Susan Cera

Senior MBA Admissions Consultant

Stratus Admissions Consulting

North Carolina

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

Susan earned her AB in Economics modified with Computer Science. During her time at Dartmouth she participated in Varsity Soccer as well as Varsity Track and Field. For three years out of Dartmouth, Susan worked at Charles River Associates, an economics consulting firm focusing on anti-trust litigation work.

While earning her MBA, Susan founded Marketing Week in Boston, was Captain of the MBA Soccer Club, and served as the Corporate Fundraising Chair for the MBA Games for Special Olympics, Alumni Liaison. After completing her MBA, Susan joined Lotus Development Corporation as a product manager before moving on to Open Market, a venture-funded Internet commerce start-up, where she served as a Product Manager then Director of Consulting Services. She was one of the first ten employees at Upromise where she defined the requirements for the service that has helped thousands of families save for college.

For nearly a decade, Susan worked on the Admissions Committee at Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business.

Company Information

With Stratus Admissions Counseling, you don’t just work closely with an experienced MBA admissions consultant to optimize every part of your application.

You work with an entire team of specialists who provide extensive feedback throughout the process.

From crafting your essays to conducting mock interviews, this team-based approach ensures you stand out and get accepted into your dream business school.

We’ve successfully worked with applicants on Harvard Business School admissions, Stanford MBA admissions, and Wharton MBA admissions, among others.

Menu of Services and Associated Costs

Comprehensive MBA admissions consulting services with a team of dedicated MBA consultants, primarily from top schools with a minimum of two years admissions experience. The team is made up of a Primary MBA Consultant, Senior Strategist, Secondary Reviewer, Qualified Proofreader, and Account Manager. Comprehensive guidance is offered per school to maximize chances of admission.
Consulting Includes:

School selection
Strategy Building
Profile & Resume Evaluation/Suggestions
Recommender Selection/Coaching
Essay Outlining
Essay Drafting
Essay Feedback
Essay Proofreading
Application
Interview Prep
Scholarship Negotiation and Waitlist Strategy (if needed)

