GMAT Club

The Red Pen Admissions Consulting Reviews

Established in 2011, The Red Pen provides high-quality MBA consulting to candidates around the world.

 

Team

Our international team of consultants hold MBAs from top international programs such as Columbia, Wharton, INSEAD, Booth, NYU Stern, Cornell and Oxford Saïd. We draw on years of experience helping high-caliber students showcase the best versions of themselves in their applications. We pride ourselves on staying informed on the evolving MBA admissions space and, as members of the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC), hold ourselves to the highest ethical standards when serving clients.

 

Click here to know more about our standalone services

4.9 /5 Average Rating
5 star
67
4 star
2
3 star
0
2 star
1
1 star
1
Based on 71 reviews

AI Super-Summary of Customer Reviews for The Red Pen Admissions Consulting*

The Red Pen (TRP) has been highly praised for its expert guidance and personalized support in MBA admissions, contributing to numerous successful applications to top schools including Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, and Yale. The team-based approach allows for comprehensive scrutiny and iteration of application components such as essays, resumes, and interviews, ensuring applicants present their strongest profiles. Despite a few negative experiences citing delays and communication issues, the majority of clients commend TRP consultants for their dedication, strategic insights, and ability to adapt to individual applicant needs. Many reviews highlight significant achievements, from gaining admissions to prestigious programs to securing scholarships, underscoring TRP's effectiveness in the competitive admissions landscape.
9 users mention "Interview Prep"
  • "fared well at business school interviews due to the mock interviews conducted by the team..." Read more
  • "preparing for interviews..." Read more
  • "multiple mock interviews..." Read more
  • "perfecting my essays and preparing for interviews..." Read more
  • "mentoring me and leading me across the line..." Read more
  • "guidance with the interview preparation..." Read more
  • "multiple updates for the admissions committee..." Read more
  • "assisting me with developing a waitlist strategy..." Read more
  • "mock interviews..." Read more
8 users mention "Supportive"
  • "Learn from their team of experts who excel at all they do..." Read more
  • "supportive and encouraging throughout the Waitlist process..." Read more
  • "very comfortable working with all the team members..." Read more
  • "guide me through every step..." Read more
  • "Manan was incredibly patient, kind, and genuinely helpful..." Read more
  • "felt supported and confident throughout the application process..." Read more
  • "dedicated support..." Read more
  • "unwavering support..." Read more
8 users mention "Full Service"
  • "multiple perspectives I received throughout my application journey..." Read more
  • "personalized advice and insights that proved invaluable..." Read more
  • "well prepared in my applications..." Read more
  • "guidance, and mentorship of the entire team..." Read more
  • "prompting deep reflection on various aspects of my life..." Read more
  • "their support and guidance..." Read more
  • "amazing depth across all components and stages of the application process..." Read more
  • "refining my application, CV, LinkedIn profile, etc...." Read more
4 users mention "Career Transition"
  • "they really prepare you to take on other colleges yourself..." Read more
  • "stand out from other applicants..." Read more
  • "extremely stressed and kind of clueless before starting with my applications..." Read more
  • "Dhiraj personally took time out to help out..." Read more
3 users mention "Scholarship Awarded"
3 users mention "Admitted"
  • "got off the Fuqua Waitlist with a merit scholarship..." Read more
  • "I received an acceptance letter from my Yale and ISB..." Read more
  • "resulted in me getting interviews at every school..." Read more
3 users mention "Responsive"
  • "has always been quick in responding..." Read more
  • "very approachable and willing to help anytime I reached out..." Read more
  • "WhatsApp group for communication, which made discussions prompt..." Read more
3 users mention "Non-traditional Backgrounds"
  • "multiple perspectives I received..." Read more
  • "had an extremely unconventional profile..." Read more
  • "my circumstances were unique..." Read more
3 users mention "Top-Tier School Focus"
  • "top business schools in the US..." Read more
  • "Booth, Kellogg, Ross, Anderson, and Stern..." Read more
  • "admissions consultant for me..." Read more
2 users mention "Essay Editing"
  • "Pradyot ensured that I put my best foot forward with the essays..." Read more
  • "tailor-made to fit each school..." Read more
2 users mention "Time Management"
  • "extremely punctual..." Read more
  • "submitting my applications on the very last day..." Read more
2 users mention "Detail-Oriented"
  • "requires a whole lot of self work as well..." Read more
  • "detailed feedback that allowed for much greater clarity..." Read more
1 users mention "Value for Money"
  • "The personalized care and advice..." Read more
1 users mention "Global Expertise"
  • "cultural insights, adding depth to our relationship..." Read more
1 users mention "Industry Specialist"
  • "excel at providing correct guidance..." Read more
1 users mention "Resume Review"
  • "work with me on my Resume (which was a LOT of work)..." Read more
1 users mention "Inexperienced"
  • "I came into the applications process with limited knowledge..." Read more
1 users mention "Unsuccessful"
  • "While I did not get in the college we worked together on..." Read more
1 users mention "No Improvement"
1 users mention "Impersonal"
  • "the consultants came across as rude or dismissive..." Read more
*Review summaries are AI generated from 25 latest reviews in the past 2 years.
August 15, 2025
shreyanshdugar

