Jean-Philippe Odunlami

As a non-traditional applicant without an undergraduate degree, working for a family business, experience in the education and fine art industries, and aspirations in entrepreneurship, the prospect of applying to top-tier Executive MBA programs seemed daunting, if not impossible. That was until I collaborated with JP at MBA Exchange, whose expertise laid the foundation for my success in gaining admissions to Oxford Saïd, LBS, and Cambridge Judge.

JP’s approach to crafting my application strategy was nothing short of transformative. His well-structured guidance helped me delve deeply into my professional journey, enabling me to construct a compelling narrative that resonated with my non-traditional background. This process wasn’t just about putting together an application; it became a journey of self-reflection, helping me gain a clearer vision of what I aimed to learn through the MBA programmes and my post-MBA aspirations.

What truly set JP apart were his dedication and his method. He was always just a call away, which proved invaluable during the intense final stages of applying to four schools in three weeks. His instructions were meticulously detailed and easy to comprehend, ensuring that every step I took was in the right direction. When I veered off track with my submissions, his corrective guidance was swift and precise.

Perhaps most appreciable was JP’s candid, no-nonsense approach. He was frank about the selection of schools and assertive when I didn’t follow instructions, a level of honesty that I believe was crucial in shaping a successful application strategy.

As someone who has never worked with another consultant, I can confidently say that JP exceeded all my expectations. His guidance was pivotal in bridging the gap between my unconventional profile and the stringent requirements of elite MBA programs. For anyone who aspires to step into a dream program that might seem out of reach, I wholeheartedly recommend working with JP. In my case, without his support and expertise, gaining admission to these prestigious MBA programs, especially without an undergraduate degree, would have remained a distant dream.

Thank you, JP, for turning what seemed like an improbable aspiration into a triumphant reality.

It wouldn’t have been possible without Jean-Philippe’s guidance, help, and attention to detail!

With a Low GMAT Score, getting admission into one of the top B-Schools in the world seemed like a dream. But he always encouraged me to dream big, believe in myself, and made sure my unique story comes out properly. I got an interview from both the colleges I had applied to, Columbia and London Business School, and finally, LBS got converted.

His tips and guidance as to how to address my weakness while also over-indexing on other factors to compensate for it were a big eye-opener. No other consultants use such a systematic & unique approach to the application. I had another consultant before him and with him was unable to get an interview call from even the Tier-2 colleges with the same GMAT score.

With Jean’s guidance, I truly was able to achieve a lifelong dream. Can’t thank him enough. Surely the best and most genuine consultant I have met.

Before I started working with JP, several MBA consultants had advised me against applying to M7 schools and had tried shepherding me toward T15-20 schools. With JP, I found someone who had the experience of helping candidates coming from a family business background find success and was not just willing to accept my reasoning and take a leap of faith in applying to M7 schools but also went above and beyond to help me create the best possible applications.

JP’s honest feedback was instrumental in keeping me grounded and pushed me to really think about the direction I wanted to take my career in and how my target schools would fit into this vision – something that proved incredibly valuable in my essays as well as the interviews – while his constant encouragement kept me motivated to give my best throughout the process. Ultimately JP, along with the robust process put together by MBAExchange, was the “super-power” that helped me secure admits from Kellogg and HEC Paris.

Having been through the process, I firmly believe that if you are someone who is willing to put your faith in the process and expertise that JP and MBAExchange bring to the table, follow instructions to a T, and put in the work that they demand, you are bound to find success with your MBA campaign.

JP is a fantastic MBA consultant who I was lucky enough to work with. He encourages you to think deeply about your long-term goals and how an MBA will help you achieve them. JP is also a great source of knowledge and advice for refining those goals.

The timeline and structure The MBA Exchange provides are invaluable and I always appreciated how straightforward JP was throughout the process. He identified areas where I needed to improve and pushed me when I needed it. My GPA was significantly lower than the average for my target schools, so the rest of my application had to be compelling. Thanks to JP I was admitted to multiple schools and received a large scholarship. I could not be happier with the results! I cannot recommend JP highly enough. He gives you all the tools and guidance you need to succeed. I will miss receiving insightful emails from him.

