Jennifer Jackson

Jennifer was such a fantastic partner on the MBA application journey. As a first-gen student, I was looking for guidance on the process from start to finish. I was also seeking help in bolstering certain parts of my application to balance out potential weak spots. Jennifer not only kept me on track but also instilled confidence along the way (especially when my confidence in myself was wavering!). Stratus’s process of having multiple eyes on each part of your application was invaluable, as it ensures your story and goals are cohesive. I ended up with several admits, all with scholarship – the investment in Stratus was certainly worth it!

As someone who was applying a bit later in the game, I really appreciated that Jennifer provided me the proper focus and schedule to complete every single aspect of the MBA application process. She was able to cut through the noise and make sure that I was focusing on the most important parts. Unlike other consultancies, I enjoyed that other members of the Stratus team were involved in my application – it made me feel that the entire team was invested in my success.

I was referred to her from a friend and 10/10 would recommend to anyone pursuing an MBA!

I just wrapped up the 2024 Deferred MBA application cycle and am incredibly grateful to have worked with Jennifer throughout! When I began researching MBA coaches in the fall, Jennifer immediately stood out for her dedication, experience, and knowledge. She believed in me from the very start, which made a huge difference whenever I felt unsure of myself. With her support, the entire process was smooth and far less stressful. She spent countless hours helping me brainstorm my personal strategy, was always available for last-minute calls, and responded to emails promptly. Stratus provided excellent materials that helped me craft my applicant story, and Jennifer pushed me to be genuine, clear, and cohesive. I truly could not have gotten into my top programs without her guidance, and I would highly recommend her to anyone applying for an MBA!!

Working with Jennifer was the best decision. When I decided to apply to business schools, I had no idea where to start the daunting process. Upon starting with Jennifer, I instantly felt better about the path forward. In every step of the way, I could always count on Jennifer to provide guidance. She was always willing to hop on a call to consult, answer a last minute email, or provide an encouraging word in the height of stressful moments. On top of all of this, she was genuinely invested in my success and future. Jennifer truly is the best, and I highly recommend working with her if you are considering starting the MBA application process.

I worked with Jennifer Round 1 and did 3 school package. She was so helpful with everything from the brainstorming, to the writing and interview prep. Her friendly demeanor was so helpful especially when I was stressed about everything. She also was able to give school specific insights on exactly what each program wanted. I had a great experience and got into 3 M7 schools plus 2 other T10 schools.

I made a bit of a spur-of-the-moment decision to apply to MBA programs and wanted to do them right. I spoke with many consultancies and Stratus and Jennifer in particular stood out to me. I enjoyed her straightforward approach to the MBA applications and the process resonated with me. I purchased the 3-school package for 1 M7 and 2 T20 schools in Round 1. While I knew that I wanted an MBA, I had trouble pinpointing my reasons and applicable skills. We worked through many rounds of clearly outlining these goals, which made essay writing a lot easier. Jennifer was prompt and pointed with her feedback and was great about making time for my numerous random questions throughout the process. Halfway through the application process I realized I wanted to apply to dual degree programs as well, and she gracefully made the pivot with me to focus on the additional requirements. She also greatly helped with interview practice. In the end, I received acceptances to all 3 schools in Round 1, and I used the methodology and tools she gave me to apply to 2 additional schools in Round 2. I couldn’t have done it without Jennifer and would highly recommend her as not only an MBA consultant but a dependable partner throughout the MBA journey.

I chose to hire a consultant because of my unusual background and lack of understanding of how to translate my background in a way that is attractive to top MBA schools. I chose Stratus because of their structured approach to the application process, and I chose Jennifer specifically because of reviews I had read on different forums, including P&Q. The specific package I purchased was 2-schools. The structured approach gave me hard deadlines to make sure I was on track for getting the essays accomplished on time. Jennifer was encouraging throughout the process, but still pushed me to think harder about certain aspects of the essays, which was critical in those moments when I was simply sick and tired of writing and drafting and thinking during the application process. There is no doubt in my mind that her guidance was critical to the success of my application. With 20/20 hindsight, the only thing I might have changed is to purchase 1 school rather than 2. I felt that much of the advice given for 1 school could be carried over to any application I was working on. (I ended up applying to 7 different T20 MBA programs Round 1, accepted to 4, 2 of which with significant scholarship).

