GMAT Club

MBA Admissions All-in Services Reviews

Since 2001, Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC) clients have been admitted to every top business school worldwide, often with merit scholarships. SBC has a complete panel of former Admissions Officers from every top MBA program in-house. The SBC team has MBA expertise at every top US and EU school, has graduated from the best MBA programs and understands career paths in every industry, traditional and non- traditional. 

SBC deeply values mentor-ship within its client engagements and limits the number of clients for each consultant, engaging with clients only after its Validation Team evaluates candidacy strength. Stacy Blackman Consulting delivers results, as shown through its record of the highest number of online reviews across multiple sites, such as YELP. SBC offers a limited number of free consultations weekly for inquiries who have been pre-screened by our tenured team. Contact us for a free consultation to request time with an SBC Principal.      
5.0 /5 Average Rating
5 star
574
4 star
18
3 star
0
2 star
1
1 star
0
Based on 593 reviews
+ 1 non-rated reviews

AI Super-Summary of Customer Reviews for MBA Admissions All-in Services*

Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC) receives praise from numerous clients for its effective and supportive MBA admissions consulting services. Many reviewers highlight the personalized and dedicated guidance provided by experienced consultants, such as Beth, Caryn, and Meg, who help applicants craft compelling narratives, focus on key strengths, and confidently prepare for interviews. The team-based approach, extensive resources, and insights from former admissions officers are frequently mentioned as invaluable, aiding clients in gaining admissions to top business schools like Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, and more, often with scholarships. While the services are noted as an investment, the outcomes suggest it is well worth it for those serious about securing positions in leading MBA programs.
17 users mention "Admitted"
  • "I was accepted at Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business..." Read more
  • "admissions to both HBS and Stanford GSB..." Read more
  • "admission to both Booth and Kellogg..." Read more
  • "I was able to gain acceptance into my desired program-Wharton..." Read more
  • "gained me admission to the program..." Read more
  • "worth every penny and made my HBS application process smooth and stress-free..." Read more
  • "happy to be accepting admissions to Booth..." Read more
  • "I was admitted to FIVE MBA programs: GSB, Wharton, Booth, Columbia, and Stern (with a full ride)..." Read more
  • "admission to Chicago Booth, Northwestern Kellogg, Wharton (with scholarship), MIT Sloan (with scholarship), and Dartmouth Tuck..." Read more
  • "They helped me gain admission to Darden and Ross (w/ scholarship)..." Read more
  • "Got in to the three programs I applied to (McCombs, Anderson and Fuqua), 2 with scholarships..." Read more
  • "obtained a T20 MBA Admit with scholarship..." Read more
  • "got accepted to both CBS and Wharton..." Read more
  • "admitted to Haas, Anderson, and Marshall..." Read more
  • "admitted into HBS and Wharton's HCM Program..." Read more
  • "admitted to CBS, UVA, UNC , UT McCombs, USC and UCLA..." Read more
  • "offers of admission to Columbia and Wharton..." Read more
15 users mention "Full Service"
  • "gave me a very accurate assessment of my chances at multiple top schools and encouraged me to apply even though I had doubts about my own candidacy..." Read more
  • "worked with Caryn on 3 schools for round 1, and was fortunate enough to gain admission to both HBS and Stanford GSB..." Read more
  • "fantastic. I embarked on this journey after speaking with eight different consultants..." Read more
  • "working with Meg and SBC was the single most important decision I made..." Read more
  • "received valuable feedback from my flight tester Amy..." Read more
  • "work closely with Beth, a former AdCom member..." Read more
  • "meg helped me craft essays that were uniquely me and uniquely powerful..." Read more
  • "the all-in package was no-hassle. It included everything from interview prep to a Flight Test..." Read more
  • "working with Amy to apply to the Wharton/Lauder dual degree program and she was fantastic..." Read more
  • "with Margaret Orenstein and Stacy Blackman Consulting..." Read more
  • "as my primary consultant..." Read more
  • "recommended Lisa as my primary consultant..." Read more
  • "Amy Hazen, my consultant..." Read more
  • "Geri was my primary consultant..." Read more
  • "multitude of services to help you reach your MBA goals..." Read more
14 users mention "Supportive"
  • "matched me with Margaret Orenstein, who was instrumental in guiding me as I crafted my story with such great responsiveness, insights, and personalization to me..." Read more
