Melisa Prevost

I did preliminary sessions with 4 consultants. As an unconventional candidate (slightly older, from a background in education) the MBA application process was intimidating, and I wanted a consultant who would speak candidly, possessed expertise, and was enjoyable to work with: Melisa was superbly all three. She spent hours mock interviewing me, so by the time I sat for the real interviews I was both calm and confident. I was accepted at my top choice school and I’m positive that is in great part due to the help Melisa provided. I wish her all the best in her life and earnestly believe you, reader, would be greatly benefitted by having her as a consultant.

I highly recommend working with Melisa. She made the entire MBA application process so much less stressful and more manageable. I had relatively unique objectives, and Melisa was fantastic at adapting her approach to align with my specific career goals and needs. Throughout the process, and even after it, she remained incredibly supportive and responsive to any questions I had. She consistently provided detailed, thoughtful advice that was invaluable. Working with Melisa made a huge difference, and because of her help, I was able to get into my top school and receive even more scholarship funding than I had hoped.

I cannot recommend Melisa highly enough! Over the past year, she was an absolute game-changer in helping me achieve my dream of getting into Columbia Business School. From the very first conversation, it was clear that she was deeply invested in my success. Melisa took the time to understand my unique background, experiences, and aspirations, and she worked tirelessly with me to craft an application that truly reflected who I am.

Her expertise and knowledge of the MBA admissions process are unparalleled. Melisa provided insightful feedback on every aspect of my application, from my essays to my resume to my interview preparation. She pushed me to dig deeper and tell my story in a way that was authentic and impactful. Her guidance not only strengthened my application but also gave me the confidence to present the best version of myself.

What really sets Melisa apart is her personal touch. She genuinely cared about my journey and was always available to answer questions, provide encouragement, and offer support. I never felt like just another client—she made me feel like a priority every step of the way.

If you are looking for an admissions consultant who will go above and beyond to help you achieve your goals, look no further than Melisa!

I truly could not be happier with my experience working with Melisa to prepare my MBA applications. For me, the most difficult part of the process was telling my story in the most compelling way. In this area, Melisa was an absolutely invaluable teammate, and I was amazed to see that by following her lead through the grueling but rewarding Stratus method, we arrived at a narrative that I was really proud to present. Melisa always followed up on my questions in a timely fashion and with insightful responses. And on the rare occasion that she wasn’t certain about an answer to a question, she’d do the homework to track down the person who did have the answer, always making sure that I had all the information I needed.

Apart from her incredibly valuable expertise, Melisa was an abolute joy to work with! Without fail, she showed up to all of our interactions with infectious optimism and a big smile.

Thank you so much, Melisa!

Melisa played an instrumental role in my MBA application journey. From our very first meeting, it was clear that she was committed to providing an exceptionally thorough and personalized approach. Her deep understanding of the admissions process at the school I was applying to, as well as her up-to-date knowledge about the testing industry were invaluable and made me trust her implicitly.

What truly set Melisa apart from other counselors I’d met with was that she encouraged me to be my most authentic self. She didn’t just help me navigate the application; she guided me in uncovering and showcasing my most unique strengths and experiences. This focus on authenticity was both refreshing and empowering, and it definitely helped me stand out to the admissions committee.

Overall, Melisa was a source of unwavering support and confidence during what for many is an extremely stressful process. Her constructive feedback and encouraging words provided me with the assurance I needed to put my best foot forward. I wholeheartedly recommend Melisa to anyone seeking a compassionate and highly knowledgeable MBA admissions counselor.

Melisa’s is a true testament and exceptional blend of personalized support and genuine encouragement. From the very first call I had with Melisa about my MBA application, I could truly feel that the person on the other side knows her stuff and really wants the best outcome for you. From the outset, Melisa prioritizes getting to know you better on a personal level, fostering an environment of trust and openness. This approach made me feel that the application process is not just about ticking boxes but about authentically representing one’s personality and strengths. With Melisa’s guidance, I was able to confidently put my best foot forward, knowing that my application is a true reflection of who I am. Throughout the journey, Melisa remains consistently supportive and cheering, demonstrating her sincere desire for nothing but the best, making the whole application process very enjoyable. I would highly recommend working with Melisa if you are in the process of submitting your application for an MBA program.