Standard Package

1 School: $5600

2 Schools: $7300

3 Schools: $8900

Feature 4+ School Guarantee*

4 Schools: $10400

5 Schools: $11800

6 Schools: $13100

7 Schools: $14300

School Add-On: $1800

Location: North Carolina, United States

Email: consult@stratusadmissions.com

Website: http://stratusadmissionscounseling.com/

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Susan Cera - Exceeded All Expectations!
    4 weeks ago
    Choosing Stratus, and specifically Susan Cera, has proven to be a life-changing decision. Initially torn between two options, resounding recommendations from Susan's previous clients gave me the confidence to move forward with her - a decision that exceeded all expectations. We started off by delving into the intricacies of my past experiences, meticulously exploring every detail relevant to my business school application. What initially felt like a chaotic stream of stories and reflections was expertly curated by Susan, weaving together pertinent details to create a narrative that not only showcased my breadth as an applicant but also articulated a coherent story of my journey and distinctive qualities that set me apart from the crowd. Her guidance was instrumental in forming a cohesive strategy, pinpointing areas of development ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Susan Cera: The MBA Application Wizard!
    1 month ago
    Susan absolutely lives up to her legendary reputation! I started the business school application process feeling unsure about the real reasons I was applying. Through Susan’s methodical approach of introspection and reflection – I was able to craft a compelling and honest vision regarding what I hoped to gain from an MBA. Seriously, I can’t believe how useful these exercises have been even outside of the application process. These reflection activities allowed me to tackle the applications with confidence! As daunting and stressful as the application process seemed (especially for someone as type A as myself), Susan made it feel remarkably easy. She created a detailed timeline of tasks for each of my target schools, allowing me to feel comfortable at every step of the way. ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Is One Of A Kind
    1 month ago
    Before meeting Susan, I truly believed there was no way I could get into a top 20 business school. However, Susan not only had a clear and structured process to help identify key and unique traits but she also helped me to regain my confidence and pride in my accomplishments to date. She helped to dig up all my accomplishments including ones that I never thought were significant. She patiently helped me revise my CV 10 times with no complaints but the mere justification that she wanted it to be absolutely perfect. She helped me navigate standardized testing anxiety and reminded me that scores are just a small part of the entire application. Susan made navigating the tricky application process easier by providing tips & ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Is A Top-Tier Consultant!
    2 months ago
    Susan unequivocally lived up to her reputation as being one of the best MBA admissions consultants in the country. Her dedication despite only working with me on a single school was simply incredible, and her energy to dig deep with her clients to uncover their compelling stories is outstanding. Most importantly, I felt like I was able to be 100% honest with Susan about some of my concerns & fears around pursuing an MBA, and she was able to provide highly helpful & candid feedback on what she has seen in her many years working with prospective applicants. If you are a prospective student, especially one who may be on the younger side of the applicant pool, I simply cannot recommend Susan enough to be ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Getting Into My Dream School With Susan Cera’s Expert Guidance
    3 months ago
    In the beginning of my MBA admissions process, I felt so nervous about my chances that I dragged my feet and put off applying for a year. As I geared up for the next application cycle, I knew I needed the extra guidance to not only kickstart the lengthy process but also to help me feel confident about my application & not focus solely on my weaknesses. I remembered the free consultation chat I had with Susan a year ago - in just 20 minutes, she provided extremely insightful comments about my resume/profile and instantly became my personal cheerleader! In January, I signed up to work with her for the comprehensive package for my dream school. Over the first few months, Susan helped me nail ...
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    Samyuktha Warrier
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Cannot Recommend Enough!
    6 months ago
    I had the privilege of working closely with Susan for my 2+2 MBA applications with a deadline in April 2023. Susan played a pivotal role in guiding me through the entire application process, from the initial ideation phase to crafting a compelling MBA narrative and presenting it convincingly. Her support was marked by thoughtfulness, honesty, and unwavering availability whenever I needed assistance. One standout aspect of Susan's support was her offer to provide input and guidance to my recommenders. This was a significant help in ensuring that my recommendations aligned perfectly with my application goals. Susan also helped me to differentiate between a standard job resume and an MBA-focused resume. She made several subtle but impactful adjustments to my application that I would have easily overlooked ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Is The Best!
    8 months ago
    My top piece of advice for those applying to MBA programs with high expectations would be to work with Susan. Coming into the process, I had a lot of questions about what realistic goals were for myself and how schools would view my experience. Susan immediately put those concerns to rest, assuring me that a top tier school was a possible goal, and helping me to extract my story based on both my personal and professional experiences. Not only was this self-exploration process helpful for shaping my narrative, but it was also helpful in me better articulating to myself what I am looking to get out of an MBA program. Throughout the process any time my confidence wavered, Susan assured me and helped guide ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Susan Cera: A Total MBA Admissions Game-Changer
    11 months ago
    I had the privilege of getting to work with Susan as my MBA Admissions consultant. Susan was recommended to me by a friend who worked with her last year and spoke so highly of her that I knew she was someone I could trust to get my MBA applications across the finish line. Prior to working with Susan, I had written my MBA essays on my own the previous year with the plan to submit my applications without an MBA consultant. I had doubts about my ability to get my story across in my applications and I ultimately decided that working with an MBA consultant and waiting another year would give me the confidence I needed to put my best foot forward. Susan was living ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Thanks To Susan For Helping Me Figure Out My Goals!
