Katharine Lewis

I had an amazing experience working with Katharine. As I am someone who had very little idea about MBA admissions, her help was pivotal for me to get through the applications smoothly. She helped me straighten my story which showcased not only my strengths but also reflected who I am as a person. She helped me structure my resume which showcased my impact points concisely and effectively. She even helped me effectively communicate with my recommenders which was extremely critical as this was the first time they were recommending anyone to a Business School. She took my mock interview for Columbia and her questions were very similar to the ones asked in the actual one. The mock interview made me more confident to tackle the main interview. Apart from everything working with her gave me a sense of satisfaction and calmness that allowed me to give my best shot without worrying much about the result. From Brainstorming Sessions to Essays to LoRs to Short Questions to Kelogg’s Video Essay to Mock Interviews to Answering all small questions effectively her rock-solid support pushed me through all obstacles. I can confidently say that anyone would be lucky to work with her and she is the best that one can work with for MBA applications. I feel lucky that she was the most critical part of my MBA and it wouldn’t have been possible without her.

Simply put, Katy is the gold standard in MBA consulting!

She was an invaluable resource throughout my MBA application journey, and I owe my admission to both Harvard and Stanford to her expertise. Having been waitlisted at both schools the previous year, I was eager to improve my application with Katy’s help.

What stood out most about Katy was her tailored approach and deep understanding of the admissions process for both HBS and Stanford. She carefully analyzed my previous application and immediately identified areas for improvement, offering specific, targeted advice to enhance my candidacy. Katy’s guidance on how to craft compelling and cohesive essays was particularly impactful. She helped me draw on my unique experiences to tell a story that highlighted my strengths and fit with each school’s culture. Her attention to detail and thoughtful critique ensured that my essays were polished and authentic.

During our mock interview sessions, Katy’s insights into potential questions and her strategic tips on framing responses were game-changing. She pushed me to think critically about my experiences and present my story with clarity and confidence. The feedback she provided was direct and actionable, helping me navigate the interviews with ease.

On a personal note, working with Katy has been a truly wonderful experience. She is not only knowledgeable and professional, but also incredibly warm and caring. She goes above and beyond to support her clients, and I’ve been fortunate to build a strong personal connection with her. She provided unwavering confidence and encouragement in every email and conversation, helping me stay accountable and motivated throughout the often lengthy and stressful application process. If you have the opportunity to work with Katy, consider yourself lucky – you’ll be in exceptional hands!

In summary, Katy’s guidance played a pivotal role in my successful admission to both HBS and Stanford this year. Her knowledge, attention to detail, and personalized approach set her apart, and I would highly recommend her to anyone serious about achieving their MBA dreams.

Thank you, Katy!

When I first began my graduate school journey, I didn’t quite know what an MBA consultant was and began tackling applications on my own. I quickly realized that I had underestimated the degree to which grad school applications needed to be designed/tailored to tell a cohesive and all-encompassing story. As someone who was pursuing a dual degree and about to move to Australia from New York City for a professional rotation, I felt overwhelmed by all that had to be done and the standard that needed to be met.

Before moving from the US abroad, I had a 30-minute consultation with Katy, who immediately impressed me with her knowledge of the different graduate school programs (beyond MBAs), practicality and confidence in the guidance she provided, and her ability to be candid with me straight off the bat. I requested her support immediately and have never once regretted it.

Living in a new country, you naturally want to spend as little time at home on the weekends, although hard work and dedication are what graduate school applications demand. Katy helped me save tons of time on the 10 applications I submitted to MBA, MPP, and MAIR programs. Not only did she turn around essays, resumes, etc. incredibly quickly, but she also provided candid feedback on the content, made direct edits, and ensured I was telling my story in the most effective/strategic way possible by making the most of every section of the application. Katy was also receptive to my schedule, as I had to complete and submit 10 applications in 2 months (from mid-October to mid-December) due to work and personal travel commitments surrounding that time frame. From the beginning of the process through to the weeks following decisions, Katy was super open and excited about hopping on the phone, even for 15 minutes, to chat through my decision-making process and answer any questions I had top-of-mind. Even then, she remained straight-forward in her guidance and gave me her genuine opinion, rather than simply laying out the pros and cons.

I purchased the 3-school package with Katy for HBS, HKS, and Wharton. Of the 10 programs I applied to, I was accepted to 7 – MBA (UPenn Wharton, UChicago Booth, MIT Sloan, Dartmouth Tuck); Master of Public Policy/MPP (Harvard Kennedy/HKS, UChicago Harris); Master of Arts in International Relations/MAIR (Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe). I will be pursuing a joint MBA/MPP degree starting this fall – an MBA from Wharton and MPP from HKS.

I am steadfast in my belief that I would not have reached the same outcomes if it weren’t for Katy. I could not be happier with my decision and our partnership, and would recommend her to anyone considering additional support throughout the process. It’ll be more than worth it – thank you Katy!!

Katy is the key to a successful and positive MBA application process. I found a friend and mentor in Katy — I came out of every one of our conversations with insight and food for thought that was pivotal not only in my application process but also in my personal and professional development. Katy is one of the most patient and generous people I’ve met – she will give you as much time as she has no matter how often you need to talk, or how many times you need to talk through the same subject. She is honest and won’t be afraid to tell you the truth but is also incredibly compassionate in her delivery. Katy has incredible insight on the MBA process, schools, and overall knowledge of industries. I was consistently impressed at how much Katy knew about different topics and how well she was able to help me pivot to make my story more and more robust and creative.

With Katy, I was able to achieve admission to one of my top schools. With the work we did together, I used that writing for my four additional applications where I was admitted to each one with scholarships up to 140k.

Without Katy, I would not have known where to start in crafting my story and knowing how to write properly for an MBA application. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with her. Consider yourself lucky if you are able to snag a spot working with Katy!

Initially, I started the MBA application process without considering an admissions consultant. After speaking to seven different consultants, including another from mbaMission, it became clear that Katy resonated with me most, and I clicked with her working style immediately. Her schedule was fully booked when I spoke to her, so I had to be patient and persistent to get a slot. But for me, it was Katy or no one. Thankfully, I was able to become her last R2 client. I’m glad I chose Katy because I firmly believe I wouldn’t have achieved the same results without Katy’s guidance.

I applied to six schools in total: Stanford, Harvard, Wharton Lauder, Columbia, Kellogg MMM, and Booth. Katy worked with me on my applications for Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg. I got admits to all these schools except Harvard. Additionally, I received over $100,000 in merit scholarship from one of these institutions.

From the outset, Katy surpassed my expectations of a consultant. She generously offered assistance with my Lauder, MMM, and Kellogg Alternate Program essays, even though she didn’t have to do this. I was very grateful for this as it made me feel that Katy truly cared for me as a person and wanted me to succeed. Katy also leveraged her network to connect me with alumni at Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg. These connections provided unique insights not readily available online. This not only allowed me to craft more meaningful and targeted essays but also helped me broaden my network at these schools – something I’m also incredibly grateful for.

Katy remained readily available for phone calls throughout the process. While her schedule became quite demanding towards the end, she ultimately made time when it mattered most, helping me refine my essays and ensure they were in the best possible shape. The mock interviews with Katy were incredibly beneficial and reflective of the actual interviews I had at each school. I recall that my Wharton mock was extremely helpful in getting me acclimated to the TBD format, boosting my confidence for the actual interview. Katy even provided interview materials for schools beyond my package, ensuring I felt comfortable going into those interviews as well.

One key takeaway from our first session was Katy’s emphasis on service-oriented work. She stated her commitment to doing whatever her clients needed. Throughout the process, I truly felt she delivered on that promise. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have worked with Katy. While the results speak for themselves, I’m even more grateful to have gained a lifelong friend who really understood and supported me throughout my MBA journey. If you’re considering your MBA journey, I highly recommend using Katy as your consultant. She is the best out there. At the very least, you should consider scheduling a free consultation with her. You’ll get a sense of what I’m talking about, and you won’t regret it!

I am an international student from the CIS, working in tech. I’ve been working with Katy for Round 2 application cycle, and I could not wish for a better partner to guide me. There are several points to support this statement.

First, Katy is incredibly knowledgeable about the subject area and realistic. I first contacted Katy in late May, looking to apply in Round 1 and she, having realized that I had not had my GMAT taken at the time, discouraged me from applying in Round 1, because I simply won’t be able to craft a strong application, juggling GMAT prep, applications and full-time work. Also, before we kicked-off Round 2 application, she made sure that even with a high GMAT score I keep my expectations realistic. She helped me to brainstorm the application strategy and select schools I would be better off given my career ambitions.

Second, Katy is incredibly dedicated. She really delved into my background from the get-go, and took time to understand me, my personality, my motivation and career journey — and she managed to did it better than I understood it myself. She helped me to look at my career as a side observer and pick up the themes about me that I had not realized myself. That new perspective was really instrumental in the preparation process as it helped me to write candid and personal responses to the schools’ essay questions.

Third, Katy is very structured and methodical with her approach to work. She has all the materials ready to help you think about yourself, she is upfront with turnaround times and her work/holiday schedule months in advance, relentless in constant quality improvement (if time permits), she helps you to gather the thoughts in the right form in preparation for the interviews, and, finally, provides relevant consideration points as you get the good news from several schools.

Finally, Katy has an amazing personality, she is very open, kind and funny. I considered several other consultants, and I am so happy that I decided to proceed with Katy. I applied to 5 schools, got accepted into 4 (with scholarship in Wharton) and waitlisted in Chicago Booth, I certainly would not be as successful without her.

Be prepared to work a lot with Katy, but it’s worth it.

Although I am not a fan of making absolute statements, I can tell you that Katy is by far the best MBA consultant you can work with. She has a truly informed perspective and “insider view” of how MBA admission committees think, is extremely generous with her time, and genuinely helped me prepare as best as I could for my interviews with both Wharton and HBS given her extensive experience. Unlike other consultants I interacted with before making a decision on who to work with, Katy’s approach felt very personalised (she was always there to calm down when I felt overwhelmed) and thorough which I really appreciated given my background from a small country such as Greece. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth every penny to maximise your chances of getting in? Also yes. In a journey such as this it is critical to work with someone who knows the ins-and-outs of the process. Trust me, work with Katy and you won’t regret it.

As a mid-career working mom from Shanghai, I applied for Wharton EMBA-global cohort program, with Katy’s help. Just submitted the round 2 application a few days ago! The experience of working with Katy is thoughts-provoking, inspiring and warm.

Apart from all the amazing support Katy provided to me, I would love to particularly highlight a few aspects which I found most helpful:

– Broaden my perspectives to find the right program. A few months ago, I was only interested in GSB MsX. However, at my life stage it would make going there unrealistic. After talking with Katy, I found the global EMBA format is the most FIT one for me. I would not apply to this program if I did not work with Katy

– Find the coherent life and career story / topic for application. After reading my brainstorm document, Katy captured the powerful storyline, which is exactly what my company is doing and also is what I’m personally interested due to my personal experiences.

– Being a bridge between my experiences and the application requirements. Katy’s long-term accumulated experience made the application process so effective and efficient!

I worked with Katy over 2.5 years and have been so grateful for her guidance not only in applying to graduate school but more broadly navigating career next steps and the right timing for grad school. 

I talked to many different firms and consultants before choosing Katy, and highly recommend her for her personalized attention and thoughtful, comprehensive guidance. She was also very helpful not only with my MBA applications but with other master’s degree applications, which seems rare.

When we first touched base, I used the hourly option to get coaching from Katy to evaluate my profile and figure out the right next steps for me. She helped me take steps to strengthen my profile and helped me decide to get more work experience before applying to graduate school (which was about my personal interests and career path more than my admissions chances). A year later, I reached back out and we worked on dual degree applications (3 MBA programs, 1 MPP, 1 MSEd). 

Katy was a steady and attentive presence through the brainstorming process and really made me feel supported in figuring out my narrative for my MBA applications. The Complete Start to Finish package was great because I had unlimited access to a partner throughout the process, from improving my candidacy (through an extra course, work experience, and volunteer work) and deciding on essay topics to many rounds of essay review, support on recommendation letters, and interview prep. 

Katy also made an effort to connect me to past clients at my target programs, especially those with similar interests to mine, which was helpful in the essay/interview process as well as in ultimately choosing a program. 

Ultimately, I was admitted to 4/5 programs I applied to (interviewed, waitlisted, then dinged at HBS) and am having an incredible grad school experience. I couldn’t have done it without Katy. 

Since I didn’t study in the US for my undergraduate degree, and because my home country’s college application process is quite different, the MBA application process was very foreign to me from the start. I knew I needed someone to guide me through it, particularly given the fact that I have a very demanding job and very limited free time. After consulting with numerous admissions advisors, I ultimately chose to work with Katy. Katy stood out as not only highly competent but also as an incredibly caring and thoughtful person, making working with her a true pleasure.

Before I started working on the applications, she suggested retaking the GMAT, visiting schools, and she discussed with me the best way to select and approach recommenders. Once we started working on the apps, she helped me brainstorm the topics of my essays and she also was very thoughtful in the questions she asked, trying to understand the motives behind every action I took in the past. This proved to be very helpful as I never thought that deeply about “my story”. She was always happy to hop on a quick call or to send me back notes and suggestions that were very pertinent (e.g., sometimes she would recall details of my story that we discussed previously that would fit in well in certain answers and that I totally forgot about). Once I started getting interview invites, the mock interviews we did were extremely helpful as they closely mirrored the real experience, and it helped me ease my worries during the real interviews and be “more present”. After getting the admissions, Katy also helped me with the school decision process, leveraging her knowledge of each program and providing insights on what factors other admits had previously considered.

In the end I got accepted to all 4 schools I worked with Katy on: HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton (with a scholarship), and MIT Sloan. I honestly believe I wouldn’t have gotten into all the schools I applied to without her support and help throughout the process.

Katy played an instrumental role in helping me shape my application and eventually receive offers from HBS, GSB, and Wharton. From our initial consultation to the final application submission, Katy demonstrated unparalleled commitment, exceptional industry knowledge, and shared plenty of her wisdom.
One of the standout qualities that defined my experience with Katy was her personalized approach. She took the time to delve into my background, life context, college experiences, and unique qualities, ensuring that every aspect of my application was a true reflection of who I am. She helped me find the confidence and clarity in shaping my own story, which is arguably the most important part of the process. Katy is also very knowledgeable about various industries and is extremely open-minded. As someone who grew up in Asia, I had absolutely no problems communicating with Katy, and she grasped my childhood experience and family background very quickly. Communication was seamless and efficient, with Katy providing timely feedback and constructive critiques. She was also clear and upfront about the expected turnaround times and her holiday schedules, making it very easy to work with her. Katy’s dedication extended beyond the scheduled sessions, demonstrating a genuine interest in my success. This level of commitment is rare and truly sets Katy apart in the field. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with such an outstanding professional, and I have no doubt that Katy will continue to guide and inspire many others on their MBA journey.
Would recommend working with Katy – she gets booked up pretty quickly so I would recommend planning early.

Katy is outstanding! I worked with her as both a pre-applicant in the year leading up to applying, and throughout the R1 application process. I got into HBS, Wharton, Sloan (with scholarship), and Kellogg (with scholarship)!

The results speak for themselves, and Katy was an absolutely crucial force in the success of my applications. From initial brainstorming calls to essay ideation sessions and interview prep, Katy’s advice and guidance was always specific and targeted, geared towards drawing my authentic voice and perspectives. No question was too small or detail too stupid for Katy, and she tirelessly worked with me throughout several essay revisions. Additionally her boundless enthusiasm and support was so needed throughout a very intense and at time brutal process.

I feel so very lucky to have worked with Katy this application season and look forward to staying in touch with her in the years to come!

Katy far exceeded my expectations for working with a consultant in terms of her guidance, attention, and timeliness. She quickly identified the common thread among my experiences and stories and helped me think through, pinpoint, and clearly put into words what I want to do with an MBA, why I want to do it, and how my motivations and strengths have led me here. What I really appreciated about Katy was how she took the time to get to know me first to make sure that my application was authentic and captured the most crucial elements. She also worked with me during labor day weekend, when I know that not all consultants are available during a holiday, and that was very helpful from a timing perspective to make sure my application was well prepared ahead of the deadline.

Thanks to Katy, I received admission at Wharton Lauder, Chicago Booth, Yale SOM, MIT Sloan, Dartmouth Tuck, and UVA Darden, and also received financial aid from most of those institutions!

Those are the results, but what stands out to me is the experience of working with Katy through this whole process. She has a remarkable career in the grad school consulting world and beyond. Thus, her instincts on where to apply, which schools may be a good fit, and how to go about this process are top-notch. When it came time to construct a narrative, I gave Katy a LOT of material to work with, and yet she expertly picked out the themes that she thought were most important and formative in my life and career, and helped me craft a sharper vision of the future I hoped to pursue. My goals are somewhat unconventional, and yet Katy encouraged me to pursue them.

As we started to write essays, she patiently edited each draft, no matter the scale of the changes I was making. What stood out to me here was her honest feedback, which I am beyond grateful for. Each time, she pushed me to be better, asking me to dig deeper and re-imagine essays when needed, even if I was up against a deadline. This meant that I could trust that Katy’s feedback was always truthful, and that when she said an essay was good, I could believe her! The essays I finally submitted were truly the best work I could have submitted.

When it came to interview prep, she sent me materials for every school I was interviewing at, no matter whether I was working with her on the school or not. Her prep for me was incredibly accurate, and made sure I was ready to talk about my goals and my past eloquently.

This process, of applying to grad school, is not easy, but I am grateful that every time I asked Katy if we could chat through an issue I was having, she was ready to chat, and give me as much time as I needed.

Katy has become a friend and mentor, and I cannot recommend working with her highly enough!

I would recommend working with Katy to anyone looking to take the MBA application process as seriously as she does. Katy is equal parts thoughtful, motivational, and experienced in the approach she brings as an application partner. The aspects of the process that are most challenging are where Katy shines as an essential resource and guide – co-creating the story that underpins your application, clarifying the dozens of micro-decisions you make throughout the process, and fine-tuning every piece of application content you compose.

Katy’s strategic approach is pronounced, as she spends time not only to deeply understand the experiences you have undertaken, but also to facilitate deeper explorations of the thematic motivations behind those past choices – a level of insight critical to effectively distill your candidacy. Beyond the strategic, Katy’s tactical advice is an enormous morale booster. Questions like “Is this the right recommender to choose?”, “How much should I discuss college experiences?”, and “How does this essay structure work for this school?” are ones that many applicants must answer blindly for themselves; Katy’s confident and informed perspective on any question, however big or small, confers much-valued security in the product that you eventually submit.

Katy was always readily available to chat when needed – whether it was an unanticipated change at work, uncertainties that would be challenging to resolve offline, or prepping and debriefing an interview. Her turnaround time for content could be slower at times; however, the feedback was always worth the wait, and I had all my application content very comfortably finalized before the deadlines.

All in all, I would make the decision to work with Katy again, and again. That I do not have to is a testament to the success that she enabled for me. My acceptances to Harvard Business School and Wharton were not assured, and it is with strong conviction that I ascribe major parts of my successful applications to Katy. Most importantly, she was an invaluable source of confidence and moral support throughout a process that has many stressful moments; without her empowerment, I would not have been able to give this process my all.

I honestly have Katy to thank for the amazing results as well as the smooth application process. I applied for the full-time MBA programs at Wharton, CBS, MIT Sloan, Booth, and Kellogg and was accepted to all of them with a generous scholarship package from MIT and Kellogg (~90% full tuition). I’m a Southeast Asian applicant who’s been working in the States.