I came to Melisa with a list of the schools I wanted to target and a general idea of the story I wanted to tell throughout my application. She was able to help me craft that story in essays, including tightening it up and tailoring it to appeal to specific schools. Along the way, she was highly engaged, checking in about my progress and results, and providing ad-hoc advice about the application process. I felt that Melisa genuinely cared about my outcomes and was just as excited as I was!

After doing the initial 30-minute chat, I knew Melisa would be an incredible thought partner to help with my MBA journey. From the early stages of crafting school lists to the final stages, including navigating the waitlists, Melisa was so helpful! During the process, she served as a great sounding board, pushing me to improve my application and providing invaluable insight into the MBA application process and minds of admissions committees. Always responsive to my many, many questions/emails and always willing to provide feedback in a supportive but critical way. Nothing but great things to say!!

I had the privilege of working with Melisa throughout my year-long journey of applying for a PhD program (started out to apply for an MBA and changed my mind midway). From the outset, her expertise and personalized approach stood out, as she invested time in understanding my unique background, research interests, and career aspirations. Over the course of the year, her commitment to my success was evident in the meticulous review and revision of my personal statement, ensuring each aspect was polished to perfection. Her unwavering support extended beyond the technicalities of the application process, offering valuable emotional encouragement during the highs and lows of life (i.e., layoff) and the application process. Her timely responses (always within 24 hours), genuine enthusiasm, and continuous support transformed what could have been an isolating experience into a positive and motivating journey.

In essence, I wholeheartedly recommend Melisa to anyone embarking on the path of applying for graduate studies, as her expertise, clarity in thought, personalized approach, and steadfast commitment makes her an invaluable asset in the pursuit of a successful application.

I really enjoyed working with Melisa and would highly recommend her to anyone looking for an MBA admissions consultant. She made the whole application process so much more approachable and pleasant. I felt at ease knowing I had her support and guidance throughout this journey: I felt like she was truly in my corner and wanted what was best for me. She was very generous with her time, patiently answering my (many!) questions, and taking the time to really get to know me, my values, and my goals, so that we could ensure my application was as strong and authentic as possible.

Melisa helped me with everything from my resume to preparing my recommenders to essays to interview prep. It was clear that she is incredibly knowledgeable about all things MBA admissions, and she was always very timely and thoughtful in her comments and guidance. I also really appreciated that Melisa went above and beyond, providing holistic mentorship beyond the application itself, such as by pointing me towards career opportunities for post-MBA and connecting me with others with shared interests.

In the end, with Melisa’s help I was able to get into both of my dream schools, and had a very difficult decision to make! I am really grateful for all of her support, and would choose to work with her again in a heartbeat.

I had such a great experience working with Melisa. She’s attentive, responsive, and extremely knowledgeable. Her advice was always very well thought out and she used our time efficiently and effectively. I would highly recommend Melisa for anyone wanting to get their MBA!

I have been wanting to get an MBA for several years, and even after participating in Forte, I still felt unsure about my prospects during the process. Melisa was extremely helpful and in no way made me feel pressured to use a consultant or even apply to business school. When I was trying to decide between not applying at all, waiting 6 months or applying this year, we decided to do the strategy package. I 100% believe EVERYONE SHOULD DO THIS! Even if you don’t use a consultant for anything else, or if you don’t end up going, this helped me really consolidate my entire profile and career goals into a comprehensive one-pager. It’s cheaper than the comprehensive packages and focuses on your general profile. If you do pay for the comprehensive package you still get this. Through this 4 week exercise, I felt extremely confident to continue on. Melisa helped me with 4 M7 schools. I applied to total of 8 schools (all T15). I received a full ride and several half scholarships, and was admitted to 2 of my 4 M7s. Melisa helped me stay organized through the entire process, not just for the 4 schools I asked for help. She was a cheerleader and went ABOVE and BEYOND to help me, even when I was waitlisted from several schools initially. I am so excited to be in Boston this fall going to my TOP SCHOOL! None of this would have been possible without Melisa and the stratus team.

