Rachel Beck

After interviewing countless MBA consultants, I knew Rachel was the right fit immediately. Thankfully, my gut was correct as she ensured I got into my dream Business school – Wharton.

Being an untraditional candidate, I was desperately seeking help on how to craft my background into an appealing story for admissions. Through my brainstorming document, Rachel expertly wove together my experiences into an attractive business school package — extricating finance, marketing, and leadership skills I could not have recognized myself.

Rachel’s background as an MBA herself, an alumni admissions interviewer, and a journalist is the triple threat that makes her the best MBA consultant. She requires hard work from her clients and pushes them to the next level by offering unhindered, sometimes tough to hear, feedback. During my time working with her, I could sense her complete passion for my process which served as my guiding light.

It was a pleasure working with Rachel and I couldn’t recommend her services more highly.

I found Rachel through a friend of mine that used her services in the past. I had heard such great things so I decided to meet with her and I felt that she would be able to help me reach my goal of getting into business school. I was right; Rachel helped me get into 3 out of the 4 schools I applied to, including my dream school!

I was terrified to start the application process but Rachel made it so much easier and helped make sure I made the deadlines. I was really struggling with the GMAT and her suggestion to take the Executive Assessment was a real game-changer. She also really took the time to get to know me and help me craft a compelling story for my applications. It was great to know that I could reach out to Rachel with any questions or concerns I had during this stressful time and she was always quick to answer and put my worries at ease. The mock interviews we did were so helpful and made me feel prepared going into my actual interviews.

When I told Rachel about my acceptances, she was as excited as I was! She is so knowledgeable about the admissions process and is such a genuine person. I am so grateful for her help and I would recommend her to anyone looking to apply to an MBA program!

Rachel was the best consultant I could have ever asked for and could not recommend her more to anyone who is looking to get into their top choice MBA programs.

Rachel and I hit it off right from the first consultation meeting. I had been on a few other initial meetings before with other consultants, but I immediately clicked with her and could feel that she was going to be by my side the whole time. She was upfront with me about her working style and told me that I needed to be organized and dedicated to working hard if I was going to achieve my goal. Even during the first free consultation, she was already giving me tips on how to improve my resume and gave me examples of different opportunities to help round out my resume.

Once we got kicked off the brainstorming, she was always extremely prepared, compassionate and her dedication to her applicants was evident. Despite both of us having wildly different backgrounds, she read my brainstorming document many times and was able to put herself in my shoes, coming up with multiple unique ways I could tackle the essays. Her background in journalism really shined as she helped me identify strong connections between my early years all the way to my current job into my future career goals.

I went through many drafts along the way and Rachel was always willing to entertain my ideas but always made sure it fit my broader application. I loved how upfront she was with me about parts of my essays that didn’t work, tough reality checks that I certainly needed at times. She was also very timely with her responses and I don’t remember a single time that she didn’t reply within the stated timeframe and more often than not, it was a much quicker timeframe.

At the end of the day, I got into 2 of the 3 schools that I applied to (Wharton and Columbia), both schools that were likely reaches for me had I not sought Rachel’s help.

I couldn’t recommend Rachel more and am so glad that we got to work together. If you are serious about your MBA candidacy, you cannot go wrong by having her on your side.

From the start, I was immediately drawn to selecting Rachel to be my MBA admissions consultant. I was searching for someone who was highly knowledgeable about top-tier schools, who knew how to navigate the application process efficiently, and who possessed strong writing skills. I could not be more thrilled by my decision to work with her. I’ll let the result speak for itself – with Rachel’s guidance, I was admitted to every one of the MBA programs that I applied to, including my dream school, Wharton.

In initially screening for consultants, Rachel stood out because she had 10 years of experience and had helped thousands of candidates receive admittance to top-tier MBA programs. Her impressive track record alone instilled in me complete confidence that she is one of the best in the business. But what was equally important was that Rachel’s previous experience in journalism uniquely positioned her to help me craft and articulate my ideas in a differentiating manner, which proved to be the key to success given my traditional background as an over-represented male in finance.

