Katharine Lewis

Executive Director

mbaMission

California

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

Spending two years reading and evaluating MBA applications for the Stanford GSB inspired Katharine Lewis to coach business school applicants on her own for a time before joining mbaMission as a Senior Consultant. With 12 MBAs from six schools in her family, she passionately believes that business school provides essential leadership training for any career. After graduating summa cum laude from Yale, Katharine earned her JD and MBA (with distinction) from Harvard. She then joined McKinsey & Company, where she completed consulting projects for finance, forest products, retail and nonprofit clients, and designed and established two business-government advocacy groups: a roundtable partnership under David Rockefeller comprising the top New York–based CEOs, and a Washington, DC, coalition of AMEX-listed, midsize companies committed to pro-growth tax and regulatory policies. After reluctantly declining a teaching offer from HBS, Katharine practiced law with Morrison & Foerster before switching her focus to education and nonprofit consulting. She chaired finance at a highly successful start-up school, served on four school boards and completed projects for the S.D. Bechtel, Jr. Foundation and the San Francisco Foundation. Katharine also assisted Professor Kathleen M. Connell (the former California State Controller) in her finance class at the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley and contributed to Connell’s book Moving Up to Millions: The Life Calculator Guide to Wealth (Wiley, 2007).

Company Information

mbaMission is the world’s leading MBA admissions consulting firm and the only one exclusively recommended by Manhattan Prep and Kaplan GMAT. Our dedicated, full-time Senior Consultants work one-on-one with business school candidates to identify and showcase their strongest attributes in their applications.

When applying to an elite MBA program, you need elite experience on your side. mbaMission’s full-time consultants are highly skilled communicators with comprehensive knowledge of the MBA admissions process, and helping you navigate that process to your fullest potential is our sole priority. You can be confident of having our undivided attention, because admissions consulting is our exclusive focus. In pursuing your MBA, you are making an important investment in yourself, so choose a firm whose singular objective is helping you achieve your goals.

Our full-time team includes MBAs from all the top programs. Although you work exclusively with one dedicated consultant at mbaMission, you benefit from the experience and input of our entire team. Our consultants intercommunicate constantly, sharing information, ideas, feedback, and recommendations. We also conduct semimonthly meetings, require ongoing training, and hold an annual full-company conference, where we gather to discuss best practices and continue improving our skills and knowledge base. More than 20 full-time admissions experts combine their know-how and experience to advance your cause. We know that our being at the top of our game means you have the greatest chance of success, and together, our team will find the best ways to strengthen your application.

Menu of Services and Associated Costs

One-on-one consultation services, comprehensive admissions and school-specific guides, a robust blog, free eBooks, essay analyses, and other valuable resources—visit our Web site to find all that mbaMission offers.

FREE CONSULTATION
Want to know your chances of being admitted to business school? Wondering how to differentiate yourself from other applicants? Sign up for a free, 30-minute consultation with an mbaMission Senior Consultant today!

FEATURED SERVICES
Complete Start-to-Finish Package
A la Carte Hourly Services
Mock Interview Sessions
Ding Review
Pre-Application Strategy

RESOURCES
Robust blog
Free Interview Primers
Free Personal Statement Guide
Free Selecting Your Target MBA Program eBook
Free Social Media Primer
Business School Insider’s Guides
MBA Admissions Guides
Free monthly online and in-person events

