Esmeralda

Consultant

Accepted

Los Angeles, California

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

I’ve been on the other side of the table for over 10 years, sitting in admissions committees and holding the final decision of ‘accept’ or ‘deny’ for thousands of MBA applicants. I know what it takes to get into the top business schools. I can differentiate the stellar application from the mediocre, the one with the good story from the one with just high test scores, the one that tells you about their determination to succeed from the one who is unprepared for the challenge of business school.

I have an MBA from Michigan State University’s Eli Broad College of Business and an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Franciscan University of Steubenvile in Ohio.

Company Information

Headquartered in Southern California, with talented admissions consultants in North America, Europe, and Asia, Accepted can assist you, no matter where you are. With a staff of former admissions directors, published authors, and experienced consultants, we’ve been helping MBA applicants to top business schools for more than 20 years. We know the admissions biz. We know how to help you get accepted.

 

Menu of Services and Associated Costs

We offer comprehensive application packages as well as flat-rate and hourly options for “ala carte” services like essay editing, interview prep, resumes, and waitlist guidance. You can also start on a flat-rate basis and then switch to hourly plans for later work. Plus, we encourage new clients to start with a small purchase, like one hour, and then if they like us, purchase more or upgrade to packages. Check out our flexible service options at http://www.accepted.com/mba/services.

