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11,800
Graduate: 6 Years Undergraduate: 6 Years
Firm
Entertainment
Marketing and PR
English
Managing Director
mbaMission
Illinois
United States
Net Promoter Score: 9
John Sisk has a BS in journalism from the Medill School at Northwestern University and earned his MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Before attending Stern, John was one of The Huffington Post’s first Chicago-focused bloggers and spent five years in the media industry, starting with a position as a page in the NBC Page Program. After a two-year stint at 30 Rock, he briefly worked as a producer on VH1’s Best Week Ever before transitioning to digital media buying with Starcom Worldwide, where he planned clients’ online marketing campaigns. At Stern, John was a vice president of the Media Entertainment & Sports Association and contributed to The Stern Opportunity, the business school’s student newspaper. John brings a career focus to his admissions consulting—as a Graduate Fellow in Stern’s Office of Career Development, he reviewed students’ resumes and cover letters and conducted mock interviews.
mbaMission is the world’s leading MBA admissions consulting firm and the only one exclusively recommended by Manhattan Prep and Kaplan GMAT. Our dedicated, full-time Senior Consultants work one-on-one with business school candidates to identify and showcase their strongest attributes in their applications.
When applying to an elite MBA program, you need elite experience on your side. mbaMission’s full-time consultants are highly skilled communicators with comprehensive knowledge of the MBA admissions process, and helping you navigate that process to your fullest potential is our sole priority. You can be confident of having our undivided attention, because admissions consulting is our exclusive focus. In pursuing your MBA, you are making an important investment in yourself, so choose a firm whose singular objective is helping you achieve your goals.
Our full-time team includes MBAs from all the top programs. Although you work exclusively with one dedicated consultant at mbaMission, you benefit from the experience and input of our entire team. Our consultants intercommunicate constantly, sharing information, ideas, feedback, and recommendations. We also conduct semimonthly meetings, require ongoing training, and hold an annual full-company conference, where we gather to discuss best practices and continue improving our skills and knowledge base. More than 20 full-time admissions experts combine their know-how and experience to advance your cause. We know that our being at the top of our game means you have the greatest chance of success, and together, our team will find the best ways to strengthen your application.
One-on-one consultation services, comprehensive admissions and school-specific guides, a robust blog, free eBooks, essay analyses, and other valuable resources—visit our Web site to find all that mbaMission offers.
FREE CONSULTATION Want to know your chances of being admitted to business school? Wondering how to differentiate yourself from other applicants? Sign up for a free, 30-minute consultation with an mbaMission Senior Consultant today!
FEATURED SERVICES Complete Start-to-Finish Package A la Carte Hourly Services Mock Interview Sessions Ding Review Pre-Application Strategy
RESOURCES Robust blog Free Interview Primers Free Personal Statement Guide Free Selecting Your Target MBA Program eBook Free Social Media Primer Business School Insider’s Guides MBA Admissions Guides Free monthly online and in-person events
Location: Illinois, United States
Phone: 646-485-8844
Email: info@mbamission.com
Website: https://www.mbamission.com/consult-pq/
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Long story short: I purchased the 3 school package; John earns my HIGHEST recommendation.
I had always thought of myself as a strong writer, and a strong story teller, (and I still do!), but John truly brought me to the next level. In our first meeting, we worked on my “tell me about yourself/why Business School” narrative. I had THOUGHT I was rock solid in this area, but John opened my eyes that my story was a little all over the place, and he helped me fine tune the stories about my background to target exactly what made sense for a strong Business School applicant. We continued to work on other essays and on my resume. I ended up with admits to 3 M7 programs with scholarships at each, and have since leveraged John’s teachings to earn an internship offer at a top tier consulting firm. I feel an enormous part of my success is owed to John. His services are absolutely worth every penny.
I am thrilled to share my outstanding experience with John. I purchased a three-school Start-to-Finish Package, and John helped me successfully secure a spot at a top 15 program despite a weak GMAT score.
John was able to guide me through a structured application process that took the stress out of navigating it on my own. This allowed me to stay organized and confident throughout the journey. One of the highlights of my collaboration with John was the insightful brainstorming session and his continued effort to get to know me personally. Through this collaboration, John was able to help me develop a compelling story for me to use in my essays. He was able to uncover and help me present my unique experiences, strengths, and aspirations in a compelling way. In addition, John is a flat-out amazing writer and was able to provide suggestions on how to make my essays pop.
The other key value-add that John was able to bring to the table was his deep knowledge of each of the programs that I was applying for. He gave me direction on how to write my essays for each school that would resonate the strongest with the adcom.