    12 months ago
    When I began applying to business school, I only had a vague sense of what I wanted out of the experience. Beyond thinking it was the "logical" next step, I didn't have a clear vision for what I wanted out of my b-school experience. All of that changed when I went to work with Susan. Over the course of a few months, Susan not only helped me hammer out my post-MBA goals, but she also coached me through the best ways to position my application. I know for a fact that our time spent together will remain with me over the duration of my MBA experience and beyond!
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Thank You Susan For Supporting Me To Get Into My Dream School At Stanford!
    1 year ago
    I am immensely grateful for Susan’s guidance, which helped me get admitted to my dream MBA program at Stanford! Susan was instrumental in working with me to sift through essay ideas and find my “voice.” Susan prepared me thoroughly for my MBA interview, providing critical feedback on how my responses would be perceived from an interviewer’s point of view and helping me to gain the confidence to succeed. As a former admissions officer who has also coached so many other candidates, Susan brings a level of insight and judgment that friends, family, and colleagues cannot replicate. Furthermore, Susan encouraged me to apply for a merit scholarship, which I would not have considered on my own. Susan has helped me better understand myself even beyond the MBA ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Susan Cera: I Could Not Have Done It Without Her
    1 year ago
    As the header says, I would not have succeeded without Susan. I came in with a good GMAT score, my heart set on one M7 program, zero preparation, no backup plan, and a 4-week deadline. Luckily, I found Susan who took me on as a client and righted the ship immediately. Not only did I get accepted, but Susan helped me articulate my character and personal narrative in ways that I still use today. I recommend Susan to anyone who wants to maximize their business school application.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Cera & Stratus Are Exceptional! 5+Stars
    2 years ago
    It isn't every day that you come across people whose work and guidance will forever change your life. Susan Cera & the Stratus team helped change mine in the span of weeks. Susan successfully guided me in the application process to an M7 school which resulted in acceptance! Susan's expertise assisted me with test selection/recalibration, brainstorming and writing essays, updating my resume, and preparing for interviews. If I could give Susan more than 5 stars and pay her true value, she is off the star charts and worth every penny. A true leader, strategic, inspirational, and bold - thank you Susan and Stratus team for changing my life.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Is THE Best! Got Into My Dream M7 School :)
    2 years ago
    After quite a bit of research on different consultants, and checking with references (both online and personal connections), I had the fortune to work with Susan. I'm glad I did because I was admitted to my top choice! One of the most challenging aspects of the application for me was how to coherently bring together all the elements of my past experiences and translate that into an application. Throughout the introspection process, Susan asked insightful and pertinent questions that helped me dig further into the details of my experiences. Once that work was done, she was instrumental in helping me parse through all the details to come up with a detailed and very focused narrative. I was concerned in working with a consultant that my "voice" ...
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    Ho Jun Yang
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Was The Best!!
    2 years ago
    As a deferred programs applicant, I was unsure of whether it would be worth the effort/money to engage with a consultant. After chatting with a lot of other consultants, I find myself immediately gravitating toward Susan’s radiating passion for her work and her students. I was also affirmed by her candid feedback on my profile and her realistic assessment of my chances. These characteristics - passion, candidness, and optimism - remain constant throughout my interactions with her after I purchased an hourly service. I am so grateful that I did decide to hire a consultant. We first worked together to come up with my key themes and a strategic plan, which Susan played a significant in helping me articulate. During the essay editing process, Susan ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Susan was my MBA guardian angel!
    2 years ago
    I still keep pinching myself, y'know. To ensure I am not stuck in an 'inception-esque' trance. But I know it's real. My destiny was sealed the day the admission letter read 'Congratulations' with a celebratory confetti background wallpaper. Mins later, I sent an email to Susan telling her that we had done it. We had converted to our first US business school. The journey hadn't been easy, especially for an ORM (over-represented minority). So, let's dive right in. In September 2021, I decided to finally shake off the dust of procrastination regarding my MBA plans. But, still reeling under the 'let-me down' eyes of self-doubt, I knew I needed guidance on the admissions process. After some secondary research online, I came across the website of Stratus Consulting and ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Is The Definition Of Expertise & Heart - BEST Investment Ever!!
    2 years ago
    If I could offer a single piece of advice to someone interested in business school, it would be: work with Susan Cera. Susan helped me secure multiple acceptances, including 3 full-ride scholarships (including one to an M7) and a substantial scholarship to Wharton. Honestly, that success alone is enough for me to offer Susan my highest recommendation (11/10 !) and to tell everyone I know to hire her ASAP. However, Susan brought so much more to our relationship than the feedback one would expect from a consultant. She brought unyielding support (at times, she felt more like a therapist than coach), so much positivity (even while chatting as her daughter was in the hospital), and, truthfully, heart. Susan really, really will be in your corner ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Is THE ABSOLUTE BEST!
    2 years ago
    As a candidate from an overrepresented category - teaming up with Susan was the best decision I made. Susan really puts in the additional effort to understand the applicant's story. Her attention to detail is impeccable and her dedication was a constant source of support throughout the application process. She is kind and candid - the best of both! With her help, I will be attending MIT Sloan!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Fantastic Experience Working With Susan!
    2 years ago
