Liza Weale

TLDR: Working with Liza was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made, and I recommend anyone seriously considering top MBA programs to reach out and see if she’s available! With her help, I’m really excited to be heading to Wharton in the fall!

My background: Mid-20s, Asian American Male – applied to a select small group of schools from a traditional MBB consulting / Private Equity investing background. Test scores and GPA are in line with the medians of the top schools, but are not outstanding by any measure. I had applied once a few years ago to one school only, with the assistance of an admissions consultant who wasn’t too helpful – so I was a bit skeptical this time around. However, from the moment I first had a consultation with Liza, I knew that she was on top of her game and treated each of her candidates not just as a paycheck, but a friend she works closely with from day one as a true thought partner.

From when you start working with her, she is meticulously detailed and organized, something that I found tremendously valuable while balancing a full time job with applications. Through working with Liza, I found that no question was too silly, no essay or short answer too poorly written, no idea too random. She is willing always to explore different angles and problem solve with you as you approach an application – something I found really comforting to have throughout. Liza excels in helping you throughout the process – from the macro brainstorming around essays, all the way down to catching the most minute grammatical errors in a short-answer response.

She is a talented editor and partner to brainstorm with as you’re approaching the large essays for each school – but she is also there to help provide suggestions on how you architect your whole application – from connecting the essays, to recommendations, to short answers and interviews – to make the whole package come together. Furthermore, she is so dedicated to your cause and success – if you were to equate applying to business school with going through an exhausting, 12-round boxing match, Liza would be your trainer in the corner at all times there to chat in between rounds – giving you tips, prepping you, helping you up when you get knocked down, and always there to be your biggest cheerleader. Even now, as I’m in the summer prepping for business school, Liza continues to be a thought partner on navigating another school’s waitlist I’m still on!

I think beyond everything else – what makes Liza stand out is the fact that she balances being an adept, experienced consultant on the tactical portions of the application with being a tremendously empathetic, thoughtful friend that goes through the ups and downs with you when you’re applying. More likely than not – you’re going to get a rejection from at least 1 school. I’m sure many consultants are good at celebrating their clients’ successes when they get into school – but I believe Liza is singular in her ability to be there when you actually face rejection – and need to pick yourself up for your other interviews and applications. No consultant will be a magician that can sprinkle pixie dust that will grant you admission into all your schools – but Liza is as close as you can get – she’ll take your experiences, your stories, your personality – and help you package it in a way that you don’t believe is possible. It’s not cheap – but then again – neither is business school! If you’re thinking seriously about an MBA – I think it’s a small price to pay to get you to a place you’re happy at!

Liza was incredible to work with and is the reason I got into UVA Darden.

Some background: I have been working in SaaS sales for the past 5 years and wanted to pursue business school as it was an opportunity to pivot into a consulting and jumpstart a more strategic career. However, coming from small liberal arts school outside the t20 with an average GPA and no financial or strategic work experience I knew it would be an uphill battle to get into my dream school. I scored a 322 (161V/16 Q) on the GRE which was solid but knew my application would need to shine… enter Liza. She was a master at highlighting my strengths and storytelling to make my essays excellent. From our first meeting it was clear she was an expert in the process and was proactive in keeping us to a clearly defined timeline. I had very few friends, family, and colleagues that had gone through the bschool process, so Liza was my lifeline and true advisor (even a motivator when I was down on myself!). I would not have gotten into a t15 school without Liza’s help and for anyone looking to unlock the keys to success in the bschool application process, look no further. Thank you Liza!

Background: Mid-20s, Asian male, STEM major from top engineering school, 3.7 GPA, 760 GMAT.
Work experience: 3 years MBB consulting, 1 year healthtech operations.
Results: HBS admit (attending), Wharton admit.

I highly HIGHLY recommend working with Liza. She is hands down the best. Without her, I would not have gotten into my dream MBA program (HBS). I always knew HBS would be a bit of a crap-shoot, but I am confident that working with Liza flipped the odds completely in my favor.

I was initially hesitant to work with an admissions consultant, after having met with several others. Thankfully, I booked time with Liza. She was direct, thoughtful, and clearly had a ton of experience under her belt. I immediately knew that I wanted to work with her. It turned out to be the best decision I could have made during the whole process.

From the get-go, Liza was a crucial thought partner. She really forced me to dig deep and reflect on the decisions I have made throughout my life and why I was applying to business school, and more importantly, how I could concisely and convincingly share my story in my application. Her feedback was always insightful, actionable, and necessary–even when receiving more critical feedback, I felt fully supported, as Liza would always explain her perspective thoughtfully and coherently. She understands deeply the entire business school application and I always felt that I was in very capable hands. On top of everything, Liza held me accountable to a realistic timeline, and I never felt like I was scrambling at any point in the process.

When it came time for interviews, Liza and the Gatehouse team were extremely crucial in my preparation for the HBS interview. I will sound like a broken record by the end of this review, but I seriously would not have gotten in without Liza’s guidance and support. The level of detail we went into during my mock interviews was nearly identical to the types of interview questions I was asked in the actual interview.

If it’s not obvious by now, I believe that working with Liza is a no-brainer. If you are at all on the fence, please read her other reviews and let the results/personal experiences of others speak for themselves! I have personally sent several friends to meet with Liza already. 5 stars is not nearly enough; Liza breaks the scale.

Late 20s, white, female, ivy undergrad, banking / private equity background. I was extremely apprehensive about hiring a consultant in the first place given how pricey the services are across the board, but Liza had come heavily recommended to me by peers from banking / PE backgrounds and I can’t thank them enough. I got into HBS (attending) and Wharton and simply could not have done it without Liza.

Not only is Liza an exceptional editor who can really focus your body of writing to communicate exactly what you’re trying to get across, but she is also extremely creative, which is valuable for the work you do through the admissions process. Liza is a balanced cheerleader – pushing you to keep going in what is a slog of an application cycle without BS’ing you. Her enthusiasm and candor are truly invaluable in the months that you work with her.

In addition to being a great editor, Liza helps manage your process to ensure you’re staying on track. Applying while balancing a full-time workload and extra curriculars is challenging enough, and having Liza chart the course is very helpful.

Lastly, once interviews came around, Liza and the broader Gatehouse team were super mock-interviewers, focusing on the things that matter most and offering real-deal questions. Doing mock interviews with the Gatehouse team was another added bonus of working with Liza.

I truly can’t recommend her enough. Run, don’t walk, to work with her!

Simply put, Liza was incredible to work with and I would 100% recommend anybody applying to business school to work with her. The results speak for themselves – I got into Stanford, Harvard, Wharton and MIT – and Liza played a critical role in all of these outcomes.

Coming from a traditional finance route of investment banking and private equity, I initially didn’t feel differentiated from my peer group. While I had a strong GPA from a good undergraduate school, my GMAT was average for the business schools I was applying to. Liza helped me stand out. She worked extensively with me to help craft my story. Liza truly cares and the depth of her passion for her applicants manifests itself throughout the process from the initial consultation (where I got actionable, super specific advice) to the extensive interview preparation (where she probed all the hard questions known to come up on interviews). She worked tirelessly and creatively to ensure I could put my best foot forward for my applications. I really appreciated her direct, tactical advice – she never relied on broad strokes, but helped me think through things step by step.

Looking back on the experience, what felt unique about her approach was the depth and intensity in which we delved into my life experiences and future ambitions. This experience crystalized what I hope to gain from business school and what impact I want to have afterwards – reflection that not only helped craft my application, but also will help me maximize my business school experience (which I believe is ultimately even more important than the application itself).

Background: Late 20s, female, Texas, technical role at oil and gas company, undergraduate business degree from state school (business management & finance double major), 3.7 GPA, GRE: 162Q/159V.

Accepted: Wharton, Chicago Booth, MIT, Yale
Attending: Wharton School (Class of 2025)

I had the privilege of working with Liza at Gatehouse Admissions for two years. Coming from a niche role at an oil and gas company, I knew that I needed exceptional guidance to navigate the competitive admissions process. Liza proved to be the perfect partner in my journey to business school.

Liza played a pivotal role in shaping my personal story. She helped me craft a narrative that described where I came from, the decisions I made along the way, and most importantly, my “why.” Liza’s guidance in this aspect was invaluable as it helped me present a clear and strong case for my candidacy. Further, Liza took a holistic approach to the application. She ensured that all components of the application (resume, essays, short answers, etc.) were consistent and connected to my “why”.

One of Liza’s specialties was her ability to help me articulate my accomplishments, projects, and performance in a way that was clear and compelling to admissions staff who may have been unfamiliar with the energy industry. Liza took the time to understand my nuanced role and pushed me to dig deeper in my reflections in both professional and personal experiences.

Additionally, Liza provided strategic advice on re-testing for the GMAT & GRE and helped guide me through my decision to delay my applications until the following admissions cycle, ensuring I could present the strongest possible application to the admissions committees. Her thoughtful guidance underscored her dedication to not just meeting but exceeding the expectations of top-tier business school admissions processes.

Further, my experience with Gatehouse Admissions offered access to a variety of resources. I participated in a mock interview with another specialized admissions consultant and engaged with other Gatehouse clients in a simulated Wharton “Team Based Discussion” interview. Throughout the entire process, Liza and the Gatehouse team consistently offered constructive feedback and support.

Liza at Gatehouse Admissions was a vital partner on my journey to business school. I am incredibly grateful for her expertise and guidance, which undoubtedly played a key role in my successful application to business school. If you want to gain admission to the top business schools, you must work with Liza and Gatehouse Admissions!

Background: Late 20s female, east coast, worked in e-commerce and then growth marketing/strategy at a late-stage tech startup, went to Brown for undergrad, 165V/163Q GRE.

Result: Attending Wharton in Fall of 2023

I could not recommend Liza more highly. Liza came recommended to me through a friend who had worked with her and ended up at Stanford GSB. From the moment I met Liza I knew she had my best interest at heart – honestly, thoughtfully, and strategically pointing out the strengths and weaknesses in my application, and how we would work together to put my best foot forward.

The MBA application process is long, and Liza is incredibly adept at leading you through that process. She is patient and thoughtful through every essay draft (of which there are many) and really takes an interest in you as the applicant and how to make you shine through the page. Liza was my biggest support system throughout this process. Liza is also extremely helpful in helping you prep your recommenders, preparing you for interviews, and even filling out the minutiae of the online applications themselves.

Working with Liza was the best decision I made in preparing for the MBA process – I recommend her and the Gatehouse team wholeheartedly.

Background: Mid-20s Asian male with 2 years IB and 3 years PE with lower GPA and GMAT (relative to peers)

Before launching into this process, I thought attending a top business school was out of reach — I knew so many others with similar work experiences and stellar GPA / GMAT scores, and incredible stories that made me feel I was out of my league.

I decided to hire an admissions counselor with hopes of having a second set of eyes on my essays and maybe providing some guidance on recommenders, especially with balancing a demanding job, and Liza came well recommended by friends of friends who had used her services before.

Liza delivered so much more — not only did she guide me through the entire experience with clear communication, meticulous planning at each and every step, and continuous support, but she also helped me ‘dig deep’ with introspection and identify common threads in my life and personal experiences and encouraged me to write about topics and adversity I’d overcome that I’d never thought about. I’m highly confident that telling these stories in a way that was genuine to me (huge credit to Liza for helping me think through all of this) made all the difference in my ultimate admission to both Wharton and Booth.

So incredibly thankful for her continuous support and her thoughtfulness at every step of the process, and cannot recommend her highly enough.

Background: Mid-20s Asian male, HYP undergrad, 2 years boutique investment banking, 2 years mid-market private equity.
Result: Admitted Round 1 to HBS and Wharton HCM.
Liza was recommended to me by a friend in PE who had worked with her in the prior application cycle. Liza played a critical role in my application and interview processes at HBS, GSB, and Wharton. Not only was she incredibly knowledgeable about all things business school (and frankly finance & PE), but she was also thoughtful, motivating, and compassionate during a very challenging 4-5 month stretch where I balanced a demanding job and put together my entire application.
In my opinion, Liza’s biggest value add and what differentiates her vs. other consultants is her ability to guide you through the introspective part of the application. She invested significant time at the beginning of the process to get to know me personally and professionally. With her support, I was able to weave together the most exciting parts of my story into succinct essays that helped me stand out in the growing applicant pool of PE associates. We iterated back and forth on many versions of my essays until I felt proud of them.
I would absolutely recommend Liza. It’s an investment in yourself if you are serious about applying to business school. Her expertise and thoughtfulness really made the difference for me.

Background: Late 20s male, east coast, bulge bracket investment banking followed by private equity, non-ivy, 3.9 GPA, 164V/162Q GRE

Result: Admitted to Harvard Business School R1

Liza came highly recommended to me by a friend who was a former client of Liza’s. Liza was extremely instrumental in my MBA application process. She is incredibly skilled at leading you through the introspective process of essay and application writing (both the professional and personal aspects). Liza goes above and beyond to make sure that you are putting your best foot forward.

Liza is incredibly patient, as getting to the best essay requires several rounds of iteration. She takes a comprehensive approach to your application and takes a genuine interest in her clients. She is truly a partner in the application process and she is there with you every step of the way. Beyond the essays, Liza is also instrumental in helping you prep your recommenders, preparing you for interviews, and even filling out the very lengthy online application portals.

Working with Liza was the best decision I made in preparing for the MBA process – I recommend her and Gatehouse without hesitation.

Background: Early 30s, white male, Ivy League undergrad, professional sports with a family business background.

Attending Harvard Business School in 2022.

Liza came highly recommended to me and her knowledge and ability to understand my story was almost immediate. I was coming from a “non-traditional” background after 9 years of professional sports and I was not equipped to go through the application process alone.

Liza guided me every step of the way and was honest, motivating, and collaborative. Her deadlines kept me on schedule and she truly life-coached me throughout the entire process. She challenged me to be more descriptive and show who I really was while also being concise and to the point. Liza’s honest feedback and great edits improved all my essays tremendously.

I was starting a new job, taking multiple GRE tests, and applying to business school amid a pandemic. Life was beyond stressful, but Liza’s optimism, preparation, and communication left such a clear road map for me during some of the most uncertain times. I could not be more thankful to have met such a genuine, kind, and smart leader in my life when I needed it most.

You will not meet a more passionate, detailed, and charismatic individual. It was an absolute pleasure getting to work with Liza from start to finish. It was a daunting process, but Liza’s guidance and consummate professionalism were exemplary in every sense of the word.

If you have the privilege to work with Liza…DO IT!

Background: 26, Female. 2 years investment banking. 2 years at a PE firm. Liberal arts major from Ivy League.

Results: Admitted to HBS (attending), Wharton, Booth (with $), and Kellogg

It’s no secret that preparing five business school applications is a daunting process, especially while juggling a demanding job and other extracurriculars. I had heard about Liza from several colleagues who had successful application processes the year prior. My decision to work with Liza was one of the best I have ever made. Liza was an amazing cheerleader, sounding board, motivator, and friend to me throughout my process.

From the very start of my work with her, Liza took the time to dive in and get to know me. Through her review of my personal reflection (a lengthy document she has you prepare to kick off your work together), Liza helped me to extract the elements of my story that would lend themselves to compelling business school essays. Over the course of several months, through draft after draft, Liza consistently challenged me to push my writing further until I had final drafts of which I am extremely proud.

Equally important, Liza kept me organized. Between standardized test preparations, gathering materials for recommenders, drafting around a dozen essay responses, and preparing for interviews, I certainly had my work cut out for me and not much time to complete it. Through weekly priority lists, timely essay draft reviews, and frequent check-ins by phone, Liza ensured that my five sets of applications were completed seamlessly and far before my application deadlines.

Because of Liza, I have the opportunity to attend the business school of my dreams. I cannot recommend Liza enough!

After four years in big four strategy consulting, I decided to pursue an MBA. I was fortunate to achieve a 760 GMAT, but my profile didn’t really have a wow factor or anything to separate me from other candidates. I’d attended a second-tier Canadian undergrad, where my GPA was good but not great and I hadn’t achieved anything spectacular in terms of extracurriculars. Luckily I decided to work with Liza Weale!

We started our journey together almost a year ahead of deadlines, and so she was able to offer me great advice to strengthen my profile while I had time to spare. She did an absolutely incredible job helping me craft my brand and essay stories. She really dove into my history and expertly drew out the most impactful elements from my life. Liza knew just how to put the pieces together in a compelling way for the school and I really felt that she was invested in my success.

She went beyond simple advice and feedback, and her encouragement did wonders for my confidence. Finally, when I was able to interview at my dream school Columbia, Liza’s interview feedback was absolutely vital to my preparation. I was able to receive an offer of admission with a significant scholarship.

I’m so grateful to Liza for being instrumental in achieving my dream outcome, and I would wholeheartedly recommend her to those starting their own MBA journey.

Background: 25 year old Asian male in NYC. 2 years investment banking, 3 years private equity. Engineering major from Ivy League
GMAT: 760. GPA: 3.95
Results: Accepted to HBS and GSB. Attending HBS

Liza is an amazing consultant and an even more amazing human being. She came with raving reviews from co-workers who were successful with the application process in the past, and I have been recommending her to every friend who is thinking about applying.

(1) Liza worked tirelessly to make sure I put my best foot forward and told a consistent story across essays, short answers, and recommendation letters. (2) She kept me organized and in control of the application process. (3) She was and still is truly invested in me. I cannot recommend Liza enough, she is simply the best.

Liza spends a lot of time up front to make sure she truly knows who you are – personally, professionally, academically, etc. The first document you write is a lengthy “inventory” to reflect on your experiences. This not only helps Liza get to know you, but also helps both of you pick out themes/stories to go into your essays. After aligning on these themes/stories, you start writing.

Writing is not my forte – I studied engineering for a reason! Liza gave thoughtful comments on my essay drafts and pushed me on areas to expand/pare back on. I think we did 3 overhauls of my GSB essay. She made sure everything was in tip-top shape.

Even my recommenders loved Liza. She has a memo template that helps your recommenders surface qualities and stories to write about. They can also run recommendation letters through Liza. This all ensures a quality end product.

I work a demanding job and knew balancing the application process with work would be challenging. Liza kept me honest – she warned me when I was straying “off-plan” on my GMAT, essay, etc. which made the final week’s pre-submission feel controlled. Without Liza, I may have missed the deadline!

Liza is truly invested in her applicants. She constantly checks in on how you’re doing and helps connect you with her network to learn more about the schools / help you make an informed decision.

If you want to work with the best of the best, go with Liza!

Background: 26-year-old white/Asian male, marketing and strategic comms at homebuilding company, English major at liberal arts college, 3.67 GPA, 750 GMAT

Results: Accepted to Booth, Kellogg ($), Tuck ($), Darden

In many ways, I’m what you would call an unconventional candidate. I did not study business or economics in college, I do not work at a well-known company, and I was not coming from a common pre-MBA industry. With this kind of profile, it’s easy to feel like you don’t belong at a top business school. And in fact, the first consultant I spoke with urged me to reconsider my initial list of schools.

But not Liza. From our very first call together, Liza made me feel confident that my story could be uniquely compelling — provided that I put forth my best possible application. Luckily, that’s exactly what Liza will make sure that you do.

It’s really no exaggeration to say that I could sing Liza’s praises for days. Here are just a few things to highlight about my experience working with her:

• Before you get started with any part of your actual application, Liza will really take the time to learn who you are and tirelessly work with you to construct your overall narrative.

• Liza is a true pleasure to speak to and work with. Talking with her over the phone about my essays and over Zoom when prepping for interviews was always the highlight of my week.

• As others have said, Liza is incredibly supportive, positive, and empathetic. However, this doesn’t stop her from being able to provide sharp and constructive criticism when necessary. She will always be real with you.

• Liza is a masterful editor and will not let a single sentence that isn’t up to par go untouched. I was consistently impressed by her comments and feedback each time I got one of my drafts back.

• Liza does an excellent job of breaking down each component of the application process — resume, essays, recommendation letters, interviews, etc. — and putting you on a schedule to complete each piece of the puzzle with as little stress as possible.