I first connected with Melisa through the free, 30-minute consultation offered by Stratus Admissions. She went above and beyond my expectations from that first introduction. I didn’t have a large budget to work with, so I purchased the hourly package and Melisa was so quick and efficient that I received more than enough feedback. She is the perfect mix of supportive and encouraging, while also being very rational and logical. I received an amazing scholarship to my top program because of her help. I highly recommend Melisa!

I had an amazing experience with Melisa! I came into the process knowing very little about the application process, what schools I might be interested in, and what schools I might have a chance at. Melisa was an amazing partner throughout the process by helping me structure my thinking and answering the countless questions I had. She was always genuinely interested in me and my motivations for business school, and she was the best cheerleader as I had successes along the way. I would wholeheartedly recommend her!!

From day 1, Melisa has been such a pleasure to work with. She was very accommodating to my busy work schedule, and she helped me narrow down my list of schools to match perfectly with my interests and goals. She brought insight and experience for each program I applied to and helped me highlight my strengths throughout my application. I could tell that Melisa genuinely cared about my success, and now I see her as more of a friend than an admissions consultant. I would recommend Melisa to anyone interested in pursuing an MBA!

Melisa Prevost was amazing to work with. She really took the time to get to know me and even though I was very indecisive throughout the process she asked me questions that helped me to do better research and understand more about myself. In the essay writing process I never felt like I lost my voice, and her edits and comments really made me think more about why I wanted to do an MBA and why I was excited about a particular program. She was always available to answer the smallest questions via email, and when I had more vague/existential questions she would make time for a phone call to talk things through. It was really helpful to have her expertise and guidance throughout the process, and it allowed me to take a more structured approach to MBA research, the application process, setting goals, celebrating schools I got into, and navigating the waitlist. Thank you for everything, Melisa!!

I have had a positive experience working with Melisa. Even after our time was up, Melisa was a great help in helping me select the best MBA program I was accepted to. She is personable and friendly and took a genuine interest in my success in the MBA application process. If I were to apply again, I would use Melisa as my consultant.

I couldn’t have asked for a better mentor and support resource throughout the MBA application process than Melisa. As a first-generation graduate student and child of immigrants, I was quite intimidated to start the application process. Melisa really took the time to get to know me as a person, understand my story and how it tied to my goals and gave me the confidence and support that I needed to really excel at the process. I also did not have a traditional MBA background but Melisa really helped me convey my unique traits and skill sets to admissions teams.

I looked into other consulting options and did not find anyone as kind and approachable as Melisa. She went above and beyond and truly took the time to help me achieve my goals even though I felt a few programs were out of reach for me. She also has a very flexible working style that works quite well for the working professional and others juggling multiple responsibilities. She kept in touch via email throughout the process and also gladly took virtual meetings whenever I needed the extra time to talk things through.

Because of Melisa’s guidance and support, I will be attending a top 10 MBA program on a full scholarship, and I can’t think of a better outcome or fit. I strongly recommend Melisa to any prospective applicant and look forward to seeing all the great things she will continue to do!

Throughout the admissions process, Melisa and her team were nothing short of incredible! I just started my second quarter at UCLA Anderson, and I am still in disbelief at all the offers I was able to choose from when considering my MBA. My relationship with Melisa was amazing and it kept me motivated and confident throughout the entire journey. To be completely transparent, I had a few moments of “nervous breakdowns” (as many of us do when facing high-pressure challenges) but Melisa was always there to bring me back down to earth and provide reassurance. I came into the admissions process thinking I had it all figured out, not that Melisa changed my mind, but she did her due diligence to help me discover what it was I truly wanted, and more importantly where I would be the happiest. Melisa provided a road map every step of the way while setting realistic goals and timelines that I was comfortable with. Any possible worry I had in the admissions process whether it be choosing a program, writing essays, updating my resume, or preparing for interviews, Melisa provided support and helped me prepare mentally and emotionally. Any time the admissions process comes up in conversation, Melisa is the first person that comes to mind. I am proud to say that her guidance quite literally changed my life and allowed me to reach my full potential and attend the MBA program of my dreams.

