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Embark MBA Admissions Consulting Reviews

Embark MBA is a boutique MBA Admissions consulting firm founded by former M7 Adcom. My superpower is helping applicants craft materials that sound and feel like them. Since 2017, I’ve helped hundreds of MBA-hopefuls - 97% have succeeded, with 59% receiving scholarships (an average of $143k). I achieve this by simplifying the application process, providing individualized and tailored advice, and spending time to deeply understand you.
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Embark MBA Admissions Consulting Reviews

Embark MBA Consulting Services
$4000
Reviews
42
Average Rating
5
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Most Reviewed Embark MBA Consultants

Kelsey Kephart
Reviews
43
Average Rating
5.0

AI Super-Summary of Customer Reviews for Embark MBA*

Kelsey is consistently praised for her exceptional admissions consulting services, assisting numerous clients in gaining acceptance to top MBA programs, including M7 schools, often with scholarships. Formerly part of an admissions committee, Kelsey's insider knowledge is invaluable, offering personalized, empathetic, and transparent guidance. She excels in helping clients craft unique personal narratives, improve essays, manage stress, and strengthen interview skills, effectively simplifying and optimizing the application process. Many clients highlight her prompt, comprehensive feedback, reasonable pricing, and genuine investment in their success, making her highly recommended as a supportive and efficient consultant.
9 users mention "Supportive"
  • "the application process is stressful, but Kelsey makes it simple and easy...." Read more
  • "Kelsey was there every step of the way...." Read more
  • "It was so easy and motivating to work with her...." Read more
  • "Kelsey centers your distinctive contribution, and helps you tell your story..." Read more
  • "providing encouragement and tough love in equal parts..." Read more
  • "Kelsey was supportive, authentic and positive..." Read more
  • "she was immediately available to help me brainstorm other approaches or keep encouraging me..." Read more
  • "she was truly one of my biggest cheerleaders...." Read more
  • "help me reframe my entire perspective..." Read more
7 users mention "Admitted"
  • "Her guidance helped me receive multiple offers, including an accepted offer from an M7...." Read more
  • "being admitted into Wharton and Columbia (with $$)!..." Read more
  • "helped me get accepted to 2 M7s (including my #1 choice program) and 2 T15s..." Read more
  • "got into multiple M7s, was awarded a full scholarship..." Read more
  • "I was admitted to all three schools I applied to: Stanford, Harvard, Columbia...." Read more
  • "I went to Embark MBA with one goal of getting into Haas..." Read more
  • "I ended up with several acceptances including my dream program, Wharton!..." Read more
7 users mention "Responsive"
  • "She responded quickly, honestly, and even gave me a boost of confidence when I was being too hard on myself...." Read more
  • "Kelsey is extremely responsive (most of the time you get an email reply within 10 minutes)..." Read more
  • "Kelsey is very responsive to emails...." Read more
  • "Extremely responsive. She routinely was answering texts within minutes, and over the holidays no less!..." Read more
  • "impressed by the speed and quality of the feedback sessions..." Read more
  • "Speedy delivery of feedback..." Read more
  • "She was very accessible, making it easy to chat with her at any time...." Read more
5 users mention "Scholarship Awarded"
  • "got into my top choice Columbia Business School..." Read more
  • "I ended up getting full-tuition scholarships at both CBS and Stern..." Read more
  • "scholarships amounting up to a full ride!..." Read more
  • "pleased to have been accepted to my program of choice (with scholarship!)..." Read more
  • "I got in and even received some scholarships!..." Read more
5 users mention "Detail-Oriented"
  • "guided me through every aspect of the application process, addressing all my questions and concerns..." Read more
  • "She s a master at editing, distilling complex stories into concise, impactful narratives..." Read more
  • "she provided me the admissions committee perspective..." Read more
  • "provided valuable tactics for handling unexpected moments..." Read more
  • "so many school-specific insights and resources..." Read more
4 users mention "Non-traditional Backgrounds"
  • "As a social science major, I struggled to articulate my story..." Read more
  • "My resume was not adorned with mentions of blue chip companies..." Read more
  • "my unique characteristics..." Read more
  • "feeling very overwhelmed at the application steps..." Read more
4 users mention "Full Service"
  • "Kelsey takes the time to get to know you, your story, goals, and helps you communicate those in the most effective way...." Read more
  • "Her structured, results-oriented process was exactly what I needed...." Read more
  • "She really sought to get to know me to help bring the best to my applications...." Read more
  • "guidance..." Read more
3 users mention "Value for Money"
  • "I hired Kelsey to help me with Consortium Round 1 for CBS with the $1000 Pre-Submission Package...." Read more
  • "Her rates are very reasonable. I never felt like I was being nickeled and dimed..." Read more
  • "Given how reasonable her pricing is, I think you receive much, much more than you pay...." Read more
3 users mention "Low GPA Success"
  • "having a low GPA & no-brand undergraduate program..." Read more
  • "less-than-ideal GPA and GRE scores..." Read more
  • "As a candidate with a <3.0 GPA and below average test scores..." Read more
2 users mention "Essay Editing"
  • "Kelsey really helped me craft a 'unique' and 'personal' story on my essays..." Read more
  • "Her help and guidance with essays was absolutely invaluable...." Read more
2 users mention "Top-Tier School Focus"
  • "could not have gotten into my dream mba program without her..." Read more
  • "my dream program as it was a very selective business school (T15)..." Read more
1 users mention "High GMAT Scorers"
1 users mention "Reapplication Success"
  • "I had connected and briefly worked with several coaches before but didn't find them to be personally invested in my success..." Read more
1 users mention "Waitlist Support"
  • "I was waitlisted for my top program..." Read more
1 users mention "Budget-Friendly"
  • "the affordable packages she offers..." Read more
*Review summaries are AI generated from 25 latest reviews in the past 2 years.

