Meredith Shields

Admitted to Wharton (with significant scholarship) and INSEAD, and currently waitlisted at Stanford GSB! I’m ecstatic and could not have achieved this without Meredith.

After speaking with multiple MBA admissions consultants, I was blown away by my initial conversation with Meredith. She truly understood who I was, and was invaluable in drawing out my personal story. For me, this was her differentiating factor – and in turn, was key in helping me differentiate myself as an MBA applicant.

Throughout the process, Meredith fully invested herself in me, and it was clear she cared deeply about both my success and personal growth. As a strong personal advocate, she excelled in helping me to craft and articulate my unique strengths, personal story, and candidacy as an MBA student. Meredith helped me mould the most compelling and personal application that I could have put forth.

Throughout every step of the application process (from applications to interviews, through to acceptances and even waitlist), I felt completely supported by Meredith and her team. Through leveraging the diverse experiences of everyone at her Vantage Point team, I received one-of-a-kind support for each individual program to which I applied.

Meredith is an amazing consultant who is incredibly responsive, positive, and effective. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone looking to apply to top MBA programs. Thank you, Meredith!!

I was applying for business school in a really hectic period and Meredith helped make the process as smooth as possible. She was easy to talk to and really pushed me to go through drafts until I felt confident with my essays, which I really appreciated. She was also available to answer questions ranging from schools, essays, recs, etc… I received interview invites from 3 schools and will be going to HBS this fall. Highly recommend!

I had the pleasure of working with Meredith from Vantage Point MBA and cannot convey how much it was worth the investment.

Throughout the entire process, Meredith developed an approach catered to my opportunities, pushing me to reflect and dig deeper into my personal experiences. Ultimately, it was this that enabled me to put together a cohesive application that differentiated me from other aspiring MBA candidates.

As an engineer, Meredith helped iron out jargon from my resume/essays and helped me better illustrate the who/how/why in my professional and extracurricular experiences.

Prior to working with Meredith, I applied to three M7 programs and went 0 for 3. However, one year later, with Meredith as a thought partner, I received interview invites from five schools including HBS (admit), GSB (WL), and MIT Sloan (admit)!

Meredith rocks!

Meredith has been truly helpful for my application on multiple fronts. Firstly, she helped me uncover the themes in my experience and develop my own unique story. Also, she helped provide perspectives from her own experience seeing so many other applications, giving me mock interviews and providing valuable feedback. Knowing where I stand among the pack made it less stressful. Most importantly, she kept pushing me to sharpen my essay and my storytelling – which I wouldn’t naturally do on my own – until I believed it was the best I had to show. Thanks to all the help I got from Meredith, I’m heading to HBS this fall!

Meredith was recommended to me by a previous colleague and she completely surpassed my already high expectations.

I worked with Meredith and opted to do a comprehensive package for three schools because it gave me the most flexibility and support, which is what I was looking for. During my research process, I was initially drawn to Vantage Point’s organized approach and how they laid out and broke down every step to keep me on track (as part of their services, they provide an easy to use client portal that has great resources and templates). However, what really set Vantage Point apart for me, was the genuine interest and care for Meredith conveyed during our free consultation call.

From the get-go, Meredith encouraged me to think big with my goals and helped me frame my story in a way that was authentic yet compelling. She had a way of making me feel excited about the process (a hard thing to do) and made me feel like my goals were achievable! I always looked forward to our calls and appreciated how she pushed me to be truly thoughtful about what I wanted out of business school (personally and professionally). Meredith was a great thought partner and provided stellar edits (without putting words in my mouth or doing the actual writing) in order to showcase leadership qualities and articulate my goals all within the word count. She was efficient in returning drafts and I always felt her edits and feedback were spot-on!