If I could give more “stars” in this review I would… Melisa was the kindest, most diligent, and supportive partner to have throughout this process. I could not have asked for a better individual to work alongside me throughout the application and interview process!

Melisa took a genuine interest in me and my journey – frequently sharing articles based on my career interests, checking in on my GMAT studying progress, etc. We worked together through the brainstorming and application process. I applied to eight programs in total, four with Melisa’s help. Her superb ability to stay positive and organized kept me sane as deadlines approached and her ability to provide direct and pointed feedback helped keep me sharp throughout my interviews.

At Melisa’s urging, I applied to programs I thought were far beyond reach, and am happy to report that I was not only accepted but also received significant scholarships at a number of schools. Thank you Melisa for your support and encouragement throughout this process, I really could not have done it without you!

I had my initial consultation with Melisa in May 2021. Choosing a consultant wasn’t easy, but from our first conversation, I felt that Melisa was wholeheartedly invested in my success as an applicant.

Melisa was extremely generous with her time. There was never a limit on the number of emails I could send or questions I could ask, on top of our weekly update calls. She was instrumental in shaping my essays, and she guided me by drawing on her success with previous applicants. When it came time to interview, Melisa ensured that I was prepared beyond just the schools we were working together on and provided valuable feedback that I took across various interviews.

When R1 decisions were released, I was unfortunately waitlisted at my dream school. I was ready to throw in the towel, but Melisa encouraged me to keep my options open for R2 and remain actively engaged as a waitlist candidate. Melisa helped me write strong waitlist updates as I juggled applying to additional schools. Even when I wasn’t sure if the extra work was being noticed by the school, Melisa remained thorough in her advice and feedback.

In May 2022, I received acceptance from my dream school. With Melisa’s help, I was among the first batch of applicants to convert from the waitlist. It took a year to reach the goal that I had set out to achieve, and there were many unexpected ups and downs along the way, but Melisa was there for me at every step of the journey.

I have no doubt that I made the right choice in hiring Melisa as my admissions consultant, and I would strongly recommend her to anyone considering her services!

I initially was not going to use an admissions consultant given the high cost but decided that it’d be worth the investment if I was going to go all in on the MBA admissions process. I met with many consultants from different firms but went with Melissa because she instantly put me at ease and was really warm and easy to talk to, and never made me feel like I wasn’t good enough for the schools I was targeting. We worked together starting June 2021 and she did so much more than just help me with my applications. I was also navigating a major organizational change at work, applied for a new job at a different company, and received an offer. She provided a ton of support and advice on how I should talk to my new employer about my b-school apps and they ended up being so supportive about it! Beyond that, we spent a solid few months just getting to know everything about my background and what my story would be, while staying truly authentic and never trying to be someone I wasn’t. She helped me with every stage of the application and was always so responsive, patient, and kind, especially through the several breakdowns I had along the way! She made sure I was super prepped for all the interviews, and after receiving the decisions, helped me navigate waitlists and negotiating scholarships.

I ultimately was admitted into my dream school, and 4 out of the 6 schools I applied to. Melissa was incredibly supportive throughout the entire process and really encouraged me to bring my true self to the applications. I’m happy with the results and I would recommend her to anyone!

Going into the business school process, I had a lot of imposter syndrome as a “non traditional” applicant. There were parts of my application that I was particularly insecure about and I felt that investing in a consultant was the right choice for me. I spoke with multiple consultants but immediately upon speaking with Melisa, knew she was the best fit and would help make my application representative of who I really was. She provided specific, prompt, and tangible guidance on how to strengthen all parts of my application. She also encouraged me to have faith in myself and recognize all that I brought to the table. More than anything though, Melisa acted as a kind friend and confidant — one who this process would have been a lot more confusing and intimidating without. She motivated me to apply to all the schools I was interested in, even the ones that felt out of reach, and I ended up getting into 3 of my top choices. I highly recommend working with her and I’m so happy I made this decision. THANK YOU MELISA!

I chose to work with Melisa after speaking with dozen of consultants from numerous companies. Melisa sealed the deal for me after our first interaction with her cadid passion and rich experiences in helping candidates getting into their target MBA programs. My results showed that I made the right decision. With Melisa, I was invited to interview with all five M7 schools I applied to and received offers from three.