• Liza is very, very reliable. She sets clear guidelines on when she’ll be able to turn around any items of your application and ruthlessly sticks to them. She’ll also gladly answer any smaller questions you have along the way.

• She will go out of her way to put you in touch with her contacts at various programs. Thanks to Liza, I was able to speak to five current students at my target schools, which helped greatly with my essays and interviews.

• Liza is truly invested in your success. Even now, as I decide which school to attend, Liza has been as helpful as ever, acting as a sounding board and assisting me with scholarship negotiations.

The MBA application process is complex and daunting. But thanks to Liza, I always felt I was on track and was ultimately admitted to schools I’m thrilled about. I can say with total confidence that the best choice I made during this long journey was choosing Liza Weale as my consultant.

Background: 28-year old; URM male in NYC; Economics and Psychology double major from Ivy
Professional: IB + Corp Dev
Stats: GPA: 3.70; GMAT: 750

Working with Liza was absolutely a game-changer for my interview. I was a re-applicant for HBS and was interviewed in round 1 and waitlisted a few years ago. When I received a round 1 interview invite this time around, I knew I needed to prep differently so I would excel. I had not previously worked with Gatehouse but was drawn to their bespoke HBS interview package. Although I was originally looking for someone who had experience in HBS admissions, after directly hearing from Liza about her extensive experience doing HBS mock interviews and quite frankly, feeling her genuine enthusiasm to help me, I was excited to move forward with her.
 
Our prep started with her providing HBS specific interview materials as well as three tutorial interview videos which were all very helpful. The following week, we had our mock interview that tracked the cadence of the real thing followed by a post-interview analysis and a deeper dive on my profile to explore areas, such as my desired career transition to VC – Liza thought I would likely get questioned on this (and she was right). Liza was gracious enough to not only go through all of my latest application materials before our session but also take a look at my materials from the first time I applied and was waitlisted. As a reapplicant, Liza helped me to think through communicating how my story and goals had evolved since last time. Prepping with Liza helped to give me the confidence in my interview to walk through my story and become comfortable with the deeper probing of responses that is typical of an HBS interview. Although the questions from my mock and the real thing were not exactly the same, the topic areas we focused on were! Furthermore, Liza’s transferable and versatile approach helped me answer the unexpected questions typical of an HBS interview.
 
I was fortunate enough to be admitted to and will be attending HBS in the fall. I truly believe the difference-maker this second time around was Liza. Although I only worked with her on the HBS mock-interview package, she had an understanding of my story as if we had worked together on the whole application process, which is a testament to how heavily she invests herself into her clients. If I had to summarize Liza’s approach in a few words, they would be thorough, thoughtful, and encouraging. For those who want to maximize their chances of “crushing” the HBS interview (which can be quite tricky), even if you think you are familiar with the format, I would highly recommend Liza for her expertise and support!

Background: 25-year-old, Latino male living in the US; psych major at top non-Ivy undergrad; 4 years of work experience upon matriculation at large asset manager; 3.5 GPA, 720 GMAT

Results: Admitted to HBS (attending, class of 2024), Booth (with $$$), Kellogg (with $$$), Columbia, and Wharton / Lauder (with $$$)

I heard of Liza from a co-worker who was admitted into top schools with Liza’s help. After speaking to several consultants, it was clear that Liza’s highly structured yet personalized approach was the right fit for me. I particularly liked Liza’s commitment to helping me tell my own story.

Here are a few highlights from my experience:

The first step that you embark on with Liza is completing a lengthy and introspective document that allows you to reflect on your personal, academic, and professional experiences. Moreover, it allows Liza to get to know you. It was important to me that my consultant really understood me so that they could help me put my best foot forward. I was wary of applying general or cliched strategies that wouldn’t be true to myself. Liza understood and shared this vision with me from day 1.

A particularly notable part of my experience with Liza came when I was struggling with my HBS essay. I wrote 4 or 5 first drafts, all of which Liza looked at and commented on, but I was still not comfortable with my work. Where Liza could have pushed me to simply choose one of the drafts and submit it (especially given I still had multiple other R1 apps to complete) she partnered with me in troubleshooting until I wrote an essay I was truly proud of. Throughout this highly stressful period, she truly felt like a partner and a source of calmness and experience.

In summary, I cannot recommend Liza enough – you won’t regret it.

Background: 27-year-old, white female in NYC; English major at top non-Ivy undergrad; 5 years of work experience upon matriculation (1 at marketing agency, 4 at digital research firm); 3.96 GPA, 760 GMAT

Results: Admitted to HBS (attending, class of 2024), Booth (with $$$), Kellogg (with $$$), and Tuck (with $$$)

I first discovered Liza Weale through this very page. Now, one year and several M7 acceptances later, I’m thrilled to be returning here to contribute my own small piece to this ever-growing library of exceptional 5-star reviews for Liza, every word of which she lives up to on a daily basis.

Let me walk you through my experience working with Liza:

After reading these reviews and watching Liza’s admissions videos on YouTube, I decided to reach out for a consultation. I had started my search for consultants early—in January for Round 1 deadlines—so that I would have ample time to “shop around” with many free consultations. However, after meeting with Liza, I knew that wouldn’t be necessary. Anyone who meets Liza will immediately sense that she is incredibly intelligent, kind, and empathetic; that she has her pulse on the MBA admissions world; and that she is a pleasure to work with. I eagerly signed on as a full-service client the next day, and then began convincing my partner to do the same (which, luckily for him, he did).

From day one, Liza had a concrete, phased plan for my applications and kept me progressing according to a detailed timeline. She assessed my strengths and weaknesses as an applicant, and suggested ways to highlight and re-frame them, respectively. She helped me craft an application where every component complimented each other, and together, told a cohesive and compelling story that admissions wouldn’t be able to ignore. Importantly, she kept an eye out for all things cringe: from essay topics to intro sentences to resume bullet points, she saved me by making sure I didn’t turn in anything that could be interpreted as annoying or disingenuous or cliched.

Liza improved the content of my applications 100-fold, but she was also a boon to my mental health during the long process. Every day, she was there for me as a trusted, reliable resource. She answered the frantic questions I emailed her way, and always helped me keep things in perspective. Whether it was my unhealthy fixation on the GMAT or my freak out after my less-than-smooth Kellogg video essay performance, Liza helped quell my insecurities and worries and stay focused on what mattered: the path ahead.

From the start, I had thought about my admissions journey as a team effort, comprised of supportive friends and family, fellow peers, recommenders, mock interviewers, and a consultant. To have the best chances for success, I needed to form the strongest team possible. I believed that meant working with Liza and Gatehouse Admissions. And I was certainly right about that. Thanks to Liza’s unparalleled expertise and unwavering support—and her company’s many resources— I was admitted to my top choice program. Together, we made it happen. Liza changed the direction of my life, and I’m forever grateful to her for that.

Background: Male, strong professional record primarily in IB and PE, GMAT: 690.
Results: Accepted to Booth and Wharton (attending Wharton Class of 2023).
Details: Liza was absolutely instrumental throughout my process. As a self-admitted procrastinator, Liza made sure that I was staying on pace and made herself flexible when deadlines were approaching. While beginning my journey, my story was a difficult one to synthesize as I temporarily left finance to help launch a non-profit. Liza helped me intertwine my professional story and personal story to achieve a very compelling narrative. She guided me through the interview process making sure I was ready to answer any question presented to me. She worked tirelessly with me throughout the process and ensured I didn’t give up hope when something didn’t go my way. Ultimately, she exceeded my expectations and allowed me to present myself in the best possible manner to schools. Between her leadership, cheerleading, coaching, and remaining as a trusted partner, I felt that we were a team throughout the process. I can confidently say I would not have had a chance to achieve the results without her guidance. Hiring Liza is the best move you can make in what will be a long and difficult journey and with her at your side, you will be giving yourself the best chance possible to achieve your goals.

I worked with Liza for over a year – through essay editing, applications, and interview prep – before being accepted to HBS. I have an IB + PE background, 730 GMAT, and attended a non-ivy undergraduate university. I don’t think I would have been admitted to business school if it weren’t for Liza. She is an incredible individual who helped inspire, support and guide me through the application process, and I would recommend her to everyone.

My journey through the application process had it all. First, I had no idea what I wanted to write about, or even remotely had an idea of my ‘story.’ I also was feeling the pressure of a Round 1 vs. Round 2 application, as I didn’t have my GMAT completed. Finally, I was questioning my own career path, which didn’t make my application process any easier. Liza stood by me through it all, always willing to jump on the phone to offer support, listen to how these extraneous problems would impact my business school applications, and guide me on the next steps to take.

I knew that I wanted someone that could help me transform my ideas (once they were developed) into an articulate, well-crafted, and concise piece of writing, and Liza did exactly that. I had spent much of the past few years reading, with very little ‘essay-style’ writing, and so I was nervous about how my essays would come together. Liza was a phenomenal help here, helping me turn what I could best classify as ‘word vomit’ into an essay that I was truly proud of.

Liza was able to help me craft my story and essays in such a seamless way because she truly spent the time to understand it. From our first call when we reviewed my ‘experience inventory,’ she asked me thoughtful and deep questions – often ones I hadn’t been asked before – that allowed us both to learn more about my motivations, decisions, and aspirations. She understood my story on a level that I’m not sure anyone else ever truly has and as a result, she helped me reveal details that – together with her exceptional writing ability – made my essays really stand out.

When it came time for interview preparation, Liza went above and beyond. Though we were only scheduled for an hour, we spent nearly two running through interview questions and honing my responses. Simply put, she puts an incredible amount of time and dedication into each of her clients.

If you’re thinking about whether you should hire a consultant, or which consultant you should hire, I can say with conviction — the answer is Liza. I’ve spoken with over ten friends that have used consultants through the application process over the past two years, and from what I’ve gathered, none provided the experience that I had working with Liza (two of these friends also used her and agree!). Because of her, I will be attending HBS. Stop reading reviews, and reach out to Liza!

If you’re reading this and considering hiring Liza Weale for a full-service package, stop what you’re doing and put down your deposit now! Every extra day that you have with her will make a difference and my only regret is not starting my work with her sooner.

Background: Female, ivy undergrad, investing/entrepreneurship
Result: Wharton, GSB and HBS (reapplied)

I went to Liza after hearing her praises from Associates at my PE firm. After working with her on a package basis, all had gotten into HBS, their top choice school. I wasn’t set on getting an MBA until a couple of months before the Round 1 deadline and knew I was in for a rough few weeks between taking (and re-taking) standardized tests and putting together applications. The GSB was my top choice school but I also planned to apply to HBS and Wharton.

Working with Liza was a breath of fresh air in an otherwise stressful period. She was clear with her policies upfront and became both the project manager and cheerleader I didn’t even know I needed. No question was too small (i.e. do I need to explain this career transition?) or too big (i.e. which version of this essay do you think best captures my narrative?). I was especially impressed by the way she tactfully gave feedback to my recommenders – including one who’s probably never been on the receiving end of a “markup”. With a 163 GRE (V/M), strong extracurriculars, and a unique career background, I got into Wharton but was ultimately dinged at the GSB and HBS. Liza was there to celebrate and commiserate, alike.

I decided to defer attending business school because of COVID and wanted to take another shot at the GSB. With more time, I knew I could improve my stats and essays. Liza reviewed my materials and offered specific, actionable feedback. I had consultations with a few others in this time hoping to find a new perspective or someone with a lower rate, but no one came close to Liza’s thoughtfulness and tailored advice for the GSB (and HBS). Liza was clearly invested in my success and gave difficult feedback while it felt at times that others were just going through the motions. And thank goodness she did – she saved me from sounding fake, which can definitely happen when you’re itching to finish. With a 750 GMAT, another year of work experience, and fresh essays, I got into the GSB and ultimately HBS (off the WL). I have Liza to wholeheartedly thank!

Background:
Male, strong professional background in operations, international candidate.

Results:
Accepted at MIT.

Details:
When I came to Liza, I was exhausted. The MBA application process is exhausting! By that time, I had tried to manage everything by myself. I was a bit hesitant to look for external help. I was not sure about the added value. Nonetheless, with only 4 weeks to the application deadline, I decided to look for external help and give it a shot. I contacted several consultants and the person that I decided to work with was Liza. It was the best decision that I made during this journey. Since our 30 min initial meeting, I was impressed by her analytical and storytelling skills. She identified the relevant points of my story and gave me concrete examples of the things that we could improve about structure and narrative. Sometimes when you are part of the story, it is a bit difficult to see with clarity some things. Liza gave me a new perspective, helped me to realize key facts that I was missing and to extract the best of all my experiences for my application. Specificity is something that I was missing and with the help of Liza this problem was solved. After several essay drafts, I came up with a final version that was a true reflection of my story and my goals. Considering these results, I decided to go on with the interview prep with Liza. Again, it was an excellent decision. The mock interviews with Liza were as tough as the real one of the MBA process. She helped me to find some key areas of improvement, gave me some recommendations and the confidence that I needed to overcome the process. In the end, I was admitted to the MBA program of my dreams! Thank you so much Liza, you are an outstanding professional and person! Very objective, kind and honest. Your guidance and support during this process was key for me. I will always be grateful to you! 🙂

My background:
– BSc (Medical Sciences), 3.5 GPA
– 5 years working in tech/business
– GMAT: 730

Liza has a deep understanding of what b schools are looking for, and she puts in the time and energy to understand your story and craft a narrative that fits you and your target schools. She has fine-tuned a system to take you from 0 to a well-crafted set of applications.

I’ll be going to Berkeley Haas for their FTMBA program this fall, and I am confident it wouldn’t have been possible without Liza’s help. If you want to be confident you put your best foot forward with the right consultant, look no further.

Background: Caucasian male with biomedical engineering and electrical engineering undergraduate degrees, also a master’s in engineering from a Top 10 graduate engineering program. 3.8 GPA and 700 GMAT. Work experience: 6 years working at a Fortune 500 tech company, mostly in very technical engineering roles. Applied to MIT (Sloan) and Harvard (HBS). Accepted to Harvard, round 2 admit.

Liza was fantastic! For most of the MBA application process, I did not hire any consultants, mostly because I didn’t think I had a chance of getting in. However, when I got an interview invitation from HBS, I hired Liza for interview prep. At first, I was set on hiring someone who either was an HBS graduate or someone who had experience working in HBS admissions. However, after reading the amazing reviews Liza had, I decided to go with her, even though she did not go to HBS nor worked in HBS admissions. After working with her, this became irrelevant. Liza was also willing to have a free consultation/chat on the phone with me to discuss first, which other consultants weren’t willing to do considering I only needed interview prep help. From the first time I chatted with her to decision day, Liza was amazing throughout the whole process. She was so knowledgeable and helpful about the HBS interview in particular. Not only did she provide very useful guidance on how to prepare for our mock interview, but our mock interview together was so eerily similar to my actual HBS interview it was insane. No, it wasn’t exactly the same question for question, but the types of questions Liza asked me and the flow of the interview was pretty much identical. I’d even estimate that about half of the questions asked in my actual HBS interview, Liza asked me in my mock interview. Because of Liza, I will be attending HBS in the fall! This speaks to the amount of hard work and dedication she puts in to help prepare her clients for interviews, especially HBS, by reading every single word of your whole application and the essays. On top of this, Liza was always available and willing to answer any last-minute questions I had, and throughout the whole process would check up on me and cheer me on. If you’re trying to figure out who you should hire for an MBA consultant, especially for a mock interview for HBS (or really any other school), stop looking. Hire Liza!

Background: Male, British-Hong Kong dual citizen, 26 y/o; Commercial Manager at a Tech Company in Hong Kong; Undergrad in Public Policy at an Ivy League School

Accepted: London Business School MBA 2023

I was introduced to Liza through a colleague, who also worked with her. I reached out to Liza after I got an interview invite at LBS. We kicked off with a 30-minute consultation, followed by a 60-minute interview prep, supplemented with 3 interview-prep videos.

Ways Liza added value:

(1) Bringing my story/narrative to life: Liza gave me 2 important pointers to bolster my narrative during the interview. Firstly, she urged me to dig deeper into my post-MBA career goals, and really identify the steps I’d take to get there. Taking into consideration my current and past experience, as well as what I hope to gain from LBS, we worked on painting a much clearer picture of my trajectory. Secondly, she pushed me to own up to my weaknesses. I applied with an average quant score. Additionally, I came from a liberal arts/policy education, and my professional experience was sales/client relationship-driven. These weaknesses were brought up during my interview, and I was prepared to address these concerns confidently while highlighting other unique skills I could bring to the table.

(2) Infectious energy: working with Liza was an absolute pleasure – not an overstatement! From the first minute on Zoom, Liza welcomed me with a reassuring smile. She was invested in my stories and responded to my questions warmly. Moreover, she followed up at different stages – before and after the interview and decision release respectively. Her style inspired me to bring an upbeat energy into the interview. The application process was tough in many ways – Liza added so much light. If anything, she assumed the role of a supportive mentor more so than a pure admissions consultant.

Overall, Liza’s USP is her warmth and energy, rooted in practical advice. I highly recommend Liza.

Background: male, career in finance (IB + PE) and couple years of operating experience at a startup; older than the average MBA candidate.

Result: accepted to three M7s.

Like many here, Liza came highly recommended from a friend, and as an older MBA candidate, I wanted to work with the best as this application cycle was likely the last window for me based on my age. In what turned out to be a year no one will ever forget with a dramatic change in the MBA admissions landscape, I can confidently say that Liza came through.

Essays / broader application: in tying together a less traditional path, Liza’s provided instrumental feedback on how to present my narrative across my application. This started with the pre-application work and the genuine interest she took in understanding my journey to date and where I hoped to end up. Once we got to the essays, it was incredible how much she was able to recall and use it to push me to add depth and greater meaning to my responses, all while making sure each and every word counted.

Letters of recommendation: one of my recommenders was not as familiar with this process. In discussing why I thought he would be a good recommender and the projects we worked on, she provided specific tips to help coax the best out of him, while staying true to the theme I was presenting.

Interviews: I was 3 for 3 in terms of being accepted to the schools I interviewed with. I credit this to Liza as she knows the high bar that interviewers expect and ensures you are ready by doing some serious and comprehensive interview prep. You can be confident that no matter what curve ball your interviewer throws at you, you will have a thoughtful response ready. Also, for schools that require an additional essay/video, Liza makes sure it is in top form and presents another side of you that the admissions committee has not yet seen in your application.

It has been a pleasure working with Liza. She is a phenomenal coach who will get the best out of you and you can rest easy knowing that you will be submitting your best application to these very selective institutions. Good luck!

Background: Male, Private Equity/Investment Banking background, CS degree from liberal arts school, 326 GRE. Results: Accepted at HBS, waitlisted at Haas. Rejected: Stanford, Wharton, MIT. In what was a challenging and dynamic year, Liza was a steady and helpful guiding presence on my application journey. We started working together in March, right before the world shut down and all testing times were delayed. Liza was right there to reassure me and reduce my application anxiety while she herself was launching a business during a pandemic – talk about a leader! Liza was instrumental in helping me develop a strong story and compelling narrative in my essays and interviews. Liza’s creativity and compassion are what differentiates her. She knows how to weave what may seem like disparate parts of your life into a full picture for schools. We worked collaboratively on one essay for over two months – whittling down a 2000-word, jumbled group of stories to a concise 800-word essay that put my passions on display. I would highly recommend her for anyone who is serious about applying to the best schools!

Background: Female, marketing in the technology industry with a creative academic background
Results: Accepted Kellogg, Booth, CBS

Working with Liza was integral for my MBA application process. Throughout every stage of the process, from early conversations to officially committing to a school, Liza was a thoughtful partner, cheerleader, advisor, listener, and friend. Responsive, professional, and creative, Liza brought to the table all the tips and strategies to guide me in putting my best foot forward.

Liza’s feedback was always genuine and actionable and pushed me to truly be introspective and analyze my professional and personal goals and motivations. Her open and honest questions and advice challenged me to think outside the box and unraveled deeper answers for essay questions and interview prep, ultimately a huge value add. The self-reflection that I did under Liza’s guidance has proven to be incredibly helpful even beyond the MBA application process.