I wholeheartedly recommend John to anyone pursuing admission to a top MBA program.
There is no question in my mind that John Sisk was meant to be an MBA Admissions Consultant. The level of patience he demonstrated and his commitment to consistent communication made my experience unparalleled. He goes above and beyond during the entire process and makes sure to explain feedback thoroughly. His process is also super easy to follow and work with (especially in tight turnarounds!). I wouldn’t be where I am today without him!
John helped me navigate the challenging process of applying to four of M7 business schools, resulting in being admitted to Booth and waitlisted at Wharton despite below-average test scores for a private equity applicant applying in R2.
What sets John apart is his ability to truly listen and understand unique backgrounds and experiences. In my case, I had a unique life story that included numerous setbacks and challenges. For years, I was unsure how to reconcile various stories and experiences to showcase my strengths in a coherent story that ties them all together. However, John took the time to identify the key experiences and focus areas and helped me develop a compelling narrative that highlighted my resilience, leadership skills, and ability to overcome adversity in personal and professional contexts.
Furthermore, I struggled with standardized testing and despite trying several times, had below-average GMAT/GRE scores that initially made me doubt my chances of admission. However, John was able to help me focus my application on other strengths of my application that demonstrated my academic abilities and potential for success in business school.
John has a rare talent for helping applicants uncover their unique strengths and tell their stories in a compelling and authentic way. Not only did he help me gain admission to the best business school, working together foremost helped me understand myself better.
I was passed over by 2 different consulting companies when I decided to work with a consultant for business school. I was 30 when I decided to apply, and despite having a solid undergrad GPA (3.7) and achieving 740 a GMAT Score, every consultant I spoke to cross-referenced me against their ideal profile of a 25-28 year old with similar scores and decided that I wasn’t worth their time. There was no scarcity of qualified applicants, and consultants are incentivized by their track record and in their eyes, I simply wasn’t worth the time or risk. Additionally, I had in my head I was only going to apply to M7 schools because anything else wouldn’t have been worth my own time… John took a chance on me, and I thank god that he did because had he not I would not have gotten accepted into CBS’s MBA class 2024.
This story should speak not only to John’s talent but also to the character and specifically the style in which he helps his students. He genuinely cares about them, and this translates directly into his effectiveness in his role. He is thoughtful, prompt, and extremely considerate in his reviews and commentary, demonstrating an extremely personalized approach to every student. I couLd not recommend John more emphatically to anybody else with a similar dream.
John if you’re reading this, thank you.
John is absolutely fantastic — I couldn’t have gotten into my top school (HBS) if it weren’t for his guidance. Working with him is the best decision that I made when applying for business school. He helped me best position my written application by first getting to know me, my goals, and my background. He took a genuine interest in this part of the process and reassured me when I was feeling discouraged. His communication and edits were always thoughtful and prompt. I especially appreciated how honest and straightforward he was with me and the structured nature of his edits, bringing out my story and purpose. I walked away from the process thrilled with the state of my application and essay thanks to John.
Let me start by saying that if I had not used a consultant, and specifically John Sisk, I would not be sitting in the fortunate position I am today with admittance to an M7 school. I worked with John throughout 2020 on a start to finish package for three M7 schools. I am confident that his support, knowledge, and experience are what put my profile over the top.
From the very first brainstorming session, I could immediately see the value John brought to the table. In our first 60 minute conversation, he was able to take my jumbled work/volunteer/leadership experience and my future goals and mold it into a cohesive story that we would ultimately grow into my story for all three applications. I gained the most value out of the multiple rounds of essay review. It was truly amazing to watch my stories in my essays become extremely polished and convey the real explanation of what I am trying to achieve through an MBA.
Lastly, John’s interview prep was also immensely useful, but maybe in a less traditional sense. I am coming from a sales/BusDev work background where I frequently interact with individuals outside my organization. Being able to have someone like John, who knows this process inside and out, tell me to not stress too much because he could recognize that I was prepared and conversationally ready, helped me stay calm and articulate in the real interview.
Every step of the way, John helped take my profile up a notch and I know that without his support, I would not be in the fortunate position I am today. Thanks again, John!
John is AMAZING, and deciding to work with him on a 3-school start-to-finish package was perhaps the best decision I made during the MBA application process. Coming from an industry where an MBA is not the usual path, I found the process incredibly daunting. My biggest concern was how to tell a compelling, cohesive story about myself to the admissions committees – especially because I was unsure of exactly what I wanted to do post-MBA.
