My background: mid-20s, half-white, half-asian male. Two years in venture capital, one year in operations as Chief of Staff at a fintech company in NYC. Graduated from Yale University with an Economics and Philosophy degree, a 3.89 GPA, 720 GMAT.

I was accepted R2 2025 to GSB and HBS. I only applied to GSB and HBS, and I do not think I would be in this position without Liza’s guidance and partnership.

Liza’s experience speaks for itself as the founder of the pre-eminent MBA consulting firm, Gatehouse, but beyond that she is a kind, empathetic, and intelligent human being. MBA essay writing is deeply personal - Liza not only helped me explore pivotal life moments but also translated them into compelling narratives that brought out the best in me.

On essay writing, Liza was instrumental. We started by laying out the full landscape of possibilities on what to write about, and then narrowed in on the key themes and topics to focus on for each essay question. In the trenches of essay writing, she was right there beside me - her comments pushing me to think deeper, write more clearly, and sometimes consider other avenues to explore.

Liza was also super helpful in my interview prep. I found that both my GSB and HBS interviews very much approximated my actual interviews, and because of that I started both interviews on the right foot and built confidence throughout both discussions.

I am so grateful for Liza’s support and expert guidance throughout this process, and will continue to lean on her as a trusted advisor and friend for many years to come.

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Strengths:

1. Essay refinement
2. Support and timeline management

Alex was extremely supportive which was especially important for me as someone who was worried about managing my time and staying calm throughout the process. I had a much larger list of schools before we started working together and he was a great guide for helping me identify the schools that would best fit me from both a career goals and personal vibe perspective. We worked closely on how to best articulate my story and crafted essays that I felt were the strongest version of myself and my goals. Refining my essays was so much easier with him. I also felt behind my peers when I started the process because I decided to apply to business school only a few months prior to submitting and having Alex give me guidance through each element of the process made it a lot easier to get everything done and stay confident. Overall I just really enjoyed having him in my corner throughout the whole process.

Background: B.S. in Computer Science from an Ivy-Plus university with a 3.8 GPA. I scored a 675 on the GMAT Focus and when I matriculate will have 4 YOE from a top-tier consulting firm who is sponsoring my MBA.

Results: I was admitted to Wharton, Kellogg and Ross with ~$250k in scholarships across schools.

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Strengths:

- Communication
- Attention to detail
- Commitment
- Expertise
- Writing Skills
- Editing Skills

Would make the product better:

No weaknesses at all!

Jennifer was everything I could possibly have asked for in a consultant. Her expertise, patience, and outstanding communication skills made the process far easier and more efficient than it would have been trying to navigate it alone.

Professionally, I was coming off of six years on active duty as an intelligence officer in the Marine Corps right into a role as a government affairs manager at an early-stage developer of nuclear fusion technology. I did my undergraduate degree at Yale (3.67 GPA), received a 329 GRE on my first go (170 Verbal, 159 Quant) and a 327 on my second go (166 Verbal, 161 Quant). Despite not having as high of a GRE score as is often recommended when applying to an M7 program, I was accepted to Columbia Business School and will matriculate in the fall of 2025.

Jennifer's insights allowed me to identify the unique components of my story and concretely demonstrate how those experiences would allow me to have a positive impact on my cohort at CBS. Her edits to my writing were timely, extraordinarily detailed, and logical, and she made herself available to me outside of standard business hours on more occasions than I can recall. Every conversation I had with her provided tangible value, culminating in our interview prep, which made my actual interview seem like a total breeze by comparison. She truly went above and beyond for me, and I consider myself incredibly lucky to have been her client.

If you are serious about pursuing a competitive MBA program, I GUARANTEE you that the depth and breadth of Jennifer's services are worth the price.

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My Background: White female with 2 years investment banking + 2 years private equity experience, 735 GMAT Focus score

I am so glad I was able to work with Rachel through my MBA application process, and my acceptance to HBS would not have been possible without her. I decided relatively last minute to apply to business school – in early July, I began studying for the GMAT with the goal of submitting Round 1 applications the first week of September. Rachel agreed to take me on as a client despite my accelerated timeline, and (1) clearly laid out everything that needed to be completed and (2) helped me adhere to a timeline enabling me to submit on time. She assisted me with my resume, essays, background materials for recommenders, and interview prep. Rachel gave honest feedback that helped me highlight the core messages in my essays (i.e., “show me, don’t tell me”), which ultimately led to a more effective showcasing of my candidacy. Rachel was also very effective in helping me weave together the various parts of my background (personal, academic, professional, etc.) into a cohesive and comprehensive application. Rachel was always available to provide feedback, answer questions, and hop on the phone, even if on short notice. I had a great experience working with Rachel and could not recommend her highly enough!