Hand-in-hand with stellar essay feedback and interview prep, and equally as important, Liza showcased unwavering support and enthusiasm for me and my work. The MBA application process is a long one, one where I often felt the stress and strain. Through it all, Liza was a dependable and reliable confidante, quelling worries and providing real insights that not just offered comfort, but helped address doubts. Even after committing to my top choice school, Liza continues to follow up and offer any support she can.

I wholeheartedly recommend Liza as a consultant; she is someone who will root for you and your success from the beginning to forever.

Background: strong GPA/average GRE, econ/bus major at a liberal arts school, caucasian male, background in strategy and marketing for a medium-sized manufacturer.
Results: Accepted: HBS, Kellogg, Tuck Rejected: GSB

The short version: Liza kept me purposeful, focused, and sane in this process, and she pushed me to get to my own personal “why” for business school as well as the storyline for the business school apps themselves. Having Liza as support throughout the process didn’t mean that applying was a breeze, but rather that I felt a sense of confidence, reassurance, and coaching that I know changed the course of my business school future. Perhaps most importantly to me, I didn’t want a school to accept a packaged version of myself that wasn’t accurate/honest. When my applications were submitted, I felt confident that this was my story in my voice – and that mattered to me. Liza took the time to make that possible. She is one of those people that has a unique gift for storytelling and editing which she combines with a strong work ethic and faithful commitment to the client. She does not cheat with her craft – I never felt like I was simply another drop in the bucket to her. If you’re going to spend the dollars, go with Liza.

The long version:
Introduction: I first spoke with Liza a year before I started working with her for a free, 30-minute info session. From that moment I saw her ability to listen well and respond with very helpful commentary. I knew then that if I was going to use a consultant, it would be her.
The start of the process: Liza and I talked through how many schools I would work with her, what I was looking for, and next steps. Liza responded to any feelings of uncertainty with thoughtfulness and confidence and helped me see a path through the year ahead.
The experience inventory: I poured my heart and soul into the kickoff document that Liza uses, and when we had our first phone call, I was shocked by Liza’s intricate knowledge of a 25+ page document about my life. She not only had many follow-up questions, but also had a plan of where to start. Impact: My storyline for the schools picked up on my subtle nuances of my life and personality.
Essay writing: Liza does not give up and does not settle for what she feels will not be effective. No joke: I wrote 3 versions of an essay that Liza kept pushing back on. She finally got me back on the phone, and pushed me to really answer the simple question the school was asking. I then trusted Liza with some pretty personal details of my life – and Liza engaged thoughtfully and then helped me begin writing from there (and I trust her explicitly). I would not have had the confidence and finesse to include the level of reflection and thoughtfulness that ultimately filled my essays: that’s the magic of Liza. Ultimately, I was able to relay my experiences and dreams in a simple manner that sounded like it was me telling the story in written form. Highly effective.
Also, she never missed a deadline across easily 50+ emails going back and forth. Know this: the two-day turnaround means a two-day turnaround with Liza during the week – just remember to plan your work out for yourself to utilize her most effectively!
Letter of Recommendation prep: Liza’s specialized process I believe really helped make my letters competitive (my managers do not write MBA LoRs frequently, and I think her guidance was critical in bringing these up to par). I will note: I never saw my LoRs personally, and I never wrote on behalf of my letter writers – the process is an ethical one.
Application review: Liza poured over every single word of every single piece of my application. No stone was left unturned. Even after months since we had first reviewed my life story, she would reference something from my original inventory that I’d forgotten to mention. I was starting to get tired in the application process a bit but Liza helped me stay engaged here and remained high energy.
Interview prep: Liza was brilliant here – in no way did I feel that my responses were micro-managed/overly prepped. Instead, Liza helped me to approach my own narrative with the schools in mind but without fundamentally changing my own way of answering the question. She called me out when I started to sound “fake” or like I was trying too hard – and she helped me return to a place of authenticity. I will also say, Liza referred me to one of her Gatehouse Admissions colleagues, Brooke Wheelan, for a second interview for HBS, and I’m very thankful for that interview as well.
Overall: Liza has a positivity that is infectious, and several times I just emailed her with a personal status check of how I was feeling in the process. Every time her perspective was invaluable and motivating. I am excited for this journey, and I feel more comfortable in my own personal “why” for spending the next two years in an MBA due to Liza. Go with Liza!

Liza is terrific and I don’t think I would have been admitted into the programs I applied to without her help. I have relatively strong stats (3.9 GPA and 750 GMAT) but still I knew it was a crapshoot at some of the top programs like GSB and HBS. I worked extensively with Liza for over an entire year and was able to get admitted into both schools. She really was there for every type of question I could have ever needed help with in addition to the essays, which she really broke down and pushed me on. Her honesty and transparency was key and she didn’t sugarcoat things to make me feel better – she cared about the result and optimizing my chances of getting admitted and I couldn’t be more thankful for having the oppty to work with her. You can’t do any better than Liza when it comes to consultants. Thank you Liza!!

Background: Traditional (consulting) and nontraditional (public policy) professional experience, female, average test score; average GPA
Accepted: Harvard, Stanford, Tuck, and Fuqua
Applied: R1

Liza is the best. I strongly recommend her. She is thoughtful about her feedback and willing to go above and beyond. Liza has great advice and knows her stuff. I wish I had engaged her earlier in the application process; she could have saved me a lot of excess stress.

I was not planning on working with an MBA consultant. I wrote my essays on my own and hoped for the best. When I got the interviews, I went through Tuck and GSB on my own. The HBS interview is a different beast. I tried to prepare on my own (e.g., googled questions), but I didn’t feel ready. I looked at different MBA consulting firms to see if someone could help me practice. I thoroughly reviewed about 6 firms and realized that Gatehouse has the competitive advantage of having someone who had been on the HBS admissions committee. When I connected with Liza I was initially disappointed that she wasn’t the former HBS admissions counselor. Liza understood that and laid out the ways she could support me. I chose to go to Liza because she was genuine. She wasn’t pressuring me to accept her services because she wanted another client; she really cared about helping me get the right support for my application.

When I did my practice interview, I was only planning on chatting with Liza for an hour – our conversation turned into an hour and a half session and there were several follow-up emails afterwards. Liza had done a thorough review of my application and poked at the areas she thought needed more context. She pushed me to think about types of questions HBS could ask me in my interview and helped me refine the way I gave my answers. She also had actionable feedback on how to improve my delivery.

Background: Caucasian male with accounting degree from central US state school
Work Experience: IB / PE
GMAT: 730
Result: HBS admittance & acceptance. Also admitted to CBS, dinged at Wharton & Booth

Liza provided guidance throughout the process, but most importantly, she pushed me to reveal sensitive things in my essays (particularly HBS, which is much more open-ended) that I would have NEVER done without her encouragement. She was hyper engaged and frequently followed up to make sure I was on track to meet deadlines. Liza seemed like she was constantly thinking about my story/essays and would frequently come up with value-added ideas even after I would have considered the essay done – trust me this is a good thing.

These things undoubtedly made the difference in my application: she helped me stand out from a huge pool of applicants that have similar stats and backgrounds (likely many of you reading this). Highly recommend working with Liza. I’d also encourage you to start working with her early, as I did, so you can fully leverage her expertise.

Background: Mix of traditional (banking) and nontraditional (governmental) professional experience, male, average test score with lower than ideal GPA
Accepted: Harvard, Kellogg, McCombs
Liza was recommended to me by a friend and we started working together several months before R1 deadlines. I am extremely grateful to have been able to work with Liza and was thoroughly pleased with her expertise, advice, responsiveness, and professionalism. She is the perfect blend of coach, friend, and therapist and exactly who you want by your side if you are willing to put in the work. Liza pushed me early on in the process to dig deep into my personal history and experience so that she could have a holistic view of me as a person, and she pointed out the aspects of my experiences that were worth writing about. She absolutely fine-tuned the story of my candidacy, and was there every step of the way through multitudes of essay revisions, application question help, interview prep, and even video application questions. She even pushed me to take an extra online course to demonstrate my commitment to my grades. I cannot recommend her highly enough, and I don’t want to think about where I would have been in this process without her guidance.

Background: Female, International, bulge bracket banking, Megafund PE
Accepted: Wharton, Harvard (Admitted)

To say Liza was pivotal throughout my business school application process would be a disservice. No review, personal testimony or reference would do Liza or her work justice. I could not have asked for a better support system, friend and consultant.

A few highlights from my experience:

1) Selection Process:
Liza came to me recommended by an acquaintance and is very well known in the New York community. I was diligent and interviewed 8 different consultants but followed my gut and selected Liza as I felt she could not only be supportive but keep me accountable.

2) Working Style:
Liza is supportive, engaging and firm. She approaches the application process in an organized fashion and as stringent as the schedule sounds – it is TRULY going to produce the best work product and showcase the best you. At first, the turnaround times and general timelines felt challenging with my schedule (I typically did most work on the weekends) but I adjusted to a cadence in which I was consistently working on one document while Liza reviewed another. Trust me – it works with any schedule!

3) Timelines:
Liza is dependable and consistent. She never ONCE missed a deadline and the quality of the work product was consistent. Trust me when I say this is rare, I watched my partner go through the process with a consultant missing both of these qualities and it makes a stressful time, that much more challenging.

4) Essay Feedback:
Liza’s essay support is phenomenal; she pushes you to SHOW the reader what you did, as opposed to tell them. This sounds basic but incredibly hard to do by yourself. This alone is worth every investment.

5) Other:
Liza has perfected her craft. Her strategy, advice, and feedback can be helpful to ANY working style. I was disorganized, last minute and have limited experience writing essays, however, Liza’s ability to help you put your best foot forward, regardless of your background or experience is unbeatable.

After having worked hard for a few years, I knew that I wanted to put my best foot forward when applying to business school. Liza Weale at mbaMission helped me achieve this goal, and I wholeheartedly recommend her to other MBA applicants. You really won’t go wrong – with Liza’s top-notch feedback and unwavering support, you can be assured that you will have the confidence needed to produce a high-quality application.

During my mbaMission free consulting session with Liza, I was struck by her enthusiasm for my accomplishments, as well as by her thoughtful comments on how I could further strengthen my profile. In a session with another company, the consultant tried to highlight how I was not a ‘rockstar’ and how it would have been more preferable if some of my experiences had been slightly different. I was appreciative of how Liza focused on what I had already achieved, and feel that her previous experiences in consulting and marketing helped her think creatively about how to shape my profile without sacrificing its integrity.

As I delved deeper into the lengthy, daunting application process, I was even more grateful to have Liza as my ‘constant’ – whether selecting schools, editing my resume, brainstorming for essays, briefing recommenders, or even deciding between schools after I was accepted. Despite a busy application season, Liza was always prompt in providing feedback and available to meet outside of my work hours. During the brainstorming process, she pushed me to come up with more examples by asking probing questions. In the process, Liza got a thorough understanding of my background and motivations, and I uncovered stories that I had initially overlooked as minor points!

Liza’s patience shined through during the essay writing process. She encouraged me to screen multiple ideas and even look at the same story from multiple angles before producing my outline and essay draft. Although I struggled initially, Liza’s encouragement and guidance helped me get out of my comfort zone and powerfully show (rather than tell) my story. Draft after draft (believe me, there were many), she provided candid, detailed feedback such that I was able to craft essays that not only highlighted my strengths but that I was comfortable with.

Working with Liza was an extremely rewarding experience, beyond just the acceptances to top MBA programs. Liza enriched my overall self-reflection process and helped me build a strong sense of confidence before entering business school.

Background: Male, URM, Ivy undergrad (Finance Major), 6 years work experience (3 yrs banking, 3 yrs corporate development), 7XX GMAT and undergrad GPA in the ballpark of MBA medians for the schools I applied to
Applied and admitted to: Stanford GSB, HBS, and Wharton

Liza came highly recommended by various friends who had used her services, and by the end of our initial consultation, it was clear why: she listens, asks the tough questions, is incredibly thoughtful, and is patient and supportive. I did not feel rushed during the consultation and Liza even followed up afterward with a debrief email that provided additional feedback on my overall candidacy (incl. areas that I could strengthen) as well as various resources that I could reference. Given how much introspection the MBA process requires, Liza’s approach makes her incredibly effective at helping applicants find/craft their story and gain admission to the most selective business schools.

Since I was a bit price-conscious, I only worked with Liza on my GSB application. However, given how detailed the GSB application is, I was able to leverage the same content for my other 2 applications. Liza did a fantastic job of helping me connect the dots between elements of my past, who I am now, and what I aspire to do in the future. She was able to give me very honest, specific feedback, and pressure test statements that I made about my motivations. Quite candidly, it was initially a frustrating process — my first essay drafts were missing the mark, and Liza pushed me to dig deeper and really tease out how the various things I’ve done are linked to a set of specific motivations. Beyond just helping me submit a top-notch application, this process of introspection and self-discovery has given me greater clarity of who I am and what I want to do going forward. People spend their whole lives trying to answer this question and discover themselves, so I really appreciated partnering with Liza to work through this.

Working with Liza on mock interviews was also incredibly helpful. During the GSB mock, we covered a number of the questions that I was ultimately asked during my actual interview. She also did a great job of imitating the cadence and atmosphere of a GSB interview. My understanding is that her HBS mocks are more fast-paced to reflect the style of HBS interviewers. This all goes to show that she knows the process and schools quite well.

Lastly, Liza is incredibly professional and brings an amazing amount of energy to every call, email, or redline you receive from her! She’s well organized, very attentive to review deadlines, and is also quite responsive. If you stick to Liza’s prescribed deadlines, you won’t be scrambling the last minute to finish up your applications and you’ll feel great when you finally hit submit. Liza’s spots fill up fast so highly recommend booking her early in the process — you won’t regret it!

Liza was tremendously helpful in my admission to my top school choice. I procrastinated greatly in writing my essays for Round 2 applications, and in the final 12 days before applications were due (also the week of Christmas/New Years), I sent an S.O.S. to mbaMission requesting tutor help, not expecting that any tutor would have the capacity to help me.

When I was matched with Liza, I could not have asked for a better experience. Because I was paying extra for an expedited turnaround, Liza got right down to business and helped me devise an action plan leading up to the final deadlines. I spent the next 10 days emailing back and forth with her, bouncing ideas and drafts around. Liza was 100% responsive, helpful, creative, committed, and genuine, and she was monumental in helping me refine my essays to perfection. She also made the process fun. Most notably, Liza kept in touch with me after I submitted my applications; she helped me prep for the interview, sent me a “thinking of you” note on interview day, and on decision day, and when I was waitlisted, she stuck with me. Liza helped me strategize my efforts to tackle the waitlist process, which after three months, proved successful.

At the end of this process, not only have I gained admission to my top choice program, but I also feel like I have gained a true friend who is interested in my success. I highly recommend Liza to anyone looking for help, even in a pinch, because you will not get better treatment or a better experience, or find a better friend, anywhere. Thank you, Liza!

I’m an international applicant from a tech background who’s engaged Liza for my HBS interview. I am happy to share that I’ve been accepted to HBS! Liza’s not only very knowledgeable and experienced but has also been so incredibly helpful and empathetic throughout my interaction with her. The mock interview helped a lot – Liza’s honest and encouraging about my rooms for improvement. She addressed my areas of concern too, giving me tips on how to be more effective and confident in my communication.

Although technically Liza’s supposed to help me just for the interview, she’s generous enough to also entertain all my other questions in relation to my application. It really helps to have a one-to-one channel for moral support and to clarify my doubts, given my status as an international applicant who’s unfamiliar with the US system. I would highly recommend Liza to anyone who’s looking to go through the same process.

Background: Female, Associate at Large PE firm Admitted: HBS

Liza came highly recommended to me by multiple colleagues. Despite being “late” to hire a consultant given my desire to apply round 1, Liza was prompt to respond and we spoke a few days after I reached out. Liza’s incredibly thoughtful yet matter-of-fact approach to our conversation struck me and I hired her without speaking with any other consultants!

My biggest concern as an applicant coming from a large PE firm was that a consultant would strip away the personality in my application and my voice in what ended up being a very personal essay. Liza assuaged my fears immediately – I was in awe of her ability to listen to my stories, read my essay drafts, and then provide helpful revision advice that actually helped my personality come across more clearly. She wasn’t afraid to support me putting my truest, most authentic self out there in a way that was clear, authentic, and confident (but not arrogant).

Liza is not only an excellent writer and communicator who will help you polish your writing and interviewing skills, but what really sets her apart from others in this industry is that she is a good listener and has a keen ability to get to know you quickly. I have heard horror stories of friends who have spent thousands on consultants who fail to provide a personalized experience — mixing up their clients, taking a long time to provide feedback on materials, and when they do finally respond, giving advice that is at best generic. The business school application requires a level of introspection that many of us try to avoid as we navigate pressure-filled professional lives, and Liza is that sherpa who knows how to carefully guide you through a reflection of where you came from, why you are the way you are, and what you want out of life and out of business school. She is so thoughtful and insightful that at times I felt like I was her only client!

Finally, I really appreciated how organized and professional Liza is; she is very good about setting expectations and guidelines early on and sticking to them (as I mentioned before, I’ve heard horror stories from friends…) At the beginning of the process, she establishes a week-by-week plan of what needs to be done, and when, which is helpful as many of us juggle busy careers and personal lives.

I am thrilled to be attending Harvard Business School starting this fall and I know that I would not have this opportunity without Liza’s support and guidance. I cannot recommend her enough!

Background: International (work in USA), Female, Consultant
Admitted: HBS

Liza is the absolute best!

I started working with Liza to prepare for my interviews and she has been an amazing source of guidance and support. I was debating whether I need help with interviews and which consultant to pick but after one call with Liza, I knew that I had to work with her. She was positive and genuine and very thorough in her questions. In addition, the friend who referred me had nothing but amazing things to say about her. While I didn’t work with her as my primary consultant, I know that she would have been invaluable throughout the whole process.

She conducted a mock HBS interview and the actual interview ended up having very similar questions to what Liza asked me. She not only gave me very pointed strategic advice but perhaps more importantly gave me the confidence and reassurance I needed. She also helped me prep for behavioral/story-type questions for my other interviews. Liza showed me how to take the stories that I found uneventful and showcase them in a way that highlights my strong characteristics. She reassured me that I could show my vulnerabilities too.

Although I only worked with her on the interview part of the process, she was there for me every step of the way. She gave me encouragement before my interview and checked in with me right after. Liza clearly cares about the people she works with and is an expert in her craft. She remembers the smallest details you mention in the calls and gives advice from a very experienced point of view. I would recommend Liza in a heartbeat!

Background: Male (no diversity). Top business undergrad. Senior Associate at PE fund. Below average GMAT. Outcome: Deferred HBS, Admitted Wharton.

I began thinking about the business school application process at the start of my second year in private equity, or about 1 year prior to applications being due (for reference I had already signed on to stay at my company for the third year). I was unsure whether to use a consultant since I consider myself to be organized and relatively decent creative writer. I reached out to Liza directly via an introduction from a former coworker of mine who had used Liza 1 year prior (accepted to both HBS and GSB). I interviewed Liza and maybe 3-4 other consultants (all recommendations from current + former coworkers), and decided that signing up with Liza was an absolute no brainer. I’ll try to boil this down to the reasons that I think are most applicable to someone of my profile looking to sign on an MBA consultant:

1. Cost (General): I understand that for some of you reading this, signing up with a business school consultant may be financially prohibitive. But for those of you who are willing to fork up an additional few $k (on top of the c.$100-200k MBA cost), my view is that doing so is extremely worthwhile. I personally was contemplating whether the cost for a consultant was justified, but after working with Liza, I am certain that the outcome of my application was leaps and bounds better and more targeted towards a seasoned admissions committee than it would have been otherwise working on my own (again, coming from someone who got straight A’s in English / writing throughout school and who admittedly has a bit of a “writing ego” – a lot of this is not just “am I a good writer” or “do I have an interesting story”, but also “do I really know exactly what the admissions folks are looking for?” My sense is that the answer is more nuanced than you/I may think). So from a cost perspective, again, if able to afford, I view this as a no brainer drop in the bucket cost relative to the broader MBA program expense, to ensure your application is as stellar as possible. But this is a highly debated topic so I understand if there are others that may feel differently.