During the submission and interview process, Meredith ensured I stayed on schedule and was a great cheerleader in getting me across the finish line. She had me put together an “Application Packet” for a blind review with another Vantage Point consultant, which pushed me to have everything completed well ahead of schedule. She also enthusiastically checked in with me before every deadline and did thorough prep to ensure I was 100% prepared and confident (her mock interview questions were almost identical to my interviews!)

Above all, what sets Meredith apart is that she felt like more than just a consultant. Meredith genuinely cares about each person she works with and was the first person I went to whenever I had a question about the process (GMAT vs. GRE) or about a decision I was facing at work (whether or not to take a new role). I always knew I could go to knowing that I would get only the best advice. Meredith is upfront yet optimistic in her approach and I think it’s a winning combination for the application process. I highly recommend her to anyone considering working with her!

If you are reading this review and considering an MBA consultant, I recommend you go with Vantage Point. Below are the reasons.

First, the results: for context, I am a re-applicant. Last year I applied to three schools and did not get admitted to any of the three. This year I applied to four — Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and Booth. I RECEIVED YES CALLS FROM ALL FOUR, with substantial merit scholarships from Wharton and Booth. The results alone speak for themselves. Meredith at Vantage Point (and her team at-large) was absolutely critical to my success in this process.

Second, since I am a re-applicant, I had previously engaged two large firms in the MBA consulting space. The first big-name company was an absolute disaster of experience — my assigned consultant added significant stress to the process with a very condescending attitude, which led me to my second experience with another big-name firm. The second one was helpful more on the tactical level than strategic, which was to be expected given that I went with their hourly service.

I want to be transparent about my previous engagements with the two other firms so as to highlight why Vantage Point (and Meredith in particular) stand out in this field. At the start, she recommended that I go with the hourly service in lieu of the comprehensive (this recommendation was in my best interest despite the fact that I’d be paying her less), and throughout the process engaged my “project” as if it was her own in the sense that she never feared giving big, strategic feedback (e.g. that I should re-write an entire essay because things didn’t read right in terms of level of detail, or because it didn’t sound like my voice came through) without being imposing. This was exactly what I needed, and I believe is the most helpful approach for people in the MBA application process.

Furthermore, Meredith was a cheerleader and extremely supportive throughout the process. She REALLY cares for her clients.

The MBA application process can be grueling, and picking people who will be on your team and in your corner is crucial. I hope you make the right decision for you (for me that meant Meredith), and good luck on your journey!

I worked with Meredith and Vantage Point on round 1 applications, and I am not exaggerating that she is the best MBA consultant out there. Meredith and the Vantage Point team provide a holistic, personal and strategic approach to the MBA application process that helps you submit your best possible application.

Meredith’s approach is holistic because she brings to bear the diverse ‘vantage points’ of her entire team. When you finally hit submit, you are confident because your application has already been well-received by her team of former adcoms and battle-tested consultants. Her eagerness to leverage the perspectives of her team mirrors the collaborative spirit of the top MBA programs.

Meredith’s approach is personal because she takes the time upfront to really understand every aspect of your applicant profile, and then helps you to articulate your goals (dream big!), play to your strengths and mitigate your weaknesses. Because she understands her clients so well, she is extremely effective at helping you to tease our your very best leadership examples for essays and interviews.

Meredith’s approach is strategic and efficient. When it came time to write essays, Meredith suggested I first tackle the prompts that required the deepest reflection (and the most drafts). This helped me accumulate a database of compelling anecdotes that I was able to leverage on the balance of my applications and interviews.

Most importantly, as an advisor she is spectacular. Meredith is professional, responsive, honest, supportive, approachable and positive. For nearly 12 months, I always felt like I was her only client. I am really grateful for Meredith’s support and guidance, which helped me gain admission to my dream schools – Stanford GSB and Northwestern Kellogg. Thank you, Meredith and the Vantage Point team!!!