We first met over the phone for a 30-minute “fit” call, and it was immediately apparent that John is an amazing listener who has an innate ability to understand his clients. At first, I was concerned that working “remotely” with a consultant would be challenging (John is in Chicago and I was in NYC), but this proved to be a non-issue. Throughout the process, John was thoughtful, calm, and patient; he guided me through each step of the process in a structured manner that made it as manageable and low stress as possible.
John takes the time to truly get to know his clients, their story, and what drives them; his guidance was invaluable during the essay-writing process. After reading through my initial brainstorming document, he was able to find common threads and themes that have been prevalent throughout my life, and help me craft these ideas into a message that was effective and, most importantly, truly authentic to me. He was always positive yet honest in editing my essays, and was never afraid to say if an essay needed a fifth, sixth, or seventh round of revisions, even though I knew it would be more work for him. By the end, I was truly happy with every single essay I submitted; John helped me strengthen my story and voice in a way that I didn’t think was possible.
John always goes above and beyond, whether by getting on the phone one more time because he knew I needed a pep talk before an interview, or by responding to another draft of an essay with a tight turnaround to make sure I’d be in before a deadline. He is a great champion and partner throughout the process, and makes you feel like you are his only client at all times. Thanks to John, I was admitted to HBS in round 1 (a result that I never dreamed was possible). I truly couldn’t have done it without him!
I was fortunate to find John early on in the process. During the introductory session, John provided me with valuable feedback on my strengths and weaknesses. I shared my desire to get into Wharton MBA with him. He explained the detailed admissions process and the typical Wharton acceptance criteria to me. He then provided me with templates and a sample of documents to prepare my information. Throughout the whole process, he was there to guide me on the essays, resume, and interview prep. I was very impressed with his knowledge and expertise in the MBA admission process and his ability to guide you to achieve your goal. I am very glad to have found him, and I thank him for his guidance.
I worked with John in 2018-2019 using MBA Mission’s Start to Finish package for 5 different schools. Overall the experience was great! John is great at brainstorming and helping you articulate your key talking points. As someone who knew almost nothing going into the process, it was very helpful to have John guide me through the process. He helped tremendously with brainstorming and editing. Also, once we got interview invites, his interview prep was particularly helpful. This was one of the most helpful features for me, because walking into my interviews I felt very calm and prepared because I had done so much practice already with John. I come from a non-traditional background, and don’t have too many coworkers or friends getting MBAs, so it was very helpful to have John’s expertise along the way. I ended up getting into Stern, CBS & Booth with John’s help! I’ll be joining CBS next year!
I worked with John using a 3 school package and I believe I would not have had the same outcomes, particularly with scholarship money, that I received if I had not worked with him. I had no idea how to frame my “story” and he came in with great ideas and excellent editing/writing abilities to help me pull my application together into a very compelling application that adcoms loved! I got into 5/6 schools I applied to, all with major scholarship money. I’ll be heading to Wharton in the Fall. I think I might have gotten into some of these schools on my own, but John helped push me out of the pack and gave me an edge that led me to substantial scholarship money. He spent hours on the phone with me brainstorming ideas for essays, heavily edited essays for the 3 schools for which I was working with him (and then I rather easily transferred many of these essays to the schools I did on my own), and really helped me prep for interviews. My biggest issues with John were that he was late to almost all of our phone meetings, sometimes forgot to respond to my emails and would return essay drafts to me way after his promised deadlines. Also, there were times where I felt John lacked emotional support and was biased i.e. not congratulating me when I received scholarships to schools he didn’t help me with, and when I got dinged from my top school he focused on defending himself instead of supporting me. Overall I would highly recommend John! He was not without his faults, but he definitely helped me achieve my goals and in the end, that’s all that really matters.
Going to business school was a goal I had set for myself as a Junior in college. For the past 5 years, I have selected jobs, extracurriculars, and more to improve my chances of attending a top business school. When it finally came to apply last Fall, I wanted to work with someone that shared my high expectations and would help make my application amazing. John helped me put together an incredible application that could have never produced myself, and helped me get into my dream school.
Throughout my application process, John was a superstar for me to have on my team. Every good team needs an MVP, and I am glad I was able to have John throughout this long journey.
John stood out in every facet of the application process. When I struggled to develop my story and post-MBA goals, John was always quick to hop on the phone for us to brainstorm with anecdotes from previous clients and templates to help me organize my thoughts. When I struggled to come up with ideas my essays, John helped provide me an outline combining my story and what winning essays look like. When I then struggled to keep to the word count of my essays, John provided incredible advice and edits to help make my essays stand out. And every time I was about to make rookie mistakes in the application process, John steered me straight.