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Strengths:

Referenced in Review

Would make the product better:

None

As an applicant to HBS and GSB with a very “traditional” background on paper (Ivy League undergrad with high GPA and GMAT scores, followed by IB at a top bank, followed by large-cap PE), I knew that, although my application would be taken seriously by top programs, I would also be contrasted against a very competitive peer group. Therefore, I needed to be very focused on how I could stand out as a unique applicant.

I spoke with several consultants before Eric, but he immediately stood out in our very first conversation. I felt he had a deep understanding of the issues I faced as an applicant from an overrepresented pool. His level of financial expertise, as a former industry practitioner, was evident from the first minute we spoke. This enabled us to have a deep conversation about my specific goals (for example, different types of PE strategies I was interested in pursuing longer-term) that simply would not have been possible with other consultants. Just from that first meeting—which I’d encourage anyone to take with Eric—I left with new essay ideas that I may have otherwise never contemplated. Eric’s initial thoughts on my positioning as a candidate, including pointing out what he thought could be unique differentiators for me, also made it clear that he had plentiful experience working with candidates with my background.

Gatehouse Admissions (the agency through which I worked with Eric) does charge a premium for its services relative to most other consulting firms. This was top of mind as I considered whether to work with Eric. Ultimately, given the competitive nature of the schools I was applying to (Harvard and Stanford), and knowing several coworkers from my fund who were not accepted despite strong credentials, I decided the premium price was worthwhile for the peace of mind of getting the best possible advice.

I had a fairly long lead time to work on applications, so I ended up working closely with Eric for around seven months. Throughout that period, he exceeded my expectations in all respects.

In our initial discussions about my background, experiences, and interests, I had an initial view of how to present these qualities to the admissions committees—a view that, in hindsight, would not have been differentiated enough. Like many consultants, Eric took the time to understand my initial perspectives. However, he then pushed me to go a level deeper in terms of my motivations, helping me unearth anecdotes I likely would have never otherwise reflected on. One of these anecdotes, which I first mentioned to him offhand without thinking much of it, ended up being featured prominently in my Why Stanford essay after he helped me see how it tied together many other aspects of my story. Another such story became the basis for one of my HBS essays.

When it came time to draft essays, I benefited tremendously from Eric’s feedback. He is not afraid to tell you when an essay needs serious work, but conversely, his excitement is contagious when an essay hits the mark. As someone with a tendency to overthink, knowing that Eric would give me honest, well-informed feedback on every single draft helped me feel comfortable moving on to the next essay rather than continuing to ponder or rework essays that were already of high quality. With a consultant that I did not have as much trust in, I may have continued to iterate. However, because I knew that when Eric told me an essay was “done,” it was actually done, I finished the bulk of my application a month before the deadline, saving me from the major stress I saw other applicants go through in August.

Beyond the formal application tasks within the scope of Eric’s services, he also gave me great advice on topics more tangential to my application. For example, there were a couple of recent instances where I had a choice between different projects I could pursue, and I appreciated Eric’s willingness to offer his opinion on how each could potentially be featured in my application. I don’t think many other consultants would have offered this input with such generosity given that some of my questions may not have technically fallen within Eric’s agreed scope of work, so I greatly appreciated his help.

I was ultimately admitted to both Harvard and Stanford, and I absolutely believe that Eric’s help was a key factor in that outcome. I’m thrilled with the quality of service I received from him and the entire Gatehouse team, and I’ve since recommended other associates at my fund to Eric because I’m confident they’ll have the same positive experience.

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Working with Eric was an exceptional experience in all ways. I was initially a bit hesitant to make the $$ plunge, but after just a few hours together I was confident that both the time and money spend would be completely worth it. Throughout the process, Eric made me a better writer, storyteller, and communicator - skills that will benefit me throughout my career. I felt incredibly fortunate to work with Eric, and this sentiment was only amplified by my outcomes in December when I was admitted to both Stanford and Harvard - 2/2 schools I worked on with Eric!

In my view, Eric shines the most in essay advice, storytelling, and executive presence. I would come to him with a somewhat fleshed out idea, and he would instantly have ideas as to how make it even stronger. His ability to help bring a story to life is truly unique. His feedback allowed me to identify which parts of a story needed more detail and which could be consolidated or jettisoned entirely. As deadlines approached, he also helped me word smith my essays to meet those tricky word count limits. Additionally, I utilized his feedback on S/H when applying to several other schools where I was also admitted with substantial and/or full scholarships; I'm not sure I would have received such fortunate outcomes had I not worked with Eric.

