Katharine Lewis Reviews

When I first began my graduate school journey, I didn’t quite know what an MBA consultant was and began tackling applications on my own. I quickly realized that I had underestimated the degree to which grad school applications needed to be designed/tailored to tell a cohesive and all-encompassing story. As someone who was pursuing a dual degree and about to move to Australia from New York City for a professional rotation, I felt overwhelmed by all that had to be done and the standard that needed to be met.

Before moving from the US abroad, I had a 30-minute consultation with Katy, who immediately impressed me with her knowledge of the different graduate school programs (beyond MBAs), practicality and confidence in the guidance she provided, and her ability to be candid with me straight off the bat. I requested her support immediately and have never once regretted it.

Living in a new country, you naturally want to spend as little time at home on the weekends, although hard work and dedication are what graduate school applications demand. Katy helped me save tons of time on the 10 applications I submitted to MBA, MPP, and MAIR programs. Not only did she turn around essays, resumes, etc. incredibly quickly, but she also provided candid feedback on the content, made direct edits, and ensured I was telling my story in the most effective/strategic way possible by making the most of every section of the application. Katy was also receptive to my schedule, as I had to complete and submit 10 applications in 2 months (from mid-October to mid-December) due to work and personal travel commitments surrounding that time frame. From the beginning of the process through to the weeks following decisions, Katy was super open and excited about hopping on the phone, even for 15 minutes, to chat through my decision-making process and answer any questions I had top-of-mind. Even then, she remained straight-forward in her guidance and gave me her genuine opinion, rather than simply laying out the pros and cons.

I purchased the 3-school package with Katy for HBS, HKS, and Wharton. Of the 10 programs I applied to, I was accepted to 7 – MBA (UPenn Wharton, UChicago Booth, MIT Sloan, Dartmouth Tuck); Master of Public Policy/MPP (Harvard Kennedy/HKS, UChicago Harris); Master of Arts in International Relations/MAIR (Johns Hopkins SAIS Europe). I will be pursuing a joint MBA/MPP degree starting this fall – an MBA from Wharton and MPP from HKS.

I am steadfast in my belief that I would not have reached the same outcomes if it weren’t for Katy. I could not be happier with my decision and our partnership, and would recommend her to anyone considering additional support throughout the process. It’ll be more than worth it – thank you Katy!!

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Katy is the key to a successful and positive MBA application process. I found a friend and mentor in Katy -- I came out of every one of our conversations with insight and food for thought that was pivotal not only in my application process but also in my personal and professional development. Katy is one of the most patient and generous people I've met - she will give you as much time as she has no matter how often you need to talk, or how many times you need to talk through the same subject. She is honest and won't be afraid to tell you the truth but is also incredibly compassionate in her delivery. Katy has incredible insight on the MBA process, schools, and overall knowledge of industries. I was consistently impressed at how much Katy knew about different topics and how well she was able to help me pivot to make my story more and more robust and creative.

With Katy, I was able to achieve admission to one of my top schools. With the work we did together, I used that writing for my four additional applications where I was admitted to each one with scholarships up to 140k.

Without Katy, I would not have known where to start in crafting my story and knowing how to write properly for an MBA application. I am so thankful for the opportunity to work with her. Consider yourself lucky if you are able to snag a spot working with Katy!

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I am an international student from Russia, working in tech. I’ve been working with Katy for Round 2 application cycle, and I could not wish for a better partner to guide me. There are several points to support this statement.

First, Katy is incredibly knowledgeable about the subject area and realistic. I first contacted Katy in late May, looking to apply in Round 1 and she, having realized that I had not had my GMAT taken at the time, discouraged me from applying in Round 1, because I simply won’t be able to craft a strong application, juggling GMAT prep, applications and full-time work. Also, before we kicked-off Round 2 application, she made sure that even with a high GMAT score I keep my expectations realistic. She helped me to brainstorm the application strategy and select schools I would be better off given my career ambitions.

Second, Katy is incredibly dedicated. She really delved into my background from the get-go, and took time to understand me, my personality, my motivation and career journey — and she managed to did it better than I understood it myself. She helped me to look at my career as a side observer and pick up the themes about me that I had not realized myself. That new perspective was really instrumental in the preparation process as it helped me to write candid and personal responses to the schools’ essay questions.

Third, Katy is very structured and methodical with her approach to work. She has all the materials ready to help you think about yourself, she is upfront with turnaround times and her work/holiday schedule months in advance, relentless in constant quality improvement (if time permits), she helps you to gather the thoughts in the right form in preparation for the interviews, and, finally, provides relevant consideration points as you get the good news from several schools.

Finally, Katy has an amazing personality, she is very open, kind and funny. I considered several other consultants, and I am so happy that I decided to proceed with Katy. I applied to 5 schools, got accepted into 4 (with scholarship in Wharton) and waitlisted in Chicago Booth, I certainly would not be as successful without her.

