Guidance that’s honest, thoughtful, and always on point

Like many others from non-traditional backgrounds, I wasn’t sure how to approach the MBA application process. I didn’t have big brand names on my resume, and coming from an overrepresented nationality added another layer of uncertainty. I also started late—took the GMAT in the summer and was still finalising school choices as round 1 deadlines loomed.

I was looking for someone who could not only understand where I was coming from but help me turn that background into a strength. That’s exactly what Faisal did.

From our first conversation, he stood out—calm, thoughtful, and honest. He didn’t try to impress me with buzzwords or cookie-cutter advice. Instead, he helped me focus. There was a long list of things I could fix, but he helped me cut through the noise—pushing me to retake the GMAT to strengthen my profile, while also letting go of anything that wouldn’t actually move the needle.

More importantly, he helped me reframe how I saw my own story. I hadn’t realised how much of my experience could actually be a strength until he pushed me to dig deeper. He gave very specific, actionable feedback that made each draft better than the last—not just in content, but in clarity and tone. His comments always made me think harder, and they made my writing process stronger.

Faisal also genuinely cares. When I missed internal deadlines or delayed a draft, he was often more worried than I was—but instead of pressuring, he calmly pushed me to stick to our plan. When personal stuff came up, he didn’t flinch—he just helped me reorganise timelines to make sure the plan still worked for me. I could always rely on his turnaround time.

When I was debating whether to apply to Duke last minute, he encouraged me to go for it. That application turned out to be one of my best—and even ended up earning me a scholarship. I wouldn’t have even submitted it if he hadn’t nudged me toward progress over perfection.

Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful to have worked with someone like Faisal. He brought a balance of structure, sharp feedback, and genuine empathy that made all the difference. I’ve already recommended him to others and wouldn’t hesitate to do so again.