I had initially talked to Katy a year before applying, and unlike the other consultants, she advised me to wait a year since it will make me a much stronger applicant. I appreciated her honesty and returned to her a year later and was very glad I took her recommendation.

Apart from her amazing credentials, I think what stood out to me was that she really cared about me as a person and not just a ‘client’. After our first brainstorming session I felt like she could see right through me (even though we just got to know each other) and really empathized with my story and who I was. To clarify, this meant that she was not only very supportive, but was also straightforward and firm with her feedback – she felt more like a mentor who had your back and wanted you to truly shine vs. just an MBA consultant. She always went above and beyond to make sure I felt my application was the best it could be. A few examples include doing last minute 2am back and forth edits for one of my MIT essay when I realized I wanted to add one more point before submitting (even though we had already finalized it days before), making time to do several mock interviews with me for the same school when I didn’t feel confident about it, and always trying to make time to go on calls just to talk about any worries/anxiety I had.

Because she put in the time and effort to make sure I personally felt good about my application, I was shocked at how level-headed and confident I felt throughout what could have been an extremely stressful process. I remember going into the decision weeks feeling that I had really done my best and even if I had one extra year, I wouldn’t have changed anything about it, and the results speak for itself!

Choosing Katy was one of the best decisions you can make in investing in your future!

Katy is phenomenal at what she does – I would highly recommend her if you are thinking about applying to top MBA programs. I worked with her for my round one applications and got accepted into the MS/MBA Biotechnology program at Harvard as well as the MBA programs at Stanford GSB, Wharton, and MIT Sloan. What stands out to me about working with Katy is her highly personalized approach and deep expertise in every aspect of the admissions process across schools and programs.

During our brainstorming session, Katy did an excellent job of guiding me to reflect on and weave together different elements of my life story to develop the outline of what would become my main essay for Harvard and Stanford. Then, we worked together on dozens of drafts of these essays. I have a penchant for writing a lot, and what I loved about working with Katy was the way in which he helped me whittle down words while keeping the essence of my voice and making my essays even more compelling. When I read my final essays, I was left feeling more inspired and motivated to pursue my dreams.

She did the same thing for the many short answer questions I had to complete, meticulously reviewing them and providing sage advice on how to harness them as an opportunity to bring to life my whole personality and range of experiences to the admissions committee. When I got invitations to interview, Katy prepared detailed mock interviews tailored for each school and did a stellar job of preparing me to feel confident and natural in all my interviews. Because of the coaching Katy provided me, I genuinely enjoyed all my interviews – I have never felt this way before.

Overall, I absolutely loved working with Katy. She is very smart, empathetic, kind, honest, strategic, and generous. In addition to being an exceptional MBA admissions consultant, Katy is a wonderful life counselor given all the wisdom she has amassed from working with so many accomplished clients and her rich and diverse career experiences (McKinsey, law, education, government) and educational background (Harvard JD/MBA).

My main advice to applicants who want to work with Katy – speak to her as soon as you start thinking about business school and start the application process very early. The more time you have to reflect on your story and aspirations, shore up your credentials, and work on preparing your applications, the better the outcomes you will achieve.

Katharine Lewis is one of the finest mentors I have ever met, and one of the most effective – thanks to her, I’m going to Wharton!!!

When I reached out to Katy during my senior year of college, I was concerned about my Deferred MBA chances since I was going into an overrepresented career and had been told by many mentors to wait a few years before applying to B school if I wanted better odds of getting in. But Katy stood out among other consultants because she firmly believed that I stood a fighting chance, and that I should own my authentic story around my passion for pursuing affordable and accessible healthcare, as opposed to weaving or creating a narrative more “catered” to my ambitious list of schools. I worked with Katy to apply to 7 schools via their Deferred MBA programs – Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Sloan, Columbia, HBS, and Stanford – and it is predominantly thanks to Katy that I got into the first 5 on that list, and had the glorious problem of having to pick from these incredible choices.

Right from brainstorming, Katy pushed me to dig deep and bring out my most authentic, raw stories around what drives me – and her “tough love”-esque commitment to sharing honest and clear feedback (as feedback should be delivered to be helpful), in combination with her enthusiastic encouragement and unwavering support throughout the process, make her the perfect person for the job. I lost count of how many essay drafts I sent Katy (it was easily 50+) – but she patiently edited and sent constructive, valuable feedback on every single one. Her extensive experience in the field of MBA admissions coupled with her analytical ability to distill nebulous, wordy thoughts into short and powerful depictions, often left me thinking “thank the gods I have Katy – there is no way I could have thought to write this in that way!”. When I received interview invites, even for the schools that were not in my “package” with her, Katy went out of her way to send me incredibly detailed interview prep material that ultimately helped me get into those schools too. And whenever I hit a major obstacle, was uncertain about something or downright nervous, I knew a phone call with Katy would instantly fix the issue and make me feel better – and it did, every single time. Now, after working for 2-5 years, I’ll be headed to Wharton – and I KNOW that Katy made all the difference. I’ll always be grateful to Katy for helping me get into B school, but also for being a mentor who I know I can turn to whenever I need sound advice. If you’re thinking of applying to a Deferred MBA program, you MUST speak to Katy – I’m convinced a counselor and mentor cannot possibly get much better than her!!

When it comes to deferred MBA admissions, the competition is fierce, especially for candidates like me from India with a STEM background. I realized that to stand out, I needed the expertise of someone who truly knows the ins and outs of the MBA admissions world. After exploring various admission consultants, Katy stood out from the crowd. During our trial call, her thoroughness and understanding of my background, strengths, and weaknesses blew me away. My gut told me she was the right person to guide me through this journey, and boy, was I right!

Katy took the time to delve deep into my background, helping me uncover my true motivations and connecting the dots between my life experiences and choices. Together, we worked on multiple essay drafts, and her edits were nothing short of amazing. She possesses a nuanced understanding of what top MBA programs are looking for. Thanks to Katy, I became more confident in my writing and found clarity in expressing my thoughts, which was invaluable since English isn’t my first language.

Throughout the entire application process, Katy made me feel like more than just a client. She genuinely cared about my success and offered unwavering support, even though we communicated through emails and video calls across different time zones.

But it didn’t stop there. Katy also went above and beyond in preparing me for my HBS interview. We conducted numerous mock interviews, and it was incredible how the very first question of the actual interview was something we had practiced. That moment of familiarity eased my nerves and made the interview experience remarkably smooth.

I got accepted into HBS 2+2, and I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Katy. Not only is she a brilliant mentor, but she has also become a great friend. If you’re serious about putting your best foot forward and making your business school dreams come true, I wholeheartedly recommend Katy. She’s the real deal!

My spouse and I were fortunate to work with Katy as our MBA admissions consultant. Our goal was to attend an M7 program and pursue an MBA together in the same city, and we achieved it!

From the beginning, Katy demonstrated a deep understanding of the MBA application process. I called her two years ago, and she spent over an hour speaking with me, way exceeding our allotted time. She quickly grasped my story and identified key themes. My spouse also had a pleasant consultation call with her. Katy sent each of us a thoughtful debrief, and I immediately knew I wanted to work with her. Despite still having over a year before applying to business school, Katy welcomed my numerous questions and provided thorough answers. She even advised trying the GRE if I struggled with the GMAT. Although switching from GMAT to GRE was challenging due to my prior investment, I’m grateful I made the move. I enjoyed studying for the GRE more, and my score, while not extraordinary, was sufficient for admission to the schools I applied to.

Katy is a highly sought-after consultant who only works with applicants she genuinely believes have a good chance at their desired schools. My spouse and I appreciated her honest feedback throughout the process and trusted her advice completely. Working with the same admissions consultant as your spouse makes it so much easier to create a cohesive story.

Katy worked closely with us from start to finish, thoroughly brainstorming ideas, refining essays, preparing for interviews, proofreading thank-you notes, and assisting with recommenders and scholarship applications. I went through 10+ drafts for almost all my essays, and Katy never discouraged me. She provided unwavering support and helped me refine my essays until I felt comfortable.

Katy’s assistance extended beyond application essays. She provided exceptional guidance and interview preparation. Mock interviews were instrumental in boosting our confidence. Thanks to Katy, none of my interviews were a surprise. I knew exactly how to approach them and had prepared for 90% of the questions asked. Katy provided a list of past questions, conducted mock interviews, and helped refine our answers to align with our true selves, making interview preparation effortless.

Additionally, Katy’s support and expertise were instrumental in securing strong recommendation letters. She guided all our recommenders, particularly those unfamiliar with writing recommendation letters for top MBA programs, to understand the letters’ importance. Katy helped us draft thorough memos highlighting our accomplishments, ensuring our recommendation letters showcased our full abilities. I truly believe my recommendation letters compensated for my less-than-stellar GRE scores.

Katy’s dedication to helping us secure scholarships exceeded our expectations. She willingly reviewed our scholarship essays, even months after I completed my business school applications. As a result, I received a full ride at Kellogg and scholarships from other M7 programs. My spouse also received a generous 40% scholarship from Kellogg. As a first-generation college graduate from a low-income background, the financial investment in a consultant felt extremely daunting. However, for fellow MBA hopefuls in similar circumstances, I assure you that a consultant like Katy is worth it.

Completing the application process has been a long-awaited dream, and we’re overjoyed to have achieved our goals and more. The MBA application journey demands a lot out of you, and having Katy by our side, someone truly committed to our success throughout the process, will pay dividends in the future. We were expecting to pay for our MBA at a sticker price, and I can’t believe I get to say that my spouse and I are going to Kellogg together and I get to go for free! We are immensely grateful to Katy. I wholeheartedly recommend Katharine Lewis to any aspiring MBA candidate seeking a knowledgeable, honest, dedicated, and results-driven admissions consultant. Good luck!

Giving a sporting analogy – if you aim to maximize your chances at world level competition, you need a professional coach. Katharine Lewis is not just a business school advisor. Katharine is that professional coach and, in my opinion, she is one of the best in the world.

I came to Katharine with a low GPA, unsure about the future and thinking that getting into a top 10 school would be highly unlikely. By the end of our cooperation, I was at the best shape of my life, knowing exactly what drives and motivates me, having a clear vision of where I want to be in the next 5-10 years and as a result presenting my best self to top business schools. Katharine, as a true coach, honestly identified my strengths and weakness, helped plan strict “training” schedule, set realistic targets and most importantly supported me at the times of failure. Furthermore, years of experience at the highest possible level allow her to understand what each individual school is looking for and thus help you structure your game plan accordingly.

The application process, just like training for the competition, is not always fun and is often demotivating, but Katharine understands her “athletes’” potential, believes in them and genuinely wants them to win. In my particular case, I retook GMAT 5 times and then got rejected from the first school I applied to. I was very close to giving up but Katharine reached out herself and proved to me that I could do better if I kept on going. As a result, I was accepted with scholarship to world’s top business school. To be honest, even more important than the eventual application success are the self-improvement and self-growth that occur through your work with Katharine. These translate into not just a successful business school application but personal growth in work and life in general. I would like to go as far as saying that this cooperation was a life changing experience and apart from advising working with Katharine to my friends, I will be trying to find new challenges on which to collaborate with Katharine again in the future.

Katy was highly recommended to me by two close friends who are HBS students. She exceeded my expectations throughout every facet of the application process, and thanks to her help, I was accepted into my dream program, the MBA/MBA dual degree program at Wharton/Lauder, and even received a generous scholarship!

As someone with a non-traditional professional background, including a career gap and a salary decrease from moving to Latin America, I was concerned about communicating my narrative in a concise but effective way. From the first meeting, Katy seemed to understand me and through many conversations throughout the process helped craft every element of my application to highlight my fit with the program.

Without hesitation, I highly recommend Katy to anyone seeking help with their MBA application process.

As an applicant from Singapore, I have had the experience of working with Katy over two application cycles – the first for my MBA in 2022 and then after I got into Wharton for the HKS MPA in 2023. Katy supported me throughout the process in different capacities. Although I had been through the essay writing process when I applied for my MBA, the HKS application demanded that I reboot and start from scratch. Katy served as a thought partner in the early stages of the process, someone I could run my experiences by and with whom I could co-create/ craft a narrative. Her inputs to building a comprehensive academic resume were particularly valuable, especially given that I had to reframe a lot of my experiences differently than I had for my MBA application. Once I transitioned to a state of flow/ execution mode, she provided candid feedback and pushed me to add details/ nuances or sometimes even rethink what I was trying to communicate, which made each iteration stronger.
All in all, Katy’s support was instrumental in my building a compelling narrative within a tight timeframe!

I can’t imagine approaching the MBA admissions process without the help of Katharine Lewis!

I’ve wanted to apply to Stanford GSB for years, but my non-traditional background of a creative career in the arts, jumble of transcripts from multiple undergraduate institutions, and less-than-ideal GRE score dissuaded me.

Then, someone introduced me to Katharine. She gave me the confidence and support I needed to believe it could be possible to explain my story in a way the admissions committee would understand. She saw and celebrated my strengths and successes and worked closely with me to ensure my unique career trajectory was conveyed properly for the MBA admissions context, meticulously, through absolutely every portion of the application. No question felt too small to ask Katharine.

I learned so much about myself and my history through her insightful questions that led me to uncover the best material for my application. Katharine also connected me with an incredible GSB alum and former client who gave me invaluable advice and details that greatly elevated my “Why Stanford” essay.

Throughout the process, I constantly said that no matter the outcome, I was so happy I chose to apply and work with Katharine because of how fun, enjoyable, and enlightening the process was. Admissions decision aside, I felt incredibly empowered and validated just by understanding my past through the lens Katharine and I crafted together.

I only worked with Katharine to apply to one school, Stanford GSB, and I was accepted! I know for a fact it wouldn’t have been possible without her. And on top of it all, I found a true friend in Katharine. I felt and still feel incredibly supported and celebrated by Katharine — that she truly cared as much as I did, which constantly touched and amazed me.

I could not recommend Katharine enough, especially if you’re an applicant with an unusual or interesting background who’s not sure how to tell your story in an MBA application. Katharine’s enthusiasm is beyond inspiring, and I am grateful every day that I found her.

Katharine did a great job helping me formulate a story throughout the process. She quickly absorbed the salient details of who I was as a person and then synthesized them into a few key themes that we then communicated to the admissions committee. Katy is warm, open, and thoughtful, with an eye for figuring out how to best convey who you are in an authentic way. She is very encouraging, but she is quite busy and so it can be hard to get on her schedule as much as you might like. Overall, she probably spent ~30 hours on my application, which equates to $350/hour. In the end, though, she was able to help me achieve my get into a top program and that’s all that matters.

I was connected to Katy through a co-worker who was a former client and who recommended her strongly (she had helped him get into HBS the year prior). I interviewed 3 other consultants besides Katy, but I felt that Katy and I had the strongest connection out of all of them. I am very happy that I chose Katy; not only did she help me drive a successful outcome (admitted to GSB in Round 1), but she made the overall process fairly stress-free through excellent planning and time efficiency.

While I had strong scores and a strong resume, I was concerned that the more qualitative aspects of my application (the essays, short answers, etc.) would be weak. Katy’s advice and coaching on my essays were incredibly helpful. While I had a number of events/stories I wanted to tell from throughout my life, Katy was able to pull all these together under a common thread that created a great narrative, and that I never would have been able to think of myself. From there, the essay was actually fairly easy to write, and her wording edits made it even more concise & powerful.

In addition, many of my ideas that were not used for the essay translated nicely into either (a) short answer responses, or (b) interview topics. On the latter, Katy was again helpful, as her multi-hour pre-interview preparation session was the main thing that prevented me from bombing it.

I would highly recommend Katy’s services to anyone applying to business school.

Katy is a fantastic consultant! I started working with Katy in the spring of 2022 to prepare for Round 1 applications. In the process of selecting Katy, I interviewed nearly a dozen consultants from different firms. Katy brought a level of confidence and honesty that stood out compared to the others. Additionally, I felt that Katy truly believed in me, and didn’t try to scare me into her services. Ultimately, I chose to work with her on two schools (HBS & Sloan) with the Complete Start to Finish package. Once we started working together, she was very thorough and probed on many different angles of my background to understand where I stood out. She made herself available for the seemingly endless revisions of my different essays. After I was invited to interview, Katy made sure I was confident and prepared to go into both interviews. I was especially nervous about the HBS interview, but she knew exactly how to prepare me so I was truly ready and could bring my best self to the interview. And, I’m happy to say I was ultimately accepted into both schools!

If you do choose to work with Katy, the several weeks leading up to application deadlines get very hectic, so make sure you agree on timelines well in advance. Because she has so many clients applying to HBS and GSB, the typical turnaround timeline can get extended leading up to these deadlines. I was finalizing my Sloan materials around the GSB deadline and some turnarounds were extended so the GSB applications could all go in on time, while there was an extra week or two before the Sloan deadline. Katy made sure everything was ready by the deadline, but that last-minute crunch was stressful! Save yourself the last-minute stress and get your materials ready to go a few weeks early! Ultimately, though, this is a plus- because she has worked with so many people applying to GSB and HBS, she knows what works and doesn’t work for those schools. Overall, wonderful experience and well worth the cost. I would recommend Katy’s services in a heartbeat.

I got in touch with Katy through another coworker who was a former client. We began our initial discussion in December 2020 through the free consultation. What impressed me about Katy is that she was quickly able to give feedback on what I needed to improve about my profile to attend a top business school. For the next two years, I would reach out to Katy to get feedback on my career and whether my professional decisions would benefit my MBA applications even before committing to her services. After getting an ideal GRE score, I knew I wanted to work with Katy, and we began working together in Spring of 2022. Katy was really able to piece different parts of my story together and find an underlying theme. This is especially critical for those applying to Harvard or Stanford. When I started to receive interviews, Katy would really push me during our mock interviews and ask to follow up questions to many of my answers. Most importantly, throughout this journey, Katy was a mentor and a friend. During the application process, a friend of mine suddenly passed away, and Katy was able to empathize with me by drawing on her personal life. I was lucky enough to be admitted to the MMM program at Kellogg. For those keen on attending HSW, take Katy’s feedback seriously so you can put your best foot forward.

I am a Latin American reapplicant with a background in Law, and last year I was admitted to other schools, but not Harvard, my dream school. A friend who had worked with Katy in the previous year recommended that I went through a ding review with her. What stood out for me is that Katy does not give one-size-fits-all, generic advice. She was very specific and candid in her advice, pinpointing everything she thought was wrong in how I was telling my story, why it was wrong and how to improve it.
I decided to work together with her. Her unparalleled understanding of the admissions process makes her suggestions extremely insightful. She took a very structured approach to the application process, which makes it easier to prioritize work and not lose yourself on the immense amount of work that is an MBA application, yet she was always able to accommodate me when needed (she did an extra mock interview with me on the morning of my HBS interview when I told her I wasn’t feeling 100% comfortable!). Moreover, she was so thorough when going over my application materials that it was almost like she knew my story even better than me, helping me put together a very strong narrative behind it.
As a reapplicant, I can definitely say that she made a huge difference in my application. I would highly recommend working with her

I worked with Katharine for my round one applications and got an admit from HBS and a waitlist from Stanford GSB.

I got in touch with her through the consultation call and had an insightful conversation with her on the areas I was worried about in the applications. Katharine not only explained how she could help me but also gave some thoughtful advice. I instantly realized that she would be the perfect mentor and guide in my application process.

Harvard and Stanford’s essays require significant introspection, and Katharine’s brainstorming discussion helped me identify and connect multiple personal stories and experiences that formed the basis of my essays. One of the best aspects of working with Katharine was that her processes and advice helped me identify strengths in my profile that I was initially oblivious to. As we moved into the application process, Katharine helped me double down on these strengths which enabled me to significantly improve my applications.

