Bespoke MBA Admissions Consulting by Menlo Coaching

TLDR: I unreservedly recommend Pascal. He is the best at what he does. He was instrumental in getting me into my target school, as well as landing my MBB offer. In the process, he became a good friend. So much so, that I invited him to my wedding!
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I have a really unorthodox background. And not in an obviously favourable way. Never had a conventional job. My goal was to get into LBS and land an offer at an MBB London office.
When I reached out to some of the other top tier admissions consulting firms, almost all expressed their doubts. One even outright told me to forget about MBB. And I appreciate their honesty.
Pascal was equally honest but the difference was that he truly believed in me, and that we could get this done. And that’s my top tip: go with someone who really believes in you, because that type of confidence is contagious and you’ll need it throughout the process.
Pascal won’t write your essay. He’ll do something much better. He’ll help you find your drive and build it into a narrative that is genuine and compelling. I cannot stress enough how valuable this will be; not just for admissions, but more importantly for recruiting.
Defining my narrative and ambitions with Pascal really allowed me to excel during interviews and helped me land my dream job at an MBB London office during a year when recruiting for consulting (or anything for that matter) was really tough.
The service is not cheap, but I can vouch that it is the best of the best. It’s a holistic approach and includes elements of executive coaching. The only caveat is that you need to trust the process and commit. Share as much as you can about yourself and put the work in. You won’t regret it.

Yaron is an amazing MBA consultant.
As an applicant primarily applying to dual-degree MBA programs (HKS Partnerships, Wharton-Lauder, etc.), I wanted a consultant who helped me think critically about my long term career goals, capitalize on the unique aspects of my background, and build a compelling narrative in my essays. Yaron absolutely delivered. He was a great sounding board for reflection and an exceptional essay reviewer often suggesting new ideas or alternative structures that helped me consistently improve my essays. Yaron strikes a great balance of giving direct, candid feedback while being empathetic and encouraging in his guidance.
I’d absolutely recommend Yaron to any prospective MBA applicant.

Throughout my process, Menlo was extremely responsive and attentive. They helped me tell my story in an authentic way, and kept me on track to finish my applications by the deadline. The time I invested early on in elaborating on my career goals and personal story with Alice and Leslie proved invaluable as I was ready to hit the ground running on essays when applications opened. Alice and Leslie’s feedback was always genuine, which I very much appreciated.

Throughout the entire application process, Joy was professional, responsive, and extremely compassionate. She understood the task at hand, and delivered over and over again. It was very clear from the onset that she loves her job and she puts a lot of time, energy, and effort into her work. She is knowledgeable, and makes herself available to meet your needs. I highly recommend Joy!

Working with Yaron, and Menlo coaching, was one of the best decisions I have made throughout the MBA application process. As someone coming from a lower-ranked undergraduate school without a prestigious resume, I knew that I was fighting an uphill battle from the start. However, with Yaron’s constant guidance, shockingly fast turnaround times, and his deep understanding of the story, I was able to get fantastic admits at multiple programs.
Yaron’s biggest strength is that he understands how to tell a story. Yaron was able to ask me the right questions and to help me understand what my MBA goals were and how to tell my story to the admissions committee. As I started working on my essays, I realized the time zone difference was an advantage, with Yaron turning things around as I slept or while I was at work.
In times where Yaron was a little uncertain on how to advise me, he quickly brought in other consultants with subject-matter expertise. I’d recommend Yaron and Menlo to anyone who is willing to do the hard work needed to get into a top MBA program and who needs help navigating the incredibly demanding and time-consuming MBA application process.
Another great advantage of the Menlo program I wish to highlight is the group sessions with the community of peers who are applying at the same time and the Menlo network. Through Menlo’s network, I was able to connect with students and alumni, who were extraordinarily helpful, and this was an unexpected benefit of working with Menlo.
As a result of my work with Yaron, I was able to punch above my weight and was accepted into five of the eight top-10 programs I applied to. I couldn’t be more excited by the results, which I could not have gotten without Menlo. When I see my peers who have been accepted to the same top-tier MBA programs as I, I am often the only one in the room who didn’t work for MBB consulting, a bulge bracket bank, and didn’t have an Ivy League education. It is thanks to the guidance and insights of Yaron and Menlo that I got the results I did.