Joined: Jun 13, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
680 Q50 V31 (Online)

Insightful & Supportive MBA Application Journey

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Strengths:

I believe that the greatest strength that this product provides is that their approach makes you more aware of yourself by extracting out instances from your life that you very vaguely remember. This helps you become more aware of yourself and the goals that you carry, which in turn helps you to approach the essays and interviews with really great clarity and confidence.

I am really grateful to the entire TRP team for helping me throughout this MBA Application Journey. The well researched data collection method they have really helps you recall almost all the pivotal moments in your life which gives a lot of clarity as regards to what your inner beliefs are and what is your goal in life actually is. Gunjan is a really passionate consultant. From the very beginning, she was very collaborative and insightful. She dived deep into my pivotal moments and helped me connect the dots and pinpointed the moments that I can mention in my story. It is mainly because of her insights that I was able to shape my essay beautifully. Manan helped me frame my resume and LOR. He has an eye for detail and knows how to put forward stats beautifully. He helped me frame a top notch resume. I believe that everyone has a unique story to tell and TRP helps you present that story appealingly.

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August 14, 2025
Divi_M

Joined: Jun 24, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Focus score:
645 Q80 V85 DI80

A structured, prompt & invested consulting experience

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Strengths:

• Structured and collaborative approach
• Invested, supportive, and prompt team
• Excellent mentorship from my Lead Consultant

Would make the product better:

• Mock interview felt underwhelming—more value could be added beyond basic practice
• Help material on the Metis platform, especially for interview prep, felt generic

I really appreciated TRP’s team-based structure, with different experts handling various parts of the application. It made the process feel both thorough and well-organized.

I worked with Natasha Mankikar as my Lead Consultant (LC), and she was incredibly supportive—not just in helping me craft my application, but in making sense of my own life and career journey. Her patience, thoughtful guidance, and genuine investment in my growth left a lasting impression. During the peak of the application process, when stress levels were high, I especially appreciated how prompt and responsive she was. Overall, a steady, insightful, and empathetic mentor. Anju Goela, who supported me with LORs and resume-building, had a different but equally effective style—direct, tough, and encouraging. Her feedback pushed me to refine my materials better.

One of the highlights for me was how invested the TRP team remained even after my working deadlines with them. They were happy to continue offering guidance on waitlist strategy and communication, reflecting how authentic their commitment is to a candidate's success.

Suggestions for Improvement:
• The single mock interview included in the package didn't feel very impactful. It felt similar to a session I could have done with a friend or alumnus. It might’ve just been my experience, but it’s an area with room for enhancement.
• Metis platform content—especially for interview prep—could be more detailed and school-specific.

I took the 2-school package and was admitted to both programs I applied to.

Overall: I highly recommend TRP to anyone looking for a structured, supportive, and enriching MBA application experience. Their invested team and thoughtful process make a challenging journey feel manageable—and even insightful.