Reviews:

42 Reviews
5.0 Average
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July 24, 2025
aholder56

Joined: Jul 24, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

WHERE WOULD I BE WITHOUT KELSEY

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Strengths:

Overall strengths are editing editing, tailoring students MBA weaknesses, and strengthening applicants personal branding.

Would make the product better:

Nothing

At first, I didn’t think I needed a personal coach because I was already in a pre-MBA program that helps with applications.. But an alum from the program told me I had to work with Kelsey, and I’m so glad I did.

It’s not only Kelsey’s ability to help you create such a strong story, but it’s her years of experience and knowledge in the industry that make you feel very confident every step of the way. She very much understands the admissions processes because she’s been apart of the team who reviews applications, and therefore is able to point out things you might’ve never thought about.

She supported me through everything, even when I was unhappy at my job and thinking of quitting before getting accepted anywhere. She immediately hopped on the phone with me, answered all my questions, and helped me think it through without pressure.

Whenever I felt stressed or unsure, she was there. I had a 3.1 undergrad GPA and a 310 GRE score, and I still got into Wharton off the waitlist and Duke who gave me a big scholarship. We focused a lot on making sure my essays really showed my personality, and we didn’t shy away from addressing gaps in my application.

Could I have done this on my own? Maybe. But I’m 100% sure I wouldn’t have submitted my best-application without Kelsey. She was my biggest cheerleader and I will continue to recommend her to EVERYONE I know applying!! Very excited that I’ll be going to Wharton and graduating class of 2027!

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June 26, 2025
wannabegmatninja

Joined: Apr 29, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Kelsey Got Me Over a Million In Scholarships

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Strengths:

Kelsey provides exceptional responsiveness and personalized support. Her feedback comes quickly, and her willingness to hop on calls makes the experience feel collaborative and deeply invested.

She is a strategic storyteller who helps you refine your narrative with purpose. She doesn’t just edit; she enhances your story while keeping your voice intact, helping you focus on what matters most.