I can confidently say that my journey to Harvard Business School and a spot on the waitlist at Stanford wouldn’t have been possible without Jennifer’s invaluable guidance.

From our very first interaction, it was clear that was an incredible listener. Throughout the entire process, she took the time to understand not only my academic and professional background but also my personal aspirations. This personalized approach made all the difference, as she helped me articulate my story in a way that truly reflected who I am.

One of her standout qualities is her exceptional brainstorming skills. Instead of merely providing answers, Jennifer guided me through thought-provoking discussions, enabling me to generate my own ideas and insights.

Moreover, I was consistently impressed by her responsiveness. Not once did I experience a delayed response; she was always quick to provide feedback, answer questions, and offer support. This level of dedication and efficiency greatly eased the stress of the application process, allowing me to focus on presenting my best self.
Her honesty was a refreshing aspect of our collaboration. She wasn’t afraid to tell me when certain details were unnecessary or when a particular approach might be more effective. This candid feedback was instrumental in refining my application to its strongest possible version.

One standout feature of working with her and the Stratus team was the access to other admissions officers. I had the chance to bounce ideas off and interview prep with various coaches.

In essence, having Jennifer as my coach was like having a steadfast supporter and mentor throughout the entire process. I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone embarking on the challenging journey of MBA admissions. Thank you Jennifer for being an integral part of my success!

Jennifer was an outstanding resource during my admissions process. Beyond being a friendly face during a stressful time, Jennifer provided invaluable admissions knowledge, strategy, and assistance during the essay writing process. Stratus’ tools for extracting and shaping my story were extremely helpful, and Jennifer’s ability to quickly understand my background and goals was incredible. She provided great feedback throughout the essay writing process as well as concise and thoughtful edits to ensure that I was communicating most effectively and within the word limit. Jennifer was also extremely responsive and always replied quickly to my countless emails, no matter how small the question. I was super excited to be admitted to my top two choices of the deferred MBA programs I applied to and could certainly not have done it without the help of Jennifer and the Stratus team.

Jennifer is such an incredible resource to have through the application journey. She worked closely with me to construct a story that was cohesive, linear, and moving that I think really made the difference in my Harvard and Wharton acceptances. She was always willing to calm me down over anxieties around test scores, essays, and interview preparation. I truly felt like she was such an ally in my corner who was available for ANYTHING I needed, almost whenever I needed it. Even if my outcomes had been different, I still would owe so much to Jennifer for her guidance and support!

Background: I am an Indian male, who studied engineering. So I am part of the most oversubscribed demographic. The aim was an M7. With this in mind, I went into my consultant search, and after speaking to a few, I felt everyone was great, but when I spoke to Jennifer, I was really impressed with her positivity and encouragement. The whole experience felt like a mentor-mentee relationship, rather than transactional.

She made me feel very comfortable and confident, something that definitely kept me going through the tough process.

I also appreciated the Stratus team based approach, along with Jennifer, my material got reviewed by a school specific reader as well as a proofreader. Getting everything in one place made it easy to focus on the important stuff. Their documentation and guides are extremely detailed and helpful.

Jennifer was very helpful in brainstorming ideas, without influencing or changing the narrative. She always asked good questions and pushed me to think deeper about my motivations and intention, giving valuable input wherever necessary.

She helped me keep on schedule, and was always prompt with her replies and feedback. I always looked forward to speaking to her, along with discussions on the applications, she would just give that extra boost of confidence that kept me going.

