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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Eric Hollowaty
I worked with Eric throughout my deferred MBA application process as an international student. I believe I truly would not have achieved the same outcomes without his guidance.
I’m a masters student at a top European university studying a social science, with GRE 167V/169Q. I received interview invites for all three programs I applied to (HBS 2+2, Stanford GSB deferred, Wharton Moelis Advanced Access), and was ultimately admitted to 2/3 programs. I chose Eric after reading a client testimonial much like this one, and I hope mine gives you the same confidence to trust him with your own application.
First, he has an exceptional intuition for identifying what is genuinely distinctive about you, whilst remaining true to you and seeing strengths and connections you wouldn’t necessarily have recognised yourself. He was meticulous about getting to know my background; several of the stories, motivations, and themes he picked up on, that later became central to my applications, were ones I initially hadn’t seen as particularly significant.
Second, I came into the process already considering writing one of my strengths, so I was sceptical about how much value an admissions consultant could really add to my essays. However, by the end, I had no doubt his guidance was essential to how confident and proud I felt of every essay I submitted. His input ranged from upfront structural planning, to precise wording changes that improved clarity, to pushing me on whether an essay was actually answering the prompt (which isn’t always as straightforward as it seems). Eric pushed me to think carefully about why each school made sense given my specific experiences, goals, and values, and helped me connect my background naturally to what each program uniquely offers.
Finally, our mock interview and PIR sessions were also incredibly valuable as Eric asked many of the same types of (and often the exact same) questions and probes that came up in my real interviews, and his feedback helped me develop more thoughtful answers.
Beyond his expertise, Eric was an outstanding partner throughout what is, at times, a pretty stressful process. He was consistently responsive, thoughtful, candid when something wasn't working, and clearly invested in helping me put forward the strongest possible application.
I can say with complete confidence that working with Eric was one of the best investments I made during the MBA application process. I couldn’t recommend Eric more highly.
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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Rachel R Nelson
I started working with Rachel very late for Round 2 applications. I had only recently finished my GMAT, with an average score of 655, and had a fairly average GPA of around 3.4 compared with others from my demographic. I had gone to the US for my undergraduate degree, but had studied a non STEM major.
I worked with Rachel on three schools. All three were reaches, which Rachel and other counsellors had been upfront about. At the same time, I was managing a very demanding workload, so everything came down to the last few metres before the finish line.
What was incredible was how Rachel responded. She kept me calm during a very stressful period and somehow managed to find my story in the middle of all the chaos.
One of the main things I wanted to get out of the MBA application process was a better understanding of my own story and goals. It is sometimes difficult to figure that out by yourself without speaking to someone. Rachel was able to pull that out of me, while also cutting through the BS I initially tried to put forward.
She was very direct when something did not make sense or was not good enough, which is exactly what I needed. At the same time, she was extremely supportive throughout the process and helped me stay focused when I was overthinking things.
I received interview invitations from two of the three schools and was ultimately admitted to London Business School.
My only advice is to start early. It is a marathon, and the process will be far more enjoyable and useful if you give yourself enough time. Do not wait until the last minute and keep your ambitions high. You only do one MBA.
Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Liza Weale
A little bit of my background: Undergrad with 3.9+ GPA in a science discipline at T10 university and 715 GMAT. Admitted into Sloan and HBS deferred MBA programs.
Liza was incredible to work with at every stage of the process. For me, applying to deferred MBA programs as a senior in college with a science rather than business background, she was instrumental in helping me communicate my science and engineering experiences to a non-science audience. She helped me effectively think through all of my past experiences to choose strong essay topics and tell a coherent story across my applications.
She was incredibly patient and kind with me as I juggled a busy schedule while also making sure I was staying on schedule and giving adequate time to my applications. She always gave me feedback on my essays within a couple of days, and as deadlines approached, would turn things around even faster to make sure that everything I submitted was in the best shape possible. Liza was also extremely helpful during the interview process, as she held mock interviews that prepared me for the different styles of each school and boosted my confidence before the interviews. I would highly recommend Liza to anyone interested in applying to MBA programs!
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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Marcus Dahllof
Strengths:
Genuine care, deep strategic insight, and exceptional attention to detail to guide every step of the business school journey with confidence and clarity.
Would make the product better:
Nothing
I cannot say enough good things about Marcus Dahllöf and the impact he had on my business school application journey. Looking back, I truly believe that having Marcus by my side made an enormous difference, not only in the quality of my applications, but also in the confidence and clarity I had throughout the entire process.