Her efficiency and expertise are standout qualities. What would take me hours, she could do in minutes, always with precision and clarity.

The return on investment is undeniable. Her guidance contributed to significant scholarship awards and acceptances at top MBA programs, making her support invaluable both personally and financially.

She is trustworthy and ethical. I always felt like she had my best interests at heart, never trying to upsell or waste time. Her feedback was honest, constructive, and kind.

Would make the product better:

Nothing to say here - she did great!

Working with Kelsey was one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process. With her support, I netted over a million dollars in scholarships (crazy right?!?). But beyond the money, what made her stand out was her responsiveness. I could shoot her an email and get thoughtful, helpful feedback so quickly, it felt like she was in this process with me every step of the way. She was so quick to jump on a call and chat through things live with me.

What I think makes Kelsey the best is that she didn’t just edit my essays (which is what I hired her for) but she took my story and made it stronger, while keeping my voice. She helped me pull out the pieces that mattered, frame them with intention, and kept the heart of it all intact. I used to spend hours trimming down my essay and trying to get it below the word limit but Kelsey would do what took me 3 hours in 15 minutes. Kelsey also pushed me to apply for schools I didn't even think I had a shot at and she was right, I got into an M7 with scholarship money!

What I appreciated most is that she was fair, fast, and just so good at her job. She works efficiently, never cuts corners, and her feedback is honest but kind. I never felt like she was trying to get more money from me, which I feel like is rare in this industry. For everything she brings to the table, she’s an incredible value—especially when you consider the ROI of those scholarship offers. Could not recommend her more and truly think it was the best decision I made in this entire process.

I got into 13/14 schools and am heading to a top 10 MBA with full tuition and a stipend. I'm so excited!

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April 23, 2025
hnu02

Joined: Apr 23, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Focus score:
735 Q90 V90 DI80 (Online)

Highly Recommend!

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Strengths:

- Professional
- Quick to respond
- Knowledgeable about all the top MBA programs

Kelsey was absolutely amazing in helping me prep for my Wharton TBD interview! She’s a true professional with deep knowledge of the MBA admissions process and was incredibly responsive throughout, and that's something I really appreciated.

Heading into the interview, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But Kelsey guided me through every step from brainstorming a strong solution to the TBD prompt, helping me choose the right "role" to play, fine-tuning my timing and tonality, and most importantly, helping me stay calm and confident. I can say with confidence that I wouldn't have received my offer from Wharton without Kelsey’s support and expertise.

What truly stood out is how much she cares. Even after I received offers from multiple schools, she made time to hop on a call and talk through my options, what made the most sense, and how to approach the next step in my career.

If you're looking for support with interview prep, essay guidance, or full-on application strategy, I can recommend Kelsey without hesitation. She’s the real deal!

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April 23, 2025
brightgmat

Joined: Oct 30, 2022

Posts: 76

Kudos: 42

Self-reported Score:
730 Q49 V40

The Calm in the Chaos

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Strengths:

You work directly with Kelsey! No being bounced around between junior consultants or admin staff. She's a powerhouse :)

If there’s one thing I’d tell anyone starting the MBA application process, it’s to work with Kelsey. The whole thing is stressful, overwhelming and honestly kind of a black box, but having Kelsey in my corner was the calm in the chaos. She brings a ton of experience as a former AdCom, but more than that, she’s just incredibly kind, accessible, and real.
Right from our first call—where she stayed on for an extra 30 minutes just to answer all my questions (even the silly ones)—I knew I was in good hands. She gives her personal number, responds super quickly (like, within a couple hours!), and genuinely makes you feel like you’re not doing this alone.
One thing I really appreciated was how honest and transparent she was. She never sugarcoated anything, but somehow always delivered tough feedback in a way that made me feel encouraged, not defeated. I always felt clear on what was working, what needed work, and that she was truly a partner in the process—not just a consultant, but someone who cared about my story and was invested in helping me tell it well.
Kelsey made a stressful process feel way less scary. She helped me tell my story in a way that felt authentic, and I always felt supported—through every draft, every interview prep session, and every little meltdown in between.