When I got interview invites, she immediately scheduled mock interviews. I mock interviewed with her almost 5-6 times, each time it was school specific. She even gave me some advice for schools I decided to apply on my own. When some initial rejections hit, she was very supportive, and kept the morale high.

It was a tough application cycle. I applied to 10 schools – Got interview invites for 6, and finally got into 3 schools. I finally decided to go to Kellogg.

If you are looking for someone who can bring out the best in you and keep your confidence high throughout, I would blindly go for Jennifer. The entire Status process is very comprehensive, and the team is very credible and supportive.

I am so grateful for Jennifer’s support throughout the MBA application process. Her guidance helped me get admitted to HBS and several other T10 schools with significant scholarship money.

In September 2022, I connected with a few consultants from other firms, looking for guidance on how to craft my application in time for R2 deadlines. I felt incredibly overwhelmed and stressed out when speaking with consultants from other firms. At the time, I was working diligently to boost my GMAT score and really needed someone to support me and hold me accountable on my applications.

When I met with Jennifer for a consultation, I could immediately tell I was in good hands. I worked on 3 schools with Jennifer and always felt that I could count on her honest, candid feedback. She is incredibly encouraging, knowledgeable, and effective in helping each client reach their goals. Jennifer pushes candidates to dig deep to reflect on what inspires/motivates them, and she provides exceptional support in clarifying your personal mission in a way that highlights your unique attributes and authentic voice. She is incredibly professional and responsive (I got always got a response 48 hours!), and a wealth of knowledge on what adcoms are looking for across MBA programs.

I found Jennifer’s advice to be incredibly candid, encouraging, and growth-oriented. She helped me build confidence in my story throughout the application/interview process. Her deep understanding of the HBS process in particular helped me with the interview and allowed me to be VERY well-prepared for all the types of questions that they can ask.

For anyone who feels unmoored by daunting MBA application process, working with Stratus will provide the structure and support you need. I am so excited to be starting at HBS in the fall — many thanks to Jennifer! 10/10 would recommend investing in yourself and working with Jennifer.

I started the MBA application process with tremendous imposter syndrome – I knew I needed someone to guide me and hold me accountable to get to the finish line. I heard about Jennifer from a friend of a friend and somehow clicked with her through my first consultation. At the time, I was speed-dating with a bunch of consultants at other firms and came to the conclusion that Jennifer and the greater Stratus team were genuinely supportive of my MBA pursuits, not simply upselling services for the sake of business.

I worked with Jennifer from June 2022 through January 2023 comprehensively with 2 schools in R1 and 1 school in R2 (all M7 schools). She is the perfect sounding board (honest and supportive) when it comes to ideas and helps you build confidence in your story. I initially started the process very concerned about how to build my story and quite frankly, figuring out what it even was. Jennifer makes sure you put in the work, and in the end, you’ll be very happy with the novel you’ve written for yourself. She goes above and beyond making herself readily available especially when I was feeling very defeated and needed an ear – her feedback is never sugar-coated, it’s real talk, but always enough to nudge you back on track. I appreciated her flexibility (sometimes last-minute edits for deadlines) and attentiveness in interview prep (I was able to stress test my answers/stories with other coaches, an amazing plus!) and ultimately deliberating between multiple offers! Thanks to Jennifer, I was able to land $300k in scholarships across three top 10 programs (the foundation you build in the introspection/strategy phase really sets you up for successful applications at other schools even if you don’t work with Stratus comprehensively on all your schools).

I’m super excited to be starting my MBA journey at Wharton in the fall – a million thank you’s to Jennifer!

When starting my MBA application process, I met with various consultants to understand their services and to get a feel for different people’s personalities. I met with a few consultants who stressed me out and made me feel like I was not a strong enough candidate. Jennifer, on the other hand, was incredibly positive and encouraging from the start. The MBA application process can feel overwhelming but Jennifer’s structured approach and advice made it possible to apply to 6 top-tier programs. She helped me find my rhythm for essay writing, made me confident in my story, and provided school-specific tips that strengthened my candidacy. I ended up with acceptances and scholarships from 4/6 programs. I highly recommend working with Jennifer, I could not have done it without her!