    As a non-traditional candidate who was still figuring out what type of program to apply to (full-time, executive, part-time), I very much appreciated having Susan's support during the process. She made sure to adapt to my changing plans and offer information and advice on some alternative program structures. I also appreciated her feedback on my written materials and found her to be very responsive (frequently ahead of stated turnaround times). Susan was supportive, but also did not sugarcoat things, and she provided helpful and effective feedback. I ended up getting into the one program I applied to with a small scholarship. I enjoyed my time working with Susan and would definitely recommend her to others (and also a shoutout to Jennifer for her assistance in ...
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    Dena Medford
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Really Is That Good!
    2 years ago
    As a non-traditional candidate, I needed someone to help me translate my real-life experience into something business schools could understand. After just a few hours as part of an hourly package, I felt very confident with my applications and received $120k merit to CBS and over $300k from NYU, Haas, and Georgetown combined. If you're looking to pay for school with merit money, there's no smarter investment than working with Susan!!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Is The Michael Jordan Of MBA Admissions
    2 years ago
    I cannot recommend Susan highly enough – if there was an 11/10 option she would be worthy of that score and more. I knew that I was going to be working with a top-notch admissions expert of her reputation, but the experience I had greatly exceeded my expectations. She took the time to really get to know me so that I could identify what is unique about me and present my most authentic self through my essays and interviews, and through her introspective inquiry process helped me come to realize my personal and career ambitions. She provides super timely feedback and communication and was even willing to give me helpful pep talks and prep sessions before interviews to keep me on point. She was able ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Great Advisor!
    2 years ago
    Susan helped me apply to 6 MBA programs, of which I was admitted to 4, and am now a first-year MBA at Wharton. Susan did such a great job of helping me not only write/edit my essays but also clarify my overall career goals and vision for my future. She was so kind, supportive, and overall an incredible resource to guide me through the application process. I've since recommended her to other friends of mine who've also had great experiences! Susan also helped me with my dual degree application to the Harvard Kennedy School while I was in the fall of my first year at Wharton, where I was also just admitted!
    Micah Park
    MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Words On A Screen Cannot Convey How Amazing Susan Is!
    2 years ago
    First things first - Yes, my stats (GMAT, GPA, etc.) were in line with medians for the programs to which I applied (all M7 tier). They were not a tremendous help but definitely did not put me at a disadvantage. However, my profile is non-traditional by non-traditional standards, with a couple of outlandishly big red flags that desperately needed to be put into context. Every time I would broach them in my initial essay attempts, my mind and pen would fail me, and the story would devolve into what I felt was a mess of excuses. This is why I reached out to Susan for guidance. Saying that my expectations were exceeded beyond anything I could have imagined is an understatement. Susan cannot work miracles, but ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Was A Great Partner In The Admissions Process!
    2 years ago
    I was so grateful to have Susan's support throughout the MBA application process! She provided invaluable insight and direction as I brainstormed my application strategy and essays. It was super helpful to have her support and accountability and made the app process more enjoyable. So worth it!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • I Love Susan - And You Will Too!
    2 years ago
    You know the feeling when you are about to submit a paper in college, and you know you just killed it? That's how I felt submitting every application that I did with Susan. My essays were my own work with my own tone, but Susan (and I should say Stratus as a team since our essays are read by a school reviewer to make sure nothing is missed) helped me tighten, streamline, and edit to make sure it was my best work. Going into the process, I knew that I didn't have a fantastic GMAT score or a name-brand school with a high GPA. I talked to so many consultants about my MBA ambitions. Susan was the only one who made me feel like she ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Really Is THAT Good!!!
    2 years ago
    I made the decision to pursue an MBA at an M7 school in the Summer of 2021. Prior to that, I had no friends, relatives, or even acquaintances in my circle that had gone to an M7 – suffice it to say that my knowledge and understanding of the application process was lacking. As I researched online, I quickly realized that the process was INTENSE. I came to P&Q to get some guidance and stumbled upon this admissions consulting page. Sad to admit, but I didn't even know admissions consulting was a thing haha. Susan was ranked No. 1 and had glowing reviews. Knowing an M7 was a long shot for me, I figured I might as well go with a top-ranked consultant to give ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Was Phenomenal
    2 years ago
    I come from a technical atypical background with a lower than average GPA for M7 schools without anyone in my friends/family circle having pursued an MBA. Naturally, the MBA admissions process was a big mystery to me so I decided to look into admissions consultants. I talked to a few but stopped the process the day I first chatted with Susan Cera from Stratus Admissions. We immediately clicked because of having similar backgrounds and more importantly because Susan seemed very down to earth and was also very honest with her assessment of my overall profile. Once I took care of the GMAT in May, off we went with our journey. Btw, Susan said she will be my biggest cheerleader throughout the day I signed up ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Susan Is The BEST!!!
    2 years ago
    I would 1000% recommend Susan to anyone who is planning to apply to MBA school and looking for extra support. I worked with Susan over the summer prior to applying to schools to help define and articulate my "why" and my overall application story via the MBA Application Fundamentals. I was coming from a traditional background with solid, but not amazing ECs and scores and, her wisdom, advice, and encouragement played a huge role in helping me feel confident my application was the best it could be. From day one, she was an engaged listener that took the time to walk through my goals and background to help me craft the best story. She answered my panicked emails freaking out about various parts of the ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Helped Me Get Into M7