JP advised me for Round 2 applications, and his insight helped me gain admission to two top programs coming from a nontraditional background. He worked with me to create a robust game plan and provided the structure I needed to keep my applications on track. He and his team helped me practice for interviews (one-on-one and team discussions) and gave me the detailed, candid feedback I needed to show off the best parts of myself. Most importantly, he took the time to help me think through what I wanted and valued in life. I believe his process was critical not just to my admission but to my future success as well.

JP is an exceptional MBA consultant who I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know over the past 8 months of my MBA campaign. JP is internationally known as being the best MBA admissions consultant for getting non-traditional applicants such as Olympic Athletes, Family Business owners, MBA applicants without undergraduate degrees, Entrepreneurs, International, and Diverse Candidates accepted to top MBA programs in the US and abroad.

After seeing managerial struggles in my own successful business, JP and I identified that a full-time MBA was the right next step to help fill in knowledge, perspective, and professional network gaps.

JP and I started working together under a tight timeline: starting just 4 months before R2 deadlines and 6 schools, as well as an extremely non-traditional applicant profile (college dropout, entrepreneur).

JP and I worked closely together to use MBA Exchange frameworks to craft a narrative that not only made sense to admissions officers but was also real and strategically aligned with past professional and personal life experiences.

Despite not having completed an undergraduate degree, I was admitted to two top MBA programs and will be attending Cambridge Judge in the Fall with a scholarship!

His optimism is refreshing and will keep you motivated throughout the MBA campaign, and he is a great mentor and advisor who I plan to keep in touch with.

MBA Exchange has a no BS attitude and feedback, which as a business owner I appreciated.

Expect to put significant work into the MBA campaign all the way through in order to succeed. Outreach to MBA students and alumni is crucial.

Also make sure to follow JP’s instructions, feedback, and process to a T. The MBA Exchange process is highly effective and works. This will become apparent by the end of your MBA Campaign.

JP and MBA Exchange are the best in the business. Cannot recommend enough!

I’ve had the pleasure of working with JP for my b school applications and he has been very supportive, informative, and insightful. JP has done an excellent job guiding me through the process and providing strategic inputs to better position my applications.

I’ve been admitted to my dream school, Wharton, and this would not have been possible without JP. JP has helped me craft a narrative that is authentic, genuine, and represents me in the best way possible. My learned lessons are beyond MBA applications and my b-school journey as JP helped me dig deeper and find my true calling. He has been a great mentor to me

I can’t recommend JP enough and encourage every aspiring MBA applicant to get in touch with him.

Working with JP as an MBA consultant was a pleasure and was incredibly impactful on my MBA applications. I am a vet and applied to M7 schools in the U.S. My GRE scores were average to slightly below for my target schools, and my undergrad GPA was well below average. With JP’s guidance, I secured multiple admissions offers from my target schools. Throughout the process, it was clear to me that JP was 100% invested in my success not just as a business school candidate, but in my career more broadly. Every part of my experience with JP was top-notch. I cannot recommend him highly enough.

As a firm, the MBA Exchange was outstanding to work with. The frameworks and materials the company uses were all professional and easy to understand. Their approach simplified the process of developing an application. It also helped me think through my strengths and weaknesses both as a candidate and a professional. Their interview prep tools were tailored, comprehensive, and extensive. Their processes were notably efficient and prompt. They responded to every email I sent within hours.

Working with JP was a fantastic experience. I appreciated his focus on helping me refine my long-term goals, the motivations underlying those goals, and the reasons why an MBA program is the right next step in achieving them. At every step of the way, JP’s focus on authenticity helped me to feel like I was truly showcasing my best self vs. gaming the admissions process in pursuit of a desired outcome. The result is that I was not only accepted into my top-choice programs, but I will approach my time in business school with the confidence that comes from knowing who I am and what I bring to the table.