Katharine not only works as your mentor in the process but also as your biggest supporter. Her absolutely infectious positivity will help you get through the tough days in the application period. Personally, every call I had with her ended with me becoming more confident and positive about my efforts.

Katharine was absolutely honest, firm, and transparent in her feedback and advice. At multiple points in the process, she gave me clear and firm advice on areas that need more work – her relentless pursuit of driving improvements helped me boost each and every aspect of my applications.

Katharine is THE BEST consultant you can work with for your top business school applications.
She is an expert at literally every aspect of the entire process – from the applications to final admit and waitlist strategy.

Katy could not have been a better mentor, supporter, and wellspring of information throughout the application process. I started out with little knowledge about the world of business schools and MBA applications, but Katy guided me every step of the way and helped me with everything from setting a timeline to figuring out the correct references to ask (and how to approach them) to practicing my interviews. Most importantly, she really understood who I was as an applicant, and helped me zero in on my “story” and tell it in the most compelling way.

Katy is honest but always encouraging, and will tell you the things you need to hear while being incredibly patient and accommodating with her time. Throughout the entire process, I felt she genuinely cared about my application and my success, and I truly felt her support for me as a person. As a deferred applicant, I applied to all M7 schools, received interviews from all the schools except MIT, and was admitted into HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg and Columbia. I cannot recommend Katy enough – she is an amazing choice for anyone aiming for the MBA program of their dreams!

Katy is an absolutely incredible mentor and supporter throughout my application process. Not only was she able to walk me through the details of what Stanford was looking for in applicants but also built my confidence to demonstrate that I belong here. I honestly would not have applied if it wasn’t for Katy. Therefore, I would recommend Katy to anyone looking for an MBA coach and supporter. Thank you for being there every step of the way!!

I reached out to Katy to prep for HBS 2+2 interview after seeing glowing reviews online, especially for deferred admissions. She did not disappoint. She is the best deferred admissions coach to work with and had a lot of knowledge and insights to bring to the table. For the mock interview, she also thoroughly reviewed my application and created a list of questions that were centered around my profile. I was extremely nervous initially and she even offered to have a second short warm-up session before my interview which made me feel more prepared. After the interview, she took the time to chat with me about my choices. I highly recommend Katy to any applicant out there hoping for the best shot at their dream schools.

I am an Indian applicant from one of the leading tech institutes in the country, with a background in technology and computer science. I initially found the applications for HBS and Stanford GSB very daunting, and I spoke to my mentor, an HBS alumnus, about this. He shared his experience working with Katy and recommended that I work with her. From the first consultation call, I knew I had found the right fit – she was honest about the work I would have to put in and the areas in which she could support me. I was also impressed that she had taken a deep dive into my background to ensure that she had the proper context about me. Thus, I decided to work with her, even though I was a bit late with the applications, with barely two months remaining before the deadline.

Once I started working with her, I could take a structured approach to the applications of HBS and Stanford GSB. She ensured that I presented my story and gave me mindful and well-thought suggestions that significantly improved my presentation in the applications. In the end, I was confident that through the applications, I provided a holistic picture of myself and presented why I wanted to join a business school and how the deferred program would benefit my long-term goals. All this while, she was brutally honest about my chances in different schools. When I was rejected from Stanford, she gave me detailed reasons why I might have been left behind. She also provided me the confidence to reapply a few years later if needed. When I was invited to interview within a week by HBS, she went above and beyond to ensure that I would be relaxed and well prepared for the interview.

I have learned a lot about myself and have been able to discover my inner ambitions and motivations. The journey has been transformative, and having a deferred admit from HBS makes the experience even sweeter. I owe a lot to Katy for helping me through the journey, and I would recommend any serious b-school applicant to work with her.

I worked with Katy for around 4 months on my deferred MBA application and I can very confidently say that she is one of the best consultants to work with. She has always been honest and upfront throughout the process and this really helped me align my expectations. Her knowledge and insights about all the M7s are difficult to find anywhere else. Her dedication to each of her clients is evident in the time and effort she puts in. She is very accommodating with scheduling time to talk and her support in every step of the process, from essays to recommendation letters to interview prep, is unparalleled. Katy’s ability to understand people and form genuine relationships was instrumental in building a powerful narrative for my application. The process can definitely get very overwhelming and exhausting but having Katy really helped me relax and enjoy the process. I was not only able to get into my dream schools, Columbia and MIT, but I also found a mentor whose advice and words shaped my long-term career goals. I wouldn’t have been able to achieve any of this without Katy’s help and working with her is one of the best decisions I made!

Katy was the only advisor I used when applying to HBS 2+2, and she’s all I needed. While I was still deciding whether to apply to any programs (ie, before I even became her client), she stayed in touch – answered any questions I had about the GMAT, whether my score was good enough, and helped me decide which school(s) to apply to for deferred admissions, etc. As an HBS alumna and former GSB admissions officer, she provides key perspectives and critical info that I couldn’t have found otherwise (and I scoured all the forums for all available info) and even communicates with recommenders (if they want) to coach them on how to write a strong letter. Most of all, we did a deep dive on my key life decisions and she was able to construct a highly insightful narrative for my application – I was really impressed with how well she understood me throughout this brainstorming session; this was key to the story I shared in my essay.

Ultimately, when I didn’t get in, Katy again provided invaluable advice about how to set myself up for success over the next few years before I reapply. We talked for an hour about what strong EC profiles might look like, if/when/how I should think about moving between jobs, and when I should expect to apply again for the best chance. Though I didn’t get in, I learned a lot about the process thanks to Katy, and I believe this will help a LOT as I move forward and reapply in a few years.

Overall, Katy definitely cultivates relationships and cares about the person behind the application. She was able to accommodate me anytime I asked to meet, had follow-up questions, etc. – even on short turnaround – and helped me manage expectations and relax when I needed it. This is definitely a very applicant-driven process, and you will need to proactively reach out with any questions you have and create your own schedule, but Katy is an invaluable resource throughout the process, as long as you’re able to do that.

After our initial consultation call, there was no doubt in my mind that Katharine would not only be an outstanding consultant and mentor but also give me the best opportunity to be admitted to a deferred MBA program. Fortunately, my initial intuition was correct — I can directly attribute my success to Katharine’s brilliance, thoughtfulness, and deep knowledge of the process (as a former admissions officer at Stanford GSB). From the initial brainstorming document to choosing topics for my Harvard and Stanford essays to personalized mock interviews for each school, I cannot emphasize enough how instrumental Katharine was in being admitted to my dream school: Stanford GSB!

As a deferred applicant, I applied to all M7 schools. I received invitations to interview from five of the seven (Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, Kellogg, Booth) and was accepted to Stanford and Columbia (I withdrew my Wharton, Kellogg, and Booth applications after accepting Stanford’s offer). If you are a deferred applicant and are serious about being admitted to your dream school, the choice is very simple; Katharine is the best and only choice.

I first heard about Katy through one of my good friends who worked with her and got into HBS. Given the rave reviews that I read online and from my friend, I immediately contacted Katy to see if we can work together. After speaking to her, I found her approach to be candid and sincere, which I enjoyed. She detailed my strengths and weaknesses immediately and we started working on my weaknesses. I found her to be very dedicated and invested in my success. Since I am located in the Middle East, I was initially worried that the time difference might be an issue but that wasn’t the case at all! After receiving an interview invitation from LBS, we spent countless hours practicing for both the video questions as well as the actual interview. All in all, Katy was absolutely fantastic and I am very happy to have worked with her

Katy is someone whose judgment and advice I fully trust. Since we started working together, she made the effort to fully understand me as a person. I went into our first brainstorming session with a series of disjointed experiences and Katy helped me identify the best parts and form a cohesive narrative. As I started sharing essay drafts, her feedback reflected a deep and specific understanding of the schools I was applying to. At one point, she gave some blunt feedback that I felt was exactly what was needed.

The whole process can also at times be an emotional rollercoaster. She was there to support me every step of the way, including when she advised me to make the difficult, though ultimately right decision to postpone my application to round 2.

I was accepted to my top choices, including HBS and MIT. I honestly believe that I would not have had this outcome without her support. If you get the chance to work with her, it will be one of the best decisions you make!

I reached out to work with Katy Lewis over 12 months ago on my application to Harvard Kennedy School’s MPP. From our first conversation, I could tell that she was outstanding at what she does, and I’m glad to have had the opportunity to work with her.

Katy has an amazing ability to take the stress and second-guessing out of the application process. This really helped me to focus on thinking and writing rather than worrying. With 5 essays and 2 types of resumes, the HKS application is demanding. I really valued Katy’s ability to ensure that each section conveyed a distinctive feature of my candidacy. She helped me take a high-level view of my candidacy that was vital for my success.

Ultimately, I was admitted to the incoming MPP class at HKS with a merit scholarship. I could not have done this without Katy’s help, and I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking to apply to their dream graduate program.

I approached Katharine over a year ago regarding my rather nontraditional background and application. I was instantly impressed by her knowledge of all the top programs and her proposed strategy for my application. Katharine encouraged me to apply to the top programs, Harvard and Stanford and laid out a timeline for us to work together. After considering my options, I decided that Katharine would be the best fit to advise me on my application, and I am so glad I did. Katharine was an admissions officer at Stanford, (my target school) and has a thorough understanding of how Stanford evaluates/reviews applications. She helped me think through every detail of my application — personal narrative, extracurriculars, etc. — and she kept me on track for the deadlines. Katharine is an expert when it comes to the details; I am certain that her thoughtful approach was the tipping point for my application, and the result was exactly what I hoped for — I was accepted to Stanford GSB! Thank you Katharine for all the time and effort you put forth working with me. I would highly recommend that anyone work with Katharine to achieve their MBA goals!

It’s hard to imagine how I would have navigated my business school application journey without a coach and true supporter like Katy Lewis. The first person I called to share the good news of my acceptances and the last person I consulted right before hitting “submit,” Katy was with me every step of the application process, and we grew to be exceptional working partners. Her professionalism and dedication to her clients are unmatched. A lifelong musician outside my banking day job, I immediately saw the value she could bring to my candidacy when she said that she’d be taking on the role of “conductor” behind the scenes, helping to push me to reflect, work hard, and display my best for the admissions committee to see. She did exactly that.

My eyes are set on Wharton, where I’ll be attending with a full-tuition merit scholarship. I cannot recommend Katy highly enough!

I am very happy to have been recommended Katharine by a work colleague. I have been working in hospitality for 17 years and was apprehensive about even applying for the Columbia EMBA Global Program. After my first initial consultation with Katharine, she not only gave me the confidence to apply but reassured me that I was a good fit for the program. Katharine was very helpful at every stage of the application process and really helped me to highlight the best attributes of my career and personality in my application. Katharine is able to provide the insight of an admissions person having worked in admissions herself and I would not have wanted to go through the application process without her insight. Highly recommend!

I did an extensive amount of research on MBA consultants and chose Katy Lewis for her fabulous reviews and expertise with top schools (Harvard / Stanford) and applicants with “traditional” consulting / finance backgrounds like myself. In all aspects of the process, I was extremely impressed by her – she was incredibly helpful in the brainstorming / narrative formulation component and was also invaluable in providing feedback on essays. After receiving interviews at Harvard and Wharton, I did multiple mock interviews with Katy and found them to be extremely representative of the real interviews. She is an expert at positioning candidates for top schools and is also a wonderful coach and cheerleader through what can be a very stressful process.
I was ultimately admitted to Wharton with scholarship but chose not to attend for a few reasons (mostly COVID uncertainty and a compelling work opportunity). Katy went out of her way to advise me professionally and also to help me position myself as a reapplicant. This year, I applied again and was admitted to GSB and Wharton with significantly more scholarships than last year. Would highly recommend working with Katy, particularly if you’re targeting top business schools!

I come from an overrepresented population and was accepted by top 10 programs (US News ranking). Katy was a great help in my application process. My job has the nature of being very technical. Katy spent time knowing what I do. She helped me find the best version of myself where I can pull myself out from the details of my work and figure out on a high level what I want to achieve. Katy wasn’t only my consultant but also a mentor teaching me how to reflect on myself, how to become a good leader. The attention she gave me was more than what I thought I would get from a consultant.

At first, I was very hesitant to work with a consultant on my MBA applications, however, I believe that one of the best decisions I made during my application journey is working with Katy!

Katy takes admissions consulting to the next level and goes the extra mile for her clients. Not only did she help me brainstorm ideas and recall impactful events for my story, she had me look at myself from another perspective, deeply connect with my passions and interests, and be a much more optimistic person.

I purchased the two-school package with Katy, and for both schools Katy put in a significant effort with me through hours of calls and emails, answering my questions diligently and uplifting my spirits whenever I had any doubts or whenever I felt anxious. On top of that, Katy never failed to add value by providing unmatched insights on the various aspects of the application process from school picking to interview preparation.

I am very grateful for Katy’s help and I am very lucky to have met and worked with her. I would advise those who are looking for an MBA admissions consultant to definitely consider working with Katy. Working with Katy has changed my life. It could change yours.

Katy was my MBA consultant for the start-to-finish package. I applied in 2021 round 1 at HBS, Wharton, Columbia, Booth, and Berkeley Haas. I got admitted by HBS, Wharton, Columbia, and Berkeley Haas (waitlisted by Booth), with one school offering an almost full-ride scholarship. Given that I came from the most overrepresented population and did my undergrad outside the U.S., I’m really impressed by the glowing results. Katy was helpful in every step of the way – from strategic planning to brainstorming my story, to fine-tuning the essays, all the way to the interview prep. She was my biggest supporter and cheerleader through the long application season. Could not have done this without her!

A long-time friend recommended me having an initial consultation with Katy Lewis. After just a 30 min video chat, I was amazed by how easily she was able to precisely analyze my strengths and weaknesses leading to the round 1 application. She was upfront with her opinions, but at the same time kind and thoughtful. After interviewing with more than 6 top advisors, I decided to start working with Katy. I came in with high, almost surreal aspirations. I always dreamt of attending Harvard or Stanford, but being a Latin American coming from a non-traditional background made me think I might be targeting too high.

After weeks of introspection and tailoring my story in a thoughtful and genuine manner, we decided to target 6 schools for my first round application: Stanford, Harvard, MIT, Wharton, LBS and Booth.

I ended up receiving interview invitations from ALL 6 schools. The guidelines and frameworks provided helped me deliver successfully and confidently in all 6 interviews. Trust me when I tell you that her direct and experienced approach towards framing your story is key to succeeding in both the essays and the interview process. I could continue praising Katy’s kindness, thoughtfulness and experienced voice all day, but results speak for themselves. I received an offer to each school I applied to, and ended up deciding between Harvard and Stanford. I will finally be joining Stanford GSB’s class of 2024 next term, and I seriously wouldn’t be in the position I’m currently in if it weren’t for Katy!! 1000% recommended if you are serious about getting to a top MBA program!

Katy is an incredibly thoughtful and patient thought partner on what can be a painful and long MBA application journey. She helped me craft a meaningful and personalized story, weaving my passion for social impact with my experience in consulting in South-East Asia. Given the tight timeline to Round 1 applications, she went the extra mile and conducted weekly catch-ups to brainstorm new builds and provide answers to my long list of questions. Without her support and guidance, I wouldn’t have made it to Wharton!

I can’t sing Katy’s praise highly enough. I have absolutely zero regrets in choosing to go with mbaMission and working with Katy. Not only did she help me find my voice and identify particularly resonating stories to share with admissions, but she is also a world-class listener, absolutely devoted to her clients, and a joy to spend time with. MBA admissions can be quite stressful but Katy’s organized, structured, sympathetic approach made the entire process far less stressful.

When looking into consultants almost a year before starting my application, I knew I wanted to work with Katy based on her stellar reviews. Fast forward to the end of my application season, and I am so happy to have had her on my side throughout the process.

I had high hopes for the advice she could provide about the process given her background in admissions and her time as an MBA consultant. She blew these expectations away with her ability to draw on her experiences and reference past anecdotes of other clients or applications that she read. I had complete faith in her and it was such a relief to not overthink things in an already stressful process!

What left an even greater impression was how much fun I truly had working with Katy. I very much looked forward to our conversations and am now even missing them as my process has wrapped up! As other reviewers have mentioned, in a short time Katy got to know me as well as my closest friends, and she was really able to dissect my “story” and hone in on what motivates me and what my passions are. This goes beyond my applications and has given me a clearer sense of where I want my career to go.

I applied to a handful of top schools with Katy, and am now narrowed down to deciding between a Wharton acceptance and a Stanford waitlist (in addition to some other admits). Katy was instrumental to my success and I couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

Don’t think twice about working with her!

Katharine Lewis was an excellent consultant and mentor from the beginning to the end of my JD/MBA application process. I applied to the top JD/MBA programs in the United States, and so far I have acceptances to the joint JD/MBA program at Wharton/Penn Law and the joint program at Chicago Booth/UChicago Law. I was also accepted to Harvard Law School. While my work with Katy focused on the MBA component of the application process, given her background as a JD/MBA, she also was able to offer advice and insights surrounding the JD application process, as well as connect me to top advisers who were more familiar with this latter process.

Overall, the key aspects of Katy’s support were: the initial brainstorming, the essay review, interview preparation, and holistic confidence building. At the beginning of your work together, Katy will work with you to brainstorm and assess your professional and personal life to date and bring out the application narrative that is most cohesive and aligns best with who you are. While most of us will have a broad sense of what this narrative is, Katy will play a pivotal role in going through all of the details–her outsider’s perspective is vital here, too–with a fine-toothed comb. This will permit you to flesh out and really provide much more color to your narrative than you otherwise would have.

Second, as you begin to write your essays, Katy will provide candid and valuable feedback so that your writing style and voice can really shine and stand out. She doesn’t sugarcoat and is direct, which really worked for me, especially in the time-constrained context of the application process. Katy will provide top-down support on the essays, from thinking with you strategically about how certain stories and narratives should be presented, to reviewing more tactical facets of the writing process.

Perhaps one of the most impactful components of her support is Katy’s work with you on the interview preparation. She’s coached hundreds of applicants and been on the other side of the application process (as an admissions officer for Stanford GSB), so she clearly knows exactly what the admissions or alumni interviewers are looking for. We worked on preparing many different stories from my professional and personal background that I could bring to the interview, and that I could adapt to different questions. This way, I wasn’t memorizing any script and running the risk of sounding unnatural, but I was ready and confident to share different scenarios from my experience with a beginning, middle, end, and reflection at a moment’s notice.

Finally, a more intangible, but nonetheless invaluable, component of Katy’s help is the confidence and wisdom she instills in you throughout the MBA application process. By working with her, you know you aren’t going into this process blind–she instills in you an overarching understanding of what admissions are looking for, and by helping you to look at things from her vantage point, you are also granted a sense of wisdom and serenity that comes from having done this many times over (even though you are hopefully doing this for the first and last time!).

If you are able to get Katy as your consultant (she is in high demand!), go for it. You will not regret it. She will help you crush your MBA and JD/MBA applications!

Katy was a great help in the preparation of the HBS Program for Leadership Development application. She comprehensively guided me through the process from the selection of the most suitable executive program to the submission of the documents. She helped me to identify the most relevant experiences to include in my application and pushed me to include the appropriate level of detail. Thanks to Katy the process was a breeze and I got easily accepted to the program

Katy was a true partner in my year long MBA journey. Not only was her insights invaluable, her experience at both HBS and GSB truly shone through. While she did meet all the expectations as one of the industries leading consultants in terms of her practical advice and storytelling, what I didn’t expect was how much I relied on her to ground me through the experience. The MBA admission process is an intense rollercoaster and having her thoughtful presence to continually help me stay grounded and focused was an invaluable asset.