Yaron is exactly the kind of trusted advisor I hope to be in my own future investment banking career, and that is no exaggeration. He begins by developing a deep understanding of you, the individual applicant, borne out of genuine curiosity, an enthusiastic desire to see the best in people, and the insight and tact to help identify and refine your flaws. From there, his approach is utterly original, completely customized, and has no hint of a template, box-checking, or trying to fit you into a standard “package.” Yaron’s input into my application was far, far more than technical finessing; he acted more as psychologist/coach/confidante, looking insightfully behind everything I said to identify my real motivations, drivers, values, and what matters to me most deeply on a personal level—before then harnessing and honing that into an application, and finally clarifying its expression to fit within word limits and show as best as possible. Yaron’s ultra-high-touch approach also manifested in another important way. I did a lot of things in an unusual, mercurial fashion: applied without a recommendation from my current employer, wrote the shortest essays first, had a tendency to tear up drafts and start over completely, and—based on the aforementioned self-discovery I experienced working with Yaron and refining my story—decided on Christmas Eve to apply to 3 more schools, including one with a January 3 deadline. Throughout it all, Yaron was thoroughly strategic and perceptive, hyper-responsive and accommodating, and a true thought partner in a process that was as educational and rewarding as it was stressful. He not only clarified my story, both in style and content—he also guided me on school selection, the GMAT, and a whole range of other subjects. What a guy, what a process, and what amazing results. I ended up with offers at four schools, each one offering something compelling and each one “better” than any other school on at least one metric that mattered to me (location-personal, location-professional, culture, placement). Deciding among them was extremely tough, and here again Yaron came through with sage counsel and a highly sincere, unwavering commitment to my best interests. My ultimate destination? The incredible Chicago Booth—that January 3 deadline school I decided to apply to on Christmas Eve, the one Yaron refined my essay for on New Years Day. Oh, and fully funded. Thank you, Yaron.

As I began the challenging journey of my 3rd round MBA applications, I was overwhelmed. I am beyond thankful that I was able to connect with Joy Pincus at this crucial juncture, and it is without a doubt that her invaluable assistance, unique insights, and exceptional essay/resume editing played a pivotal role in my ultimate acceptance and securing of scholarships.
From our first interaction, Joy demonstrated a deep understanding of the MBA application process, which immediately put me at ease. Her approach was highly personalized, and she took the time to comprehend my strengths, weaknesses, aspirations, and unique experiences. Throughout the collaboration, Joy displayed a level of commitment and dedication that exceeded all my expectations, turning what could have been a stressful process into an empowering and growth-oriented experience.
Joy is a seasoned expert in the MBA admissions world, and she was well-informed about the specific expectations of top-tier institutions. Joy challenged me to think beyond conventional boundaries, urging me to highlight my distinct qualities while tailoring my applications to each program’s ethos.
Joy reviewed initial drafts of resume and essays, providing meticulous feedback that was both constructive and encouraging. Her insights not only strengthened the structure of my essays but also brought out the most compelling aspects of my personality and achievements. I had a real challenge of converting my highly technical engineering resume into a compelling MBA resume, which Joy workshopped with me intimately. In addition to this support, Joy worked within my very tight timeline, often getting my drafts back to me within the same day. I truly felt like I was her only client with the amount of time and attention she provided me.
Perhaps the most impactful aspect of working with Joy was her unwavering support and encouragement. She acted as both a mentor and cheerleader, instilling confidence in my abilities and reminding me of my worth throughout the application process. Her positivity and enthusiasm were infectious, making me feel like I had a true partner in my journey toward an MBA.
Thanks to Joy’s dedication, guidance, and mentorship, I am now enrolled at Michigan Ross. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone aspiring to stand out in the highly competitive MBA admissions landscape.

