly helped me ace my interviews. She is the only coach and resource you will need. My only regret is I didn’t reach out to her sooner and save myself a lot of stress.
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn't Have Done It Without Betsy
    3 years ago
    When I first got into contact with Betsy, all I knew was that I had the GMAT under my belt and really didn't know much of anything else. While I thought that Kellogg and Darden could possibly be schools of interest for me, it was only through conversations with Betsy and listening to her encyclopedic knowledge of business schools, that I was able to develop a list of top schools to perfectly fit my long-term goals -- Kellogg, Darden, Tuck, Anderson, Stern and Ross. Over the course of two and a half fun (read: active) months, Betsy walked me through the process of applying to those six schools, drawing heavily on her own knowledge of the PE industry and how my current role in the ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Accepted With $$$
    3 years ago
    Initially, I was worried about applying this cycle given my test scores and my nontraditional background. So I knew every other part of my application had to be airtight. From my first “fit call” with Betsy, I immediately knew she was the right consultant for me - professional, personable, and someone who is an expert on MBA admissions. Having worked at GSB, attended HBS, and her years of experience advising MBA applicants, Betsy truly understands the MBA ecosystem - what the admissions office looks for in applicants. She helped me craft strong, cohesive essays for each school that made me stand out. Betsy’s guidance goes beyond the applications. After submitting applications, Betsy advised me on how to manage the rest of the process in order to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The Best!!
    3 years ago
    Betsy went above and beyond in every aspect. Here are some of the highlights and why you should work with her: 1. She helped me get admission to my top choices: Wharton/Lauder, MIT Sloan, and London Business School!! 2. She introduced me to the Lauder program and connected me to some of her prior students who did the program. Lauder quickly became my top choice. 3. She connected me to countless other students to get their perspectives on different programs that interested me 4. She was incredibly timely and efficient throughout the process. Clear communication and quick feedback 5. She was a mentor. Our conversations were not transactions, she truly cares about her students, and she builds relationships with them I 100% would recommend Betsy to anyone who wants to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The Best
    3 years ago
    Betsy was referred to me by a close friend who had gotten into her dream school the previous year. From our first meeting, I could tell she was exactly the consultant and partner I was looking for, not only was she highly professional and experienced at navigating the application process, she displayed a genuine interest in getting to know me as a person. Coming from an international and non-traditional background, I benefited enormously from Betsy's personal approach which took me on an introspective journey, digging up small, even overlooked, details and anecdotes from my past, connecting the dots throughout my journey and ultimately producing an application which truly showcased the best I could offer. Her responses were direct, comprehensive and to the point. She was ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Helped Me Get Into Stanford & Wharton
    3 years ago
    Stanford was always my dream school and it seemed so hard to figure out. I was nervous about all the schools, but working with Betsy was a pleasure--she was an absolute joy to work with and made the process of honing in on my own personal story honestly fun! She was able to draw upon her finance background and prior experience in my industry as we worked on simplifying my complex background into a tangible story. She really knew the DNA of Stanford and Harvard – having worked at the GSB and attended HBS, but also she gave great advice on the other schools I got into. Her connections to people in the MBA orbit – students, alums, ex-admissions officers and professors, were extremely useful ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Never Thought I’d Go To Harvard!
    3 years ago
    Betsy Massar got me into the Harvard Kennedy School. It came as a complete surprise coming from a west coast, public university with no full-time experience in the field of international relations. Choosing Betsy as my consultant was arguably the best decision I have ever made. Coming into the application process, I had no clue how to frame my essays and was applying to international relations and public policy programs that are not popular among graduate admissions consultants. Betsy approaches her clients like research projects and takes the time she needs to understand you wholly and your goals in the field. The result comes in the form of beautifully written, convincing essays that speak to who you are as a person and as a candidate. ...
    Read the full review
    Marissa Taylor
    MS Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Forever Grateful To Betsy! Truly The Best!
