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Stratus Admissions Counseling Admissions Consulting Reviews

With Stratus Admissions Counseling, you don’t just work closely with one experienced MBA admissions counselor to optimize every part of your application. You work with an entire team of specialists who provide extensive feedback throughout the application process.

From reflecting on your past experiences and identifying programs that will move you towards your goals to crafting your essays and conducting mock interviews, Stratus’ team-based approach ensures you stand out and get accepted into your dream business school. We guarantee it.*

We have clients who have been admitted to every top MBA program year after year since 2006.
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Stratus Admissions Counseling Admissions Consulting Reviews

Most Reviewed Stratus Admissions Counseling Consultants

Susan Cera
Reviews
48
Average Rating
5.0
Donna Bauman
Reviews
37
Average Rating
5.0
Melisa Prevost
Reviews
26
Average Rating
5.0
Jennifer Jackson
Reviews
22
Average Rating
4.8
Lisa Cummings
Reviews
10
Average Rating
5.0

Reviews:

174 Reviews
5.0 Average
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January 06, 2024
akpcoffey

Joined: Jan 06, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Couldn't have done it without Stratus!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

I was lucky enough to work with Sophie for my admissions counseling. Before I found Stratus, I had no idea how to effectively position myself to stand out to top business schools and felt lost trying to navigate the admissions process.

Sophie made the whole process very structured and easy to tackle while providing constant support and encouragement throughout the process! She helped me find my confidence and develop my story to stand out in both the essay and interviews.

Through her counseling, I received acceptances to M7, T15, and T20 schools. I truly do not think I would be where I am today without the help of Sophie! Cannot recommend Stratus Admissions enough!

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This reviewer has not participated on GMAT Club but it is a REAL person and a REAL review. GMAT Club has verified this test-taker's identity through GMAC/Pearson Vue Score Reporting system or .edu email address and confirmed that this reviewer indeed took the GMAT, is unique, and has not submitted multiple reviews.
January 02, 2024
Atlas064

Joined: May 28, 2022

Posts: 5

Kudos: 2

Verified GMAT Classic score:
710 Q50 V35

Kelly Lundy & Susan made It Happen!!

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I loved working with Kelly and the Stratus team. Kelly helped me with the CBS and Stanford GSB applications. As advertised, Stratus use a team approach. During each of these applications I received guidance from Kelly, Susan Cera, and multiple editors (CBS & Stanford Alums). Kelly even connected me with her classmates at CBS during the process.

The methodology that Stratus uses not only helped me complete the applications for these schools, but the introspective nature of the process prepared me for the school interviews and will definitely help me throughout my career.

Kelly is truly a marvelous mentor. She supports you and enables you to develop your own authentic narrative. She spends a lot of time to learn about you. Many times, she nudged me to dig deeper into parts of my essays based on all the information she had gleaned from my introspection exercises. Further, she is extremely diligent and patient. I completed almost 15 drafts for both the Stanford and CBS essays with Kelly. Never, did I feel that she was not completely vested in improving the narrative or was growing frustrated with stagnation. She was extremely responsive and gracious with her time.

Finally, I want to commend Kelly on never talking about my chances or trying to sway me in applying to different school. Both Susan and Kelly were fully committed to help me create the best product possible to elevate my chances of getting admitted. They provided candid feedback in a timely manner and were never closed off to new ideas or suggestions.

Kelly was instrumental in helping me get admitted to Stanford, which was my primary choice, and I wholeheartedly endorse her as a mentor to help you through the MBA application process.

Thank you Kelly and Stratus Team!!