Working with Rebecca was one of the best decisions that I made during the MBA admissions process. From our initial call in which Rebecca and I spoke for 2 hours about my background, undergraduate experience, and work experience, Rebecca was able to pull bits and pieces to help shape my story that ultimately would be crafted into the heart of my essays. This was no easy task as I had a bit of a nontraditional background, but Rebecca was able to do so seamlessly. Going through the essay writing process, Rebecca was supportive of me letting my voice shine through while helping to provide the necessary structure that adhered to the requirement set forth by prompts from each school. It was this collaborative process – and Rebecca’s deep understanding of my story and background – that allowed us to move through and improve on each iteration, culminating in top-notch essays for all 6 of the schools I applied to.
My recommendation process was more difficult than usual, as I had a recommender that was unable to complete their letter just a week before the application deadlines. Rebecca made herself available immediately to talk through a game plan for my backup recommender and ease any concerns I had. There was a chance that because of this, I wouldn’t be able to complete my applications in time for round 1. However, with Rebecca’s guidance, I was able to secure a strong letter from a backup recommender and avoid a potentially unfavorable situation.
As part of working with Menlo, I had access to the entire Menlo ecosystem (David, and Obinna, to name a few) who were available to help with interview prep and any questions I had along the way. Rebecca as well would bring in David on certain topics, to help provide a second opinion when appropriate. I very much appreciated the extra advice, which was incorporated into several parts of my application.
In all, I interviewed at 5 of the 6 schools I applied to, and received admission to 4, several of which were M7 schools. I also received $480k in scholarships among those 4 schools – a fantastic outcome and one that I couldn’t have hoped for any better.
For anyone considering applying to an MBA program, I would not hesitate to work with Rebecca or the Menlo Team. Thank you again.

I would give Alice & the Menlo Team an NPS of 10 – below is an excerpt from the email I sent them after I heard back from all the schools (I even spent a week with them in the Netherlands working in person, highly recommended!):
I wanted to send along my deepest appreciation for all the hard work you all have put into my business school application process. This means a lot to me but even more to my family.
I do not think I would have been accepted by HBS, Wharton, and Sloan without your counsel, insight, and support. I know that I can be a pain in the butt at times – stubborn or hard-headed on certain points, prone to procrastinate, an inconsistent communicator – and I appreciate you all for sticking with me and getting me to the finish line.
Special thanks to Alice for quarterbacking this whole process and convincing me to always do the right thing, David for telling me what I needed to hear rather than what I wanted to hear, and Leslie for letting me talk her ear off for hours outside of a closed coffee shop and then helping think through what a coherent narrative might be out of my very unplanned life. And to the whole Menlo team for letting me nap in the office, putting up with a jetlagged stranger for a week, and showing me around the Netherlands – best Thanksgiving I’ve had in a while!

David was great with helping me figuring out my story and what differentiated myself from others, and he was very flexible, readily adapting to my needs with the admissions process. Without him, my applications wouldn’t have been as well-rounded and focused. He also provided plenty of constructive criticisms on my essays– his comments allowed me to understand what was wrong and what direction I should focus on with various parts of my applications, and with his help, I was able to get admitted at a top 3 business school. Thank you David!

I first started working with David White back in 2016. I had just started my first job out of college and wanted his help in strategizing my career while I plan to apply for MBA programs in the next 2-3 years. From the first time we chatted, David demonstrated that he was committed to helping me achieve my dreams. Always responsive, professional, and structured, he spent so much time helping me craft my story, advising me on making the right career moves, and even connecting me with great GMAT tutors.
I was definitely not the easiest client to work with: I had a lot to juggle along with my job and extra-curricular, I had a below-average GMAT/GPA, came from a non-orthodox background, and went through family hardships during the process. David was there in my corner every step of the way, continuously encouraging and advising me on how best to move forward. I had even applied during the 2018-2019 cycle when I only applied to H/S/W with only a 640 GMAT – though I was able to secure an interview at Wharton, I, of course, didn’t make it into any schools. It didn’t stop him from continuing to help me during the next admissions cycle.
I had a lot going against me. I started in community college and even went through a job layoff during the process – Menlo Coaching was kind enough to waive fees for me during this cycle because of the layoff. Despite all this, I was able to make it into four top 10 programs. I’m excited to be starting at Wharton this fall (with $$$ on top of it!). This would not have been possible without David there constantly backing me up. He became more than just a consultant, he was a trusted advisor and friend. I cannot recommend him and Menlo Coaching enough – he was absolutely vital in helping me make my dream come true.
He stuck with and never gave up on me, even when I almost did – for that, I am eternally grateful. If you’re looking to maximize your chances of making into one of these programs – you can rest easy knowing this man will be there to guide you all the way.