2. Her Track Record: before joining private equity, I previously worked for 3 years at a boutique investment bank. I probably need 3 (maybe 4) hands to count the number of my former co-workers from that bank that have used Liza for business school applications over the past several years. The reason why working with Liza has become such a rite of passage for those from my old firm is, at face value, the unarguable results she produces. I’m pretty sure that all of my former co-workers that have worked with Liza in the past ended up getting into at least one of their top choices (typically HBS, GSB or Wharton). I, of course, don’t want to mistake correlation vs causation here (i.e. many of these individuals were likely stellar candidates on their own accord). But given how competitive the application process has become over the past few years (I’ve witnessed many rejections of other top tier candidates), I’d be remiss not to attribute a non-immaterial portion of many of these successes to Liza’s “magic touch” during the application process.

3. Her Insight: Liza has been working as an MBA consultant for over a decade, and as a result of that has deep insight into specifically what each admissions committee is seeking for a given background. I.e. for myself – what might help me stand out as a relatively generic non-diverse male private equity candidate? I found this particularly relevant for HBS, GSB, and Wharton. The two essays I’d say we spent the most time on were i) GSB’s “What matters most to you and why” and ii) “What more would you like us to know as we consider your candidacy for HBS?”. I started by compiling a 20-page brainstorming document that contained all my “stories” from growing up, high school, college, etc. The goal was to resurface some of my deepest most personal stories (“what makes me tick?”) that would be most helpful in presenting my candidacy to an admissions committee of a top MBA program. Liza read every page. Over the course of many months, Liza focused me on which stories were better to showcase vs others, and pulled out key motifs/themes that seemed present across each of them. (For me – the key theme we found was my underlying longing for experimenting / not being afraid to do things differently). Moving from brainstorming document (finalized call it mid-April) to the final draft of HBS/GSB essays took 4-5 months of relentless reflection and substantial re-working. I am confident that the finished product is what granted me acceptance into Wharton and Deferral from HBS despite a well-below-average GMAT score for my application cohort + non-diverse background.

4. Her Energy and Enthusiasm: throughout the application process, Liza became much more than just my consultant. She became a great friend and life coach. The spring and summer I spent writing applications was admittedly pretty rough. I had to sit inside during countless sunny Saturday’s and Sunday’s to brainstorm / write essays, on top of an already demanding job. During that time, Liza helped me stay positive through her energetic and buoyant tone during each and every one of our phone calls and embedded within each of her redlined essay comments. Liza isn’t afraid to “think out loud” on the page which I thought was immensely helpful and motivational (i.e. “I like this, but we can make it better! Something along the lines of ‘XYZ’”), and always gave credit when due (“wow, what an improvement! Love this!”). She also isn’t afraid to hold your hand when you get writer’s block, and take you down a path that might possibly lead somewhere great, just to keep the ball rolling. These anecdotes may seem small/generic, but really do add up during a long and grueling application process. It’s important to select a consultant with a contagious energy that will help you get through all the long hours, and that is as invested in your application success and general well-being during the process (and post-process as well) as Liza is. I have no doubt we’ll remain in touch for many years to come.

I can only speak to my background, my experiences, and the experiences of my peers. But if you are coming from an investment banking or PE background with the goal of gaining acceptance into a top MBA program, Liza is nothing short of an incredible option from a track record and personality perspective. And if you do find after your intro call with Liza that she is the right fit for you, I’d make sure to sign up with her early on in the process – her spots tend to fill up quickly.

Background: Male, Finance undergrad, associate at VC firm
Admitted: HBS

Go with Liza!

If you’re contemplating working with a consultant during your application process, it’s likely because you know that the applications are not to be underestimated. And given that, you cannot find a better choice than Liza. I was candidly on the fence of whether or not to work with a consultant, but after my initial consultation with Liza, I knew I only had one choice.

I worked with Liza over the course of 6 months, but it was after our initial brainstorming session that I felt like she knew me. Throughout our time together, Liza would consistently reference topics or conversations we covered in our first session together. And that was why she was so impactful for me. Ultimately, I was crafting my own story, but Liza knew the prodding questions to ask – she brought out the details in my story that truly showed who I am.

Liza’s support and cheery disposition always brightened my day. Whenever we hopped on the phone together, whether it was to brainstorm essay topics or to conduct a mock interview, I always left our conversation feeling confident. The on-campus interviews were a particularly daunting part of the process for me, but Liza’s feedback gave me a framework on which to concentrate, and her positive reassurance made me feel ready. The quick email on the morning of a big day with positive vibes was always helpful too…

If you’re applying to just one school or a handful, the application process is time-consuming. Liza, though, distills everything into digestible pieces. There will no doubt be a number of iterations until you get to the final product (for your resume, essays, and/or responses to application questions). But, speaking to my process, with each turn, Liza’s feedback was targeted and impactful. Liza guided me to the “a-ha” moment, the instant I knew I nailed my story.

I don’t know how many other applicants Liza worked with, but I always felt that I was given individual attention. Liza is always there, to answer a one-off question or to have a longer form conversation. Most important to me, though, was that I knew Liza was invested in seeing me succeed. Without Liza, I know I wouldn’t have felt as confident submitting an application as I did.

If you choose to work with Liza (you absolutely should), you’ll have someone in your corner that will challenge you and is wholly devoted to your success. Quite simply, if you’re looking to present the best version of yourself, go with Liza!

Background: Male, top undergrad, real estate development/construction industry

I owe a huge part of my three acceptances to top schools (with scholarships!!) to Liza. This review doesn’t begin to cover how much I appreciate her help throughout this long but rewarding process. However, I hope it gives future applicants some insight into the journey and encourages those serious about presenting their best business school applications to work with Liza.

I came to Liza knowing that getting into a top MBA program would be a stretch given certain components of my profile. I had worked for very small, entrepreneurial companies in an industry that is an atypical precursor to MBA. Additionally, I was not on the best terms with a previous employer. I told her in my initial call that I was going to be a challenge! However, Liza never let me think for a second that I wasn’t capable of getting to where I wanted to be. Instead, she encouraged me to see my unique background as an asset and focus my efforts on what I could control in the application.

Initially, we examined themes ranging from my childhood through college and professional life. I felt comfortable sharing so much with her because she was truly interested in getting to know me and created an open line of communication. Liza helped me create powerful essays from these themes by identifying specific examples that demonstrate my achievements to date and leadership potential. She was also a tremendous resource with application logistics and developing a strategy behind presenting components of my background, interests, and goals, locating wherein each application I could present my many facets.

Furthermore, Liza kept me in check – beyond just a schedule/flow of work kind of way. Yes, Liza was very direct with creating a game plan from day one, setting target dates, and being responsive to all of my essay drafts. What I mean is that Liza kept me focused on my message in every possible opportunity in the application. What connected me further to Liza was her commitment to showcasing my authentic self and core values. For one of my essays, Liza encouraged me to run with an idea that I was afraid was too “personal” for a business school application. Without her guidance, I would not have had the courage or ability to execute on what I now believe to be a valuable part of my journey to an MBA. After multiple drafts, the essay turned out to be the one I’m most proud of across all applications and got me accepted to my top choice school.

The MBA application process can be very exhausting and stressful but also reflective and constructive. Beyond these acceptances, I feel that I’ve achieved greater clarity towards what I want in the next steps in my career and life. It was not easy though and comes with answering tough questions and taking time for uncomfortable introspection. Liza is going to guide you to really do this work which I believe got me into these programs. I wouldn’t have been as disciplined or successful in this process without Liza’s positive attitude and direct counsel. You want her on your team!

Having Liza as my consultant was HUGE for me. By way of background, I am a male applicant with a less traditional career path, Liza helped me utilize my story in an effective way. She helped me identify my strengths as a candidate and provided amazing feedback that I would not have had without her as my consultant. The MBA application can be daunting but it helps tremendously to have someone like Liza who knows all the ins and out of the process and can provide great recommendations regardless of the question. I know without a doubt that Liza’s work helped me get into the school of my dreams. I simply could not have done it without her.

I looked at other consultants but couldn’t really find one that ‘clicked.’ After doing the introductory call, I knew immediately that Liza was the person I needed to make my candidacy the most competitive. This was the best decision I could have made!

Liza is always available; has tremendous knowledge of all the schools and the process in general; is a joy to work with; and most of all is dedicated completely to making sure your application is the best possible. I cannot recommend enough!

To say that Liza has been an integral resource and partner to me throughout this process is an understatement. She made the daunting process of applying to an MBA much easier and more fun, particularly her eagerness and passion to help bring out the best in me. I’ll highlight several that particularly stood out:

1. Liza’s uplifting energy has been very helpful throughout this stressful process. Applying to MBA is often daunting, but Liza’s passion and eagerness were a huge motivating factor.
2. Always readily available via email or call. Liza and I even met in person for our initial discussion on our initial ‘brainstorming’ doc, which was over 15 pages long!
3. Liza took the time to get to know me as a person and helped me connect the dots of recurring themes in my life to craft compelling stories.
4. Providing the type of essay feedback that would push for more details; the resulting stories would come out so much more ‘alive.’
5. Interview coaching was also extremely helpful. Liza completely upended the way I answered interview questions by crafting them in a much more refined yet concise way. This enabled me to go into my interviews feeling much more confident and prepared.
6. Liza also would check in with me from time to time just to make sure I am doing okay and she also sent me messages right before my interviews to wish me luck!
7. Also, never missing a deadline (48-hour turnaround — without exception)

All in all, Liza was such a great partner throughout the application process. I ended up getting into Tuck and was waitlisted at Kellogg (For context: I am a female applicant working in the financial services sector and I have below-average GMAT and GPA for both of these schools).

Background: female, Ivy League undergrad, banking + PE
Results: accepted to HBS and GSB

I was referred to Liza by multiple friends who had used her in prior years with great success. After our intro call it was immediately clear that Liza was my “must-have” consultant. I was just thankful that she still had spots available to work with me!

I can say definitively that working with Liza was the best investment I made during my MBA admissions journey. She served as a thought partner, sounding board, cheerleader, and mentor throughout my application process, and I could not recommend her more.

Liza stands out among a number of dimensions:
1. SHE FINDS YOUR STORY: Liza was relentless in helping me find and showcase my story. She knew exactly the questions to ask and threads to pull on to tease out my unique personal and professional experiences. Going into the process, I was not used to writing about myself. Liza fostered an environment for safe, but deep personal exploration. She helped uncover stories I had forgotten about and helped me translate those experiences into compelling essays. By the time I submitted my apps, I felt that they were truly “me” on paper, thanks to Liza

2. SHE JUST GETS IT: From the very beginning, I felt that Liza had a deep understanding of my background. She had worked with many folks from banking/PE previously, and I felt that she “got” me and knew how to help me stand out among this pool of applicants

3. UNPARALLELED HONESTY AND THOUGHTFULNESS: Liza takes great pride in her work and holds both herself and her applicants to high standards. She put real time, thought, and energy into reviewing every piece of work that I put forth – from the brainstorming doc to essays to short answers. Her comments always explained both WHAT she was thinking and WHY. And she was very honest and direct. In the final days before one of my applications was due, Liza kindly but directly told me that she thought a section of my essay still wasn’t working – and then spent a few hours and multiple more drafts helping me MEANINGFULLY improve it. When Liza told me that my essays were “good to go,” I know that she meant it

4. NAILS THE PROCESS: Liza just nails everything related to organization, deadlines, timing, etc. She is very responsive to emails, never missed a single essay revision deadline, and did an amazing job keeping ME on track

Thank you Liza for helping me realize my MBA goals. I couldn’t have done it without you and couldn’t recommend you more!

Background: Male, Engineering Undergrad/Grad, Software Engineer at a FAANG company
Admitted: MIT Sloan, Stanford GSB.

I struggle to express just how incredible Liza was during this entire process. I’ll start by saying she is a wonderful person. I started quite late and was honestly very hesitant as a result, but from the first introductory phone call with Liza she was incredibly reassuring, understanding, and ready to formulate a game plan that worked well with my tight timeline. I especially enjoyed Liza’s positive vibe and her uncanny ability to guide while ensuring that my own narrative was represented throughout my entire application, telling my authentic story was important to me, so I appreciated her holistic approach very much.

By virtue of Liza’s genuine interest in my story and her follow up “why” questions whenever we met, I became much better at telling my story (by the time I got to the 1-minute video for MIT’s app, I was an expert at articulating who I was). Updates were frequent and feedback was fast! I honestly couldn’t ask for better help.

Most importantly, all throughout the application process, I got the sense that Liza really, truly enjoys what she does, and brings every bit of her energy to helping her clients achieve their goals of admission to a top MBA program. She made what seemed a daunting process one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had. I highly recommend Liza as an admissions consultant, she helped me realize I could tackle the infamous “what matters most” essay and get admitted to Stanford GSB, for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you.

*SHE WILL HELP YOU CRAFT YOUR BEST PACKAGE POSSIBLE!*

I’m a 10 year veteran with a below 700 GMAT. I knew I would need to craft my best package possible in order to be competitive for R2 submissions. I applied to Kellogg (D), Wharton (A), and HBS (A – attended). I began working on my applications around July and had already written my essays and resume by the time I approached Liza in October.

Even though I had engaged peers and alumni from all three schools to provide feedback on my essays and resume, I still felt uneasy with the feedback I received. My peers knew me well and had a military background – I felt I needed to engage someone with a keen eye and a different background. That’s when I reached out to MBAmission.

I got lucky by picking Liza Weale – after reading her background, she seemed like someone I would want to work with, a decision I don’t regret. She was able to relate to me, teach me new skills, keep me positive, and above all – provide an honest estimate of her services.

Liza Weale is a military brat (an endearing word to those that grew up traveling the country and world, base to base), so she had the perfect mix between knowing enough about the military to understand some context – but not enough to read past jargon. It was this balance that allowed her to provide hard-hitting insight into my stories. If something made no sense – she’d give it to me straight. It really forced me to reflect on my stories in a way I could not have done on my own. This paid dividends when I interviewed at HBS. She is also extremely sharp and succinct. I had fears working over the phone – having done many teleconferences, I know what a waste of time they can turn out to be, but she was able to make every minute count. One phone call in my mind equated to 50 emails (be prepared to take copious notes when you call her!) Working with her opened my eyes to the caliber of professionals that I would potentially work with after earning an MBA. She was EXACTLY the kind of person I was seeking.

Liza Weale played the role of teacher. Regardless of the outcome of my application – I knew I was walking away from this experience a better writer. She opened my eyes to the “Show don’t Tell” technique of writing. This skill set has translated into my profession and has helped me teach others to write better too.

Liza Weale played the role of a support network. Few of my friends could understand the stress I felt or the odds I was up against. There were times when I doubted my own package – knowing that I was outside the median in almost every category tracked. She was always positive, over email and the phone – even when providing tough feedback. Her positive attitude never wavered and it helped crush any doubt that began to creep into my head.

Above all – Liza Weale is honest. I was willing to pay for the much more expensive deluxe service package. But after she had a chance to review my brainstorming document, essays, and resume, she recommended the hourly rate – recognizing I would not need hours and hours of her assistance. I do give myself credit – I had to play my part too – I was receptive to her insights and did the hard work of crafting and re-crafting my essays. She was acted as a rudder – providing steering direction toward my goals.

***COUNT YOURSELF LUCKY IF LIZA WEALE HAS AVAILABILITY TO HELP YOU!***
I am giving her name to all my friends who decide to pursue an MBA as well.

When I had my free consultation with the admissions company Liza previously worked with, I was on the fence about working with the company in the future. To be candid, my initial (free trial) consultant and I didn’t click. She was tough and to the point, and I knew I needed a cheerleader. A quick chat with the founder informed me that I was able to be matched with the consultant best suited to my style for powering through seven (yes, seven) MBA applications to top 20 programs. When I told him I wanted a cheerleader; someone who would constantly encourage me with the power of positive energy, he immediately said: “You need Liza!”

He could not have been more right. Liza is upbeat, peppy, realistic, and encouraging. Her tone is always cheerful and bright, powering through long calls discussing every accomplishment and story I have from my undergrad, career and personal life. I work long hours, and she was always able to accommodate my schedule by meeting at 7:30 or 8:00 am, in the evenings, or on weekends. She helped me pick my stories and truly unearth the key points from each, all the while providing both positive and constructive feedback. When Liza sends comments back on essays, she’ll also include little notes like “love this part” or “great point!” That’s just the kind of person she is. Her 48-hour-or-less turnaround time was impeccable, powering me through three round one applications and almost four round two applications.

When I received interview invites, her mock interviews truly prepared me for the real thing. She wasn’t afraid to tell me where I needed to improve and study up, highlighting how to ace a “why xyz school” question after I completely bombed the question in our mock interview.

When I was dinged from my first school, I emailed Liza in a panic: “Do I need to apply to some lower ranked schools for safety? Am I going to get in anywhere?” Liza talked me down, reassuring me that I would get in somewhere, while still researching some additional safety school options, should I choose to go that route. Her overall knowledge of the MBA programs helped solidify my school list, despite my constantly changing thoughts, and made me feel confident in my ability to be admitted to a top school .

With Liza’s help, I was able to gain admittance to a top five program and a top fifteen program (with a full ride!) during round one, halting the additional applications I was working on.

Liza even helped me when I was on the fence between the two options, gathering information from her coworkers about how to approach gently negotiating for scholarship money and having calls with me to weigh my options. She advised me to look at recruiting data at both schools and to think of the bigger financial picture post-MBA than just the cost of the MBA itself.

Almost a year after I started studying for the GMAT, I submitted my deposit for a top 5 MBA program. I could not have done it without Liza’s help; hiring her is so much more than hiring a consultant. It’s a true investment in your future.

When I first began looking at the application process I was overwhelmed by the amount of work in front of me. I planned to work on my business school applications without the aid of an admissions consultant, but I decided to sign up for a free 30-minute consultation with Liza Weale and mbaMission. I came into the meeting hoping for guidance on some tricky questions I was facing and I was blown away by how prepared, informative and fun to talk to Liza was. I decided then and there that I had to work with Liza and I couldn’t be happier with that decision!!

I worked with Liza on three start-to-finish applications and I’m thrilled to be heading to my first choice (Columbia) in the fall! Throughout the entire process, Liza was invaluable and in my corner, whether we were completely overhauling my resume, tweaking the 10th draft of an essay or thinking about the best way to answer short answer questions. Liza would regularly send me thoughts or suggestions even when I didn’t ask her and having an expert to bounce difficult questions off was an amazing resource. After only a few weeks I really felt like we were a team.

Liza also wasn’t afraid to challenge my thinking and really push me to improve my applications. I wrote what I believed to be a very strong essay and Liza showed me that I could much more effectively represent myself if I went in a different direction. When it came time to approach my recommenders Liza was so helpful in organizing my communication with them and making sure I got their full support, which turned out to be essential in my applications. And then when interviews came around, I was so prepared based on my work with Liza that I was completely comfortable and confident in what turned out to be an hour and a half interview that sealed my admission. I never could have been so effective if Liza hadn’t known exactly what questions to be ready for and helped me thoughtfully answer them in a way that was true to who I am.

If I had it to do all over again I would work with Liza in a heartbeat. I have already recommended her to my close friends and couldn’t imagine going through this process without her. She delivered in a big way for me both in terms of getting me through the grueling application process and also the great results!

If you are looking for the best, look no further. If not for Liza, I am convinced I would not have been admitted to (and received scholarship money from) the MBA programs of my dreams. She gave me the confidence to crush my interviews, and refine my story. Because I did not have your traditional business school background, her support was critical in helping me navigate my “pitch.” She really is the best and is completely determined to see you succeed.

