GMAT Club

Stratus Admissions Counseling Admissions Consulting Reviews

With Stratus Admissions Counseling, you don’t just work closely with one experienced MBA admissions counselor to optimize every part of your application. You work with an entire team of specialists who provide extensive feedback throughout the application process.

From reflecting on your past experiences and identifying programs that will move you towards your goals to crafting your essays and conducting mock interviews, Stratus’ team-based approach ensures you stand out and get accepted into your dream business school. We guarantee it.*

We have clients who have been admitted to every top MBA program year after year since 2006.
Stratus Admissions Counseling Deal Page

Stratus Admissions Counseling Admissions Consulting Reviews

Most Reviewed Stratus Admissions Counseling Consultants

Susan Cera
Reviews
56
Average Rating
5.0
Donna Bauman
Reviews
42
Average Rating
5.0
Melisa Prevost
Reviews
31
Average Rating
5.0
Jennifer Jackson
Reviews
27
Average Rating
4.9
Joe Farr
Reviews
14
Average Rating
5.0

AI Super-Summary of Customer Reviews for Stratus Admissions Counseling*

Clients of Stratus Admissions and its consultants, such as Susan Cera, Sophie Hilaire, Melisa Prevost, Jennifer, Donna Bauman, Lisa Cummings, and Joe Farr, generally had positive experiences, highlighting the personalized, insightful, and supportive approach that led to successful MBA applications, often resulting in admissions to prestigious schools with scholarships. Consultants were praised for their tailored advice and commitment, helping applicants convey authentic stories, improve essays, and prepare for interviews effectively. While most reviews reflected satisfaction, one highlighted dissatisfaction due to the firm's rigid refund policy and poor customer service. Overall, Stratus Admissions is recommended for MBA hopefuls seeking structured guidance and expert support throughout the application process.
18 users mention "Supportive"
  • "Her expert guidance, tailored advice, and unwavering support were instrumental throughout the process...." Read more
  • "She also demonstrated a great deal of interest in my success, checking in frequently and offering ad-hoc tips to go along with her structured feedback...." Read more
  • "She was very supportive throughout the process..." Read more
  • "During our calls, I felt heard and respected. I was seen as an individual, and not a profile...." Read more
  • "Always responsive to my many, many questions/emails and always willing to provide feedback in a supportive but critical way...." Read more
  • "I trusted that Stratus actually cared about me as an applicant and was interested in helping me...." Read more
  • "I instantly felt better about the path forward...." Read more
  • "More than just admissions strategy but a truly personalized plan towards..." Read more
  • "Susan's commitment to her clients is unwavering. She was with me every single step of the way..." Read more
  • "I am very happy with my choice to go with Stratus and would recommend them to anyone!..." Read more
  • "Melisa's guidance, I was able to confidently put my best foot forward, knowing that my application is a true reflection of who I am...." Read more
  • "Susan was a wonderful consultant who clearly cared about my story and application process...." Read more
  • " Having been highly recommended by my brother, I knew I was in capable hands,..." Read more
  • " Her consistent responses and determination reflect her dedication to her clients' success...." Read more
  • "With Lisa's help throughout the busy application season, I ultimately gained admission to 7 MBA programs..." Read more
  • "From my intro call alone, I knew working with Sophie would be a fruitful partnership...." Read more
  • "Her dedication to my success was palpable, and it made all the difference...." Read more
  • "Her insights and support were crucial..." Read more
10 users mention "Full Service"
  • "She was by my side for every step of the process from learning about me and my story on a deep level to essays, resume updates, interviews, and even in my decision making process & scholarship negotiation...." Read more
  • "From our first conversation, I could truly feel that the person on the other side knows her stuff and really wants the best outcome for you...." Read more
  • "provided peace of mind knowing I was doing my best. She was very supportive throughout the process..." Read more
  • "As a first-gen student, I was looking for guidance on the process from start to finish...." Read more
  • "I did numerous free consultations and was not comfortable with other companies. I trusted that Stratus actually cared about me as an applicant..." Read more
  • "Jennifer truly is the best, and I highly recommend working with her if you are considering starting the MBA application process...." Read more
  • "Melisa was an absolutely invaluable teammate..." Read more
  • "create an accelerated plan to get my scores and essays and questions together and I don't think I could have gotten into my M7s without their help...." Read more
  • "Melisa remains consistently supportive and cheering, demonstrating her sincere desire for nothing but the best..." Read more
  • "Relationships and interactions with Susan made the entire MBA application process straightforward and exciting...." Read more
9 users mention "Admitted"
  • "With Susan's help, I was able to gain admission into multiple schools..." Read more
  • "I would recommend Melisa to anyone seeking to apply to an MBA program...." Read more
  • "With the help of Stratus, I applied to 3 M7 schools, one top 15 school, and was accepted to all with scholarship..." Read more
  • "I ended up with several admits, all with scholarship..." Read more
  • "my path led me to pursue an MBA at Georgetown University, my dream school..." Read more
  • "With Lisa's help, I gained admission to 7 top MBA programs..." Read more