From our very first conversations, Marcus took the time to understand who I was beyond my résumé. He wanted to know my story, my motivations, my goals, my doubts, and what I hoped business school would help me achieve. That personal level of attention made the process feel much more meaningful and much less overwhelming. He helped me see the strengths in my own journey and guided me in turning those experiences into a clear, authentic, and compelling application strategy.
What impressed me most was his incredible attention to detail. Marcus was deeply involved in every step of the process: school selection, positioning, essays, recommendations, interview preparation, application strategy, and even scholarship negotiation. He never treated any part of the process as minor or secondary. Every word, every story, every school choice, and every decision mattered to him. He was thoughtful, strategic, honest, and always focused on helping me present the best and most genuine version of myself.
Applying to business school can be stressful, emotional, and at times very uncertain. Marcus made that journey feel manageable. He was always patient, encouraging, and direct when I needed it. He challenged me to think deeper, pushed me to improve, and helped me stay focused during moments when the process felt overwhelming. More than just an advisor, he became a true partner in the journey.
What I appreciated most is that I always felt he genuinely cared about my success. His support went far beyond reviewing essays or giving application advice. He invested time, energy, and heart into helping me reach this goal, and I will always be grateful for that.
I would recommend Marcus without a doubt to anyone applying to business school. He is detail-oriented, strategic, honest, supportive, and deeply committed to his clients. If you are looking for someone who will truly understand your story, help you bring out your best, and support you through every stage of the process, Marcus is exactly the person you want by your side.
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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Eric Hollowaty
Basic info: I went to a top undergraduate university where I studied art history and had a 3.87 GPA. I’ve worked in fundraising operations at nonprofits in healthcare and climate. I got a 735 on the GMAT focus exam.
I had a background in nonprofit fundraising and decided to make a massive career pivot with the help of an MBA, but the application process was wildly overwhelming to me. I knew one other person who had pursued an MBA, and she had worked with Eric and recommended I reach out. I’m so glad I did; he helped me translate my experience to business school terminology and assess what from my story was relevant to the application.
Throughout each essay iteration, he was clear and helpful. I found his resume edits surprisingly beneficial as well – I had made many resumes before for job applications, but I needed a different set of information for the business school applications. The whole time, he helped orient me to relevant information, which was crucial; I’d never heard terms like “CPG,” “MBB,” or “IB” before, to give an idea of where I was coming from.
I was admitted to two top 15 MBA programs, one of which I’ll be attending in the fall, and waitlisted at a third, and I’m elated by the results.
Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Liza Weale
I worked with Liza Weale on my HBS 2+2 application and was admitted; I couldn't recommend her more highly.
A bit about my background: I'm a Stanford undergrad, Economics major, 4.0 GPA, 675 GMAT, heading into investment banking post-graduation.
Liza was incredibly on top of everything. I submitted my application over a week early with zero stress. Small questions were often answered within the hour, and feedback on drafts came back within a day during crunch time, never more than two business days no matter how many drafts I sent.
She was also great at helping me find my authentic voice. We spent real time early on just getting to know me — family, background, formative experiences. All of this let her later help me recognize details I would've dismissed as irrelevant but that ended up rounding out who I am. A lot of consultants push a polished, manufactured "narrative." Liza did the opposite, with no exaggeration or insincerity, making the final application package feel like an authentic, holistic view of myself.
Liza’s guidance played a big part in this process and I could not recommend her more.
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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Rachel R Nelson
Strengths:
Honesty
Would make the product better:
Nothing
I worked with Rachel on two schools (Sloan Early and HBS 2+2) while applying to M7 deferred MBA programs. She was worth every penny, and you should look no further if you’re willing to put in the work.
Rachel helped me frame my disparate experiences across industries into a single logical, compelling, and unique narrative. She pushed me to go deeper than surface-level accomplishments and helped me understand what actually made my story distinctive. Her feedback was always thoughtful, specific, and honest, and she had an incredible ability to identify both the strongest parts of my application and the areas that needed more clarity.
What stood out most was how supported I felt throughout the process. Rachel was responsive, encouraging, and deeply invested in helping me put forward the best possible version of my story. She made an intimidating and often ambiguous process feel structured and manageable, from brainstorming to essays to interview preparation. I always felt like she understood not just what schools were looking for, but also who I was and how to communicate that authentically.