In addition to the time he invested in me as a person, JP was a huge help to my overall campaign. He helped bring organization and a timeline to the process. I am military and was deployed during much of my campaign. JP was flexible when he needed to be, but also helped keep me focused and on task when required. He helped to provide an extra dose of motivation at key moments, and he was a calming presence leading up to my interviews.

One of the MBA Exchange’s taglines is “No Bulls***”, and that is an apt description of my experience. I received advice that was direct, insightful, and constructive at every step of the way. I would recommend the firm to anyone seeking admission to a top-tier MBA program. More specifically, if you are looking for an MBA coach that will help you to reflect on your values, future plans, and what you bring to a b-school community, then JP is absolutely the right coach for you.

I was fortunate to work with JP on my B-school candidacy for over a year; he was an amazing asset and an absolute pleasure to work with. I am an older candidate coming from a non-traditional background (mil) with a GMAT well below average shooting for top tier schools (H/W). JP’s process-oriented, hands-on approach was crucial in helping me develop a sound narrative and staying on task throughout every step of the application process.

He personally invested himself in having me define my WHY. Schools aside, he was truly passionate about helping me determine what my long term goals were and what career paths I should explore after transitioning off active duty. I owe him more than an admission to school, but clarity on my career plan.

He was direct and upfront about my weaknesses and helped me address them head-on. In order to improve my test scores, JP helped me develop a study plan and timeline. When I was sure I had the material down pat but was failing to perform, JP introduced me to tutors that could help refine my test day processes. I attribute my 60 point GMAT increase to JP’s guidance and support in tackling the gaps in my profile.

JP is extremely comprehensive and prompt in his responses and was absolutely CRITICAL in helping me iterate on my HBS essay. When I was fortunate enough to get an interview he ensured that I was practicing in the proper manner and put me through a very thorough and intensive mock. I’d never felt more comfortable in an interview than I did in my HBS interview and it was all thanks to JP.

Ultimately I was admitted to HBS! I could not have done it without JP and I could not give a stronger recommendation for admissions help. If an MBA is truly your goal, please consider him; he is the absolute best! Thanks, JP.

Amidst a pandemic and lockdown in the Philippines that has lasted for over 200 days, I can still say that I grew in confidence throughout my application journey with JP.

What I truly admire about JP is how he instills a quiet confidence in the process that you do together. In the weeks I had interviews with Oxford, INSEAD, and NUS, I felt very prepared, and no jitters were overwhelming. I was very surprised even with myself.

Speaking as a family business owner, I knew that JP would be a good fit with me given his vast level of expertise in his craft. He is very professional and knows how to motivate you throughout the journey. Further, he goes above and beyond to ensure that your application is almost pristine. In our first months together, I recall having a lot of clarity in my own goals, discussing at length as well with family members from the company.

I got my acceptance letter to Oxford and NUS, and got waitlisted for INSEAD. Honestly, it feels surreal especially since we started with a lot of ground to cover (Low GPA, 680 GMAT). I’m very blessed to have met such an inspiring consultant who has definitely challenged and pushed me to become better. I HIGHLY. Recommend him.

Over the span of the past year, JP has been a tremendous source of encouragement for me throughout the MBA admissions process. At the beginning of the application campaign, I recognized my own shortcomings and held reservations as to whether I might be a candidate qualified for any of the top tier programs. Not only did JP ease these concerns by openly sharing his own insights and perspectives, tailoring them to my circumstances, but he also believed in me at times where I doubted myself. JP’s unwavering standard for excellence coupled with his genuine investment in me as an individual continued to draw the very best out of me.
When waitlisted at Cornell, JP took the time to holistically reevaluate my application with me, candidly speaking about how we might be able shore up my candidacy. Upon identifying a few areas of opportunity, the most pressing of which was my standardized test score, he pushed me out of my comfort zone and connected me with resources that might help me in retaking the GRE. Throughout preparing to retake the test, JP would check in to hear about what progress I had made, always sharing words of encouragement. I have recently been admitted to Cornell and look forward to beginning in the fall, but there is no doubt in my mind that I would not be in such a position without JP. Stating that JP is a great MBA consultant would be an understatement in all regards, he went above and beyond through every step of the process, not only leading my campaign with the resolve and insights of a tactician, but also with the empathy of a friend.

