Deanna

I could not be happier with my decision to choose both SBC as my consulting group and Deanna as my consultant. I worked with her on my McCombs and Owen applications and was admitted to both programs with significant scholarships. I also applied to Ross as a third school outside of my two-school package, but used the guidance Deanna provided for McCombs and Owen, and was accepted to Ross with a major scholarship as well. I plan on attending Ross this fall, as it has always been my dream school.

This was well worth the investment, as the scholarships I received more than covered the cost of consulting. I truly could not have done this without Deanna’s help. She opened my eyes to so many ways I could strengthen my application that I didn’t even know existed. Without the new strategies and improvements she pushed me to make, I don’t believe I would have been admitted to the schools I applied to.

I am incredibly grateful to Deanna and SBC for helping me earn admission to all three schools I applied to, and to the one I will ultimately attend at Ross. Truly career-changing.

I had a great experience working with Deanna. My work experience wasn’t heavily quant oriented and Deanna helped me navigate ways to strengthen my application and demonstrate quant knowledge. Deanna is also the person who suggested I try the Executive Assessment (EA) which turned out to be the best test for me! She helped me greatly improve my resume and essays. She also prepped me well for the interview process. Deanna was always very responsive and a joy to work with. I am now committed to an amazing school and I wouldn’t be where I am without her!

I had the great opportunity to worth Deanna during my application process for UCLA Anderson. The application process for the class of 2026 was a unique experience since this was the first time that UCLA was allowing for the Executive Assessment (EA) score or a test waiver in consideration for its next FT MBA class. I opted to submit my application with an EA score. Upfront, Deanna told me that we will be in uncharted territory since there are no previous data points with respect to applicants to UCLA who submit an EA score for the FT MBA program. Despite that, we powered on. During my time with Deanna, we worked closely to make sure that my essays, resume, and application were in perfect shape to help me standout. Most notably, I was truly appreciative of Deanna’s responsiveness over emails for all the various questions I had during the application process. Overall, Deanna was a major contributor to my successful admission to UCLA Anderson and I recommend her to anyone who is looking to be a part of the Anderson community!

Deanna was incredibly helpful in helping me craft my narrative, refine my essays, and prepare for my interviews. Most importantly, she was very candid throughout the process and did not sugar coat weak spots in my application, but she always offered solutions for each of my weak spots. With her help, I got admitted at a top 20 MBA with a scholarship. In other words, I got an ~8x return on my investment in her consulting services. Incredible.

Deanna with Stacy Blackman Consulting was an incredibly valuable resource to me as I navigated the MBA admissions process. My background is in public arts education and Deanna helped me frame my nontraditional background as an asset rather than a concern. Deanna was easy to reach and was a clear communicator. She took an interest in me as a person, which enriched our working relationship and helped her give me very specific, helpful feedback. With her guidance I was able to obtain a T20 MBA Admit with scholarship!

While Deanna was my primary consultant, the biggest benefit of SBC was the depth of their team and the breadth of their experience. This depth and breadth are what set them apart from other consulting firms that I looked at. From my initial discussion with Sarah, to my flight test with Lisa, a former AdComm member, I felt I was being guided by people who could give me targeted advice based on their lived experiences with MBA admissions. If you are serious about getting admitted into the top programs, it is well worth the investment to seek out their expertise!

I worked with Deanna this past year on my applications. She was incredibly helpful in formulating my story and making it stand out, as I am an ORM in an overrepresented field. She was a massive help in editing my resume and essays and was a great sounding board for different ideas. She was also a great help in getting organized and ready to meet all my deadlines – I had a very busy application season as I was applying to 7 different schools. Ultimately, I accepted an offer with an 80K scholarship to Anderson, one of my top choices, and I could not be happier with the outcome.

I had a very non traditional educational background. My GPA & GMAT score were not as competitive as my peers so I had assumed my chances of getting into a top MBA program would be slim to none. I contacted multiple consultants to figure out what my chances are and they all told me it would be difficult to get in. I found Deanna who completely changed that for me. She specifically worked on my essays and honed on my strengths to really exemplify what I will bring to my MBA program. She took my weaknesses and turned them to strengths. She not only helped me get my essays to a point where I felt comfortable in them but also boosted my confidence and capabilities in attending a top MBA program. She was so amazing to work with and I am forever grateful for her help. I’m officially attending my dream MBA program and I could not be more excited.