When choosing someone to work with in the application process, it’s really like choosing a partner to survive through a long and daunting journey. Melisa is the most reliable partner one could ever ask for. She guided me through the self-discovery process, and let me to “feel” what’s authentic to me and make the “real me” shine throughout the process. She encouraged me whenever I felt down or hopeless and had been my biggest cheerleader. She truly cared about clients who work with her and tried to be as helpful as possible under all circumstances. In short, Melisa is the best!!

Choosing a consultant is a daunting task, given the number of options. However, if you care about having someone with plenty of experience, many success stories, and a personality that fills you with optimism and energy, then look no further than Melisa. I chose Melisa because of how enthusiastic she was in our first meeting and how well she made me feel about my prospects. MBA applications are daunting, and there are many things that you need to navigate, so having a structured process and someone experienced to lean on is remarkably uplifting and comforting. If you are looking for a consultant, you must be in the same boat as I was – confident that you qualify but not sure whether you can tell a cohesive and convincing story. Melisa is so skillful at recognizing the different pieces of your story and helping you put them into a captivating application that you will gain a new appreciation for your accomplishments. Thanks to Melisa, I ended up with a few options to choose from and a merit scholarship that sweetened the deal. I did not expect to receive a significant amount in scholarship, but Darden offered 1/3 and Cornell Johnson over 1/2 of the tuition, which made me choose Johnson. Whatever your dream school is, Melisa will ensure that you put your best foot forward. No one can guarantee admission to Harvard or MIT, but if you want to stand a chance and feel confident that you will have options to choose from, I encourage you to let Melisa guide you. You will not be disappointed!

Do yourself a favor and work with Melisa! As a nontraditional applicant, I had many fears about the admission process. I chatted with a few other consultants but within the first 10 minutes of my intro call with Melisa, it was clear that she could help me achieve my goals. With Melisa’s support, I was able to receive full rides at 4 of my top programs!

From the very first day, Melisa took the time to truly understand my story, help craft my narrative, identify my strengths, and put together the best possible applications, all while encouraging me to be my most authentic self throughout the process – she even provided guidance on identifying the best target schools when I was indecisive. Not only did she provide guidance but she was always one email away. I knew I could reach out to her with anything and she’d provide me with a thoughtful response in a timely manner.

Melisa went above and beyond in helping me edit my essays and preparing me for my interviews. When everything seemed to pile on in the last few days leading up to submitting apps Melisa was so incredibly supportive and flexible with her schedule. I was lucky enough to have received interviews at all of the programs I applied to and even though I had not purchased packages for all of the schools Melisa went out of her way to ensure I was prepared for each of them. She was extremely generous with her time and proved to be genuinely invested in my success.

I know for a fact that I would not be in the position that I am in right now without Melisa’s support. I am beyond thankful to have worked with someone as genuine, dedicated, and knowledgeable as her! If you are looking for a consultant who will not only provide results, but also encourage and motivate you throughout the process, you have to work with Melisa!!

Melisa was beyond amazing to work with, and I’m confident that my application was the best it could be after working together! I went back and forth on deciding to hire an admissions consultant but ultimately decided it was worth the upfront investment, and it more than paid off since I’ll be going to Booth with a $100K scholarship!

From the beginning, I felt Melisa genuinely cared and had my best interests in mind. We worked together for over eight months and had weekly video calls in the thick of applications! She took the time to get to know me and really learn my story, which is necessary to create strong and authentic applications. She went above and beyond in giving me her time and expert advice. Most importantly, I really enjoyed working with her and she made the daunting application process feel manageable. Melisa is the best guide, confidant, and cheerleader!

In such a high-pressure process, it’s important to work with a coach who can not only identify your strengths as a candidate but can also keep you level-headed and grounded. As a “nontraditional” applicant coming from PR, Melisa made the process as enjoyable as possible and played an instrumental role in my Columbia acceptance.