    2 years ago
    I decided to work with Susan after consulting with a few different firms/consultants. Susan really understood my background (engineering/tech industry) and goals, and she cared about helping me put my best foot forward in the MBA admissions process. I worked with Susan on the four school package and was admitted to one of my top choice programs! I started working with Susan a couple of years ago, but I ultimately decided to defer applying until this past year. Picking things back up with Susan was extremely easy - she remembered me and what we had worked on before. Susan was super helpful and supportive throughout the entire process, from helping me uncover my story to practicing mock interviews until I felt comfortable. Her feedback on my ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Is THE BEST
    2 years ago
    Susan Cera is hands down the best MBA consultant out there. I interviewed about 5 different consultants and decided to go with Susan. With her help, I got into my dream school (one of M7) with a scholarship!!! She was super supportive during the whole process, but was also very candid when she thought I wasn't giving 100% on my essays. I would recommend Susan to anyone who is looking for a consultant who truly cares and build a compelling story.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Efficient & Excellent MBA App Support
    3 years ago
    I'm really grateful to have met Susan Cera and for her support during my application to the Fuqua School of Business. I specifically selected Susan for her background working with Fuqua's admissions committee and her knowledge of the application process, essay questions, and interview prep. In less than 2 hours Susan helped me to craft compelling essays, answer difficult interview questions, helped build my self-confidence and also, encouraged me to have fun in the process! I not only got into Fuqua, but I also received a substantial merit scholarship - which I do not believe I would have received without Susan's help to make my application as strong as possible. I highly recommend her, especially if you are considering Fuqua.
    Elizabeth Mullen
    MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Helped Me Build My Best MBA App
    3 years ago
    I had been thinking about pursuing an MBA for some time, but I was nervous to apply because my quant skills weren't strong, and I didn't feel like I was the type of candidate MBA schools wanted. My main work experience has been for my family's small business that isn't well known, and I thought that put me at a disadvantage. Susan helped me see how wrong I was about that and pointed out the unique experiences and opportunities I had, that would actually benefit me as an applicant. If you want to work with someone that makes you feel like you have a personal cheerleader in your corner, then Susan is your best bet. From encouraging me while I took and re-took the GMAT, ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Fortunate To Have Susan Cera On My Side - Strongly Recommend!
    3 years ago
    My experience with Susan Cera has been amazing and was a game-changer in my applications. I do not have the best raw stats, but I felt I had a good background and story for wanting to do an MBA. Susan helped me visualize and translate that story into something tangible that admission officers could understand. She worked closely with me to understand my goals post-MBA and long-term while working with my previous experience to understand how to best convey my unique message to admission committees. Working with Susan and Stratus helped my story come to life and enhance my application to get me to several interviews and acceptances. The MBA process is complicated and there are many little details that go unnoticed by the typical person that ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Susan Is Incredible!
    3 years ago
    I thank my lucky stars every day that I met Susan, while I was reaching out to multiple admissions consultants reviewed in forums. Susan was the only one who saw potential in my profile, connected with me at a human level and gave me hope, whilst everyone else just gave me their opinions and were marketing to me. Susan and Stratus have a proven and time-tested process to bring out the best in you. Every question asked by Susan is very deliberate during the brainstorming process to bring out your true personality, vision, successes and growth areas. It's quite incredible how well put together and elaborate their pre-work is which leads into the applications. Susan was there for me every step of the way, pushed me to ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Could Not Have Done It Without Her
    3 years ago
    Susan and the rest of the Stratus Admissions team were instrumental in helping me identify my strengths and shape my narrative for business school. When you begin working with Susan, she takes you through several introspection exercises, which alone are worth the interaction and are tremendously helpful in creating your unique story. Susan and Co. also bring in-depth knowledge of the individual characteristics of each school to ensure you find the right program for you. Additionally, Stratus deploys a team effort. While Susan was my main counselor, she brought in many of her colleagues at various stages of the application to get a fresh set of eyes. Susan also connected me with some of her old clients at the schools I was interested in, providing ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Helped Me Get Into M7!!
    3 years ago
    I was introduced to Susan by a friend who got into an M7 program two years ago. After talking with three other consultants, I decided to work with Susan because I felt that she had my best interests at heart. SPOILER ALERT: I was right! We started working on my stories and reasons for applying for MBA. I had a few directions I wanted to go with my career, and with Susan’s guidance I found one that best suits my strengths & experience and can get the most boost from an MBA. After deciding on recommenders and programs, I started writing school-specific essays. This step felt not as daunting thanks to all the prep works. Susan and the team were very helpful and prompt ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Susan Cera - She Helped Me Get Into My Top Choices (Wharton and Sloan)
    3 years ago
    Susan is an excellent consultant!! I highly recommend her for anyone who is applying to MBA programs. I started working with her in the spring of 2020 with the plan to apply that fall. First, before applications, we worked on short- and long-term goals and took a deep dive into my strengths in order to begin to shape my story. We brainstormed schools that would be the best fit for me and she introduced me to students and/or alums that I could talk to about their experience. She then guided me through the entire application process, including essays, videos, recommendations, interviews (with mock interviews), etc. I found her to be extremely relatable, professional, knowledgeable, and engaging. Susan always has a positive attitude which is very ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience With Sr Counselor Susan!!!