    3 years ago
    Not only did Betsy help me get into my dream school, but she also challenged my thinking and helped me learn more about myself as a person. Betsy showed a genuine interest in my professional and personal endeavors and altogether helped make the application (and decision) process more manageable. With Betsy's guidance and support, I was admitted to all four programs I applied to and was even awarded two full merit scholarships. Betsy understands what different admissions committees are looking for in an MBA applicant and spends time to help you craft an application that will make YOU stand out in a crowded field. Most importantly, Betsy was FUN to work with. She brings great energy to each discussion and has a creative yet effective approach to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The Best - Hands Down
    3 years ago
    As the headline states, Betsy is the best. Betsy invested the time and energy upfront to truly understand who I was as a person and what my goals in life are, going deeper than most relationships I maintain. In doing so, Betsy was able to help me craft a narrative that truly broke the mold and was differentiated (which is important when at face value you fit simply into the tired white male in finance archetype). Not only did Betsy's counsel help me tell a compelling story for business school admissions offices, but it also helped me sharpen my own understanding of who I am, my values, and how I will leave a mark on this world. That alone is invaluable! Without Betsy's guidance, I ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Working With Betsy = Best Decision I Made During The MBA Application Process
    3 years ago
    I cannot recommend Betsy enough as an MBA consultant! I came to her with a challenging proposition: could she help me maximize my odds of getting into a top business school as a less-than-traditional candidate who lacked extensive business experience with the added catch that I was only applying to a single, specific school. Betsy rose to the challenge masterfully. While no admissions consultant can guarantee admissions, I can confidently say that Betsy's advice and coaching enabled me to submit the optimal application, and I can happily report that I've matriculated to my one-and-only choice of MBA program. Betsy has tremendous experience and knowledge with MBA admissions in addition to excellent instincts. Her process is comprehensive, purposeful, and individualized. She prioritizes getting to know her clients ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn't Have Done It Without Her - Thank You Betsy
    3 years ago
    I talked with 10 admissions consultants before speaking with Betsy. I immediately knew that she was the one for me. Betsy is incredibly thoughtful, kind, and insightful. Unlike most consultants, I felt like she genuinely wanted to get know me, which was incredibly important when it came time to write essays. She helped draw out anecdotes and examples that really showcased what I brought to the table, both professionally and, more importantly, personally. I always left our discussions learning something new about myself, which made the essay writing process rewarding and speaks to her ability to draw out the best in people. I would not be at the school I am today without her expertise. Thank you Betsy!
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • The Absolute Best - Thoughtful, Honest & Supportive
    3 years ago
    After an extensive evaluation of the top admissions consultants including conversations with top contenders, talking with Betsy left me confident that she had the experience to navigate the grueling application process and she would even make it enjoyable! Although extremely accomplished, Betsy was easy to talk to, direct, and thought provoking. As a result of Betsy's experience, I was accepted to 4 top schools with scholarship. Betsy made the process fun and relieved the immense amount of stress I felt. She allowed me to be my full self and really took the time to understand everything about me. She became a mentor and confidante. She provided invaluable guidance and feedback that allowed me to put my best self forward in my applications and ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Will Tell You What You Need To Hear
    3 years ago
    Betsy helped me most by telling me what I needed to hear. I came into the process with preconceived notions which Betsy quickly set me straight on. The result was admission to my top choice program. Thank you, Betsy!
    Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Changed The Way I Think About Applications
    3 years ago
    Betsy was an amazing partner on my admissions journey. She was equal parts reassuring and pointed, and her candidness was exactly what I needed to make the best application I could. She was very willing to work with me and met me where I was at. I also appreciated how even though I didn't take a full package with her, she always went above and beyond to make sure that the application I submitted was the most polished one that told my true story in an interesting manner. Highly, highly recommend!
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy is the Best!
    4 years ago
    I had the best time working with Betsy and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone I know. I did countless free 30-minute consultations with different consultants before deciding to work with Betsy. Right from the beginning, Betsy stood out because I could tell she was fully committed to getting to know me as a person and genuinely invested in my success. In particular, as an international student, I felt like Betsy really made the effort to understand my background and give appropriate feedback even in our initial free 30-minute call - unlike many other consultants who made comments that were tailored to US candidates (e.g., comments on GPA or extracurriculars, which were not part of my undergraduate experience). I believe this is because Betsy has experience working ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • You Should Definitely Work with Betsy!