Eric was always honest; he wasn't afraid to tell me when something was missing the mark. I viewed Eric's honesty as an extremely important quality, as his candor in situations in which I wasn't meeting expectations allowed me to trust him when he said something was "great" as well. He was always attentive and reliable, and I felt confident that he was "on it" throughout the process.

Lastly, on a personal note, I always looked forward to my meetings with Eric. He is incredibly kind and thoughtful, and he made the process meaningful and fun. I would strongly, strongly recommend working with Eric to anyone I know!

For context on my background: white female working in finance, non-Ivy undergrad in U.S., 4.0 GPA, 760 GMAT, strong leadership and extracurricular experiences across college + work + outside of work

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I am confident I would not have had the same outcome if I had not worked with Rachel. As background, I went to a top non-Ivy, 3.7 GPA, 760 GMAT with 2 years IB, 3 years PE, and got accepted to both HBS and Wharton in Round 1.

Since I was only applying to / willing to attend three schools and have a relatively standard background, I was nervous about differentiating myself in the application. Off the bat, I knew Rachel was the type of consultant I needed. She is extremely organized and timely, giving me a clear idea of what to expect and guidance on how I should phase the different stages of the apps early on, which helped me stay on track.

Most importantly, Rachel gives feedback in a very straightforward and honest way, which I greatly appreciated. She clearly has knowledge on what works and what doesn't in an essay and spent a lot of time with me to figure out what to highlight, where to add specificity, and what I was better off leaving out. She allowed me to run through many, many iterations of my essays so that, by the time I finally submitted, I felt I had put my best foot forward. The support during and after interviews was also invaluable - from both Rachel and the broader Gatehouse team (Laura, Eric, and Marcus). I highly recommend working with Gatehouse, and Rachel specifically.

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Strengths:

I'll touch on these in the review, but Liza was incredibly helpful, knowledgeable, and passionate about helping me get into my dream school. The product was comprehensive and truly left no stone unturned.

Would make the product better:

There is really nothing I would improve, maybe just having the overall process begin earlier because of how expansive the application becomes.

As a mid-20s male with a background in investment banking and private equity, I was determined to take the next step in my career by pursuing an MBA. My academic credentials include a liberal arts degree from an HYP university, where I graduated with a 3.7 GPA, and a GRE score of 330. Despite my academic and professional experience, I knew the MBA application process would be rigorous, and I sought out Liza Weale at Gatehouse Admissions to guide me through it.

From the outset, Liza demonstrated a deep appreciation for my situation, understanding the demands of balancing a full-time job while preparing my applications. Together, we developed a strategic game plan to tackle each application systematically. Liza's investment in the process was evident as she left no stone unturned, ensuring every aspect of my application was polished and well-prepared.

One of the key components of our approach was the creation of an experience repository early on. This allowed us to identify and flesh out themes from my background and experiences that would resonate in my essays. We turned essay drafts several times, and each time, Liza never "mailed it in." She consistently provided constructive feedback, making it clear she spent significant time with each draft. Her insights pushed me to present my best form, ensuring that every essay was a true reflection of my capabilities and aspirations.

Beyond Liza’s exceptional support, the broader team at Gatehouse Admissions also played a crucial role in my journey. Their collective expertise and support were instrumental in my acceptance to Harvard Business School. I can confidently say that I could not have achieved this milestone without Liza and the remarkable team she has built at Gatehouse Admissions. Their dedication and professionalism are truly commendable.

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I entered the business school application process concerned that my vanilla background (both from a career and demographic perspective) would make it difficult to craft a unique application and moreover that there would be increased emphasis placed on my essays in light of similar scores among my peer-set. Gaining admission to one of my two target schools was also very important to me and I accordingly planned to dedicate material time to the process. Given the above, I researched and vetted a number of admissions consultants, focused on finding someone that would bring both creativity to the essay creation process and dedication to the scores of edits I knew I'd be looking for. I also wanted someone that had seen strong results working with candidates from "vanilla" industries (e.g., consulting, finance, investing). Eric was exactly what I was looking for.

As a bit more about my background in case helpful to readers, I applied in my 3rd year working in private equity (traditional Boston-based buyout shop) before which I worked for 3 years in consulting (I'll have had 6 years working prior to enrollment). I majored in economics, had a 3.8 undergrad GPA and a 780 GMAT score (old GMAT). And lastly, as mentioned earlier, I have a non-unique demographic background (white, male).