Location: California, United States

Phone: 646-485-8844

Email: info@mbamission.com

Website: https://www.mbamission.com/consult-pq/

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Such A Pleasure To Work With Katy For Wharton EMBA
    2 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Applicant
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  • Career Guidance & Dual Degree Acceptances To Wharton, Sloan, HKS, & Penn GSE
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Got Into HBS, GSB, Wharton, Sloan – Thanks, Katy!
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Admitted To HBS + GSB + Wharton. Thanks To Katy!
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Admitted To HBS, Wharton, Sloan, & Kellogg
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Admitted To HBS
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Admitted & Received Scholarships - Thanks, Katy!
    3 months ago
    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, ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Accepted To HBS & Wharton With Katy
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • I Don’t Know What I Would Have Done Without Katy (Wharton, CBS, MIT Sloan, Booth, Kellogg Admit)
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Admitted To Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, MIT!
    3 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Going To Wharton (Deferred MBA) - & Working With Katy Was THE Best Decision I Made To Make This Possible!
    8 months ago
    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 ...
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    Ishi Tripathi
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
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  • HBS 2+2! Let's Go! Thanks To Katy!
    9 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2027 Admit
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  • Spouse & I Headed To Kellogg With Generous Scholarships!
    10 months ago
    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. ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Admitted To Wharton
    10 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Admitted To Wharton / Lauder Thanks To Katy!
    12 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Katy enabled me to build a compelling narrative!
    12 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Applicant
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  • The Most Incredible Experience — Katharine Is The BEST!
    12 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Solid Guidance
    1 year ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Admitted To GSB Thanks To Katy!
    1 year ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Top Tier Consultant!
    1 year ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Simply The Best - MMM Admit
    1 year ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Reapplicant Admitted To HBS Thanks To Katy!
    1 year ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Accepted Into HBS & A Waitlist From Stanford GSB
    1 year ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • HBS 2+2 & Stanford GSB Deferred Admit
    1 year ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Stanford GSB Deferred Admit
    2 years ago
    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!!
    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • HBS 2+2 Admit
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Admitted To HBS 2+2 From India Thanks To Katy!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Sumanyu Ghoshal
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Accepted To Columbia & MIT!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • HBS 2+2 Coach
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Applicant
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  • The Best Consultant For Deferred MBA Applicants — Admitted To Stanford!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2027 Admit
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  • Accepted To LBS!!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Applicant
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  • Thoughtful, Caring, & Brutally Honest
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Accepted To HKS
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Accepted To Stanford!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Partnering With Katy Is A MUST!
    2 years ago
    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. ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Accepted To Columbia EMBA With Katharine's Help!
    2 years ago
    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!
    Oliver Singer
    EMBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Work With Katy!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Katy Is An Amazing Consultant & Mentor!
    2 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Katharine Lewis - Lifetime Mentor/World-Class Advisor
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admitted To HBS, Wharton, & Many Other M7!
    2 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Katy Lewis - Best Advisor Out There!!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admitted To Wharton
    2 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Katy Is An Absolute Rock Star!
    2 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Katy Is Amazing!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Katharine Lewis: A Fantastic Consultant For JD/MBA Applications
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • HBS Executive Education
    2 years ago
    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
    Wojciech Malecki
    EMBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Admitted To GSB!
    2 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • I Trust Katy Blindly
    2 years ago
    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, ...
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    Ian Fergie
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admitted To Wharton - Lauder
    2 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • You Must Work With Katy!!!
    2 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admitted To Columbia
    2 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Admitted To INSEAD
    3 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Admitted to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton
    3 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Katy Lewis Is The Absolute Best - Highly Recommend Her!
    3 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Confidence Is Key
    3 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Very Insightful Experience With Katy!
    3 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience With Katy
    3 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A True Thought Partner! Admitted To GSB
    3 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Dependable, Insightful, & Amazing!
    3 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • The Most Thoughtful & Helpful! Accepted To Both HBS + Stanford GSB
    3 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Incredibly Thoughtful!
    4 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Accepted to HBS 2+2 Thanks to Katy!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Amazing support start to finish
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Absolute Superstar
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • One of the Most Helpful MBA Prep Convos
    4 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Best Consultant Ever
    4 years ago
    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.
    George Brennan
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Extremely Helpful Throughout the Entire Process
    4 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • An Absolute Pro
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • The Gold Standard