Meredith and I worked together on Round 1 applications, and she couldn’t have been more helpful! She coordinated my application process from my initial decision-making around the schools to apply to, essay writing, interview preparation, and through to acceptance at Wharton. She was dedicated, and was happy to go through many iterations of my essays, always providing thoughtful and helpful feedback. She was always reachable on email, and was very quick to provide answers to questions throughout the process. She was very understanding of my background, and was instrumental in helping me craft my application in a way to make me stand out and truly highlight my strengths. I can confidently say that I wouldn’t have been accepted without her. An industry-best.

Meredith came highly recommended from a friend of mine – and I am SO happy I found her! From our very first chat, Meredith was honest, warm and encouraging. She took the time to understand my desires for wanting to pursue an MBA, and challenged me to craft authentic and engaging essays. Coming from a somewhat non-traditional background, Meredith’s help was also invaluable in helping me hone each bullet point on my resume to cut through on my experience and accomplishments.

I genuinely believe Meredith’s guidance is what made the difference in helping me receive acceptances (and scholarships!!) from 4 of my top choice schools! Could not recommend her more highly – thank you Meredith!

I could not recommend Vantage Point enough, as I can confidently say their guidance significantly improved my odds of getting into a top 20 school.

When I began to consider an MBA, I had no idea what to expect in regards to the application process. On the surface, it seemed straightforward. However, I realized that creating a compelling story requires a well thought out strategy that is woven into the entire application.

Meredith and the Vantage Point team have a proven method for helping applicants create this strategy, as they are intimately familiar with what the admissions team is looking for at each school. They are experts at taking your work and life experiences and helping you mold your application into a unique and cohesive story that ultimately helps you stand out from the rest.

As part of this story building, they provide an excellent critique on your essays and resume, as well as, host an in-depth interview prep.

Meredith was with me every step of the way and was an excellent partner throughout the entire process. If you’re looking to get an MBA, Vantage Point is a must.

Meredith was recommended to me by a friend that is a current student at GSB, and the friend could not have praised Meredith’s services more highly. Upon initially chatting with Meredith, I completely understood why. Meredith is incredibly warm and engaging, and challenges prospective students to dictate an honest and compelling narrative for every application essay. Her turnaround time was impeccable, and I knew she was always willing to bounce ideas back and forth via email. When I was accepted to my top choice schools, I was unbelievably pleased, and I owe much of the success to my time spent working with Meredith. Thank you, Meredith, for your support and guidance. The help you provided was worth every penny!!!

I worked with Meredith and have only positive things to say. Meredith was pleasant, professional, and responsive – very easy to work with. She helped me refine my story and write my essays, as well as improve my MBA application resume. She also worked diligently with me across time zones while I was working abroad.

While MBA consulting services are certainly an investment, it is one I would make again 10 times out of 10. I really believe working with Meredith helped me submit a vastly better application than I would have otherwise. The guidance was especially helpful for me in writing essays and crafting a coherent story across my applications. The experience and advice she provided was instrumental to me getting into both Wharton and Columbia. Overall, I would highly recommend.

I was accepted to 3 out of 4 of the schools I applied to, including HBS, and received substantial merit-based scholarships. I owe this success to Meredith and her team! As an international applicant who was completely new to the daunting MBA school application process, I reached out to Vantage Point based on their stellar reviews. From my very first call with Meredith, I knew I was in great hands. She was very open and honest with me, and incredibly encouraging. I have a very “unconventional” background and a mediocre GMAT score, and she still encouraged me to apply to my dream schools. We corresponded at least once a week, and her feedback was always on point. Most importantly, she worked with me in a way that kept everything authentically in my voice, which is incredibly important to keep the process ethical and in compliance with school policies. In addition to her hands-on guidance, all of the Vantage Point resources (essay examples, interview questions, etc.) we much more helpful than anything else I found online. I walked into my interviews with confidence knowing that I was well prepared, and this made all the difference.

Meredith’s guidance did not stop once the applications were submitted. She stayed involved with my progress as I received acceptances and helped me evaluate which school was the right fit. She was truly my partner for this process, and I cannot recommend her and her team more highly!