I ultimately received offers from HBS 2+2, MIT Sloan Early, and Chicago Booth Scholars, and I do not think I would have had the same results without Rachel’s guidance. For anyone applying to deferred MBA programs, especially if you have a non-linear background or are trying to tie together multiple interests and experiences, Rachel is exactly the person you want in your corner. Highly, highly recommend.
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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Eric Hollowaty
I worked with Eric during the 2025–2026 MBA admissions cycle and cannot recommend him highly enough.
For context, I graduated from a small liberal arts college with a 3.7 GPA, scored a 328 on the GRE, and spent two years in investment banking, followed by three years in middle-market private equity. I made the somewhat crazy decision to apply in Round 2 in late November, essentially starting from scratch. At that point, I still needed to study for and take the tests, develop my application strategy, craft my personal narrative, and complete all of my essays on an extremely compressed timeline.
From the beginning, Eric brought both structure and clarity to what felt like an overwhelming process. While I considered myself a strong writer, I quickly realized that business school essays require a very specific style and level of self-reflection. One of Eric's greatest strengths is his ability to help applicants dig deeper into their backgrounds and uncover the stories that truly differentiate them. He consistently pushed me beyond my first draft answers and helped me identify themes and experiences that became the foundation of my application narrative.
Eric was also instrumental in streamlining the entire process. Given my timeline, efficiency was critical. He helped me develop a cohesive story that could be tailored across schools while still feeling authentic to each program. His feedback was direct, thoughtful, and actionable, allowing me to complete five applications across five top MBA programs in less than two months while balancing a demanding private equity role.
One other aspect of working with Eric that I think is worth highlighting is his communication style. In a process as hectic and deadline-driven as MBA admissions, there were never any surprises. Eric was incredibly communicative, clear, and consistently available to answer the countless one-off questions that inevitably arise throughout the application process. Just as importantly, he was a genuine pleasure to work with. His positive attitude and enthusiasm made what could have been a stressful marathon of test prep, essays, and applications feel manageable from start to finish.
The results exceeded my expectations. I got interviews with all five schools and ultimately was admitted to three of the programs I applied to, including an M7 program that I will be attending this fall. I also received a full-tuition fellowship from one school and a significant merit scholarship from another.
Looking back, I do not think I would have achieved the same outcomes without Eric's guidance. If you are looking for an admissions consultant who can help you uncover and articulate your story, elevate your essays, and navigate the process efficiently on a very tight timeline, I would strongly recommend working with him.
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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Rachel R Nelson
Strengths:
- Adaptability
- Dedication
- Listening
- Knowledge and expertise
Would make the product better:
Nothing
I worked with Rachel on my Round 3 MBA applications. At the time, I was a strategy consultant based in the Middle East with a background in mechanical engineering, a 3.2 GPA, and a 328 GRE. In February, I decided to switch career paths and pursue an MBA, which meant applying in Round 3 with a very tight timeline.
Rachel was incredible throughout the entire process. In just two months, she guided me through school selection, helped me build a clear and compelling application strategy, and adapted to my schedule to support me across 10 applications. She took the time to understand my background, help me develop my story, and translate it into strong, authentic essays.
What stood out most was her commitment to excellence. She pushed every application to be as strong as possible, sometimes going through more than 10 iterations of a single essay until it felt right. Her guidance, motivation, and attention to detail were essential to my success. Thanks to her support, I was accepted to 7 out of 10 of the programs I applied to including MIT Sloan and London Business School, even in their final application round.
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Product Gatehouse Admissions Consulting
Consultant Rachel R Nelson
Strengths:
strong interview preparation, communication, urgency
I applied to Ross, Darden, and Stern without GMAT/GRE scores, receiving test waivers from all three, with a management consulting-focused narrative in my applications.
I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2022 with a degree in Economics and a minor in Mathematics with a 3.7 GPA. I spent my post-grad years in Transfer Pricing at a Big Four for 3 years before moving into management consulting.
Rachel's contributions were most evident in two areas: interview preparation and essay development.
On the interview side, her mock sessions are thorough and demanding. Beforehand, she provides you with guides on how to frame your personal story and anticipate the range of questions you may face. I felt super comfortable and prepared in each interview and did not get blindsided by any questions.
On the essay side, Rachel takes the time to understand who you are as a candidate and builds a narrative that connects your background to each school's fit. There were many iterations trying to fit the most into the short wordcounts of the essays. For someone who does not consider himself a strong writer, the process was demanding but the output was noticeably better for it.
I was admitted to all three schools - Darden with a merit scholarship, Ross, and Stern (initially waitlisted). I ultimately chose Stern.