Be prepared to work a lot with Katy, but it’s worth it.

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Initially, I started the MBA application process without considering an admissions consultant. After speaking to seven different consultants, including another from mbaMission, it became clear that Katy resonated with me most, and I clicked with her working style immediately. Her schedule was fully booked when I spoke to her, so I had to be patient and persistent to get a slot. But for me, it was Katy or no one. Thankfully, I was able to become her last R2 client. I’m glad I chose Katy because I firmly believe I wouldn't have achieved the same results without Katy's guidance.

I applied to six schools in total: Stanford, Harvard, Wharton Lauder, Columbia, Kellogg MMM, and Booth. Katy worked with me on my applications for Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg. I got admits to all these schools except Harvard. Additionally, I received over $100,000 in merit scholarship from one of these institutions.

From the outset, Katy surpassed my expectations of a consultant. She generously offered assistance with my Lauder, MMM, and Kellogg Alternate Program essays, even though she didn’t have to do this. I was very grateful for this as it made me feel that Katy truly cared for me as a person and wanted me to succeed. Katy also leveraged her network to connect me with alumni at Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg. These connections provided unique insights not readily available online. This not only allowed me to craft more meaningful and targeted essays but also helped me broaden my network at these schools – something I'm also incredibly grateful for.

Katy remained readily available for phone calls throughout the process. While her schedule became quite demanding towards the end, she ultimately made time when it mattered most, helping me refine my essays and ensure they were in the best possible shape. The mock interviews with Katy were incredibly beneficial and reflective of the actual interviews I had at each school. I recall that my Wharton mock was extremely helpful in getting me acclimated to the TBD format, boosting my confidence for the actual interview. Katy even provided interview materials for schools beyond my package, ensuring I felt comfortable going into those interviews as well.

One key takeaway from our first session was Katy's emphasis on service-oriented work. She stated her commitment to doing whatever her clients needed. Throughout the process, I truly felt she delivered on that promise. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have worked with Katy. While the results speak for themselves, I'm even more grateful to have gained a lifelong friend who really understood and supported me throughout my MBA journey. If you're considering your MBA journey, I highly recommend using Katy as your consultant. She is the best out there. At the very least, you should consider scheduling a free consultation with her. You'll get a sense of what I'm talking about, and you won't regret it!

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Although I am not a fan of making absolute statements, I can tell you that Katy is by far the best MBA consultant you can work with. She has a truly informed perspective and "insider view" of how MBA admission committees think, is extremely generous with her time, and genuinely helped me prepare as best as I could for my interviews with both Wharton and HBS given her extensive experience. Unlike other consultants I interacted with before making a decision on who to work with, Katy's approach felt very personalised (she was always there to calm me down when I felt overwhelmed) and thorough which I really appreciated given my background from a small country such as Greece. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth every penny to maximise your chances of getting in? Also yes. In a journey such as this it is critical to work with someone who knows the ins-and-outs of the admission process. Trust me, work with Katy and you won't regret it.

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Since I didn't study in the US for my undergraduate degree, and because my home country's college application process is quite different, the MBA application process was very foreign to me from the start. I knew I needed someone to guide me through it, particularly given the fact that I have a very demanding job and very limited free time. After consulting with numerous admissions advisors, I ultimately chose to work with Katy. Katy stood out as not only highly competent but also as an incredibly caring and thoughtful person, making working with her a true pleasure.

Before I started working on the applications, she suggested retaking the GMAT, visiting schools, and she discussed with me the best way to select and approach recommenders. Once we started working on the apps, she helped me brainstorm the topics of my essays and she also was very thoughtful in the questions she asked, trying to understand the motives behind every action I took in the past. This proved to be very helpful as I never thought that deeply about “my story”. She was always happy to hop on a quick call or to send me back notes and suggestions that were very pertinent (e.g., sometimes she would recall details of my story that we discussed previously that would fit in well in certain answers and that I totally forgot about). Once I started getting interview invites, the mock interviews we did were extremely helpful as they closely mirrored the real experience, and it helped me ease my worries during the real interviews and be “more present”. After getting the admissions, Katy also helped me with the school decision process, leveraging her knowledge of each program and providing insights on what factors other admits had previously considered.

In the end I got accepted to all 4 schools I worked with Katy on: HBS, Stanford GSB, Wharton (with a scholarship), and MIT Sloan. I honestly believe I wouldn’t have gotten into all the schools I applied to without her support and help throughout the process.

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I’m a middle-career working mom living in a Shanghai. Katy just supported me complete the Wharton EMBA global cohort application a few days ago. It is such a pleasant experience working with Katy in the past few months.