    3 years ago
    My experience with Stratus has been nothing short of amazing. I applied to schools last application cycle and did not feel like the firm I hired to help made my application personalized enough - I felt like I was treated like a number. Obviously I was not accepted last cycle which is why I turned somewhere else. After a few consultations with Susan - I knew she would be the right fit for me moving forward. She really spent time to get to know me and my story and why I wanted to apply for business school. She also helped me understand more about the business world as well- which was a great help since I am coming from a STEM background. I feel like ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Great MBA Consultant!
    3 years ago
    I am so glad that I worked with Susan on my MBA applications. She was a great partner and very invested in my success. Susan strategically led me through the application process and helped me to effectively put my goals / thoughts to paper. She helped to make the essay writing more efficient by providing me with frameworks and was detail oriented in her review. Her comments were thoughtful and offered such value to the end result. Susan challenged me during mock interviews which better prepared me for the real interviews. I ultimately landed 2 acceptances and am very excited about the outcome of the process. I definitely recommend working with Susan!
    Class of 2023 Applicant
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  • Awesome!
    3 years ago
    I used an hourly package to apply to 3 schools. Susan worked with me to effectively craft my unique story into a compelling desire to pursue an MBA (I am a musician by night and a strategy consultant by day -- my post-MBA goals lie in bridging that gap). I had the story in my head, but Susan took my essays from ok to great. She brought out passion, specifics (that I had long forgotten), and specific knowledge about each school that helped me tailor each application. She was also incredibly efficient with the limited time we had, turning each iteration of my essays around quickly. End result: 3 for 3 on acceptances (one M7 and two T15's), plus ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Director of MBA Admissions - Susan Cera - Wow
    3 years ago
    I always wanted to go back and get my MBA and at first, thought I could go the cheap route and do it on my own. Big mistake. I ended up getting rejected from my top schools but I was determined, and decided to go for it the next year. I was introduced to Susan through multiple friends who had used her in the past and raved about their experience. Truthfully, the cost was a bit daunting at first but after our first meeting I could tell that Susan new exactly what she was doing. From her own experience of applying and getting into business school, coupled with her immense knowledge from working in admissions at Fuqua for over a decade, she brought insight that ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience with Senior Counselor Susan Cera
    3 years ago
    It all started a few years ago after I had completed my Bachelor’s degree. After my undergraduate degree, I absolutely wanted to do a Master’s degree, but I didn’t know exactly which Master to do. So I applied for a Master in Finance and a Master in Management at different universities in the UK and got accepted. Although I had several offers, I postponed my degree plans. But why? At the same time, I spoke to a colleague at work, who studied for an MBA at WHU in Germany. He advised me that I should take my time, reflect, look ahead to what I would like to achieve in the future, and most importantly look for a university with a great reputation. At that time, ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Awesome Expert Perspective!
    3 years ago
    Susan helped me get into my top choice M7. The first thing that stood out to me is that she's really fun, but also no-nonsense! She knows her stuff... you can tell she comes from the admissions world and has the expertise to steer you toward the key fundamentals that really make a difference. I spoke with several consultants before going with Susan... they all seemed to try to sell me on their magnificent writing or deep expertise on a school... but what was compelling to me is that Susan gives you what most consultants can't: the experience of having worked in admissions. She knows how adcom ticks and can help you craft a compelling story that adcom will understand. I used an hourly package ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Great To Work With
    4 years ago
    I worked with Susan for about a year on my applications. More than just guiding me through the admissions process, she was always there to answer my questions, give me candid feedback, and even picked me up at the airport when I visited Fuqua. I still use the materials from my application essays, knowing it was high quality and tripled checked by her and the Stratus team. With her help, I was able to secure a 30% scholarship to one of my top schools.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Helped Me Get Into Stanford
    4 years ago
    Susan played a critical role in helping me make my dream of getting into Stanford MBA program a reality. She supported me all the way through the application process, from deciding which Round to apply, to crafting essays and preparing for the interview, and helped me with every single question I had - even the most stupid questions that were on my mind. It was important to have Susan's shoulder early on, as she helped me work out a powerful strategy and point my efforts in the right direction. In the brainstorming process, she came up with novel ideas that I somehow did not come up with on my own. Those ideas turned out to be key to my application strategy. Strategy is important, but ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Highly Reccomend Susan Cera
    4 years ago
    At the beginning of my MBA journey I reached out to 3-5 consultants for the free consultations. My GMAT/GPA are slightly lower than the averages at the programs that I was targeting so finding someone that understood my story was crucial for me. Within the first 5 minutes of talking to Susan I knew she was the person I wanted to use. She took the time to understand my background and asked thoughtful questions to learn more – this was vastly different than my experience with other consultants who were just trying to put me into a pre-defined framework to craft my story. Susan felt more like a mentor who genuinely wanted me to succeed rather than a consultant who was focused on getting my ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Changed My Life!
    4 years ago