I can’t say enough good things about working with Meredith on my MBA applications. My top choice school was a reach given a low GPA and average GMAT score, but Meredith helped me identify strengths and craft my own story. She was dedicated and attentive when going through rounds of reviews on my resume and essays, and she responded quickly to any email. Meredith also went through mock interviews and many other conversations that really helped me hone in on my strengths and unique story. Coming from consulting, I worried that I would sound like a lot like other applicants. Meredith coached me on how to highlight my contributions and strengths. I really enjoyed attending sessions that Meredith organized with current MBA students and prior clients who shared their thoughts on the unique culture of the schools they now attend. Meredith’s emphasis on writing an application that was tailored to the specific school’s academic program and culture was so important and really helped me stand out in my interview. Through all of Meredith’s advice and wisdom, I was accepted to my top choice program with a significant scholarship. I so enjoyed working with Meredith and highly recommend her to any student looking to strengthen their application!

I was referred by a friend who got into HBS after working with Meredith. Going into the application with unimpressive stats, I knew I needed to deliver a stellar story. The help and guidance I received from Meredith and Vantage Point did not disappoint. Meredith’s incredible work ethic was only matched by her positive attitude. We must have gone through well over 20 revisions of my essays (for GSB alone!) to get it right. The process that Meredith sets ups ensures that you are telling YOUR story so that you can stand out among the crowd of applicants. Throughout the whole process, Meredith did a great job providing candid feedback that was not condescending or made me feel stupid. As a quant, writing was not (and still isn’t) my forte so I found this extremely valuable as Meredith helped me improve my storytelling abilities. As long as you keep an open mind during the process, Meredith will help you create an application that you will be proud of. Furthermore, Meredith’s encouragement helped me get through some of the more stressful parts of the application process. I remember when other professionals told me that getting into a top school was a long shot while I was applying. Thank you for believing in me Meredith and keeping me on course. GSB has always been my dream school and I’m forever grateful!

I worked with Meredith on a batch of ‘competitive’ and ‘reach’ schools. Initially, I thought I would be lucky to end up at one of the ‘competitive’ schools since I had lower-than-average GMAT and GPA for almost all the schools. Instead, I was accepted to Kellogg’s MMM program (my top choice)! I even got some money from Kellogg! In retrospect, investing my time and money with Vantage Point (and Meredith) was a no-brainer. Meredith spent a ton of time helping to craft my story in a way that played to my strengths. We must have worked through at least 8 edits for each essay. It was a ton of work, but I enjoyed that she wouldn’t tell me exactly how to write my story and always asked me to dig a bit deeper into each edit. So, each time I would work on an edit, it seemed like I learned a bit more about myself and absolutely helped me reflect on my career path in a way I wouldn’t have otherwise. Looking back, I can tell that my writing and story-telling skills improved a whole bunch after working on my applications with Meredith! I highly recommend working with Vantage Point- you won’t regret it!

I interviewed about ten consultants seeking the best and most realistic (and honest) strategic partner to guide me through this rigorous application process. I can undoubtedly say that opting to work with Meredith is one of the best decisions I’ve made to date! Not only was her pricing incredibly reasonable, but she gave me much more time/attention than any other consultant would have on a basic “3-school package.” She made herself available at all hours of the day, night, and weekend to ensure my needs were met. In fact, Meredith had a 48-hour turnaround policy for revisions, but typically got things back to me same day (very impressive). From day one, I emphasized my struggle with standardized testing and rather than hounding me to keep retaking the GRE/GMAT as many consultants would do, Meredith helped me focus on the other key aspects of my application. We went through 10+ drafts of my CV, and probably more with each essay draft throughout the process. While she was ALWAYS extremely encouraging, she made sure that the product I was delivering to the adcom was absolutely flawless; more importantly, she continually challenged me to “be true to myself” rather than changing stories to yield to what I thought schools wanted to hear. There were also numerous occasions that Meredith passed my application materials to former admissions committee members and other experienced essay-readers to make sure I was getting more than one perspective. Additionally, she hosted video chat sessions with some of her previous clients so I could ask questions about their experiences and get a better feel for several programs. Most notably, about 2 months before decisions were released, my employer found out I intended on going to business school and I was extremely concerned about losing my job. So, Meredith spent hours helping me to strategize different gameplans and helped me to effectively manage my stress during such an obstacle-filled time. Overall, as a white male working in finance with a less than stellar GRE, my chances at a top program were looking grim prior to finding Vantage Point. Teaming with Meredith improved every aspect of my application and helped me nail all of my interviews. Ultimately I was admitted to 2 of my top 3 schools (1 with scholarship) and credit Meredith entirely. For those applying to B-school moving forward, the question shouldn’t be “which consultant should I work with,” but rather “how many schools can do I want to work on with Meredith?”