I ultimately decided to go to UCLA Anderson, fulfilling a dream I had since I was 16. Working with Menlo Coaching was a complete game changer in determining the trajectory of my career path. Their personalized approach and attention to detail were exactly what I needed to craft a compelling application. I genuinely believe I wouldn’t be attending UCLA Anderson without their guidance.

I got into my dream school, University of Chicago Booth, and also Northwestern, and I thought the value was well worth the investment. My consultant pushed me to get the best story possible, whether it was through five different rewrites or reviews. Whenever I got into a writing mode, I knew my consultant was going to be right there with me, working just as hard as I was. The personal touch and the ability to craft my story in a very personal way were invaluable.

Alice is a fantastic consultant and, most importantly, a great person. All through the application process, I felt very comfortable working with Alice. She made a great effort to connect at a personal level, which ultimately resulted in an outstanding outcome. I highly recommend Alice as a top consultant and someone you can trust who will have your best interests in mind.

Brooke worked with me on crafting MBA applications for four business schools across the M7/T10/T15 range, and helped me get admitted into all four programs. She did a great job of helping me build applications that would resonate with the admissions officers and potential interviewers that would be reading my file. Brooke’s time working in the admissions office at Berkeley Haas gave her a unique understanding of the MBA application process, and her knowledge in the field enabled her to share unique insights on how to tell my story in a way that would allow my genuine self and my passion for each school shine through.
Brooke was very responsive throughout the process, consistently following up on my questions as well as resume and essay revisions in a timely manner, and even occasionally sending updates in evenings and on weekends to accommodate my schedule. She was also very hands-on when working with me on my applications, setting up Zoom calls on short notice for us to chat through questions in real time and make edits on my resume and essays.
If you are an applicant looking for someone who will provide both complimentary and critical feedback on your application while working closely with you at every step of the way, Brooke would be a great fit for you.

Overall David was an incredible resource. He knew the answer to every single MBA-related question I had throughout the process. I could not have asked for a more knowledgeable resource to help me through this process. He was also very patient during our conversations and pushed me in the right direction to make some incredible essays, and, quite frankly, better understand my own desire for getting an MBA. With his help, I was accepted to Columbia Business School with an $80K scholarship which was an extremely exciting result!

I had the pleasure of working with Joy and Obina from Menlo Coaching for my Wharton EMBA admissions. Joy’s expert guidance was instrumental in shaping my essays, and I truly appreciate her insights. A special thanks to Obina for his precise feedback during the mock interview sessions, which helped me refine my stories and present them more effectively.

5 stars

I’ve had an amazing and tremendous experience working closely with Alice, and the rest of the Menlo Coaching community. I am very happy with my results, and it aligned very well to Alice’s initial expectations with my application. For me, in addition to her dedication to the application process (i.e. always answering any questions or turning around drafts within 1 day) and expertise, I think what’s most important is that she actually does care about your story and your future career and personal goals. I feel strongly that I can trust Alice to give me unbiased and right advice around school selection, essays, and also my final school decision. I think that this is actually the most important criteria for finding the right consultant, and Alice for sure checks this box!

Having gone through the process, I will say it was absolutely worth it. The interactions we had were very personalized, and the whole process was customized. David was available, and there was immense value in that, which I didn’t realize at the outset. Starting early and chipping away little by little teed me up so well for the application.