    Like many people applying for an MBA, I was concerned that there was nothing special about my profile and I wouldn’t be able to stand out to the universities. Thanks to Susan and the Stratus team, I not only received multiple acceptances from top 20 schools, but scholarships as well. It was more than I could have ever hoped for, especially as a Round 3+ candidate. Susan changed my entire perspective on the MBA process. From her I learned that the events in my life weren’t as important the lessons I had gleaned from them. I started to look at even supposedly insignificant events in a different light. This coupled with Susan’s insightful questions helped me create a strong narrative around my drivers for pursuing ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Susan Cera- Amazing, Honest, Invaluable
    4 years ago
    Working with Susan was an amazing experience. Her honesty, thoughtfulness, and insight made me feel immediately comfortable totally trusting any advice she gave me. She really took the time to get to know me so that she could give me tailored advice when it came to writing my essays or crafting my resume. I came into the process totally blind- I knew I wanted to apply to get an MBA but had absolutely no idea where to start. Susan lead me through personal introspection to understand why it was I wanted an MBA, what I hoped to do with it, and what qualities I already possessed that would set me up for success in the future. If I was ever overwhelmed, she was available to ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • 5/5 Stars for Susan Cera (From Stratus Consulting)!!!
    4 years ago
    I had reached out to Susan for a free consultation regarding my MBA application in April 2020. I wanted to aim for 3-4 school applications for the extended round 3 applications for a Fall of 2020 entry time frame, however, after some unexpected changes in my professional life, I expanded the number of applications to 9 schools with a determination to matriculate in 2020. I had only ~2 months to turnaround all these applications so I needed someone with great experience, empathy, and focus. Within just 3 hours of working with Susan, I had a solid MBA goal and introspection strategy with a revised resume and the 1st draft of one essay done. Her introspection strategy extracted valuable insights from even the most minuscule experiences/interactions ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Top MBA Coach in all aspects
    4 years ago
    I worked with Susan for two schools package. I finally received only one offer, but with half of the scholarship. At first, I really depressed about going to apply for b-school this year because I have low GMAT score and low GPA. However, Susan did really well to guide me to highlight my work experience into an essay making the content compatible to my career goal and my CFA charter holder status. Eventually, I got my offers from various schools. Those other school offers may not be directly from a package that I worked with her, but her guideline and encouragement made me reach my top choice from Tepper CMU. Stratus service is great. I worked with Susan completely online and I found no trouble ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Eternally Grateful to Susan
    4 years ago
    I decided to apply to business school quite late in the cycle and I spoke to over 15 MBA Admission Consulting firms before deciding on Stratus. I had no trouble choosing Susan over the other consultants after just a 30-minute conversation. Susan was honest, upfront, and thoughtful. I had drafts of my essays written before I engaged Status's services, and when I compare them to the final product, it surprises me to this day. Susan worked tirelessly with me to understand my motivation, and helped distill my story into 300 words which is remarkable. I relied on her advice on everything in the applications, and her advice always led to a better quality product whether it was my resume or my interview skills. I did ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Beyond Acceptance
    4 years ago
    I met Susan after starting the Forte Launch program. At first, I was a little skeptical because it seemed too pricey. I was also an architect far removed from the business industry, with a decent GPA, but a worrisome GRE/GMAT. I am glad I made the bold step and try out the process. It is definitely a holistic approach. They guide you from what tests you should take to soul searching your ideal career. You rediscover yourself to a whole new level, you feel more confident and prepared to start B School. I was able to get into several schools and some with Forte Fellowships which is a huge return on investment. The more incredible part is that it prepares you for your career. Several ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Susan Cera Helped Me Get Into My Top School
    4 years ago
    I applied to joint degrees at various top 10 schools but had limited work experiences (2 years), was in between jobs, and had already been at multiple jobs. Needless to say, I needed a strong story to get into my reach program. Susan helped me build the foundation by having me brainstorm applicable stories on different themes, as well as by identifying the kind of leader I am/want to be. Based on these, she helped me put together disparate stories to craft quite a compelling narrative, something I certainly would not have been able to do at the same level. She also helped me review my essays. Her astute and detail-oriented feedback proved exceedingly useful. The result was that I got into Berkeley-Haas, my top school, and more ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Susan Helped Me Get To Where I Am Today
    4 years ago
    When I started on my MBA application journey nearly four years ago, I was pretty far from being the ideal b school candidate. I did not graduate undergrad from an ivy league university, I didn't come from a traditional business school industry, and my story was nothing remarkable, or so I thought. Working with my Senior Strategist, Susan, first in the MBA Early Edge program and then in the MBA Admissions Counseling package (along with my MBA counselor, Jamie) infused me with a confidence I can't describe. With their guidance and support, I was able to start thinking next-level about my applications, my mission, and my future. Four years later, after much hard work and persistence, I will be graduating from a top-20 full-time program ...
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    Jolie Duhon
    MBA Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Discover Your Story with Susan
    4 years ago
    When I decided last minute to apply for schools this year, I talked to a number of consultants before finding Susan. After the initial consult, I knew that Susan would go the extra mile to really listen to my story and find ways to bring out the best aspects of it. As part of a multi-school package, we worked together to outline important milestones and distill my motivations down to their key elements. Her guidance was crucial to putting together a compelling narrative and bridging the gap between the career I was coming from and my plans for the future. Her insight was thoughtful, articulate, and measured; she'll tell it like it is. When it came time to put the application together, Susan and the ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Stratus or Bust - Susan Delivers Results
    4 years ago