Background: Male, Canadian undergrad, engineering background, 6 years in specialized consulting in financial risk management
Schools applied: CBS, Tuck, Booth, NYU Stern
Admitted: Tuck, NYU Stern
Waitlist: Booth
Rejected: CBS

I came across Liza during one of her online seminars. Finding the seminar itself informative, I booked her for a consultation and decided to work with her for my application. I quickly realized after working with her how helpful and supportive she is throughout the entire process. My experience was quite positive for several reasons:

1. Despite the initial consultation being pro bono, Liza took the time to review my profile in detail and provided me with multiple actionable steps I can take to strengthen my profile.
2. Liza helped me understand the nuances, and strengths/weaknesses between different schools. This helped me understand and clarify the list of schools I wish to go for and helped me focus on a handful of schools that will help my career.
3. Liza not only understands the MBA admission process but also takes the time to understand me as a candidate. Furthermore, while Liza is always empathetic and supportive, she does not hesitate to point out weaknesses that my profile currently displays – points that I believe ultimately allowed me to craft a stronger application.
4. Finally, Liza is someone who’s always in your corner. I bombed my mock interview right before the real interview, and Liza offered to do another one the morning (7:00 AM) of the actual interview. I was grateful and took up on the offer and this ultimately calmed my nerves for the actual thing.

In summary, I had a great time working with Liza, appreciate the dedication she displayed throughout the experience and would recommend her to anyone who plans on going through the same process.

I began working with Liza after unsuccessfully applying to Stanford in 2006. As a re-applicant (who typically face a higher bar than first-time applicants), I knew that I would have to improve my essays the following year. She helped me to identify the most compelling parts of my personal narrative, and her guidance made my essays vivid and readable. Once they were done, I felt that my essays captured the essence of who I was and what I cared about. In re-reading them now, perhaps the most amazing thing is that I am largely living the life I had described over 10 years ago; I have become the COO of a leading specialty insurance distribution firm and am happily married with a wonderful 7-year-old son.

Liza has been a fantastic resource throughout the entire MBA admissions process, and I could not be happier with the support she has provided. My background is a bit nontraditional, as I’m an engineer from a large state school with 6+ years of work experience at large tech firms. I was initially reluctant to use an admissions consultant, but given how challenging and competitive the process is, I reached out to a few consultants to see if a top 10 school was even achievable. Most consultants I talked to were either too cookie-cutter or apprehensive with me applying to only “reach” schools. However, Liza took my personal story and background into account and provided honest, specific, and pointed feedback that started me on the path to be successfully admitted to a top 5 program.

There are three areas where Liza helped the most: 1. Coaching, 2. Real-Life Experience, and 3. Specific Feedback. From a coaching perspective, I didn’t have many resources or mentors to talk with about applying to an MBA program, let alone a top school, but Liza was able to give me a great overview and roadmap for how the MBA admissions process worked. I realize a lot of this information is online, but being able to talk through it and strategize together really helped me to plan out my application and what schools to focus on. The “story” is so important, and this process was more internal and reflective than anything, which helped me put into words why I wanted to go to school and what I wanted to do after graduation. Also, Liza is a graduate of Sloan, so she has gone through the process and is able to tailor her information and feedback to what top MBA programs are looking for. When going through the application and more importantly the interview, I felt very prepared. I would recommend anyone do at least one mock interview per school, as Liza was incredibly helpful to calm my nerves on interview day. She treated the interview like the real thing, and I felt as if I was talking to the admissions committee. On top of that, Liza provided very specific and actionable feedback, whether that was how I answered a mock question, what I wrote for an essay, or what I wanted to do after graduation. This was the most helpful part of the process, as it is a journey with constant refinement, which I think truly made the difference for me.

Liza was just an incredible partner for me to tackle the b-school applications with. My prior experience was in a technical engineering/product role and I leaned heavily on Liza to help to make my experience/background relevant to b-school apps. With her help, I was admitted to Haas & Sloan (and now work at an MBB firm).

You want Liza in your corner, not just because of her grasp of the MBA application process, and ability to polish your personal stories into compelling narratives, but more importantly, for her passion for helping applicants discover and express themselves. This was obvious from our interactions – she would remember details from our initial brainstorming, that even I would forget! She just gets to know you incredibly well. In strategizing on how to tackle essays and interview questions, Liza combines a management consultant’s emphasis on depth and substance, with a marketer’s flair for personal branding. Her feedback helped me think through my experiences at a deeper level, back them up with specifics and articulate them with clarity.

Liza was an absolute pleasure to work with. I applied R1 to three schools: Stanford GSB, HBS and Wharton. While I didn’t use Liza as my primary consultant (I worked with her only for my HBS interview), I realized quickly after engaging her for interview prep how helpful she would have been throughout the entire process. I used a different consulting firm as the primary resource for my application essays but would recommend working with Liza if I could do everything over again — even though I was admitted to my top choice school.

Background: Caucasian male, top 5 undergrad, liberal arts background (English major), 4 years at a top-tier investment bank in IBD, 1 year as a product manager in CPG
Admitted: GSB
Waitlist: HBS
Rejected: Wharton

Liza was recommended to me by a close friend who had applied the prior year and was admitted to HBS. They had worked with her for interview prep and had a fantastic experience. My experience was also quite positive for several reasons:

1. Liza cares about who you are and takes time to really understand your goals. I was shocked at the level of detail and commitment that she provided me even though I only worked with her on interview prep. Because she took time to understand me, the pointers she gave me during our mock interview were incredibly helpful, and I was able to apply them during the interview itself

2. Liza really understands MBA admissions and helps clarify uncertainties. She helped me to demystify the admissions process, and more specifically, the interview’s importance with respect to an overall application. This made me more confident going into my interview because I had a clearer sense for what I was getting myself into and how important it was

3. Liza understands the nuances between schools and helps you tailor your story to each one. This is very important for the HBS interview, as much of what they are looking for is driven by fit for the school

In summary, I cannot recommend Liza highly enough. She was empathetic and supportive, and while I did not work with her on the application for the school that I am ultimately attending, I know she would have shown the same level of dedication and support throughout the process overall.

I couldn’t recommend Liza more highly! When I applied to business school, she helped me determine what were my most compelling themes and stories which I should highlight from my background. She then helped me weave all of it into a cohesive whole. This helped me write compelling and successful essays. I was admitted into and then attended HBS, and since then, was a principal at a leading private equity firm and now lead strategy at a great tech firm. I am very grateful for Liza’s help.

When I first began my search for a consultant, I was surprised at how many 5-star reviews Liza had. Now that my journey’s complete, I can confirm that she really is an incredible consultant and partner in the admissions process. Comparing my own experience to those of my friends who worked with other people, I can definitively say Liza provided the best guidance. Searching for a good consultant is a huge shot in the dark, but finding a good one can really make a difference and for that reason, I cant recommend Liza enough.

A couple of things I really enjoyed about my experience:
1) Liza is extremely organized: she makes sure to set timelines, is very reliable on turnarounds, and kept me organized through the process
2) She knows A LOT: I could really see how experienced she was during brainstorming / knew the answers to every question I had
3) She is positive: this means A LOT when you are feeling super stressed or the first couple turns of your essay feel like they suck – Liza provides the encouragement and confidence you need to succeed

My background is in finance and media corp strategy. Thanks to Liza, I got into a top 3 school. I really couldn’t have don’t it without her!

When I was getting ready to start my b-school applications, I wanted to give myself every advantage possible and looked to enlist the help of an MBA consultant.

I met Liza during my 30-minute free consultation and immediately knew that she would be a great fit for my application process. From the get go, Liza had an array of thoughtful comments tailored to my specific background and target schools. She immediately spotted “themes” in my work experience, such as an ability to create systems/infrastructure, which I had not identified on my own. On top of that, her supportive and enthusiastic attitude made it clear that she was 100% invested in my success. I immediately signed up for two start-to-finish packages (GSB and Sloan) and later added two more (HBS and Haas).

As soon as we began the application process, I knew that working with Liza had been a wise choice. My first brainstorming session started as a general get-to-know-you session, but it was immediately clear that Liza genuinely wanted to understand my personality and behavior. With each experience, we discussed she would ask probing questions such as, “How did you respond? Why did you do that?” Through this session, I felt that Liza gained valuable insight into my personality, motivations, and behaviors. With this insight, Liza helped me identify trends in my work history and hone in on my most compelling stories based on each school’s profile. In later sessions, Liza acted as a sounding board for my ideas, ensuring that I did not waste time writing essays about less-than-stellar subjects.

This up-front work truly paid off as we entered the essay writing stage. With general themes already identified for each application, I was able to jump into essay outlining without any problem. Throughout the MANY iterations of my essays, Liza’s feedback was impeccably on-point complete with thoughtful questions, insightful suggestions, and a laser focus on the big picture. She asked pointed questions that helped me focus on salient information and she also has an amazing ability to identify and eliminate non-essential details. Once my essays were boiled down to the core story, Liza demonstrated her very impressive ability to cut words through creative editing. Throughout the process, I felt that Liza really went above and beyond as I often received comments back well before the 48-hour response time had lapsed and, on top of that, I would get random emails saying things like, “While I was out for a run, I had an epiphany regarding your essay….” This extra effort really made me feel as if she had my best interest in mind and was truly invested in my success. At the end of the process, I felt that my essays retained my individuality and read as my voice, but were more focused and polished than they would have been otherwise…thanks to Liza.

Liza was also hugely helpful with the remainder of my applications helping me concentrate on achievements in my resume, choose words thoughtfully in my short answers, and present myself succinctly in my interview. Finally, after six long months of the grueling application process, I was accepted to three programs (HBS, Sloan, and Haas) and could not be happier about choosing to work with Liza during the process. In fact, Liza continued to go above and beyond after I received my acceptance letters helping me through the school selection process, even going as far as to write an email with some questions/self-exploration questions to ask myself while I made my decision.

If you are considering using a Gatehouse Admissions consultant, I would highly recommend Liza. She helped me demonstrate the best version of me through my applications and not a pre-packaged idea of what business schools want. I am super pleased with my experience with Liza and, I think, the results speak for themselves.

Despite my waiting until the last moment to get started on my applications, Liza was able to jump in and help me pull together my thinking and write lucid, interesting and ultimately very successful essays. While the stories were all mine, her ability to make them come to life and pull the most impactful parts out of my head – and cut out the rest – is what got me over the line and accepted at both HBS and Kellogg. I’m convinced of that and am forever grateful

One of the hardest parts of working in the Information Technology arena is having a resume that is understandable and highlights your skills for recruiters and human resources to comprehend while also attracting highly technical hiring managers. I found that most of the times even though I was qualified for the job, that it wouldn’t even be considered due to the technical jargon that was beyond people reviewing my resume. I expressed my frustrations with Liza and she took up the challenge. She took my complex resume and made it extremely readable while keeping some technical components. I received rave reviews from hiring managers, recruiters, and human resources on how well my resume was written. I have never heard these types of compliments before. Within one month, I landed the job I have been angling for the past 5 years. I can’t recommend Liza enough to help you with your career, being a graduate school or job hunting.

I want to start by saying that Liza was amazing to work with and I couldn’t recommend her more! I worked with Liza on Round 1 applications for HBS, Kellogg & Stanford GSB and I’m excited to be attending HBS this fall.

Background: Male, engineering at top-20 undergrad, MBB consulting / PE, 730 GMAT
Admitted: HBS, Kellogg
Rejected: Stanford GSB

Liza was recommended to me by multiple colleagues and everyone I spoke with had an extremely positive experience working with her. Nonetheless, I still evaluated multiple admission consultants; however, none compared to Liza. From our fist conversation, it was noticeable how much Liza cared about making my candidacy a success. I also remember how she took the time to really understand my goals for the process.

While many others have noted many of Liza’s amazing characteristics, I’ll highlight three that I found most beneficial.

(1) Liza takes the time to get to know you as a person. Business school applications can be very personal, so while this may feel insignificant I think the time Liza took to get to know my personal story paid many dividends through the process.

(2) Liza is deeply knowledgeable about the admissions process. Because Liza has so much experience coaching candidates, she understands where you should be in the process at all times and is very familiar with what admissions teams are looking for in candidates. And even though Liza does have a lot of experience to draw from, Liza still did a great job ensuring the process was specifically tailored to what I was looking to get out of it.

(3) Liza gives great feedback and while she will push you to tell a story admissions teams will find compelling, she also ensures your story remains authentically you. I have a more traditional background on paper, but there were specific points about my personal background I felt were important to highlight. With Liza’s guidance, I was able to tell a story that combined the softer components about my background & ambitions that made me unique with firmer accomplishments that highlighted my capabilities.

My background: Female, 5 years in finance/investment banking at a BB firm, ivy league liberal arts background (poli sci/econ major), 730 GMAT, 3.7 GPA

Admitted to HBS, Wharton and MIT Sloan, received a merit-based scholarship at Wharton and Sloan. Rejected from GSB. Worked with Liza on HBS and Wharton.

Less than a year ago I hadn’t opened a GMAT textbook and right now I’m on my way back from an admitted students’ weekend at a school I could only dream of getting into. It’s surreal and 100% would not have been possible without Liza.

I was referred to Liza through a friend and decided to set up a 30-min free consultation to see what kind of advice I could expect from an admissions consultant and what she thought about my candidacy. I knew I had certain “on paper” strengths (good GPA, ivy league school, solid firm/professional experience), but was concerned about my lack of leadership/involvement in activities outside of work and that my profile was otherwise overrepresented. In the 30 minutes, Liza gave me honest and actionable feedback, including ways to address weaker spots in my application and a plan for tackling the next steps. The overwhelming process seemed much more manageable by the end of our call, and I felt more confident in myself as a competitive applicant. She was clearly a pro and I didn’t hesitate to sign up.

Liza is a dream to work with in so many ways, but she was especially helpful in two key areas. First was helping me craft my “story” – by the end of our brainstorming session she was able to tease out the key theme weaving together all the seemingly random life anecdotes I had written down. I never would have thought of that seed idea on my own but it was perfect, which is a testament to how well she understands her clients. Her feedback was invaluable throughout the essay writing process and I almost always took her suggestions, from high-level structural changes to word choice. And when she indicated she was comfortable with where drafts stood, I trusted her and didn’t sweat any more iterations.

The second area where Liza was critical was interview prep. I didn’t realize how underprepared I was for the HBS interview until we had our mock. After that, I had a much better understanding of what the real interview would be like and the types of questions I could expect. I was very well prepared for the interview day of and most of the questions I got we had workshopped or raised during prep.

I’m honestly not sure I would have completed a single R1 application, let alone four, if I hadn’t had Liza in my corner. She’s your constant champion throughout a long and draining experience.  There were some really stressful times when I was running up on deadlines, crushed at work and taking the GMAT for a third (!!) time less than a month before R1 apps were due. Liza was always there urging me on and helping me believe in myself, whether with an email or reassuring phone call. She is compassionate and truly cares about her clients, but she will definitely push you to be disciplined and invest the time and work required to get the most out of this process.  She is unfailingly positive but what I appreciated most was her honesty. She approached every issue or conversation in a measured way but did not hesitate to call out where things need improvement and never inflated my expectations one way or another. This is exactly the type of person you want as an advisor when going through a process as important as this one.

There is no way I would be considering the options I have now without Liza and I can’t recommend her enough. THANK YOU, LIZA!!!!

Background: Caucasian Male, Non-Ivy Undergrad, Sub 3.0 GPA, Chemical Engineer

Results: Attending Top 5 Program, Accepted to 3 Top 10 B-Schools

To anyone looking to maximize the strength of their candidacy, I would highly recommend using Liza as a consultant! After having interviewed multiple consultants, I was referred to Liza by a friend attending HBS. From our initial phone call until now, Liza has taken complete ownership of my story and my application process. As a candidate from an unremarkable undergrad program and sub-3.0 GPA, I went from an applicant hoping to breach the top 20, to a future student at a top 5 business school; working with Liza allowed me to achieve these results. Liza’s book of clients fills up very early in the process, so I would recommend signing on with her as soon as you establish that you would like to attend a top business school.

Liza’s tenacity, reliability, and support throughout my process was astounding and unwavering. She took immediate ownership of my story, and ensured that I did the same by having me fill out an exhaustive brainstorming doc; while the document was arduous, the content was directly applicable to every facet of the application process. Liza then helped me to develop and articulate my story in the most convincing manner, working as a teammate to generate ideas, put them into action, and refine them into their most effective form, all while keeping me on track to meet the schools’ deadlines.

Throughout an uncertain process, Liza was honest, supportive, and incredibly empathetic. It was clear that my success was her success, and throughout every step of the process, we worked tirelessly to evolve my candidacy into one worthy of acceptance at multiple top 10 programs. Liza enabled me to change my own life, and I could not be happier with my decision to take her on as a consultant/partner.

Some background: an international applicant who has been working for the past few years in my country’s public sector (defense). Did my undergrad and masters’ in engineering at Top 10 US schools. Thanks to Liza’s help, I managed to secure admissions to MIT Sloan (with fellowship).

My background was extremely non-traditional. I knew that I had to get an admissions consultant who understood my story and was able to translate that into something that the admissions committees of top MBA programs would find attractive. Among the 5 consultants that I spoke to during my search, Liza was the one I was most impressed with. I felt that she was someone who was really excited about my candidacy, knew what exactly I needed help with, and what I could highlight to my advantage (even in the initial consult!).

There were several things that Liza did for me that stood out:
1. She was relentless in probing me for my story. I found it difficult to put together the initial brainstorming document because I was not used to talking/writing about myself. But Liza posed the right questions that helped me tease out the key traits/themes of my story.
2. Detailed, highly valuable interview prep. I was really nervous about interviewing. But Liza’s mock sessions made all the difference – She taught me how to structure my responses so that I could convey a clear story that the interviewer could follow and take away from. She reminded me to explain jargon that I was used to but my interviewer wasn’t. She helped me to refine the questions that I wanted to pose to the interviewer.
3. She is the best cheerleader! There were times when I felt demotivated and defeated because I was overwhelmed with work or got a rejection, but she was always there with kind words and cheers!

Overall, I would definitely recommend Liza! She really puts in 110% for her clients. I would not have been able to get into my top choice (and get a fellowship) without her.

Background: Female, nontraditional professional background, GRE Q160, V167, GPA 3.89.

Accepted early decision to CBS.

I had a few introductory phone calls with other consultants, and after speaking with Liza, I knew I wanted to partner with her throughout this process. Liza was positive, but realistic, and it was clear – just during those 30 minutes – that she really wanted me to succeed.

Liza’s guidance at the beginning of the process was key to my success. She helped me define and communicate my short- and long-term goals, which are major components of the application. Liza also helped me identify my strongest and most compelling experiences/stories to focus on in my resume and essays. It was very important to have Liza’s expertise as I jumped into the applications.

Liza adheres to the MBA Mission’s essay/application review turnaround deadlines, which she holds both her clients and herself to. This policy helped me stay on track. I needed to send my materials to Liza by a certain date in order to receive her feedback by a certain date. As someone who would typically tinker with my essays for hours on end, these deadlines were a huge help and kept me moving forward! Additionally, Liza never missed a turnaround deadline – I knew exactly when I would receive her very thorough comments and responses to my questions!

Lastly, rather late in the game, I was thinking about adding a more competitive school to my Round 1 applications. I was hesitant about adding another school, but when I reached out to Liza about applying, her response was something along the lines of, “Excited for you! Here’s what needs to happen.” With Liza’s support, I ended up applying and being accepted to this school. I’m thankful to Liza for advising and cheering me on throughout the process!

First a little background on me: White, male, engineer from a large state school (GPA 3.7 / GMAT: 690 / 4 years of experience upon matriculation). Pre-MBA I have been working at a large management consulting company (Deloitte / Accenture / EY). So all in all, I felt like I had what was a very generic profile.

I knew early on that I would use an admissions consultant. I saw how competitive my pool was and realized that I needed a way to differentiate myself from the rest of the pack. I had a few calls with consultants and told them my list of schools. Some either immediately said that I was reaching too far and others seemed overly optimistic. I decided to go with Liza when she gave me honest feedback and said that while my schools would be challenging, they were doable. Ultimately I signed up for 3 schools (Darden, Fuqua, Johnson) and had these 3 schools as reaches and dream schools. For me, it was all or nothing.

Working with Liza was what kept me sane during this challenging process. She did this through 3 key things:

1) Finding and developing my story – Liza did an amazing job of finding a thread in my story that was able to differentiate me from my peers and then pull on that thread. She helped uncovered both personal and professional stories that I had forgotten about and helped me make them come to life. By the time my applications were submitted, I had a clear cohesive story that helped me stand out as a unique candidate.