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April 16, 2025
viravb

Joined: Oct 17, 2019

Posts: 19

Kudos: 11

Go with Kelsey!

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I approached Kelsey after having spoken to 4 other consultants. Given the investment involved, I was skeptical about the value an admissions consultant would add to my applications. Making the decision to engage with Kelsey on my applications was one of the best decisions I've ever made.

From the first intro call, I could tell she was different from other consultants, not only did she have strong experience as an adcom at CBS to draw from, but she also brought her unique way of going about the application process. Coming into the process, I wasn’t super confident about my odds at the top schools. But Kelsey was great at helping me organize my thoughts and highlight my strengths. She’s really good at helping you weave a cohesive narrative and framing your background and accomplishments in the strongest way possible, regardless of the school.

The MBA admissions journey is long and has quite a few moving parts. Kelsey helped me compartmentalize each step, helping me stay focused and not stress. She is a great sounding board for ideas and will be honest when she thinks something is not going to work or will help frame something that has legs into something compelling.

Kelsey was super quick with turning things around and answering my many questions at any time of the day. She is generous with her time and I never felt rushed when talking with her. If you want someone who is professional, knows her stuff, and part therapist you cannot go wrong with Kelsey. I was very happy with how my admissions cycle played out and I truly believe I couldn't have achieved that without Kelsey.

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April 10, 2025
yl1997

Joined: Apr 10, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Focus score:
695 Q90 V83 DI80

I regret not finding her sooner!!

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After being waitlisted by my dream program and rejected by the rest in Round 1, I was devastated and lost. A stranger on Reddit recommended Kelsey, saying she had helped convert their waitlist. I was skeptical—my previous consultant experience hadn’t been great—but I decided to give it a try.

Before our first call, I sent Kelsey my application materials. During that call, she immediately pinpointed weaknesses in my application—everything from small details like not listing the class year of alumni I had spoken with, to deeper concerns about how I framed my career goals. These were issues my previous consultant had never once mentioned. And the best part? She shared all this feedback on a free call, not knowing whether I would choose to work with her. She then walked me through what it would be like to work together and guaranteed that she would support me through the entire process. By that point, I was 100% sold. Kelsey helped me craft three waitlist update letters, did one yield call prep, and kept me sane throughout the entire process. She’s proactive, resourceful, incredibly experienced, and will always be there for you.

I ended up converting my waitlist way earlier than I expected. My only regret is not finding her sooner. Having worked with multiple consultants, I can recommend Kelsey with my whole heart!

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April 06, 2025
gjkim1992

Joined: Apr 06, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Please just trust Kelsey - You wont' regret it

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Strengths:

1. Experience
2. Fast and honest feedback
3. Flexible package options
4. Interview prep
5. Value

Would make the product better:

N/A

Working with Kelsey was, without a doubt, the best decision I made during my MBA application journey. I was accepted at HSW even with below average test scores and a non-traditional background. Kelsey helped me highlight my differentiating factors—my leadership experience, uniqueness of my non-traditional background, and the impact I’ve made. Her ability to see the bigger picture helped me shape compelling, authentic narratives that truly reflected who I am.

Kelsey’s breadth of knowledge across multiple industries was incredibly valuable when it came to refining my short and long-term goals. She pushed me to be specific, strategic, and realistic. She knew exactly how to position my goals in a way that resonated with each program, tying together my past experiences and future ambitions, which was key.

Even though I knew she had other clients, it always felt like I had her full attention. Her responsiveness and turnaround times were incredible, especially during crunch time. I genuinely don’t know how she does it.