    4 years ago
    I wasn't initially planning to work with an admissions consultant. But when I met her at an MBA fair where she candidly critiqued my anonymous profile, I changed my mind! One of the most amazing things about Betsy is that she's so genuinely interested in understanding what matters to you and what makes you unique. She believes in you and your story. And at the same time, she's incredibly tough and precise in her feedback. I sent her an essay draft after having 7-8 friends tell me it was really well done. But she pushed me to read it from the perspective of someone who didn't know me at all (like an admissions officer) and think about how it needed to change and improve. And it ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • She is THE ONE
    4 years ago
    Betsy has the magic to find that needle in your pile of winding stories (that seemingly just, don’t, make sense - you think?) and to guide you to eventually shine through while keeping your profile’s authenticity, your story’s originality and your very own personality. Looking back at the past a few intense months that she and I worked together, I realized that what I’ve gained from her wealth of experience and expertise is far beyond receiving interviews from all H/S/W and eventually going to attend HBS: under her guidance, I was able to conduct a life audit of the past 20+ years of my personal and professional life, which helped me clear my mind and find the courage and the confidence that I needed to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy = THE G.O.A.T
    4 years ago
    Let me first start by saying that I rarely leave reviews. But after reading these reviews last year, and then actually working with Betsy this year; it’s obligatory that I share my experience working with a true rockstar. I should begin by saying, please stop reading this if you don’t want a consultant that: cares about you as a person, is sincerely interested in your life outside of b-school apps, and is genuinely a good human being. Looking back on the process, working with Betsy made a terrifying, high-stakes process, a rather enjoyable journey. She was my rock, voice of reason, and guiding light through it all. Without Betsy, there is no chance I would still be heading to HBS in the fall. I think what makes ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Is The Best!
    4 years ago
    I contacted Betsy after being rejected by my dream business school. She came highly recommended by a college classmate of mine. Betsy did not disappoint! She helped me refine my story, gave me candid feedback, and built up my confidence for my interviews. I got in on my second try and I am so thankful to Betsy for her help during this journey.
    Zoe Ripecky
    MBA Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Was Incredible
    5 years ago
    I really don't think that I could have done the admissions process without Betsy. When I first started looking at all of the essay prompts I was completely lost about how to start. I wrote a few drafts on my own and I was not terribly happy with any of them. Betsy gave me very frank feedback and did an absolutely fantastic job helping me refine my story. She was also incredibly responsive and very attentive to where I was in the process. I really cannot say enough about how helpful she was throughout the entire process. I would encourage anyone who is looking for help with their MBA applications to work with Betsy.
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • You Are Beyond Awesome, Betsy!
    5 years ago
    I was extremely anxious when I started the application process last year and ended up speaking to many admissions consultants. While some of them promised me admission into any school, some advised me against applying to an MBA program altogether! Betsy gave me the most genuine and realistic feedback and I just knew I had to work with her right after our first call. Betsy not only helped me with the applications but was kind enough to calm my nerves whenever I was overwhelmed by the whole process. Her positivity and support made the application process so much fun for me. She was never just a consultant but a true mentor and genuinely wanted me to succeed. She helped me keep up with strict deadlines ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Simply The Best
    5 years ago
    Betsy was absolutely instrumental in my application process. From helping my refine my story, communicating my passions, or simply giving me someone to vent to when I was worried about getting everything done in time, she was there every step of the way. When it came time to interview for HBS and GSB, Betsy dipped into her network and offered genuinely mock interviews that helped me prepare for the real thing. I am not sure I would be heading off to Cambridge without her guidance!
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Six Stars For Betsy
    5 years ago
    Working with Betsy was truly a highlight of the application process. I was blown away by how quickly – and accurately – she was able to assess and articulate what makes me tick. She helped me formulate and clarify my career goals, as well as weave together various parts of my background into compelling narratives that ‘fit’ with the schools I applied to. I am so grateful that Betsy encouraged me to consider joint MPP/MBA programs which were more aligned with my goals than the JD/MBA programs I was originally interested in when I first spoke to her! I decided to apply to Harvard Kennedy School and 7 MBA programs. I was invited to interview at all 7 MBA programs I applied to, and was ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn't Have Done It Without Betsy!
    5 years ago
    Betsy was referred to me by a friend who had gotten into her dream program the year prior. I was pretty clueless at the beginning of this process and could not have been accepted into the programs I did without Betsy's guidance. She does not beat around the bush, is very candid with her feedback, and had an uncanny ability to pinpoint and draw out the unique story in my background. Betsy was incredibly generous with her time and was always available via phone or email throughout this process. I applied to five programs and ended up getting into Chicago Booth, Yale SOM, and Duke Fuqua. I am thrilled with the results and could not have done this without Betsy.
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Got Me Into My Dream School!
    5 years ago
    Betsy is as great a person as she is admissions consultant. I learned about Betsy from a former colleague who told me “Betsy will help you find the story in yourself.” He couldn’t have been more correct. I am a white male from the suburbs who went to private high school, a state college and took a job at a bank. On the surface, I am just another suit in a sea of suits. Betsy didn’t see me that way and she tirelessly worked through my life story to help me find interconnections I never knew existed. Then, once my unique angle was found, she pushed me to express myself in a way that was clear and effective and showed how I would make a ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Helped Me Refine My Story
    5 years ago
    I went into the application process honestly quite unprepared (although I did not know it at the time) and with a very average GMAT score. I met Betsy at an essay workshop, and we started working together shortly thereafter. I only had her help me with two schools (out of five total), but we started at first by focusing less-so on any specific essay and moreso on carving & refining my story. Betsy is to the point and doesn't leave room for you to water down your story with flowery language, which I needed to make sure I was using every word effectively. I also was coming from a somewhat atypical background, and I have long-term goals that aren't very typical of MBA applicants. Betsy ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Thank You, Betsy!