I had a wonderful experience working with Deanna Moen and Stacy Blackman Consulting over the past year while applying to MBA programs. I used the all-in package to apply to three schools and was admitted to both Cambridge Judge and Dartmouth Tuck while using the services. Deanna was so helpful in every step of the process and broke down each piece of the process into manageable pieces that fit with my busy schedule. She was always so quick to deliver feedback and helped me maintain my voice while sharpening my messaging. Additionally, she was very helpful in helping me identify and address weak points in my application. Beyond Deanna, I really enjoyed working with the broader SBC team – Sarah Tsai was very helpful in getting me matched with Deanna, and my flight tester, Amy, had insightful commentary to help me finalize my applications and gave me the confidence that I was ready to hit submit. I chose SBC because of the full-service nature of the package offered – I have a very demanding job and knew I would need a very structured process. SBC helped me put my best application foot forward and I was so glad to have worked with them!

I started working with Deanna around October for Round 2 MBA deadlines. She was absolutely amazing to work with. She listened well to what I was thinking post-MBA and she was really able to bring out ideas in my essays that I couldn’t fully put down on paper. She was exceptional and really knew what weak areas I had to target in other parts of my application (as my GMAT was lower than the averages of the programs I was looking at). She was also very thorough with feedback, especially for interviews. Her work with me helped me land 4 interviews (3 of those 4 were acceptances). I would not have landed the interviews at these programs without her. I highly recommend Deanna to anyone who needs to build out their MBA application.

I started working with Deanna pretty late into the game – In October with a January 4th submission deadline. My GMAT score wasn’t extremely competitive for the schools I was reaching for, but Deanna gave me such great and interesting advice on ways to strengthen my application. She really listened to me, my story, and my needs and helped highlight my strengths and unique qualities. She was sensitive to my timeline and I appreciate her really hitting the ground running, wasting no time to make sure I was about to get the most out of the next couple of months. Even while she was on a pre-planned vacation, she was available at all times to answer emails and calls. What I appreciated from Deanna was not only was she realistic and straightforward with me, but she also made me feel confident highlighting the strengths I had. I definitely would not have submitted the same application on my own, and I’m so thankful for Deanna’s very detailed tips and advice. By the time my interview came around, I felt so ready to answer any question thrown my way. I had consulted with a few other companies before going with Stacey Blackman and I am so happy with the choice I made! I never felt discouraged through the process and ended up getting into my dream school!

Deanna is everything I could hope for in an admissions consultant. She’s extremely knowledgeable about the process, but more importantly, she was able to transform my ordinary experiences into a compelling yet authentic application narrative. She is unwaveringly positive and supportive. Every time we met, I left with a tangible plan and a boost of confidence. I worked with Deanna on an hourly basis from initial application strategy to final interview preparation, and I could not recommend her enough.

My application process was bumpy. It was October already and I didn’t have a GMAT score. I used Deanna for hourly consulting – our first strategy call was super effective and she quickly helped me come up with a game plan.

However, in late November, there was a personal situation that prevented me from taking the GMAT and completing my application before the January (Round 2) deadline. I was very anxious, but Deanna kept me calm and we again talked through different options and strategies.

She was super quick to respond to emails and as an hourly consultant, very efficient with time so I felt like every dollar of my money was counting. In February, I listened to her suggestion and took the Executive Assessment instead of the GMAT and I’m so glad I did that. I got 165 on the EA. Then she helped me through the recommendation letter process (which was the most difficult part for me) and essay editing.

Right before the Round 3 deadline in April, there was a challenging situation at work that almost again stopped me from applying, but Deanna helped me strategize, and eventually, I was able to submit a well-polished application package in time. And the offer letter came in May.

I couldn’t be happier with my experience. Given all the unexpected changes I encountered during my process, she was flexible and supportive throughout. Not only is Deanna a great consultant who knows her stuff, but she is also clear in her logic/communication and efficient with time, and an amazing person who is thoughtful and empathetic. She became a friend and confidant during my application process and it was great to have someone rooting for me. I feel so grateful to have had her help.