Working with Katy, it quickly became obvious why she is consistently ranked as one of the best MBA admissions consultants out there. As a typical banking/private equity applicant, one of my main concerns was figuring out what makes my path unique. After just a few hours of chatting, Katy was able to identify the key messages from my story that made it stand it and skillfully tied it up in a bow with a powerful theme that resonated with me – It’s like she knew me better than I knew myself. Working with someone that takes the time to get to know you beyond the resume is critical. Katy is that person.

I couldn’t be happier with the results. I applied to Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, and got into my top two choices, Harvard and Wharton.

If you have the chance to work with Katy, don’t second guess it.

I was an international applicant coming from boutique institutions and a public Ivy. I applied to 4 schools with Katharine and she helped me craft really impactful essays and stories for my applications that helped amplify the impact I drove at those lesser-known institutions. I ended up being admitted to 2 top 5 b-schools in Booth and Wharton with some scholarship money. I attribute that in large part to the help I got from Katy! I couldn’t recommend her more.

I worked with Katy Lewis for my MBA applications, and I couldn’t have been happier with my decision. I met with many different consultants during my selection process. I decided to work with Katy for her expertise in some of the top schools I was interested in (Harvard and Stanford) and her direct/open communication style, which worked well with me.

I am from the Middle East, and my work history has been a little less traditional than consulting/banking/PE. However, I felt like Katy really understood my background and various nuances in my experiences and helped me better articulate my strengths, accomplishments, and goals without impacting my authenticity and voice.

On the process side, Katy is on top of her stuff. Expectations and ways of working are established early on. Expect to be very busy from April to September if you are going for round 1. My favorite part of working with Katy was her accessibility. Whenever I wanted to jump on a call, she was always available within 24 hours. Having her caring support and expertise on my side throughout this long and challenging process gave me a piece of mind.

Katy and I decided to work on three schools together (Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton); however, she voluntarily shared her wisdom and support for the other two schools I applied to (Booth and Sloan). With Katy’s help, I received interview invitations from all five schools and got into Harvard (my top choice), Sloan (with $$), and Booth, and I am waitlisted at Stanford.

Katharine was my first choice after browsing through potential advisors on MBA Mission. Katharine helped guide me through my essays and provided some great feedback as to how to tell my story throughout the application. I would recommend her to anyone!

I was an international applicant with a very non-traditional background. I applied to 5 schools (HSW+MIT+Booth) with Katy and received tremendous support from her on my applications. I have to admit that sometimes I sent her materials very close to the deadlines but she managed to work on that. As I saw the uncertainty for the internationals this admission cycle in the US, I also applied to INSEAD on my own and was admitted. I didn’t get into one of 5 US schools with Katy but I used the materials for my INSEAD application, and she provided a mock interview for INSEAD. I highly recommend Katy, even for non-traditional candidates.

I suspect many MBA applicants view the admissions consulting business with a fair measure of cynicism. I certainly did. The upfront cost is high, most firms market comparable services at a similar price point, and online reviews are almost uniformly positive. Yet, after my first conversation with Katy Lewis, I immediately realized she would be a valuable partner and advisor. I am now fortunate to also call her a friend.

I write this testimonial as someone who was accepted to Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton in a historically competitive admissions cycle. Even if I did not achieve these incredible outcomes, I would value Katy’s services equally highly. Katy has received dozens of testimonials speaking to her personality, work ethic, dedication, and value for interview preparation. I wholeheartedly agree with these reviews. I now want to highlight some additional facets of Katy’s work that, while less obvious, are perhaps even more important.

Katy’s education and experience seem custom-tailored to her present role. She unites the strategic thinking of a McKinsey consultant with the discerning and critical eye of an attorney. As an HBS alum and former member of the Stanford GSB admission committee, she brings a true depth of understanding to the application process. Moreover, Katy has years of experience working with clients specifically targeting the top three MBA programs in the country. Carefully read the bios of admissions consultants from other firms; buried in a sea of self-congratulatory superlatives you might find one or two relevant substantive experiences. With Katy, every relevant skill set and experience is brought into play. If you are serious about optimizing your chances, why compromise?

Katy demonstrated a sophisticated and enthusiastic understanding of my background and career aspirations. Though we do not share a similar professional background, Katy immediately and intuitively grasped the “narrative arc” uniting my educational and professional experiences. This ability allowed Katy to provide individualized, thoughtful, and nuanced advice specific to my situation. Thus, contrary to prevailing wisdom, Katy advised me to apply in round 2, which proved to be a shrewd (and very beneficial) decision. Any consultant can provide generic advice about the various components of the application (essay, recommenders, employment, etc…) Katy’s value was most evident in those ambiguous situations that ultimately come down to a matter of sound judgment.

Katy was incredibly proactive at all stages of the application process. She volunteered to reach out to my letter writers to provide some insight into the MBA admissions process. As I come from a non-traditional background, my recommenders had never written a letter of recommendation for admission to business school. Understanding the admissions criteria helped my recommenders more effectively communicate their sentiments. Perhaps most importantly, I felt like my own voice, style, and values, and motivations were clearly present in each and every application. At no point did Katy attempt to “package” my unique story into a template.

Returning to my skepticism regarding admissions consultants, I do suspect that in 99% of cases they are ineffectual or downright harmful. Katy Lewis is the other 1%.

As many prospective students will quickly find out, top MBA programs really want to hear your story and there is no better person than Katy to help you with the introspection process. She has this unique ability to get to know you as a person and help get that authentic self across to the admissions committee. Together, we were able to brainstorm specific themes of my life, how they were important to me, and communicated those in my essays.

Through all of her help, I was able to secure R1 interviews at 6 top programs – Stanford GSB, HBS, Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, and Yale. She spent a lot of time prepping me for my interviews and provided her perspectives on each of the different programs.

Because of Katy’s help, I was able to secure multiple offers and ultimately accepted my offer to attend Stanford GSB. I truly cannot recommend Katy enough as an admissions consultant and now as a friend!

Katy had a unique and powerful way of helping me discern what to highlight on my MBA applications. She took the time to understand my background and aspirations, helping me figure out which MBA programs were the best cultural fit for me. Her responsiveness was exemplary: I once wrote her in a panic asking for input when one of my MBA interviews was unexpectedly scheduled for three days out. Katy responded with a next-day time slot for us to conduct a mock interview. She played an instrumental role in giving me the confidence I needed to complete the application process and to present myself in an effective way.

As an international applicant from Latin America, I initially sought Katy’s help to navigate through the complexities of the application process. She mastered those, but the most helpful aspect of her consultancy came in a different way.

Katy and I discussed in great detail my entire journey leading to the MBA, and she provided me with great insights into my own personal story, helping me connect the reasons for many of my decisions. I realized that only when you really understand your story, you can put your best application forward, and Katy helped me do that. With her help, I was admitted to Yale and Dartmouth.

Even from the initial consultation with Katy, she was the most resourceful and friendly consultant. From the start, she was incredibly knowledgeable and understand my profile completely. As an international student, I was looking for someone who can understand my resume and give me candid advice. She not only helped me through my application process but also with my decision process. Because of her, my mba application process was very enjoyable. I would highly recommend her!

Katy provided down-to-earth guidance and a clear process to help me convey the best version of myself across my essays and throughout the application. She worked multiple weekends with me across time zones to ensure we got enough iterations to get the content tailored for GSB. Equally, Katy is street-smart and cuts to the chase spending time on the areas that I needed as opposed to a cookie-cutter approach, which I thoroughly appreciated. Thanks Katy!

Katy went above and beyond in supporting me through the application process. She spent so much time brainstorming with me and then went through many rounds of review with me on my essays. I couldn’t have gotten into HBS without her!

Katy is one of the most thoughtful and helpful consultants out there. I was blown away by our initial consultation call (Katy came ready and prepared to discuss my strengths, weaknesses, and how best to position myself for HBS and Stanford—the only 2 schools to which I applied). Though she was already booked for Round 1, she still took the time to speak with me and provide her thoughts on my candidacy. (Tip: do start your search for a consultant early, especially if you want to work with a pro like Katy! She typically fills up by May for Round 1 applicants).

Even though I wasn’t able to work with Katy on my written materials, the advice she gave in both our consultation call and follow-up email exchanges continued to guide how I drafted and positioned my application. When I found out I was invited to interview at both HBS and Stanford, I immediately reached out to Katy to work with her on my Stanford interview prep; she also put me in touch with her firm’s “HBS Interviewer in Residence,” whom she had recommended previously.

The results from working with Katy were the best that I could have asked for – I was accepted to both schools! Katy even offered to be a free sounding board in helping me make the right decision, given her intimacy with both HBS and GSB; she spent over an hour on the phone with me just to take me through her thoughts and her own personal experiences with the institutions.

I could not recommend Katy more highly! She is warm, kind, thoughtful, and truly an expert in this field. She is someone that I will certainly stay in touch with years after business school.

Katharine was so incredibly helpful as I approached the MBA process in figuring out how to tell my story and position my candidacy. Her thoughtful and honest feedback was extremely constructive, especially regarding how to address past challenges in my application, and her encouragement was critical for me as I figured out where I could apply under tight deadlines that might be a good fit. Would strongly recommend her help!

I am an international applicant. I am also a re-applicant to business school. I had known Katharine Lewis (Katy) for two years before starting our engagement. The first time I applied to business school, I applied on my own and I did not receive a favorable response. The next time around, I knew that I needed an expert by my side to guide me through the process. So, I engaged with MBA mission, knowing that I specifically wanted to work with Katy. I registered for the following services: the Ding Review and the Complete Start-to-Finish package.

As for the Ding Review, Katy saw things in my application I had never really paid much attention to. She went above and beyond to study my previous application to examine potential issues and errors. Afterwards, we had an extensive conversation where she pointed out to me some areas that needed improvement in my application, namely some parts of the essays and the recommender selection. Given that I come from both a startup and nonprofit background, it was very important how these applications were executed and how my story was portrayed to admissions. Katy helped me do just that!

After the Ding Review, I knew the areas that needed to be addressed. From there, the process and my engagement with Katy was just as seamless. She shared the Brainstorming Document, which would serve as a valuable resource for writing the essays, working with recommenders, and ultimately preparing for the interview. It was upfront leg work that would pay off down the line. Once I shared this document with Katy, we had an incredible introductory call where we fleshed out the main stories and themes in my application. This session was critical to laying the foundation for my essays, and it will be equally important for everyone else.

From there, working on the essays and the rest of the application was seamless. Katy has an eye for detail that I have not seen in anyone. She is also extremely creative and knows exactly where each piece of information belongs. The whole essay, resume, and application iteration was seamless, with many rounds of edits. Every time Katy sent back a document to me I knew that there was significant value added to my application!

After many revisions, the application was ready for submission. About 1 month later, I was invited for an interview. For the interview, Katy shared incredible preparation material – material general to MBA interviews, but also those specific to CBS. We had a mock session where Katy covered all the different types of questions that could come up in the interview. Having passed the interview with Katy, I knew I was ready to walk into my interview.

I received the offer from CBS and I truly have to thank Katy for this. She is the best MBA consultant out there!

I would also like to speak personally about Katy. Katy is an absolutely wonderful person. She is loving, caring, and will go above and beyond for her clients. I have been able to build a wonderful personal bond with her. If you are fortunate enough to work with her, you should feel very, very lucky because you will be in extremely good hands.

As an HBS 2+2 applicant, I knew that every little thing could make the difference between being accepted and rejected. I contacted Katharine after doing thorough research on basically every consultant available. I probably did 15-20 free consultations with different firms and consultants before deciding to go with her. Already in our first call, she showed that her knowledge about what HBS is actually looking for is remarkable. During the process, she helped me craft my application to make sure I really stood out – and that I didn’t just look like the usual male/econ undergrad/incoming consultant.

I can confidently say I think Katharine made the difference for me – and I would recommend her to anyone who wants to increase their odds of admittance to a top school!

Katy was an incredible consultant and mentor throughout the entire process, from the initial consultation to navigating the waitlist process through the summer. I was ecstatic to get off the waitlist for Stanford GSB – my top choice – with Katy’s help, and couldn’t have done it without her! When I was waitlisted, Katy immediately helped me come up with a plan to stay engaged with schools throughout the summer, regularly and proactively checked in with me to see how things were going, reviewed all of my update posts, and gave me invaluable insights and motivation to stay committed to the process. The waitlist process can be nerve-wracking and confusing to navigate at times, and Katy’s endless support and encouragement made a world of difference in helping me ultimately get accepted. Katy is the best and I truly can’t recommend her enough.

I initially contacted Katharine upon a strong recommendation from a friend. I thought it would be useful to have a quick consultation with Katharine to understand the process further.
After 30 minutes, I definitely knew that I wanted Katharine to assist me with my applications!

Not only did she convince me to apply to much stronger schools than I had initially planned for, during the brainstorming process, but we also discussed my personal and professional stories which she brought out in the best possible light!

Her organization and timing were impeccable, always returning document reviews on time. She was always happy to schedule regular calls to discuss at length. She always made me feel that I was a priority and was able to discuss at a moment’s notice.

Most importantly, her experience at Stanford GSB admissions really showed in all our discussions, and that was truly the most valuable aspect. As a Middle Eastern male in financial services, I wanted to highlight myself in a unique manner. Her experience on the other side provided me with the A-Z details of what admissions are really looking for (both within the essay reviews as well as the interview preparations) and assisted me to present my story in the best approach.

In the end, I was accepted into Chicago Booth, a dream school for me, and one that I didn’t think possible when initially applying for my MBA.

I really can’t recommend Katharine enough; it was sincerely a pleasure working with her and I can’t thank her enough for all of her valuable assistance!

Although I talked with Katy for only 30 minutes, it was one of the most helpful conversations in preparing for my MBA application. She answered all my questions on everything from reapplying to asking for recommendations to crafting my resume. Most importantly, she gave me honest, insider feedback on the schools I was interested in. This information allowed me to be more direct and passionate in my application.

Katharine was instrumental in helping me with my goal of getting into Haas. Over the course of two years, we worked together to find not only the best time to apply but also the best way to apply. Katharine consulted me on all things about Haas, and the most important areas I would need to improve on in order to get in. The biggest factor for me though was the confidence that she instilled in me during the process. No hurdle was too big, no blemish on my application too damning. She always was there to be my biggest supporter and fan. Without her, I could not have gotten into school, that I am sure of.

Katy was incredibly helpful throughout the entire admissions process. I had no real idea how I should approach the MBA admissions process, but Katy was instrumental in helping me craft my story and put my best foot forward in each of the essays, short answers, my resume, recommendations, and interviews. I found the process much more manageable with Katy’s insights and expertise. I applied to two programs with much better results than even I expected going into it – Wharton (accepted) and HBS (waitlisted). I can’t thank Katy enough for her guidance.

I initially had thought I wouldn’t use an admissions consultant but looking back, going with Katy was the decision that really helped me unlock the full potential of my app — I ended up being admitted to both HBS and GSB this year!

Katy is incredibly empathetic and truly “got” my story from day 1, helping me refine it and guide me toward the most impactful way of articulating what made me special. This real feel for me and for what the schools wanted, allowed me to put my best foot forward in the admissions process. That, plus the resources at mbaMission to help me understand the process and work on each piece of my application at the right time (since I was very busy with work at the same time) made all the difference.

In brief — Katy is fantastic, and I would (and have!) recommend her to my best friend.

Katharine was a lifeline. I first applied to Stanford GSB in round 3 and was waitlisted (even with truly dismal GRE scores). With Katharine’s help, I reapplied this year with more quant certifications under my belt, and I’m happy to say that I was admitted! From day one, Katharine’s approach was thorough, tailored and effective – she kept me focused, pushed me to go beyond my comfort zones and provided insights and tactics that made my application not only successful but actually enjoyable. I most appreciated her approach to the essays, managing requests to recommenders, and preparing for my interview. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach and my only disappointment is that I can’t take her with me through life.

I first heard of Katy when a friend who had worked with her mentioned how generous she was with her time during the initial consultation, going beyond what he expected from a free consultation. I had the opportunity to see her work in action as we teamed up for an application to my dream school. From basic questions that I’d email off to her at a moment’s notice, to long and thorough interview prep sessions, Katy wowed me. She always went above and beyond, never failing to provide timely and discerning feedback and even going so far as to connect me with some of those in her personal network to help me attend a particular class on campus. Her Stanford/Yale/Harvard/McKinsey credentials don’t even do her justice. She’s a true expert in every sense of the word.

I had a great experience working with Katy and would definitely recommend her to anyone going through the process.

She was honest and forthright throughout the process without being insensitive. I initially did a consultation with her thinking I would apply Round 1 with the GMAT score that I had. I appreciated that from the get-go (even before I had signed on to work with me) she was honest and counseled me that my Quant score might be a yellow flag to the schools I was applying to. She advised me to try the GRE instead. I ended up doing much better on the GRE and was ready to work with Katy for Round 2.

Additionally, she was helpful in crafting my story, and through the essay writing process. I really enjoyed the brainstorming session where we talked through my story and my interests. She then reviewed my drafts in detail many times until we were satisfied with it. I then used that base essay to craft my essays for all of the schools I applied to.

With Katy’s help, I was accepted to 3 top MBA programs. I really enjoyed working with Katy and our partnership definitely made the whole process feel much smoother than it otherwise would have!

Katy was an incredible resource throughout the entire MBA application process. I applied to three top business schools (accepted at 2, waitlisted at 1) and accepted my offer of admission at the GSB. As a traditional candidate (US, male, financial services), I was very focused on making sure my application stood out among all of the other qualified candidates with similar backgrounds. Katy understood this from the start and was an amazing coach and mentor. Aspects of working with Katy that I found particularly helpful: i) responsive and reliable – Katy always returned documents on time and was very easy to hop on the phone with, ii) brainstorming process – Katy did a phenomenal job helping me think through what aspects of my personal and professional experiences would make for the most compelling essays, iii) application strategy – Katy knows the ins and outs of the application process and has a great sense as to what AdComs are looking for. Overall, Katy was a pleasure to work with and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a consultant.

As a member of an over-represented group (white male in financial services), I found Katy’s keen insight and expertise to be particularly helpful. With only a 720 GMAT (weak on quant) and a 3.7, I would not have been admitted to Kellogg (and potentially Booth!) without Katy’s brilliance. Here’s what I found helpful in list form:
– Right off the bat, Katy helped me figure out what I want from my MBA with our brainstorming sessions
– She helped me create a plan for which schools to apply to and when I would need to execute each step
– Her expertise really shined on the resume and letters of recommendation. These are without a doubt the most overlooked part of every application, and I think she’s the best in the industry at it. None of my friends applying to M7 programs got anywhere near as acute of advice as Katy gave me.
– She knew how every program interviewed and helped me prepare for each interview based on the school’s specific style
– She has an insanely high hit rate on getting clients admitted from waitlists and navigated me through the waitlist process at Kellogg and Booth.
– Her coaching has been paramount as I’ve negotiated for financial aid

Katy was an excellent resource and help throughout the process. From the brainstorm doc, which was vital in crafting my story, to help in understanding how to navigate a waitlist scenario, she was a huge help and I could not have made it through the process without her.