Even before we started officially working together, Melisa sent me a number of test and quant prep resources to show me that there were multiple ways to demonstrate my quantitative reasoning capabilities to admissions. Throughout the onboarding and essay writing process, she was thorough, empathetic, and constantly suggested fresh ways to frame my MBA story. She took the time to fully understand my personal story and long-term goals which made my application more authentic and convincing.

What really stood out about Melisa’s approach was her ability to guide her clients to what’s actually best for them. When I was interviewing other potential MBA consultants, I often felt like they were either trying to upsell me by convincing me to apply to as many schools as possible or were so focused on my application stats that I felt discouraged from the get-go. By contrast, Melisa was warm, never dismissive of my goals, and worked with me to find schools that were actually the right cultural and professional fit, regardless of the program’s ranking.

I feel fortunate to have worked with Melisa who made this daunting task extremely approachable. She went above and beyond to make sure I felt supported and prepared for each step by either doing additional research in her own time or connecting me with former clients in her network who could provide better insight on a specific topic. This is a worthwhile investment for anyone who is passionate about their academic and professional goals and wants to make sure all their bases are covered during the application process.

I got into my two top schools and could not have done it without Melisa’s guidance. I was very confused at the start of the process but she was super organized and guided me meticulously through every step of the process right from choosing your recommenders to interview prep. She was also very efficient with time and got back to me the next day in most cases. Highly recommend!

Working with Melisa was the best decision I made. I had chatted with a few other consultants but felt the most at ease with Melisa after our intro call. She seemed genuinely excited about working with me, and I really appreciated her energy and encouragement. Since I was only planning to apply to two programs, Melisa was very flexible with pricing and we worked on an hourly basis for my top school’s application. I was able to leverage the same essays and resume for my backup program. Her detailed feedback and thoughtful suggestions helped me to highlight the most important parts of my story in the essays. Melisa is extremely knowledgeable about the process and working with her made me feel very confident about my applications when the time came to hit submit. I was admitted to both programs I applied to with significant scholarship money. After our allotted hours were used, Melisa was more than willing to respond to my calls and emails as I worked to make my final decision. She is an absolute rockstar, and it was a pleasure working with her.

As a first-generation college graduate, the MBA admissions process was daunting, and I was skeptical about working with a consultant. I talked to several consultants who tried to push me to apply to “safety” schools that I wasn’t interested in or tried to push me to pay for their all-inclusive packages. Melisa was the only person who not only gave me critical feedback and opinions but also, trusted my vision.

I worked with Melisa on an hourly basis on essay reviews and interview prep. She was efficient and always provided clear and thoughtful feedback. My application included many personal experiences, and I always felt that she cared for the story I was trying to tell. The MBA admissions process requires deep reflection, and it was important to me that the people reading my stories honored them.

Now, I’m so excited to attend a top, full-time MBA program with a scholarship (especially after a highly competitive application cycle) and can’t thank Melisa enough for her support. I highly recommend her, especially if you come from a similar background.

I would highly recommend working with Melisa and Stratus. Melisa helped me get into four of my top-choice schools, with substantial fellowships at three of them. She supported me from the beginning of my application process to the end. Melisa was always very responsive and was available to answer any questions I had about schools and applications, no matter how trivial they seemed. She helped me shape my story and goals so well that I had a clear idea of how to approach each essay question. Her detailed advice and feedback on my resume and essays were instrumental in my admissions.

Melisa also helped me prep for interviews. I really benefited from Melisa’s experience in this area, and she helped me present my story in a way that was well-defined, but still genuine. I was admitted to every school I interviewed with, which I could not have done without Melisa’s help.

Something I really liked about Melisa was her positivity throughout the process, as it can be daunting at times. I had a non-traditional professional background, and Melisa helped me present it in the best possible way. Her encouragement, positivity, and support are what set her apart from other MBA admissions consultants I’d considered, and I’m so glad I was able to work with her. Highly recommend!