    5 years ago
    If you’re ready to stretch yourself and come out the other end of the MBA app process with not only very well-articulated applications but also a better understanding of who you are as a person, Betsy is the best person to help you navigate through this stressful period. With Betsy’s help I applied to H/S/W in R2 and was invited to interview at 2 of the 3 schools. I will be attending Wharton in the fall. Prior to locking in with Betsy, I had initial consultations with ~10 other admissions consultants – all of them seemed to emphasize either (a) the value of paying $XXXX for consulting packages, focusing on the financials before anything else, or (b) demonstrating that they have a “tried and tested” template to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn't Have Done It Without You, Betsy!
    5 years ago
    Betsy was fantastic to work with. Towards the beginning, she took time to get to know me and make sure my application checklist was on track. For me, the biggest value she added was helping me articulate my story (and stories) for the essays: she helped me hone my narrative, drives, accomplishments, strengths and career goals in a way I could not do alone. At one point, with a deadline looming, we were G-chatting late into the night, getting the right message for an essay. She was also always very responsive with one-off questions (I tried to collect them so I wasn't too annoying...) and advice throughout the process. Lastly, Betsy was no BS. She cut through the clutter of the whole b-school application online ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Thank you, Betsy!
    5 years ago
    Betsy has been a tremendous help during my application process. Working on multiple applications was overwhelming, especially with an investment banking job, but Betsy made everything so easy and straightforward. Her approach was extremely personal - she spent quite some time getting to know me, understanding my motivations, and guiding me to connect the dots in life. She pushed me hard and really challenged me so I am clear with my career goal. She is extremely knowledgable in the styles and leadership qualities that different schools are looking for. When I was preparing for my HBS interview, Betsy pointed out a couple of areas that might be the focus of my interview and those were right on point. This application season, I applied for ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Great Experience Working With Betsy
    5 years ago
    I had a wonderful experience to work with Betsy. I am very impressed with her professional knowledge, good patience and humorous style of communication. Due to the intensive work schedule, I have to travel to different counties almost every 2 weeks. It was a big challenge for me to allocate my time to apply to an MBA, especially to write essays. Betsy provided great suggestions to help me understand how to best articulate my argument and express my thoughts to make high-quality essays. I found the application process was very enjoyable as I can use my time much more efficient than I thought, I strongly recommend Betsy to other applications and I am sure you will enjoy your time working with her as well. ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Got In, & Wish I Could Apply Again To Work With Betsy More!
    5 years ago
    Working with Betsy was by far the highlight of my application process. Both a true professional and a genuinely wonderful person, she not only coached me into making the right decisions about where to apply but also made every step easier by laying out in a simple and actionable way everything I needed to know or think about. Her approach of first getting to know what makes her clients tick is highly effective and by our second call, she felt like a relative who'd known me my whole life. Her positivity and upbeat attitude made the exercise of working on a highly stressful task fun, and I always looked forward to our calls. She helped me to articulate my story in a way I would ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Great Experience Working With Betsy
    5 years ago
    I had a great experience working with Betsy. She is experienced in a way that not only helped me develop a thorough application package but also led me to explore my passion, drive and career ambition. We had extensive talks about my life experience, my career adventures, and my family backgrounds. She was able to help me uncover my true callings and weave my stories together. She also provided me with extensive guidance in selecting the school that fits best with my career goal and personality. I received 5 school offers this year including MIT Sloan, Berkeley Haas, Dartmouth Tuck, Columbia, and NYU Stern. I am so excited that I will be joining Columbia this coming August. Even after the acceptance, Betsy was sweet enough ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn’t Have Done It Without Her
    5 years ago
    I come from an atypical background and knew I had some weaknesses that needed to be addressed, so I felt like I would benefit from some outside help as I put together my business school applications. I spoke with a handful of other companies before finding Betsy, and every single one felt more like a sales pitch than anything else. Talking to Betsy was different. From the very first time we spoke, she wanted to get to know me to see if working together would even be beneficial. She took the time to push me to reflect on why it is I really want to go back to school, and help me connect the dots from where I’ve been to where I want to go. ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Thank you Betsy!