Katy was an incredible partner in the admissions process. I was a re-applicant, and after our initial consultation, I knew that she would be the one to help me get into business school. Over that first 30 minutes, we discussed an initial strategy, and then we had subsequent discussions about how I could show improvement in my application. She was always available to talk and brainstorm ideas. When it came time to write the essays, her guidance proved invaluable. Her insights and her way of tying my story together with the school were really helpful. Going through this whole process with Katy made it all less stressful and intimidating. Thanks to her guidance, I’ve been accepted to two M7 schools that I was targeting, and I’m extremely grateful! Katy is great!

Katy was a fantastic consultant and mentor to me throughout my MBA admissions process. I am a non-traditional candidate and was a bit stumped about how to present a narrative that would be compelling to my top choice programs. Not only did Katy help me craft a great story, but she also provided an insider’s perspective that helped me tailor my applications to each school that I applied to. Katy went above and beyond — throughout our time together, she made herself immediately available to help answer any last-minute questions or concerns. As other reviews have mentioned, I would definitely say that working with Katy is worth the investment — she prepped me for a fellowship interview that landed me a full ride and a very generous stipend at a top ten school. She is also a lovely person. 10/10 would recommend working with Katy!

In brief:

Last year, I applied to business school without the help of a consultant and didn’t get in anywhere. This year, with the help of Katharine Lewis from mbaMission, I got into Berkeley Haas with an $80K scholarship, I got into Kellogg’s MMM program, I got waitlisted at Stanford GSB and I accepted my offer of admission at LBS with a £50K scholarship. Below, I will describe why our relationship was so effective, and why I think you should definitely retain her start-to-finish services.

More details about her exceptional service:

Katharine was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process, always going the extra mile because she truly cares about the people she helps. She has well-structured material and she is extremely talented at guiding you, helping you to self-reflect, think about your strengths, and what to showcase in an MBA application. She helped me with selecting between stories to make my story engaging, emotional, but also well-rounded. She then reviewed thoroughly every document I sent her (essays, short answers, and even emails I wanted to send to some alumni to network!). Not only did her help get me into all these schools, but she also taught me a lot of re-applicable skills along the way.

Applying to an MBA is stressful, and having Katharine around gave me confidence in my skills, myself, but also in pushing through hardships. On top of giving me advice, guidance, and reviewing diligently all my material, she also was there to support me emotionally and encourage me. She does not count her hours!

She also was flexible on timelines, always making me feel she prioritized me, answering emails so fast and answering any question I had. Katharine was also very patient and always happy to start-over if I was not 100% happy with an essay. She also is extremely honest and will tell you if she feels an essay needs improvement. This makes her one of the most trustworthy advisors/mentors I’ve ever encountered.

Once I was invited to interview, she helped me prepare for those and made me feel very confident going into interviews. Finally, once I was accepted into many schools, she helped me make my choice and made sure I was entirely certain of my decision. That is true start-to-finish service!

I truly recommend the mbaMission’s complete start-to-finish package with Katharine, as it includes unlimited reviews (believe me this is really important), real knowledge and experience in admission committees (Katharine was on Stanford GSB admissions committee and she also knows a ton about Kellogg, HBS, and other schools) to help you “stand out”. Katharine goes above and beyond, and the package is worth the price considering how many hours she spent helping me!

More details about me:

For context, I am a French woman who studied business undergrad in Canada and did not speak English before moving to the USA 3 years ago. I worked as a Deloitte consultant in Montreal, and then at Wayfair (e-commerce company) as a category manager for 2 years in the USA. I also created a non-profit aimed at helping entrepreneurs network in the USA. GMAT: 720 (better verbal, lower quant). I have done several things to help me get into a tier 1 MBA, but there are so many people applying with strong profiles! It is Katharine who truly helped me get into those top tier MBAs. Post-MBA, I want to pivot to

a new industry, but also change my career from working in big companies to early-stage startups and even launching my own startup one day.

My story was not easy to layout in an MBA application as I changed jobs every 2 years, only had ~4 years of experience and wanted a different job and industry post-MBA, but Katharine helped me see the storyline and made my application so much better! I applied to 6 schools (all in round 2): Stanford GSB, London Business School, Harvard Business School, Columbia Business School, Kellogg MMM Program, and Berkeley Haas. I got 4 interviews: Stanford GSB, London Business School, Kellogg MMM Program, and Berkeley Haas. I finally got the results I mentioned before.

I hope this helps highlight how much Katharine helped me. Believe me, she is the edge to securing several offers from the best B-school worldwide! Don’t forget that this investment can lead you to your dream MBA, so 200% worth it!

Cap
London Business School, Kellogg MMM, Berkeley Haas admit, $140K in total merit scholarship awarded and waitlisted at Stanford GSB

I had a wonderful experience working with Katy on my R2 business school applications for HBS and GSB. Katy truly went above and beyond, providing insightful guidance, encouragement, and a wealth of resources that helped me navigate each part of the application process with confidence. I couldn’t have asked for a better partner on the MBA application journey.

There were a few areas where her insights were particularly invaluable:

1) Brainstorming process – As part of the brainstorming process, I ended up writing 30+ pages covering my work and life experiences (the brainstorming guide doc that Katy provided at the beginning of the process paid dividends throughout the rest of the application process!). With all that information, however, it was hard to determine where to focus and how to tell my story in a compelling way. In our initial brainstorming call, I was amazed at how Katy was able to tie seemingly disparate stories together, help me reflect more deeply on my underlying motivations, and articulate the overarching themes in my life in a way that reflected me so accurately. Ultimately Katy went far beyond helping me put together an application; she helped me develop a better understanding of what I want out of my career and the kind of impact I want to have. Based on my interests and background, she provided insightful guidance that helped me clarify what I want to do long term post-MBA.

2) Interview preparation – With Katy’s help, I received interview invites from both HBS and GSB. I can’t stress enough how helpful it was to do a mock interview with Katy before the actual interview; she does a fantastic job simulating what real interviews for each school are like. She drafted up in-depth interview questions for our practice sessions, many of which ended up being the actual questions I was asked during my interviews. The detailed write-ups she sent me after each mock interview were also an incredibly helpful resource for practice in the days leading up to the interview.

3) Essay editing – Katy provided feedback on countless drafts of my essays, short answers, resume, etc., and her comments were always spot on. With the tight word count/character constraints of MBA applications, every word counts. Katy did an amazing job of ensuring that I always maintained my voice while providing guidance on how to get my points across more clearly and concisely. Katy’s sharp editing skills and insightful feedback gave me confidence that I was putting my best foot forward when I finally submitted my applications.

Lastly, Katy is a genuinely wonderful and caring person. Throughout the process, I could feel that she was deeply invested in me as an individual and willing to go the extra mile to help me succeed. The MBA application process can be a long and stressful one at times, and having someone as brilliant, thorough, and supportive as Katy as my mentor and sounding board made a world of difference. Choosing to work with Katy was hands down one of the best decisions I made in my MBA application process. I can’t recommend Katy enough – you want to have her on your team!

Katy was an absolutely fantastic admissions consultant, or I should say, mentor and friend throughout the entire process, from the very start before I even finished tests to the very end as I worked through the financial aid process. I was accepted to my top choices – HBS/HKS – thanks to Katy.

First, Katy played a very strong mentor, coaching role, which is incredibly important in the entire application process. She was able to help tease out and make my story stronger based on what I’ve shared (she really spent time to deeply understand me, and later on reminded me of things I even forgot myself!), making me reflect in a way that I would not have done so myself. Throughout the long process, she was always positive and encouraging, which was an extremely helpful support to have. Importantly, she was always accessible – answering any questions (even during holidays!) as soon as she had access, making me feel that she really valued her clients’ needs at all times. While being a coach, Katy is also able to jump into the weeds and provide very detailed, helpful comments throughout the drafting process to ensure my story and overall application was as compelling and coherent as possible.

Second, Katy was incredible during the HBS mock interview process. She knew the process very well, really thought through the questions diligently and thoughtfully beforehand and gave me mocks that were very similar to the real one. During that stressful time, Katy was highly encouraging, spending extra time to prep me and make me feel more confident.

Finally, aside from the great technicals I’ve pointed out, I just want to emphasize that Katy truly puts her clients’ success ahead – she really wanted to see me do well. This could be seen from her answering my many questions (even if there was lots of back-and-forth) at all times, to spending extra time on tasks when needed, to helping me for free with financial aid applications just because she wanted to see me succeed (and thanks to her, I did!).

She is a fantastic consultant and an incredibly kind-hearted coach, mentor and friend whom I hope everyone else would have the privilege to work with 🙂

I could not be happier that I worked with Katy and mbaMission. Katy was an amazing partner: she was knowledgeable, motivating, insightful, kind, and everything ran like clockwork. Honestly, she made the process fun.

I am a strong writer and was initially skeptical of using an admissions consultant. I did a few calls to sense it out, and when I spoke to Katy I immediately knew I wanted to work with her because she (magically) intuitively understood my career experience, interests, and how I was thinking about business school. She had such a deep understanding of the schools I was interested in, I knew she could guide me as I crafted applications.

Katy’s help was more profound than essay writing: she helped me see themes in my life and career that I hadn’t been able to articulate but are absolutely true. I felt totally authentic through the entire essay-writing process, but I’m sure I wouldn’t have been able to write the essays that got me admitted to my top choice schools without her.

Katy was always there when I needed help or advice in the application process, and she reminded me of important timelines while also giving me time and space when I was busy with work. It was as stress-free as possible.

After I got interview invitations Katy was extremely helpful at preparing me — she went above and beyond and gave me extra help when I was nervous about one interview. I did interview practice with other people, but working with a professional (and more neutral party than a friend!) was very useful.

Beyond all the tactical admissions help, Katy helped me understand the schools themselves. She knows these places thoroughly and gave me useful insight into which would be the right fit for me.

Katy is wonderful, and I hope you’re lucky enough to work with her!

My only advice on MBA applications: work with Katharine!

Before signing up with Katharine, I did trials with a couple of other firms and consultants. Katharine stood out immediately. During the 30-min call, she not only understood my strengths and weakness right away but also gave me genuine advice on what I should be working on. I’ve had consultants told me that there was no way I could get into a top 10 program. But guess what, Katharine helped me get into 3 of the top 10, including my dream school! The conversation and experience with her are just totally different from what I had with other consultants and I could tell immediately that she was the consultant I wanted to work with.

After signing up, I was even more sure that I made the right decision. She believed in me even when I didn’t believe in myself. From her years after years of experience, she could accurately sum up my strengths and build a stellar narrative of my story that’s both accurate and honest. She saw the strengths in me that I failed to see. And she advised on how to improve the weak areas of my application that eventually became strengths in my candidacy. Instead of being just an MBA consultant, she’s also more like my life mentor. After each and every phone call, I felt like I gained a deeper understanding of myself and just went through a therapy session. To me, that’s the most important part of an MBA application: to reveal my true self and let all my strengths shine through. Her advice is gold and her ability to assess my applications in a holistic view really helped me.

Having Katharine by my side through this MBA journey has been the best decision I’ve made.

Katy was fantastic to work with and ultimately helped me get into four of the five schools I applied to. A few areas where she specifically stood out:

1) Guidance through the process – I was placed on a waitlist at my top school and Katy helped me stay positive. Together we devised a plan that demonstrated my interest and found opportunities to build my application for the couple of months in between my admissions decision and my final acceptance to the program.

2) Understands each school – Katy has experience in admissions and was able to articulate what different schools were looking for. This allowed me to highlight parts of my application for particular programs I was really excited about.

3) Crafting my story – Katy and I spent a lot of time talking through different experiences I have had and she ultimately really helped me find ways in which they all tie together and truly influence what I hope to do post-MBA.

Overall – I cannot recommend her highly enough!

Katy was a true guiding voice throughout my application process, going above and beyond expectations and investing in me as an applicant. I was referred by a friend of a friend and worked with Katy for interview preparation. Katy made the process non-stressful and always seemed to make availability happen when I needed her most.

My plan to apply to a top Biz school started in 2016. It wasn’t until last year that I decided to really figure what it was going to take to get there. A friend recommended I speak to Katy. In our first 30-min conversation I instantly felt Katy’s enthusiasm to help others achieve their MBA goals and also her objective and honest feedback to make sure you understood what it would take. I spoke to many other consultants and none gave me confidence like Katy. For the next four months (albeit a short time frame for apps) we worked diligently on polishing my application. Katy took interest in my personal story, guided me when I felt nervous and motivated to approach applying to business school with determination and optimism. I will be attending my dream school now, and this achievement is in part due to the amazing work and dedication of Katy. Gracias!

Katharine (Katy) Lewis from mbaMission was integral to my MBA application success. Her advice and guidance helped me to secure offers from three top business schools.

I was recommended to Katy by a friend; however, I didn’t want to commit to the financial outlay until I was sure of the value. Therefore, I arranged a free initial consultation with Katy. Immediately I could see that her vast experience would be incredibly valuable to my application.

Katy goes the extra mile to truly understand who you are as an individual and what is driving your desire to attend business school. She helps to craft an engaging and personable story, ensuring that every aspect of your application is meticulously reviewed and enhanced. Importantly, during our very first session, we pinpointed areas to improve. This allowed me to take action that significantly strengthened my application.

I secured three interviews and the mock interview with Katy was, by far, the most useful preparation. It was instrumental in ensuring that I entered each interview feeling confident, relaxed and prepared.

If you want to get into a top business school, there are three main reasons why I’d highly recommend mbaMission’s complete start-to-finish package with Katy:

1) Unlimited reviews… take Katy up on this and iterate every aspect of your application as many times as you feasibly can… and then some more (other applicants will).
2) Actual adcom experience… Katy was on the admissions team at Stanford GSB!! This is an unbelievable insight into how applications are reviewed and how you can “stand out from the crowd”.
3) Improve yourself… Katy’s advice helped me to improve myself and this provided an extra edge to my application.

The above is underpinned by Katy’s incredible personality. She is an awesome person who genuinely cares about your success. I cannot thank her enough for her support during my MBA application journey.

Best of luck with your application.

David,

Berkeley Haas, NYU Stern & Chicago Booth Admit

Katy was fantastic to work with! I was referred to her by family. I personally had a complicated personal narrative, a non-linear career, etc., and she really helped me tell that story in a very clear and compelling way via the process she set up, from brainstorming to drafting to comments to finished essays and then several mock interviews. Katy was extremely accessible and I’m a pretty demanding client – she did numerous calls with me and really wanted to get to know me, deeply understand me, what makes me tick, how to convey my passions throughout my whole application process, and was very responsive to questions/drafts over email. This is extremely important in order to build a stronger profile. She also had a deep understanding of what each school looks for and the nuances/differences between them, what is overused by applicants when explaining why that particular school and what are the hidden professors/gems about each program, which goes far beyond what you’d be able to find on a website (and maybe even if you talk to current students?) and makes you stand out as having “done your homework” (and saves you a lot of time and hassle). At the end of the day, these schools get tons of qualified candidates, and it is incredibly important for these schools to know that you are choosing them based on what they have to offer and how that fits with your personal narrative as much as they eventually choose you. It obviously worked out great as I got into 2 of the 3 top schools (H/S/W), which is way beyond my ceiling with my stats that most would consider mediocre in terms of the averages these programs tend to admit. I’d highly recommend anyone to work with her…she knows her stuff and you will undoubtedly improve your odds and strengthen your profile!

Initially, I was reluctant to invest such a significant amount of money in MBA consulting services as I thought I didn’t really need them. But that hesitation was short-lived as I got to know Katy and, more importantly, as she invested time in developing a genuine understanding of my path and goals. With Katy, I felt that I was being heard and that for her it wasn’t simply about securing admission into a top school. Rather, her goal is truly to help her client achieve his or her lifetime goal. The more I shared about my story with her, the more Katy was motivated in helping me achieve my goal. In fact, thanks to her, I clarified my own vision of what I want to do in my career and what path I need to take to achieve it. You would be surprised to know how much knowledge Katy has on various industries and I can bet you that you will think your targeted industry is her area of expertise! Interested in Education, I was astonished by Katy’s insights in this field.

What I also appreciated with Katy is her expertise in the admissions process. For any profile, she knows what goals are within reach and which ones are not, and she won’t hesitate to be transparent about the likely outcomes. When I was struggling to get my GMAT scores up, she kept pushing me to realize how important it was to improve my scores given my target schools. She did so until I finally achieved my target scores. With English being my 3rd language, I wasn’t properly conveying some of the strong points in my story. But with Katy’s help, I could cut the extra words and ensure that I give justice to my story and path. I am grateful to share that I was admitted into 2 of the 5 M7 programs I applied for! No matter what the ultimate outcome is, collaborating with Katy was one of the best decisions of my life.

Over the last several months, I’ve worked with Katy to prepare for R2 applications and interviews. I’m on the extreme young end of the applicant spectrum so I was a bit concerned that I wouldn’t be given the time of day despite my entrepreneurial background, but with Katy’s help, I got into Wharton and Ross (my top two schools) and received full rides to both Fuqua and Darden! I’m still undecided (narrowed it down to Wharton and Fuqua), but I couldn’t have achieved these incredible results without Katy’s help. I had a really unique story to tell about reaching the decision to sell my business, but it was admittedly a story that revealed a great deal of vulnerability in addition to strength—maybe more vulnerability than what an MBA admissions officer would want to see. But with Katy’s help, I was able to strike the perfect balance between being genuine, professional, and positive in my essays. While her support during the application process was amazing, I’d say that the help I received during the interview prep process was truly invaluable. In addition to providing great insight, she asked me several unexpected questions during my mock interviews (i.e. the ones I hadn’t found online), and most of them actually came up during the real interviews. Had she not brought those questions to my attention during the mock interviews, I would have been grossly underprepared during the real thing, but luckily I was prepared and able to answer all the questions I was asked with comfort and confidence. I’m so grateful for Katy’s help throughout this process and thrilled with my results. I’ll definitely be sending MBA-aspiring friends her way in the future!

I’ll be very blunt: work with Katharine.

As for the “Why” let me explain. Some months ago I was beginning my application process to an MBA or so I thought. The first thing it came to mind, was to prepare for a GMAT. At my first try I got a 670 and I figured out it wasn’t a bad result, that the hard work was done. That was true until I actually began the application processes for the universities I thought I wanted to apply and I faced the essay questions. After talking with some friends accepted to MBA programs, they all recommended looking for a consultant, so my research began. This forum provided me with a lot of insightful tips regarding the matter, so I made a potential consultants shortlist and after two or three free half hour consultations I had my call with Katharine. Not only she immediately understood my profile and the challenges my application faced (Latin-American, non-traditional background, family business BIG HEADS UP for RECOMMENDATION LETTERS) but she was very clear with me about my sub-par GMAT and that I needed to better assess the schools I was aiming for. By the end of the call, I casually mentioned that I would be giving the GMAT another go three weeks later. First, I was surprised by the of her follow-up email but then, a few days after my second GMAT (a 690) I got an email from her asking me how did it go, “WOW! She actually remembered” I thought. After enthusiastically telling her of my results, she kindly suggested me try another time even if it meant going to R2. As I was stubborn to get into R1 I took a GRE and hit the 700 mark, contacted Katharine and she told me that a month wasn’t just good enough to prepare a full application, that if I insisted she would work with me but that she strongly recommended going to R2. And at that moment it was clear to me that Katharine was the right consultant: she GENUINELY cared for my application instead of filling her consultancy slots.

So I took what I consider the best decision I made during my application process and one I can’t recommend enough: working with Katharine.

