Rashmi Sonthalia Reviews

To be honest, this review doesn't fully reflect the critical role Red Pen played in my applications. I'm honoured to have been accepted to Wharton, Yale, and London Business School, and I owe it to this incredible team.

Last year: The MBA application process was one of the most daunting and time-consuming experiences I've ever had. Even though I was driven to reach great goals, juggling work, studying for tests, researching colleges, introspecting and writing my entire life was overwhelming. I'm grateful for Red Pen's presence throughout this rollercoaster, guiding, supporting, motivating, and pushing me to bring our my best.

Red Pen Team: The entire Red Pen team is passionate about assisting students. I can vouch that they are experts in their field. From the day I was onboarded until now everyone of them have been tremendously supportive, readily available and have gone above and beyond to help me.

Process: I love that Red Pen has a very structured end-to-end process that helped me introspect my career choices, identify unique stories and eventually frame them for my applications. I have a diverse background, doing this ground work was essential piece for all the applications. Also, It wasn't just one coach, my essays were reviewed by several experienced experts in Red Pen, whose inputs made the essay more impactful.

Consultant (Coach): Rashmi Sonthalia was the best coach i could ask for. She is extremely intuitive, empathetic and good at what she does . Through all of my highs, lows, and confusion this year, she has been my go-to person. It's because of her, I was able to get through a crazy number of essay versions, put all the pieces together, submit everything on time, and do my best in my interviews. I am glad that even when I thought the writings were adequate and that I was sufficiently prepared, she would not settle until she was completely convinced. She also went out of her way to accommodate my working hours. I can be a last-minute person, so Thank you for your patience.

Interview Prep: Red Pen proactively mapped me with alumus from the respective universities for mock interviews. They also organised team discussion mocks for Wharton. These formal practice mocks helped me refine my answers and be more confident in my interviews and team discussions.

Cost: Initially, I did think that they were very expensive but now having seen how much time, energy and dedication they put into my applications, I can attest that it was worth every penny. At several times, I felt they were far more invested than I was.

Highlights: Unlimited time and access with coaches(+100), Process structure, Tool for maintaining essay and resume versions, their network of mba alumnus for interviews and other inputs.

My heartfelt thanks to Rashmi Sonthalia, Anju Goele, Preeti Wadekar, Natasha Mankikar, Kimberly dixit, Mitrabina Sen and entire team for everything. Thank you for being my sherpas, without whom I might not have reached my dream summit.

Small Tip -

Please start the process as soon as possible. If you are like me you will think its easy and keep it for last min. But trust me it is not it takes lot of time, research and mental space to think and write your own story esp because you want to give your best in those 500 words. Even though I started 4 months in advance I was too late for scholarships. So please start now.. no...yesterday!

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