After having worked with Rachel, I appreciated her partnership approach as she was genuinely interested in the results and never settled for anything less than stellar. When I was struggling to overcome a weak spot in my application, Rachel helped me craft a compelling story to help me stand out. While I was balancing a demanding workload as an investment banker and MBA applicant, Rachel’s high involvement throughout the process was invaluable. Finally, I would be remiss not to address her candor. Receiving honest feedback was critical and Rachel provided it in a supportive and encouraging manner.

Hiring Rachel as my MBA admissions consultant was the best decision that I made. I highly recommend her to anyone looking to get into a top-tier MBA program.

Working with Rachel Beck was an absolute pleasure, and I cannot recommend her enough. She got me into my dream school, and was encouraging, accessible, and devoted throughout the entire process. She started out by truly getting to know me, which allowed her to help me piece together a convincing narrative, strategically synthesizing my background and professional experience into a compelling application. She was by my side from my initial ideas, to outlines, to my final essays, to choosing my recommenders, updating my resume (about 100 times), to prepping me for my interviews and making a final decision.

She made a very stressful process extremely manageable with her organization skills, attention to detail, feedback, and advice. She was firm when necessary, while remaining kind and supportive. She calmed me down when there were bumps in the road and became as invested and passionate about my own process as I was. As hard as I was working to perfect my application, I felt her working just as hard, and I genuinely felt like I had a teammate every step of the way.

If you are looking for an MBA consultant and are willing to work hard and do whatever it takes to get into your top school, look no further. Rachel will push you to maximize your own potential, and you will enjoy getting to know her not only professionally, but also personally. I am so grateful for her and cannot imagine having gone through this process without her.

Rachel was the first MBA consultant I spoke with, and immediately I felt she and I would be a good match. She had a strong ability to be supportive in areas where I didn’t feel as comfortable, as well as realistic about what my chances would be for the different schools I was applying to.

Her feedback throughout the process was really honest, and I always felt like she had my best interests at heart and really took the time to get to know me to help me present the best version of myself, which still felt true to who I was as a person. Additionally, her feedback was always timely and I felt she really “got” who I was as a person.

Applying to business school is a lot of work – you’re really only going to get as much value out of an admissions consultant as you put in. Having Rachel as a partner throughout the application process was truly an advantage in every way, as she put her all into the entire process from considering schools to interviewing.

My journey with Rachel started in September. Coming from an extremely untraditional background and looking to pivot, I knew that choosing the right admissions consultant would be pivotal to my chances of acceptance. After our complimentary 30-minute consultation, I knew Rachel would be the right choice for my needs.

Throughout my journey, Rachel worked diligently with me to really hone in on a cohesive story that would position me in the best way possible for acceptance. I struggled with the GMAT and her suggestion to take the Executive Assessment was a real game-changer. Rachel swiftly answered any concern or question I had regarding the process, and she acted as a much-needed sanity check during this stressful time.

Rachel was prompt with her edits and I found her insights and suggestions to be extremely valuable to my final application. Additionally, I especially appreciated the multiple calls we had throughout the process. Rachel’s feedback was honest and logical, and her sincere advice was invaluable to me during the process. Our mock interview was very helpful and I felt well prepared going into the real thing.

Working with Rachel, I didn’t feel like just another client. We shared a genuine connection and I had the utmost support from her during the process. When I got the admissions call, Rachel was equally as ecstatic when I shared the news. Overall, I would recommend Rachel to anyone seeking an MBA consultant; her professional demeanor, deep knowledge of the MBA admissions process, and honesty are just a few of the attributes she possesses that make her an extraordinary consultant!

To sum it up:
Rachel is very kind, peaceful, and patient. Yet, she is very honest, straightforward, and blunt. Basically, she is the perfect person to advise you.