    6 years ago
    Working with Betsy was terrific. I benefited from her personal approach because business school applications are not Excel models with magic formulas. Throughout the application process, Betsy was more like a friend and a mentor than a consultant. She helped me connect the right dots to build my personal story. This way, not only was I able to stay true to myself in all of my applications, but I also distinguished myself from other candidates. I'm heading to Yale SOM this year, but Betsy will always be a friend and a mentor to me.
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Amazing Experience with Betsy
    6 years ago
    Working with Betsy was an incredible experience. She really took the time to get to know my story, my goals, and what I wanted to accomplish with business school. Perhaps most significantly, by asking probing questions and analyzing my past decisions, she actually made me realize what I wanted to do with my life and what my long-term goals were! Betsy is not your typical admissions consultant – she doesn’t treat her service like a business. She doesn’t use formulas or templates – she uses a very personal approach that forced me to be introspective and think about my story, about what I had to offer to an MBA program, and about what I had to gain. I continually felt as though she truly cared ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Thank you Besty
    6 years ago
    I reached out to Betsy in a short period right before the application deadline. At that time, it seemed impossible to complete my application not alone my unusual educational and career path. Betsy, has been a tremendous help in making my experience relevant and possible especially with her excellent coaching service and timely response. She transformed a potentially overwhelming application process to a truly rewarding experience as she spent a lot of time getting to know me. Not only I delivered on time but the result of my application was beyond my expectation. Such result has helped me to get accepted for a master degree at Harvard Kennedy School which I could only have dreamed about getting into.
    Class of 2020 Applicant
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Lucky to have worked with Betsy
    6 years ago
    Working with Betsy made all the difference in my applications this year. Before we spoke, I wasn't sure how to best portray myself or even which degree to get, but she helped me navigate this decision and had a depth of knowledge for each business and policy program I was considering. From our very first phone call, she was instrumental in helping me define and express my story, making the connections between my past experiences and future goals. Without Betsy, I would not have been able to create a cohesive and interesting application - she was great at highlighting the most relevant pieces of my background. I also found our essay brainstorming sessions and her comments on my writing incredibly helpful. She was exceptional at refining ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Amazing experience with Betsy!
    6 years ago
    As a former consultant who is currently working in financial services, I was worried I wouldn’t find a way to make my story sound special and differentiated from other applicants. Betsy was the answer! Betsy was recommended to me by former colleagues and I am very happy they did. Betsy’s recipe boils down to two key things: (1) Betsy asks the tough questions, and really challenges you. She is honest with her feedback and doesn’t sugar coat anything. This is critical to push your ideas from good to great. (2) Betsy takes the time to really get to know you. She helps steer, and connect your experiences and achievements into a cohesive theme. At the same time she makes sure you own all of the ideas, ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Good Vibes
    6 years ago
    My career background is in architecture and real estate. The criteria of applying to architecture school is very different from business school. Betsy created a clear preparation roadmap for me. Under her guidance, I avoided many detours and was able to spend the limited available time on the key parts of MBA application. When she gave me guidance towards my target schools, her guidance varies and is customized based on each school's own criteria and culture. MBA consulting is Betsy's full-time job and Betsy is clearly passionate about it. She is well connected in the field and introduced me to a current student and a former admission officer at Berkeley Haas, who provided me with valuable information. When I received ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2021 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • With Betsy's help, I'm heading to the Kennedy School!
    6 years ago
    The Harvard Kennedy School admissions process is designed to tease out your motivations and ambitions in order to evaluate your potential as a leader. Going into it, I did not have a clear sense of how to tell my story, and I doubted my ability to "stand out" from the many other talented applicants. Betsy was instrumental in helping me put together a compelling application that emphasized my unique strengths and experiences in ways I would have never thought of otherwise. She has unrivaled insight into how the HKS adcoms think and knows exactly what it takes for an application to be successful. HKS was my dream school and I was absolutely thrilled to be accepted -- I can say confidently that I would not ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Incredibly invested in your scucess
    6 years ago
    The choice to select an MBA consultant can be a big one, and I am so glad to have found Betsy. I was not looking forward to the introspection, and I was daunted by the process of distilling myself into the essays. Fortunately, I received personal attention from Betsy and felt like I was able to create a real relationship. Because of this she was able to better guide me and help me push through the hard work. Often, she would help me cast something through a new lens or help me find a creative direction that surprised me, but she was also extremely collaborative and supportive in me retaining creative control. She was committed to my success and a true partner in the process. ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy is the Best
    6 years ago
    Betsy came highly recommended to me from a friend and even after the personal introduction she exceeded expectations. To be clear - Betsy is not going to make you feel warm and fuzzy all the time. It is her critical eye, honest feedback and ability to pull stories of value out of you that you didn't even know you had that makes her so great at what she does. I came from a very nontraditional, somewhat disconnected background, and she was able to find the common thread and help me figure out not just what I had done but articulately describe where I am going. I also found her late in the game, but thanks to her I got interviews at all four of my ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Made it to Stanford GSB !