Apart from all the amazing advice Katy provided to me, I would love to particularly highlight a few aspects which I found most helpful:

- Broaden my perspectives to find the right program. A few months ago, I was only interested in GSB MSx. However, my life stage would make going there unrealistic. After talking with Katy, I found the Wharton global EMBA format is the most FIT one for me since I'm a working mom taking care of my three-year old twins. I would not apply to this program if I did not work with her

- Find the coherent life and career story / topic for application. After reading my brainstorm document, Katy captured the powerful storyline, which is exactly what my company is doing and also is what I'm personally interested due to my personal experiences.  

- Being a bridge between my experiences and the application requirements. Katy’s long-term accumulated experience made the application process so effective and efficient!

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I worked with Katy over 2.5 years and have been so grateful for her guidance not only in applying to graduate school but more broadly navigating career next steps and the right timing for grad school. 

I talked to many different firms and consultants before choosing Katy, and highly recommend her for her personalized attention and thoughtful, comprehensive guidance. She was also very helpful not only with my MBA applications but with other master's degree applications, which seems rare.

When we first touched base, I used the hourly option to get coaching from Katy to evaluate my profile and figure out the right next steps for me. She helped me take steps to strengthen my profile and helped me decide to get more work experience before applying to graduate school (which was about my personal interests and career path more than my admissions chances). A year later, I reached back out and we worked on dual degree applications (3 MBA programs, 1 MPP, 1 MSEd). 

Katy was a steady and attentive presence through the brainstorming process and really made me feel supported in figuring out my narrative for my MBA applications. The Complete Start to Finish package was great because I had unlimited access to a partner throughout the process, from improving my candidacy (through an extra course, work experience, and volunteer work) and deciding on essay topics to many rounds of essay review, support on recommendation letters, and interview prep. 

Katy also made an effort to connect me to past clients at my target programs, especially those with similar interests to mine, which was helpful in the essay/interview process as well as in ultimately choosing a program. 

Ultimately, I was admitted to 4/5 programs I applied to (interviewed, waitlisted, then dinged at HBS) and am having an incredible grad school experience. I couldn’t have done it without Katy. 

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Katy played an instrumental role in helping me shape my application and eventually receive offers from HBS, GSB, and Wharton. From our initial consultation to the final application submission, Katy demonstrated unparalleled commitment, exceptional industry knowledge, and shared plenty of her wisdom.
One of the standout qualities that defined my experience with Katy was her personalized approach. She took the time to delve into my background, life context, college experiences, and unique qualities, ensuring that every aspect of my application was a true reflection of who I am. She helped me find the confidence and clarity in shaping my own story, which is arguably the most important part of the process. Katy is also very knowledgeable about various industries and is extremely open-minded. As someone who grew up in Asia, I had absolutely no problems communicating with Katy, and she grasped my childhood experience and family background very quickly. Communication was seamless and efficient, with Katy providing timely feedback and constructive critiques. She was also clear and upfront about the expected turnaround times and her holiday schedules, making it very easy to work with her. Katy’s dedication extended beyond the scheduled sessions, demonstrating a genuine interest in my success. This level of commitment is rare and truly sets Katy apart in the field. I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to work with such an outstanding professional, and I have no doubt that Katy will continue to guide and inspire many others on their MBA journey.
Would recommend working with Katy – she gets booked up pretty quickly so I would recommend planning earlier.

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I would recommend working with Katy to anyone looking to take the MBA application process as seriously as she does. Katy is equal parts thoughtful, motivational, and experienced in the approach she brings as an application partner. The aspects of the process that are most challenging are where Katy shines as an essential resource and guide – co-creating the story that underpins your application, clarifying the dozens of micro-decisions you make throughout the process, and fine-tuning every piece of application content you compose.

Katy’s strategic approach is pronounced, as she spends time not only to deeply understand the experiences you have undertaken, but also to facilitate deeper explorations of the thematic motivations behind those past choices – a level of insight critical to effectively distill your candidacy. Beyond the strategic, Katy’s tactical advice is an enormous morale booster. Questions like “Is this the right recommender to choose?”, “How much should I discuss college experiences?”, and “How does this essay structure work for this school?” are ones that many applicants must answer blindly for themselves; Katy’s confident and informed perspective on any question, however big or small, confers much-valued security in the product that you eventually submit.

Katy was always readily available to chat when needed – whether it was an unanticipated change at work, uncertainties that would be challenging to resolve offline, or prepping and debriefing an interview. Her turnaround time for content could be slower at times; however, the feedback was always worth the wait, and I had all my application content very comfortably finalized before the deadlines.

All in all, I would make the decision to work with Katy again, and again. That I do not have to is a testament to the success that she enabled for me. My acceptances to Harvard Business School and Wharton were not assured, and it is with strong conviction that I ascribe major parts of my successful applications to Katy. Most importantly, she was an invaluable source of confidence and moral support throughout a process that has many stressful moments; without her empowerment, I would not have been able to give this process my all.

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