    After taking the GMAT at the beginning of September, I decided to move up my MBA time-frame a year and apply R2 for Class of 2022. Surfing through P&Q and other websites I scheduled two free consults. The first was with the associate of a popular admissions consultant. I am happy with direct feedback and tough love, but referring to their clients as 'kids' turned me off massively and soured the idea of an admissions consultant altogether. However, I had already lined up my consult call with Susan and figured it was in my interest to speak with her. Oh my god. What a difference. Susan and I clicked on SO many different things and we flew way over the scheduled 30 minutes. The moment ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend!
    4 years ago
    I am incredibly glad that I found Stratus and had the opportunity to work with Susan! With Stratus, I applied to 4 schools: Anderson, Haas, Darden, and Booth. In the end, I was accepted to all four programs, receiving a full-tuition scholarship from Anderson and $100K scholarship offers from both Booth and Haas. I am incredibly happy with this outcome and feel that Stratus was instrumental in achieving this result. I will be attending Haas this fall and am very excited! My MBA journey started off a bit rocky. After hearing about MBA admissions consulting from my GRE class instructor, I decided to approach a few consultants to get their take on my candidacy. I was almost in tears after speaking to the first consultant I ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Worth It!
    4 years ago
    As an MBA reapplicant to my dream school, I didn't want to simply submit a similar application and cross fingers that it was going to be looked at with different eyes. I knew the areas that were under my control and the ones where I could use some help. I had an initial free consultation with Susan who helped me reassure that I could improve my application. I got a 5-hour package (at the end I got an extra hour), where we worked on essays and interview prep. My consultant (Susan) was extremely responsive (always heard back in less than 48hrs) and she was able to put my story together in a way that I wouldn't have thought. She was really good at pointing out certain ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Susan Goes the Extra Mile
    4 years ago
    I felt extremely lost and overwhelmed when I first started the MBA application process. Although I had 6 months before Round 1 applications were due, I did not have my story down on what my career goals are and why I need an MBA nor did I know which programs were right for me, and I thought I did not have enough time to be able to submit strong applications by the Round 1 deadlines. I was hesitant at first to work with a consultant on my applications due to the cost, so I decided to try the MBA Application Fundamentals and Strategy package first. From day 1, Susan was there for me every step of the way and went above and beyond to provide ...
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    Linda Zhong
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Made the Process Seamless
    4 years ago
    Going into applying for b-school, I knew nothing. Susan made the process so easy and straightforward. Working with her was truly a fun experience and didn't feel like extra "work" even after a long day at my day job. I truly feel like she took the time to get to know me and tailored my application experience to what I needed. I could not be happier with the results and am so glad I chose to use Stratus, and I am lucky to have been paired with Susan!
    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Susan is Second to No One!
    4 years ago
    Working with Stratus Admissions, and specifically, Susan Cera, was one of the better decisions I have ever made. Not only did they do their job: get me into one of my dream schools (Berkeley Haas), they did so much more. Thanks to Stratus, I have reflected on my unique career and life goals in such detail that I have gone from having a vague idea about what I want to do to knowing concrete plans that I am so excited to pursue. They also helped me figure out what my resume gaps were and find ways to address the gaps. The result has been me getting more involved with the community, creating one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in recent years. Susan is brilliant. ...
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    Nicholas Bellamy
    MBA Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Empathy & Efficiency
    5 years ago
    While working in a foreign country, I had unexpected visa issues which dramatically accelerated my MBA timeline. I completed 3 MBA applications in one week which would not have been possible without Susan's support. I had an hourly engagement with Susan and Stratus. She and her team were not only incredibly responsive on such a tight timeline, but more importantly, they were deeply invested in my story and candidacy. The introspection activities, essay outlining/reviewing, and interview prep that Stratus provided me led to acceptance at a top 5 MBA program, waitlist at a top 3, and rejection at another top 10 programs, all applications in the more competitive Round 3. As the headline suggests, Susan and Stratus go the extra mile to put themselves in ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Well Worth It
    6 years ago
    I would highly recommend the profile development services offered. I'm a fairly organized person but I know that having some external accountability and guidance is valuable which is why this service appealed to me. The great thing about Stratus is that they have a comprehensive framework that they guide prospective applicants through so that you know there isn't anything you are forgetting in terms of making sure you're presenting a well rounded self to admissions committees. This is a worthy investment and a great way to make sure you get yourself ready to apply to grad school. Your advisor will check in with you occasionally and you'll get an updated document from them showing what you've done and what you're working on by the next ...
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    - Brandon James
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  • Application Fundamentals and Strategy/Comprehensive Package
    6 years ago
    When I first considered using a consultant, I was hesitant to commit to the price of a comprehensive package without truly understanding what working with a consultant would be like. The Application Fundamentals and Strategy option with Stratus was a relatively low-risk way to start the process and gave me the flexibility to choose how I wanted to proceed (i.e., working solo, purchasing hours, or upgrading to a comprehensive package) thereafter. I was worried that in using a consultant, I would lose my "voice" trying to fit into some consultant mold, but the outcome was quite the opposite. The Introspection process forced me to think about how different experiences in my life have shaped me personally and professionally and to examine post-MBA career options that ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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