  • "Caryn was my accountability partner throughout my process she kept me on track, focused on what mattered most..." Read more
  • "I knew she would provide equal doses of encouragement and honesty at the right times..." Read more
  • "my primary partner and ultimate support system during the grueling application process..." Read more
  • "demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the programs and was a pleasure to work with..." Read more
  • "Amy helped me craft my story to spin that to my advantage, which gained me admission to the program..." Read more
  • "and was able to tackle any and all concerns..." Read more
  • "helped me think about career goals, what aspects of a school I want..." Read more
  • "Amy encouraged me to embrace my authentic voice..." Read more
  • "Beth genuinely sought to understand me, helping me craft an authentic and compelling application..." Read more
  • "substantial team support particularly during the flight test..." Read more
  • "Constructive and supportive feedback..." Read more
  • "helped me put forth the most holistically sound, authentic application..." Read more
  • "felt prepared going into the interviews..." Read more
11 users mention "Top-Tier School Focus"
  • "I was accepted at Harvard Business School and the Stanford Graduate School of Business..." Read more
  • "admission to both HBS and Stanford GSB..." Read more
  • "fortunate to be admitted to Kellogg, Tuck, Fuqua, and Darden..." Read more
  • "acceptance into my desired program-Wharton..." Read more
  • "successful admission to Kellogg, McCombs, and Anderson, with the added bonus of scholarships..." Read more
  • "successful in getting accepted to a top school..." Read more
  • "gained me admission to the program..." Read more
  • "former HBS student, was able to give me excellent insight..." Read more
  • "applying to a broad range of schools and ended up getting admitted to CBS, UVA, UNC , UT McCombs, USC and UCLA..." Read more
  • "test prep for my Wharton Team Based Discussion..." Read more
  • "help prepare you for the application and interviews..." Read more
10 users mention "Scholarship Awarded"
  • "ended up with acceptances from Kellogg (with $), Columbia, Stern, and Sloan (with $)..." Read more
  • "admitted to Kellogg, Tuck, Fuqua, and Darden, all with varying levels of scholarship..." Read more
  • "with the added bonus of scholarships at Kellogg and McCombs..." Read more
  • "managed to walk away with a full ride and half ride to a few schools..." Read more
  • "Stern (with a full ride)..." Read more
  • "Wharton (with scholarship), MIT Sloan (with scholarship), and Dartmouth Tuck (with substantial scholarship)..." Read more
  • "Ross (w/ scholarship)..." Read more
  • "2 with scholarships..." Read more
  • "obtained a T20 MBA Admit with scholarship..." Read more
  • "with full-tuition scholarships at Kellogg and Columbia..." Read more
6 users mention "Industry Specialist"
  • "investment to partner with SBC to help me put my best foot forward in the MBA admissions process..." Read more
  • "experience as a former Kellogg AdComm member was an incredible differentiator..." Read more
  • "admission to both Booth and Kellogg..." Read more
  • "thank Bill enough for his assistance during my EMBA application journey..." Read more
  • "my consultant, was so supportive and easy to work with no question was ever too small..." Read more
  • "Margaret's experience in Management Consulting..." Read more
5 users mention "Detail-Oriented"
  • "enabled me to weave together all my life experiences and ambitions..." Read more
  • "Beth's personalized approach and attention to detail undoubtedly played a crucial role in my successful admission..." Read more
  • "meg really helped me unlock the potential of my application..." Read more
  • "extremely detail-oriented and her experience as a former Admissions Director really shined through..." Read more
  • "helping me to refine my story and tie it all together..." Read more
4 users mention "Responsive"
  • "such great responsiveness..." Read more
  • "was always able to be reached..." Read more
  • "Geri was absolutely lovely! She was always extremely quick to respond..." Read more
  • "very responsive and I was able to get great feedback..." Read more
2 users mention "Waitlist Support"
2 users mention "Value for Money"
  • "a big investment, but I treated it as an investment in myself: I wanted to put my best foot forward, and it definitely paid off..." Read more
  • "a lot less stressful than anticipated..." Read more
2 users mention "Career Transition"
  • "had a bit of a varied background in terms of my career to-date..." Read more
  • "an incredibly valuable resource to me..." Read more
1 users mention "Non-traditional Backgrounds"
  • "as an early careerist, I had concerns and challenges..." Read more
*Review summaries are AI generated from 25 latest reviews in the past 2 years.
December 23, 2023
matthewpitera