Location: Los Angeles, California, United States

Phone: 310-815-9553

Email: pqesme@accepted.com

Website: http://www.accepted.com/

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Amazing Help From Esmeralda
    4 weeks ago
    Esmeralda's fast and insightful edits for my master's applications were invaluable! Her responsiveness, clear feedback, and flexible scheduling made the process smooth. Early applications boosted my chances, leading to acceptances at top schools (including an Ivy League!). Highly recommend!
    Class of 2025 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Extremely Supportive
    2 months ago
    Esmerelda is truly the best and I don’t know if I would have been successful without her. I had purchased the complete application package, and found that Esme was incredibly dedicated to my process every step of the way. She helped me brainstorm essay topics, provided extensive support with writing, editing, and framing my story to make my essays as polished as possible. As such I was invited to interview with 4 out of the 5 schools I applied for. Esme remained an incredibly valuable resource for the interview portion as well, setting aside time for use to do a mock interview for every school. In the end, I got an accepted to UNC and received a sizable scholarship and I couldn’t be happier with ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • The Best Of The Best
    10 months ago
    n the winter of 2023, I had the privilege to work with Esmeralda Cardenal after I decided to apply to an Executive graduate business program. The application process is daunting, and I felt overwhelmed and lost. My native language is not English, and I was nervous about several aspects including a potential career transition, the financial burden that comes with an academic commitment, the competition and all its related stress, the economic turnaround and its consequences, etc. Esmeralda was a gift from God in this journey: not only does she know the application process very well but she is also keen on sharing her life experience to offer helpful guidance throughout the difficult process. I am lucky to have worked with her. Esmeralda was able to point to ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Quite An Effective Counsellor
    10 months ago
    Ms. Esmeralda is one of the most wonderful counsellors I have ever met in the past. Because I could get the admission of EMBA from M7. Although she was a little bit objective comments where I had some negative impressions, she always shared her analysis whether to get the admission or not and visualizes my roadmap to get the admission by supporting of my crafting essay and guiding how to tackle on the interview. I recommend the applicant to experience her service. I am sure you shall be screened by her experiences whether to get the admission. If you gain her negative comment, don't worry, she can give you the obvious roadmap to achieve the business school criteria for your admitted.
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • So Lucky I Found Esmeralda!!
    10 months ago
    I was laid off from a global technology company earlier this year and decided very last minute to apply to business school. I knew I needed the help of a seasoned advisor to guide me through the already daunting MBA application process - especially one who could provide focus and insight in a very short time. Esme was responsive, adaptable, and encouraging. She worked with me to apply to 3 schools in less than 2 months (I wouldn't recommend doing this, but if you do, you'll need Esmeralda's help!) If you are looking for an advisor who keeps it real and is supportive and patient - work with her! She provided me with very succinct and structured insights throughout while also allowing flexibility to bounce ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • The Best Decision I Have Made
    1 year ago
    The best decision I could have made was to work with Esmeralda on my application. Esmeralda is a brilliant consultant with an impressive ability to bring out the best of you in your application. Her work method allows you to navigate through the process in an efficient way, starting on identifying your strengths all the way up to the interview preparation. As an international applicant, I felt very supported during the whole process. Personally, I had to face tough situations with my family, but the supportive attitude of Esmeralda was essential to keep forward through the process. At the end of the process, I was accepted into Yale SOM. Finally, I highly recommend Esmeralda to anyone who wants to increase their chances of getting accepted
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Best Decision & Investment Ever
    2 years ago
    I wholeheartedly recommend Esmeralda if you choose Accepted. She will help you from the beginning and will be there for you helping you shape your applications. Esmeralda's coaching style and flexibility have helped me commit to my application at the same time I was balancing my work and other responsibilities. She is truly the best! Choosing Accepted has been the best investment I have ever done and I never looked back!
    Adrian Machuca
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Best Decision Ever!
    2 years ago
    I was recommended to Accepted by a friend who had previously worked on his application with them. I have to say that I was more than satisfied with the entire process of reviews and suggestions. Esmeralda knows the admission process inside and out, and she is absolutely clear in what the Admissions committee wants to see in the essays. While I was a bit late in starting my application process, she was very quick with the turnaround and for a particular application, she even made an exception and reviewed my essay within a day as I was short on time. The quality of feedback was very pertinent and tangible. Esmeralda helped me with applications for 3 schools and I got an admit from all 3 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Endless Appreciation
    3 years ago
    I cannot say thank you enough for the help I have received from Esmeralda! I initiated my master's application process in a rush without much mental preparation. It was Esmeralda who has been always on my side to give me the support and advice I needed. I can always depend on Esmeralda when I need her and she will never disappoint you! Thank you so much for everything!
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Couldn't Have Done It Without Esmeralda
    3 years ago
    Where do I even begin? Firstly, this isn’t my first time working with Esme on grad school applications. She also helped me get into Duke Fuqua’s MMS and UT Austin McCombs’s MSM programs last year. During my grad studies at Duke, I realized that I wanted to take on another, more specialized field of study, so I decided to try for a Business Analytics degree. Naturally, I asked Esme to help me with the process again. I chose to apply to three schools this year (I got gold packages for guidance throughout the entire process) but got my acceptance to UCLA’s MSBA before I submitted the last application. Frankly, we were a little less confident this year about applying in general, since there are so ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Best Decision I Took Was To Go With Esmeralda
    3 years ago
    I'm really grateful for Esmeralda's help. I still remember how clueless I was when I had my first chat with Esmeralda. She helped me choose the schools, strategize, shape my story, prep for interviews, and everything in between. My GPA and GMAT were below average so my story was the strongest point in the application. In the end, I got accepted into the best MBA program in the US.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • 10/10
    3 years ago
    Esmeralda was extremely efficient and helpful in all aspects of my application process. She responded instantaneously and helped me thoroughly with my essays and resumes as well as how to make my application as strong as possible. I ended up getting accepted into the #1 Master in Marketing program in the world!! Thank you, Esmeralda.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Esmeralda Provided Great Insight