Even more, John made the entire process thoroughly enjoyable through his calm demeanor, professionalism, and personal touch. Constantly throughout this process, I was overwhelmed and scared. However, every interaction with John helped keep me focused. Phone calls and e-mails were filled not only with constructive feedback but also humor. John not only saw me as a client but got to know me for me, which not only made working with him fun but also made him an amazing partner to bounce ideas off of.
Today, as I re-read my essays and entire application today, I am amazed at the final product. There is no way I could have ever gotten into the schools I did without John. For anyone considering applying to b-school, I would not hesitate when working with John. He simply is the best there is.
John/MbaMission was the first admissions consultant company to take the time to look beyond my stats on paper and hear my story/motivations for applying.
I researched and spoke with several similar companies to gauge my chances at different programs and heard I needed to readjust my expectations. My less traditional background (major/undergrad institution), and only 3 years of work experience (4 at program start) would rule out top schools. One company even told me, “It doesn’t matter if you score an 800 on the GMAT, you’re not the type of applicant top programs are looking for.” However, mbaMission was different.
John was incredibly encouraging, responsive, and attentive throughout the entire process (even just to check in during the decision waiting period). He restored my confidence and helped me tell my story which clearly articulated my personal and professional reasons for wanting an MBA. The result was a clear illustration of not just why I wanted an MBA but also everything I had done to prepare and how it would be pivotal in my career aspirations.
While I was still slightly jaded by the prior feedback I heard, I chose to only apply to a small number of schools (a couple of M7/T5 and one T10) with the intention of waiting and applying next year if needed to a more “realistic” range. However, this was not needed because not only was I accepted (including a scholarship), but I also had a choice of programs. I am thrilled to say I will be headed to an M7/T5 in the fall! I would highly recommend John and mbaMission to anyone going through this process.
We live in a globalized, competitive world. If you’re going to spend $150K and 2 years of the prime of your life on an MBA, you’d be crazy not to seek out the best adviser and guide for gaining admittance to a top business school. John was a wealth of information. He took the time to understand my personal background and goals and coached me on the most appropriate schools. He knew exactly how to maximize my chances of admission (not always obvious). John was a motivator. He made sure I stayed on track and capitalized on every opportunity to increase my odds of success.
I highly, highly recommend John and have referred many of my closest friends to him.
I had the pleasure of working with John on several essays during my Round 1 applications. John’s organization and attention to detail were sublime, and unlike others I spoke with, he consistently offered transformational advice on my writing rather than ticky-tack little changes. He challenged me to make my writing unique, innovative, and true, and I regularly walked away with new ideas after each conversation we had. If you’re looking for reliability and concrete writing improvements, John’s a perfect fit.
With a somewhat scattered career trajectory, I needed someone very skilled in helping me draw out compelling career and personal narratives (the essays), and present myself in a beautiful package (the whole application). John’s previous reviews share a theme of exceptional storytelling, and he did exactly that with me. It was nice to have John as a partner who cared about the results. I was admitted to Columbia Business School!
Researching Consultants: Quantitative measures aside, the key to a successful MBA application is undoubtedly compelling career and personal narratives, which are also by far the most challenging. As I read detailed reviews of consultants, their key strengths became apparent. John’s previous reviews share a consistent theme of him helping applicants put together compelling applications and stories (he does have a journalism background after all).
Working with John: I went with the hourly package. As I think back on the application process, there were several things John did that maximized the efficiency and results:
1. With hourly services, John is very efficient with time, but most importantly, the feedback that he sends back is direct and actionable. This allowed me to make drastic improvements to my essays between each iteration. The final product was an essay that read so smooth and conveyed so, so much in 500 words. 2. John clarified how I should tackle each essay, which was so helpful given the prompts are vague and cut out the many extra drafts I would have had to do. 3. I found it super helpful to have a call with John, especially when I hit writer’s block, to bounce ideas off of him. These sessions were extremely productive in moving things along rather than spending days stuck on something. 4. Lastly, I will say that the road of an MBA application is a lonely one. John was a partner who cared about the success of my application, and his professional and calm demeanor kept me going and focused.
Result: Acceptance to Columbia Business School!