Working with Deanna was absolutely AMAZING. She was my primary MBA consultant and with her help, I was admitted to the top MBA programs with scholarship awards. I only had a little over two-year working experience when I started applying for the MBA programs and my testing scores were not the most competitive. However, Deanna helped me identify my spark factors so I could stand out among other applicants. Throughout the application process, SBC was very resourceful. My initial contact, Sarah from the group, was very informative about different consultants and packages available and whom and what packages she thought would be the best fit for me. I did talk to other competitor companies of SBC but eventually, I picked SBC because of their professionalism, quick turnaround time, and customized experience. I was not pushed to make any decisions and I felt they cared about what I wanted and tried to help me get there. Some other competitor companies I talked to would tell me that my dream schools are a reach for me and “suggested” me to apply somewhere else. 🙂 Because I went with SBC and Deanna, I was able to get admitted to those “reach” schools with decent amounts of scholarships. Thank you, Deanna, and thanks SBC! Highly recommend the company and the amazing consultant, Deanna, to every MBA applicant!

Let me preface this comment by saying that you will need to be very realistic with your expectation throughout the application process and be ready to make adjustments based on the feedback provided by your consultant. With that said, to have Deanna in my corner was one of the biggest reasons I was admitted to my ideal MBA program.

Deanna provided realistic feedback but was extremely supportive throughout the application process. She encouraged me to have bigger ambitions while selecting a program, advice that led to an acceptance from the program of my first choice.

While you may be concerned that Deanna’s specialization in Marketing may not align with your post-career goals, I find that Deanna’s non-consulting background had played to my advantage as she provided invaluable insights which highlighted my background from an over-represented pool of applicants.

I highly recommend that you work with Deanna if you need help building a strong application and remaining competitive among the top program applicants.

I had the pleasure of working with Deanna after purchasing a set number of hours with the goal of entering an MBA program in the Fall of 2021. I was confident in my profile as an applicant, but I was aware of potentially weaker points where I required assistance. I interviewed five different MBA consulting companies in my search for support. I felt three were unrealistic with my goals and one never responded. I was immediately impressed with Stacy Blackman’s quick response and attention to detail from one of their principals, who corresponded with me via email promptly and answered all questions until pairing me with Deanna based on my target schools and goals.

I was feeling overwhelmed by the application process. I was furiously studying for the GRE, preparing to ask my recommenders, researching for essay prompt answers, and working full time as many applicants are during this process. Stressful! Then I had my first meeting with Deanna and I breathed a sigh of relief. Deanna was transparent, realistic, supportive, and most importantly, effective. Deanna carefully evaluated my profile and provided recommendations based on my strengths and areas for growth. Aside from Deanna’s impressive background and qualifications, her work ethic is unparalleled and her prompt responses were incredibly helpful for quick edits and questions throughout the day.

During my time with Deanna, we worked on my resume, essay edits, recommendation requests, and interview preparation. I applied to four schools and was able to accept an offer to my top school before the deadline to submit the fifth and interview with the fourth. I am grateful to Deanna and SBC for their support and effective guidance throughout this process. I am thrilled to attend my top choice in the Fall of 2021. MBA consulting firms are a huge investment and I recommend Deanna and SBC without hesitation.

I began my MBA prep and admissions journey late in the game with the intention of starting in Fall 2021. I reached out to a few different admissions firms for support, including Stacy Blackman. One never responded and another told me they required at least a year to help me. Sarah, a Principal with Stacy Blackman, responded enthusiastically, and, after a thoughtful intake conversation, matched me with Deanna based on my background and goals.

For context, I entered the process 8 years removed from undergrad, with just over two months to refine my school selection, take standardized tests, complete applications, and complete additional quantitative coursework that would subsequently be recommended. Enter Deanna. She reached out within 24 hours of my initial conversation with Sarah and came ready with the next steps and suggestions. Deanna’s expertise navigating MBA admissions and her up-to-date knowledge on trends and new developments with admissions were instantly apparent and shone through during our entire time working together. Combined with her personality and responsiveness, she really was both an exceptional consultant, coach, and cheerleader for my success. Hands down, I could not have pulled everything together in such an effective way and on such a tight timeline without her help.