  • "Sophie's help, I was admitted to 3 M7s, waitlisted at 2 others..." Read more
  • " I was accepted to five MBA programs (Yale, Tuck, Wharton, Kellogg, and Haas),..." Read more
  • "I was offered admission to three top schools, two of them being Ivy League schools, and was fortunate enough to be offered scholarship money at all three...." Read more
7 users mention "Scholarship Awarded"
  • "With Susan's help, I was able to gain admission into multiple schools with generous scholarship packages..." Read more
  • "With the help of Stratus, I applied to 3 M7 schools, one top 15 school, and was accepted to all with scholarship (one with a full-ride)...." Read more
  • "I ended up with several admits, all with scholarship - the investment in Stratus was certainly worth it!..." Read more
  • "Not only was Susan's guidance instrumental in getting me admitted into a dream MBA program, but she was also my biggest cheerleader throughout this process...." Read more
  • "with scholarships / fellowships at 3..." Read more
  • " I was accepted to five MBA programs (Yale, Tuck, Wharton, Kellogg, and Haas), with full-ride scholarships to three of them...." Read more
  • " I received offers from multiple top-tier MBA programs, including one with a scholarship...." Read more
5 users mention "Interview Prep"
  • "Melisa would be an incredible thought partner to help with my MBA journey. From the early stages of crafting school lists to the final stages, including navigating the waitlists..." Read more
  • "Susan was present throughout the interview preparations which was crucial for me...." Read more
  • "attempting Wharton TBD simulation prep was highly beneficial..." Read more
  • "Interview prep - After the introspection, school research, and essays, I felt positively thrilled going into the interviews...." Read more
  • "Additionally, Joe was able to help me prepare for my interviews by providing insight into the interview process and walking me through the key differences at each school...." Read more
5 users mention "Responsive"
  • "had quick turnaround time as we were approaching deadlines...." Read more
  • "Always responsive to my many, many questions/emails and always willing to provide feedback in a supportive but critical way...." Read more
  • "guidance at every step of the way, I could always count on Jennifer to provide guidance...." Read more
  • "Melisa always followed up on my questions in a timely fashion and with insightful responses...." Read more
  • "quickly and with thoughtful suggestions..." Read more
3 users mention "Essay Editing"
  • "She was able to help me tighten up that story and tailor it to specific schools, providing incredibly insightful suggestions and tweaks...." Read more
  • "Great support and peace of mind getting an expert to review all essays. Good templates that strategically position your essay in the best way possible..." Read more
  • "Essay feedback - Each essay went through multiple iterations of feedback and modification until both of us felt it was the best it could be...." Read more
3 users mention "Top-Tier School Focus"
  • "With Susan's help, I was able to gain admission into multiple schools with generous scholarship packages and will be attending my dream school in the fall - a school that was a major stretch and was more of a dream before I met Susan...." Read more
  • "Lisa and Stratus stood out as clear winners; I felt confident in the Stratus offering / backing..." Read more
  • "Susan identifies the best traits and helps build a strong application foundation...." Read more
2 users mention "Non-traditional Backgrounds"
  • "Sophie understood the nuances of my Army background and helped tailor my application to highlight my strengths and unique experiences...." Read more
  • "Melisa has deep expertise on the application process and that she takes time to help you understand your own strengths, weaknesses and story...." Read more
2 users mention "Military Background"
  • "Transitioning from solider to civilian and returning from the east Africa region, where I was deployed with the Army..." Read more
  • "As a veteran, I felt so much at peace having another veteran help me through the process...." Read more
1 users mention "Asia MBA Programs"
  • "Background: I m an Indian applicant..." Read more
1 users mention "Free Consultation"
  • "I did numerous free consultations..." Read more
1 users mention "Inexperienced"
  • "I had a 7-hour package with Stratus, yet I felt as if I had one of the top-tier comprehensive packages that go for thousands of dollars more...." Read more
1 users mention "Career Transition"
  • "Sophie helped me identify strengths in my application that everyone else (including me) had overlooked...." Read more
1 users mention "Low GPA Success"
  • "was also seeking help in bolstering certain parts of my application to balance out potential weak spots..." Read more
1 users mention "Overpriced"
  • "Despite their promising advertisements and commitments, their service was far below what was expected. I encountered numerous issues during my consultation, which not only wasted my time but also cost me financially...." Read more
1 users mention "Unsuccessful"
  • "I had an incredibly disappointing experience with Stratus Consulting...." Read more
1 users mention "Unresponsive"
  • "I tried multiple times to resolve the issue amicably, explaining my situation and seeking a fair resolution, but the company was unresponsive and dismissive...." Read more
1 users mention "Hidden Costs"
  • "The most frustrating part of my experience was their rigid refund policy. They refused to offer any form of refund...." Read more
1 users mention "Impersonal"
  • "Their customer service is severely lacking; they do not value client relationships or the basic principles of customer service...." Read more
*Review summaries are AI generated from 25 latest reviews in the past 2 years.

