Working with Hollis Kline was the single best decision I made in my MBA application journey. Thanks to her expert guidance, I was fortunate to gain admission to both Harvard Business School and Stanford GSB. But beyond the results, it was Hollis’s approach—deeply personal, calm, and incisive—that made the process so meaningful. She took the time to truly understand me: my goals, my values, and the nuances of my story. From that foundation, she helped me craft applications that were authentic, compelling, and strategically sharp.

For context, I’m a private equity associate with five years of combined experience in investment banking and PE. I studied finance at Indiana University and scored a 695 on the GMAT Focus. Like many applicants with a traditional pre-MBA background, I knew standing out would require thoughtfulness, precision, and depth. Hollis delivered on all three. She is personable and laid-back in a way that puts you at ease, yet she’s also relentlessly committed and unafraid to challenge you when needed. Her feedback was always sharp, constructive, and focused on making my application the best it could be.

Hollis is more than an admissions consultant—she’s a true partner and advisor. For anyone looking to rise above the noise and submit a distinctive, high-quality application to a top MBA program, I cannot recommend her highly enough.

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Working with Rachel was truly one of the highlights of my MBA journey. I started the process quite late (mid-November for Round 2), with a GRE score slightly below the median, being a white male applicant, and with a background in management consulting, so I knew I needed to bring real depth to my story to stand out. Thanks to Rachel’s guidance, I was fortunate to be admitted to both Wharton and MIT out of the four schools I applied to (other ones being Kellogg and Booth).
What made working with Rachel so special wasn’t just her sharp strategic advice (which was spot-on), but how quickly she created a space where I felt I could be completely honest, something that allowed me to go deeper in my storytelling. She helped me uncover what was unique about my path and pushed me to articulate it with authenticity, confidence, and warmth.
She helped me structure my time efficiently and stay on track without feeling overwhelmed, always helping me prioritize without ever making the process feel transactional or rushed. I genuinely looked forward to our calls, which kept me grounded through a pretty intense few months.
I’ll always be grateful for Rachel's support, and I can’t recommend her enough!

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Alex was an absolute joy to work with last year. I was accepted to 5 out of the M7 schools (Booth, CBS, GSB, Kellogg, Wharton) that Alex supported me on with $450k in total merit scholarship across the schools. I graduated from a top 30 school and worked in financial services after graduating. He is the right fit for someone who is all in--if that is you, work with him!

Alex was particularly helpful in the following areas:
>Forcing me to dig deep in identifying and displaying 1) the granular skills I needed to achieve my goals, and 2) the ways that a given school's program can specifically enable me to achieve those goals. I think most consultants bring the latter but Alex really pushed me to think about the former. Gatehouse hires consultants who attended top MBA programs and often work in prestigious roles after attending those programs: this background uniquely enables Alex to see the connectivity between the classroom and real world skills.
>Pushing me to identify and highlight impact in my resume. Alex pushed me to really dig out the impact of my work even when I thought a given point was perfect: herein lies a key value driver of a talented consultant. Friends and families will typically read your work and affirm how great it is. No matter how honest you ask them to be, they won't be because they have nothing to gain.
>Helping me stay on track and organized. Alex sent back feedback meticulously on schedule according to Gatehouse's review timelines. Having a reliable consultant is so important and it's so easy for part-time consultants to procrastinate in sending back feedback. However, I always felt that Alex prioritized sending me back comments in a timely manner--I couldn't even tell that this wasn't his full-time job!

After submitting my applications, he set aside plenty of time to conduct mock interviews with me (another one of his strengths). I genuinely feel that I became a more natural interviewer after working with him and know that will help me when I'm applying for internships and full-time roles. By the end of the journey, I felt that Alex knew me better than most of my friends and through working together, he helped me discover myself.

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Industry: Financial Services (not Investment Baking / Private Equity), 5 Years Experience in Strategy and Product; Test Score: 720 GMAT; GPA: 3.75 @ Ivy+ School, Social Sciences Major, Humanities Minor

I asked some friends for MBA consultant recommendations, and after meeting Liza, I knew I found the best one. In our first meeting, Liza described honestly, based on my high-level stats, my initial strengths and deficiencies, and how I could draft an application that harnesses both.