Joined: Feb 21, 2019

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
740 Q49 V41

Wonderful Service

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I'm so thankful that I chose to work with the SBC team, and particularly Amy Hazen, my consultant. The SBC team works together to create a holistic experience. Bill took the time to understand my goals before pairing me with a consultant. Amy spent countless hours with me understanding what made me tick and helping me translate that into an application. Beth flight tested my application and made sure that there weren't any glaring holes, and Anthony helped me prep for my Wharton Team Based Discussion.

By far the most valuable part of this process was having Amy by my side. No question was too trivial for her, and she had limitless patience with me as I obsessed over every detail of my application. Amy's most valuable contribution, however, was her ability to help me focus on the RIGHT details. It is easy to lose sight of what you are building as you write the applications from the ground up, and it can be particularly challenging not to write applications based on what you THINK the AdComms WANT to hear. Amy encouraged me to embrace my authentic voice, and ensured that I was telling a story that highlighted who I am as a human.

Thanks to Amy and the SBC team I was admitted to FIVE MBA programs: GSB, Wharton, Booth, Columbia, and Stern (with a full ride).

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.
December 22, 2023
sabrinaodierno

Joined: Dec 22, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
710 Q44 V42

Stacy Blackman Is Fantastic!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Geri was my primary consultant, and she was absolutely lovely! She was always extremely quick to respond while still showing me that my application mattered to her. Using her experience as a former Admissions Officer at HBS, she gave me excellent advice and was instrumental in curating my applications, leading to admission to Chicago Booth, Northwestern Kellogg, Wharton (with scholarship), MIT Sloan (with scholarship), and Dartmouth Tuck (with substantial scholarship). Geri went above and beyond by not only reviewing my general application, but also setting up regular calls for us, workshopping my resume and essays, participating in a mock interview with me, and acting as an amazing sounding board.

My experience with Stacy Blackman went beyond Geri, though, and the team-based influence and support was clear from the start! Esther acted quickly and kindly to match me with Geri, Geri did a stellar job addressing my questions and application needs, Beth (former Admissions Officer), provided great insight during my Flight Test, and Anthony (former Wharton Admissions Officer) ensured I was prepared during my Wharton mock Team Based Discussion. I also had access to resources like the Vault database, which allowed me to read advice and information about many schools from different perspectives.

When I was initially choosing a consulting firm, I was overwhelmed with options and not sure where to turn. Stacy Blackman came to me by a personal referral who gained admission to Wharton after working with SBC, and I am so glad I took his advice!

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.
December 20, 2023
specan

Joined: Aug 04, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
730 Q49 V41 (Online)

Amy & the SBC team are incredible!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I decided in June to apply to Wharton in round 1 and couldn't start prep until July because of a family wedding. I found SBC online because I knew there was no way I could get everything done myself in that amount of time while still working full-time.

I worked with Amy to apply to the Wharton/Lauder dual degree program and she was fantastic. She was so responsive and very quick to turn around feedback and she was candid with her suggestions. I graduated college only 2 years ago, so I knew that my short time in the workforce was going to be a major weakness in my application. Amy helped me craft my story to spin that to my advantage, which gained me admission to the program.

SBC also works with a FANTASTIC gmat tutor (Anthony) and he was worth every cent. I was going to take the GRE because I had already done some prep earlier in the year, but was struggling with the vocab section. I'm stronger in math so I decided to pivot to the gmat 2 weeks before I had to take the test. Anthony is seriously the best tutor/teacher I have ever worked with. I did a few hours with him and got a 760 on my gmat with 2 weeks of total prep. He gives you so many tricks to get faster and generously shares his extensive guides to continue studying on your own more efficiently with targeted practice.