Reviews:

209 Reviews
5.0 Average
Rating
Filter by Rating
All
sort by
August 17, 2018
Mai2020

Joined: Aug 17, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Fantastic experience with Melisa @ Stratus

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I worked with Melisa Prevost through the hourly package and she was fantastic. Extremely responsive and supportive, she went above and beyond to provide helpful feedback on both essays and interview preparation. She is a pleasure to work with and I would highly recommend her. Even though we worked together on the hourly package, she really came to know my background and narrative extremely well. Her turnaround time was always incredibly efficient, usually within 24 hours. She is genuinely committed to seeing you do well, and she understands the application process deeply, as well as what different programs are looking for. The Stratus team in general is responsive and invested in your success.

Read More

June 14, 2018
jcd123

Joined: Jun 14, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Stratus was critical to my success

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

I had the chance to work with Temi as a counselor at Stratus, and I can say that her help was critical to me ultimately getting into my dream top-10 school.

I found that her guidance through preparation of my materials and the subsequent formation of an application strategy gave crucial structure and nuance to developing my candidacy for grad school.

There were times where we disagreed on content to be included, and where I initially became frustrated by our differences in viewpoint and/or opinion. However, Temi did an excellent job of listening to my frustrations when we disagreed, and then presenting her case. More often than not, I agreed with her fully articulated viewpoint.

When all was over, we managed to complete 6 applications to top tier MBA programs, and I managed to get the result I wanted: a spot at an elite MBA program.

Thanks Temi, and thanks Stratus!

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.
June 06, 2018
bjames

Joined: Jun 06, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Well Worth it

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

I would highly recommend the profile development services offered. I'm a fairly organized person but I know that having some external accountability and guidance is valuable which is why this service appealed to me. The great thing about Stratus is that they have a comprehensive framework that they guide prospective applicants through so that you know there isn't anything you are forgetting in terms of making sure you're presenting a well rounded self to admissions committees. This is a worthy investment and a great way to make sure you get yourself ready to apply to grad school. Your advisor will check in with you occasionally and you'll get an updated document from them showing what you've done and what you're working on by the next time you connect. If nothing else, you will be much more confident in yourself going into your applications.

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 19, 2018
Arjun8

Joined: May 05, 2015

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
700 Q45 V41

Great personal experience with Joe Farr from Veritas Prep

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I'm from Australia and opted for a 3 schools package with Joe Farr as my main consultant. I chose Veritas because of its tailored approach in which I could mix and match my team of consultant to best suit my needs, goals and working style.

Joe was sensational! Despite the fact that I am across the world from him, I have developed a strong relationship with Joe. He took a lot of time upfront to understand my profile, goals and personality. I think that this was key for him to be able to help me successfully craft my story, identify my strengths and weaknesses and how to increase my chances of admission. He dedicated a lot of his personal time to help, and I'm truly appreciative of that. As a finance professional who also has a property development and accounting background, I will be using the MBA to transition into sports management/marketing. Joe shares my passion for sports and marketing and hence, this was a great fit. He really helped bring out my passion whether it was over our hour-long (sometimes 2 hours) Skype calls or lengthy emails.

Despite delays on my end, Joe accommodated my last minute questions and was even promptly responding to my questions via email on the due dates of applications. His customer service levels were exceptional. He also helped me work with the different school specialists to ensure the best final product.

Joe also took the time to meet me when I flew to the US for interviews. If you want a truly personalised approach and someone who will demonstrate a vested interest in your future, you definitely want Joe on your side! Aside from professional help, it was an absolute pleasure to chat with him and hear about his experiences. A great guy!

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.
May 13, 2018
laurenharper472

Joined: Jan 05, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
720 Q48 V41

Joe Farr made my year!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Joe Farr, with Veritas Prep, not only helped me get accepted into many top-notch MBA programs but he also suggested I apply to the program I am now enrolled in! Yale SOM wasn't even on my radar. I never imagined being accepted to an Ivy League school! Joe thought it would be a good fit for me, and sure enough... I'll be attending Yale SOM in the fall! Veritas Prep really helps you flush out YOUR story and teaches you how to make sure the school sees your best traits. I was a very unusual candidate. Joe helped me create an application that highlighted my uniqueness while also illustrating why I would make a great fit. I am very thankful for Joe and his team!

