Embark on Your
Admissions Journey
Boutique MBA Admissions Consulting with a stress-free, transparent approach.
Who
We Are
Founded by Former Columbia Business School Adcom
Bridging the gaps in the MBA application process with insider expertise
Inside Admissions Experience
Reviewed applications, interviewed candidates, sat on final decision and scholarship committees, and managed the waitlist program at Columbia Business School.
Our Mission
Work closely with a small number of candidates to provide best-in-class advice, a stress-free experience, and frameworks to yield positive admissions outcomes.
First-Generation Success
As the first person in my family to attend college, I understand unique challenges and am committed to making quality consulting accessible to all.
Identified Gaps
- Navigation challenges in the application process
- Limited guidance around testing strategies
- Difficulty crafting narratives in essays
- Post-submission process uncertainty
Everyone Can Succeed
Regardless of background or test scores, everyone can gain admission to business school. My services are designed to be reasonably affordable so quality consulting isn't limited to top earners.
Meet
Your Consultant
Kelsey Kephart, Founder
Former Admissions Director at Columbia Business School — every application is handled personally, never handed off to a junior consultant.
Kelsey Kephart
Founder & Lead Consultant, Embark MBA
Former
Columbia Business School Adcom
Advising
applicants since 2017
First-generation
college graduate
Kelsey spent three years on the admissions committee at Columbia Business School, where she managed the interview program and sat on the final, scholarship, and dual-degree committees, as well as serving as waitlist manager. That insider vantage point is the foundation of how she now advises applicants — she knows firsthand what a committee is actually looking for.
She founded Embark MBA to close the gaps she saw from the other side of the table: thin guidance on testing, the difficulty of telling a real story within a handful of essays, and how opaque the committee can feel. Her approach is deliberately small-scale — a limited number of clients at a time, so every applicant gets direct, honest, hands-on partnership rather than a templated process.
2017
Advising MBA applicants since
3 yrs
On the CBS admissions committee
1:1
Boutique, founder-led service
You work directly with Kelsey
Embark MBA is a solo practice. There are no junior consultants or handoffs — the person who reviewed applications at Columbia is the same person reviewing yours.
Transparent
Pricing
Packages & Pricing
Choose the right level of support for your MBA journey
Most
Comprehensive
Full Service Package
From your first kickoff call to final submission. School selection, resume refinement, testing strategy, essays, recommender coaching, interview prep, and waitlist management. Every step individualized. I'll help you craft a compelling narrative that truly stands out, ensuring you're confident and prepared every step of the way.
-
MBA goal setting and school selection
-
Resume refinement
-
Testing strategy
-
Essay development, drafts, and edits
-
Recommender selection and coaching
-
Interview prep with mock sessions
R2 spots available. R1 is at capacity.
Pricing
1
1
school
2
2
schools
Popular
3
3
schools
5
5
schools
Not ready for full consulting?
The MBA Application Guide
Covers everything you need to get started — school selection, essays, funding, the résumé, and a month-by-month timeline. Written from the inside out.
$99
Expert
Review
Pre-Submission Package
You've done the work. Now you want a second set of eyes from someone who's been on the other side of the decision. I review your completed application the way an adcom committee would: what's landing, what isn't, and what you can still strengthen. We then spend 30 minutes on a call going through the feedback together.
Includes
- Written adcom-style assessment
- 30-minute debrief call
- No ongoing commitment required
Best for applicants with a strong draft who want an honest, expert read before they submit.
Flat Rate
$1,750
Flexible
Support
Hourly Services
If a client meets criteria, they can focus on just a few areas of their application. Whether you're on a budget or just want to sharpen one piece of your strategy, this gives you focused, high-touch help when and where you need it.
Examples of Focus Areas
- Essay review and feedback
- Online application review
- Interview prep with structured mocks
Available to select applicants. Hourly slots will open in July.
Rate
$450
/hour
Services
Comprehensive MBA & EMBA Consulting
Tailored support for every stage of your application journey
Full Application Support
Comprehensive guidance through every step of your MBA or EMBA application process, from strategy to submission.
- School selection strategy
- Application timeline planning
- Complete application review
Essay Editing
Expert editing to help you craft compelling narratives that showcase your unique story and potential.
- Unlimited revisions
- Narrative development
- 24-hour turnaround
Resume Optimization
Transform your resume to highlight achievements and present your professional story effectively.