2) Optimism – In an anxiety-inducing process where self-doubt can often creep in, Liza was upbeat and provided constructive feedback in a manner that was motivating and made me want to improve. Her energy was contagious and necessary during this application process.

3) Invested – Liza was the first to say good luck and to ask how things went after an interview or admissions decision. I felt that she was just as invested in my applications as I was.

Ultimately I was admitted to my dream schools of Fuqua and Darden and still waiting to hear back from Johnson. As I write this review it comes as no surprise that this is the 99th (or 100th) positive five-star review she has gotten. While certainly not a cheap investment, it has paid itself back tenfold.

A bit of background about myself, I’m a Middle Eastern female working in the banking industry with around 7 years of work experience.

In the beginning, I was very reluctant to apply for any of the top school’s MBA, as I assumed that my profile would be considered as average and my application would be easily overlooked. However, upon talking with Liza, she was able to significantly change my views and our conversation encouraged me to apply to my dream school.

Working with Liza has helped me identify my goals not only in the essays but also in real life. Her questions to my essay drafts made me highlight lots of unique points and qualities that did not cross my mind initially, and made my overall story in the essays logical and convincing.
She was able to let me extract the core story behind my essays and helped me cut all the unnecessary details to represent my story in the most compelling way.

She has as well guided me through the interview process, which is a really stressful period for all applicants. She provided me with interview guidelines and we scheduled one mock interview (through Skype). The mock interview was great and really imitated the real interview! her feedback was very beneficial and helped me show up to the interview very well prepared and confident.

Overall, I would HIGHLY recommend Liza as a partner in the application process. With her guidance, I was gladly accepted to my target school (an ivy league)!

First up, here’s a bit of background about me and my candidacy: I’m an American female, from a non-ivy undergrad (3.8 GPA) with slightly below average GMAT (690). Pre MBA, I worked at a global Financial Services company with the goal of landing a spot at a top consulting firm post MBA.

I decided to work with a consultant on my business school apps early on, knowing that I could easily be overlooked if I didn’t highlight the right details about my experience when I applied to top programs. I met with representatives from a few companies, however, decided to work with MBA Mission as soon as I met with Liza Weale.

I can’t begin to describe how helpful Liza was throughout the entire application process – she helped narrow down my list of target schools, advised which areas of my background were most compelling and worked with me through countless revisions until my application truly reflected that I was a competitive candidate. Ultimately I ended up working on two applications with Liza – Harvard, and Columbia, and I was accepted to CBS! And when I was deciding between a new role and business school, she was a solid sounding board.

Overall, while I valued Liza’s input on my application, I also truly enjoyed working with her, which made the process much more painless (dare I say, even enjoyable at times?) Needless to say, if you’re planning to spend the money on a consultant, I highly recommend meeting with Liza.

Background: Male, re-applicant, non-business undergrad, 5+ years consulting

After going through rejections the prior year (worked with a different admission consulting company), I knew I needed a different strategy to have a positive outcome this time around. I spoke with a few other companies and most of them were hesitant in taking me on as a client due to low GPA/GMAT stats. Feedback provided in initial consultation was that I should delay re-applying until improving my stats. Despite the feedback, I still felt there was a way for me to be competitive or even be considered for a top MBA program. I first heard about Liza from a friend who worked with her before and spoke nothing but great things. I decided to do an initial consultation with Liza and explained to her of my situation/background/low stats. She was very honest in her feedback saying that it would be difficult to be competitive and I should be prepared for backup options if not accepted again. Liza still felt there was a unique story that I could tell and schools would look at that positively if the story was told in an effective way. Knowing that I was taking a gamble given my low stats, I felt really comfortable after my initial discussion with Liza and knew I wanted to work with her on my applications.
I decided to re-apply to two top-20 programs. Initial activity with Liza was spent on the brainstorming document. I highly encourage you to spend ample time on this document so that Liza has all the personal stories/experiences which she will be reviewing prior to essay drafting. The more information you share in brainstorming, the more material Liza will be able to help you filter to determine what is powerful to include in essays or not. There were personal stories which I included from my childhood which I never thought b-school admissions would want to hear, but Liza was a true advocate in highlighting those experiences which I know helped distinguish myself from the stack of applicants.

Once essay drafting began, I always felt like I was telling the story I wanted to tell. Liza was a great supporter along the way who was not afraid to provide honest feedback if I was heading in the wrong direction or not making sense. Her feedback is extremely valuable and allows you to take a step back and self-reflect. Over the course of drafting versions of essays, I became more and more confident in the story I was telling. Liza would always ask me how I’m feeling about everything before any major deadline we set for ourselves. When it came time for interviews, she would personally send me a note hours before wishing me good luck which was really great. Those moments were very nerve-wracking, but it was just nice knowing Liza was rooting for me.

My recommenders commended on Liza’s assistance during the recommendation letter drafts. Even though I did not see what my recommenders wrote, I knew that Liza knew my story better than anyone else and made sure the recommenders brought out my strengths. She worked closely with my recommenders and helped them frame their stories which resonated well with my overall goals. Knowing that Liza was on my side every step of the way, I know that my recommenders had all the tools and information needed to write an effective letter.

The overall end result was that I was invited to interview to both my programs and accepted and a waitlist to the programs which I was rejected from nearly a year ago. I know this would not have been possible without Liza’s support throughout this entire process. Liza is definitely a gamechanger and helped me represent myself in the best way to the admissions committee. If you are in the process of applying for business school, Liza is without a doubt the only way to go. Even though she was my admissions consultant, along the way she became a friend who truly wanted me to succeed. Best decision ever.

Background: Male, Ivy Undergrad, banking+PE+ops role
Results: accepted at Harvard and Stanford

I could not speak more highly about working with Liza. I was referred to her by a friend who had used her Round 1 in the same year (I worked with her for Round 2). After doing intro calls with 3-4 consultants it was immediately clear to me that the two of us clicked and she would be the ideal consultant for me to work with. Her spots fill up fast, so if you are interested I would definitely recommend getting a spot with her as soon as possible.

Liza made the very daunting task of answering abstract questions like “What else should we know about you?” and “What matters most?” very personal and attack-able. Her approach makes you actually look within yourself to really think about the right answer. She’s incredibly good at asking you questions about how you feel, and then helping dissect that into a key theme or two that make for a great essay and hold true to the person that you actually are.

You’ll begin by assembling a detailed brainstorming document. While this does take time, it is well worth the investment. From this, you’ll be able to work with Liza to figure out a whole range of potential essay topics, and what’s more, you’ll also be able to recycle this work for your short answers on the application and also for stories on the interview. It is well worth the time.

In terms of essays, Liza provided appropriate guidance and feedback at all levels. Before I got going writing, we’d make sure there was at least an underlying theme that could be a good essay, so we’d avoid wasting time on a bad topic. Then, she was very open and honest with feedback. Sometimes, she would think the initial draft was nearly complete. Other times, she would provide very specific and helpful feedback and it was back to the drawing board. It was clear that she spent significant time reviewing my essays, and combined that effort with her massive knowledge of MBA applications to help me write the best essays. Each time I would revise, I could tell that the essay was getting stronger, and I thought the end product was not only a great business school essay but also one that was uniquely me and did convey my personality and answer the question appropriately.

I know for a fact I could not have done this stressful process without Liza. She was there to hold my hand as much as I needed each step of the way, and more importantly, gave me confidence in myself — both as an applicant in general and specifically when it came to the application items we were creating together. I could not recommend her more highly. It is clear she pours her heart and soul into her clients and is a huge advocate for them. I greatly looked forward to each of our interactions. TWO THUMBS UP!

I’m a woman working at an investment firm. It was fairly late in the cycle when I decided to apply to business school. I was introduced to Liza through a friend who worked with her and got into HBS. From our very first call, Liza had my absolute trust! It couldn’t be any clearer to me that she was someone who was truly dedicated to her job, and she was extremely experienced and knowledgeable. I actually interviewed five other admission consultants from top firms, and she was by far the best – there was no comparison. Unfortunately, I was too late in the process and Liza was booked up for the start-to-finish package and wasn’t able to take me on. So I somberly settled for my second pick at a competing firm. Unfortunately, my second pick full-time consultant regularly missed deadlines which weakened my trust in him along the process. Although Liza was booked up, she graciously agreed to work with me on an hourly basis – even though we were so close to the deadlines. We worked together for about 6 hours, including essay reviews and interview prep. Through the process, Liza encouraged me to dig deeper and reflect more on each of my experiences. She really helped me transform my essays: we removed all the cliche statements and the final product was much more unique and reflective of me as a person. Even once my purchased hours were up, Liza was still available as a resource and answered my emails generously in her own time.

Another thing I would highlight is that MBAmission has a two-day turnaround policy, and they do not miss deadlines. I initially didn’t realize how important this would be. But remember that applying to school is a very stressful period, and you should work with someone who is reliable and who will be there for you when needed.

In the end, I ended up getting into both my top choices – and I’m very grateful to Liza for her help. Not only she helped me with my application, but also she was absolutely there for me along the process.

Profile:
Male, Caucasian, 730 GMAT, Top-40 Undergrad College, Large Corporation

Results:
Accepted: Stanford, Kellogg
Waitlisted: Harvard

If you are looking to get into a top b-school, my advice to you is to partner with Liza Weale (and do it early before she reaches her capacity for the year…which she will). She will make you work your butt off because she cares so deeply about seeing you succeed. Be ready to self-reflect. Be ready to take feedback in stride. Be ready to give your all to this process. If you do, you will not be disappointed. You will walk away more self-aware, more self-confident, and with a better idea of how you want to leave your mark on the world. And if you do these things well, there is a good chance you’ll find success in the application process.

In my opinion, the hardest (and most important) part of the application process is getting to know yourself inside and out– what makes you tick, why you do the things you do, what you want to do with your life—and then communicating this clearly and effectively through essays and interviews. This is no small task; in fact, it’s really really hard and I think it is impossible to do well without someone else pushing and challenging you throughout. Whether it’s a close friend, parent, or a consultant like Liza, find someone to fill this role. I would be hard pressed though to find many friends, parents, or other consultants that care as much as Liza does and that put in the kind of effort to help you put your best foot forward as Liza does (it’s crazy because she starts as a stranger and quickly becomes your biggest fan).

Liza first had me fill out a brainstorming document to help her get to know me (essentially 20+ pages of my life story) and then spent hours on the phone asking me question after question about it. From our very first conversation, I was struck by 1) how good of a listener she was, 2) how much she wanted to authentically get to know me, and 3) how fast she picked up on what was most important to me and how well she was able to think of essay ideas around these things. I had been spinning my wheels for months leading up to our initial conversation and after talking with her it was amazing how I left finally feeling a sense of direction. I then remember sending my first draft of HBS’s essay to Liza for feedback the week after this, thinking that it was pretty great. She turned it around a couple of days later basically ripping it to shreds (in the most constructive and polite way possible!). 8 drafts later, I could not have been prouder of how far it had come and how it spoke to who I am and how I want to make my mark on the world.

Liza helped me in a similar way for Kellogg and Stanford—it took MANY hours of me writing, getting feedback, revising, and re-writing, but I felt incredibly pleased and proud of the essays I submitted when all was said and done. Liza also helped me transform my resume from corporate jargon into something that really packed a punch and helped me think of ways to write short answers in a way that was clear and powerful. She never missed a deadline and always came back with meaningful and thoughtful input. She was the best person to help me prep for interviews because of how well she got to know me. She was the first person after my parents I contacted after finding out from Stanford and Kellogg. Liza is incredible, and she will remain a friend for years to come. In my opinion, it is well worth the money to partner with a consultant, and if you do, you would be a fool not to choose Liza.

My Profile: Southeast Asian; Male; 3.60 GPA (Law LLB); 730 GMAT (Q48 V42); 5 years as a construction lawyer; currently, counsel at a hyper-growth real estate/hospitality company.

Admitted to Class of 2021 at MIT Sloan (with Fellowship)

Having dreamed of pursuing an MBA for a number of years, I reached out to a close friend of mine that was admitted to CBS to learn more about his experience with the application process. He gave me a resounding recommendation of Liza’s services and was so sure that Liza made THE difference in getting into his dream school! His words were difficult to ignore – I started working with Liza over 1 year ago and have never looked back!

While the past year was absolutely brutal as I had to juggle a new job together with applying to 6 schools, having Liza by my “side” to encourage and urge me on at every step of the way kept me on track! She has been a friend, confidante, career coach, consultant, cheerleader, taskmaster and support system all rolled into one. I had the benefit of connecting with Liza a few months in advance of actually starting work on the applications, and she gave me invaluable advice to make career decisions that ultimately shaped my profile for the MBA applications.

As I worked with Liza, it quickly became apparent that she always put her sincere best in getting to know me inside and out, and was fully invested in helping me to reach my goals. She manages to tease out the best ideas and best version of yourself, and she is extremely effective in helping you to bring YOUR stories to life through the essays. She is an expert communicator and leaves no stone unturned with her practical/honest advice – you will definitely feel assured that you have done your best with her guidance. With interview prep, she made sure that I was so prepared for every eventuality and provided nuanced tips for each school/interviewer. The actual interview was a breeze!

It is all thanks to Liza that I will be traveling halfway across the world to attend MIT Sloan this fall. I can’t wait, and I can’t speak highly enough of Liza’s help in getting me there. Highly recommended!

My profile:
Asian, Female
~4 years in Consulting
710 GMAT
Chatted with 5+ companies and ~7 consultants and ultimately chose Liza!

The application process is arduous and there’s a lot of consultants to choose from. I chose Liza because she is someone who will be there in the trenches with you and help you become a storytelling master. Here are the 2 key reasons you should choose her-

1) Best Storyteller I’ve Met:
A lot of applicants are stellar but can’t showcase it on paper. Liza helped me bring my story to life by helping me cut out the fluff to draw on different aspects of my stories that’d pull at the heartstrings more. She helped me see my own stories in a new light and told me how AdComm is likely to view it. You’ll definitely need a consultant to help you do this because your everyday friends/colleagues just aren’t going to be as invested in you as a consultant would.

2) Unparalleled Thoroughness: Liza always prepped for our calls. In our brainstorming session, she already had ideas on how my story should be structured and explained to me why she suggested each edit. Some consultants could just make changes without explaining…but then you wouldn’t learn how to improve for your other apps. Another aspect is that she helped catch errors in my app. She helped catch small nuances and numbers that didn’t tick and tie. You’ll be so trenched in the app that sometimes it’s easy to lose track on what you’ve updated!

Liza is truly the ONLY person who will dedicate that much effort into helping you achieve your dreams (aside from yourself).

I worked with Liza while I was interviewing for a very important, game-changing position at a critical time in my career. Because Liza is such an extraordinary coach, I got the job! The mock interview process was so constructive in assessing my strengths and making them stronger, and in helping overcome my weaknesses and turning them into assets. Her coaching inspired so much confidence, I don’t think I have ever been as prepared or as poised for an interview. Liza’s coaching continued throughout the negotiation period and almost a year later, I’m in the job of my dreams. I consider Liza my secret weapon and I will always consult with her as I wander down my career path.

Background: Female, Ivy undergrad, BB bank / PE, 760 GMAT.

Round 1 applicant: admitted HBS, waitlisted GSB.

I originally heard about Liza through a few friends / former colleagues who had worked with her in recent years and absolutely raved about her. In turn, I came into the process with high expectations, which Liza fully exceeded in every possible way.

I remember in our initial phone call feeling as if Liza immediately “got me.” This continued during our brainstorming sessions, and I ultimately felt as if Liza knew me better than I knew myself. I came into the process thinking I was a competitive but terribly traditional applicant, but Liza constantly pushed me to reflect deeper about my experiences, why they were important to me, and how they have shaped who I am as a person. She took what I originally thought to be fragmented pieces of my story, cut through all the noise, and showed me how to mold them into a cohesive essay. Her feedback was always honest and thoughtful, but more importantly flexible, allowing and encouraging me to remain completely authentic throughout my story.

Liza also upheld an incredible balance of professionalism and genuine kindness throughout the entire process. She was strict on her turnaround times and pushed me to remain on our agreed timelines, as well, which was sometimes difficult with my work schedule. However, we found a way to make it work, even if it required completing tasks in spurts. Liza continually pushed me to stay on track, which I candidly needed. Further, Liza was in my corner throughout the entire process – wishing me good luck on the GMAT, before interviews, and prior to decisions. When I was apprehensive about interviews, she eased my nerves on more than one frantic phone call and made sure I was able to schedule an extra mock session before my official date. Liza’s genuine kindness throughout all of our discussions made me want to succeed for both of us.

I would recommend Liza to anyone looking for a top-notch consultant to be their partner through the application process. I could not imagine going through it without her and am so thankful that I had the chance to work with her.

Simply put, Liza is a rock star.

I initially went into the business school application process with heavy apprehension. While I had solid stats (750 GMAT / 3.9 GPA from a top non-Ivy undergrad), I belong to a competitive cohort (Asian American male in finance) and did not work at a well-known company with a history of sending people to top MBA programs. On top of this, I had to balance business school applications with a hectic work schedule (constant travel, long hours). I knew the journey would be lengthy, grueling, and stressful, and that I wouldn’t be able to complete it alone.

Liza was my guiding spirit as I navigated the process. She was patient and knowledgeable, answering my constant barrage of questions both carefully and thoughtfully (no matter how silly the question). She helped me craft my story and essays -expertly providing feedback and guidance -all the while ensuring the voice was still uniquely my own. And she kept me on track, keeping me accountable and on schedule during the frantic road to business school.

While many admissions consultants can do these things, Liza is unique and stands above the competition for a few reasons. First, she isn’t afraid to tell you when she disagrees but does so in a kind and constructive manner, backed up with countless years of experience and knowledge. In the world of business school admissions, there can be a lot of noise and misinformation, and her honesty and wisdom were so refreshing. Second, she is a genuinely caring person with a deep interest in her clients’ success. Together, we shared some defeats (and of course, victories!) and her empathy and EQ made the defeats more bearable and the victories even sweeter. She always sent words of encouragement during stressful moments -interview days, decision days, etc -that served to ease my anxiety. These little things do matter and made Liza feel more like a mentor/friend than a consultant.

Thanks to Liza, I will be headed to Wharton this fall! Liza exceeded all my expectations and I would recommend her without hesitation.

Working with Liza was the best decision I made during my business school application process. For those of you who are concerned by the cost of the school packages (I certainly was), I can assure you, it is worth it. I’m a female applicant with a financial services background, with a 710 GMAT score and 3.6 GPA. I worked with Liza on 4 schools and applied to 2 on my own, I interviewed at 4, and was admitted to 2.

Through the application process, the differences across MBA programs became apparent in the variability of applications between schools. I was most concerned with how to tell my story through the different essays/videos/cover letters requested by each institution. Liza helped me navigate this challenge with ease. She is extremely well informed about the different programs (beyond what you can discover with a simple google search), and was able to help me adjust so I put my best foot forward with each application. During brainstorming sessions with Liza, we delved into professional and personal aspects of my life, and she helped me realize consistencies across stories that I likely wouldn’t have recognized on my own (for instance, the similarities in relationships I’ve established at work, with my family, and with my mentee). Liza helped me reflect on the things that are unique to me, and ultimately piece together a genuine narrative about my goals that was far more introspective and impactful than anything I could have imagined when I first embarked on this journey.

Liza helped me stay on track as I completed the the other, time-consuming parts of the applications (short answer responses, short videos, resume), all the while maintaining a consistent story. It is worth noting how useful it was to have Liza there to review essays and other materials several times per week, especially when balancing 6 applications – despite having supportive friends and family, there is no way they could have given my applications the same attention and care as Liza did.

I found the mock interviews to be particularly helpful as well. Liza has years of experience, which is apparent in her line of questioning – her feedback was school-specific and incredibly constructive. I believe I was as prepared as I could have been for each interview.

Since admitted, Liza has continued to guide me through my decision making process – and I’m sure she and I will stay in touch going forward. I am so thankful for Liza’s guidance through the application process, and would highly recommend her to anyone considering using a consultant.