Stacy Blackman took the time to weigh my background against my ambitious Fall 2021 desired start and decided they could help me achieve my goal. Deanna, in turn, took the time to get to know my story and background and tailored her knowledge and resources to fit my specific needs. In one of the most competitive years MBA programs have seen in a while and in the midst of COVID, I succeeded in getting admitted to a nationally and internationally recognized top school, which I plan to attend this fall. My recommendation of Deanna and Stacy Blackman comes without reservation.

Going into the MBA application process, I felt overwhelmed and under-qualified by a mile. I come from a non-traditional background, have few in my network with MBA’s, and, most detrimentally, carried the burden of a sub-3 undergrad GPA. While exploring other admissions consulting firms, I was consistently advised not to apply to my first choice program (T15), and to focus my efforts on lower-ranked programs.

Upon my first interaction with Deanna, she exhibited a “can-do” attitude that was undeniably contagious. We started out with a 2-hour long consultation in which she asked intentional questions about my background, reviewed my resume, and came up with an action plan to mitigate my shortcomings (compelling optional essay, pre-MBA math course, etc.). She understood full well that my top choice was a bit of a stretch, but focused my attention on crafting a thoughtful application rather than worrying about the outcome.

As we worked through endless essay drafts, Deanna was highly accessible via email, phone, and text. Her response time would lead you to think you’re her only client, though I know that was far from the case! You get the sense that Deanna genuinely cares about you as a full person, not just as an applicant bearing stats, and it shows in her approach to editing essays. Her edits and revision suggestions were clearly influenced by her previous experience as a marketing executive; she really is a wizard when it comes to helping you put your best foot forward.

After my applications were submitted, Deanna also helped me with mock interviews. Presenting yourself in an MBA interview is subtly different from how you would in a typical job interview. After a 45 minute mock interview session, I came away with over 3 pages of notes – all takeaways I’m sure I couldn’t have come up with on my own.

To my absolute surprise, I was accepted to my dream school! The admissions team stated that I presented a great overall application, which I firmly believe is a testament to Deanna’s expertise.

For context, I applied to five programs in one round, over the span of a month, and had Deanna’s help from start-to-finish, totaling 14.5 hours. If you’re on the fence, take it from me that having Deanna on your side can only help. She is patient, encouraging, sharp, sincere, and, most importantly, effective. Working with her took so much anxiety out of the application process and I can’t credit her enough for helping me get into my dream school!

With Deanna’s guidance, I had someone who is both knowledgeable of the MBA application process and attentive on my side helping me stay on track and focus on what’s important. Deanna was my primary partner and I’m happy to report that I was admitted at my top choice, Duke. She responded quickly to my questions and provided thoughtful feedback. She also made suggestions, such as taking the executive assessment and taking a math class that helped shape my application in the best possible way.
Overall, I had a positive experience with SBC. In addition to her guidance, there was team-based influence and support throughout the process with Esther as my initial contact at SBC and my flight tester, Caryn, who is a former admissions officer.
I had initial consultations with two other companies- Veritas Prep and MBAmission. I ultimately moved forward with SBC because they made me feel positive about my candidacy and that getting into my dream school, Duke was possible. From the first contact to my admit day, Deanna was really invested in my success and I would highly recommend her to a friend.

I had such a great experience working with Deanna throughout the entire application process. Working full-time, I felt Deanna helped to keep me on track and continuously motivated. Coming from a quant heavy job, I was still getting low quant scores that were not competitive for the top programs I was applying to. Deanna suggested I take an MBA class to prove my quant skills, take the executive assessment test instead of the GRE (which I took many many times), and get a tutor to help me study. She helped make other areas of my application stronger to compensate for my test scores and I got into one of my top MBA programs because of her. I am so thankful to have someone with so much expertise and criticism to keep me reaching higher. The application process is so daunting at first, but SBC and Deanna really helped me navigate and simplify the process. I spoke with about 5 consulting companies, but I just felt that SBC was the most dedicated to my success. I definitely would recommend SBC and Deanna to anyone going through this process!

As a non-traditional applicant to business school, I cannot recommend Deanna more highly. She took my raw passion and unfiltered experience and taught me how to tell my story in a meaningful and engaging way. I felt seen and heard throughout the process and well supported in the small nuances of essay writing and the big picture interview framework and questions. I would highly recommend working with Deanna for all candidates!