I truly felt that Liza’s approach as a consultant helped me to write essays that felt as authentic, well-rounded, and captivating as possible. The three most emblematic ways Liza helped me do this were:

1. Making me write an inventory of my entire life experience - childhood, personal, professional, and extracurricular experiences and stories. Writing this out was extremely helpful in reflecting on how my experiences led me to where I was and where I wanted to go next. We used this inventory to have a deep discussion on the points in my career and personal experiences that would demonstrate in applications who I was, why I wanted to pursue a MBA, and why I thought I was the right fit for certain schools. Most importantly, this experience allowed Liza to get to know me, and push me to demonstrate my most authentic self as I wrote essays.
2. Like writing a novel, I was the author and Liza was the editor - only that Liza pushed me like a track coach would push a runner in doing everything they could to hit their best ever time. With each draft I wrote, Liza pushed me for perfect - in choosing the right story, in making sure every sentence advanced the point of the essay, and ensuring my personality shined through. The journey to finishing an essay was so profound that some of my essays (even those that were only 250 words) had 10-15 drafts.
3. In preparing for interviews, Liza hosted a few mocks with me. Her feedback was vital, since she knew both what schools were looking for as well as who I was (especially so by this point in the process). She helped me realize that MBA interviews are conversations where I painted a cohesive picture on who I was within a 30-45 minute time frame.

Lastly, as a full-time professional, I appreciated how Liza helped me set the pace on how often I turned around drafts as well as holding me accountable to deadlines we set. This allowed me to chip away at essays consistently and diligently over months to avoid any significant last-minute work.

I deeply enjoyed working with Liza, who was a coach, editor, cheerleader, and friend all at the same time. I applied to three schools, and was accepted to HBS (attending), Wharton, and Sloan - in huge part thanks to the process of working with Liza!

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Strengths:

Accountability, Positive Reinforcement

As a healthcare tech consultant at Deloitte and Brandeis grad with a 3.4 GPA, my MBA journey had its challenges. Despite multiple attempts at the GRE, I couldn't push my score beyond 306 - not exactly what top programs look for.

That's where Liza and Gatehouse Admissions made all the difference. Unlike other consultants who glossed over my weaknesses, Gatehouse was refreshingly honest. Liza didn't just tell me what I wanted to hear - she gave me straight talk about where I stood and what we needed to do to overcome my test score limitations.

What really made Gatehouse stand out was how they helped me craft my story. Looking at my initial essays now, I can see they were completely off target. Through Liza's guidance, I discovered what actually mattered in my application - not just improving my weaknesses, but highlighting my authentic strengths in a way that made sense for MBA admissions.

Gatehouse kept me organized and accountable throughout the application process for all three schools. The structured approach helped me stay on track with deadlines, and Liza's positive reinforcement kept me going when things got tough.

Gatehouse's expertise in storytelling is why I got into Kellogg's MBAi program despite my GRE score. They didn't just edit my essays - they helped me find and articulate my unique value proposition in a way no other consultant could have.

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Background: White, Female, 26, 3.91 GPA (Non-target), 715 GMAT Focus, 2 years IB + 2 years PE. I worked with Rachel on HBS (R1), Wharton (R1) and GSB (R2) and received offers from GSB and Wharton.

Rachel was referred to me by a close friend who worked with her the prior year and had a great experience + successful outcome wrt his applications. Rachel and I began working together in May (on schedule) but I struggled to make progress on my essays while also studying for the GMAT. Rachel continued to encourage me and provided constructive feedback on the drafts I shared, but she also began advocating for a change in our planned timeline. I stubbornly insisted we continue with all three applications in R1 as planned and Rachel did her best to work with me, turning comments quickly even up to the last minute. Only after submitting an incomplete application (HBS) did I listen to her advice and decide to push my GSB application to R2.

Pushing GSB to R2 gave me the time I needed to rework my application from scratch and put my best foot forward, ultimately leading to an interview (which Rachel helped me prep extensively for, even on the weekend while she was traveling) and an offer to attend. Rachel's knowledge of the application process and timeline, her direct feedback, patience, and willingness to work through challenges with me were instrumental in my acceptance to the GSB.

Ultimately I needed to put the time and focus required into the applications (no one else will do that for you), but Rachel was patient and persistent in her support while I learned that lesson. She pushed me to make my applications and interview responses better until they were polished and reflected my best. I am incredibly happy with this outcome and would gladly choose to work with Rachel if I had to do this all over again - highly recommend and can’t thank her enough!

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My background: Asian, Male, 29, 3.98 GPA (Ivy), 760 GMAT, work experience ranges across business operations, IB, and PE. I worked with Rachel on Wharton and CBS for R2, and received offers to both programs.

I cannot thank Rachel enough for all the help and support she provided through my application cycle. Initially skeptical of the value add of consultants, I had unsuccessfully applied R1 without help. I discovered that I didn’t know how to properly position my profile and highlight relevant experiences to admissions.