    3 years ago
    Esmeralda provided great insight and action to get me into my school of choice! Esmeralda is great at working with candidates with diverse backgrounds. She provides honest feedback and is action-oriented. These qualities save valuable time in the application process. Esmeralda is always accessible, very organized, and will put in a tremendous amount of effort on your behalf.
    Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Esmeralda And Accepted Are Everything That I Need As An International Applicant
    3 years ago
    Applying as an international applicant is a huge challenge. Expressing ideas in a different structure and in a clear way are not evident when English is not your primary language. Besides that, putting the right traits on one's profile is not a clear task. Esmeralda and the Admitted team supported me both intellectually and emotionally during the process, maximizing value at each interaction in a very productive way. I am thankful.
    Yuri Gomes
    MBA Class of 2023 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Amazing in Every Way!!
    4 years ago
    I worked with Esmeralda Cardenal during the entire admissions process and applied to four schools. I had worked with consulting services before, but have always been kind of disappointed with the results. I was definitely a little doubtful at first but decided to give it a shot because I wasn’t confident in my ability in submitting an application that brought out my best. I realize after going through the process that I absolutely would not have achieved what I did without her assistance and support. She was an integral part of my applications, especially with the multiple essays required by the schools. I needed help crafting a story that highlighted my strengths and depicted why I need a graduate degree, and that’s exactly what Esmeralda ...
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    Yuhui Zhang
    MS Class of 2021 Admit
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  • You Want Esmeralda In Your Support Network
    4 years ago
    Every year I meet five to eight people that change my life. Esmeralda is one. She has been instrumental in obtaining my acceptance into London Business School and Columbia, and separately, her advice has advanced my career: big kudos to Esmeralda. You want her in your support network.
    Sloan Sainas
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • One of The Best Investments I've Ever Made
    4 years ago
    I could not have done it without Esmeralda! Round 1 was a complete bust for me. I underestimated the MBA process and did not know what I was doing and, I had the results to prove it. I am so grateful I was matched with Esmeralda for my R2 applications. She helped me strategize and maximize my story to highlight my strengths. I went from receiving rejections in RI to receiving interview invites from every school I applied to in R2, and I will be attending a T10 program with almost a full-ride scholarship this fall! Esme went above and beyond to help me. She was extremely flexible with her schedule, especially for my last-minute interview prep. She pushes you and encourages you to pull ...
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    H. J.
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Effective Prep Got Me Into My Dream School
    4 years ago
    I worked with Esmeralda on interview preparation, specifically for Wharton's TBD. The diverse and engaging group that Accepted gathered for the mock group interview efficiently prepared me and made me feel much more comfortable in the real thing. Esmeralda listened in during the session and provided immediate feedback to each candidate right after the interview ended. As a result, I will be going to Wharton this fall!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Definitely Recommend - Couldn't Have Done It Without Esmeralda
    4 years ago
    I am not exaggerating when I say that I could not have gone through the B-school application process without Esmeralda's help. From the first consultation, I knew Esmeralda was going to be a great fit. She was attentive to my goals, had the experience that I needed to guide me, and was familiar with my target MBA programs. Through Esmeralda's guidance, I applied through the Consortium first round - something which I would not have thought to do on my own. Esmeralda pushed me to think about my goals and the best fit for my school. She was incredibly helpful in reviewing my essays and helping to make my voice and perspective stand out. I found her interview coaching very helpful as well - I ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Best Advice in the Appropriate Moment
    5 years ago
    My experience with Esme was absolutely superior. To make it simple I would argue this based on three key pieces of evidence from my own experience. First, Esme was straightforward in our communication. She was honest and clear, two aspects that are fundamental when you are applying to pursue your MBA at a top business school around the world. She was completely engaged in what was best for me, the candidate. Second, she provides top quality comments and advice in a very short period of time. Although we worked always with a good margin of time, this fast pace on working allowed us to make as many turns and tweaks as possible. Lastly, she was always very nice, something valuable as applying to business school ...
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    Nico Bascunan
    MBA Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Ace Consultant & Agency
    5 years ago
    Before I speak any good things about Accepted and Esmeralda, please see my results: I got accepted by an S16 business school in NY, where I always wanted to start my MBA. I also got accepted by 6 other top 25 schools. I received a full scholarship, 40% scholarship, and 60% scholarship from some schools I applied to. Oh, by the way, I basically finished all these schools applications within two or three weeks. I was talking to a few admission service providers around mid-Dec 2018, a few days before Christmas. I decided to work with Esmeralda because she appeared more willing to help while other providers' attitude was like "ok if you want me I will help otherwise I have other customers too". Also, Esmeralda talked ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • A-W-E-S-O-M-E
    7 years ago
    A year ago I was desperate looking for help to make my applications and full of stress because I was not able to dedicate all the time I wanted to my MBA dream. Then Esmeralda appear! For the first time, I was able actually to count with someone and to find some guidance during the process. It was the first time that I heard about Georgetown and the world full of possibilities. Unfortunately, I was not able to finish my application, I got "burned out" because of my work and in the end, I was frustrated because besides been sick I had accomplished nothing. But there, it was you who understand and gave the chance of trying again. I have to confess that after finish ...
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    Class of 2017 Anonymous
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  • Great advice
    8 years ago
    I hired the essay editing service from Accepted and was assigned Esmeralda as my consultant. She showed a deep knowledge and understanding of the specifics of the business schools I was applying to and helped me realise the aspects of my profile that I needed to highlight. Additionally, her recommendations were very practical, which made things very easy. She also answered my emails extremely fast, it was like having someone dedicated only to me! I felt she was genuinely interested in helping me. I was finally accepted in all of the programs I applied to! Couldn't have done it without her
    Class of 2016 Admit
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