I'll keep this targeted and share my highlights in working with Eric:
- Deeply Familiar with the Application Objectives: I think this is the most important attribute to look for when deciding among admissions consultants. There are many individuals that are great writers/editors/mock interviews; however, a much smaller number of individuals are intimately familiar with the application steps and objectives. For example, who knew that HBS' "growth oriented" essay is just as much if not more so about showing one's ability to listen and internalize others' perspectives (and thus show one's ability to meaningfully contribute to case-based discussions) as it is about curiosity and personal growth? This was just one example of many when Eric showed his deep familiarity with the (not always apparent) application objectives, which in turn allowed me to tailor my app as much as possible accordingly.
- Creative & Strong Ability to Transform Experiences Into Narratives: I view Eric to be a strong thought partner and someone who produced a number of interesting ways to incorporate my many disparate experiences into cohesive essays. Given Eric had spent a decent amount of time internalizing all of my background experiences upfront, throughout the rest of our ideation sessions, he was able to reference and incorporate relevant experiences (often connections I personally hadn't made). This was very helpful in packing as much into what little word count you have as well as ensuring my overall application conveyed all of the disparate aspects of my life. Having a strong thought partner is essential and much harder to come by than someone who is simply a strong reviewer/editor.
- Very Strong Editor: However, on top of being a strong thought partner, Eric is also a very strong editor. I was incredibly impressed by his ability to condense my writing into the appropriate word count while keeping a very professional tone. His editing abilities are truly exceptional.
- Extremely Dedicated: At the end of my process, I counted all of my different versions across the 12 pieces I wrote (9 primary essays, 1 resume and 2 recommender memos), totaling 107 versions, each of which was reviewed carefully and commented on by Eric. That is some insane dedication!

In terms of the outcome, I was thrilled to have submitted what I felt was the best app I possibly could have assembled. It showcased a variety of experiences, which conveyed a multi-dimensional individual. And, at the same time, my app felt very authentic and genuine. In the end, I felt very proud of the app I created in partnership with Eric, and ultimately was accepted to my top choice - HBS - as part of the round 1 cycle! I was thrilled. Huge thanks to Eric for his massive effort as part of all of this!

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My Background: Mid-20s, white female. Two years investment banking, two years private equity. Graduated from Vanderbilt University with a B.S. in Human & Organizational Development and a 3.94 GPA. 730 GMAT. This was my second time applying—having tried 2+2 applications on my own during undergrad. Always aspiring to HBS, I knew I needed the best guidance possible for my reapplication, and Liza was the first (and only) consultant I called (recommended to me by several private equity colleagues). From our initial conversation, I knew she was the perfect fit. She genuinely wanted to understand who I was, what mattered to me, and how we could showcase my authentic story. Even before I officially signed up with her, she proactively suggested ways to strengthen my profile both inside and outside of work—a testament to her dedication and insight.

I have a particular way of working—I like to start well in advance, slowly chipping away at tasks to avoid ever feeling rushed or overwhelmed. I like putting things down and coming back to them with a fresh perspective, hence the need for significant lead time. Liza embraced this approach, beginning with me early in late March for Round 1 applications. She organized the process so clearly and methodically that I never felt like I was cramming or overburdened, spending just a few hours each week. Her structure kept me calm, focused, and confident throughout. I honestly could not have asked for a more seamless and “relaxed” MBA application process.

When it came to my essays, I initially felt paralyzed by the sheer volume of possibilities after completing my experience inventory. I was overwhelmed and unsure how to craft a cohesive story that tied everything together. Liza expertly guided me through the process, dedicating significant time to understanding my experiences and uncovering deeper layers of my story during our conversations. Her ability to identify themes and connections I hadn’t considered was remarkable, ensuring my application showcased my authentic self in the most compelling way. I was particularly anxious about HBS introducing new essay prompts this year, but Liza’s strategy put me at ease. She had me start with the GSB essays, which created a strong foundation and made transitioning to the HBS topics seamless. Despite widespread uncertainty among consultants about the new questions, Liza’s confidence and effectiveness stood out, enabling me to approach the essays with clarity and focus.

Working with Liza was hands down the best decision I made during this process. Her unwavering support, insightful guidance, and personalized approach were invaluable. More than just a consultant, Liza became a trusted partner and friend in what can often feel like an overwhelming journey. Between essay drafts, we bonded over our shared love of rescue animals and traveling, which made the experience genuinely enjoyable. I couldn’t be more thrilled with the outcome and am beyond excited to attend HBS this fall.

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