As the title says, I got into my top choice business school (Harvard Business School) thanks to Alice! Looking back on the process, I’m certain that I would not have gotten into Harvard if it wasn’t for Alice’s help. Alice is hands down the best MBA coach out there. Even before I hired Alice, I could tell that she really cares about her clients. I did a consultation call with many different admissions consultants and of them all, Alice was the only one who really tried to understand my story. For instance, I’m a 2+2 applicant (applying as a senior in college), and Alice was the only one who understood that a 2+2 application is different from a normal application. After hiring Alice, she consistently gave me valuable advice for the business school application process. During our first session together, Alice dug deep into my background and was able to come up with a number of strong essay ideas that I had never previously considered. Together, we worked through more than ten drafts of writing, and produced a final product that I was very happy with. Alice is also extremely well-organized. She’ll make sure that you never miss a deadline and that your recommenders have ample time to write your rec letter. If you’re already stressed with working a full-time job (or in my case, being a full-time student) and don’t want to worry about all your business-school deadlines, Alice is an absolute god-send. I want to end this testimonial with a message directly to Alice: Alice, you are an amazing consultant and a wonderful human being! Thank you so much for the incredible level of support you provided me during the application process, and I wish you the best of luck with your future clients! (Not that you’ll need it!) PS. If you are considering hiring Alice (which BTW is a great decision), you should schedule a call with her right now. She gets fully booked very early.

It was an amazing experience getting to work with Pascal during my MBA admissions process. It was also one of the best decisions I made during my application process, and I know my applications would have been nowhere as good without Pascal guiding me through the process. I really cannot thank him enough!
Pascal is a veteran of the process and immediately puts you at ease. He is very responsive to any questions, and he knows all the schools well and has extremely useful insights into what they are looking for. But perhaps most importantly, he really takes time to get to know you and your story and helps you craft a compelling narrative that is both true to you and attractive to an MBA admission committee.
He spent countless hours helping me draft and redraft my essays until they really got across my story in a compelling way. He also spent many hours helping me perfect my interview answers. Without his help, I really doubt that I would have made it into one of my top choices. I cannot recommend Pascal (and the rest of the Menlo team) highly enough!

The most important part of my Menlo experience was working with Leslie on the personal story. We sat down for a meeting on Sunday afternoon, and she really only asked a couple of questions, allowing me to tell her my entire personal story from start to finish. She listened and distilled it down to a few more palatable segments or details that I would then transform into essays. This meeting was a learning experience that helped me understand the perspective I’m coming from when delivering my story, and it also gave me more clarity on why I want to get my MBA.

I approached David end of April 2018 while planning to apply in Round 1 2018 and told him that I am aiming for the lower half of the top 10 MBA programs in the U.S.
Even though David already had his slots for R1 applicants filled he took me as his client because I was living in close proximity to his office and was able to work with him in person. Shortly after, he began to intensively work with me on my applications. His services went far beyond what I expected to get when I approached him. He invited me to the Menlo office in Baarn and basically discussed (almost for an entire day) my personal life, academic path and professional career up to a point where he really understood what was driving me, what I am passionate about, what I am aiming for and what expectations I have when it comes to an MBA program. Based on that discussion, he thoroughly reviewed my school selection and helped me to identify schools that better fit my profile, highlighting all the, sometimes subtle, differences in seemingly similar programs, like recruiting of certain sectors, student body and club activities, culture or quality of classes. It was incredible how much he knew about all major programs and how well he understood what I am looking for. After we reviewed my school selection, he helped with school networking, preparation for campus visits, finding suitable MBA fairs for networking with admissions officers and providing me with contact details of student clubs I could reach out to. In parallel, we worked on my essays, CV and the next GMAT attempts. Throughout the process, he was always available and answered emails promptly.
With regard to the GMAT, I was surprised how much support David had to offer in that respect. He identified my weaknesses and got me to touch with outstanding GMAT tutors to work on those. Furthermore, since he knew about a medical condition I have, he made me aware that I might qualify for accommodations. He helped me finding suitable medical experts in the US and supported me with my application. Due to his help, I got 50% extra time on the GMAT, which resulted in a 50 point increase (from 690 to 740).
Ultimately, I was invited to an interview with four schools. David immediately took action and invited me again to Baarn where he and another Menlo consultant, Rebecca, practiced interviews with me. He flagged weaknesses in my application which the interviewer might raise, went through potential questions and did several practice interviews with me. The accuracy with which David predicted interview questions was incredible. For some of the interviews (e.g. Tuck and MIT) he has prepared me for almost 80% of the questions that were eventually asked. I basically only had to repeat what I rehearsed with David and Rebecca. Thanks to their amazing preparation I was calm, confident and attentive throughout each interview and didn’t have to deal with nervousness.
After the first offers came in David supported me on scholarships. We developed a strategy to approach the schools and also reviewed external scholarship options. He reviewed my applications, suggested changes and brought in many new ideas. With his help, I was not only able to get into a top program but also to secure full funding for it. I got two external scholarships each worth around $75k and a $100k Columbia scholarship, therefore, the entire fees and living expenses are covered. The only costs I have to cover myself are David’s fees, which was the best investment I could have made. This summer I will join the Columbia Business School community, my first choice!
I approached David with a poor GMAT score, no clear plan or strategy, a career that lacked any type of leadership experience and was purely technical, and no network when it comes to MBAs (I literally didn’t know a single one as it’s not that common to have an MBA in my industry). David identified and helped me to improve all these issues in my candidacy and gave me the right guidance to craft essays in which all my shortcomings became meaningless parts in a compelling story.