I was referred to Jennifer by a friend who had a great experience. I was at first skeptical about using a consultant since I had already largely drafted my essays and application, but I’m so glad I wound up working with Jennifer. She can be helpful with any amount of support (i.e. full application support or more focused refinement if you’ve already done some of the work). I came to her with questions regarding applications and essays for 3 schools and she had insightful advice for all three – tailored advice for that particular school and what they might be looking for. She also supported me in preparation for interviews. I wound up being admitted to 2/3 (including M7) with extensive scholarship awards. I would highly recommend working with her and investing in your business school future!

I am grateful for Jennifer’s help with my application process. Not knowing anyone who had been through this and could guide me, I was in need of a great consultant. Jennifer gave very good feedback and knows how to push you to put in the work (gently but effectively!) while making sure you stay on track. I applied to a lot of schools — the majority are M7 with some T15 — and decided I would not go unless I get into one of these schools. Without Jennifer’s help and Stratus’ system where your applications are reviewed by several sets of eyes, I would not have landed the schools I did.

Jennifer supported and pushed me to extract everything I could out of my stories, and make every word count on my applications. I had some glaring holes in my profile and she helped me create a strategy that ameliorated these issues. I got into some great schools with scholarships, thanks in large part to the guidance and support Jennifer provided.

I highly recommend working with Jennifer and Stratus! She is absolutely incredible and made the biggest difference in my application journey. I was terrified of this process and felt that I had a lot working against me as I considered business school, with an undergraduate GPA much lower than the average at my top choice programs. Jennifer participated in a webinar with my Forte MBALaunch cohort, and I immediately knew I wanted to work with her.

Jennifer helped me explain the challenges I faced during my undergraduate years and provided constructive feedback every step of the way. She also helped me stick to my timeline and followed up with me when I was working long hours and needed additional reminders to stay on track with my applications. Her guidance helped me take my confusing career goals and articulate them in a simple way that tied in with my professional background and personal experiences.

When I started receiving invitations to interview, Jennifer set aside time to complete a mock interview for every school. I felt fully prepared for each one, to the point that I wasn’t even nervous for the actual interview! I felt more confident in myself and my candidacy by working with Jennifer.

She went above and beyond the entire time I worked with her, and I could tell she was just as invested in my MBA journey as I was. In the end, I received multiple acceptances with scholarships at every school, and Jennifer helped me navigate negotiating financial aid. I will be attending my top choice, Chicago Booth, this fall, and I wouldn’t be here without Jennifer. Beyond my applications, her guidance has helped me refine my career goals and identify what I really want to accomplish during my MBA program. I can’t thank her enough and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to work with her!

I could not recommend Jennifer more! From the beginning, Jennifer made me feel comfortable. I was not very confident in the application process prior to working with Jennifer because I come from a non-traditional major/career for business school. Jennifer was able to help me see this as a strength and to use my work experience to my advantage when applying. Additionally, I was very nervous when I started the application process because I was working long hours and was not sure when I could make the time for applications. Thanks to Jennifer, I had a structured approach to my MBA applications. This allowed me to stay on track timing-wise and to have a more stress-free approach to essay writing. I most definitely recommend Stratus, the attention to detail and care the team puts into their work makes a tremendous difference. I will be attending Columbia Business School in the fall and can say with confidence that I would not be here without Jennifer and Stratus.

I worked with Jennifer on my MBA application essays and interview preparation. I entered the process already having done a lot of introspection and goal setting, but knew that I needed another perspective (outside of family and friends) to advise me on what stories to highlight in my essays. I appreciated Jennifer’s succinct communication, thorough comments on my essays, and clear advice. Her advice made me confident that I was putting forward a strong application. After I was admitted to several programs, I reached out to her for additional advice on negotiating financial aid and communicating with Admissions officers.