Meredith was absolutely integral to my business school application process. It’s not an exaggeration to say that I couldn’t have done it without her. I got into HBS, my dream school, in large part because of her. She really went above and beyond what I envisioned the role of an admissions consultant to be. Yes, Meredith provided invaluable guidance on aspects of my application, but she was also there for me as a supportive mentor and friend during a stressful time. I originally planned on applying round 1, but then switched to round 2, and Meredith was completely open to helping me through both rounds, even though it meant more time, effort and energy. She has an unbelievable enthusiasm and she really spent a lot of time getting to know me and my story, and that all showed through my essay and application. I am truly blown away by my experience working with her. I would absolutely highly recommend Meredith for any school you are applying to – it will change the application process dramatically.

After being burned from one of the larger consulting houses, I was wary of hiring another admissions consultant. However, as a re-applicant, I knew that I needed to find a professional who was going to be honest with my application, and I was referred by a friend to try Meredith and Vantage Point. Meredith understood my story well and helped me craft my story in a way that truly brought out the essence of who I was as a candidate. Her guidance was invaluable throughout the entire experience and really helped me understand the mindset of the adcom as well as how to approach the application process. Her honesty and guidance throughout the admissions process led to interviews for all of the schools I applied to (including schools that I reapplied to) and multiple admits. Thank you so much Meredith!

I had an amazing experience working with Meredith and Vantage Point. Right from the beginning, she was dedicated to crafting my story and gave me the perfect amount of time, resources and guidance to make my MBA aspirations a reality. One thing that stood out about Meredith and Vantage point was their accessibility and their genuine desire to see you succeed. Whenever I was stressed or panicky about the process, she was always responsive and a calming influence, working around to make sure my application was in its best possible form. I talked to various MBA consultants before choosing Vantage Point and I can objectively say that unlike others, VP doesn’t look at you as a project or a statistic to bolster their business but instead as someone they want to see succeed. They went above and beyond for my application, going so far as to give me feedback on my other applications and essays which is just what any MBA applicant needs. I heartily recommend VP and hope that you have the privilege of working with Meredith as well!

I decided to work with Meredith last summer after my friend recommended working with her after being admitted to Kellogg. Since then, Meredith has been a true pleasure to work with. Although we both had super busy schedules (I was getting married, studying for the GMAT, and working a demanding schedule), she helped me pace out my application prep to give me enough time and guidance to create my storyline, update my resume, write my essays, etc. without (much) additional stress to my already-hectic life. I don’t think I could’ve made it thus far without Meredith’s overwhelming support throughout the 6+ months. And now, I’ve been admitted to my dream school, and I am so so excited! Thank you for your help, Meredith!

Meredith is absolutely fabulous! She has changed the consultant-client equation to a more friendly mentor-student relationship. This is important because after all you are applying to become a student! This helped me recollect and share a lot of my life stories that eventually led to a strong application. Meredith was very focused throughout the process and constantly questioned how the Adcom would perceive the application. With years of experience, she’s a master at critiquing essays and helped me write simple short stories with high impact. Most importantly, she was quick in turning any feedback and was there on the phone when most needed. I would highly recommend Meredith to anyone applying to business school.