From day one she was not only completely involved in the process but most importantly you KNOW that she really wants YOU to succeed; she sent me all the material and we established the first time-goals of the application process. She helped me refine and redefine the programs I wanted to apply (5 in total) although I could only afford consultancy for 2 of them, she helped me choose in which two could I get the best bang for my buck given my profile. She then helped me to dissect and understand every part of the MBA application process, which I know can be daunting, but working with her made it understandable and manageable. For the essays, she really came to understand the world from my eyes and helped me understand the value of some experiences I had gone through and together we worked to present them in a very clear way. Today I treasure those two pieces of writing as one of the most enriching reflective exercises I’ve ever done, with the help of Katharine I can say that it was a truly transformative experience by itself. Then she helped me overcome the challenge of the recommendation letters, from selecting the recommenders to discussing which aspects and stories should I discuss with them to highlight in their recommendations, coach them on HOW to write a proper recommendation (at least the concept of a LoR seems to be very different in my home country). Furthermore, she offered support to the point of discussing the selection of a word over another in the short answers section, the attention to detail was just amazing.
Then interview prep came. Especially her HBS interview training is just out of this world. She really drills into an application you thought you had fully digested and makes you understand it to new depths. Your very own words. And her amazing support got me very enthusiastic and positively thrilled about the actual interview. I remember seeing a lot of worried faces before and after the actual interview, after all, is no small matter, but unlike many, I felt very confident and thrilled to do it. Just a note: it’s uncanny how accurate and similar the HBS interview with Katharine is to the real one. Maybe it’s magic. Maybe it’s experience. I wouldn’t know.

I got invited to HBS and Kellogg, plus two other non M7 programs, one of which offered me a very generous scholarship. Even if I didn’t work with Katharine for these other two programs it wouldn’t be fair not to give credit to her support, because after working with her one gains a lot of insight on what AdComs look for, how to properly edit essays and the level of development that these applications demand.

Finally, I can only say that the very experience of working with Katharine is amazing. She has an amazing personality, not only her editing skills are unmatched but her empathy and absolute commitment are out of this world.

I’ll be very blunt again: Work with Katharine, is the best decision you can make.

When I received an invitation to interview at my dream school (HBS), I was in shock. On the one hand, I was proud for surviving the toughest filter in the application process. On the other hand, I felt very anxious figuring out how to nail this interview (especially since I had already failed the interview at the other three top-tier business schools).

Today, I am happy to report that I was admitted to Harvard Business School. I owe this accomplishment in great part to Katy Lewis, who became my mentor throughout the interview process and prepared me to crush it. More specifically, Katy helped me in three ways:

1. We did 2 mock interviews before my real interview at HBS. As a Latin American candidate, who speaks English as a second language, these mock interviews helped me to relax and get comfortable telling my story in English.
2. Katy knows very well how HBS admission officers conduct their interviews, and what kind of questions they like to ask. Therefore, practicing with her helped to reflect on the answer to several questions that were actually asked in the real interview.
3. Finally, Katy provided me with very detailed feedback at the end of each mock interview, pinpointing the answers in which I had an opportunity for improvement. I really appreciate how honest and direct she was. In some cases, she helped me to strengthen my wording in order to communicate my story in a more crisp and clear manner. In other cases, we restructured my entire answer because the message I was conveying was not helping me to build up my case.

Overall, I am thankful for finding Katy and being able to work with her. Before our sessions, I was tired of reading over and over again about the importance of “being myself” and “enjoying” the interview process without actually understanding what these clichés meant. I regret not having Katy’s guidance throughout my first three interviews with other schools. I am glad that I met her just in time to get into my dream school.

I highly recommend her!

I first connected with Katy 5 years ago via a free consultation shortly after graduating from college and taking my GMAT. During that hour consultation, we discussed the MBA application process and she gave me advice on how to enhance my application over the next several years. I was impressed by her insights and experience, tried to follow her advice, and when I geared up to apply for an MBA 4 years later, I reached back out to her and was once again impressed by her (she remembered me).

While I have never met Katy in person, through the process of working closely with her, she helped me learn things about myself and frame issues in ways I hadn’t thought about. Her insights were invaluable in helping me both reflect on the value of an MBA as well as tell my story for my MBA applications. While I was nervous throughout the process, she was calm and encouraging–but not afraid to tell me when she thought I was not following the best approach in my essay topics. She did this for two schools where I had strayed from my core story–she pushed back and encouraged me to do more research to see how my story resonated with what the school offered. I followed her advice and ended up getting accepted to both schools.

Her experience allows her to get to know you and see things sometimes you don’t even see, ultimately helping you to focus on best telling your story. It was expensive to hire her, but I don’t regret a penny–hiring her ensured that I put my best foot forward when applying for MBA programs and ultimately played an invaluable role in my acceptances.

As somewhat without a unique background, when I first started planning for my business school applications, I knew that I wanted to use the absolute best admissions consultant in the industry. I conducted extensive research, vetting senior consultants at many of the well-known admissions consulting firms, and then I found Katy. What drew me to Katy was her personal expertise with my top choice schools (Stanford, Harvard), an approach focused on deep personal reflection and thematic synthesis, and her track record of success. After our first phone call, I was sure that I had the very best thought partner available in the industry at my side.

Katy and I began working together by brainstorming a detailed framework that examined a wide range of my life experiences. From there, Katy was instrumental in helping me make connections across disparate parts of my experiences, allowing me to tease out compelling nuances that highlighted my unique decision-making processes and internal motivations. As the outline of my essays took shape, Katy worked closely with me to think through trade-offs around what messages to focus on, how to succinctly and powerfully express these messages within constrained word counts, and ensure that every aspect of the application summed to a whole that was more than the sum of its parts. And what was especially helpful about Katy is that she applied a rigorous intensity of feedback to not just my essays, but to all parts of my application, including my resume, preparation for my recommenders, and my interview preparation. By the end of all of our iteration and preparation together, I had confidence that I was expressing my best possible self to the admissions committees.

With Katy’s counsel, I applied to both Stanford and Harvard and was accepted to both schools in round 1.
Looking back on these 12 months, I can say with confidence that working with Katy was one of the best professional decisions that I have ever made. I believe that Katy’s storytelling acumen, tactical experience borne from her decades of advising, and her willingness to go the extra mile for her clients quite simply make Katy the leading admissions consultant in the industry – period.

If you are seeking to be accepted into a top business school, I cannot recommend Katy enough.

I spoke with many admissions consultants prior to meeting Katy from mbaMission. We clicked instantly. Two things about her stood out to me:

First and foremost, her honesty. Right from the start, she was crystal clear about everything I needed to do in order to maximize my chances of getting into the top programs. Although some of the things she asked me to do required a lot of work (like re-taking the GMAT), I am glad I listened to her. All throughout the application process, Katy was instrumental in helping me highlight the strong aspects of my profile, as well as address any potential weaknesses.

Second, her genuine care. Katy’s unconditional support helped me get through the mentally and emotionally demanding MBA application process. In every step of the process – from GMAT preparation to final school selection – Katy was there to make sure I was OK and giving my very best. As a non-native English speaker, I found her essay reviews very helpful. She helped me articulate everything I wanted to tell admissions officers into concise messages. Interview preparation was also outstanding – many of the things she asked me during our prep sessions came up in the actual interviews!

The results speak for themselves: I applied to 5 different schools (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Booth, and Kellogg) and received acceptances from all 5. I also received substantial fellowships from several schools. Katy was instrumental in helping me achieve this, I’m incredibly grateful for her support. If you are looking for an admissions consultant that will have your back through the ups and downs of the application process, Katy is your person.

I was apprehensive about using a consultant to apply for MBA programs, and at first, I felt it was a lot of money when I was unlikely to get into the schools I was applying for. I spoke to a few consultants and most had a clear idea of who they thought I was and what my ‘story’ should be, however, Katy was the first person to articulate a vision of my application that actually sounded like someone who my friends and family would recognize.

I was planning to visit schools in spring and mentioned during my free consultation call the list I was looking at (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Chicago). Katy gave me advice that she felt given my background and interests that I would love Harvard and wouldn’t enjoy Stanford. She was 100% correct – I visited Stanford and felt it wasn’t for me and fell in love with Harvard. From that moment on I had complete faith in Katy’s ability to guide me where I was meant to go for business school. I went for a 3-school complete start to finish package focusing on Harvard, Wharton, and Chicago.

Katy is excellent at seeing what links together with your experiences and how you can communicate that narrative, especially in the HBS essay. Don’t expect her to write the essays for you – she is there as a guide as to which stories are most important to highlight and will push you to provide a lot of detail around them. She will also make sure your answers are succinct and your grammar is correct, however, at the end of the day, your essays will still be authentically yours, not some cookie-cutter essay written by a consultant who is churning out a ton every cycle.

Once I received interview invites, Katy went into full swing organizing my interview prep. I had a mock interview with her for HBS and a group mock TBD for Wharton with others working with mbaMission on their applications. Both experiences really highlighted my strengths and what I needed to work on, and how to approach this before the interview.

I was admitted to all 3 schools, with a large scholarship at Wharton, and have decided to matriculate at HBS next autumn. Katy was there every step of the way, giving me the confidence that I was good enough to attend any of these top schools, and pushing me to tell the stories that sometimes were difficult for me to articulate to an outside audience. I am not a perfect candidate, I have a below-average GPA, an okay but not amazing GMAT score, worked for a second-tier consulting firm and now work in a less well known corporate, yet Katy helped focus on my strengths and what I could bring to every MBA program if admitted.

I worked with Katy to prepare for my R1 HBS interview and I can’t say enough about the experience. She’s extremely knowledgeable about the application/interview/admissions process and knew exactly where to push me in my prep. We did two mock interviews where she drilled me on my professional experience, extracurricular activities and post-MBA goals. The mock interviews closely resembled what my actual HBS interview experience was like, with several questions/themes resurfacing during the real thing. She gave detailed advice as to how I should position myself given my background and professional experience (white male, private equity, etc.). I especially appreciated the fact that I never felt like I was “on the clock” with her – she genuinely wanted me to succeed and was willing to do whatever it took to help me prepare. Overall, Katy was extremely helpful in my MBA application process and I would highly recommend working with her.

At the moment I’m writing this, I’ve just finished and sent my applications for HBS and Wharton R2, it’s still some weeks before interview invitations and a couple of months before final decisions.

Even with that said, I cannot recommend Katy enough. Ever since the free consultation she went further and beyond than what I expected and even experienced with other consultants at their respective free consultations. She was very open with me about my initial GMAT score which was not good enough for the schools I wanted to apply, furthermore given the date where I achieved a “decent” GMAT she was also very clear to me that I wouldn’t be able to land a 1R application and that we should better work towards R2. This very honest and mindful advice was key for me and I’m sure that many other consultants could have tried to seize the opportunity to rush an application and free one more client spot for R2, but not Katy.

So we started working for R2. The very first day of work she sent me all of the material I would need for the whole application process, which proved to be much more challenging and burdensome than what I had anticipated, but Katy helped me to go, firmly, one step at a time, putting attention to all details. During the first sessions she helped me define which schools I had a better chance given my profile (so I changed from Stanford and Berkley to HBS and Wharton…). As I am a Latin-American applicant coming from a family business, the differences in these programs were not very clear to me, so her insights for this initial and crucial part of the process were invaluable. Furthermore, and specially for someone coming from my background she helped me identify how should I present myself to the AdComs, what stories should I bring into my essays, and very very importantly how to choose and coach my recommenders.

Before continuing, I have to address Katy’s amazing skill to help me trim my essays, reducing a lot of clutter and to make them very clear, concise and directed specifically for the programs I had chosen.

Regarding the recommenders, given my background, it was the part of the application that I had the least idea on how to approach. Katy helped me identify my best fits given the stories I shared with them and how the fitted the rest of my application. Furthermore, she was in contact with them and guided them through the daunting recommendation writing process. If you are a Latin-American applicant, coming from a family company or even a regional company, I cannot stress on how important is that someone guides your recommenders during this process, as the very concept of Letter of Recommendation expected by the AdComs is very very different to what is/was in my recommenders heads.

Finally I have to recognize and thank Katy enormously because she went trough the whole process with me being available practically all the time, even despite all the holidays that come just before R2: Labor day, Columbus, Veteran’s, Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s… And I didn’t even had to use express services nor anything like that.

Even if I don’t get admitted to any program (I applied with Katy only to HBS and Wharton, because that’s as far as my budget could go, but I applied to 3 other programs on my own) she helped me to give my best shot possible at ALL my application processes, because I learned so much about me and how to go through the application processes in general.

I am sure that working with Katy was the best decision I could make, she really pours herself completely to help you; your application matters to her as much as you, as simple as that.

tl;dr: Katy is an amazing consultant who cares for your application as much as you do. Amazing support through all the process. For me, as LatAm applicant from family business, the key was the LoR support. Tip: book early!

Katy was phenomenal! I come from an over-represented background (white male, financial services, etc.) and Katy helped me craft an application that was able to get me in to HBS! Beyond help with the application itself, Katy was a great sounding board for all things business school-related and I’d highly recommended her services to anyone considering going through the heavy undertaking that is applying to business school.

When I started the MBA application journey, I didn’t know how necessary or valuable a consultant would be. I chose to work with Katy after reading her reviews online and chose her because she had worked in Stanford admissions, which at the time was my top choice. When we did our initial consultation, I told Katy that I was applying to Stanford, Haas, and Wharton. I didn’t think I was “good enough” for HBS and didn’t give it fair consideration because of this lack of confidence. Katy immediately told me that after looking at my profile she thought I should apply to HBS and having gone there herself, told me about how great her experience was. I was shocked and flattered that an alumna thought I was worthy and so I decided to apply and Katy worked with me on my HBS application. We worked on about sixteen drafts of my essay, sending it back and forth to each other and it slowly came to life. Katy’s help was priceless. I wouldn’t have initiated a lot of the essay changes if I was working alone on it. I probably would have stuck with some of the original content that was not as strong, but when you have Katy reading it with you, she suggests ideas more objectively and challenges you to keep taking the essay to the next level. The second item that was helpful to me was organizing the information for my recommenders. Katy had an excellent template that made me a lot more confident in what I was asking my recommenders to write. She also read their letters and gave them feedback and both my recommenders said Katy was extremely helpful and appreciated the feedback as neither one of them had ever written MBA recommendation letters. I got interviews at all four programs I applied to and Katy offered to do mock interviews for all of them. Her mock interviews were very similar to my actual interviews and she had so many resources to help me prepare and feel most confident about them. In the end, I was accepted to HBS and I know for a fact that I would not have even applied if it were not for Katy saying she saw potential in me. For me, she was a true mentor. She gave me confidence and encouragement in every single email and conversation and helped keep me accountable and motivated through what can be a very long and stressful journey. I think a common struggle applicants have is always doubting if they are doing the right things in their applications and actually presenting the bet version of themselves. Having Katy there to give me that assurance and remove that doubt was invaluable. I am so thankful for Katy’s help and encourage everyone to choose her as their mentor.

I had an amazing time working with Katy for my business school application process. She goes above and beyond at every step, ensuring that my application reflected the best of who I am and that the overall experience was as seamless and stress-free as possible. Aside from responding to clients at a rapid-fire pace (even if it means she has to stay up very late on many occasions), Katy made sure that I fully understood what business schools looked for and surfaced key actionable insights (e.g., helping schools understand the myriad transitions in my life, addressing my weaknesses) that I had no previous knowledge of, even after doing copious individual research and talking to other consultants/mentors. Furthermore, Katy’s vested interest in my development was clear from the get-go — she wholeheartedly believed in what I was doing, and helped me believe in myself; ultimately, I would say I was a lot less stressed and much happier about the way my application/interview processes were going versus many of my friends undergoing the same routine, and I can confidently attribute this to Katy.

With her unique background (e.g., HBS alumni, an ex-admission officer at GSB), her tenacity to help students succeed at the highest level, and her impeccable communication skills, Katy is absolutely THE business school admission consultant to work with.

I did two mock interview sessions with Katy for the deferred enrollment program of Sloan and Columbia. Katy not only read through my whole application to prepare for the mock but also provided me many tips regarding selecting schools and reapplying for regular MBA programs. Although I only had Katy for interview preparation, she was always there for me for other non-interview related admissions questions/concerns. After I received the offers, Katy even had a 20min long phone call with me to help me decide which school to go to.

If I decide to reapply Harvard or Stanford in the future, for sure I will come back to Katy. Honestly, the biggest regret I had for the past application season is that I didn’t get to know Katy early enough to make her my consultant.

I am an International student from India that managed to get into Harvard’s 2+2 MBA program with the help of Katy. I always thought Consultants were overpriced and there wasn’t much that they could do to help one get into these schools. I couldn’t have been more wrong about it.
I phone screened about 10 Consultants before I decided to go with Katy. I was planning to apply to only two Schools: Stanford and Harvard. Since Katy graduated from one and was the admission officer at the other, I thought she would be great and she indeed was.
Katy made me fill out a 14-page word document to get to know me which had various questions including where I was born, my parents, incidents from my childhood, people who influenced me when I was young, my pre-MBA skills, post-MBA skills I plan on acquiring, etc. That word document made me reevaluate my whole life and after reading it, I think Katy knew more about me than most people. She guided me about what are my strong points, what the outline of my essay should be like, what points my recommenders need to emphasize, etc. She was prompt, accurate and clear in replying. What distinguished her from other consultants was her ability to relate to me and tell my own story to the admission committee in a way that made me stand out from other applicants. She also helped me a great deal with Interview preparation.

In my limited experience, I think Katy is the best Consultant for 2+2 MBA programs.

I phone screened many consultants prior to starting my application journey. I was the person who thought admission consultants were overrated and overpriced. Although a skeptic of the process, I trusted Katy to guide me through the application because I knew I had one chance and I wanted to get it right. I was not disappointed. Our brainstorming session gave me insights on not just the application, but my future career as a whole. She saw the pages of stories that defined who I am and crafted them eloquently into a cohesive package, which ultimately led to the HBS 2+2 program, DESPITE a much lower than average GMAT! She was always quick to turnaround essay drafts, even working on weekends when necessary. She TRULY cares deeply about each of her clients and will tell it like it is – which helped keep me grounded throughout the process.

These reviews were crucial in me deciding to pursue a relationship with Katy. As a lower GMAT, average stat 2+2 ADMIT, I trusted Katy and she delivered. She is able to find each person’s unique story and package it into an effective profile. There were many hurdles especially with last-minute recommendation cancellations and essay revisions. Katy was quick to call and helped plan out immediate next steps. She has experience that is, in my experience, invaluable. Reflecting on the entire process, what may seem like a large sum of money to pay to work with Katy, was in the long term, TRULY the best investment I ever made going through this process. You won’t regret working with Katy.

I’ve done a number of consultations with different coaches and Katy by far stands out. I did a free consultation with Katy after I was admitted and wanted some guidance on weighing a new career opportunity versus attending business school in the fall. She thoughtfully listened to my conflicting feelings and helped me to feel confident in either decision. She took away the feeling of now or never–I got in this year and we could work together next year to make it happen again next year. She also made me feel comfortable forgoing the career opportunity and gave me the permission to pursue what I really wanted: to attend school now. I’d highly recommend speaking with Katy–she knows admissions inside and out and is a great career coach to boot!

Trusting Katy to guide my MBA admission process (written application + interviews) was the best decision I could have made. Uber efficient with your time and money. Do everything you can to work with her. Would do it again 100 times out of 100.

Do you know why you want to go to business school? No, why you really want to go to business school?
What about [insert city name] ecosystem makes you want to spend 2 years of graduate school studying there?
Which business school is the best cultural fit for you?
What about your first job made you see the world differently in your second job?