    6 years ago
    Having the privilege to receive advises from Betsy was probably one of the best things that happened to me in 2017. But, if you only want to hear agreeing opinions, Betsy probably won’t suit you. Please do not get me wrong here. Betsy is one of the sweetest persons I have ever met (she is actively involved in supporting women’s groups and donates generously to charities). But she has a pair of sharp eyes and can see right through you when you try to fool yourself. And she really pushes and, most importantly, helps you to think deeper in a very systematic way. When we worked on the Stanford essay, she helped me to connect the dots in my life and discover the hidden calling ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Not sure where I’d be without Betsy
    6 years ago
    I have been admitted into my number one choice and couldn’t have imagined getting there without Betsy coaching me through the entire process. From the beginning, Betsy really challenged me to dig deep and think about each step of my life to date. She created a safe space where I was comfortable discussing some of the most challenging life moments and helped me think through how they all linked together. With her help, I learnt an incredible amount about myself that will have a profound impact on me, beyond just crafting my MBA story. As well, Betsy’s depth of experience helped me identify the schools that are the best fit for me and my goals and shepherded me through the entire application process, ensuring I ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy is a lifelong mentor
    6 years ago
    I started with someone from a larger firm who was ok with whatever I said, never pushing to get more from me. I then met Betsy. I was seen. She knew exactly who I was, in fact, she figured me out better than some of my closest friends. After struggling with a theme for my HBS essay Betsy picked an aspect of me that put all pieces together. She even knew what my dream was, when I could hardly articulate it. Betsy did not sugarcoat anything. "This does NOT sound like you!" she would say. Betsy has no templates to fit you into a school. Her only template is who you are. I felt that I was not simply applying to schools. Rather, I was ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • HBS bound thanks to Betsy
    6 years ago
    I can’t imagine a better person to help me through the MBA process than Betsy. I came into the application process a little late with a half-baked essay draft. Betsy went above and beyond to fit me into her schedule and get my application into shape. Whether through phone calls, emails, or facebook chats, she showed incredible patience and a great eye for punchy writing. She turned over essay drafts insanely fast, while also getting to know me as a person. Not to mention, she goes through the whole thing with a great sense of humor! The result were authentic essays that maintained my own voice while getting rid of the fluff and long-winded run-ons that filled my early drafts. And ultimately, by the measure ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • We Did It
    6 years ago
    Above all, Betsy cared about learning my story. Her honest feedback helped me share a compelling narrative, which I initially did not see, across each application component. She provided invaluable direction in successfully addressing gaps in my candidacy, including a weak quantitative background, and pushed me to fine-tune my message through each iteration of drafts with actionable comments and suggestions. It made the difference. I would have been lost throughout this process without her guidance. Thank you, Betsy. We did it and it was a ton of fun.
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Genuine and Passionate
    6 years ago
    Betsy is very genuine and passionate about her job. She seemed to really care about my success in the MBA application process and gave me personalized instruction relevant to my application. I’m a nontraditional student coming from the entertainment industry and looking to go into marketing. I applied to Marshall, Anderson, Kellogg, Fisher and Ross. With Betsy’s expert guidance, I was received an interview at every school I applied. I received a scholarship to Fisher, was waitlisted at Kellogg, and accepted into USC. USC was my target school because of my entertainment focus. Betsy consulted with her large MBA network and did research to find out exactly what USC is looking for in application essays. She also helped improve my resume, and I received several ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy has experience, passion and talent!
    7 years ago
    I got into Georgetown McDonough, one of my top schools, in Round 3. I also received a substantial scholarship. I was extremely pleased because I knew I had a strong application to have gotten accepted in Round 3. Betsy is super reliable. When she says she will get something back you by a certain time she does. In the rare instance she can’t she advises and gives a date as to when it will be turned back. Betsy also always turns in quality revisions. Her revisions really get you to think and in turn to produce quality work. She is also passionate for your story. She’s rooting for you. She doesn’t give compliments easy but when she does they are genuine. She truly does care ...