I was not confident in the essays for my MBA essays and approached Stratus for help crafting my story. Jennifer took the time to understand where I was in the MBA application process and was clear with the package that she thought would be the best investment. And the investment more than paid off! Jennifer took the time to learn all of the interesting things about me and helped highlight some of the areas that I could grow from an MBA program that I hadn’t thought of before. The process with Stratus includes several exploratory exercises that help you frame your past experiences and clearly point to your goals with an MBA. These took some time but were so critical to being able to articulate why I need an MBA and my strengths/weaknesses. I ended up getting accepted to my top choice programs with considerable scholarships. I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to work with Jennifer!

Initially, I was pretty overwhelmed with the MBA application process. I don’t have many friends or family members who’ve gone through it and didn’t know what to expect, but from my first consultation with Jennifer, I knew I’d found someone who could guide me. Jennifer actually took the time to get to know me beyond my “stats”, and I appreciated that Jennifer talked me through all the Stratus packages without trying to upsell me. I ultimately went with the one-school comprehensive package, and Jennifer was super helpful in giving advice that I could apply across the other schools I was also applying to, too.

In terms of support, Jennifer and the Stratus team were fantastic. I struggled a lot to articulate my career goals until I started working with Jennifer – and within a few weeks of working together, I had a crisp, articulate career path mapped out for the next 3, 5 and 10 years! Jennifer kept the whole process organized and manageable with a calendar, modules, milestones, etc. Her approach really took all the stress out of applying to MBA programs, so I could focus on self-reflection, and because of her I actually enjoyed the process of applying to b-school!

The last thing I’ll add – Jennifer is really encouraging. I wasn’t even considering applying to Wharton until Jennifer encouraged me to, and I ended up being admitted with a scholarship. Ultimately, her guidance helped me land acceptances from 6 of the top 10 programs, with scholarships at all of them – something I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams!

I came across Ms. Jackson’s profile while looking for another consultant at Stratus. I spoke to Ms. Jackson and immediately felt I was in the right hands. She’s admirable in her mannerism, her Harvard pedigree shows.

Ms. Jackson created milestones for me, her technique and format truly hit the target. She made me really get to know my school and each step of the way she lead me to step up my representation through my essays.

She carefully assessed each art of my application, from resume to interview preparation.

She was truly dedicated to my success as if it was hers. Even when I ran short of hours she didn’t care but led me to the finish line. I felt like working with a parent/a friend. Her interest was never what package I bought, but if I was doing a good job in my application.

I only wrote one application with her and it landed me where I wanted. Working with Ms. Jackson was a rewarding experience.

Jennifer Jackson has been a fantastic guide and sounding board to me for the 2 months during which I was putting together my application at Kellogg, including the video essays and the interview. I was initially not confident to apply in Round 1, since I thought I needed more time to prepare my essays and ask for recommendations at my company, but Jennifer’s confidence in my candidacy and her meticulous planning convinced me that I could indeed submit a strong application in Round 1. Kellogg is a big application, and we worked together every second day from August onwards (her professionalism is impeccable; I always got a response within 2 business days!) to refine my resume and career goals, write strong essays that brought out my professional and personal journeys to the fullest, and to speak with my recommenders about my professional achievements and awards. Not only this, but Jennifer also helped me prepare for the video essays, scholarship essays, alternate program essay, and my interview by conducting mock interviews where she gave me extremely detailed feedback on my answers considering their format, tone, and content, which I found extremely helpful during the D-day! In general, Jennifer is kind, generous and has the ability to put anyone at ease and open up to her, a commendable quality in a consultant who needs to help you select your best stories for the application.
I had chosen Stratus as during my very first 30-minute free consultation call, Stratus had taken the time to review my resume in detail and had come prepared to speak to me, something I did not see other consultants do during free chats. I am so happy with my decision, and I’m headed to Kellogg next year!! It’ll still be some time before I believe this!

