Working with Donna was one of the most enjoyable and most valuable parts of my MBA application journey.

Donna was extremely helpful from day one! We started with her self-discovery phase, which helped me more deeply understand myself, my needs, and my aspirations. She has a very well-structured process that guides you to reflect on what drives you and why you really want to do an MBA. The learnings I gained from that part of the process were actually valuable beyond the MBA applications, helping me think more broadly about my career and long-term goals.

In terms of essay writing, Donna again has a structured process that really works (you can tell she is extremely experienced and has been doing it for years). She starts with an essay outline that is thoroughly reviewed and discussed before moving into writing drafts. Donna's use of Stratus’s broader network of school experts was also incredibly valuable. She connected me with people who knew my target programs inside out, which helped me tailor my essays and give them that extra edge - that was a game changer for me!

Donna and Stratus’s resume update support was also extremely valuable. They are incredibly thorough, paying attention to even the smallest details and when all those refinements come together, I truly believe they make a big difference in the final result. Again, I came away with many broader learnings that I’ll carry forward when updating my resume in the future.

Be aware that this whole process is hard work. But this is another area where Donna really adds value as she keeps you on track with well-thought-out deadlines and an easy way to manage and track progress. She also properly holds you accountable, which really helps keep momentum. I always felt like there was a solid plan in place, and that made a big difference.

Read More

Working with Donna through Stratus on a four-school package was the best decision I made during the MBA application process. From day one, she helped me navigate every aspect of the journey — from refining my resume and building a thoughtful school selection strategy to tackling essays and preparing for interviews. Her guidance made the process far more manageable, especially when it came to understanding the unknowns of the application and interview process.

For the essays, Donna pushed me to reflect deeply on my experiences and helped shape them into compelling, cohesive narratives aligned with my goals. We went through six or more drafts for all four schools I worked on with Donna, and her detailed feedback helped me elevate each version.

It was also extremely reassuring to know that the four-school package included Round 2 support if needed. Having that safety net gave me the confidence to give my all in Round 1.

In the end, I was fortunate to have strong options, and Donna was a steady, supportive sounding board as I weighed my final decision. When I visited one of the schools I was accepted to, Donna went above and beyond — giving me a personalized tour of the town and even offering me a ride to the airport. That experience highlights the level of care and commitment she brings to her work.

I’m truly grateful for her insight, responsiveness, and unwavering support throughout the process — it made all the difference.

Read More

Donna made a huge difference in my application journey. She was very thorough with her suggestions and straightforward when she felt like my story wasn't strong enough. She pushed me to think deeper in my past experiences and made personalized suggestions on which schools/programs are the best fit for me and my career goals. I ended up getting into a very unique M7 program that I am thrilled to be attending in a few months!!
The team-based approach Stratus has was also very unique and I feel supported throughout my experience. While Donna had been with me every step of my application journey, I was advised and motivated by Susan and a few other experienced consultants based on the schools I applied to.

Read More

I cannot recommend Donna and Stratus enough. When starting my application, I was really in the dark, and knew very little of how the process worked and I had a good, but not spectacular profile so I was really looking for somebody who primarily could lead me through the process and help me put together the best application.

Not only did Donna serve as the perfect guide, she really helped me flesh out my story, but she actually strengthened my interest in attending business school in general. When I started out, I knew I was interested in the MBA experience and wanted to change career paths, but wouldn't have been able to succinctly explain why; however, by the time I was through my introspection and strategy exercises, I felt not only prepared, be more excited about the opportunity than ever.

The piece of my application Donna most improved was the essays. Her story writing ability is incredible and she was very patient as we wrote and rewrote, edited, and revised, over and over, creating dozens of iterations of my essays in the process. If I am being honest, there is no chance the essays I initially wrote would have gotten an acceptance at any of the schools I applied to.

Above all else though, the thing about Donna that I believe truly sets her apart from any other consultant is how much she cares. I first noticed it when she would casually remember aspects of my life totally separate from my application or her connecting me with former clients, but it carried over throughout the whole process, right to the end when she pulled in favors on a day off to get an essay and resume proofread so that I could still apply on time after I had misunderstood a deadline.

I would not have had the successful admissions results that I did without Donna and I cannot thank her enough for her guidance and support.

Read More

After doing a free consultation with several MBA admissions consulting firms, I was immediately sold on working with Stratus because of their unique team approach using a primary consultant, a secondary strategist, school specific reviewers, and proofreaders in their comprehensive package.

Donna, my primary consultant, was absolutely wonderful. She encouraged my desire to apply to several M7 dream schools despite my lackluster GRE scores, and she guided me on how to handle some very difficult roadblocks that occurred during my application process including getting laid off. What sets Donna apart is her unwavering commitment to her clients' success. She was always available to answer questions, provide encouragement during stressful moments, and offer strategic advice, even with my 6-hour time zone difference.

The results speak for themselves – with Donna's guidance, I received offers from multiple top-tier MBA programs, including one with a scholarship. For anyone considering MBA admissions consulting, I wholeheartedly recommend Donna Bauman and Stratus Admissions Counseling. The investment in their services is truly an investment in your future, providing you with not just expert guidance, but also a supportive partner committed to your success.