Pascal is a fantastic consultant! I initially chose him as I was interested in LBS, and his tenure at IESE, as well as his international perspective on the often overly US-focused MBA process, was a strong draw for me. However, through his guidance, I learned to navigate the process with the help of a seasoned professional. Pascal prepared me to receive admits from both LBS and HBS (the latter of which I only applied to at his prodding!). He was an absolute joy to work with and was instrumental in crafting my HBS essay. Pascal is warm, convivial, and cares deeply for his clients. I have nothing but positive things to say about him and my experience with Menlo.
Pascal also had my work with his associate Maya who diligently aided me in my resume restructuring. At first, I was worried that I would not see as much of Pascal, but he made sure that Maya was additive to the process – not a replacement! We met weekly for about 6 months as I prepared for R2. I highly recommend him and the larger Menlo team to anyone who is interested. Thanks again!

I was initially extremely worried about spending such a huge amount of money, but now that the process has ended, I would redo it all over again. The support I received was incredibly valuable, and the service was worth every penny. I applied to four schools, including Wharton, and got admitted to all of them. The only reason I’m sad about attending Wharton is that I won’t have the possibility to see Pascal more often. He is an incredibly nice person, and everyone I met from Menlo was kind and competent.

I enjoyed working with David during my EMBA application process. He was responsive and provided excellent feedback in order to help present the strongest application possible.
David has built an efficient, well-run company and am proud to have worked with him throughout the process. He did a great job, enjoys what he does, and is genuinely invested in your success. I would recommend to future applicants.

My husband and I both worked with David on our applications. David really helped the two of us to create coherent and resonating stories in order to maximize the chances of us getting into the same school. Along the process, he was a true friend who always thought about our applications from our perspectives, offering advice at every single decision making point. A few things that I really appreciated
1) Timeliness: Even though he is located in Europe, the time difference actually helped to get very efficient turnarounds.
2) In person interactions: He was in NYC for quite some time (and actually camped in our apartment for almost a week) so that we could have face to face meetings, which was very efficient. We also got to know many other applicants from these in person sessions, and were able to learn about our contemplated career from those who have those roles currently
3) Organized: He’ll never miss any emails/questions, and all the answers he provided are well thought out
4) Resourcefulness: David always offered good ideas, and chatting with him whenever I felt stuck had a therapeutic effect — I knew that I was in good hands
5) He’s a genuine person: A lot of consultants’ single goal is to make money and rip people off. It never felt that way. David and Alice always tried to make this holistic experience (organizing gatherings for their clients in the same city, etc). It felt like a community.