Before Jennifer was recommended to me through a friend, I was hesitant about MBA consultants. Not after I met Jennifer! We connected instantly and I loved her authentic self. I valued her experiences and opinions and most importantly, I trusted that she had my best interest at heart. She helped me stay on track with my essays and applications. Most importantly, this process is wonderfully designed to discover yourself and Stratus has just the right team to make that happen. I was happy that through my stories and experiences, Jennifer helped me see a version of myself that I didn’t see before. This eventually helped me got into my dream school, Wharton! I would highly recommend Jennifer and her team at Stratus! Interview prep and offer negotiation guidance were also extremely helpful!

Jennifer was an incredible resource – both professionally and personally. Her insight into what top schools are looking for and helping to shape my narrative made a world of difference for my application. Outside of the actual application, Jennifer kept me upbeat and positive despite a very tough application cycle – ultimately ending in success thanks to her! I would absolutely recommend Jennifer to anyone who is applying to any MBA program.

Jennifer came highly recommended and exceeded expectations. The MBA admissions process can be intimidating, but Jennifer made me completely comfortable with the process. She took the time to understand my past and what I was hoping to accomplish with an MBA. The positive feedback she provided made me comfortable expressing myself in my essays and highlight my passions. I highly recommend her and the entire Stratus team.

I was a little overwhelmed by the MBA application process, so I was looking for someone who would help make the process less stressful and more manageable.

Jennifer helped keep me on track and maintain a clear head throughout the process while encouraging me to present myself in the best light. I felt comfortable sharing personal anecdotes when brainstorming essay topics and loved her ability to cut down on words to keep my writing concise (and within the word count).

I spoke to some other consultants at other firms who were more aggressive in their approach, wanting me to re-take the GMAT again or start a non-profit. I really did not want that and instead wanted someone who would be more encouraging and help me feel confident in telling my story.

I started out with their fundamentals and strategy package and then upgraded to the comprehensive package. I really appreciated that Jennifer talked through the options with me and wasn’t trying to upsell me. 

I was so overwhelmed from the onset of the journey and began to look for an admissions consultant to see if I could find someone to help. I found Stratus and was introduced to Jennifer. We had a similar career background and I immediately felt that she understood my goals for the future.

From the brainstorming sessions to the essay reviews I was always blown away by Jennifer’s commitment to my journey. She truly cared and was always a phone call away to talk through things (there were multiple calls after particularly tough GMAT results).

I could say 100 great things about Jennifer, but I will just say this: If you are considering Stratus/Jennifer I say DO IT. I got into all 4 of my schools with scholarships and I know that I could not have done that without her. The process was a positive, self-reflective, and growth-oriented journey thanks to her and their process.

Jennifer was an incredible person to work with, super experienced and punctual. Firstly, I went into this process as a nervous, not-very-confident non-traditional applicant. From the get-go, Jennifer provided me with so much confidence by helping me highlight my greatest strengths and selling points and hence laying a really strong foundation for my story while making sure I keep my own unique voice. Second, she’s an amazing editor; she really helped me make my essays more succinct and easy-flowing. Ultimately, all of this helped me get into three top schools, including a top-5!

Jennifer helped me get into my dream school and made the application process as stress-free as possible! Jennifer took the time to get to know me, my background, and what I was hoping to gain from an MBA, and she helped me narrow in on the schools that would be the best fit for me and highlight my strengths through my application. I really appreciated how she provided guidance and suggestions that helped me take my essays and applications to the next level but never tried to change my writing style or the essence of what I wanted to portray. She was so supportive throughout the process, provided an achievable timeline, and was a calming presence as I submitted my applications and prepared for interviews. She has a thorough understanding of schools and the application process, and she provided valuable insights that I never would have known without her. She made the application process enjoyable, and she even helped me learn more about myself that I will carry with me beyond business school. She was always quick to respond and accommodated my schedule for calls and prep. I am so thankful to Jennifer for all of her amazing guidance and would highly recommend working with her!

