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Susan McInerny Reviews

Company: mbaMission

HBS MBA and Yale admissions interviewer with 30 years of investment banking, private equity, consulting, and nonprofit experience. I completed my BA in economics and political science at Yale (for which I have been an admissions interviewer since I graduated) and my MBA at Harvard Business School. Over the past 30 years, I’ve been fortunate to work in investment banking at Morgan Stanley in New York and Los Angeles, in private equity in California, in consulting with BCG, and in the nonprofit sector to advance issues I am passionate about, including education and workforce development (with organizations such as DonorsChoose and Jobs for the Future). I’ve also had the privilege of leading collaboration, conversation, and curated counsel for private communities of Fortune 100 C-suite executives through my work at World 50. This variety of experiences has provided me with a great deal of perspective on the unique and dynamic nature of work and leadership in many industries, insight that I use to help candidates tell compelling stories about where they’ve been and where they want to go—especially when that may involve transitions across sectors.

5.0 /5 Average Rating
Based on 24 reviews
June 04, 2025
snleon

Joined: Mar 31, 2024

Posts: 6

Kudos: 0

Excellent Service!!

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Susan McInerny has deep expertise in the application process, especially when it comes to interviews. I used her interview service, and it was incredibly helpful. The mock interview with her helped me understand the rhythm, the tone, and the type of questions I could expect. Her years of experience gave me the confidence to walk into my actual interview and nail it—I got into Harvard! I was definitely stressed, but she guided me to focus on what truly mattered. Her support made all the difference. If you're preparing for an interview, working with her is totally worth it.

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April 19, 2025
rloh

Joined: Nov 30, 2023

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

Susan is amazing!!!

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I cannot speak highly enough of Susan. With her support and expertise, I was accepted into all the schools I applied to! Her wisdom, mentorship, and guidance made the application process so smooth and enjoyable.

I decided to work with her after meeting with a multitude of admission consultants. She was the only one who gave me tangible and impactful advice during my complimentary consultation. Also, I could tell she genuinely cared about my overall success. Not only did Susan show her deep knowledge of navigating the MBA process, but she also was the kindest and nicest consultant I met.

I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to work with Susan! She helped me craft a meaningful and real story when writing essays. Susan gave me valuable advice when reviewing various aspects of my application portfolio. With her feedback, I was able to confidently submit my applications. She made the entire process stress free and fun! I truly feel blessed!

I definitely recommend Susan to anyone looking for an MBA consultant! She will truly make your life better when applying!

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April 16, 2025
erl1311415

Joined: Aug 05, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Highly Recommend

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Susan is an all-star: she is whip smart, an expert in her field, and an emotionally attuned cheerleader for what can be a very taxing process. I got into every school I applied to, including Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, a homerun outcome for which Susan deserves a lot of credit. Susan is generous and flexible with her time; even as an hourly client, I knew she was in my corner and available when I needed her. She is the best in the business -- I am so glad I chose to work with her and now consider her a friend. I highly recommend that you do the same!

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This reviewer has not participated on GMAT Club but it is a REAL person and a REAL review. GMAT Club has verified this test-taker's identity through GMAC/Pearson Vue Score Reporting system or .edu email address and confirmed that this reviewer indeed took the GMAT, is unique, and has not submitted multiple reviews.
April 16, 2025
nicolecmele

Joined: Aug 26, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

MBA Admissions- worth every penny

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Working with Susan was hands down one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process. She wasn’t just an advisor—she was a true mentor, confidante, and champion from day one. Susan brought a unique blend of warmth, candor, and strategic insight that made me feel fully supported at every step, and her guidance played a pivotal role in helping me gain admission to Columbia Business School. Her ability to help you uncover your authentic story and frame it in a way that resonates with top programs is unmatched. With her incredible career experience across sectors and her genuine investment in your success, Susan brings a perspective and level of care that’s incredibly rare. Even after hitting “submit,” she remained a steady source of encouragement and advice, showing just how much she cares about her clients beyond the application. If you have the chance to work with Susan—take it. You’ll walk away with not only a stronger application, but a lifelong mentor and friend.

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April 08, 2025
vtu897

Joined: Apr 08, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
710 Q48 V40

Susan is the BEST!!

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I cannot recommend Susan enough—if you’re looking for an MBA consultant, she’s truly the best! After several free consultations with other consultants (one during which the consultant made me cry), I immediately connected with Susan during our first conversation and knew she was "the one." I came in unsure of how to tell my story, and within 10 minutes, she helped me craft a compelling narrative about why I was pursuing my MBA.

Throughout the entire process, it was clear that Susan genuinely cared—not just about me, but about each of her students. She took the time to deeply understand my background and goals, and the level of thoughtfulness and care she brought to every draft, phone call, and email was beyond anything I expected. Sometimes I honestly wondered how she balanced so many students with the level of personal attention she gave me.

Despite my lower GMAT score and thanks to Susan’s incredible guidance, I was accepted into a few top-tier programs and will be heading to UChicago Booth this fall! I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with her and know that she will remain a lifelong friend and mentor.