There is no formula here. Personal answers to these questions require conversations with many people you respect and trust; I felt this about Katy after just one call. In addition, I found Katy’s MBA specific experience to be invaluable – of being an HBS student herself and seeing thousands of previous successful and non-successful people go through and come out the other side of business school. Katy cared about my success, became my go-to thought partner by asking questions like these, and helped me self-discover and articulate moments in my past that make me special and well suited for a particular business school.

I have a unique perspective on MBA consultants because I actually started my journey with an MBA consultant from a different firm – The Admission Advisory Group – it was a horrendous experience DONT GO THERE!. That other consultant pushed a “formula” on me for the written application and told me to wait a year before applying and I would not get in because my application did not fit into their “formula”. I was extremely demoralized after that first experience with the other consultant and knew the advice didn’t sound right. Now on the other side I know there is no magic formula (don’t go looking for one) to get into business school, and I am grateful I found Katy to help me help myself shine.

Lastly, When it came down to interviews, Katy knows the ins and outs of the different styles at various MBA programs. Her mock interviews with me (even on weekends) helped me shorten my answers, focus on my unique aspects, and go into the interviews with confidence.

From day 1, she was so confident in me and my story. I was a bit doubtful in getting into top MBA schools, because of my average GMAT score. She boosted my confidence in every call, in every email we exchanged. She is very fast in responding to any of the questions. The brainstorming session with her is extremely helpful. I advise everyone to put in all your soul, put in all the stories and work really hard to understand what’s your story and what you want to do. This will help Katy to better understand what drives you in life and then Katy will surely transform your small anecdotes to something much bigger and impactful.

I love the way she asked me to write down all my prompts/thoughts without paying attention to the words limits in the essays (which was by the way, too much work for her). With this activity, she could understand the way I want to approach my essay. She pushed me hard all the time to brainstorm in each and every part of my essay where I thought, things were missing. With her support and encouragement, I came out with such a creative essay, which made me believe that someday, I could be an author of a bestseller:) haha!

I can’t thank her enough for the interview preps, mock interview, and her undistracted time and attention. She instilled so much confidence in me, released my anxiety and tension before the interviews. The east and west time difference worked perfectly for us. It was like we were working round the clock, utilizing all 24 hours.

Because of Katy, I got into 2 prestigious schools and with scholarships in both the schools 😀

I am not sure whether this review gives justice to the support and attention Katy gave me throughout my application journey. You will never ever regret your decision by choosing her.

Referred by a friend, I reached out to Katy after unsuccessfully applying to a couple of schools the year before. Thanks to Katy’s help I’m extremely excited to have gotten into Tuck and Darden. Katy was incredibly helpful throughout the entire process from brainstorming to essay editing to interview prep. However, as someone coming from an over-represented area (analyst in financial services), I think where Katy helped me the most was in guiding me to recognize and fully appreciate the aspects of my story and profile that were unique and powerful. Katy also encouraged me to take risks in my essays and gave me the confidence to do so. She also was just a lot of fun, and I always really enjoyed our conversations. I would highly recommend working with Katy to anyone who is seriously interested in going to B-School!

Applying for business schools has been of the most time-consuming and emotionally demanding endeavors I have ever set out to do. In light of this, I highly recommend getting help from a qualified, experienced professional. Early on in the process, someone who knew my background well eagerly recommended that I reach out to Katy Lewis from MBAMission. 1 year and 2 admissions offers later (one of which included a full ride and a named scholarship) I can clearly see why. When I first reached out to Katy for a free consultation, her roster for the year was already full, but we clicked instantly, as we discovered that we were both attorneys and had the same passion for business and the international arena. To avoid overfilling her roster, Katy recommended another consultant from MBAMission. In a twist of fate, however, when the other consultant unexpectedly had to withdraw for personal reasons, Katy jumped right in and picked up my case eagerly. She spent a whole weekend getting up to speed on my materials and by Monday morning she was ready to go. Throughout my admissions process, Katy remained heavily invested in my case. I felt comforted to know she really had my back. Katy paid close attention to detail in every material I sent her for review, challenging me in ways that allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and put my best self forward. She was thorough in my interview preparations, allowing me to spot my weaknesses and correct them. Working with Katy ultimately led me to complete and submit business school applications that I was proud of. I knew from the get-go that given my unusual path to business school, my candidacy was going to be a tough sell. But Katy not only saw my potential, but she also allowed it to flourish and really show itself to the schools. Looking back on this process, I can confidently say that there is no one I would rather have in my corner when taking on this defining period of my life.

I initially did a free 30-minute consultation with Katy. She was very helpful during our chat so I ended up working with her further after that. There were two parts of my application she was extremely helpful with. The first one was brainstorming ideas around what my essays should be about (I applied to HBS and Wharton, and HBS has a notoriously vague prompt). She helped me decide which parts of my story would be interesting to highlight and which parts not so much. Having a third party (Katy) who was great at identifying the best parts of my candidacy and working with me to highlight them was invaluable.
The second aspect Katy was extremely helpful with was interview prep. Katy did an amazing job helping me practice for my interviews. I had talked to some friends who had previously gone through the interview process with these schools and the advice and feedback I was getting from them were contradictory and I was very stressed out. Katy calmed me down and helped me practice for these interviews. If you end up working with her on your applications, make sure she is your main source of truth for the interviews and not some friends who might’ve gone through the process. As she told me “everyone attributes their success to different parts of their application/interview, it doesn’t mean they are right”. If I were to do the process over, I would practice my interviews with Katy and maybe one more trustworthy friend.
Overall, Katy really knows what she is doing and I would highly recommend her. I ended up getting into both HBS and Wharton and am Boston bound this fall!

As a career academic and Latin teacher transitioning into sustainability management, I was not your typical MBA applicant. I was making a major career shift and I’m confident that, without Katharine’s guidance, I would not have had the success I did. In just the initial consultation, Katharine helped me create a focused and direct action plan. She guided me through the creation of a narrative that both highlighted my achievements and captured my personality.
Once the applications were in, Katharine led me through mock interviews and the development of an elevator pitch. She boosted my ability to speak with confidence and clarity about my goals. Before interviewing for USC Marshall—to which I was recently accepted!—Katharine provided me with resources for both school-specific and general information and advice. Currently, I’m waitlisted for NYU Stern and Katharine continues to provide support and aid from reviewing update emails to admissions to creating a game plan to get off the waitlist.

I had trial consultations with three other firms and wasn’t satisfied with their processes or their overt salesmanship. Katy was the first admissions consultant who took the time to fully read and digest my resume and story of why I wanted an MBA without trying to push a package. She understood me and my non-traditional story immediately and had first-hand experience with the schools to which I was applying. So, after I was invited to interview at Berkeley Haas, I purchased a mock interview specifically with her. One of the greatest things about her is that she remembered speaking to me 3 months prior during our trial consultation and was genuinely excited that I got an interview.

She sent me prep work before our mock interview to help me understand the intricacies of the Haas interview as well as general b-school interviewing tips from her own experiences. During our mock interview, she took the time to ask me many more questions than my real interviewer would, ensuring no stone was left unturned. She actively took notes and gave suggestions on how to improve answers and what to stay away from. After the mock interview, she sent me several pages of extremely detailed notes on my own responses and all of the critical talking points we spoke about that I needed to hit. My real interview with Berkeley Haas went fantastic thanks to her prep and I was accepted to the program (as well as UCLA Anderson). I strongly recommend Katharine Lewis to anyone who needs help figuring things out or someone to practice interviewing with. She’s a true professional who actually cares about your success. I will be attending Berkeley Haas in the fall thanks to her!

Over the past two weeks, I’ve just finished my MBA interviews with HBS, Wharton, and Oxford. As most of you know, each of these interviews are very different in approach and I finished each feeling very confident and also incredibly thankful that Katy had helped me prepare for each of them. Katy went above and beyond to prepare for each mock interview with me with specific questions tailored to me and based on the tendencies of my interviewer – I can point to specific questions in each of my actual interviews where I am really glad that I not only got to rehearse my answers with Katy but also brainstormed with her to refine them.

Taking a step back, this is the second year in a row that I’ve worked with Katy. She has become a friend to me personally and a mentor to me beyond this business school application process. Beyond the tactical of my essays and how to work with my recommenders (which Katy has done an unbelievably great job), Katy helped nudge me toward my most transformative career decision (and self-discovery) between last year’s application cycle and this year’s. I am very proud of the person I’ve developed into because of Katy’s help. Most importantly, I personally feel how much Katy genuinely cares about me and my success as a friend, from the way we chat and from how often I feel my warm appreciation of “you didn’t have to do all this for me but you did!”

I will sum this up by saying – three years ago when I reached out to Katy, I was privately cynical about MBA consultants in general, but I knew an MBA is so important to me that I couldn’t take the risk. BEST DECISION EVER THAT I DIDN’T EVEN FULLY KNOW THEN. Whew!

My advice – I still don’t know about MBA consultants in general, BUT DO NOT MISS OUT ON KATY! SHE IS THE BEST!

Katharine was critical in my preparation for business school applications! Her schedule fills up, so I locked her in as a consultant in January of 2016, when applications were not submitted until September of 2016.

In my case, Katharine’s most influential interactions happened early in the process. She was the perfect river guide in self-reflection and discovery. Who am I? What people, events, and decisions have made me this way? What drives me? What do I want? I think I wrote up about 30+ pages of personal history before our first full working session. She knew more about me than most people ever do.

Because of her influence I felt like I was able to tap into my most authentic self and write genuine, compelling essays. This led to admission to Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg. Harvard declined to interview. I matriculated at the GSB and will graduate this year!

Give Katharine a call and see if she’s a fit for you! I’m soooo glad I did.

I was referred to Katy by a friend who had worked with her and had a very successful outcome. From our first call, I could tell Katy was someone I wanted on my team. In that first call she gave me confidence that I could stand out as an applicant, something I didn’t think likely given my overrepresented IB / PE background.

Among a host of other benefits of working with Katy, two stand out: (1) Katy helped me identify common themes in my life and helped me articulate a life mission of sorts, and (2) she was a skilled guide who helped me navigate the daunting MBA admissions process.

During our “brainstorming” call, I was shocked that she could understand me and my life experiences, motivations, and aspirations on a deep level, and then help me articulate those ideas in my essays while maintaining my own voice. All along the way, Katy was a trusted mentor, but she also gave me the frank criticism that was tough to hear.

I ended up applying to several top business schools in the US in round 1, and I was ultimately accepted to four. I think Katy’s clients find that she does everything she can to help them achieve their goals. She did that for me, and I would highly recommend her!

To summarize simply, Katy is amazing. You won’t find anyone more supportive, kind, and knowledgeable. She is truly invested in your future and success from beginning to end. I was a Round 1 applicant and I, like many applicants, had lofty goals of attending some of the top schools but with the fear that I wasn’t good enough: typical finance, strategy experience, below average scores and non-pedigree state school for my undergrad.

When I filled out my “brainstorming” document, I wondered how unique I could possibly be. However, during our conversation, as she asked in-depth “Why?” questions, she got to the core reasons of why I made the decisions I had made. Katy was instantly able to pinpoint unique themes in my story – something I would have never been able to do on my own. By the end of that call, I knew that Katy was truly my friend, ally, and part-therapist.

In all, the application process is no-joke. I went through many ups-and-downs wondering if I would even get an interview at these schools, but Katy was there for it all. It’s a long process but she breaks down the marathon into clear deliverables over the course of a couple of months. Katy knows what these schools are looking for, how to position your story the right way, and what to do to prepare. She’s always on call to answer any question you may have.

In the end, I was accepted to Harvard (my first choice) and two other top 5 programs. I truly am thankful for all of her help and cannot recommend her highly enough to anyone who’s looking for not only a consultant but a cheerleader and friend throughout the process.

I first approached Katy through a free 30 minute consultation and immediately knew I needed her support and experience throughout the application process. Katy was the one consultant who truly boosted my confidence that I could meet my target programs despite self-reservations around my GRE score and relatively young age. I chose to purchase the 5 hour package. I knew which schools I wanted to apply to and wanted some guidance around essays, resumes, and mock interviews. One of most important, yet sometimes overlooked document is the resume. I was struggling immensely to fit all my experience in one page. Katy provided timely and efficient feedback, and provided insider guidance into what schools look for in a resume. She helped me fit what I wanted in one page. Then came the essays! I first started with a robust brainstorming document and gave my first drafts to Katy. What Katy truly excels at is allowing you to retain your own words and template, but optimizing it in a way that resonates with schools. Every essay I wrote, I retained 100% my thoughts and beliefs and Katy helped me articulate that in an efficient manner. Lastly I conducted a mock interview with Katy. She came prepared with school specific interview questions and gave me tangible feedback to improve upon after the mock interview. Katy has a knack for capturing real-time guidance and providing you that document to serve as a guidance moving forward. All in all, working with Katy was the best investment I made. I knew from the first free consultation that Katy would not only be my consultant, but a genuine mentor looking to help me achieve my dreams. I was able to get admittance and several interviews in the top 20. Without Katy’s guidance, this entire process would have been exponentially more stressful. Choose Katy, you won’t be disappointed.

Katy went above and beyond helping me prepare for the interview process! As someone who previously did not have a great deal of interviewing experience, I sought out Katy before my interviews – it was the best decision I made in 2018! She systematically went through question after question with me, helping me frame my answers. She helped me understand the interview process from the admissions committee’s point-of-view, and she gave me confidence in my answers. I cannot express how much her help meant to me. When you work with Katy, she treats you like family. She cares tremendously for the success of her students! Katy is outstanding in every way!

When I first met Katy, I wasn’t sold on using an admissions consultant. I am so fortunate I did, as Katy was invaluable in my admissions journey. She made a genuine effort to get to know me and understand how my background influenced my passion for social impact. Katy provided tremendous insight into the thought process of admissions officers. Her brainstorming sessions helped me clearly articulate my background and aspirations.

Katy helped me craft a complete application, from start to finish. She paid tremendous attention to every detail of the application, which was particularly helpful in the short answers and in preparing my recommenders. Katy’s insider knowledge into the admissions process was extremely helpful in bringing my passion for social impact to life. Thanks to Katy I received admissions offers to Wharton and Booth, with merit scholarships. I would highly recommend Katy to any applicant.

I approached Katy for a two school package about a month and a half before the round 1 deadlines for HBS and Wharton Lauder. As a Latin American applicant coming from a traditional finance background, I wasn’t very clear on the messaging that I wanted to convey in my applications. Katy was HIGHLY recommended to me by 2 Latin American HBS alums and she definitely exceeded all of my expectations.

Although I was relatively late to begin preparing my application materials for round 1, Katy was an incredible resource. She was very knowledgeable about both programs and always made herself available to answer all of my questions. We did a very thorough brainstorming session before beginning to write my applications which was key to the messaging I transmitted throughout each of the applications I submitted. She also worked closely with me to device a strategy on how approach my recommenders.

Once I began writing my essays and preparing my resume and other required materials, Katy was always available to review each draft and very quick to provide feedback until I had the perfect application for each school. After I received my interview invites for both programs, Katy’s mock interviews were on point and her advice was critical to my preparation for that last piece of the application process.

I would HIGHLY recommend Katy to anyone applying to a top MBA program. I am very pleased with my final results and have to admit that Katy was instrumental to my acceptance to HBS and Wharton Lauder!

Working with Katy for round 1 admissions this year has been great! The advice she has given me was invaluable for my applications, and helped me get accepted to two M7 programs, both of which with scholarship offers.

When I was at the beginning of the application process, I had 30-minute free consultation sessions. In these sessions, I connected very well with Katy and she gave me incredibly helpful advice upfront, before I had even chosen to work with her. I was not feeling great about my chances at top-tier schools, and Katy made me fee more confident. Once I decided to work with Katy, we held a brainstorming session where she not only helped me decide on my list of schools, but also went deep into my background and helped me narrow down really solid, coherent stories for my essays. Without this help, combined with her amazing assistance on my essay drafts, I would not have had nearly as clear and comprehensive essays. Her advice also extended to interview prep. She has incredibly deep experience with the interviews at all of the top schools and helped me refine my interview answers, making me feel much less nervous about the interviews.

Without Katy’s help, I do not believe that I would have gotten into Kellogg or Sloan. I would definitely recommend her to anybody considering applying to business school.

Top-down message: Katy is a very experienced and fantastic person and you should take Katy if you want to get in to top MBA programs such as HBS or Stanford GSB.
I was not sure at the beginning if I needed admission consultant to help me with my applications. I thought that I could easily read all the tips online, ask my friends and create a strong MBA profile. I could not be more wrong. Application process at top MBAs is very competitive and complex. There are several factors that may influence decision whether or not people are accepted. Katy, as ex-consultant, is very structured, takes care of all details and put a lot of effort even in creating perfect short answers in the application. She was able to use 100% potential from my story resulting in acceptance to Stanford Graduate School of Business.
I was impressed from the beginning how she created my story during first brainstorming session. She helped me differentiate from overpopulated pool of management consultants by bringing several insights from my personal life. During the process, she was not only my real advisor, but also a friend, who helped to keep me up during the process.
I am very grateful to her (best decision I could make!) and I recommend Katy to anyone, who would like to study at top MBA program and need some additional guidance.

In 2018 I decided to apply to various MBA programs, and I wanted to an expert to help me and guide me through the process. I researched and interviewed a lot of consultants in various companies around the world, and once I had my 30-minute free consultation with Katy, I was sure that I wanted to work with her. Not only was she kind and patient, she was honest and enthusiastic.

Katy believed in my story and I can honestly say she was an invaluable in my application to GSB, my dream school, which I got accepted to! As many of us know, applying to an MBA is a complicated process. Finding the stories you want to tell was one of the most difficult aspects for me during the application. Katy patiently listened to my story and helped me identify those stories that made me unique. I was born, raised, and currently live in Colombia, so I first thought that a consultant from a different country would not understand my story as well. Katy was amazing!! She helped me realize that coming from a different country was a special part of my story.

Katy provided wonderful insights during my essays. She was VERY patient with my constant emails and questions on next steps and new ideas I had for my applications. Also, she was very supportive whenever I had doubts about myself, and once I got invited to my interviews, I felt that she was genuinely happy because she truly believed in me. To me, Katy is a consultant that truly believes in her clients and their individual stories. She was incredibly helpful in my interview prep as well, making sure I stayed true to myself.

I want to conclude by saying: Katy was spectacular! I wholeheartedly recommend her as a consultant and if I were to do it all over again, I would choose to work with her!

Start-to-finish, I worked with Katy for 11 months on a six-school package with the result being accepted at five top MBA programs and accepting an offer to attend HBS. I cannot thank her enough for all of her help nor think of a better partner throughout the entire process! I can confidently say I would not have had near the success I was able to without all of her guidance and support to help turn my disparate collection of plans and ideas in to a carefully crafted admissions story.
Coming from a non-traditional background, one of one of the areas I was most nervous about was being a burden to recommenders – neither of whom had written MBA rec letters before. For me, this was one of the most helpful areas to have Katy’s support – she not only made it an easier process on them, but also allowed me to not worry as much about this part of the application. I’ve talked to both of my recommenders since the process ended and they couldn’t rave enough about how beneficial it was to have Katy’s guidance, and both rec letters were brought up by my interviewer at my HBS interview as well.
I can’t say enough about how thankful I am to have had her help throughout this process and would recommender her to anyone embarking on the MBA application journey.