What's better is that SBC services don't stop there. Amy helped with the essays and application strategy and Anthony helped with the test prep, but after your application is done, another consultant from SBC does a comprehensive review of your entire application package to give you feedback with fresh eyes from someone who is unfamiliar with all the details. Then if oyu get invited to interview, SBC provides mock sessions to practice since it's such a unique interview experience. You get to go through a practice interview with other SBC clients and it's moderated by an SBC consultant who gives each participant personalized feedback when it's over.

I can't thank SBC enough for all the help they provided! It was SO worth it.

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.
December 19, 2023
mattyao

Joined: Dec 19, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
710 Q49 V38

An Invaluable Amount of Insight

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I chose to work with Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC) for my MBA admissions journey as many reviews and resources noted that they were known for getting students into Kellogg. Long and behold, I did get into the Kellogg MBA full-time program and into McCombs' and Anderson's. The experience has been nothing short of outstanding.

One of the key reasons I chose SBC was the opportunity to work closely with Beth, a former AdCom member. Her inside knowledge and deep understanding of the admissions process at Kellogg provided invaluable insights. Beth's personalized approach and attention to detail undoubtedly played a crucial role in my successful admission to Kellogg, McCombs, and Anderson, with the added bonus of scholarships at Kellogg and McCombs.

SBC's team-based approach sets them apart from the rest. From the very beginning, Sarah served as my initial point of contact and matchmaker, ensuring a seamless connection with the consultant best suited to my needs. Amy, another former Admissions Officer on the SBC team, served as my "flight tester," providing constructive feedback and refining my application strategy. The collaborative effort of the entire SBC team, coupled with access to resources like the Vault database, significantly strengthened my application.

Before selecting SBC, I researched and spoke with several other admissions consulting firms. While many were reputable, what set SBC apart was the depth of their team, the personalized attention, and the proven track record of successful admits to top-tier MBA programs. The decision to choose SBC was ultimately driven by their unparalleled expertise, and it's a decision I am incredibly grateful for.

SBC offers a unique and effective approach to MBA admissions. With Beth's individualized guidance, a team-based support system, and a wealth of resources, SBC goes above and beyond to ensure your application stands out. My successful admissions results speak volumes about the quality and impact of their services. If you are serious about securing a spot in a top MBA program, SBC is the consulting firm that will make a difference.

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.
December 19, 2023
GMATGal1995

Joined: Mar 14, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
760 Q48 V49

Worth It! - Stacy Blackman All In Service HBS Admit

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I had a fantastic experience with Margaret Orenstein and Stacy Blackman Consulting. I had an initial phone call with Esther Magna, who matched me with Margaret based on our similar backgrounds in the Life Science space and Margaret's experience in Management Consulting, my desired post-mba field. Margaret, a former HBS student, was able to give me excellent insight into what the admissions team is looking for and what they value most. This, along with the SBC wiki page, was essential to preparing high-caliber materials. The SBC flight test (flight tester Amy Bergrud - former AdCom) was also an excellent feature to make sure I put my best foot forward when I hit submit on the application. After receiving an invitation to interview, the interview prep and mock interview (plus post-mock feedback) really helped me refine my answers and feel confident going into the interview. Ultimately, I think this service was worth every penny and made my HBS application process smooth and stress-free.

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.
December 18, 2023
AGS1030

Joined: Dec 15, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Amy was an amazing consultant to work with. As a LatAm applicant with a relatively low GRE score, she kept me motivated thorugh this incredibly stressfull journey and helped me focus on my key personal and professional strengths to portray in my applications, and also helped me select the MBA programs that made the best fit for me. I appreciated how direct and candid she was and how she helped me resolve all of my doubts and concerns in a clear and concise way. Her insights and experience from being a former admissions committee member were truly invaluable. Amy was always available to jump on a call at anytime to review my essays or discuss any topic regarding my applications.
The SBC team was very professional and responsive throughout my journey and would highly recommend them. One of SBC's most useful resources is the Flight test, where another consultant reviews your application, acting as a member of admissions in an MBA program and providing critical feeback. Beth Tidmarsh was extremely helpful as an external consultant by reviewing my essays with a fersh set of eyes and poiting out the strenghts and weaknesses of my application. Another great resource is the pool of sample essays that the SBC team makes available from different programs.