Coming from a tough professional and demographic cohort, and finding it initially challenging to adequately differentiate my application from my peers, I looked to admissions consultants to provide the guidance and expertise needed to tell my story best and make my application stand out.
David came highly recommended and he certainly did not disappoint. There is an excellent online portal with weekly video modules, assignments, message boards, and other resources. The program was structured and organized, which was particularly useful during times when work or other life commitments were taking up a lot of my time and energy. David was always patient, but also not afraid to remind me of my pending to-do’s or offer up his time for a phone call. When I needed something from David it seemed like he was always available within the next 24 hours, though typically sooner.
David’s value really shined when we worked together to identify the key aspects of my application to highlight, which ultimately serve as the foundation for each of the various components of the application (resume, recs, essays, etc.). In many cases, David identified certain experiences, personal strengths, and accomplishments of mine that I had either previously ignored or did not adequately explain in my application. By leveraging David’s thoughtful approach and perspective, based on years of real-world and admissions consulting experience, I was able to present my target schools with a truly differentiated and clearly defined candidate profile.
Another important component of David’s process is the multitude of resources available to you, which may just be the needle-mover you need. For example, the interview prep work was excellent. From mock interviews with several of David’s colleagues and friends to multiple sessions with Eduardo, an actor who assists with physical and verbal presentation, expression and messaging, I felt totally prepared for my interviews, particularly at HBS, where the interviewers are intimately evaluating how the candidates will fare and actively participate in the case study method.
As the title indicates, I was eventually accepted to HBS as a member of the Class of 2021 and David was with me every step of the way. It was an enjoyable and absolutely worthwhile experience.

Working with David from Menlo Coaching has been a huge factor in me getting accepted by Kellogg, MIT, and Tuck, all with scholarships. I chose to work with an admissions consultant well before starting my applications, primarily because 1) my undergrad and firm names aren’t as impressive as many other applicants, and 2) I’m not a sponsored student and wanted to maximize my chances of getting a significant scholarship. David’s been a fantastic partner through the entire process, from helping me make decisions to beef up my resume, to working to structure and convey my story in a compelling way, to preparing me for interviews and even helping with scholarship negotiations after the fact (I managed to get additional money from 2 top schools). David’s dedication to his work is immediately apparent; I worked with David for over a year and through much of it felt like I had a private coach. For anyone interested in applying to top programs I highly recommend speaking to David – you won’t be disappointed!

Working with Yaron was an absolute pleasure and made manageable what was initially a daunting process. Yaron’s expert advice helped shape my applications and stand out with a ‘dime a dozen’ background in the overrepresented finance industry.
Given that I was applying while simultaneously working a demanding job, I appreciated the efficiency with which the Menlo process allowed me to complete my applications. The process started with a series of helpful videos which provided the background insights that I would have otherwise had to gather through days of sifting through forums. Next, Yaron made it a point to understand my background and motivations through a series of discussions/interviews. Yaron ultimately leveraged small bits of background he gathered during these interviews to help craft my story once we started on the applications – this is where my I found my Menlo experience to be the most differentiated as, knowing how cheap I am, I would have never taken the time to let an hourly coach get to know me.
I really enjoyed working with Yaron and am proud not only of the results but of the application submitted to get there. Don’t think there’s any higher praise I can give – I recommend Yaron highly.

Pascal has a unique, holistic approach to admission counseling. He possesses a deep understanding of the admission process and is there for you throughout the entire process. Business school applications are stressful and to me, an international student, quite unfamiliar.
Backed by Pascal’s guidance and knowledge, I was able to navigate the ambiguity a lot better. He greatly helped me to identify the MBA programs that fit me best and were able to estimate my chances at any one of them. Furthermore, whenever I had questions, he always responded immediately with clear guidance. Perfection is in the details and I personally felt that all these little tips and to-do’s made a significant difference in the end. MBA applications are much more than a GMAT score and some essays.
That brings us to the inevitable question: “Can he help you to write a stellar essay?”. The answer is yes, undoubtedly so. He helps you to understand your profile, to identify your strengths and weaknesses and those aspects that make you unique as a candidate. By doing so, he enables you to craft a unique story with resonates strongly with the admission committee.
I come from a rather non-traditional background and was struggling to match those traditional profiles. Pascal really helped me to realize that there was no need to and, together, we were able to tell my story in a very sympathetic and compelling way.
Of course, an application does not end there. Compelling essays are usually followed up by an interview. I already mentioned the holistic approach. We took our time to practice. Possibly, even too much since, in all honesty, once your story is clear and compelling, delivering a strong interview is only a small step. It did pay off however, every interview invite was converted into an offer.
In the end, I greatly advise anyone who is seriously considering an MBA to hire an admission consultant. For me, Pascal was a great stress relief and helped me to stay on track. Moreover, we booked incredible results together. I applied to 6 programs and got accepted into 4, waitlisted at another. Among my offers are top international programs, an M7 program and a scholarship at a top 10 program.