The longer version:
Meeting Rachel made my application experience much smoother and thanks to her I got into my dream Ivy League school. The highlights of my admission process with Rachel:
1. Already over our first phone call, Rachel provided me with a lot of valuable information and a strategic plan.
2. Rachel assisted me with some unique insights based on her legendary experience – not only as a consultant but also as a journalist
3. The most amazing part – Rachel did give me the space for being myself and I feel like she assisted me with delivering who I am to the admission committee in the best way possible.
4. Very importantly – the communication with Rachel was FANTASTIC. For me, this was key for succeeding in the admission process.
5. Rachel is not a salesperson or money-oriented. It is very easy to feel that her intentions are pure and that the applicant’s best interest is in front of her eyes the whole time.

Highly highly recommended. If you want to maximize your chances to get into your dream school – do yourself a favor and work with Rachel.

I’m sitting in a different country, at my dream MBA school thanks to Rachel! Trying to get into a top MBA program is daunting! For someone that had never really gone through such an application process before, I didn’t even know where to begin. I was a non-traditional applicant with a low GPA.

I was worried about spending so much money on a consultant, but after working with Rachel on a 5 school program I can tell you that it was worth every penny. There was so much I didn’t know about applying to a top MBA program, and having Rachel there to guide me through the process was a lifesaver. From many essay rewrites to the multiple short answer questions, resume creation and interview preparation – Rachel was there to help me through it all. She did an amazing job on helping ensure my essays had the perfect “flow,” and hit all the key buzz words and topics the admissions committees would be looking for. Rachel was just as invested in this application process as I was and went above and beyond to help me out, especially throughout everything that went on with COVID.

From our kickoff call to starting at my MBA program, I worked with Rachel for a year and the entire process was fantastic. I can honestly say I probably wouldn’t be in the MBA program I am without Rachel’s guidance. When I was choosing an MBA consultant I was worried about making such a big financial commitment, but believe me hiring Rachel is definitely worth it!

Rachel came highly recommended from a very close personal source, my older brother, and after our first 30-minute phone call I knew exactly why.

My timeline was a bit rushed, but with Rachel, there was never any doubt. We first connected in January of 2020 as I began toying with the idea of applying to MBA programs, but as my career kept progressing it became increasingly difficult to make the move.

After seeing that my dream school Columbia had extended R3 deadlines due to COVID, in mid-April I reached back out to Rachel to get her POV on my chances during this uncertain time. Her confidence and eagerness to help me craft my application gave me the push I needed to pursue my MBA dreams, and I am SO glad I did!

In less than 2 months’ time, Rachel helped me string together a top-notch application, as I simultaneously completed standardize testing. Opting for the “School Package,” Rachel was there to help with even the smallest of details, constantly reassuring me that “there are no stupid questions.” She kept things moving and was quick to get back to me, adding value every step of the way. Her tremendous writing and storytelling skills helped me craft a purposeful application that felt cohesive, yet made each section work very hard to convey something unique about me as an applicant, ultimately helping me get into CBS!

I am so grateful for Rachel and couldn’t have imagined going through the application process without her.

I knew Rachel would be the perfect partner for me after our 30-minute consultation. Just 10 minutes into chatting, I had actionable takeaways that would better my application, and I had the tough love and support I needed to sign up for the dreaded GMAT.

As an independent worker, I loved that she pushed me when I needed a kick in the butt, and she would step in with a little more help when I needed it, but she refrained from holding my hand. When I needed to share documents with my recommenders, she pressed me to share more concrete examples with bosses willing to give me there time. When I felt one essay may be good enough, she challenged me to give it another pass.

Rachel is masterful with words; she was able to take my disparate ideas and experiences and help me form a cohesive story for admissions. This was really what I needed in my admissions consultant given that my work lent more to bullet points than real sentences, and it has been a long time since I wrote an essay. I love working with Rachel, and if I were to do this all over again, I would stick with her.

After chatting with a few other admissions consultants, I was holding out for someone who would be a few things: realistic yet optimistic, firm yet warm, and overall kind. Rachel was all of the above, and from our first call, I knew she would be a true partner in the grueling MBA admissions process.