    Read the full review
    - Korinne Kobes
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy is Truly Priceless
    7 years ago
    Betsy Massar was a godsend! I adored working with her and by the end of the process, I not only felt like she helped me make my application highly potent but I also came away from it with a lifelong friendship. Betsy did much more than help me deliver my best applications, she helped me find my voice. My background is very untraditional and my story seemed all over the place. I spoke with a number of consultants and chose Betsy because I could tell that she would push me to deliver my absolute best application. Her energy was boundless and she had me laughing every time we talked. The business school application process is trying particularly for me as a personal event left me ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Would not have gotten into Sloan without Betsy!
    7 years ago
    Betsy is phenomenal to work with. She has a lot of ideas and is very good at crafting personal experiences into impactful stories. She is also very efficient: I first approached her in June, without any preparation( not even gmat scores) She was instrumental in helping me get through my rd 1 apps to four top b-schs in less than 3 months. She also connected me with current students, and talking to them greatly helped with my interviews and understanding the sch cultures better. Without her help, I would not be able to get into MIT Sloan!
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy helped me on my journey to Haas!
    7 years ago
    I worked with Betsy on my applications this past year after a suggestion from a friend. Prior to working with her, I had applied to many schools in 2016 and was not admitted to any of them. Working with Betsy, I was admitted to 2 top programs this time, and also waitlisted at HBS. I found Betsy to be a tough but invaluable critic. She was extremely useful in helping focus my stories in my essays. I would recommend her to anyone applying!
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Waitlist Success!
    7 years ago
    I reached out to Betsy after I was placed on the waiting list at Chicago Booth. Betsy quickly reviewed my application and shared her thoughts on specific ideas that would augment my profile. It was a pleasure to speak with her during brainstorming sessions, which were sincere, thought-provoking and very lively. She listened to my ideas and provided honest, but warm feedback on new themes to highlight in a supplemental video to the admissions committee. She pushed me to think outside the box and about the big picture to draw out new themes that resonate with the values of the school. It all paid off when I was offered a place at Booth earlier this month!
    Class of 2017 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn't recommend Betsy more!
    7 years ago
    Betsy is truly fantastic, and I am so grateful to have worked with her. Betsy supported my applications in several ways. First, she is extremely knowledgeable and up-front about the admissions process, what it takes to be admitted, and individual schools - she helped me narrow my list of schools and get excited about the programs. Second, Betsy helped develop my application story in a way that not only improved my applications but also helped me clarify my own career goals and reasons for attending grad school (bonus career counseling!). She worked to understand me personally, my background and aspirations, and career choices. In a surprisingly seamless way, I went from a vague set of goals and experiences to a clear, coherent, and most importantly, ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Heading to Stanford Thanks to Betsy!
    7 years ago
    As a white, male, non-MBB consultant from a solid but not Ivy League school, I'm pretty boring. Or, I was until I called Betsy. Betsy is one of the most interesting people I've met and has a special energy that allows her to see the best version of the world around her, including in me. She was truly amazing at helping me recognize a central theme to my story, instrumental in helping me stay true to it and relentless in helping me get to a coherent, well-written presentation from application forms all the way to post-interview reflections. As if that wasn't enough, she was a blast to work with and consistently available when I needed her. In short, my applications were so much stronger with ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Worth every penny!
    7 years ago
    Betsy is a great MBA consultant that will worth every penny you spent. I have worked with multiple consultants in the past application cycle, including some with highly recognizable companies, and Betsy is the best one! Let me just list a few things that Betsy did far beyond of the “big companies” consultants: 1. Quick turn-around time. I didn’t think this would be a big issue before, but when I was in the middle of writing essays in December, that fast turn-around time really helps! It means I can edit a few more rounds with Betsy because of the quick turn-around time. Betsy was with me on the day when application is due, and still turned one round of edit on the day! I really ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Accepted to Harvard, thank you Betsy!
    7 years ago
    I got to know Betsy through a friend whom Betsy advised with MBA admissions and was very happy with the results. That friend currently works at BCG Betsy was wonderful to work with, she helped me authentically tell my story. Her feedback on my resume and essays was tremendously helpful. She was professional, warm, and she listened and got to know her clients very well. And in spite of my very tight deadline (three weeks), she pushed me to make as many drafts as it took to get the essays right. As a result, I got accepted to the Harvard Kennedy School, the only school I applied to. Later, I needed to defer my acceptance, and without hesitation, I went to Betsy who helped me ...
