Court Stroud Reviews

Working with Court offered me a peace of mind during the MBA application process that I would be hard-pressed to find through other means. He was a great listener that thought deeply about the best ways to tell my story. His eye for crafting a story and willingness to work through numerous edits of my first essay helped improve my writing significantly.

However, for the price that I paid, I felt that things could have been better about my experience. I regularly received feedback later than the window in our contract. I would have appreciated clearer communication regarding when I should have expected to receive this feedback. More importantly, I did not appreciate Court's approach when we encountered a shortcoming in my application strategy - his first response was to emphasize that he recommended a different approach, which I do not recall him doing.

Read More

I was introduced to Court through a referral a few weeks before my application deadline, and I reached out for his assistance with a particularly challenging situation. He not only agreed to help but also collaborated with me closely, forming an amazing team.

I am deeply grateful for his support, which was key in my acceptance into the top MBA program I was aiming for. It has transformed my life.

The preparation process is rigorous and demanding, yet Court's guidance was the support and advantage I needed. He has a remarkable ability to go deep and bring out one's best qualities.

I absolutely recommend working with him.

Read More

I had the privilege of working with Court as my coach during the MBA application process for my dream university. His guidance was instrumental in my success. Court's expertise and support were remarkable. He took the time to understand my aspirations and experiences, providing personalized advice. His meticulous feedback helped me go beyond surface-level goals, allowing me to express my authentic self. He pushed me to convey the value I could bring to the university and fellow students, giving my application a compelling edge.

Court's professionalism and dedication were evident throughout. His prompt feedback ensured I met deadlines while maintaining quality, which was no easy feat considering I contacted him less than a month before the submission deadline. Through the process, he offered constructive criticism in a supportive manner, refining my thoughts and maintaining my voice.

In addition to essay guidance, Court provided valuable insights on the overall application process. From selecting recommenders to interview preparation, his expertise and understanding of admissions committees gave me the confidence to present my best self.

I highly recommend Court to anyone starting their MBA application journey. His expertise, commitment, and passion for storytelling make him an outstanding coach. I am forever grateful for his guidance and support in achieving this incredible opportunity.

Read More

At the beginning of my application journey, I spoke with various top admissions consultants. About 5 minutes into my conversation with MBA Prep School's Court Stroud, I knew that he was the one I wanted to work with.

What made Court stand out? Instead of focusing on my weaknesses and how my profile needs to improve, Court made an effort to learn what drives me, what I want to do, and what makes me who I am -- he was already thinking about how we can shape my application. I could tell that he was going to be a true partner throughout the process.

Court is extremely knowledgeable of the MBA process. His approach is very detailed and truly helped me identify my strengths so that I could shine in my application. Although his process was structured, Court was flexible with his approach. He was willing to change how we work together and craft my application so that I was comfortable enough to put my full self into the application. He helped me identify my goals, strengths, and how my prior professional and personal experiences connect with how I can contribute to each MBA program I applied to.

He went above and beyond preparing me to write my essays, even helping me get in touch with alumni at my target schools. I had multiple essay iterations, and he provided thorough feedback to each. Court helped me identify my differentiating factors and bring light to stories that showed my strengths. He helped me see how experiences that I initially thought were unimportant or irrelevant actually were vital in sharing my story and what I could add to the MBA community.

With Court’s help, I was able to show more about my candidacy with each component -- the essays, recommendations, short answers, and the interview. He helped me connect that thread throughout my application so that the admissions committee would not be left with questions.

I am an extremely anxious person, so although Court helped me craft the best application I could have submitted, I was still nervous that I wasn’t going to get interview invites or be admitted. Court helped me manage my anxiety and trust the process - his process. He helped me believe in myself and feel like the schools I applied to were actually in reach. Note, he wasn’t just telling me what I wanted to hear. He was candid in where my application could be stronger, but instead of focusing on my weaknesses, he helped me bolster my strengths in other areas of the application.

I was accepted into my top choice (Wharton!) with scholarship - something only 30% of admitted students achieve. Court helped me achieve this. 10/10 would recommend!

Read More

As someone from an overrepresented background with a non-linear career trajectory I knew that it would be crucial for me to have an admissions consultant who can help me structure a compelling story for a top MBA program. I spoke to a number of consultants based all over the globe and found that Court had the best action plan to support me through the grueling MBA admissions process.

Court was able to help me bring out various aspect of work experience, extracurriculars and personal life in creative ways that made me confident about my ability to apply to top MBA schools. He always had availability on his calendar and would also go out of the way to schedule a time slot, when necessary, despite me being in a very divergent time zone.

Court also played the role of a mentor through the many months we worked on my applications. He always believed in the strength of my candidacy even when I would doubt it and also offered to connect me with his acquaintances in the industry I’m interested in post MBA.

Thanks to Court I was accepted into Wharton Lauder, my dream program, with a sizeable Lauder fellowship. I highly recommend MBA hopefuls, and especially candidates with non-traditional profiles, to work with Court as they begin their MBA journeys.

Read More

Court is an excellent mentor. I’m based in Chile and was inclined to book a local MBA coach but after doing more research and having an introduction call with Court, I felt that given his expertise with international folks combined with his deep understanding of the complex application process, I should hire Court.

A few months later, after many ups and downs and Courts immense support, I got accepted at Columbia Business School and I’m very happy about the decision I made.