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This reviewer has not participated on GMAT Club but it is a REAL person and a REAL review. GMAT Club has verified this test-taker's identity through GMAC/Pearson Vue Score Reporting system and confirmed that this reviewer indeed took the GMAT, is unique, and has not submitted multiple reviews.
April 06, 2025
agrasidd

Joined: Feb 28, 2019

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Best Consultant Ever

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I met Susan after experiencing a devastating rejection from HBS following an interview. This was my third attempt at top-tier schools, and needless to say, I was feeling defeated. However, Susan’s approach was a game-changer. She was incredibly patient, offering a fresh perspective on my story. She took the time to review all my past applications—something my previous counselor didn’t do—including those from 2019 deferred admission applications.

Susan went above and beyond to understand my long-term plans and truly pinpoint what I wanted the admissions teams to know about my journey. She helped me refine both my short- and long-term goals, crafting essays that resonated with the values of HSW. While I didn’t gain admission to HBS, I did secure interviews at GSB and Wharton, thanks to her guidance.

What stood out the most was how accessible and supportive Susan was. Whether it was through emails or late-night phone calls when I was overwhelmed, she was always there, providing calm, thoughtful advice. She even went the extra mile by advising me on what other schools were looking for in essays and interviews, even though she had no obligation to do so. Thanks to Susan’s expertise and unwavering support, I received offers from 9 colleges including CBS, Booth, and Kellogg, was waitlisted at 4, and had only one rejection.

When it came time to make my decision, Susan was again instrumental. She was candid and insightful, helping me evaluate the cultures of the campuses and guiding me toward the right fit. In fact, she knew which school I’d choose before I even realized it myself!

As for the waitlist process, I cannot emphasize enough how crucial Susan’s support was. After being waitlisted by MIT, Wharton, and GSB and facing the added challenge of losing my job, Susan provided invaluable support in helping me craft compelling updates to strengthen my applications. Her guidance during this difficult time was crucial.

In conclusion, I wholeheartedly recommend working with Susan. She genuinely cares about her clients, takes the time to understand them, and builds meaningful connections. I’m confident that even though my MBA application journey has ended, I’ll stay in touch with Susan for years to come. She truly is amazing, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without her.

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April 06, 2025
ccmgalaxy

Joined: Apr 06, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

I can’t recommend Susan McInerny from mbaMission enough!

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Working with Susan was one of the best decisions I made during the application process. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am without her insight, guidance, and unwavering support.

From day one, Susan went above and beyond. She knows my target program inside and out, and guided me through every step with clarity and confidence—from early brainstorming to interviews and even after admission results were announced. She was always just a message away and consistently made herself available to review materials and emails, provide thoughtful feedback, or help me work through decisions. For someone unfamiliar with the process, that level of accessibility and reassurance made a world of difference.

What truly sets Susan apart is how deeply she invests in getting to know you. She doesn’t just focus on your resume or career milestones—she genuinely takes the time to understand who you are as a person. She asked thoughtful questions and really listened, which allowed us to craft an application that felt both authentic and compelling. That personal connection showed through in my materials, and I believe this is a true differentiator as it helped my story resonate with the admissions team on a deeper level.

Susan also supported my recommenders—both seasoned executives—with tailored guidance that they found incredibly helpful. They both told me how much they appreciated her insight in helping them understand what the school is truly looking for and how to best frame their recommendations, making the process more strategic and focused.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Susan. She’s thoughtful, respectful, and genuinely committed to your success. Most of all, she’s someone you can trust to walk with you through what can be a very personal and high-stakes journey. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

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January 11, 2025
SpaniardintheUSA

Joined: Jan 11, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

A Life-Changing MBA Coaching Experience with Susan McInerny

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Working with Susan has been nothing short of life changing —and I mean that wholeheartedly. After two years of feeling lost in the MBA application process as an international EU student unfamiliar with its complexities, Susan illuminated the path-my path. She empowered me to believe in myself, own my narrative, and boldly tell my story.

With patience, candor, and an unwavering sense of purpose, she coached me into someone who stands taller, speaks with clarity, and believes in herself. From the initial brainstorming to the countless essay drafts and eventually, interview preparation, she provided unwavering support every step of the way. Thanks to her guidance, I was accepted into four top MBA programs—two with scholarships. Beyond admissions success, Susan has strengthened my sense of self-worth, deepened my sense of purpose, and sharpened my ability to drive meaningful change.

If you're seeking an exceptionally smart, knowledgeable, and purpose-driven coach to guide you through the MBA journey, I cannot recommend her highly enough.

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January 10, 2025
mjayaub

Joined: Jan 10, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Thank you, Susan!

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Susan was a pleasure to work with. She was candid about my candidacy at The University of Michigan Ross School of Business, and she helped me develop a great plan to eventually get accepted. As someone who made the decision later in life to pursue an MBA, I was a bit out of touch with what admissions counselors looked for in an applicant. Susan was really great at detailing the most effective way to develop my application narrative based on my education and professional history, and worked overtime to make sure I told that story in the best way possible. I was extremely happy with her service and would recommend her to anyone that wants to ensure they put their best foot forward.

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January 09, 2025
EMBAgirl2025

Joined: Jun 25, 2017

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Focus score:
735 Q84 V89 DI86 (Online)

Susan is the best!

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Susan is the best - I had a complicated story that needed to be told with nuance, and she helped me craft a really compelling narrative for my admissions essays in just a few weeks. She helped me to strike the right "tone", something I was worried wouldn't even be possible. She was also incredibly emotionally supportive as I was dealing with some stressful circumstances in the background during my applications. She genuinely cares about her clients, and even after I got my acceptances, she was eager to help me think through the pros / cons of each program.

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