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June 26, 2025
TanRT

Joined: Nov 08, 2021

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

A Thoughtful and Supportive MBA Admissions Experience with The Red Pen

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Working with The Red Pen for my MBA admissions journey was an incredibly enriching experience. From the very beginning, their structured and personalized approach helped me introspect deeply and uncover the core themes of my story. Gunjan, my lead consultant, played a pivotal role in guiding me through this process, asking thoughtful questions and helping me articulate my goals with clarity and authenticity. She was constantly engaged throughout the process and helped resolve all the major and minor questions I had while navigating all the differing essays and prompts. The efforts she took to understand both my professional and personal background and her strong insights into the entire admission process, ensured that my application was genuine yet polished.
Anju, my Resume and LOR specialist, helped elevate my professional narrative and her feedback was precise and immensely valuable in showcasing my strengths. A big thanks to the entire team at TRP for making the complex admission process a bit easier.

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June 19, 2025
pk4

Joined: Jun 19, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Truly Grateful for a Supportive and Insightful MBA Application Journey

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Strengths:

What really stood out about working with The Red Pen was how personally invested the team was in my journey. Gunjan pushed me to reflect deeply and helped me shape a story that truly felt like my own. Anju was incredibly sharp - helping me build a powerful resume and draw out the right experiences to highlight. Their feedback was always thoughtful and encouraging. From recommendation letters to interview prep, every part of the process was handled with care and attention. I always felt supported, and the entire experience felt structured, focused, and genuinely collaborative - more than I could have hoped for.

Would make the product better:

Couldn’t have asked for a better experience, but a slightly quicker turnaround on edits during peak times would’ve made the process even smoother.

Working with The Red Pen on my MBA applications was a genuinely rewarding experience. From day one, the entire team was warm, professional, and incredibly supportive. A big thank you to my lead consultant, Gunjan Jhunjhunwala, who pushed me to dig deeper and aim higher throughout the process. She not only helped me shape my story but also brought in structure and clarity that made my applications stand out.

Anju Goela was a fantastic mentor as well – her inputs were instrumental in building a sharp, impactful resume and identifying key career moments that best reflected my strengths. She also guided me through my Letters of Recommendation and provided invaluable feedback during interview prep. Everyone I interacted with – from onboarding to mock interviews – was thoughtful and responsive, making what could have been a stressful journey feel manageable. I’m really grateful to have worked with The Red Pen and would wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone applying to business school.

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June 17, 2025
tanvishah98

Joined: Nov 09, 2021

Posts: 3

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Focus score:
635 Q81 V83 DI80

Personalised support!

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Strengths:

1. Structured process for end to end support
2. Personalised guidance
3. Highly responsive team

I worked with The Red Pen on my MBA applications and had a good experience overall. Mitrabina was my lead consultant - organized, responsive, and clear in her feedback. She helped me stay on track through the whole process and brought structure to what can otherwise feel like a chaotic timeline. Manan helped shape my CV, offering specific suggestions that made it tighter and more impactful.

What I appreciated most was that the team didn’t try to push a “one-size-fits-all” strategy. They listened to my goals and background, then helped me present my story in a way that felt true to me. The feedback was honest and constructive, not sugar coated, which I valued.

If you're looking for a team that’s reliable then The Red Pen is a solid option.

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June 08, 2025
malay899

Joined: Jun 08, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

MBA Journey with The Red Pen

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Big thank you to Gunjan, Manan, Manisha, Natasha, and the whole TRP team for being such a solid support system throughout my MBA application journey. From day one, Gunjan really pushed me to reflect on my experiences and goals, which helped me find clarity and direction in my story. Manan’s inputs on the LORs were super helpful and he made sure everything tied together well. The process felt structured but also personal, and the feedback at every step made a real difference. I'm really grateful for all the help — would definitely recommend TRP to anyone applying to B-schools!

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May 15, 2025
messiahsardines

Joined: Jan 08, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Focus score:
675 Q88 V85 DI77 (Online)

Certainly recommend for your MBA Journey!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Strengths:

The Red Pen Consulting team is very knowledgeable! They have dedicated personnel for each aspect of your application. They guide you throughout the process with crafting essays, resume and application forms. I'd definitely recommend for your MBA admissions.
They are very flexible and will work around your time zone and schedule. I was able to get admission in 2 of 3 dream schools, with scholarship!