John Sisk is an outstanding MBA admissions consultant and a pleasure to work with. He really knows what he is talking about regarding each facet of the application process. From start to finish, John was highly professional, easy to talk to, and driven to help me succeed as an MBA applicant. Regarding essays, I could not have been prouder of the final drafts I produced under John’s guidance. John has such a great understanding of how to write in a clear, compelling manner, he was able to really bring out the best in me as a writer, and help me frame my story using parts of my background I would not have initially thought to use. Regarding application strategy, recommendations, short answers, resume, and any questions that came to mind about the admissions process, John also provided expert advice and insight. John’s calm, supportive style also significantly increased my confidence throughout the process. This was invaluable when it came time for interview preparation. John not only anticipated the exact kinds of questions my interviewers ended up asking, but also was able to get me in the right frame of mind going into the interview: to approach the process with an enthusiastic and positive attitude, which I think really came through in terms of making a great impression on my interviewers. This showed in the results. In the end, I got into my dream MBA program: Columbia Business School. I could not have done this without John’s guidance, and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants to gain admission to a top MBA program.
I worked with John on 2 applications. He was highly recommended by a friend and I quickly discovered why. John didn’t waste any time — After I filled out an extensive questionnaire, we instantly got on a call to brainstorm potential ideas for my essays and craft a cohesive, compelling “story” for me. I instantly felt comfortable opening up to John about my life because he’s so approachable and empathetic. I felt like I had a clear game plan after my first call with him, and that feeling was a trend throughout working with John — I always felt like I was in good hands and had a clear, actionable game plan to achieve my goals and get into a top school. John also got back to me very quickly on essay edits, and his edits were phenomenal. I particularly appreciated how he enhanced my essay while preserving my own personal voice. John also helped me greatly with interview prep. He had great feedback during our mock interviews and made me feel confident and well-prepared. I was asked a lot of the questions he prepped me for! I ended up on the wait list at Kellogg, and John helped me navigate that awkward and confusing time — he kept my spirits high and told me what I should do next, and soon after I was admitted!! He was truly a sounding board through the entire process, continued to support me with pep talks and an overall comforting presence, and was such an asset with all application and interview prep!! I highly recommend John!!!
I worked with John Sisk on my applications to Haas part-time weekend, Booth part-time weekend, Anderson FEMBA and McCombs Weekend programs. I got responses and admits from both Haas and Booth so quickly that I did not even submit to McCombs and am still a month away from Anderson’s decision date.
I initially had a low GMAT score so I knew I needed to submit a stellar application to be considered by the top schools. John helped me with everything, my essays, resume, recommendation letters and interview preparation. I was worried about my choice of recommenders and low undergraduate GPA (I had a good graduate GPA), but John calmly cleared all my doubts and put me at ease. With his help, I was able to explain the recommendation process to my recommenders and obtain good recommendations. Because I had John’s help for everything related to the application, I was able to concentrate on GMAT prep, retake it and get a high enough score to set me up for success with all top programs. I would recommend John in a heart beat. He was always positive throughout my application process and was more confident in my abilities than I was which in turn helped me make a good impression on my interviewers. He knows the entire process inside out and I could not have done this without his help. I am very happy with how things have turned out for me but I am also a bit sad that I will not have the pleasure of working with John again since he’s become such a good friend in this process.
I got admitted to a top 5 MBA program after applying in round 2. And I couldn’t have done it without John. I started working with John late in the application process. John has so much experience on personal statements and knows what each school looks for and guided me to the right direction for each application. I was not confident about my essays at first, but after many times of discussion and editing rounds with John, I felt confident and was ready to submit my application. Given that I also have a demanding job, John really took a lot of pressure of my shoulders. He was also extremely supportive for any creative ideas. John is very easy to work with. I highly recommend him as an MBA consultant!
When I was looking to work with an admissions consultant in the summer to put my best foot forward in the application process, a very good friend of mine, who’d gotten into B school, suggested I take John’s and MBAmission’s help. During my initial conversation, I found John to be refreshingly honest. I knew I was aggressive with my school selection, given my background. John, while mentioning some of the pitfalls with my strategy, told me “You’ve done half the job. Now, leave all the worrying about your odds of getting in to me!” After this, I was convinced to enlist John’s help with the ‘All-in’ package. Because I was consulting on a project in John’s city, we decided to meet up at a local Starbucks to go over essay outlines for my top choice school. John’s storytelling skills shone through immediately. I could see that he had taken the time to go over my background and stories from the brainstorming document I’d sent to him earlier. I was very impressed with the way John provided structure and detail to my essays, all while introducing ‘hooks’ from my past to keep the reader engaged. At the end of the essay writing process, I was convinced I presented the best version of myself to the admissions committee. John also helped refine my message and delivery during a 30 minute mock interview over the phone. When the day of the interview came, I was confident of facing any question my interviewer could potentially throw at me. I was eventually accepted into my top choice program. In hindsight, working with John proved to be a great decision. He truly cares about his client’s success. I’m confident, my investment in MBAmisson and John will prove to be a drop in the bucket over the long run.