Court has an incredible story telling talent, he helped me highlight my key experiences, skills, and personality traits. He motivated and supported me during the good and the difficult times in the process.

Read More

I reached out to Court two weeks before the first application deadline, so it meant we had a really tight schedule. Despite the quick turnaround, he did not compromise on the quality of the app and helped me build the best application possible. He was very responsive and flexible throughout the whole time we worked together. I had a lot of material scattered everywhere and Court helped me focus the content. He is a great person to work with and supportive throughout the process and even after everything was submitted. He would regularly check in to offer support. I ended up being accepted to both schools I applied to(HBS and Wharton)! I highly recommend Court as he is not only a great MBA coach but also a person that genuinely cares for the success of his clients.

Read More

I remember starting off my application journey doubting my candidacy and being daunted by the process ahead. My dream schools felt completely out of reach. And then, I met Court. I’d spoken with other consultants before and hadn’t felt a strong connection, but immediately felt Court saw me for who I was. He was invested in me from our very first meeting, and his enthusiasm and passion turned what could have been an agonizing process into a very rewarding one.
Court broke down the application process into manageable pieces, from resume editing, story building, and essay writing, all the way to interview preparation (and every step in between). He patiently worked with me to refine, polish, and, when necessary, go back to the drawing board with my materials. The result was confidence at every juncture that I was putting my truest self forward in my written applications and interviews. I received a call from my HBS interviewer post-acceptance in which he told me I had one of the best interviews he’d seen – and that is thanks to the prep I did with Court!
Court has a rare talent for seeing the best in people and inspiring them to express that outwardly. My applications were immeasurably more authentic thanks to his encouragement to dig deeper, be detailed, and be open to vulnerability. And it is precisely that authenticity I credit with receiving acceptances to HBS and Wharton. I never felt like I was working in a purely transactional business relationship because I was working with a mentor and friend who genuinely cared about my success and wellbeing. He believed in me even when I doubted myself – I almost chose not to apply this past round because I was so worried about taking the GMAT! With his support, I persevered and will be attending Harvard Business School in the fall.
Court’s impact continues beyond the time I spent applying and interviewing. The written and verbal communication skills he taught me will be invaluable at business school and beyond. On a personal note, he serves as one of the greatest examples of a true coach, embodying empathy, perceptiveness, and authenticity in spades. I’m very fortunate to have worked with him and would do so again in a heartbeat.

Read More

Before meeting Court, I was inclined to work with another consultant that was well-known in my country but with whom I didn't feel a connection. However, after meeting Court, it became evident that he was exactly the kind of coach that I needed. I realized that he was genuinely interested in getting to know me and my motivations. In order to pursue 6 applications I needed someone who would not just support me, but guide me and challenge me through the process. Court is that person.

From the very beginning our interactions were very fruitful. Far before writing essays, Court helped me explore my short and long term goals. He also helped me see the contributions that I could make to each MBA program, and discover some of my stories that would later prove to be invaluable when writing my essays. He was always very supportive, even during the tough period of studying for the GMAT. Court was always able to jump on a call when my morale was low.

During the essay writing process, Court was key to achieving an impeccable standard in all my essays. He provided detailed feedback on each essay, helping me to write stories with coherent messages, always sharp and straight to the point. What mattered most to me is that Court always respected the essence of my story, something that I appreciated deeply. Court remained available for calls when I needed feedback or was uninspired.

When I was called for interviews, Court gave me excellent tips to prepare myself, and provided me with very actionable feedback after our mock interview. I ended up being accepted into four programs, two of which were my top choices.

I believe that working with Court made an incredible difference in my overall process. He was very supportive from the beginning and encouraged me to deliver the best applications possible. If I had to do this process again, I would choose Court in the blink of an eye.

Read More

I reached out to Court in the summer before I applied to MBA programs. Early in our first meeting, I knew he was the perfect person to help guide me through the process. He really made an effort to get to know me not only as an MBA candidate, but as a person, and he consistently went above and beyond in helping me with each facet of my applications. His in-depth knowledge of the MBA application process, his level of thoroughness in the several rounds of constructive feedback that he gave me (while still remaining incredibly kind), and his background in storytelling were all immensely helpful as I wrote my applications.

After the applications were submitted, Court continued to go the extra mile during the interview process. He gave me tips on details that I would have overlooked without him, but after hearing them, I felt that my interview skills drastically improved. The mock interview that he conducted gave me the confidence and ability to put my best foot forward during my actual interviews. The coaching he provides for the interviews was invaluable to my success.

As a person, Court was always incredibly kind, and even though my application process is over I’m glad to say I’ll always consider him a close friend. Before I met him, I felt that Stanford GSB was a bit of a long shot for me, but he instilled confidence in me that I had a chance, and ultimately his guidance was instrumental to my acceptance. He not only knows the vital ins-and-out of the MBA admissions process, but further stands out because of the distinctive qualities of his professional storytelling background and his kindness through the process. He is not only a top-tier MBA coach, but also an amazing person.

The experience of working with him was invaluable, and I consider working with him to be one the best investments in myself that I’ve ever made. Thanks to him, I’m going to attend the school of my dreams. I would unequivocally recommend Court to anyone who is lucky enough to have the opportunity to work with him.

Read More