I was really torn at the beginning of my process about whether or not to use a consultant – Did I need one? Was it worth the money? Could I get into one of my target schools without help? Would I never get in regardless? Looking back, I can confidently say that working with Meredith was well worth it, and definitely necessary throughout my process. There were two things I appreciated the most about working with Meredith – the first was her honesty, and the second was how approachable she was. She always told me when my essays or resume needed more work, sounded cliche, or other pitfalls I feared a consultant wouldn’t be as truthful with me about. I felt it was that honesty that I was paying for and really needed, so I appreciated that I could trust her responses and feedback. The second thing I valued about working with Meredith was how approachable she was in terms of asking random (and sometimes panicked and silly!) questions about any and all pieces of the process. In addition to the things I appreciated about her working style, I found Meredith’s proficiency when it came to helping me craft my story, put together a perfected resume, and edit my essays was far past what I expected it to be. I felt like she really listened to me when I spoke about my goals and reasons for going back to school and reminded me of those pieces to my story when I got wrapped up in the minutia of editing or got lost down a certain path. Additionally, she did a great job of keeping me on schedule, which I really need 🙂 Lastly, when I first signed up with Vantage, Meredith explained to me that this was a more “hands on” approach to admissions consulting and that they had stripped out the salesforce in order to give really personalized attention to each client. I really felt that devotion throughout working with Meredith, and would give her responsiveness an A+. In the end, I got into Kellogg and couldn’t be happier with the results of the process! Have many many thanks to give to Meredith for helping me on the way.

I found Meredith from a presentation she gave to Northwestern undergraduate alumni. In my first conversation with Meredith two things stuck out – she had a very compassionate tone which is so important during this high-stress experience. She also had a very encouraging success rate. I’m happy to say I can now contribute to that success rate – I was accepted to HBS, my top choice program! Meredith helped me through my application process for 3 top-tier MBA programs. She helped me position myself, outline and edit essays and also prep for the interview. Throughout the whole process, she kept me focused and sane. It took many iterations of my first essay to get it right and Meredith helped me understand how to stay single-minded so the AdCom could easily takeaway my story. She helped me become such a disciplined writer that it took me a quarter of the time to complete my next two applications! Most importantly, Meredith gives you the time and attention you need. It honestly felt like I was her only client! When VP says ‘high-touch’ they’re not lying! I would highly recommend VP and particularly Meredith!

I worked with Meredith and she was absolutely AMAZING at helping me think through what i really wanted out of an MBA and how i should position myself. She will give you her honest opinion and will respond to questions very very very fast. Takes a real personal interest in your success. I’d have no chance at a top school without her. Couldn’t recommend more!! So many consultants just look at stats and go from there. Meredith really figured out where i wanted to be in 10 years and it showed in my essays. She doesn’t cross the line regarding essays and makes sure you put YOUR own voice in the essays and just gives her opinion. A++

I worked with Meredith during my application prep for NYU Stern and had an overall great experience. Meredith has a wealth of knowledge on the admissions process and from the very beginning she had a formula and simple guidelines for me to follow. She knew what Stern was looking for in an ideal candidate and worked with me to highlight those areas in my application, while also helping to mitigate the weaker areas. Meredith was invaluable in providing feedback and suggestions on my essays, encouraging me to be descriptive and paint a clear picture of who I am and where I want to go with my career. She went through several rounds of edits with me until we had them just right. Most importantly, Meredith was there to help keep me clam through the anxiety of the applications process. There were many times where I emailed her worried about a particular aspect of my application, or my overall chances of admission, and she helped to reassure me and keep me focused on the process. I’m happy to report that I was admitted and will be starting at Stern in the Fall! Absolutely could not have done it without her. Thanks again for everything, Meredith!