I was immediately engaged after the intro call to SBC with Bill Chionis's who also helped me make my match with Amy, and Toni Pollak was always available to solve any doubts and help me create my profile.

I couldn't be more excited for my multiple admits and can't thank the SBC team enough for their help!

Read More

December 16, 2023
mpattersonmusic

Joined: Mar 17, 2023

Posts: 2

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
700 Q47 V39

Deanna knocks it out of the park!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Deanna with Stacy Blackman Consulting was an incredibly valuable resource to me as I navigated the MBA admissions process. My background is in public arts education and Deanna helped me frame my nontraditional background as an asset rather than a concern. Deanna was easy to reach and was a clear communicator. She took an interest in me as a person, which enriched our working relationship and helped her give me very specific, helpful feedback. With her guidance I was able to obtain a T20 MBA Admit with scholarship!

While Deanna was my primary consultant, the biggest benefit of SBC was the depth of their team and the breadth of their experience. This depth and breadth are what set them apart from other consulting firms that I looked at. From my initial discussion with Sarah, to my flight test with Lisa, a former AdComm member, I felt I was being guided by people who could give me targeted advice based on their lived experiences with MBA admissions. If you are serious about getting admitted into the top programs, it is well worth the investment to seek out their expertise!

Read More

June 03, 2023
matt27gibbs

Joined: Aug 22, 2022

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Meg gave me the edge I needed to get accepted

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

While SBC's services are on the pricier end of the spectrum and probably wouldn't have been worth it if I was only applying to T20-T50 schools, SBC and Meg especially were worth every penny throughout this process. The insights Meg brought to the table as a former Booth Adcomm, the number one reason I chose her, were invaluable. Without Meg my applications would have been shallow rambling garbage with no coherent narrative, my interview answers would have been all over the board and not focused on the topics B-Schools want, and my waitlist strategy would have been a mess and most likely ticked off the adcomms instead of showing my recent professional growth. The guidance and probing feedback Meg and the SBC team gave me are the reason I was successful in getting accepted to a top school.

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.
May 11, 2023
embaadmit

Joined: May 11, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Bill is the EMBA expert!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

I cannot thank Bill enough for his assistance during my EMBA application journey. During our first call, he helped me set appropriate expectations and identify the programs I should consider. Bill provided invaluable help with my application essays and the interviews. The entire SBC team was also extremely supportive. I appreciated the team-based approach and received valuable feedback from my flight tester Amy.

A friend highly recommended Bill to me, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked with him. Bill demonstrated an impressive knowledge of the programs and was a pleasure to work with. Thanks to his support, I was able to gain acceptance into my desired program-Wharton!

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.
May 05, 2023
smb93

Joined: Aug 30, 2020

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

SBC - The Ultimate Admissions Partner

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

I was admitted to Haas, Anderson, and Marshall with scholarships, and Stacy Blackman Consulting (SBC) played a significant role in my success.

After researching multiple MBA admissions consulting firms, I chose SBC for their reputation, professionalism, and authenticity. I sensed they genuinely cared about my goals and that they weren't just telling me what I wanted to hear. I also connected well with Sarah, my initial SBC contact, who skillfully paired me with Beth, my primary consultant.

SBC's Key Differentiators:
Beth Tidmarsh: More than a consultant, Beth genuinely sought to understand me, helping me craft an authentic and compelling application. Her invaluable expertise as a former Admissions Officer at Kellogg, along with her professionalism and genuine care, fueled my success.
Team-based Support: From Sarah to Beth to the flight test review team (also former admissions officers), SBC enhanced my applications with diverse perspectives and invaluable feedback.
Resource Database: Sample essays, interview questions, and school overviews made each stage of the MBA journey manageable.
For anyone seeking admission to top MBA programs, I wholeheartedly recommend SBC for their commitment to clients' success. Thank you, SBC! My experience exceeded my expectations, and I couldn't be happier.

Read More

verify-zero-posts
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.

198 Older and Non-Verified Reviews for Stacy Blackman Consulting