Background: Asian American male, undergrad business school, finance / M&A post-college, 740 GMAT

Just as I started to set out on the daunting B-school process, Liza immediately put me at ease. I spoke to 4-5 potential coaches, and Liza stood out to me for coming into that conversation with clear ideas about my candidacy and my story, and she spoke with the authority and experience she has. I just felt like she “got it.” As we started formally working together, she continued to wow me.

She was not only instrumental in helping me shape a tight story for my MBA candidacy, but also in providing the “guard rails” for me as I undertook writing my essays, seeming to always know what needed more explanation, what we could cut out, and how my writing would come across in the eyes of adcoms. She was my trusted advisor and 2nd set of eyes on everything, and I felt like I was able to put a TON of trust in her throughout my process.

Throughout it all, Liza was sharp, responsive, and most of all, genuinely a pleasure to talk to. I left all my phone calls with her at ease and confident in tackling my next essay, resume, etc.

I’ll be starting at Kellogg this fall lucky enough to have gotten a sizable scholarship on the merits of my application – something that I have no doubt that Liza’s amazing guidance was instrumental in helping me get.

I couldn’t have better things to say about Liza. I’d happily recommend her to anyone out there about to start their B-school app process. Go Liza!

Background: Male, 680 GMAT, service academy grad with a 3.45 GPA, 5 years as a military officer.

Results: Stanford (R), Michigan (R), Dartmouth (WL), Yale (A), Cornell ($), UT McCombs ($), Rice ($)

Why Liza: When I made the decision to apply for a full time MBA, I knew that I did not want to have any doubt as to whether or not I did everything in my power to receive an acceptance. Without having anyone in my family or inner circle that went through this process, I thought using an admissions consultant would be my best course of action. I spent several hours on calls with consultants from different agencies over a few weeks trying to find the right fit but did not feel that any of them were sure bet.

That all changed when I had my call with Liza. I felt a connection with her within the opening moments of our discussion and knew that she was the one with whom I wanted to work. I trust my instincts, but I nevertheless did additional research on her and her previous work with MBA applicants. I was not surprised in the slightest to see that she had a flawless 5-star rating across multiple sites, and her clients reinforced the observations that I noted from my initial consultation. I honestly felt that I would be more prepared armed simply with Liza’s insights in one 30 minute call than I would be with countless hours and dollars spent on another consultant.

Throughout my application process, I frequently traveled overseas for long periods of time so I had to go for a more strategic application approach. I decided on the Hourly Services package in order to focus on brainstorming and unraveling my story with Liza. The work that we did together in crafting my story for the “Why Stanford?” and “What Matters Most to You?” essays was integral to my own ability to articulate why I wanted to pursue an MBA now, and what I could bring to the table if I received an acceptance. She always gave me pointed feedback that was instrumental to my application. Liza is almost like a personal trainer in that she pushes you, never more than you can handle but certainly more than you could do on your own.

The entire process of brainstorming and essay iterations with Liza served as the foundation for the work I did in the subsequent months. In the end I cast a wide net and applied to Stanford, Michigan, Dartmouth, Yale, Cornell, University of Texas, and Rice and received interview invitations to all of them. I was rejected by Stanford and Michigan, waitlisted by Dartmouth, accepted into Yale, and received full scholarship offers to Cornell, University of Texas, and Rice.

Liza has continued to guide me through my decision making process post-admittance, and I am beyond grateful that I had her as a resource. I would undoubtedly and wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone considering using a consultant. I truly cannot thank Liza enough for her time, her guidance, and her encouragement. I always enjoyed our conversations, and I know that I am better today because I worked with her.

When I began considering whether I should re-apply to business school after an unsuccessful attempt a few years ago, I was referred to Liza by a close friend who worked with her and later received acceptances at every school she applied to. My friend absolutely raved about Liza, so I signed up for an introductory call, and I was immediately impressed. Liza did her homework on me and had lots of questions and thoughts on my candidacy (for reference, I am a female, Ivy grad, strong GPA and GMAT score, previous work in consulting and now in internal strategy). She addressed my concerns of being a re-applicant and she was real with me from the beginning about how competitive the schools were that I wanted. But, without trying to sell me on anything, she also gave me encouragement that I was a strong candidate and gave me some advice on what considerations I should weigh in deciding whether or not to apply at all.

After some soul searching I decided that applying to business school was the right move for me and I immediately reached out to Liza and bought an unlimited package for 5 schools (all M7). I honestly can say that this was a life changing decision for me. I ended up getting interviews at 4 of the 5 schools and then ultimately got into all 4 of those. This was an outcome I could have only dreamed of, and I really feel that I owe so much of my success to Liza for helping me present the best and most real version of myself that I could.

Working with Liza was truly a joy – and I don’t say that lightly given how stressful, time consuming, and intense the business school process is. Liza came to every one of our brainstorming calls with ideas for us to discuss. She really knew my story inside and out and wanted me to tell it in the most honest way possible – she always encouraged me to go deeper and reflect and would push back if she felt like something I was saying was inauthentic in any way.

Liza is also supportive. There were a number of occasions that exemplified this for me. For one, on the morning of every interview decision day or actual decision day, I would get an email from Liza wishing me the best of luck. Then, when I received a disappointing outcome at one school, Liza out of nowhere checked in on me a few days later just because she cared. When I was about to hit submit on my applications, I had so much nervous energy that I kept firing off emails to Liza with extremely minute (and probably irritating questions) about my application. She always responded quickly and patiently and assured me that I had done everything I could to present a strong application. In addition to guiding me expertly, Liza was also like my rock through this process.

I would highly recommend that anyone who is on the fence about working with Liza sign up with her immediately!!! She is so passionate about what she does and working with her was truly a highlight of my year.

I applied to 5 top schools the previous year, got a few interviews, but didn’t end up getting admitted to the programs I really wanted to go to.

When I was reapplying, I really wasn’t sure what was wrong, and what I could do to improve. Was it my GMAT score? Essays? ‘Story’? GPA? Extracurriculars? The way I described my current job? Rather than apply blind again, I decided to speak to five consultants who had helped friends and got their free 30 minute consultations.

Liza was by far, the best of those five conversations. Even in that initial session, she was thoughtful, insightful, and gave me actually useful feedback that I could immediately put to use. Even had I not engaged Liza further, that 30 minute free call was the most helpful advice I had received in the whole application process.

I ended up purchasing a package of hours from Liza, and I’m glad I did. She pushed me with tailored feedback on my essays, and forced me to really examine the choices I had made and why they made sense. The essays, in the end, were absolutely still mine– I wrote every word– but her feedback was crucial in taking them from just okay to really personal and compelling.

She also helped me prep for the HBS interview by reading through my whole application and putting together some mock questions. She helped me get into the right headspace.

In the end, I got into HBS and got waitlisted at Stanford (the two programs I applied to Round 1). Liza was great the whole way through!

I was originally working with a different consultant who left the firm after reviewing 2 versions of my essays. I was rather uncertain of the outcome at that time since my GMAT score of 720 wasn’t competitive in the Chinese applicant pool. I also come from a non-typical feeder background: engineering degree spending 6 years in market intelligence consulting firm serving the petrochemicals market. Oh, and did I mention I was pregnant during the application process while working full time?
Liza to the rescue! She not only reassured me that my case would be taken care of, she also offered to review my previous version of essays – I had the hourly service so I didn’t feel I lost any time with the transition of consultants. The one thing I appreciated the most during this process was that Liza was very honest when she gave comments and feedbacks, and she always offered her insight on how I could improve my essays. When there were times I was not able to capture the theme, she listed examples and expressions to help me comprehend the concept and execute. As a non-native English speaker, I found this extremely helpful. Liza also helped me prepare my video essay with Kellogg and Yale SOM, as well as my interview with Yale. After each session, I significantly improved the ways I laid out and phrase my answers. I found her feedback very useful (as I got admitted to all the programs I was invited for an interview).
Admission to Kellogg and Booth, plus scholarship from Yale SOM were perfect testimonies of how amazing a consultant Liza is. I don’t think I could have done so many schools in such a short period without Liza’s help. I will highly recommend her to anyone seeking professional help in their MBA application!

Background: female, French, main experience in food manufacturing

After talking with several admission consultants from different firms, I chose Liza mainly because she seemed to have a great energy and to give honest feedback. I also trusted mbaMission as a firm after reading their useful free guides. The only part I wasn’t very confident about was that my dream school was European and the firm advertised much more about American schools (or so was my impression).

When I started working with Liza, I had already chosen the schools I wanted to apply to but I hadn’t taken the GMAT nor TOEFL (English language test) yet and felt pretty clueless about essay material. And since it was only a few weeks away from the last round deadline, the process was quite intense!

I felt extremely lucky to have Liza. I was especially anxious about 2 things: submitting my application on the last round and not having sufficiently remarkable stories/background. Not only did Liza give me valuable advice and helped me structure my stories, she also cheered me up and boosted my confidence. She has this ability to bring the best out of you – this sometimes means being straightforward in her feedback but always in a caring and constructive way.

One year ago, I didn’t think I stood a chance at getting in my dream school. As I am about to start there this summer, I feel so grateful to have worked with Liza. I obviously highly recommend her!!

The luckiest thing during the whole application process is to have Liza as my tourguide as well as cheerleader!

My background doesn’t look impressive: non-top university graduated, engineering major, low GPA, over-represented Chinese, 8-year NPF work experience, not much international experience. I don’t really know which levels of school I should target at and how to make a case of myself to get in…

But Liza has her way to lighten me up. After we first talked in April, I made a clearer way of how to start. I have spent nearly a month filling in a very detailed questionnaire which helped me review my past experience and find out the special stories that I can tell.

Liza is also outstanding in controlling the schedule. Even before the application essay questions released, she advised me how to prepare such as to research through the program website to identify the unique resources and culture, to join webinar or offline events in the city near me and, to reach out current students, alumni and admission officers to obtain more information and leave a good impression. All of this effort contributed a significant part in writing a relevant and touching essay for the program I applied.

Another amazing place is that Liza is a seasoned professional with solid experience in both consulting and corporate. She can provide sharp insight on my career goal, pointing out the logical weakness of my appeal as well as adding her own experience to enrich my goal essay.

Besides, sometimes you need your friend to tell you your advantages that you are not aware of. Liza is such a friend in the application process. She can help you find out your uniqueness and guide you to tell the story in a more fascinating way. This process actually helped me to build confidence. On the other hand, she is also very honest. She can tell the weaknesses of my essay directly and encourage me to rework. That is important because I can feel she really help me to work out an excellent one instead of an okay one.

More importantly, as a Chinese (non-native English speaking) applicant, I found it extremely useful to have a US-local consultant to mock interview with. And you can also practice the conversation during every meeting and learn the right way to express the idea. Plus, Liza also provided with me many different school’s latest information because they do work as a team in MBAmission and exchange a lot to help applicants.

At last, with Liza’s great help, I got an offer with scholarship from Duke and WL from another M7 school! I think Liza is the very person I should thank as she did help a lot in bringing me such a wonderful result!

I worked with Liza on an hourly basis (5hr package) and applied to three schools with her help – Oxford Said (decline), UT Austin McCombs (admit with scholarship), and Northwestern Kellogg (waitlisted and then accepted!!!).

My stats: female, brand marketing, 7yrs work experience with 2yr managerial experience, low GRE score, English undergrad degree with limited quant experience.

Liza was incredible to work with. She let me drive my own process given our limited time together, but wasn’t shy about highlighting specific areas for focus based on my profile and needs. In the beginning, I needed some help in narrowing my school selection and she was straightforward and honest about the schools I should be targeting based on my goals and stats. She helped me craft my essays by reviewing drafts and was very specific with feedback. Once I applied her feedback to one essay, I learned how to do the rest on my own – and found myself asking, “What would Liza say about this structure?” She also helped prepare me for my interviews by picking up on specific stories I had mentioned and helping me spin them to answer a variety of questions. I was so excited to see how great of a handle she got on my experience and goals in such a short timeframe.

In terms of working with mbaMission on the whole, their prep materials are phenomenal. I got a lot out of the brainstorming document, and know I’ll continue to reference my “stories” for job interviews in the future. Their school-specific guides were also detailed and helpful when I wasn’t able to tap into my hours with Liza.

I can’t recommend Liza enough. She has an infectious enthusiasm and is truly an expert at what she does! We immediately developed a rapport and I feel like she was incredibly invested in my journey even though I was only an hourly client. If you are looking for a truly invested “coach” through this arduous process, Liza is definitely your gal.

I’ll start off by saying that if you’re looking for the best MBA consultant out there, look no further! I worked with Liza when applying to HBS, GSB and Wharton, and I’m thankful to have been admitted to all three schools. I don’t think I could have done it without Liza’s sage guidance! Liza went above and beyond the call of duty in every way possible – she gave me personalized support and advice that was specific to my circumstances as an applicant (female, strong GMAT, consulting / VC background). She really took the time to get to know me, helping me draw out my narrative and pushing me to emphasize my unique strengths in my application. Plus, she really, truly cares about her clients in a way that is palpable and motivating. The b school application process can feel daunting, but Liza made it approachable and, dare I say, fun! I couldn’t recommend Liza more – she was truly a dream to work with.

The best decision I made throughout this whole MBA application process was choosing to work with Liza. I was admitted (R2) to 5 schools with scholarships at all 5, including full scholarships at 4 of the 5. I will be heading to Wharton this fall, with a full scholarship, and there is absolutely no way I could have done it without Liza.

I am a female applicant with a more traditional profile, coming from a financial services background, and with a 750 GMAT and 3.4 GPA. I started studying for the GMAT pretty late in the game, in August for round 2 application deadlines, so I was juggling GMAT stress with the need to make sure my applications were moving along. I ended up completing the two at the same time (end of December), which I highly recommend that you try to NOT do — save yourself the extra stress and get the GMAT done early! It was all thanks to Liza though that I was able to get through it successfully; she not only encouraged me throughout the GMAT journey, but also made sure that I was getting my essays drafted/revised, my recommendations in, etc. to make sure I was producing quality work throughout the rest of my application as well.

Going into the application process, my biggest concern was figuring out how to best present my story. After reading through my initial Brainstorming document, Liza was able to expertly sift through my rambling stream of consciousness to pinpoint the key things that I had mentioned that represented essential aspects of who I am, which I hadn’t even realized when writing them down. That drove further self-reflection that helped me to identify my fundamental values (and where they came from) and highlighted the things that I really care about, which is what then really made my “why an MBA” story real, and gave it meaning and authenticity.

Liza helped me transform my essays into narratives better than anything I could have hoped for going into the writing process. It was certainly up to me write all the content and make it meaningful and genuine, but Liza helped me to make sure I was picking the right topics, addressing the points that mattered, and tell the story in a way that was interesting and would catch the reader’s attention. She really challenged me to think and re-think about the things that I was writing, and revise, revise, revise. By the end product, I can confidently say that those essays are the best things I’ve ever written.

Liza also helped me make my resume really shine. When it came time for me to request my letters of recommendations, she made herself available to my recommenders to answer questions and provide thoughts and feedback, which my recommenders found to be extremely valuable. When interview invites came, I was invited to interview with all of the schools that I had applied to. Almost all of the interviews needed to be completed in the month of February, so I thought it was a hectic month for me, but it must have been a chaotic time for Liza. Never once throughout the whole process did she make me feel like I was competing with other clients for her time; she made me feel like her top priority whenever I needed her. Liza coached me through all of the interviews and pushed me to deliver my stories confidently and effectively. The toughest challenge for me, in the whole application process, was the Wharton TBD interview. About a week before the interview, I was at a point where I was feeling really discouraged and intimidated by the caliber of other applicants that I was up against. When I shared my doubts with her, Liza got on the phone with me right away, and she not only provided the support and encouragement that I needed, but also came armed with a slew of concrete suggestions, tips for responses, thoughts on topics, etc. Through that she really gave me the boost of confidence that I needed to go in and crush it. I could not have been more ecstatic with how the interview turned out, and in the end things turned out as best as they could have with not only an offer of admission, but a full scholarship as well.

I cannot recommend Liza enough. I am certain that I would not have gotten the same results without her and working with her has led me to a fully life-changing outcome. If there is anything you can do to give yourself the best chance of success through this process, it is to have Liza by your side!

I worked with Liza on three schools (full package): Columbia, Cambridge, and Oxford.

With Liza’s help, I got in to Columbia Business School (Full-time MBA). I also got interview invites from Cambridge and Oxford – I rejected these because I got Columbia.

My stats: 720 GMAT, Male, 29 years old, Non-URM, Lawyer (Mergers & Acquisitions) at a boutique law firm in Asia, have been practicing M&A law for 5 years.

Liza is a fantastic admissions consultant who came highly recommended from friends who had worked with her previously – these friends were admitted into HBS/Wharton/Stanford with Liza’s help.

Now, having worked with Liza myself, I strongly recommend that you consider working with her on your business school applications.

July 2017, I was gearing up to apply to Columbia, which was my first choice. I knew I was going to be a late applicant (Round 3) given that I had not yet hit my target 700+ GMAT score. I finally hit my 720 GMAT late December, and started working with Liza soon after for a target submission to Columbia by end of January. Given that I was a Round 3 applicant, I knew that the odds were not in my favour.

Liza was a fantastic motivator and made the daunting MBA application process a lot more manageable. For example, she was always supportive and patient with me, despite my anxiousness. It was a pleasure to work with Liza.

Liza was also very clear in crafting my overall application strategy which comprised such components as the 1. essays, 2. CV, 3. recommendation letters, 4. short answer questions, and 5. interviews. Liza gave each of these components an incredible amount of attention – nothing slipped through the cracks.

A special strength of Liza’s is her ability to tease out the best qualities in an applicant. Coming from a relatively “non-traditional” background (law), my initial concern was that an admissions consultant would not be able to flesh out my stories / experiences in law adequately. I was wrong. Liza picked up on my experiences in law and translated them into tangible MBA qualities that I was able to illustrate in my essays and interviews. Liza is NOT your average admissions consultant – she is, quite frankly, the best.

Looking back on my MBA application journey, and the fantastic results I got, I am certain that I could not have gotten Columbia without Liza’s help.

Liza changed my life for the better and I cannot recommend her enough.

I highly recommend Liza! I have no doubt that I could not have done it without Liza. I came to her with less than a month left to go before the R2 deadline and was not confident that I would be able to get all the work I needed to get done and be able to be thoughtful about it. After talking to Liza though my disposition immediately changed – I not only felt confident in myself but knew that together we could develop the tools to help me be successful.

I did the single school package for round 2 admission to HBS, to which I was accepted. My background is an ivy league undergraduate education, bulge bracket IB analyst, and upper middle market PE associate.

As with all mbaMission consultants, we started by going through a brainstorming session where I wrote down and then discussed almost all aspects of my background. After I put together the comprehensive document, we took over an hour to discuss. It was clear immediately that she had spent a sign ificant amount of time reading and understanding my story and who I really was as a person. She asked insightful questions that not only helped her understand me better but also helped me understand myself! I knew from that point that I had found a great match in Liza and that we would be able to craft an excellent story.

Using our brainstorming session as a base she helped me to weave together a thoughtful and cohesive story about my background. She helped me to showcase parts of my background that I was proud of, but perhaps had not come to mind at first or didn’t fit into the original framework I had developed. She was highly organized, thorough and thoughtful. She was also very patient with me as we iterated back and forth in quick succession (as I only had 3 weeks to complete my application!). If you are trying to get things done and tap into a wealth of knowledge and expertise I highly recommend Liza. She is not a hand holder – she will push you to discover yourself and understand who you are for yourself. However you will not be alone through the journey. She will also help guide you and provide expertise and insight into how the admissions officers will be thinking about your application.

I’ve already recommended Liza to many of my friends who are applying for the Class of 2021 and think you’d be crazy not to use her!

Liza is nothing short of amazing. I was admitted to 3 top 10 Schools (Kellogg, Ross, HBS) and Liza made it possible. Applying as a consultant (non-MBB, GRE, 3.9 GPA, male), I was concerned about standing out. She not only provided the structure, cadence, and planning necessary to be successful but more importantly, helped me translate my experiences into an impactful story. When I pressed submit on my applications, I was absolutely sure that I’d submitted the best I could.

