Lisa and the entire SB team helped demystify the MBA application journey. I had no idea what to expect and they helped level set and create a game plan for success. I had an initial conversation with Bill who then recommended Lisa as my primary consultant. Lisa helped me think about career goals, what aspects of a school I want, and break down the application process. We created a schedule so I would get my applications in on time and was always there to help answer questions I had.

After initial discussions with Lisa, I decided to apply to a broad range of schools and ended up getting admitted to CBS, UVA, UNC , UT McCombs, USC and UCLA. I even managed to walk away with a full ride and half ride to a few schools. I definitely could not have done this without Lisa and the entire SB teams' support.

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I had a great experience with Caryn from SBC. She helped me from start to finish, helping me craft my MBA story and supported me from resume creation all the way to essays and interviews. With her help, I was able to get in to HBS, Wharton, Columbia, and Kellogg with full-tuition scholarships at Kellogg and Columbia. Outside of Caryn's support, I also received mock interviews for HBS with Geri and a mock group interview with Anthony for Wharton (both mocks with prior admissions officers at both schools). I felt prepared going into the interviews, and I owe much of my success to SBC.

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The SBC intro with Bill and team was seamless, and I appreciated the transparency of the process as I was able to explore the services before going forward with Beth as my primary consultant. As an extremely experienced former Admissions Officer, Beth knows how to work with people with all sorts of backgrounds and how to bring out the best in applications. As an early careerist, I had concerns and challenges that she helped me navigate throughout the application process, and her organization and guidance went above and beyond. The All-in Service was definitely comprehensive with flight test feedback from Lisa which was insightful, and ended up being a perfect choice for me as I wanted to focus on a few schools. I felt supported throughout each part of the process, and was able to tackle any and all concerns, small details or sudden questions I had with Beth who was incredibly responsive and kept me on track. I’m happy to be accepting admissions to Booth and am so thankful for her insights, expertise, and for ultimately making the application process a lot less stressful than anticipated.

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Accepted to: Columbia Business School ($50K scholarship) and NYU Stern
Waitlisted at: Yale SOM and Cornell Johnson

Initial contact: Sarah was my initial contact at SBC who was helpful matching me with Caryn Altman, my primary partner and former MBA Admissions Officer. I was given a choice of two potential consultants to partner with along with their bios and reviews from prior clients. I went with Caryn given her prior experience working with applicants from similar backgrounds as mine (non-traditional applicant).

Ground work: After connecting with Caryn, we spent a lot of time working on the Career Goals and 360degree review documents which essentially serves as a period of introspection highlighting aspects of my background that could be used as fodder for the actual application. These documents proved to be extremely helpful and paid dividends later on in the process right up to my interview preparation. This also helped Caryn and I identify the angle we wanted to present my application.

Actual Process: Caryn and I had an initial call over phone and corresponded via email for the most part. She was very responsive and I was able to get great feedback throughout the entire process. Because I was applying to 7 schools I had a tight timeline - Caryn was instrumental in helping me manage this while working a full time job. Honestly, this was HUGE - having someone who has been on the other side of the table and knows exactly how to present your candidacy in the best possible way guide you through the essays, resume, and overall application saves you SO much time. Once we finished my first full application we sent it for a Flight Tester where another member of the SBC team reviewed my full application. I also had access to the Vault database that has an incredible amount of information on schools, potential interview questions (along with a mock interview platform that you have unlimited access to), and prior successful essays.

Once you finish with application work I started prepping for interviews. I thought my mock interview with Caryn was very helpful because it gave me a sense of what my actual interview was going to be like, and she also gave me a full list of feedback items I could improve on. I interviewed for Cornell, NYU, Yale, and Columbia and I felt very well prepared for them.

Overall, I am not only so so happy with my results but also happy about the smooth process that the SBC team provided.

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I explored a number of admissions consultancy options before deciding on SBC, which was recommended to me by a friend/former colleague. I was initially drawn to how thorough SBC's approach seemed to be, their "wiki" database loaded with valuable information, and of course their impressive roster of Consultants with deep AdComm experience. After my initial "matchmaking" call with Sarah, I had a great gut feeling that was immediately confirmed once I met with her recommended Consultant, Amy, with whom I decided to pursue a 4-school All-in package. Simply put, I felt Amy and SBC believed in me and had the skills to help me maximize my chances at achieving my MBA admission goals.

Amy was the perfect match for me. She had several years of AdComm experience at Wharton (one of my target schools) under her belt, as well as a background as a writer, which I expected would be a weakness of mine given my only writing in the past ~6 years had been emails. We put a clear, regimented plan into action following the SBC model and executed it over the subsequent ~5 months in a way that never felt rushed or overwhelming despite leaving no stone unturned before R1 deadlines.

Every step of the way, Amy was patient, thoughtful, well-organized, available, responsive, and infinitely helpful. With everything from my resume, to my essays, to my app-specific short answer questions, Amy's keen sense for what makes a compelling case helped me put forth the most holistically sound, authentic application I could with my set of personal experiences. Additionally, a major turning point in my process was when Amy encouraged me to pursue the GRE instead of the GMAT, a pivot that almost immediately improved the trajectory of my candidacy.

Before submitting, my flight tester, Caryn (former Kellogg AdComm), gave an objective read of my application and identified a few areas for improvement that Amy then helped me implement, not just for that school but for the others on our list where applicable. Later, the mock Wharton TBD with Anthony (again, also former AdComm and specifically Wharton) was invaluable in helping prepare me for the real experience, as that's not an interview style that I would’ve otherwise been able to easily simulate.

I ultimately received offers of admission to Columbia and Wharton, and couldn't be more appreciative of Amy's help - along with that of the other SBC team members - in making my MBA goals a reality.

Sorry for the long review - I'm sure Amy could've helped me cut this down! - but I simply cannot say enough about how pleased I am with SBC broadly and Amy specifically. It is not a small investment, but the returns are well worth it.

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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).

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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.

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