I felt like I had decent credentials, but I was totally lost when it came to my story. I was all over the place, and Rachel really helped me narrow my focus and pick out which experiences would fit together to form a compelling narrative. In moments where I felt like my experiences weren’t strong, she’d force me to dig deeper and understand how those have actually contributed to my development.

On top of really taking the time to understand me, Rachel always boosted me up when I felt down during the process. She’d help me regain the confidence I needed to convey my strengths and my goals, and she was always on my side. After an interview I thought went poorly, she immediately answered up the phone and helped me pick myself back up and move on to the next.

Ultimately, there is simply no one I could recommend more highly than Rachel. I’ve seen in other reviews here that she’s a motherly figure, and I’d absolutely reiterate that. She is the most caring individual and the first person I wanted to call with good news about interviews and then admissions. I was admitted to my first and second choice schools – definitely in large part due to her help. You will not regret working with her!

I decided to apply to business school in late December, having not taken any tests, started any applications nor reached out to any recommenders. Most of my friends thought I was crazy that I could get my application in by the January 15 deadline. Rachel proved that my ambitious dreams were possible.

I reached out to Rachel after she was recommended by a friend. I decided I was only applying to Columbia and Stern, so I opted to buy a 5-hour package with Rachel to really perfect my applications. It was the best decision I have ever made.

Rachel helped me start and finish two applications in just three weeks. When I reached out to mbaMission, Rachel got back with me within the day and we scheduled our free consultation. I gave her quite a challenge: not only did I have a fast-approaching deadline, but I am a journalist and an untraditional applicant. Yet Rachel helped me brainstorm effectively and allowed me to bring out my strengths throughout the process. She helped me clearly tell my story throughout my application, and highlighted why I would be a great addition to an incoming class with my unique background. Even though writing comes naturally to me, she was a brilliant editor who allowed my personality and skill set to shine through in every part of my application, from my resumes to my essays. We would exchange drafts back and forth, and though she had a guaranteed 48-hour response time, she would often get back to me within the day.

When I received an offer to interview at Columbia, Rachel conducted a mock interview with me that allowed me to further sharpen my answers and explain why I wanted to attend business school. Shortly after my interview, I was accepted to CBS.

To be clear: I don’t recommend anyone apply to business school in such a short amount of time. However, I know I wouldn’t have gotten into my dream school without Rachel’s invaluable assistance. I’m lucky to have her as a cheerleader and friend.

I got connected to Rachel rather serendipitously: through a random 30-minute free consultation. I honestly hadn’t considered the idea of using a consultant, but my Kaplan GMAT tutor highly recommended mbaMission, so I decided to give the free consultation a shot. I consider myself to be a diligent, organized, and process-oriented person, so naturally, I was skeptical of the value that a consultant would add to my application. Spending $5,000+ was out of the question unless I was convinced that a consultant would be an invaluable resource throughout the process. Rachel was that and more – I can honestly say that I would have been lost without her. Within 10 minutes of hanging up our initial consultation, I had committed to working with Rachel.

I was blown away not only by Rachel’s incomparable knowledge of the process and intimate understanding of the characteristics adcoms look for in applicants but also by her bubbly yet firm demeanor. Rachel was always friendly, but very direct and never one to sugarcoat anything. She gives her honest opinion, even if it’s not what you want to hear at the time, but your application is stronger as a result.
Rachel’s main strength is her storytelling ability. She has a unique talent for transforming monotonous details into a compelling narrative. Thoroughly prepared for every call, Rachel provided a fresh perspective and it was clear that she was invested in your journey. I relied heavily on Rachel to frame up my essays and help articulate the message I was trying to convey.

Rachel began our intro call by saying that she is, “tough, but fair and I might not like her at times.” While there were some instances where she gave some tough feedback, she was an absolute pleasure to work with. And most importantly, I felt that she was truly invested in my success. We were a team and by the end of the process, I felt that we had built a strong professional relationship. She was one of the first people I notified when I got into my top choice and I could tell that she was genuinely thrilled for me. That meant a lot. I couldn’t have done it without you, Rachel!