Read More

Stratus Consulting overall offers amazing MBA admissions consulting services. I personally worked with Donna Bauman. Coming from an Indian male engineering background, I thought my chances at getting in an M7 school were pretty slim. However, Donna guided me in the right direction and helped me understand my motivation to go for an MBA. She gave me new perspectives which helped me build my story for my applications. From understanding the essay questions to preparing for interviews, Donna was there for me every step of the way. Another great aspect about Stratus admissions is that you will get inputs from multiple stakeholders which will help you mould your application for different colleges.

With Donna's help, I was able to get an admit into multiple M7 colleges, including my dream college - HBS. I understand making a choice of MBA admissions consultant can be a tough one, but honestly, you cannot go wrong with Stratus, especially Donna :)

Read More

I had the distinct pleasure of working with Donna as my admissions consultant throughout the MBA application process, and I cannot speak highly enough of her invaluable guidance.

Donna's expertise, professionalism, and dedication were evident from our initial interactions. She possesses a deep understanding of the intricacies of MBA admissions, and her insights proved instrumental in shaping a compelling and authentic narrative for my application. Donna's commitment was evident in her meticulous approach to every aspect of the application, from refining essays to providing strategic advice on recommendation letters.

What truly sets Donna apart is her ability to draw out the unique aspects of an applicant's experiences and aspirations. She not only helped me articulate my achievements but also encouraged me to reflect on my journey, resulting in a more authentic and impactful application. Donna's keen eye for detail ensured that my application presented a cohesive and compelling story, a critical element in the competitive landscape of MBA admissions.

Her support extended beyond the technicalities of the application. Donna provided insightful advice on school selection, helping me tailor my choices to align with my career goals and personal aspirations. Her personalized approach, genuine enthusiasm, and unwavering support created a collaborative and motivating environment that made the challenging process more manageable.

I am thrilled to share that, with Donna's guidance, I received an acceptance offer from Wharton's MBA program. This outcome is a testament to Donna's exceptional abilities as an admissions consultant. I wholeheartedly recommend Donna Bauman to anyone embarking on the MBA application journey. Her dedication makes her an invaluable partner in achieving one's academic and professional aspirations.

Read More

Donna is a fantastic resource to anyone seeking guidance and support in their MBA application journey. With her expertise, dedication, and personalized approach, Donna helped me secure an offer from one of the top MBA programs despite a below average GPA and test scores for those schools.

From our very first interaction, Donna displayed a genuine interest in helping me understand my aspirations, strengths, and weaknesses. Before starting any school-specific applications, we went through a rigorous process of understanding key aspects of my profile that I could highlight and organizing those components into an arsenal that I could draw from. Thanks to this kind of preparation, when it came time to writing essays, I was able to spend less time on coming up with ideas and more time thinking broadly about the narrative I wanted to communicate.

Throughout the admissions process, which can be more akin to a marathon than a sprint, Donna helped me create a strategy of regular communication with admissions committees and constantly developing areas of my application that may be viewed as weaknesses. The right strategy will elevate your candidacy above any one grade or score, and through consistent effort and willingness to improve your profile, you will stand out.

To anyone who believes that the right school is out of reach for them, I strongly recommend Donna and the team at Stratus as partners in the MBA admissions process. Donna stuck with me throughout the application cycle and I couldn’t be happier with the result!

Read More

I had a really positive experience with Stratus admissions consultants. One of the key aspects was the availability of multiple experts to engage with throughout the process, in addition to my primary consultant. This added level of expertise and diverse perspectives enhanced guidance received and Stratus made sure to introduce me to an expert on their team that had experience with my target schools. I found Stratus to be flexible and accommodating, making their services not only valuable but also affordable. If you're seeking a dedicated team that genuinely invests in your success, I would definitely recommend considering Stratus for your admissions consulting needs.

Read More

I wholeheartedly recommend Donna as an MBA admissions consultant. Throughout my application journey, Donna's expertise, dedication, and guidance were instrumental in shaping my success.

From the very beginning, Donna showcased her profound understanding of the MBA admissions landscape. She took the time to deeply understand my strengths, experiences, and aspirations, allowing her to best help me craft my tailored application strategy that truly highlighted my unique qualities and goals.

One of Donna's exceptional strengths is her meticulous attention to detail. She provided invaluable feedback on my approach to applications and essays, helping me refine my thoughts and strengthen my presentation with clarity and impact. I can’t thank Donna enough for her commitment to ensuring that my application best reflected my candidacy and goals.

Furthermore, Donna's expertise in navigating the waitlist process at my top-choice program was amazing. Her guidance on how to effectively communicate my continued interest and commitment to the admissions committee was truly invaluable and help.

In conclusion, Donna’s expertise, attention to detail, and genuine dedication to her clients' success make her an exceptional resource. With Donna's guidance, I not only crafted a strong application strategy and essays but also successfully navigated the challenging waitlist process, ultimately securing acceptance to my top-choice MBA program. I am immensely grateful for her invaluable support throughout the process.

Read More