Would make the product better:

N/A

The Red Pen Consulting team is very knowledgeable! They have dedicated personnel for each aspect of your application. They guide you throughout the process with crafting essays, resume and application forms. I'd certainly recommend for your MBA admissions.
The process started with screening schools and profile. Once the schools were finalized, my lead consultant, Shyam, started working with me on the essays. They ask you to fill a document, which helps bring out your stories, accomplishments and shortcomings, which can be used for building the essays.
There were regular webinars educating me about the entire process. Once I received my interview call, they even conducted mock interviews to help me prepare for the actual stuff.
They are very flexible and will work around your time zone and schedule. I used The Red Pen to apply to 3 schools. I was able to secure an admit to 2 of 3 of my dream schools, one with a scholarship!

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May 05, 2025
kg711

Joined: May 05, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

The Red Pen team is amazing, esp Pranjal and Natasha

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Hats off to the entire Red Pen team: Pranjal, Natasha, Anju, Kim, Manisha, Montu, and Prerna. I can proudly call them my ace team that helped me secure an admit to Kellogg. They brought unique and insightful perspectives about my own life and crafted a compelling narrative. The team stood by me throughout the journey, patiently answering even my most anxious questions, sometimes in the wee hours of the night. Their comprehensive and consistent support ensured that I sailed through the process smoothly, with the advantage of having a solid support system. Highly recommended for anyone targeting M7 or other top MBA programs.

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April 23, 2025
Anusha2111

Joined: Oct 24, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
750 Q51 V40 (Online)

TRP is the way to go!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Strengths:

Collaborative spirit in a team of experts, who take the time to really know you as an individual and craft the most authentic, impactful applications.

Would make the product better:

-

I worked closely with Natasha and Anju, both of whom provided unique perspectives to different aspects of my application. The meticulous approach to understanding me as a person and my values was core to building my application. The constant support - from solving small queries to brainstorming on the essay content was something I came to enjoy thoroughly. The high level of authenticity of my applications (thanks to the many conversations which helped my reflect on the milestones that mattered) was something I was extremely proud of. I was able to secure interview invites to 6/7 M7 schools, and admits to 4. I highly recommend TRP for anyone who is looking to build an authentic application with a team that goes out of their way to support you and put forward an application that is impactful.

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April 13, 2025
Advitya

Joined: Jan 15, 2023

Posts: 27

Kudos: 12

Self-reported Score:
740 Q50 V41

Thanks Red Pen team

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by membership [?]

Would make the product better:

A standardized template for interview questions prep.

I had a great experience with the Red Pen team. Through the Red Pen team’s guidance, I was admitted to Kenan Flagler with a substantial scholarship and waitlisted at Cornell. I finalized Red Pen after speaking to a number of other consultants and burning my hands in the application cycle in the previous year. The thing that made me finalize the Red Pen was the level of interest that their team showed in the introductory call. While other consultants were trying to sign me up and finish the call as fast as they could, the Red Pen team was genuinely interested in my story. I was a general engineering male candidate with an average GMAT score who was working in a very niche industry in a company that no one would have heard of.

The onboarding process was relatively quick, and I was assigned my lead consultant (Gunjan Jhunjhunwala) and LOR & Resume specialist (Manan Maheshwari). I would like to specially thank Manisha Jaisingh and Prerna who handled the operations and onboarding. After the onboarding, I was asked to fill the Getting to Know You Questionnaire (GTKY questionnaire) which was a good starting point as it covered everything from my past experiences to strengths and weaknesses.

I consider myself to be an introvert, so getting me to open up can be challenging. This is where Gunjan shines. We spent countless hours identifying and fine tuning my STAR stories, an activity that felt futile at first, but I realized its importance later. Gunjan will probe you, question you and counter question you to understand why you did what you did. These STAR stories formed the basis of almost all my essays and interview questions. This approach and level of personal attention is what truly sets Gunjan apart as you are not merely answering the essay questions but introspecting and weaving your life story. The professionalism that Gunjan exhibited was also exemplary as nothing felt rushed and all the essays were finished way before the deadline.

Manan was my LOR and Resume advisor. He helped me refine my resume to the point that the final result was unrecognizable (in a good way) from the resume I had submitted in the previous application cycle. Each and every point in the resume was meticulously crafted with ample information to remove any ambiguity. Coming from a company where no one was familiar with the concept of an LOR, Manan also guided me how to effectively approach and pitch the idea to my recommenders.

Kudos to the Red Pen team for helping me out with my admissions!

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