Self reflection is hard, and as it turns out, the MBA application process requires a lot of it. Each candidate comes in with different strengths, and it becomes about showcasing them in an interesting and meaningful way. I approached the application process with a lot of determination, but some hesitation because my GMAT score was right on the cusp of what is widely considered a “safe” score for the top programs. John worked with me to craft my story in a way that let my strengths shine, and showed me that the GMAT is only one data point among many in this application. Not only did he help me make my application something that I was proud of, but was always patient and available. He was willing to review everything I wrote, including emails to professors, alumni and current students, as well as talk on the phone regularly for advice. I can honestly say that John was instrumental in helping me gain admission to my top choice of program. I cannot wait to start b-school in the Fall, and am so grateful that John was referred to me. If you are considering using John, you will not be disappointed. Trust me, it is worth the investment!
I was extremely happy working with John Sisk. I purchased 4 hours and used all of that time on application/essay review. He always responded quickly to my emails and questions. He was very honest and always provided constructive criticism which was important to me. He helped me nail down to the specifics in the essays which made them unique to me, which was key. He helped me see things that I was not always able to see. It was not an easy process, but John helped me through every step of the way. I felt very supported by him. Overall, I greatly enjoyed my experience with John and got into my top choice – a top 10 MBA program – because of him.
I approached the MBA application process with a lot of confidence and focused most of my efforts on GMAT prep. It wasn’t until I actually got into the application process that I realized I needed guidance. I completed the free consultation at MBA Mission and realized that I didn’t know what I didn’t know. I purchased five hours of time with John and we began working on four school applications but it wasn’t until I began writing these essays that I really figured out what I wanted to do post-MBA. This provided my essays with direction and purpose. Without John’s coaching, my essays were pretty vanilla. Now, whenever I write ANYTHING, I envision John’s comment bubbles popping up, telling me “I need more YOU.” John was extremely patient and easy to work with throughout the process. This really minimized the amount of stress surrounding the entire application process. His guidance resulted in my admission to a top MBA program AND the #3 operations institute in the U.S. I highly recommend John and mbaMission. Trust his guidance and you won’t be disappointed.
My message is simple: John was a major contributor to my recent acceptance to a top 10 MBA program. A lot of candidates have the stories and experiences to be competitive, but sculpting those stories into concise personal statements and essays that directly respond to the criteria of various admissions committees is an art – one that John has mastered. I engaged John on an hourly basis (purchased 5 hours through mbaMission). John was referred to me by a colleague who was admitted to a top 10 MBA program and credited John for his success. I had planned to apply to Booth and Kellogg. John initially sent me a brainstorming document with questions to help generate ideas for essays, short answers, and interview prep. We then scheduled a phone call to discuss essay questions. John’s familiarity with these schools and admissions committees was immediately evident. He provided a framework for the essay responses that leveraged my professional and p ersonal strengths. After drafting my essays, John provided feedback to improve certain aspects of my story and focus the story to directly respond to the essay prompts. John also reviewed my resume and short answer responses to focus on my achievements and clearly state my short and long term goals. After successfully executing and submitting the applications, John and I spent our final 30 minutes prepping for interviews. John asked me general interview questions and again helped craft responses that were focused on why the specific MBA program would help my career progression. To anyone considering applying to an MBA program – this initial investment to improve your application is negligible compared to the overall cost of an MBA. I strongly encourage you to make the investment and engage John.
I chose John as my admissions consultant because I read that he liked storytelling and would help me tell my story to the Admissions Committee convincingly and authentically. He absolutely delivered. John and I went talked through my approach to the essays, and he guided me to craft my experiences in a structured way that would allow the Admissions Committee to find what they were looking for. We went back and forth on many drafts, and John pushed me to a winning draft of one of my Wharton essays. When John went on paternity leave, he ensured that I was in good hands to finish off the Wharton application (which eventually gained me admission).
After burying myself under a pile of B-School essays, application materials and interview questions I realized I needed help and that came in the form of John Sisk at mbaMission. In our initial consultation session, he explained to me that applying to B-School is a marathon, not a sprint, and he was going to be there each and every mile along the way. The “Start-to-Finish” package was the right one for me as I was applying to six schools and had no idea how to even begin. John stepped right in to give me guidance on school selection and got my wheels turning on how to conceptualize my “story” for the various B-School essays. Over the next few months thoughts turned into well-articulated essays alongside a perfected resume. Even though I was already personable and social, John turned me into a better interviewer through expert advice and practice. These are just a few examples of how John will light the path for you to forge ahead. Through thick and thin, John will be there to guide you across the finish line. He certainly helped me achieve my dreams of getting into a top tier MBA program and he can do the same for you. I highly recommend his services and feel confident leaving you in his hands.