Melisa was a breath of fresh air. I interviewed a few different consultants and consulting agencies before deciding on Stratus. Melisa was the deciding factor. Other consultants at other firms told me to change who I was inherently as an applicant in order to better my odds of getting in. Melisa on the other hand, saw who I was not only as an applicant but as a person. She highlighted the strengths of my application rather than the weaknesses. By doing so, I was able to craft an application that was perfectly authentic and true to myself. Every conversation we had left me feeling motivated, confident, and excited for the next steps. I really appreciated her guidance especially because I had some difficult aspects in my application (lower quant score and I am an owner of a family business). I never felt overwhelmed during the MBA process with Melisa as my guide. We had weekly phone calls throughout the entire process, start to finish. She assisted me with overcoming my test anxiety, writing out my MBA goals, thinking about my long term plans, crafting/editing my essays, supplementing my resume, and preparing for my interviews. The entire team at Stratus was friendly, incredibly responsive, and showed they cared for me. I was not just a number to add to their school “ding” data, I was a person they were rooting for to succeed as a woman in business. With the help of Melisa, I received an interview at all 5 schools that I applied to, was accepted to 4 schools and waitlisted at 1. I received scholarship money from all 4 business school programs. I am happy to report that this fall, I will be enrolling in a top ten business school with a $100,000 scholarship. Many thanks to Melisa and the Stratus Team. I already miss our weekly calls! Melisa is the best!

I worked with Melisa on an hourly basis and she was worth every dollar. I chose her because she was so genuine and encouraging during our initial consultation. Since I was on a budget, she worked with me efficiently and was quick to respond to any questions I sent her way. I was a bit lost in the application process but she worked with me every step of the way and helped guide me to ensure I submit quality essays. No need to interview other consultants…she’s all you need and more.

Meeting Melisa via Stratus to help me with my admissions process to a top part time MBA program was hands down one of the most memorable experiences. Having worked with Melisa for over 6 months on my application, simply saying I found one of the best admissions counselors is an understatement. Melisa took a genuine interest in not only my application but made the entire process a self exploratory process about oneself. She places emphasis on the initial process which eventually makes the other parts of the application much easier to put together.

I was focused on applying to only a single MBA program. Coming from a technology background, I was not sure how I would make my deep technical experience understandable to an admissions reviewer. Melisa was super insightful, taking an interest in understanding my background and making me answer my own questions about how my experiences might be translated to something more understandable by everyone.

Melisa was super responsive with helping me with reviews on my essays, resume and would usually get back to me within a day or two. She not only communicated with me via emails but was available to chat via phone at a time suitable to both of us. Melisa went above and beyond in getting my essays to the best version of themselves even if it meant 4-5 extra edits. Melisa spent so much time and energy on my application, it made me feel confident at every step in the process. She really brought out the best version of myself throughout not only the essays and resume but the interviews as well.

Having managed to get into a top EWMBA program, I attribute an equal portion of this stepping stone of success to Melisa. I will miss working with Melisa. I am very blessed to have gotten the opportunity to work with Melisa and the Stratus team. Melisa was not only super helpful in helping me with admissions but her wealth of knowledge, experience, and having gone to a top MBA school herself, helped me with providing for a mentor who ensured that I made the right choices even after admissions. I highly recommend Melisa to anyone looking for an awesome person to work with, and a super friendly, genuinely caring, super informative, admissions counselor.

I interviewed 4 different consultants from 4 different companies, and Melisa was the obvious choice for my MBA journey. I worked with Melisa via an hourly package, and she was more than generous with her time, recommendations, and resourcefulness. I chose Melisa because she was honest and thoughtful about the maturity of my story and profile, and helped focus my energy where it counted the most. She honored my voice while ensuring all my bases are covered – I would highly recommend Melisa again and again.

I cannot recommend Melisa enough. By the end of the 2020 R1 application cycle, I had not only gotten a full tuition scholarship to one of my top choices, I had learned a lot about myself and had become more confident in the direction of my career. From our very first call, I sensed an authenticity to Melisa that I hadn’t sensed in other consultations. I started the application process with very little idea of why I wanted an MBA other than to pivot out of my current career or what the application process looked like. Stratus’ process is tried and true. Throughout the first few weeks working together, we dug into experiences, events, and feelings that had mattered to me throughout my life, and, in doing so, I figured out what type of impact I wanted to have in my career. As a very private person, I was initially nervous to share some experiences because, while it was important to me, I didn’t think anyone else would care. Melisa made me feel comfortable talking about myself and pushed me to think past the experience to examine why it was important to me. I felt like I was talking to someone I had known for much longer than just a few weeks. Initially, I told Melisa that I wanted to pursue consulting, and eventually, throughout the introspection process, I realized, thanks to Melisa, that another path was more aligned with my career aspirations.