Then - in came Rachel, from our first call together, I knew things were going to be different. (1) Rachel is extremely direct and will let you know when things are not working. Everyone comes into these applications having an idea of what a good application looks like. However, Rachel knows what an excellent application looks like. She will keep pushing you until you present yourself in the best light. (2) Rachel is incredibly detail-oriented. She’s reviewing each sentence and bullet point providing constructive feedback on how you can sharpen your points and be more specific. She remembers things you’d previously told her and resurfaces those details where relevant. The final product she helped me shape was very thorough and thoughtful. (3) Rachel is highly supportive through the whole process. She’s done an amazing job making herself available for calls / answering even the smallest questions I had within a prompt time. It’s a challenging process and she helped me through it - every step of the way.

I cannot recommend Rachel enough. She really helped transform my applications and am so thankful to her for her help!

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Working with Marcus was the best decision I made in my MBA application journey. Thanks to his guidance, I was admitted to Kellogg, my top-choice school, where I’ll be starting this summer.

I come from a consulting background with five years of experience in LATAM. I graduated among the top 5% of my class in Mechanical Engineering in Brazil and scored 323 on the GRE. I applied to six top MBA programs and received interview invites from Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, Fuqua, and Darden.

Marcus was essential at every stage of the process. From our first conversation, he took the time to understand my goals and adapted his approach to reflect my Brazilian background and personal story. He helped me articulate my experiences in a way that felt natural and authentic, transforming my ideas into a cohesive narrative that aligned with both my career ambitions and personal values.

We went through more than 10 essay iterations per school. Marcus reviewed each version in detail, always pushing me to go deeper, be clearer, and stay true to my voice. His feedback was thoughtful and precise, often catching nuances I would have overlooked. Beyond the essays, he helped me with every aspect of the application, including resume reviews, short answers, and interview prep. His mock interviews were especially helpful, giving me the guidance, confidence, and clarity I needed to perform at my best.

Working with Marcus didn’t just improve the quality of my applications; it transformed how I saw my own story. He challenged me, supported me, and never let me settle for “good enough.” I will always recommend him to anyone starting their MBA journey, knowing that he was a key factor in my success in gaining admission to my top-choice school.

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I was fortunate enough to work with Hollis on MBA admissions for over a year and would highly recommend her services to anyone considering a consultant. She was a crucial partner in the development of my applications, which ultimately resulted in admission to my top choice schools.

We initially delved deeply into my background and together weaved threads into a coherent narrative. Hollis clarified my hodgepodge of experiences and unlocked insights that bolstered my candidacy. This upfront exploration paid huge dividends as the process developed.

As we iterated on essays and short answers, Hollis was both an exacting critic and mindful strategist. She ensured that my prose succinctly and effectively mapped to the broader themes of my application. She was also a constant source of resolve through this taxing period.

Hollis then coached me through the ins and outs of the interview process, thoughtfully critiquing responses to align to school-specific priorities.

Thanks to her exhaustive and comprehensive support, I was accepted into both HSW schools to which I applied.

Hollis is a best-in-class advisor who positions her clients for success while facilitating a manageable process. I would highly recommend her to anyone considering MBA applications.

Background
Major: History
GPA: 3.8
GMAT: 780
Industry: Private Equity

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I approached Eric late in the Round 2 application cycle, unsure if I could pull everything together in under two months. As a traditional applicant (white male in consulting/finance/investments) I was also concerned about how to differentiate myself in such a competitive pool. My background included a 3.8+ GPA from a non-target school and a 640–650 GMAT Focus score.

From the very first conversation, Eric was very effective. He quickly assessed my situation, understood the challenges I faced, and helped me focus on the most impactful aspects of my background. Instead of trying to fit me into a one-size-fits-all template, Eric worked with me to highlight the unique elements of my story. He helped me craft a narrative that felt both authentic and distinctive, which was crucial for overcoming the overrepresented aspects of my profile.

Eric’s approach was incredibly structured and goal-oriented, which helped me stay focused and efficient, even with the limited time we had. His feedback was always timely and actionable, allowing me to refine my essays without feeling overwhelmed. Rather than giving me generic advice, Eric pushed me to think critically about how to present my experiences in a way that would resonate with admissions committees. He encouraged me to dig deeper, ensuring my writing reflected my true voice while also making sure I was addressing each program’s unique values and priorities.

What truly set Eric apart was his ability to make the process feel manageable, even with the tight deadlines. He kept me on track with regular check-ins and deadlines, and his strategic insights helped me strengthen every part of my application. Whether it was refining my essays, preparing for interviews, or tackling the application forms, Eric’s guidance was invaluable at every stage.

As a result of Eric’s support, I was admitted to both of the M7 MBA programs I applied to, earning significant scholarships from each. I’m confident that his expertise played a major role in making my application stand out. If you’re looking for someone who can help you refine your narrative, keep you on track under pressure, and present your best self to admissions committees, Eric is a fantastic partner throughout the process.

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