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.
April 26, 2018
zackline

Joined: Jun 14, 2016

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
700 Q46 V40

Great Experience, Top Notch Consultants, Personal Touch

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I will be the first to admit that I was skeptical about using an MBA admissions consultant. I went back and forth about the idea for at least six months while I did research and after talking with several consultants I finally went with Stratus. I could not have been happier with my choice. Donna Bauman was the best thing that happened to me along the way to applying to business school. Donna took the time to not only help me with the application process but also to help me make some difficult personal decisions about where to apply, decisions that were greatly assisted by her own personal anecdotes and experiences. Through a clear and concise pipeline we worked together every step of the way, with Donna taking time out of her evenings and weekends to help with my often last minute modifications and revisions. The employees at Stratus went above and beyond to help work around my schedule and timeline throughout the MBA application process, and after the hours and hours spent talking to Donna on the phone I now consider her a friend. Several months ago I was accepted to my #1 pick school, and awarded a hefty scholarship to boot, making Stratus more than worth the price I paid for their services.

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.
April 25, 2018
YZ123

Joined: Apr 25, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
760 Q49 V44

Great Experience with Stratus

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I found Stratus at an MBA tour event I attended last summer, and am glad that I chose them for their expertise and guidance. Melisa was an excellent counselor who took the time to understand my unique background and goals with pursuing an MBA and helped me to articulate my story through my essays and interviews. She was also accommodating with regards to scheduling our check-ins and mock interviews sometimes in the late evenings and on weekends to plan around my work hours. The tireless support and encouragement from Melisa (and Susan my senior counselor) throughout the entire application process was very valuable and I'll be attending one of my top dream schools this fall!

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.
April 24, 2018
KO6278

Joined: Apr 24, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
710 Q41 V48

Highly Recommend Stratus Consulting!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I highly recommend working with Stratus Admissions. I had the pleasure of working with my consultant, Jennifer Jackson, beginning in June 2017. At the time (similar to many prospective applicants!), I was juggling full-time employment and GMAT studying. Facing the applications themselves seemed daunting. Working through Stratus’s introspection activities with Jennifer gave me a starting point and was an incredibly helpful way to frame my ‘story’ and clarify my MBA and post-MBA aspirations.

Jennifer worked with me to set a realistic timeline given the large number of schools I was planning to apply to and, while she was always flexible when work or life got in the way, was great about keeping me on track throughout the process. She was extremely responsive and knowledgeable about the programs I was applying to – if I ever had a question about a program that she couldn’t answer, she would reach out to her peers at Stratus to help me get the needed information. I particularly recommend the comprehensive counseling package. Having the opportunity to receive structured feedback from multiple sources at Stratus, including my assigned senior strategist Susan Cera (who was also fantastic to work with!), a proofreader and a school-specific specialist for each program, ensured I was putting forth the best possible application.

Thanks to the help of Jennifer and the Stratus team, I was ultimately accepted to three top-10 programs and will be headed to my dream school this fall!

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.
April 23, 2018
harrisonfs2013

Joined: Sep 04, 2017

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Highly Recommended!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

I had a really great experience working with Donna Bauman. She was exceptionally encouraging and supportive throughout my application journey. She was always willing to provide helpful, honest, and timely feedback (within 24 hours) and was able to be flexible to accommodate with our time zone differences for interview preparations. Most importantly, she really took the time to understand my unique background and aspirations and was a true advocate to ensure that I conveyed my unique story across my applications. The Stratus team is professional, personable, and has a very thorough process. I would highly recommend Donna and Stratus to anyone looking for an admissions consultant!

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.
April 18, 2018
jolieduhon

Joined: Mar 11, 2016

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
680 Q47 V36

Stratus Admission Counseling is Top Notch!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

When I started on my MBA application journey two years ago, I was pretty far from being the ideal candidate. I did not graduate from an ivy league university, I didn't come from a traditional business school industry, and my story was nothing remarkable, or so I thought. Working with my Senior Strategist, Susan, first in the MBA Early Edge program and then in the MBA Admissions Counseling package (along with my MBA counselor, Jamie) infused me with a confidence I can't describe. With their guidance and support, I was able to start thinking next-level about my applications, my mission and my future. I will be starting at a top-20 school in the fall full-time program and I couldn't be more proud of the hard work it took to get here!

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.

1 Older and Non-Verified Review for Stratus Admissions Counseling