I also did two mock interviews with her—one focused on general MBA and behavioral questions, and another more advanced session that dug into the "why" behind my professional and personal life choices. That second interview was especially helpful in giving me a framework to approach a wide range of questions with clarity and confidence.

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April 06, 2025
ajinick

Joined: Jul 29, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Extremely efficient!

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Strengths:

Efficient and insightful

As a non-traditional candidate from a company with zero name recognition, work gaps, etc, I was nervous about my chances at top MBA programs. I had intro calls with almost 10 consultants, big firms and solo, but most of them told me I was not top-school material. Some straight-up said I should be ready to get my heart broken and brushed me off.

Kelsey was different even in the intro call. She told me, “No matter who you go with, make sure you work with someone who understands you.” I wanted to work with someone who believed in me, so I decided to work with her.

I live halfway across the world, so the time difference was inconvenient. But Kelsey was always super prompt (whether it was the weekend, a holiday, or even when traveling in Japan). That level of commitment was wild to me. Also, I have to say that her pricing is super reasonable compared to others in the space, especially with her being a former adcom.

Her feedback was very honest and efficient. I broke my head for GSB's WMM essay topic for weeks, and she helped me figure it out in like 30 minutes. I thought I had to present myself a certain way to adcom to sound “impressive”, but Kelsey immediately called out that it came across as generic. She helped me dig deeper and find the parts of my story that were me, things I didn’t even realise were worth highlighting.

Post-submission, I kept doubting myself until the interview invite came (late in the cycle), and Kelsey kept reminding me that I was still very much in the play. She told me she expected me to get an interview,w and I did! Her gut from the ADCom experience was obvious.

I am sure I would not have gotten into my school without her. Yes, you need to bring your stuff because things have to be real, but on 'how you tell it', Kelsey nailed it. I highly recommend her to anyone like me.

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March 31, 2025
makeit2025

Joined: Apr 03, 2024

Posts: 2

Kudos: 1

Highly organized admissions expert

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

I think Kelsey's biggest strength is she helps you define and frame all aspects of your story. I find a lot of applicants, like myself, have interesting stories and background to share, but struggle to convey it in a relevant and compelling manner. Her experience in admissions shines in this area she is able to pick out and refine the highlights of your background. She did not hesitant to shoot down aspects of my background that weren't as interesting and also helped me flesh out other parts that I may have overlooked.

Additionally, Kelsey's process is highly structured and helped me set timelines and goals for myself when applying. We set dates for work to be completed by and she would follow-up quickly with updates/comments. She has an efficient organization system for breaking down different pieces of work to be down by school and how to re-use certain pieces and ideas for different applications.

She is high touch at every step of the process from LoR, essay, resume, application submission, interview, and wait-list. She will review everything you submit. Her expertise shines as you work with her and it made a huge difference for me when I was trying to get off the wait-list. I am thankful and grateful for all of Kelsey's hard-work and highly recommend her as an consultant.

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February 02, 2025
csherwyn

Joined: Feb 02, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
680 Q42 V41

The Best of the Best

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Simply put, Kelsey presents all of the premiere qualities you can possibly ask for in an advisor for the MBA application process. Her cunning whit, invaluable experience, sheer honesty, and true passion for getting you exactly where you want to be completely drove me to getting accepted to seven programs.
                  Kelsey will work around the clock for you to ensure you’re on the right path in essay writing and interview prep. We worked through every minute detail in each essay to ensure that I was conveying my optimal skillset and experience and my unique personal achievements and qualities. Kelsey will unlock your highest potential as an applicant, working strategically through answering essay questions with eloquence and genuine expression and answering interview questions with grace and poise. Among several workings, she presented me with thought-provoking prompts that posed as the framework for building writings that adcom loves to see. Her strong will, compassion, and raw intellect was more than invaluable.
                  Overall, you will be making a grave mistake by not exercising her talents and guidance, and I owe my success to her in this process in every way, shape, and form.

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