    Read the full review
    - Yousef G
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Great experience, learning for the long term
    7 years ago
    I entered into the MBA application fray with a clear vision of what I wanted and no path to get there. I had a passion for a particular industry, but didn’t have any practical experience, and as a non-Ivy league student with a decent GPA, I was mostly concerned that I wouldn’t get into any programs. But with Betsy’s help, I ended up in a joint-degree program at Michigan Ross and am about to start a job in consulting at MBB. Betsy helped me whittle down a list of the best potential fits and provided guidance during various steps in the process, but most importantly, she helped with a process of introspection that I have applied many times since. My conversations with Betsy enabled me ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2017 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Wouldn't Have Got In Without Her
    7 years ago
    As a white guy in finance, I knew I'd have to do everything possible to stand out, and Betsy helped me take my applications to a completely different level. Betsy and I spent hours on the phone, digging into my background and reflecting on what drives me as a person. Looking back at the first drafts of my essays, they weren’t deep enough, didn’t do my personality justice, and frankly would not have gotten me into any of the top schools to which I was applying. Additionally, I genuinely enjoyed working with Betsy as she truly cares about her clients and their goals, and I know that she helped to develop my best possible application. Finally, and most importantly, Betsy got me results, as I’ll ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Smart, honest and a joy to work with
    7 years ago
    I worked with Betsy on several MBA applications and credit her as being instrumental to my acceptance at my first choice school, MIT Sloan. I'll start with what Betsy will NOT do: - write your essays for you - tell you what you want to hear - spin your story into something more than it is - be a jerk What she WILL do: guide you in developing a personal narrative that accurately demonstrates your best self. She provides the tools, insights and incredibly deep knowledge of MBA admissions to help you navigate the turbulent waters of the application process with confidence. You'll walk away from it proud that you put together the best application possible. Working with Betsy was a pleasure. I don't think ...
    Read the full review
    - Peter Grace
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Accepted to Harvard and Stanford!
    7 years ago
    Betsy is an all-star! Very instrumental in my decision to ultimately choose HBS over Stanford. Gave me advice on scholarship negotiation and had firsthand advice on both schools since she graduated from HBS and worked at GSB. She is extremely knowledgeable about the admissions process, has a great network in the industry, and is just an all-around fun & engaging person to interact with. I would definitely recommend her to anyone interested in attending a top school. Thanks Betsy!
    Class of 2019 Anonymous
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Best Return on Investment Ever!
    7 years ago
    Coming from a job in the nonprofit sector, the MBA admissions process felt incredibly daunting to me. Without a doubt, hiring Betsy was the single best decision I made to ensure that I was submitting the strongest possible applications that I could. While business school essay questions appear simple, they are truly not, and Betsy helped me develop a narrative that clearly explained why my nontraditional background would be valuable to a business school class and why I wanted to pivot industries. Out of the five schools I applied to, I received admission to four and was waitlisted at one. However, it was my return on investment from my work with Betsy that was most amazing. Each of the four schools I was admitted to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2019 Anonymous
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Admitted Everywhere I Applied!
    8 years ago
    Hiring Betsy as an admissions consultant was the best move I made in the business school application process. I was fairly confident that I had the credentials to be accepted to a competitive program, but I was not familiar with the characters of the different schools and how to assemble a successful application. I spoke with a few admissions consultants, but felt after my initial conversation with Betsy that she was the right fit for me. She immediately took a personal interest in my story, and throughout the process was more invested in me as a person than in clocking billable hours. She went beyond the call of duty to be sure I submitted the best version of my application that I could. Betsy was ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2020 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Betsy Will Get You In
    8 years ago
    I chose Betsy after having spoken with no less than a dozen consultants for one simple reason: she understood me. Coming from a non-traditional background I found that other consultants were more interested in selling me their services than getting to know my story. Betsy was different. She asked me a hundred questions about my background, my interests, my passions, and my goals. I felt like she really enjoyed getting to know her clients as people whose stories she can not only help craft into amazing essays, but whose lives she wants to share and enjoy. This is so important in a consultant – the essence of understanding who an applicant truly is and what makes him/her really tick. There was no upsell. There was ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2018 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Well worth it
    8 years ago
    I knew that the admissions process was going to be a struggle for me. I had high goals and an overrepresented profile. I began doing research on admissions consultants and learned that Betsy Massar had a tremendous track record of helping candidates and was known to provide a personalized experience. I had an initial call with Betsy to discuss my background and future aspirations, as well as to test our chemistry. She was refreshingly down to earth and gave me a realistic view on what I could expect from both her and the general admissions process. At no point did Betsy try to oversell me her services or push me in an uncomfortable direction – quite different from a number of other free consultations I ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2018 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.