I initially wasn’t planning on using a consultant due to the financial commitment, but Rachel came highly recommended by a friend who had an incredible experience, and mine was just the same. I am so grateful for Rachel – from our first phone call she not only made me feel like I had the very best guidance but also put me at ease and gave me the confidence that I could achieve my goal (and as a woman with no finance background I was not initially confident going into the MBA application process!)
It was clear that Rachel knew all the ins the outs of MBA admissions, and she also made it clear that I would need to work very hard if we worked together, which I was ready for!

Rachel didn’t tell me to be someone else on my application – she helped me shape my own story in a compelling way that was completely genuine and “me.” The extra leg-work she required with the brainstorming document helped me get to know myself better and realize my MBA goals in the most authentic way, and in turn I ended up submitting an application that I was truly proud of and reflected exactly who I am. Throughout the process Rachel was very honest and I am so grateful for her thoughtful feedback; it was clear that every essay and thought I sent her she reviewed carefully and responded with deep consideration. She was also completely open when I came back with different ideas too – it was a mutual relationship in which we worked together on every element.

Overall, Rachel was on my team from day one and was a very helpful resource in not only the essay writing but navigating recommendations, formatting my resume, connecting with the school in an appropriate way, staying calm with the test, and prepping for the interview. She was the perfect amount involved and I could not have asked for a better coach/mentor. I also know I will stay in touch with her as I navigate my MBA experience, which in itself shows what a warm, supportive and genuinely kind person she is.

I highly recommend Rachel to anybody who is driven towards an MBA goal; the time and care she took to guide me is priceless and I could not be prouder of the results from this process.

Rachel was recommended by a friend who loved working with her. My experience was exactly the same! From the beginning she was very professional, knowledgable, and honest (which is something I really appreciated). She truly helped me figure out the ins and outs of the whole application process which can be very daunting, and she constantly checked on me to make sure things were going according to plan. She pushed me to work hard and I really appreciate all her help. I’ve recommended her to a few friends thinking about their MBA and I suggest if you’re curious at all about getting an MBA, to schedule a call with her. As I mentioned, she’s very honest and will let you know if she can help you or not.

Thank you, Rachel!

I had my 30 minute consultation with Rachel after reading her reviews and knew right away that I wanted to work with her. I started my school 4 package with her about 6 months before the Round 1 deadlines. We walked through my stats and timeline and she helped me map out the next few months so that I would be on top of everything.

From our first brainstorming call, I could tell that Rachel knew so much about this process that I would never have figured out. Her experience in the industry is extremely helpful and she is able to make such a hectic process run so smoothly. Through that first call, Rachel helped me figure out my story and which areas of my application I should highlight in my essays. When it came to writing my essays, Rachel already knew me so well from the brainstorming call that we were both able to quickly and efficiently outline each essay. It got to the point where Rachel would suggest using examples from my life that I hadn’t even thought of – a testament to how much Rachel works to get to know each of her clients. She is extremely punctual and often returned drafts back to me within 24 hours. She was my cheerleader throughout the entire process and I can confidently say that I would not have gotten into 3 business schools without her help. I cannot thank her enough for encouraging me and keeping a positive attitude when things did not look like they were going well. I highly recommend working with Rachel and mbaMission!

I initially was matched with Rachel during MBA Mission’s free 30 minute consultation. She was extremely helpful at helping me develop a strategy to go about tackling the application process and I felt that her expertise would be vital to writing strong essays.

I worked with Rachel on an hourly basis where she assisted with everything from resume formatting, topic generation, and essay editing for a number of different programs. She was always on-time in providing back updates or ideas and was excellent at pushing me to take the next step in my essays.

At the end of the day Rachel was extremely helpful and worth every penny. I owe her a great deal for successfully getting into some of my top choice schools.

Summary: Rachel helped me gain admittance to my dream school, Wharton!  If you are contemplating the benefits of using a consultant, I would tell you to stop thinking about it and begin working with Rachel.  Without Rachel’s guidance and encouragement – I would not have even applied to my first choice school. 
 