JP is an outstanding consultant who provided exceptional service and went above and beyond to ensure that my application process was smooth and successful. Within the first 5 minutes of our initial telephone call, I knew that we would be a great match and time has only proven more strongly of my anticipation. I was so fortunate and am so grateful to have found him. 

What makes JP unique is not only his in-depth knowledge and expertise in his field, but more importantly his commitment and passion to helping candidates discover a clear direction and career path that are beneficial for life. He cared deeply about my objectives and concerns and was committed to helping me achieve my goals while taking care of my mental well-being.

Throughout the process, JP was honest and supportive in his advice and feedback and was readily available to answer any questions. He was able to find solutions and strategies in the most efficient and effective way. He also managed to make our encounters fun and meaningful during the process, which greatly reduced my stress and anxiety level.

He assisted me in the process of gaining admission to my first choice, Oxford MBA, and also helped me re-evaluate and strengthen my short-term and long-term goals. His guidance was life-changing, in that it was not only in the results to which I felt accomplished, but also the process that made me grow as a professional and a person. 

JP’s genuine care and utmost dedication to my campaign greatly contributed to my success. He does not see you as a customer or a candidate amongst the MBA applicant pool, but a person, a friend, and a partner who he shares a common goal and aspiration with – to achieve growth and ultimate success in life. 

JP is someone who will dedicate 150% of his time and effort and puts his heart and soul into your case. From the beginning, I had total trust that I was in great hands working with him. 

I can’t thank him enough for his expertise, patience, time, and effort. If you are ever looking for a consultant in your MBA journey, rest assured that JP is the one. 

I have been working with JP on my MBA applications for the past two years now and it has always been a pleasure.

On our first phone call, JP was particularly clear and precise on how our journey was going to go and that is what I really like about working with him. He has always been precise and straight to the point which is absolutely necessary for a process that makes you rethink your whole life.

When I decided to postpone my apps by a year, JP was very comprehensive and helped me in strengthening my profile during that “rest” period.

Here is how we went then. We first started by focusing on my background and on my short and long term goals. Once we were able to tie them together, we then decided which MBAs corresponded the most to my profile. Once we had decided on the MBAs I would apply to, we started working on each application, one by one, by order of priority. During this entire process, JP was very reactive, gave very perceptive advice, and even suggested interesting ideas.

Unfortunately I did not manage to get accepted at Wharton and Columbia, which were the two first b-schools I applied to. I believe that this was due to my rather low GMAT (710) and my low experience (3yrs at the time).

However, we put an extra focus on INSEAD, one of my top choices, and I got in !!

That is the JP package – He not only helps you get in an MBA program but he helps you take a step back and think about what you have done in your life and realize what you want to do in the future.

JP helped me get into the Kellogg EMBA program – Jan 2020 intake. With his sound guidance, I was able to clearly see my priorities and the programs that would help me in the long run. As a career counsellor, he went way beyond than just helping me apply to XYZ schools. He provided very detailed emails with so many pearls of wisdom that I’m planning to take a print of all his emails and get them hard bound! Some of my friends have taken help from other consultants and their biggest grievance was that they had a hard time getting their consultants to commit to the top tier programs. But that’s just not the case with JP, whose approach is to first help finalize a career path and then shortlist schools that can help the most, irrespective of the ranking or other notions. He is very rigorous when it comes to process and follows a simple step by step approach. At the end of the process, even the applicant gets surprised by the quality of the outcome and the multi-dimensional volume of work. I learned so much from JP during the process that I now see him as my teacher rather than my consultant. I cannot thank him enough.