I had a fantastic experience working with Jennifer, I highly recommend working with her enough if you’re looking for someone who will strengthen your essays and your overall application approach. Jennifer is a fantastic editor and all my essays were clearer and stronger with her review, but most importantly for me, Jennifer guided me through the process and my confidence in the applications grew over time. As someone new to this process, Jennifer helped me so much as a sounding board who believed in me getting through the process.

I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer for my MBA applications and I highly recommend her to everyone who is applying to business school. I come from a non-traditional background and was applying during R3. These two factors combined made it an uphill battle for me. But Jennifer was able to guide me through the entire process, while still allowing me to show my authentic self. She helped me perfect my essays, develop a plan to interact with the school, and practice interviewing. It was never once overbearing and I still felt that my application was very much my own. With Jennifer’s help, I got into my first choice M7 school!

Jennifer really helped me flesh out my ideas during the essay writing process, and provided very valuable feedback. With her help, I got into my target school during the last round of admissions, and I even received a fantastic scholarship offer.

I came into the MBA process looking to make a career change. I applied during R2. The story I wanted to convey was kind of nebulous and I had a hard time definitively describing why exactly I was making the career change and was pursuing an MBA. Jennifer quickly helped me construct and clear and compelling narrative. The team at Stratus really was thorough with helping edit my essays and they all came out remarkably polished. I could not recommend Jennifer enough as with her help on a 2 school package, I got into both schools with scholarships! I don’t think I would have gotten the scholarship without their guidance throughout the application process – from the interview prep to the essay corrections, to the overall brainstorming sessions to construct the application narrative. My sister who went through the MBA application process with the Stacy Blackman firm and remarked that Stratus was much more accessible, responsive, and had more resources than what she got. Overall I could not be more thrilled with my choice of Jennifer and Stratus, and with the scholarship, it was an investment that paid huge dividends!

I first met with Jennifer Jackson from the Stratus team at a prospective MBA conference in Washington DC about 6 weeks out from my first application deadline (round 1), and I’m so glad that I did. I stopped by the Stratus table and told her about my specific questions/concerns (particularly about being a non-traditional applicant and working for a small/lesser-known company), and she answered my questions specifically and tactically in a way that instilled confidence in a potential professional relationship between us. Over the next several months, Jennifer and I worked together on an hourly basis (I think totaling between 5-10 hours in total, though I’m not exactly sure), which worked out phenomenally well because the two of us had identified specific areas so that I could use my allotted time wisely. I could go on about how helpful Jennifer was, but I think the most helpful areas/exercises related to crafting my story for business school in a compelling and succinct way. I had about a million ideas of how I could speak to my interests and experience, and she provided honest, constructive, digestible, and actionable feedback about which ideas were strong, and which I should cast aside. That front end diligence helped me to build a strong foundation from which the rest of my application materials launched, and I ended up getting into 4 of the 5 schools I applied to (all but Harvard, which was a longshot from the get-go. Additionally, well after my hours had “run out”, I reached out to Jennifer to see if she was available to and interested in talking through my decision with me, and without hesitation, she offered to get on the phone with me to talk things through. If you’re dead set on business school and telling your story is one of your biggest concerns, I would definitely recommend calling up Jennifer and the Stratus team. I couldn’t be happier with the results!

I worked with Jennifer in round 1 on 3 schools in 2019. From the start, she helped me get to the bottom of what my story is, and how to best convey both my strengths and my goals. I approached Jennifer with fairly short notice to the round 1 deadlines (just under 6 weeks to the first deadline) and was able to meet all targets with ample time.

Her team provided a comprehensive support package. I received interviews at all 3 schools and heard news quickly from my top pick that I had gotten in. I believe with her help, I would have had a strong chance of getting in all 3 of those schools. I am going to a top 5 program, and another one of the interviews was a top 5 program.