    4 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A Paragon of Diligence & Generosity
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Waitlist
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  • Great Experience With Katy!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Katy Was Fantastic! 10/10 Would Recommend
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Slam Dunk
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Great Experience & Support
    4 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Terrific Consultant!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Above & Beyond; Thank You, Katy!!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • From No Admissions to 3 Top Tier MBA Admissions & $140K in Total Merit Scholarships, Thanks to Katharine Lewis
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Choose Katy! Wonderful MBA Consultant & Career Mentor
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • Perfect partner to achieve fantastic results; amazing mentor and friend
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • The Perfect Partner, Start To Finish
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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  • Best Decision I've Made for My MBA Applications Jorney
    4 years ago
    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, ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience With A Top Tier Consultant
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Katy Is The Best - Worth The Investment! (Accepted To Top Choice)
    4 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Getting A Top MBA Requires Incredible Collaborators, Katy Is That & More!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Marcelo De Rada Ocampo
    MBA Class of 2021 Admit
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  • The Edge To Securing Offers From Top Business Schools
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    David Mansi
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Fantastic Outcome, Process-Oriented, Building Real Narrative/Story Telling
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • How I Met A Lifetime Mentor!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Amazing Mentor, Quality Experience, Great Results!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • One Tip: Work With Katharine! (Admitted to HBS, Kellogg)
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    German O Sepulveda
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Katy Prepared Me To Nail My Interview At HBS!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Insightful & Invaluable Advice
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • The Gold Standard in The Industry
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Five Out of Five
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Go With Katy if You Want to Get Into a Top School
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • HBS Interview Prep
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Just applied to R2 for HBS and Wharton
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • 11 out of 10 - Highly Recommend
    4 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • I'm Going to HBS Thanks to Katy
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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  • Incredible, Incredible Consultant & Mentor!
    4 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Choose Katy for Deferred Programs!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • HBS 2+2 Admit
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • 2+2 Admit: Katy is THE Best Decision I Made
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Katy Is Highly Knowledgeable & Listens To Your Needs
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy Cares - My X-Factor To An HBS Admission
    5 years ago
    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; ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy Believed In Me & Helped Me Believe In Myself.
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Neha Jain
    MBA
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  • Highly Recommend Katy! (Tuck & Darden)
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy Made Sure My Applications Really Captured Who I Am
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Admitted To HBS & Wharton
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy Made It Possible!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Ross Jaffe
    MBA
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  • Incredible Resource & Partner! Top 10 Admit Thanks To Katy!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • I Couldn't Have Done It Without Her!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Applicant
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  • Admitted To GSB, Wharton, & Kellogg
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • ROI On Katy Is HIGH!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Do Yourself A Favor & Choose Katy!!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy Made A Top Business School A Reality!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy Is Absolutely AMAZING!!
    5 years ago
    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!
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Invaluable Advice & Experience
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy IS AMAZING! Can't Imagine Navigating The MBA Application Process Without Her
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Best Decision In My Admissions Process - Highly Recommend
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Best Decision I Made In 2018!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Katy Lewis Is A Spectacular MBA Advisor!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Indispensable Partner in the Admissions Process
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Robert Clemons
    MBA
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  • Indispensable Partner In The Admissions Process
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Robert Clemons
    MBA
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  • Highly Recommend Katy Lewis (Reapplicant)
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Above & Beyond Expectations - Best Choice Ever
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Applicant
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  • I Can Not Imagine A Better MBA Advisor
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Wouldn't Have Gotten Into HBS Without Her!
    5 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Strongly Recommend Katy Lewis
    6 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Katharine is the definition of what you wish for in an MBA advisor
    6 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Katy is the best!!
    6 years ago
    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. ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • True to life HBS Mock Interview
    6 years ago
    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.
    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • Work with Katy if you want to get into HBS or GSB
    6 years ago
    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 ...
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    - jona.babi@gmail.com
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  • Above and beyond my high expectations
    6 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Amazing!
    6 years ago
    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 ...
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    - James Crawley
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  • Top Draw!
    6 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Incredible Experience
    7 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Katy is the best!
    7 years ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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