- MBA-focused formatting
- Achievement highlighting
- Impact-driven content
Interview Preparation
Mock interviews and coaching to help you present yourself confidently to admissions committees.
- Multiple mock sessions
- Detailed feedback
- Question preparation
Testing Strategy
Guidance on GMAT, GRE, and other test strategies to strengthen your application profile.
- Test selection advice
- Score improvement tips
- Timeline planning
Post-Submission Support
Navigate the post-submission process including waitlist management and decision guidance.
- Waitlist strategy
- Update letter support
- Decision guidance
How
I Work
A Personal, Dedicated Approach
No one-size-fits-all solutions. Every application is unique.
Affordable Pricing
Reasonably priced services so that not just the top 10% of earners can afford quality MBA consulting. Your success shouldn't depend on your budget.
Deep Understanding
Spending time to deeply understand your goals and story translates to better applications. I invest time to truly know who you are to best partner with you.
24-Hour Turnaround
I work evenings and weekends to return materials within 24 hours. Your deadlines are my priority, and I'm committed to keeping your application moving forward.
"
GMAT
Focus 715 Q90 V84 DI82
Constant Pillar of Support throughout the journey, highly recommend Kelsey!
Kelsey was thoughtful and detail-oriented, and the early brainstorming sessions were the turning point — they helped shape a clear, compelling narrative quickly. Across 8 schools, every single one returned an interview invite, which led to 6 admits (CBS, NYU Stern, LBS, and Yale among them) plus 2 waitlists, along with more than $360K in scholarship offers.
6
Admits incl. CBS, NYU, LBS, Yale
$360K+
Scholarships
S
SoccerGeek
Joined Nov 12, 2020
"
Score
Report Verified
Couldn't have done this without Kelsey
Coming from a non-traditional background, this applicant had few mentors who'd navigated the MBA process and wasn't sure how to frame their story for business schools. Kelsey worked with them across the entire application — resume, extracurriculars, and essays — bringing a different lens that turned a scattered set of experiences into one cohesive, intentional narrative.
Non-Traditional
Background
Comprehensive
Package
P
PaceCloud
Joined Apr 11, 2026
"
School
Email Verified
Accepted at dream school! Highly recommend Kelsey!
Kelsey understood the specific requirements of every program this applicant targeted and stayed responsive throughout the process. She replied to emails quickly and even met on weekends during the peak of application season so they could fit in the mock interviews that mattered most.
Dream
School Admit
Weekend
Support
G
Garfield1234
Joined Apr 09, 2026
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Featured
Videos
Watch Client Journeys & Insights
Real stories and expert advice to guide your MBA admissions journey
MBA Admissions Journey & Tips
Hear firsthand insights from successful applicants who worked with Embark MBA to achieve their goals.
MBA Application Q&A Live
An in-depth live session covering MBA application strategies, essay tips, and answering your most pressing questions.
Insider Admissions Strategies
Former Columbia Business School Adcom shares insider knowledge on what makes a standout MBA application.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about working with Embark MBA
Embark MBA provides personalized MBA admissions consulting, including guidance on school selection, resume improvement, essay writing, interview preparation, and overall application strategy.
Embark MBA was founded by Kelsey Kephart, a former Admissions Director at Columbia Business School with direct experience reviewing applications, conducting interviews, and participating in scholarship and waitlist decisions. As a boutique practice, she works with every client personally.
The service helps applicants craft a clear and compelling personal narrative. It focuses on refining essays, strengthening resumes, and ensuring every part of the application aligns with what MBA admissions committees look for.
The full-service package includes school selection, resume refinement, test strategy, essay development, recommender coaching, interview preparation, and waitlist support from start to submission.
No. Many clients have below-average GPA, GMAT, or GRE scores, and the consulting process focuses on positioning strengths, improving narratives, and addressing weaknesses strategically.
The process starts with an introductory conversation about your background and goals, followed by tailored advice and an honest assessment of how Embark MBA can support your application journey.
Embark MBA doesn't publish a discount coupon code. GMAT Club members instead get access to transparent, all-inclusive package pricing and a free initial consultation through the link on this page.
There's no discount code to redeem. Simply book your free consultation through the GMAT Club link on this page — Embark MBA's packages are already priced transparently, with no negotiation or code required.
Ready to Embark on Your Journey?
Get your free consultation today and discover how personalized, boutique consulting can help you achieve your MBA goals.
24-hour turnaround • Personal attention • Affordable pricing