I had the pleasure of working with Jennifer in 2019 and applied to 3 schools R1 and 1 school R2. I purchased the comprehensive 3 school package and then additional hours to complete my R2 application.

Jennifer is hands-on, engaging and extremely attentive to each student she works with. Jennifer was always available to meet to discuss various questions I had regarding my application.

I was admitted to both my 1st and 2nd choice schools and would not have been possible without the help of Jennifer and the entire Stratus team.

I had used MBAdmission previously to apply to schools and would 100% use Stratus over MBAdmission. The team you receive when working with Stratus are all dedicated to you, even though they have other clients, there are multiple levels of review and sincere, well thought out comments regarding your essays and strategies.

Stratus Consulting made the MBA Admissions process, which can be incredibly daunting, much more manageable through their day to day assistance with everything from creating a personal strategy, to determining appropriate individuals for recommendations, to reviewing multiple essay drafts. I would highly recommend their services.

It was a pleasure to work with Jennifer. I started working with her close to the deadline for applications, and she was very helpful in identifying the most high-priority items and how to tackle them. She understood my professional goals very quickly and made suggestions of schools and essay topics that would align nicely. She also let me maintain my voice and personality throughout the process- something I found that other counselors did not respect as much. She was practical about what I could accomplish and demonstrated true compassion throughout the process.

I highly recommend Jennifer Jackson of Stratus. Although Jennifer advises some applicants from the very start of their business school application process, I engaged her after I had written self-reflections and begun drafting essays. I wanted someone to serve as a sounding board for my ideas, and to offer tips on expressing myself effectively in writing and in interviews.

First, I appreciated that Jennifer could adapt her approach to clients of all readiness levels. As mentioned, I came to Jennifer having already completed a fair amount of preparation. Instead of making me rewrite my thoughts in her templates or follow her usual process, Jennifer got to know me through the materials that I had already put together myself. Her adaptiveness saved me time and ensured that I got what I was seeking out of our sessions together.

Second, I enjoyed the advantages that came from Jennifer’s membership in the larger Stratus organization. As a few examples: Jennifer shared guidance from the most knowledgeable individuals in her network. She set up a Wharton practice group interview, led by another Stratus employee, alongside other applicants from Stratus’s clients. And I received encouraging emails from both Jennifer and Susan Cera, head of Stratus, as I went along. I believe that these advantages are distinct to organizations, as opposed to independent advisors.

Third and most importantly: Even as an applicant who had already done some preparation, I benefitted from Jennifer’s advice. As a sounding board for my ideas, Jennifer helped me to identify my most compelling stories, recognize areas where I could add depth, and cut color commentary. She also pointed out stylistic areas to improve in my interviewing style, and our practice boosted my confidence.

All in all, it was a pleasure working with Jennifer and Stratus. I would recommend them both to clients at any stage in the business school application process. (And I was ultimately accepted at two of the top five U.S. MBA programs first-round.)

I began working with Jennifer in June 2017. At the time (similar to many prospective applicants!), I was juggling full-time employment and GMAT studying. Facing the applications themselves seemed daunting. Working through Stratus’s introspection activities with Jennifer gave me a starting point and was an incredibly helpful way to frame my ‘story’ and clarify my MBA and post-MBA aspirations.

Jennifer worked with me to set a realistic timeline given the large number of schools I was planning to apply to and, while she was always flexible when work or life got in the way, was great about keeping me on track throughout the process. She was extremely responsive and knowledgeable about the programs I was applying to – if I ever had a question about a program that she couldn’t answer, she would reach out to her peers at Stratus to help me get the needed information. I particularly recommend the comprehensive counseling package. Having the opportunity to receive structured feedback from multiple sources at Stratus, including my assigned senior strategist Susan Cera (who was also fantastic to work with!), a proofreader and a school-specific specialist for each program, ensured I was putting forth the best possible application.

Thanks to the help of Jennifer and the Stratus team, I was ultimately accepted to three top-10 programs and will be headed to my dream school this fall!