John was a pleasure to work with and helped me manage an incredibly stressful waitlist process. After completing applications without an admissions consultant I found myself waitlisted (after interview) at Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan, and Wharton. John provided a logical and informed process to address my scenario and successfully navigate the waitlist. Even though the schools publically posted that they didn’t need additional information, John helped me find ways to positively communicate to them and tip the needle in my favor. I found him to be responsive, and he always provided value added advice. My only regret is not hiring John as my admissions consultant earlier so I could have avoided the waitlist process in the first place! I can honestly say that without John’s wisdom and coaching I’d be going through the admissions process all over again. Because of him I’ll be attending Stanford GSB in the fall!
I had a great experience working with John Sisk from mbaMission on my essays, resume and short answers. It was great to have a third party who really knows what he is doing and has no bias towards my writing/content. With his support, I was accepted into my top two schools (HBS and Columbia). I would highly recommend working with him. (1) John pushed me. Each time that I thought I’d nailed it, he’d reply with insightful feedback, always asking why….why did I want to do X in my career, why does Y motivate me…He challenged me, pushing me to take each aspect of my essays to the next level, really examining my motivations and how they play into my overall story. He is an expert in the space and helped me to dig deeper to product essays I was really proud of. (2) That said, he never stressed me out. He consistently offered great advice, stayed patient, kept me calm and on track, and helped me get my essays across the finish line. He was honest, straightforward and optimistic. (3) I was late to the game and I wish I’d allowed for more time. John was always responsive, but 2 business day turnarounds can add up when you’re close to deadlines (and holiday breaks are upon you). We had a lot of essays going back and forth (and ended up wasting costly $$ b/c I was sending John multiple versions to review at a time due to the pending deadlines). Make sure to take this into account + reach out as early as possible. (4) Before I began working with mbaMission, I spent a lot of time reading sample essays and brainstorming. I ended up overwhelmed and wasting time. I wish that I had reached out to John sooner in the process for his guidance in how to approach the essays and structure my thinking. It was costly, but entirely worth the investment. To have an unbiased expert was invaluable.
I had a wonderful experience working with John Sisk from mbaMission. I knew John was committed from our very first conversation, a free, 30-minute phone consultation. He asked detailed questions about my previous experiences and future goals, and based on what he heard, encouraged me to take a quantitative course prior to applying to bolster my quantitative profile. I ended up taking an Accounting course through UCLA Extension (one of several online options John provided immediately following our phone call); I do believe this made a positive difference in my application process, and I credit that entirely to John. As I began to write my essays, John was there every step of the way; he provided timely, detailed, and thoughtful feedback and also made himself available do discuss questions over the phone when I preferred. John was on paternity leave for part of my application process, but ensured a very smooth transition to another consultant from mbaMission (the founder), who was equally as helpful and responsive. The success I had in my application process (getting into 4 out of 5 schools) was certainly due in part to mbaMission! They helped me articulate my story in a way that clearly resonated with admissions committees. My “voice” was not taken away in the process; rather, it was strengthened by their advice and guidance.
John was incredible in guiding me through all aspects of the admissions process. I had just taken the GMAT for the 2nd time when I first talked with John towards the end of October and was fairly happy with my score but unsure of the best way to move forward in the process. John and I worked together on our game plan from there, and because I was adamant about going to business school in Fall 2016 we decided to move on from the GMAT (although my score could’ve used a little bit of a boost) and start focusing on the applications instead. He was instrumental in helping me choose which target schools to apply to and I appreciated how up-front and honest he was about my candidacy strength for some of the programs I was considering. I’m glad he talked me out of applying to a couple that would’ve definitely been too much of a reach for me based on my below average GMAT score. John and I completed four applications from late October to early January, and he was great in putting in the extra effort as needed to help me successfully meet the aggressive timeline we had put together. He was especially helpful around the application deadlines, too. I would say that John’s biggest strengths were to help put together a strong story and personal statement, helping tie all of my life experiences together for the more creative personal essays and video essays, his feedback/encouragement during interview prep, and his level-headed voice of reason throughout the ups and downs of the process. I am 100% confident that I would not have been admitted to the schools that I was admitted to and that I would not have received any of the scholarship offers that I was awarded. John was instrumental in helping me make the final decision on where to attend business school this fall, too, and I’m very grateful for that as well. John seemed to genuinely care about me and my future plans and I really liked how passionate he was to help me be successful in getting into my target schools. I now consider John a friend after going through this process with him and I’m confident that we’ll stay connected moving forward. Overall it has been a great experience working with John and I highly recommend him for anyone considering applying to b-school.