My Story:  As I began the application process for MBA programs, I had a few friends suggest that I look to leverage an admissions consultant. Skeptical at first, but figured I had nothing to lose by a conversation, I scheduled two free 30 minute sessions; one with a competitor company and another with Rachel.  As I was pleased with my first conversation with a competitor, I had high expectations before I got on the phone with Rachel.  From the first 5 minutes of my conversation with Rachel, I knew she was the person I wanted to work with.  Not only was Rachel familiar with the information I supplied before my consult – she came with recommendations and suggestions – something I did not expect from a free session. I thought my GMAT score would limit me on gaining acceptance to a top-tier program, but with Rachel’s encouragement, I immediately began working with Rachel on my application and essays to Wharton.
 
Throughout the process, Rachel was my cheerleader, mentor, and personal coach. Rachel was extremely timely on providing thoughtful, candid feedback (in a good way) and challenged me to present my “best self” in my application. Rachel has a brilliant approach to storytelling and creating a coherent narrative.  Rachel took the stress out of the application process for me and helped me achieve my goal of gaining acceptance to a top-tier MBA program. 
 
I cannot thank Rachel enough for encouraging me to apply to my dream school, guiding me throughout the entire process, and helping me gain acceptance.  Rachel exceeded every expectation I had and I would highly recommend Rachel to anyone who is considering applying to business school. 

Personal background: International applicant, Female, BB IBD, liberal undergrad, low GMAT (720, which is a weakness compared to the Asian pool), Re-applicant (first tried in R2\’2017 but failed), Accomplished a few work and non-work initiatives between R2\’2017 to R1\’2018 and also got a stronger endorsement from current / previous supervisors School package – worked on 3 schools (Booth-reapplicant; Wharton-reapplicant; Columbia-Early decision) with Rachel. Rachel is very helpful and patient in helping me go through the application process in 2017. After the “disaster” in the R2\’2017, Rachel helped me regain the self-confidence and reshape a better appearance before the AdCom. Just like what I’ve done in investment banking, there are a few investment highlights that you should choose Rachel as your admission consultant. – Efficient and effective working pattern: Rachel is very punctual on turnaround time, which is less than 24 hours. She always uses efficient tools to track our back-and-forth edits and comments; also she is very helpful in addressing any application-related issues and ideas that came into my mind. – Professional writing as an ex-reporter: As an intl. applicant whose mother tongue is not English, I was worried about my writing. Rachel helped me a lot on this part – she would help rephrase my ideas into a more succinct and native way. – Great communicator in brainstorming session: Rachel is very proactive in expressing her ideas and comments which she concluded from my prior experiences. I have to admit that applicants would sometimes neglect those shining points which are very valuable from an Adcom’s perspective. Rachel is very helpful in giving me guidance to “plunge deeper” into myself. After initial setback / ding from Columbia Early Decision, Rachel assured me to remain confident and carry out the plan. I feel grateful that our joint efforts finally won me the ticket to four bschools – Kellogg, Berkeley Haas, INSEAD, and Darden. I have decided to go to Kellogg!

I worked with Rachel on a 4 school package for Round 1 in Fall 2017 and had an incredible experience. Rachel was instrumental in my admission to Wharton and Columbia. I was applying to MBA programs while based in the Middle East and traveling globally, and Rachel was incredibly responsive and flexible to my timing needs. I also had a unique story to communicate to MBA programs and Rachel was adept at helping me craft it effectively in a way that would really speak to AdComs. Rachel gives you 110% of her focus in every step of the application, from brainstorming essay ideas to prepping for interviews to choosing between acceptances. I truly don’t think I would have been accepted to my top programs if it wasn’t for Rachel. She makes a very stressful process manageable and makes it her priority to set you up for the most successful outcome possible.