As a R2 applicant focused on only the top 10 programs in the US, I started rather late in the cycle and had less than 4 months to complete my application process from beginning to end (which I do not recommend anyone doing). If it wasn’t for JP’s guidance, frameworks, and support, it would not have been possible for me to pull together as tight and cohesive of a package as I did, within such a short timeframe.

JP started by exploring and developing my story, as well as my long term and short term goals. This framework helped me throughout my entire application process and continues to pay dividends even as I’m now currently going through my first year. JP was always honest in his advice and did not sugar-coat any feedback. I appreciated this no-nonsense approach, and it helped me recognize my limitations, strengths/weaknesses, and greatly elevated my overall effectiveness. JP always responded within a 24-hour timeframe, and we were able to progress very quickly.

The true test actually began after submitting my completed applications, starting with my unexpected unemployment, waitlisting, pursuit of personal entrepreneurial ventures, and ultimately getting off the waitlist and interviewing for my seat in the incoming class. JP was there with me through it all, going above and beyond to guide me through each step and providing me with valuable insight and advice on how to tackle both personal and professional hurdles alike. I honestly would not have been able to navigate the nuances and intricacies of the MBA application process without him.

Ultimately, I accepted my seat at Yale SOM. I cannot thank JP enough for his expertise and guidance.

It has been a great pleasure working with JP for the past year. As a re-applicant, I knew I needed to change the strategy in my approach to not only the application itself but also on school selection. From the first conversation, JP quickly understood my professional and personal background as well as my career aspiration and suggested to look into executive MBA programs rather than 2-year full-time programs. It was spot-on advice! The framework he provided for the campaign immensely helped me with understanding my strengths and weaknesses, my career goals, and why MBA from the schools I chose. He pushed me to dig deeper into my personality, experiences, and goals in order to fully display who I really am on the application. His extensive knowledge of preferences and viewpoints of particular schools was also a valuable part of shaping my strategies to fit the schools I applied. He was candid with his feedback and always prompt with responding back to me. He was truly a great consultant as well as a great mentor! I cannot thank him enough. I would definitely recommend him to anyone who is seeking professional help with MBA application journey.
I was accepted to the only two programs I applied, Booth EMBA and MIT Sloan Fellows programs.

I worked with JP almost for a year and let me say, he was not only an excellent consultant guiding my application to CBS, but he also spent time helping me understand what the best program for me was (EMBA Americas in my case).
He always had comforting words for me when struggling with work and GMAT, and he was not afraid to tell his own experience as an HBS applicant. I would choose him every time. Thanks for everything JP!

I had the pleasure of working with JP through my MBA application process and was eventually accepted to CBS for Class of 2020!

Here are a few specific reasons why I would recommend JP for the MBA application process:
– While there is quite a bit you can learn from an MBA program from talking to students and professors, visiting the campus, and searching the web, one hard to come by is insight into how admissions thinks about candidates and what programs are really all about. JP brings this extra insight which can help developing the application, prioritize schools, etc.
– Every applicant is different and JP understands this. He took the time to appreciate the nuances from all angles through my campaign and helped craft the best strategy for achieving success through the process.
– JP is there to help with the 20-30 year plan, not just the MBA in isolation. This ends up being very clear and in part why he’s had success with his clients.
– On a more personal note, JP helped my cousin (Kellogg) and me (CBS) get accepted to top ten school and I can assure you JP will do his best to help you achieve success through your application process.
– Lastly, on a more practical note — most applicants have lots going on while applying and it helps to have someone in your corner that understands the process (having gone through it himself and with many other applicants) and is there to prioritize and time-manage through the process.

Feel free to reach out with any questions via LinkedIn!

