Status: First-time applicant
Pre-MBA industry: Equity Research
Years of experience at time of matriculation: 4
GMAT/GRE score: 720 (V:40 Q:49)
Undergraduate GPA: 3.97/4.00
Admitted to: Columbia, Wharton
Scholarship(s): $50,000
Service Type: Premium
Couldn’t be more thankful for Kathryn – a fantastic MBA advisor and amazing person
I had the pleasure of working directly with Kathryn as my advisor throughout the full-time MBA application process. While I was somewhat familiar with the application process, having independently applied to several 2+2 programs during college, I knew I needed to seek guidance from an experienced MBA consultant to help me get into my dream school.
Like many prospective applicants, I was initially overwhelmed by the options available. Working with a consultant is a significant investment, and I was mindful of the risks of working with someone who lacked experience, did not understand my background, or did not align with my working style. As such, I did countless consultation intro calls with consultants (independent and those part of a bigger organization) to narrow my options.
I walked away from my call with Kathryn feeling very positive, not only because she was quick to respond to my consultation request or that she was actively engaging and learning about me, but also because of her extensive experience working with clients across the spectrum and how she encouraged me to embrace my identity. I felt comfortable sharing personal aspects of my life with her, which added depth and authenticity to my essays. I also appreciated her firm’s unique, structured process, which provided clarity and peace of mind.
For example, their approach to helping me define my career vision and steps to get there, led by Horatiu, my career narrative expert, and Kathryn was particularly valuable, as the research I did to make my case and get their support enabled me to build a differentiated narrative that truly reflects what I want to do. It took hard work with work sessions and lots of homework, but was worth the effort.
To be clear, Kathryn will push you to work hard throughout your experience with her. I spent a lot of time and effort researching schools, brainstorming, and drafting essays – she was with me in the trenches every step of the way, even when I hit some unexpected challenges with my LORs. I especially appreciated Kathryn’s quick turnaround times even though I knew she was also running a firm. She always made herself available (even during weekends!) whenever I had questions or grew anxious about the application process.
In hindsight, as much as the goal was for me to get into my dream school (which I’m happy to share that I did), I also developed a deeper understanding of the school, my career goals, and how to maximize my MBA experience, thanks to Kathryn’s guidance. I’m very glad to have worked with Kathryn and her team throughout the MBA application process and would enthusiastically recommend her to everyone!