***Final Outcome: Admitted to Stanford, Interviewed with CBS, withdrew application after Stanford Admit. ****

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December 26, 2023
sbennett98

Joined: Jun 23, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
740 Q47 V46

M7, T15, and T20 acceptance with Jennfier

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I chose to hire a consultant because of my unusual background and lack of understanding of how to translate my background in a way that is attractive to top MBA schools. I chose Stratus because of their structured approach to the application process, and I chose Jennifer specifically because of reviews I had read on different forums, including P&Q. The specific package I purchased was 2-schools. The structured approach gave me hard deadlines to make sure I was on track for getting the essays accomplished on time. Jennifer was encouraging throughout the process, but still pushed me to think harder about certain aspects of the essays, which was critical in those moments when I was simply sick and tired of writing and drafting and thinking during the application process. There is no doubt in my mind that her guidance was critical to the success of my application. With 20/20 hindsight, the only thing I might have changed is to purchase 1 school rather than 2. I felt that much of the advice given for 1 school could be carried over to any application I was working on. (I ended up applying to 7 different T20 MBA programs Round 1, accepted to 4, 2 of which with significant scholarship).

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December 21, 2023
mbaadmit2026

Joined: Dec 21, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Great Experience Working with Donna

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I had the distinct pleasure of working with Donna as my admissions consultant throughout the MBA application process, and I cannot speak highly enough of her invaluable guidance.

Donna's expertise, professionalism, and dedication were evident from our initial interactions. She possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of MBA admissions, and her insights proved instrumental in shaping a compelling and authentic narrative for my application. Donna's commitment was evident in her meticulous approach to every aspect of the application, from refining essays to providing strategic advice on recommendation letters.

What truly sets Donna apart is her ability to draw out the unique aspects of an applicant's experiences and aspirations. She not only helped me articulate my achievements but also encouraged me to reflect on my journey, resulting in a more authentic and impactful application. Donna's keen eye for detail ensured that my application presented a cohesive and compelling story, a critical element in the competitive landscape of MBA admissions.

Her support extended beyond the technicalities of the application. Donna provided insightful advice on school selection, helping me tailor my choices to align with my career goals and personal aspirations. Her personalized approach, genuine enthusiasm, and unwavering support created a collaborative and motivating environment that made the challenging process more manageable.

I am thrilled to share that, with Donna's guidance, I received an acceptance offer from Wharton's MBA program. This outcome is a testament to Donna's exceptional abilities as an admissions consultant. I wholeheartedly recommend Donna Bauman to anyone embarking on the MBA application journey. Her dedication makes her an invaluable partner in achieving one's academic and professional aspirations.

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September 17, 2023
Deferredapplicant

Joined: Apr 22, 2023

Posts: 4

Kudos: 1

Cannot recommend enough!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

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 on my own.

I cannot recommend Susan highly enough. Her deep understanding of the MBA application process is unparalleled, and her dedication to her clients is truly commendable. Even after the application process concluded, Susan has maintained regular contact and offered to meet in person, demonstrating her genuine care and commitment. Susan is not only a remarkable coach but also a wonderful person, and anyone fortunate enough to have her as a coach is truly lucky.

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August 28, 2023
nbenson1640

Joined: Jun 30, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Self-reported Score:
760 Q47 V50

Jennifer Jackson Review

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Jennifer was an outstanding resource during my admissions process. Beyond being a friendly face during a stressful time, Jennifer provided invaluable admissions knowledge, strategy, and assistance during the essay writing process. Stratus' tools for extracting and shaping my story were extremely helpful, and Jennifer's ability to quickly understand my background and goals was incredible. She provided great feedback throughout the essay writing process as well as concise and thoughtful edits to ensure that I was communicating most effectively and within the word limit. Jennifer was also extremely responsive and always replied quickly to my countless emails, no matter how small the question. I was super excited to be admitted to my top two choices of the early MBA programs I applied to and could certainly not have done it without the help of Jennifer and the Stratus team.

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July 12, 2023
CB13

Joined: Oct 16, 2021

Posts: 0

Kudos: 5

Verified GMAT Classic score:
720 Q47 V42 (Online)

Highly recommend Joe Farr

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I highly recommend Joe Farr to anyone aspiring to get into a top business school. Thanks to his guidance and expertise, I was admitted to Wharton in Round 2 and even received a $40,000 fellowship.