I cannot speak more highly of Liza as a person and professional. I trusted her after our first meeting and thoroughly enjoyed every conversation with her. She pushed me to do better when otherwise I would’ve rested, provided answers to my toughest questions, and spoke frankly to me. She is the best you can hire. Hands down. If you’re serious about this process, call her now!

I did the full school packages with Liza for my round 2 applications to HBS and GSB. I am very grateful to have been admitted to both schools (and was admitted to Wharton with a generous merit scholarship leveraging material from the other two applications). I truly could not have done it without Liza.
Though I come from what’s probably a more favorable background (top Ivy undergrad, 3.8 GPA in STEM, 760 GMAT, untraditional career experience – banking/PE/startup) – if those exist in this process – my story would not have come together had it not been for Liza. I cannot speak more highly of her and the trust she enabled us to build during our time working together. Liza displays a rare combination of attributes that may seem contradictory: the ability to provide both high-level and in-the-weeds guidance; the propensity for both professionalism and genuine kindness towards her clients.
Liza has the shrewd ability to cut through all the noise and weave together key themes in your life that you yourself were not even aware of to get to an essay topic. Liza really got to know me during the brainstorming process and I grew to trust her so that we could discuss the most personal of topics. Her help doesn’t stop at idea conception – she provided invaluable structural, grammatical, and aesthetic input during the entire essay writing process. I can’t count the number of times she posited something so insightful that I could only respond “Wow, you know me better than I know myself!”
Equally as important, Liza actually made the entire process fun (or at least not painful!). A few months in, I had a self-imposed mini freakout about my essay topics that almost derailed the writing process. Instead of getting upset that I was costing her more time or just brushing it aside, Liza genuinely cared about why I was feeling insecure and tried to address the root of the problem. Both her strength and care for me helped guide me back on track. It truly feels like she’s a supporter and rock to lean on throughout the process – from the “good luck!!” emails she’d send before interview and decision notifications to debriefing with her after every major step of the way.
All in all, I cannot imagine a better person to work with through what’s an intellectually and emotionally draining process, and I think many people including myself can truly attribute their success to Liza.

Liza is literally an angel. I’m not sure if I could have gotten into business school without her – I truly believe that she not just boosted my chances, but helped make the whole process a lot less painful. Truly worth every penny! In terms of my background, I am a female applicant who was accepted to HBS and Wharton, but rejected from Stanford GSB. I went to an Ivy League university with a 3.7 GPA with a 730 GMAT score. I worked at a bulge bracket investment bank and then worked in the finance department of a startup. I started my business school application process about 2-3 months before the Round 1 deadline. When I sat down to begin drafting the application, my thoughts were pretty scattered and I found it hard to structure how I wanted to bring each part of my history together. After a free 30-minute consultation with Liza (offered through the mbaMission website), I was completely sold. In 30 minutes, she helped answer the top burning questions in my mind (Was my GMAT high enough? What were her thoughts on my initial essay outline? What were the parts of my application were “lacking”? What would be the best use of my time if I wanted to go with an hourly package?). She was upfront about the harder parts of my application (i.e. lots of bankers apply) but helped me structure what I would work on with her if I were to become a client. I ultimately decided to go with the hourly package and therefore was very conscious of being very efficient with Liza’s time. She was great about calling out the areas of the application that I should be focusing on (and therefore have her focusing on) versus the parts that were more checkmarks. I also had many questions that came up during the process that were probably overblown in my mind but it was amazing to have Liza there as a resource to lean on and keep my neurosis in check (i.e. I had been a co-head of a club in college – should I write co-head or just head in the title? // I had gotten promoted – should I give the admissions office an update? // I know an alumni of the school whom I hadn’t asked to be my formal recommender – should I have that person write me an informal recommendation and if so, how do I go about asking for that recommendation? // What information should I be giving to my recommenders before having them write the recommendation?) Separately, she was also very diligent about my time – for example, she made sure to double check what essay or paragraph should be the priority with the remaining X hour or minutes I had left in my package. What I also liked a lot about being her hourly client was that Liza didn’t try to sell me and push me to buy more hours just to make more money on her end. I had expressed some trepidation at times over the cost of the hourly service and she had been helpful in narrowing down essays (or interviews) that I should be spending my limited budget on (versus trying to upsell me). This came out even more so when I received an interview invitation and I had asked her to help with the mock interview: even though she could have billed more hours with me, she insisted that I mock interview with her colleague since the HBS interview was comprehensive (i.e. harder, pointed questions created with full view of your entire application) and she thought that would be the best practice to be tested on what the actual HBS interview would be like. That type of honesty truly shows how Liza is truly thinking of what’s best for her client! In terms of Liza’s working style, I found her to be the perfect mixture of encouraging (the day before my interview, she sent me an email seeing how I felt and if I had any last minute questions; the morning of decisions, she sent me a note saying that she was rooting for me!) but upfront and direct. I had spoken to friends about choosing an application consultant – they had suggested I go to a “mean” consultant who would kick my butt but I found Liza to be the perfect complement of being actually helpful but calming. She was not afraid to call out a sentence or idea in my essay that she didn’t believe worked. While others who had looked at the essay would just point to the sentence and say to fix this part without providing concrete examples, she helped me brainstorm ideas on how better to express the qualities I was trying to illustrate (for example, instead of saying I was the leader of this club to illustrate leadership, she helped me brainstorm actions I had completed as a leader to illustrate this quality). She helped to overcome many writer’s blocks on my end, making the whole process a lot more smooth. The whole process was very stressful and she was a guiding light!

I cannot say enough good things about Liza. She truly was the best person to have by my side throughout this entire process and made a challenging process as seamless and easy as it possibly could be! When I applied, I felt like I put my best foot forward and had an application that was significantly stronger than it otherwise would have been without Liza. In February 2017 I spoke with a number of consultants from both mbaMission and other firms. After speaking to about 5-6 other consultants, I spoke with Liza and just felt in my gut that she was the consultant I wanted to work with. From the moment I started working with Liza, she was there to answer my questions and guide me through the process. Liza helped by not only developing and drafting my essays but also by providing guidance on my resume, reviewers, applications, interviews – you name it. Even in March before the official applications were released, Liza was giving me tips for what I could do to best prepare myself as a candidate. Liza has an uncanny ability to feel like your friend while providing direction at the same time. Before I started the process, my biggest concern about writing my essays was that I wouldn’t have anything to write about – I was a female in private equity with a fortunate upbringing and no major hardships in my life (thankfully). Throughout the brainstorming process Liza was easy to speak to and guided me to think about what I wanted the admissions committee to know about me and how I could make that into a great story. Additionally, I never felt like Liza was “telling” me what I had to write about. Rather, Liza helped me see some critical themes in the stories I was sharing with her and craft those into thoughtful essays. When I was writing my essays, Liza’s feedback always pushed me to give that one extra detail that I believe showcased more about who I am and made me a stronger applicant. Liza would ask questions like “Can you think of another 2 examples when you did X?” or “Tell me more about Y. Why did you do it? How?” Her comments were thoughtful but also encouraged me to be more self-aware about the candidate that I was presenting to the admissions committees. Above all, Liza was my biggest cheerleader throughout the process. I applied to four schools (admitted to 3, waitlisted at 1) and Liza not only helped me craft amazing essays for each school but also provided structure and guidance throughout the entire process. When we prepared for interviews Liza gave me honest, candid feedback while encouraging me to think positively. Without fail I always received an email right after my interview asking how it went. Choosing Liza was the best choice I made in the application process – HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

I am an international applicant recently admitted to my dream program at my dream school, the LGO program at MIT Sloan with its amazing dual-degree offering. I was more nervous than the standard candidate because I set my heart on this program and didn’t apply to any other schools. I tried out Liza’s free thirty-minute consultation while still writing my application and was blown away by her friendliness and research into the program I was pursuing. The most valuable aspect of that talk was the candor with which she told me some of my ideas didn’t make sense and encouraged me to revisit them. She didn’t shy from speaking the hard truth and the constructive criticism allowed me to shine. After being invited for an interview, I happily sprung for an interview prep session with Liza which really boosted my confidence and allowed me to walk into the interview without fear. Liza was extremely methodical in her approach to helping me. She assigned me some homework and while I was focused on that, she did a thorough study of my application and my candidacy before we met for an in-person interview. During the mock, she played the role of my interviewer and afterwards, she shared her notes and provided feedback on how I could have answered the questions better. During the actual interview, I could hear her voice guiding me and reminding me the best ways to express myself. She helped me put my best foot forward to get the result I wanted. Liza was helpful, friendly, graceful and full of positive energy. She helped me express all the passion I felt for the program in a fluid, cohesive manner. I am so grateful for this opportunity provided to me, and I could not have done it without Liza’s help. Thank you Liza for everything!

I applied to HBS and GSB round 1 (for matriculation fall 2018) and was incredibly excited to be admitted to both schools. While I was a competitive candidate (Ivy undergrad, 760+ GMAT, upper middle market private equity), I could not have achieved such an awesome outcome on my own; I owe Liza big time for continuously pushing me throughout my journey and for helping position my applications for success. I was connected with Liza through a friend and former co-worker who had worked with her the previous year, and I was warned in advance that while Liza was awesome and welcoming, she would not hesitate to push me and tell hard truths if necessary. One of the very first things Liza suggested (even before I formally decided to hire her) was that I retake the GMAT, even though I already had been sitting on a score I was excited about for 3 years with no intention of re-taking the test. Liza could easily have told me what I wanted to hear in hopes of getting me to sign up, but I was remarkably impressed by her honestly when it came to my candidacy, and I became very excited to work with her on my applications. I recognized immediately how thoughtful Liza was, and she spent an incredible amount of time getting to know me and my personal story through the brainstorming process. She was genuinely interested in (and seemed to enjoy) learning more about me, and this allowed her to make thoughtful suggestions on how to weave my story and personal anecdotes into my applications and essays. She constantly pushed me to dig deeper and reflect more; when she didn’t like parts of my work, she did not hesitate to tell me, but most importantly she did so in a constructive way and never failed to be both my support and motivation. I never would have pushed myself as hard as she pushed me, and ultimately I could not be happier with both the work I submitted and with the ultimate results. Liza’s work did not stop with my essays – she was incredibly helpful in selecting and prepping my recommenders, preparing for my interviews, and even helping me think through my school decision after I was admitted. Liza was always one of my biggest supporters, and I cannot recommend her highly enough!

I was recently accepted into every school I applied to (HBS, GSB, Wharton). While I had a good background (750+ on GMAT, 3.6+ GPA from good non-ivy undergrad school, several years at a VC firm), there is no way, at all, I would have had such a great outcome without Liza working with me every step of the journey. Let’s start with how I got connected with Liza. in 2016, she came highly recommended by 2 friends who had used her and both of whom were accepted into HBS. When I spoke with Liza for the first time (prior to me even taking the GMAT), she was generous with her time and unbelievably candid. She told me, very clearly, what she thought my strengths and weaknesses were, and I appreciated that. Three weeks after our initial conversation, I notified her that I was just promoted and would not be applying to business school. She was genuinely happy for me and let me know that if I wanted to apply in the future, she would gladly work with me (so long as I gave her advance notice). Fast forward a year: in early 2017, I decided I indeed wanted to apply to business school. I was happy with my job, but had still taken the GMAT toward the end of 2016 and scored well, so I wanted to apply to the top schools and see how things played out. When I notified Liza, she excitedly welcomed me into her group of students — and then immediately put me to work. Liza pushed me more than I would have ever imagined. She provided me a rigorous yet clear schedule/timeline of work, asked deep questions, made me work my butt off, and candidly critiqued every single piece of work I put in front of her. While many consultants do all of the above, there is one moment to me — which I’ll never forget — that I think truly captures who Liza is and why she is above and beyond all other consultants. While I was writing my Stanford essay, I started speaking with Stanford alums about the prompt. I decided to write two completely separate essays that went in 2 wildly different directions. One essay Liza loved; the other essay I loved, and the Stanford alums all agreed with me. But Liza would not give in: she was super confident that the essay she was a fan of was the “right” choice because the essay shared more about me while the other one I liked just focused on Stanford. While in hindsight it is so obvious that she was right, I was very against her thoughts in the moment. Instead of her simply giving in, she did something that is the definition of going above and beyond: without even telling me, she blindly shared my two essays with 5 other consults at her company and asked for their thoughts. Every single one sided with her. When she told me she had done that and presented me with the evidence, I was floored. I went with the essay she felt strongly about, and the rest is history. That is just one example that stands out. Overall, Liza was unbelievable to work with. She cares deeply, is willing to make time, and will be (sometimes painfully) candid. But that last piece is super important — because you need to know how to play to your strengths in this process, and Liza does just that. If it’s not obvious at this point, I couldn’t give Liza a stronger recommendation. I’d work with her 12 times out of 10 and will (and already have) recommended her to close friends, family, and others. She is a star, and is the best person to have on your side throughout this daunting process.

I was very hesitant about spending the money on a consultant for business school. I was working in private equity, had a strong GMAT score & had a solid sense of who should do my recommendations; so, I questioned the value of a consultant for me (especially since I was only planning on applying to 1-2 schools w/ just a few essays). I am still not sure any other consultant would have been worth it, but Liza was absolutely incredible & I cannot imagine having done the applications without her. At the end of the day, the business school apps are not that long – which means presenting your story in a genuine yet convincing manner is of utmost importance. Liza spoke with me on the phone, read through my brainstorm documents & seamlessly seemed to understand me. She pushed me on reflecting on my experiences, what motivated me & how that translated to my future goals. Without Liza, I think I may have submitted draft 3 of my essay and felt pretty good about – but with Liza’s third party perspective & guidance, the essay was able to get to a much deeper place (think draft 30!) to the point where I felt emotional as I read the essay over again, as I am not sure I have written anything that so truly captured me & my goals. I got into both of the schools I applied to (HBS and GSB) and I honestly am not sure I would be in either without Liza’s guidance. Liza is fun, welcoming, and understanding, but gives sharp, pointed feedback – which turns into the perfect mix for a MBA consultant, you enjoy every moment you work with her but also get real results (in an incredibly efficient way!). Can’t speak more highly of her & the experience I had. Far exceeded expectations and would highly recommend anyone to use her. A few more specifics – Liza did more than just the essays. She was also a great resource on helping frame my recommendations, aligning my short stories w/ my essays, and mock interview prep when I received interview invitations. The full end-to-end service! She tailors her feedback with school specific insights which were spot on. Worth every penny & more — thank you so much Liza! You are the best!

Not only would I not have gotten in to HBS without Liza’s help, but I wouldn’t even have applied! I started with Liza in May 2017, shortly after writing my GMAT. I had scored a 720 combined score and at that point started to think I might actually have what it takes to take a run at some of the top American schools. I came from a non-traditional stream of engineering and had a 3.3 GPA from a top Canadian university. Evaluating my own profile, I thought I had a legitimate shot at the top 10 MBA programs – but probably skewed towards the bottom of that group. Enter Liza! What originally drew me to working with Liza was her warmth. Frankly, I already knew the process was going to be a grind after studying for the GMAT for 4 months. As I started focusing on essays, the last thing I wanted was to work with someone that wasn’t going to laugh through the pain with me. She was my first call, and I didn’t bother interviewing anyone else. We got along fantastically as Liza helped me start thinking about target schools and the reasons for applying to each. This required quite a bit of research on my part. As a Canadian, I hadn’t been exposed to a lot of American schools/programs before – and Liza was happy to give recommendations based on what I said I was looking for AND what she thought was best for me! Working with Liza, what I began to realize is that all the numbers (that everyone always seems transfixed on) are really table stakes when you’re applying to the top programs. Yes, you need a good GMAT. Yes, you need a decent GPA. Those are what get you past the initial sniff test and allow the adcom to take a legitimate look at your application. We brainstormed, and discussed my background and experience in detail. At the same time we thought of strategies to explain it. Going through the process with Liza I began to realize what really set me apart was my history of leadership roles and having a tangible impact on my business. With that in mind, Liza recommended an application to HBS; I was initially reluctant. Reading profiles of successful HBS applicants online felt like reading stories about people who were soon to be canonized. Thankfully Liza knew what it would take. I trusted her and we went for it. It took us about a month and a half to finalize the HBS essay. An iterative process, we went through countless versions – many of which looked very different than our finished product. It was a quest of sorts, to tell my story with an authentic voice that tried to get a few laughs along the way. She even fended off the last minute doubt after some critical feedback from a family member (brothers are the worst). In that time I added a few more schools to our list which officially consisted of HBS, Kellogg and Sloan. From interview prep, to advice during the post interview crises (yes more than one!), and then through the unbearable waiting period; Liza was with me the whole way. After all that we’d done enough, and I was in. I owe a lot to Liza. She is an exceptional consultant and person. If you’re in the market for a consultant, and maybe even a friend, give her a ring.

I fully believe that without Liza’s help I would not be going to my top school in the fall! As a Military applicant without a rockstar GMAT score, I really struggled with how to sell myself to the admission committees. Liza helped transform my application so it really stood out among my peers. She always focused on the positives and showed me how to leverage my military career and leadership experience when crafting my responses. Liza really went out of her way to ensure I was successful, even giving me a prep-interview moments before I walked in the door to do my actual interview. Throughout the entire process she continued to push me through revisions and rephrasing until I was completely confident in my every word. Without a doubt our partnership helped me to achieve my ultimate goal of admission to a top university!

I am fully confident that I would not be starting at Duke’s Fuqua next fall without Liza’s partnership. Going through the application process with Liza will totally transform your perception of what a “great” b-school application looks like. Once you’ve decided to throw your hat in the ring and apply to a handful of elite MBA programs, you’ve likely already accomplished quite a lot in your academic and professional career. The key to the application process is standing out in a sea of thousands of very qualified applicants. I cannot recommend Liza highly enough in that regard. My background includes 3.5 years working in media strategy at an advertising agency (not exactly the picture of a typical applicant), and my stats were decent but certainly weren’t going to blow anyone away at top-tier programs. I worked with Liza on a multi-school package through MBAmission. Liza’s expertise coupled with MBAmission’s resources creates a dynamic combination. Not long after the initial deep dive into my personal attributes and background, I felt Liza knew me as a candidate even better than I knew myself – and it showed. She was able to highlight the experiences that would translate the best for each unique essay topic, and helped me mold a holistic picture of my candidacy throughout each application. I’ll admit, I usually felt pretty good about my first draft essays, but once Liza got her hands on them she was able to push me further than I thought possible in terms of illustrating exactly why I would thrive at each school and beyond. Like I said – she’ll transform your perception of what constitutes a great application. Beyond her knowledge of how to enhance the components of the application packet, Liza was a great partner, motivator, and coach through the daunting process. She challenged me in a manner that was always constructive, while building my confidence in my own candidacy. All in all, every time I hit the “submit” button, or walked out of an interview, I didn’t have to wonder if I’d put forward the best representation of myself because Liza had prepared me to excel in every aspect of the application.

I’m an American female in communications consulting, with a strong college GPA and 700+ GMAT in NYC. I majored in Communications at college with a minor in Business (somewhat of a non-traditional background). I worked with Liza on a multi-school package for the greater part of the last year and can’t say enough positive things about her and our partnership. I have her to thank for my acceptances, and as cliché as it sounds, couldn’t have gotten into the schools that I did without her. Liza is very positive and encouraging, but importantly, she also knows her stuff – including school-specific details, expectations and preferences. For example, when working on essay drafts and prepping for interviews, Liza could provide unique insights about themes and qualities the schools are looking for and likely interview questions. Throughout the process, she set reasonable, achievable expectations and was very honest and clear about the entire process and what is required. Her style is constructive and direct – her feedback was always very thorough and specific and helped me take my essays to another level. I am pretty self-motivated, but when things got overwhelming or difficult, Liza provided the structure and confidence I needed in order to persevere and move forward. Helpful doesn’t even begin to describe Liza through this process. I cannot imagine a more supportive, knowledgeable or invested coach. You’d be remiss in not choosing to work with her!