As a re-applicant to several top 5 schools, I knew that I needed expert advice in telling my story and highlighting the unique aspects of my candidacy. I also needed help to strengthen my weak areas and fill some voids. JP was a valuable advisor who brought expertise, experience, vision, and honesty which helped elevate my applications to a level that I could not have achieved on my own. During the process, JP was extremely responsive, gave comprehensive and thoughtful feedback, and he took the time to truly understand me. At one point, JP wrote to me because he had given “deep thought” to the strategy we chose for my re-applicant essay for Booth. He felt that we were not addressing one of my areas of weakness, and that we would have to address it through the letters of recommendation. That experience validated the fact that I had an advisor who was applying himself 150% to my candidacy. Overall, my experience with JP was amazing and if you decide to use an admissions counselor, you must use JP!!! Ultimately, I was accepted to Booth.

JP has been provided me with unlimited support, feedback, insight, and strategies through my process which allowed to my successfully be admitted to three Sloan Programs at Standford, MIT, and LBS in addition to the GSD at Harvard. I cannot recommend him enough for those seeking admittance to top tier schools, as he is able to best align your goals and ambitious with your skills and past experience.

JP has all the qualities that one seeks in a consultant; compassion, accommodation, strategy formulation and above all leadership. Compassion is evident in the way he hears your story and tries his best to level himself with your emotion so as to ensure that the same passion reflects in your app. Accommodation ensures that scheduling multiple interactions across different time zones is never a problem and that you indeed maximize your output from every single minute that you spend in his company. Strategy formulation is flexible and is best(tough to think of a better alternative once you have finalized the strategy after discussions) suited to your circumstances and the school under consideration. Finally his Leadership ensures that you always know who is in-charge at all times(trust me a very good thing for most qualified applicants as it ensures a robust process is followed very closely). I can’t think of a better way of portraying my passion, linking it with my circumstances and fitting the business school in my short and long term goals than what my app finally conveyed. An interview call from Booth confirmed that the admissions committee held similar views!!

I worked with JP on my applications to Wharton (my top choice), Harvard, MIT Sloan, Columbia. We started working together almost a 6 month before the round 2 deadlines. JP was quick to address my weak points and set out my strategy on how to apply to each school. JP made it clear that I had to put in a lot of effort in connecting my background experiences to the profile of each school and work hard and focus on the strategy that we worked on. My GPA was way below the requirements of the schools I applied to and my GMAT was mediocre at best. Even with all of my short falls JP was able to walk me through a very hectic point in my life and helped me all the way from the my CV up to my team based discussion practices to the actual team based discussion and interview. JP was by far a god send in my time of need and went the extra mile to get me admitted.

I worked with JP on my applications to Columbia (my top choice), Berkeley, and Duke. We started working together almost a year before the round 1 deadlines for most schools, which allowed us ample time to pinpoint any areas of weakness that could be addressed and appropriately identify the best way to present myself to each program. As the candidate, you are the one who has to put in the time and effort to produce the best application possible, so the key to having a good consultant is that they always guide you in the right direction. JP always provided objective feedback that was extremely necessary. The B-school application process can be long and an emotional rollercoaster, so having him continually push me in the optimal direction, and without bias, was an incredible help. It is important to have someone tell you what you need to hear (and need to do) as opposed to what you want to hear, especially given how competitive the application process can be. After applying early decision to Columbia and being deferred, JP helped me work on various waitlist strategies that I utilized over a six month period of time. Three days ago I got the acceptance call from Columbia and could not be happier! I guarantee I would not have been accepted into my top school (which was a big reach for me given my stats) without JP’s help. I undoubtedly recommend JP to anyone looking to take their candidacy to the highest level possible. Without question, you will not find a better consultant out there.

I worked with JP on my R1 H/S/W app this year. Before start, I had only one and half month to prepare and had very limited knowledge on how to best present myself. JP helped me a lot in these aspects, he was also very good at making clear point to point out areas that need improvements. During my interview preparation stage for GSB, JP even took extra effort to make sure I spent my time wisely and focused on the right topic. I’d say it would be impossible for me to eventually land my GSB offer without his help. Would definitely recommend him to others!