Once we figured out my ‘why’ and ‘how’, Melisa helped me to nail down my story. I was worried I’d struggle to stand out as a male, finance applicant, but she helped me to leverage my personal experiences into a cohesive, unique story that pulled together my background, current career, need for an MBA, and future career aspirations. It was truly my story and I was proud of what we put together. Throughout the outlines and essay drafts, Melisa was always always always available to talk or ask questions. Every time I had an outline/essay returned, I felt like Melisa had really looked at it from an adcom perspective and provided thorough and thoughtful feedback that helped me to put my best self on paper.

After receiving interview invites, Melisa took me through a few mock interviews and provided some specific tips that really helped me to verbally communicate my story and experiences in a succinct, impactful manner. Come interview day, I felt prepared and confident in explaining the relevance of my experiences and story to an MBA and future career.

Melisa was a total pro all throughout the process. All edits and reviews were returned promptly, and in most cases early. She worked around my tricky schedule, and even made time on the weekend to help me brainstorm after we decided to scrap and restart one essay. Professional through and through.

More than anything, it really felt like Melisa was in my corner, and I am very grateful for that and all the work that she did. I would not have had the success that I did in the application process without her. She is the best and I highly recommend working with her!

From our initial call, Melisa made it clear the process was more than just helping me gain admission to my programs of choice. Instead, we spent a significant amount of time identifying my core values and how these shaped my long term goals. This in turn helped to lay the foundation for why I was looking to pursue my MBA in the first place.

In 2020 the application process was constantly evolving, but Melisa was my sounding board throughout the uncertainty. She was always very timely in her feedback and available by phone or email whenever I needed. Even small things like sending me school events or LinkedIn profiles that matched my career interests demonstrate how Melisa really goes above and beyond. Additionally, while you work with one consultant, you benefit from the collective knowledge of the Stratus team which is tremendously helpful as well.

As I write this I am deciding between two of my top choice programs with a fellowship offer. While the decision to work with a consultant is significant investment of time and money, I believe it’s well worth it as you come out of the process with a clear understanding of yourself and a roadmap for how to achieve your long term ambitions.

I worked with Melisa on an hourly basis for essay review and it was worth every minute and every cent. She was thoughtful yet direct with her feedback and very prompt when turning around drafts. She was a great resource to bounce ideas off of and it was clear that she really understood what each school was trying to get at with their essay prompts. She also helped me through the interview process sharing key tips and question guides for interviews. It was hugely helpful as I prepared for in-person and online conversations. I will definitely be recommending Melisa and Stratus to anyone going through the MBA application process in the future.

Going with Stratus was hands down the best decision/investment I made during the MBA application process. Melisa took a genuine interest in my application and success; it really paid off. Her knowledge and help was both comprehensive and school specific. She guided me through the entire process and was extremely easy to work with. Melisa also worked very efficiently which I appreciated since that allowed me to move at the best pace possible. I would highly recommend Melisa and Stratus to anyone who is serious about getting into a good program.

I had a great experience working with Melisa. I purchased the hourly package and we used the time to work on my resume and essays. I was very much a non-traditional applicant and had no idea about the business school application process, but her guidance made the whole thing a breeze. She had extensive knowledge of every school on my list and made sure each application fit its respective school perfectly.

When it came to actually editing my resume and essays, Melisa was very efficient with her time, which I really appreciated considering I was paying by the hour. She sent back all her edits within a day, and every single suggestion was valuable. I applied in Round 2 so all the deadlines were right after the holidays, but she made herself available even then.

Most importantly, she genuinely cares about your success! She asked for and appreciated updates well past the application phase. She even introduced me to another one of her clients attending the same program as me so I could start connecting with future classmates right away. I would highly recommend Melisa to anyone looking for an application consultant.