I would highly recommend working with John Sisk from mbaMission. His experience in journalism and his degree from a top business school give him a unique perspective as an admissions consultant. Entering the admissions process, I had a strong GMAT score and strong enough GPA to get into a top school, but I needed help rounding out my story. That is where Johnny was so helpful. After our free 30-minute consultation, I already had a great idea of how I wanted to put my story together, and over many iterations that story came to life with John’s help. I hesitated in spending the money to hire a consultant, but I found that I got great value from John using the hour-by-hour option. Having been accepted into my top school, I can say that I would not have done a single thing differently. John was instrumental in strengthening my voice and I cannot thank him enough. John continually offered strong advice and was very patient as we worked through my drafts, which made him very easy to work with. He was always completely honest, telling me what worked and what didn’t, but at the same time he was very optimistic and would ensure that the process never got me down. He was also timely in getting his responses back to me within the 2-day turnaround window, which was critical in feeling confident that my drafts were in the best shape possible before deadlines. Thanks John!
Ok, so I cannot overstate how much I recommend mbaMission for anybody seriously applying to top MBA programs. I eventually got into Harvard Business School with below-average numbers, but even during the application process I was telling everybody I knew that mbaMission was a MUST-do if you’re serious about business school and can afford it (not cheap). Also, the Start-to-Finish package is the way to go 100% – and probably cheaper than the other options in the long run. Trust me, I broke this down and probably spent 2-3x less than I would have with the hourly rate. You have no idea how much you will reach out to your consultant, and you will thank yourself many times over for biting the bullet in the beginning. My consultant was John Sisk, and he was fantastic. I chose him because I knew I would struggle with telling “my story” and John seemed to be strong in that category. He led me through the process in a clear, honest, productive, and efficient way that was ultimately very successful and enjoyable. I was no-doubt stressed during the process, but that’s just part of it. John took the stress WAY down for me and he was my partner in crime during the entire process. My expectations were exceeded at every level (from essay editing, to resume crafting, to strategies visiting campuses) and I can’t recommend mbaMission or John Sisk enough. EVEN IF I had not been accepted to ANY of my schools (Stanford, HBS, Sloan, Haas, Anderson) I would have been 100% glad I used mbaMission.
I entered the Round 2 application process this year with a 680 GMAT score, professional experience in the entertainment industry and a lack of understanding of how best to use this to aid me in obtaining my MBA from a top tier school. I hesitated to even apply this year because of my sub-700 GMAT score. Many people including other MBA consultants told me I was better off in Round 1 of next year and that I should stay focused on boosting my GMAT score. While the GMAT is a very important metric for admissions officers and consultants, my success in being accepted by my number one program can serve as a testament to the true “holistic” approach and to the advantage you can have in teaming up with the right consultant. I came to mbaMission through Manhattan Prep, where I had a positive experience with their GMAT materials and private tutor. My concern in hiring a consultant was I would just be another client to them, which I couldn’t afford when I needed to really stand out in my essays and applications in order to have any chance of acceptance. I also knew that I was facing an audience whose understanding of my industry and my experience may be very limited. mbaMission really worked to match me with the best consultant who suited my needs in every way. I had a preliminary 30 min call with John Sisk and we not only hit it off from a personality standpoint, but John had previously worked in entertainment and really understood how to best approach framing my essays and complete application. Following that call, I purchased the Complete “Start-to-Finish” Package – Three-School Package. I found the entire mbaMission process to be extremely organized, thoughtful and streamlined. From our initial brainstorm to the final essays, John was very strategic about where we started so we could eventually use the content and stories from our first essay and mold it into every essay for each school, thus maintaining my essence and personal story throughout my applications. Looking back, John made the difference in truly unlocking the best story I could tell, and I honestly believe I would not have told the same impactful and compelling story if I chose to go it alone. John’s approach to writing essays made my entire experience less stressful, more organized, and very streamlined. Additionally, the straightforward delivery schedule and holiday considerations in the mbaMission organization made it very easy for me to plan ahead and around holidays. In the end, I was accepted into HBS in Round 2. Having made it through the application process, I would strongly urge future applications to not only trust in the holistic process of compiling a complete application but also to strongly consider teaming up with a consultant to help you tap into your best story and position. In my case, I know John made a huge impact in my applications that was exponentially more valuable than the price.
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