Joe's assistance went beyond navigating the Stratus process; he provided invaluable insights into what I truly wanted out of life and business school. Through thoughtful discussions and probing questions, Joe helped me clarify my goals and aspirations.

Joe played a crucial role in helping me overcome the obstacle of a low undergraduate GPA. His expertise in helping me present my strengths and weaknesses was instrumental in securing my acceptance to Ross, Tuck, Tepper, Kellogg, and Wharton. He guided me in showcasing my growth, leadership skills, and unique attributes that demonstrated my readiness for business school.

Overall, Joe's guidance and expertise were crucial to my success in the admissions process.

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July 05, 2023
davidoga

Joined: Jun 29, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Thank you, Donna!

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Donna is a fantastic resource to anyone seeking guidance and support in their MBA application journey. With her expertise, dedication, and personalized approach, Donna helped me secure an offer from one of the top MBA programs despite a below average GPA and test scores for those schools.

From our very first interaction, Donna displayed a genuine interest in helping me understand my aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses. Before starting any school-specific applications, we went through a rigorous process of understanding key aspects of my profile that I could highlight and organizing those components into an arsenal that I could draw from. Thanks to this kind of preparation, when it came time to writing essays, I was able to spend less time on coming up with ideas and more time thinking broadly about the narrative I wanted to communicate.

Throughout the admissions process, which can be more akin to a marathon than a sprint, Donna helped me create a strategy of regular communication with admissions committees and constantly developing areas of my application that may be viewed as weaknesses. The right strategy will elevate your candidacy above any one grade or score, and through consistent effort and willingness to improve your profile, you will stand out.

To anyone who believes that the right school is out of reach for them, I strongly recommend Donna and the team at Stratus as partners in the MBA admissions process. Donna stuck with me throughout the application cycle and I couldn’t be happier with the result!

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June 29, 2023
monaa96

Joined: Jul 12, 2021

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Self-reported Score:
650 Q46 V34

Melisa and the Stratus Team Rock!!!!

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I have been thinking about getting an MBA for a few years. After taking my GMAT for the third time I was unsure about my prospects of getting in with a 690 score. I met Melisa during a 30 min coffee session. She was so nice and didn't make me feel pressured into doing anything (getting an MBA or using a consultant). I started with the strategy package which EVERYONE NEEDS TO DO, even if you don't do an MBA. This 4 week exercise took a comprehensive view of every from my past (starting from my childhood) and leading up to my 5 and 10 year career goals, and boiled all of that down into a comprehensive 1-pager to understand my entire profile and what I needed to achieve through an MBA. Through this exercise I felt confident to apply this year. I purchased 4 comprehensive schools, all M7, and in total applied to 8 T15 schools. I was accepted with a full ride and several scholarships. After applying I was waitlisted from 3 schools, 1 being my safety. After having this devastating turn of events, I was completely down. Melisa helped me by having my talk to other clients she had with similar outcomes who got into great M7 schools off the waitlist. I was eventually admitted to my top choice MIT which I will be attending this fall. While I did eventually get a 710 GMAT, I wouldn't have gotten in anywhere without the guidance and support from Melisa and the stratus team!

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June 19, 2023
sterlingmparker

Joined: Jun 19, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Stratus Consulting Review

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I had a really positive experience with Stratus admissions consultants. One of the key aspects was the availability of multiple experts to engage with throughout the process, in addition to my primary consultant. This added level of expertise and diverse perspectives enhanced guidance received and Stratus made sure to introduce me to an expert on their team that had experience with my target schools. I found Stratus to be flexible and accommodating, making their services not only valuable but also affordable. If you're seeking a dedicated team that genuinely invests in your success, I would definitely recommend considering Stratus for your admissions consulting needs.

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1 Older and Non-Verified Review for Stratus Admissions Counseling