Start-to-finish I worked with Katy for 11 months on a six-school package with the result being accepted at five top MBA programs and accepting an offer to attend HBS. I cannot thank her enough for all of her help nor think of a better partner throughout the entire process! I can confidently say I would not have had near the success I was able to without all of her guidance and support to help turn my disparate collection of plans and ideas in to a carefully crafted admissions story.
Coming from a non-traditional background, one of one of the areas I was most nervous about was being a burden to recommenders – neither of whom had written MBA rec letters before. For me, this was one of the most helpful areas to have Katy’s support – she not only made it an easier process on them, but also allowed me to not worry as much about this part of the application. I’ve talked to both of my recommenders since the process ended and they couldn’t rave enough about how beneficial it was to have Katy’s guidance, and both rec letters were brought up by my interviewer at my HBS interview as well.
I can’t say enough about how thankful I am to have had her help throughout this process and would recommend her to anyone embarking on the MBA application journey.

I applied for business schools two years ago and didn’t gain admission to any of the four schools I had applied to. Needless to say, I didn’t have a very optimistic when I decided to apply again. I had also used a consultant for my prior application cycle from Veritas Prep. I didn’t have a great impression of consultants from my previous application round, i.e.: they didn’t review my application short answers, etc.

So I knew going into this round that I wanted someone who would take a holistic approach to my application. Katy went above and beyond, from the brainstorming session at the beginning all the way to making sure my short answers rounded out my application. I again applied to four programs (three from my prior round and one new one), and was accepted into three programs (Booth, Kellogg, and Tuck) this round!

Throughout the process, Katy was there to guide me through interviews, video essays, and deciding between admission offers. I highly recommend Katy to anyone looking to go to business school, especially re-applicants!

I was skeptical about paying for an admissions consultant until I visited with Katy.

I worked with Katy on a two school package – HBS and Stanford – and could not have had a more positive experience.

As a re-applicant, I was hesitant to reapply. I spoke to 10 different consulting firms and was still torn until I talked to Katy. Katy actually made me excited to reapply and explained her approach to reapplications (she wasn’t prescribing the quick “how about you volunteer for the next few weeks?” – she was rethinking how I told my story). After a few short minutes I really felt like she “got me.”

Katy was the only consultant I talked to who had real experience at both HBS and Stanford. I always considered the admissions process a bit of a black box and Katy was always there to answer my endless questions about process and strategy.

In terms of working together, Katy was incredibly quick, sharp, patient, and thoughtful. I was stumped on what I could possibly write about after already going through the process once, but Katy was extremely good at coaching me to approach this application differently. I was most surprised by how she was able to help me craft my story during our brainstorming session. Throughout the process, she took a holistic approach to my application (thinking about the essay in the context of my resume, my transcript, my short answers, etc.) and gave helpful feedback in that context. Katy made the process fun and easy.

Overall, my only regret is that I didn’t know Katy when I first applied!

I started my search for an MBA advisor about two years before applying. Searching for someone who could truly understand my story and help me come across as the person I see myself. Katy has been spot on from day one and was key to my acceptance to HBS, Wharton & Lauder, Columbia and LBS.

Being an engineer who started my career as a consultant, I was afraid I would not be able to differentiate myself from the highly qualified applicants pool. Katy was very thorough in working to truly understand my story and help me choose the best stories to reflect my profile. She was a perfect mentor and friend helping me with my numerous questions and my insecurities, for example the fact that my GMAT score was not exceptional.

Katy believed in me from the start and is today someone I truly hold dear. Coming from Brazil, being able to relate to someone even never having met in person is incredibly helpful and provides comfort to really open yourself which is key to the success of the process of working with an advisor. I am very grateful to her and have no doubt that she will be able to have the same impact in your application.

I worked with Katy for a 3 school package, as a re-applicant. A few years ago, I scheduled an initial consultation with Katy and she gave me specific, helpful, and extensive advice about which schools would be a good fit for me, and things I could do to improve my application. I took it all in, thought that I had everything I needed to apply on my own without her help, and sent in my application, R2. I got rejected from all of the schools I applied to.

A few years later, I retook the GMAT, got a higher score, and decided not to blow it. I called Katy and asked for her help for my R1 application. It was money well-spent! I got into my top-choice, Harvard Business School.

Now, what changed between then and now? Yes, I had a higher GMAT score (went up from 680 to 710), I applied R1 instead of R2, and I had more interesting work experience. But here’s why I STILL think I couldn’t have done this without Katy.

(1) She spends so much time understanding your personal story, and helps you frame your background and accomplishments in a compelling way. The hours I spent on the brainstorming exercise with Katy were well worth it. You are, of course, responsible for writing your essays – but Katy helps you choose the subject and refine them so so they shine.

(2) She is so experienced with these applications, and has tips and perspectives there is no way I would have come to on my own. From the very specific way of briefing my interviewers, to avoiding certain subjects in short answers – she just brings valuable experience to the table that you can’t get from just reading blog posts.

(3) The interview prep was so helpful. For HBS interviews, the questions are highly targeted for your specific application. If you get an interview invite, Katy spends time looking over your entire application, and then conducts a personalized mock interview with you. I was astonished to find that 90% of the questions during my actual HBS interview matched my mock interview.

Finally, there are lots of consultants out there who can help you with your application. What sets Katy apart? Her unfailingly supportive attitude, her positivity, and her clear dedication to helping her clients succeed. I would highly suggest working with Katy if you want to maximize your chances at getting admitted to a top business school.

I recently worked with Katy on my HBS 2+2 application. I approached Katy with a rough draft of my personal statement about a month and a half prior to the application deadline. Katy was extremely helpful in her ability to brainstorm the ideas I was trying to get across and suggest ways to better articulate the themes. I was especially impressed with how she did not work from a template, but rather devoted time to understand my story and express it on paper. With her guidance, my unorganized amalgamation of thoughts came together as a genuine and expressive essay.

As a college senior who did not have recommenders that were familiar with the business school process, I relied on Katy to help me optimize the impact of my recommendations. Katy advised me on how to provide my recommenders with insightful information about the message I was trying to get across. I am confident that my recommenders would not have been able to speak as well to who I am had I not worked with Katy.

In the end, I was thrilled to get into HBS. Katy went above and beyond to always respond quickly and thoughtfully to my many, many questions. This responsiveness, in addition to Katy’s strong ability to understand the college experience and relate it to business school language, makes me wholeheartedly recommend her to students applying to 2+2.

I was very happy with my result and know that much of it is due to Katy!

My goal going into the application process was to be accepted into a top business school (M7). I spoke with several advisors before Katharine. Each advisor prior to Katharine told me I should shoot for either a part time program, or a school that was ranked outside of the top 10.

I chose to work with Katharine because she listened to my entire story, and believed that someone with my profile could get into one of my top choices. She had confidence in her ability to shape both the positive aspects and negative aspects of my story in order to achieve my goals. I was also drawn to Katharine because of her positivity and deep knowledge of all of the top MBA programs.
After working with Katharine for several months, we were able to surface pieces of my work experience, volunteer experience, and extracurriculars that represented who I am in the best light. She then helped guide me through each step of the application process. We worked together to decide what I should write about in each of my essays, prepare my recommenders, and fill out my applications. She did an incredible job weaving pieces of my background throughout my applications, and making sure I had a well-balanced story when I applied. Her strong knowledge of what each school was looking for enabled me to curate my story to match each school’s desired student profile. In the end, I was admitted to the M7 program of my choice.

I learned a lot about myself through the application process. The process allows you to dig deep and think about who you are and what you want to do later in life. Katharine helps guide you through that journey, and I think that is something very special about her that sets her apart from other advisors. Ultimately, she and I put together a story that was very genuine and represented exactly who I am and what my future goals were. I believe admissions really “got” me, that that’s why they admitted me. I’m certain that Katharine can bring that out in you as well.

I used Katharine Lewis for a 2-school package (all-inclusive). It seems like a lot of money upfront and I didn’t know if I ‘needed’ a consultant at first – some mentors and friends said that my profile is so good, why would I want one? But I am SO happy with my decision, and Katy definitely made it worth it.

From helping me navigate the MBA admissions process, to reading multiple drafts of my essays until they were perfect, to doing mock interviews, to coaching me through the waitlist process for HBS, Katy was absolutely phenomenal and she has truly become a great friend.

Katy has such extensive experience that she knows how to guide the essays, recommendations, application (like what extracurriculars to highlight there vs. other places in essays, etc.). Also, the mock interviews she gave me truly helped me prepare for the real interviews, and she was able to provide wonderful additional reading for me to help me in my preparation

I got into Wharton (with a large fellowship), into Stanford GSB, and waitlisted after interviewing with HBS.

I am pleased with the results and Katy was instrumental in all of this! Katy has become more than a consultant for me- she helped calm me down, maintain confidence during the waitlist process, and encourage me in every aspect! I am looking forward to staying in touch with her well beyond this admissions cycle.

Katharine and I did 2 mock interviews before my real HBS interview – the preparation and practice with her was invaluable! The style of the interview she conducted turned out to be very close to the real thing! Katharine knows the ins and outs of the admissions process and what the adcoms are looking for. Overall, working with her was a big help and definitely helped my confidence and preparedness! I highly recommend working with her if you are applying to HBS.

The best thing that I could have done about my MBA application process it to find Katy. I knew I wanted to apply only to Stanford and Harvard so I was looking at someone that has been in touch with both schools. I found Katy and reached out to her, had my 30 min call and was very pleased. Unfortunately I didn’t apply that year to MBA, but I still had Katy in my mind and told her that I still want to work only with her but I need to move this to next year and please save me a spot because she is the only person I want to work with. I touched based again with her when the next year came and I was struggling a lot with GMAT. She suggested that I take GRE and gave me the pros and cons for each, and that was a great choice for me. I had the brainstorming session with her and it felt that she understood my story so well. She has gone through this so many times that she knows exactly what these 2 schools are looking for. Long story short: Katy made the application for me a breeze. Everything was very well structured, step by step and Katy’s comments are to the point and very easy to grasp. The essays looked so easy to get around. When I first read the essays titles 2 years before my application I was so lost, and when I worked with Katy, it was so easy to put my thoughts in paper immediately. In the end I got accepted to both schools and I couldn’t have done without Katy.

Getting into Harvard has been my dream for the last six years. I was worried, however, that I didn’t have that unique story you typically associate with people that get into these universities. Then came Katy, who helped me take a step back and weave the many seemingly unrelated elements of my life into one cohesive story that both provided me with the standout story I never thought I had and quite honestly helped me understand myself better. What I quickly began to appreciate is that Katy doesn’t take a one-size-fits all approach to MBA consulting, she really took the time to know me and then tailored how we tackled the essays based on my background and goals. Beyond that, she was also very knowledgeable about the process answering my many questions with valuable insights from the view of someone who has been an admissions committee member herself. Even though I read virtually ever piece of MBA advice I could get my hands on over the past six years, everything I thought I knew paled in comparison to the insights Katy provided me. Lastly, I can’t overstate how much Katy truly cares about the people she works with. The MBA process can get really stressful at times, but with Katy’s sound advice and kind words, I never felt overwhelmed by the process. I genuinely can’t recommend Katy enough and after comparing my first and final essay drafts, I honestly don’t know what I would have done without her! (Harvard Business School and Columbia Business School Admit)

I would not have been admitted to HBS without Katy’s help. She was phenomenal to work with, start to finish, and it was so fun to work with her because it’s clear that she loves her job as a consultant and mentor. A year before I applied, I hired Katy for a two-school prep package and worked with her closely throughout the entire application process. Katy helped me to position my candidacy; structure, review and edit my essays; provided guidance, edits and thoughts on all my short answers; and prepare for interviews. It was a long and intense process but she worked very hard to provide timely feedback and she always made herself available to answer questions. Perhaps what I appreciated the most about Katy is her ability to listen and ask sincere questions to really get to know me. A good consultant cannot help you if they do not know you, and Katy showed a remarkable ability to understand my story quickly. Her ability was most evident at the beginning of the application process when I was trying to identify how to position my candidacy and articulate what really motivates me. Katy was extremely effective at helping me uncover the real ‘why’ behind many of my experiences and life decisions, which was crucial for how I positioned by application and structured my essays. Katy is also very candid and honest. After several weeks of working on my essays, she reviewed them one day and told me they were really boring. It was true, and I’m really glad she let me know. I then completely revamped them with her help and the end product was far superior to what I had initially. All in all, I found Katy to be knowledgeable, experienced, caring, genuine, and a highly effective ‘thought partner’. I recommend her to everyone I know applying and am so glad I used her in my process.

Right from the initial free consultation, I wanted to work with Katy. She was more thorough, professional and insightful than the other consultants I spoke with. I was impressed with the level of detail in her follow-up email analysis where she assuaged some of my fears about my candidacy. After signing up for a 2 school start to finish package for Columbia and Booth, she clearly laid out the road map, with information about key checkpoints such as when to start working on the resume, recommendations, short answers, etc. This helped me focus on the right aspects of my application at the right stages. During our brainstorming, Katy helped me to take an introspective view which enabled me to craft compelling essays. She has a great ability to see how various parts of one’s application come together to deliver the best possible impact. I did not have great stats, but I was able to build a strong application around my unique story and solid work experience, thanks to Katy. Her feedback during the mock interview proved vital, and in the end, I was accepted to Booth – a school which I initially thought was out of my league. I can’t thank Katy enough!

I was introduced to Katharine (Katy) Lewis by a good friend who worked with her throughout the 2014 application cycle. This applicant was ecstatic to have accepted an offer to Stanford GSB and admitted to many other top schools; she could not have been more excited to recommend Katy and get me started with the application process. As part of the free initial 30 minute consultation (in January 2016), Katy reviewed my resume and discussed my work history, professional goals and interests, and initial school thoughts. My main concern was that I hadn’t achieved a GMAT score I thought was competitive enough; Katy re-assured me to keep going and check back around April / May to re-assess the situation. Once it reached April, I still hadn’t finished my testing but decided to move forward with the process in order to stay well ahead of the round 1 submission timeline. Katy was more than gracious to accept me as a client and start the process while still re-assuring me that the testing would never be an issue as long as I kept trying. I purchased the “complete start-to-finish” package for 3 schools: HBS, Stanford GSB, and Dartmouth Tuck. HBS and Stanford were my top choices; I was slightly unsure about Dartmouth Tuck and ended up changing this school once my final school decisions were due. A few thoughts on each stage of the process: Brainstorming: This is the starting point for all applications and consisted of a detailed questionnaire and a few brainstorming calls to solidify the overall arch to my application. It was initially a bit overwhelming — I needed to provide very detailed commentary on my overall background, from childhood to my current professional environment — but after diving in, it ended up being the most interesting part of the entire process. Portions of my personal history that I thought were relatively inconsequential ended up providing the best starting point for essays; Katy constantly reminded me of this. Her level of enthusiasm for my background and anecdotes gave me such confidence that I was a strong candidate – it made my essay writing process one of self-discovery rather than a chore. School Choice / Application Round: I ended up missing round 1 deadlines due to my testing and reset my priorities to round 2; during that time, I decided to add a handful of schools through the Consortium common application and Katy was able to help me pick and choose which schools I’d be most competitive as an applicant. I ended up choosing Stanford GSB and HBS, and through the Consortium common application I chose Yale, Cornell, UVA Darden, UC Berkeley Haas, and NYU. I was amazed by Katy’s level of knowledge for each school; she’s personally spent time at each of them and can talk for hours about the pros and cons for each school. Aside from that, she was always willing to put me in touch with a former client or contact so that I could get a better sense first-hand sense of each program. Career Goals / Personal Interests: Business school has always been a goal but I had some difficulty verbalizing my post-MBA goals. I’ve spent the last 7 years in the Risk Management division of a large Investment Bank and I did not want to give any impression that I wanted to return to a traditional banking or consulting type of role following graduation. Katy was instrumental in helping me solidify my vision for a logical career path following b-school. This was incredibly important as most (not all) interviews will dig deep here. Katy helped me focus in on a forward-looking vision that was based on my experience and a logical next step that I could believe in my head as I was interviewing. Essays / Final Applications: Submission of the final applications was hectic given the number of schools I was applying to but Katy never missed a deadline and always had feedback that proved invaluable. The essay writing process was iterative and she never altered or made direct changes to any of my written submissions; instead, she would provide comments on ways to re-think certain aspects or strengthen ideas that seemed thin in the context of my overall candidacy. At any point in time, I was free to ‘reject’ her suggestions if I didn’t feel comfortable but I never found that to be the case. At the outset I thought I’d dread writing the essays just given the number I had to do (~14); however, the extensive brainstorming process made it super simple to pair certain personal stories with essay prompts to the point that they almost wrote themselves. I’d perhaps have 4-5 total revisions per essay on those that I cared the most about. Interviews: I was absolutely thrilled and quite frankly couldn’t believe that I received interview invitations from HBS, UC Berkeley Haas, Yale, NYU, and Cornell. Every single school has a different approach; you may meet with any combination of current students, admissions committee members, and alumni. Katy was instrumental in helping me prep and I was never blindsided by the interviews that we prepared for. When all was said and done, I received admissions offers from HBS, Haas, Yale, and Cornell; the result could not have been more positive and I ended up choosing my top-choice of HBS! On a personal note, my relationship with Katy went from client to personal confidant. She was always there to keep my nerves in check and re-assure me when I was doubting myself. Her positive attitude and willingness to chat, at ANY time of the day, made this incredibly long journey surprisingly enjoyable. She was even gracious enough to invite my boyfriend and I to her home when we were in her neck of the woods. In short, this review could never summarize how incredibly instrumental Katy has been throughout this (lengthy) stage in my life. I knew she would get results, but I’m still completely blown away by how positive the results turned out in my case. Some friends of mine have recently expressed a faint interest in b-school themselves and, as a result, I’ve gone out of my way to have them at least speak with her. I would hate for anyone to miss an opportunity to work with such an incredibly talented and caring person.

Working in education – where virtually every friend and colleague was pursuing/had pursued something other than a business degree – I knew that I would need support navigating the MBA application process. I had only spoken to one other consultant before my “trial” call with Katy – and I immediately knew that there was no need to look further once we had spoken. In those 30 minutes, Katy assured me that my background did not put me at a disadvantage – and she had already gathered a general sense for what my strengths would be in my application. I walked away from that first call feeling like Katy already knew me and saw my potential. Those feelings intensified when Katy and I met for the brainstorm session. Katy was able to consider every random detail from the 24-page (massive) brainstorming document I sent her and extract from them a cohesive and powerful story. In doing so, she helped me to uncover the motivations that led to my past personal, academic, and professional choices – all of which suddenly seemed to reinforce my decision to pursue an MBA. Following our call – and with a clearer sense of self – I felt ready to conquer my applications. One thing (among many) that I love about Katy is her ability to be completely honest and supportive at the same time. I had spent loads of time preparing an essay draft (about an event from my childhood). While Katy appreciated the story, she challenged me to reconsider my lesson-learned from it – and ultimately how it shaped me as a person. This reflection, which Katy facilitated with the utmost sensitivity and care, helped me to understand why I have the passions that I have, and where they stem from. Again, I found myself discovering so much about who I am through the experience of working with Katy. Expect to go deep with her! Finally, as many might relate, I didn’t have a lot of money to invest in an MBA consultant. I was very open about this with Katy. That said, I never felt as though Katy wasted a minute of my time; on the contrary, I often felt as though she either had a superpower OR was giving much more of herself than I deserved (per our contract). Katy is extremely generous with her time and every contribution she makes on your behalf is always her very best. As others have remarked in their reviews, Katy will make you feel like you are her first priority – no matter the number of hours you have with her. Katy told me upfront that admissions to Berkeley (my #1) wouldn’t, and couldn’t, be a guarantee, given its low acceptance rate. But, her ability to bring out my full potential, coupled with her impressive “insiders” knowledge of every great business school (including Cal), made my hope a reality. I will be attending Haas in the fall, thanks to my amazing consultant and friend, Katy.