I recently worked with Rachel on a 3 school package for Round 1 in the Fall of 2017. I would strongly recommend using Rachel for any candidate considering using an admissions consultant to guide you through the process. Rachel made what is an extremely stressful and hectic process feel very seamless. From our first brainstorm call through submission of the applications, she helps you stay on top of all of your tasks, which can pile up as the process unfolds, while also making sure you are putting on the best impression for admission committees. For me, Rachel’s guidance on the application essays was most critical. Where my essay’s ended versus where they would have been had I had not worked with Rachel is truly night and day. Now, candidates who plan to use a consultant should be aware that you still need to come prepared to work, and work hard. Rachel and other consultants can guide, navigate and keep you organized and on task, but you need to do the work. I ended up getting into my top choice program (Wharton) and will be enrolling in the Fall of 2018. Surely, Rachel’s help was a huge factor for my being admitted to my dream program.

I interviewed three other MBA consulting firms, but only Rachel at mbaMission clearly pointed out my weaknesses during the one-hour consultation. Her confidence, background in Journalism and being a CBS grad herself really made her stand out from others. After the consultation, I decided to sign up for the one school package with Rachel and was accepted to CBS couple months later. Rachel was amazing to work with from start to finish. She was very organized and set up clear expectations at the very beginning. I was very stressful during the brainstorming process but it’s Rachel who helped me to pick out the most critical pieces of experience, crafted them into story and connected them throughout my application. She knows how to tackle the essays well and understands what admission officers are looking for. She is not only an phenomenal writer but an incredible story teller. Throughout the process, Rachel was always supportive, honest and critical. She replied to emails, questions and essay drafts promptly and provided candid feedback. When it came to interview preparation, Rachel herself was once an interviewer so she was able to provide lots of useful tips. We had a mock interview over the phone and I was able to receive real-time feedback, which really helped me to succeed at the actual interview. Overall, it’s a great experience working with Rachel and it wouldn’t have been possible without her.

I used mbaMission basically because of the referral from ManhattanGMAT. My initial contact was actually with a different consultant than the one I used, it was with Liza Weale. She truly inspired me to not let my low GPA set me back from top programs. It took me however about another year to really start my application process (with GMAT and all) and unfortunately by that time she was fully committed. Thanks to her interactions with me, she was able to refer me to someone she felt would be a good fit: Rachel Beck. She was indeed right! During those 12 months of prepping, I also had decided to no longer pursue a full-time MBA, but rather an Executive MBA, for reasons that don’t need to be listed here, but that none are out of the ordinary. Rachel, a Columbia graduate, was very quick to get to know me, my ambitions, my weaknesses and fears, and from there start the essay writing process. Overall, the experience was great. It took me however a session or two to understand that the consultants are not going to lead you into every single step – you need to take the initiative a lot of the times, and come up with the questions/thoughts/essays for them to answer/review. There are two important areas where Rachel’s value-add came to life that really marked my application: 1: The main essay. I was very inspired in my first write-up. I over-wrote, but that was fine with me. I was in the zone. I thought I had a keeper… Until she reviewed it. I had not written what I was expected to talk about. Without her, I would have completely choked on this essay. It takes an experienced set of eyes to really know what they’re looking for – and she was exactly that. 2: The essay about ‘what else’ – this is where she marked the difference. The subject we came up with together really touched a nerve to the AdCom – and it even came up in my interview! It was a great experience and definitely the way to go to build a winning application.

Rachel Beck is a fantastic business school application consultant! I spoke with her initially in a free 30-minute consolation, and during that conversation Rachel helped me devise a strategy that was tailored for me, as I was interested in part-time MBA programs. Instead of being eager to simply sign me up as a client, she was honest about my GMAT score and recommended that I boost my score in order to have a better chance at being admitted. A few months later, after getting a better GMAT score, I knew that I could trust Rachel to provide the guidance I needed to navigate the application process. I am a strong writer, but with her expertise Rachel helped me to bring out the most important messages in my essays. I went through numerous drafts of each essay, and she was patient turning them around–and always doing so in a timely manner. I applied to two schools and was admitted at both. Therefore I would strongly recommend Rachel if you are looking for a knowledgeable, hard-working and experienced business school consultant who is an excellent writer, and who gets results for her clients.