I enjoyed working with David very much and I highly recommend him to anyone needing guidance through the process. The idea of working with someone who doesn’t ‘know me’/‘my story’ was daunting but I can now say that it was the smartest investment I have done this year. David’s was professional, organized and very thorough. He helped me achieve the best version of my personal story because he took the time to understand all its angles. He always provided the extra push when I needed it, and it was often! I am certain that the quality of my application wouldn’t have been the same had I not worked with him.

After speaking with a number of admissions consultants, I decided to work with David and Darren Kowitt at Menlo Coaching due to their responsiveness, professionalism, and understanding of my story and goals. I primarily worked with Darren on my application essays, and he was thoughtful and encouraging throughout. He helped me prepare with deep introspection and then convey my narrative in a compelling fashion with clear language. David was there to provide overall advice and guidance throughout the process. This included how to approach my career pivot, where an MBA fits within that, which schools fit best, and how to devise an overall strategy to tackle the application process. He also helped with interview prep through mock interviews, and I can’t imagine walking into interviews without having gone through those sessions. David was very knowledgeable about the strengths, weaknesses, and nuances of each school, and his insights were invaluable. Ultimately, I was admitted into an M7 program with a full scholarship as well as another top 10 school which was high on my target list. I couldn’t have done it without Menlo Coaching, and the costs were well worth it with the scholarship offer.

After working with Yaron Dahan from Menlo Coaching I was admitted to Stanford, Wharton, Columbia, and Sloan. I was initially waitlisted at Columbia, but got off the waitlist in just a few weeks, with a scholarship, with coaching from Yaron. Yaron provided outstanding advice on my career goals that I believe set my application apart, and would often provide feedback in less than 12 hrs with both detailed and insightful comments. Yaron was fantastic with interview prep as well. The whole process of working with Yaron and Menlo Coaching was truly a pleasure start to finish. Rather than match you with an amateur coach who knows your industry, Menlo will give you a professional. If you’re investing in a coach, work with Yaron Dahan and the team at Menlo.

Working with Alice and Menlo Coaching has been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made throughout my MBA process. Alice was honest and dedicated, helping me get the best out of myself without settling for less. She meticulously reviewed every detail, ensuring my submissions met her high standards, and her guidance helped me uncover authentic stories that truly represented me. The support I received extended beyond just the MBA application; it was a full service that included personal reflection, career path insights, and emotional support during stressful times. I applied to five top 10 schools and received offers from two, including my top choice, which made the investment in Menlo Coaching absolutely worth it.

I am so glad I decided to work with Rebecca and the Menlo Coaching team for Round 2 admissions, they were phenomenal! They made the process so enjoyable and removed all of my stress. As someone who didn’t know anyone who had gone through the MBA admissions process before, it was helpful to have an admissions consultant to walk me through it. And Rebecca had such an amazing eye for everything I needed. From finding a GMAT tutor, to providing information about writing styles and helping edit essays, to just knowing how to reply to an email from an interviewer – Rebecca helped me through every step in the process, with unlimited support and calls as I needed.
One of my favorite parts about working with Rebecca was that she was able to listen to my story to help me put together my interests and passions to figure out potential career goals, and then was able to help find “Menlo alumni” to talk to about those positions/functions. She listened to every word I said and helped tremendously to help me shape my story, and know what portions to pull out that would be most interesting to the Admissions Committee. Additionally, the entire Menlo team was so well structured. I was able to work with an individual twice who was knowledgeable specifically in interview prep, an acting company to help my on-camera presence, to working directly with my recommenders to ensure they had help with the process as well.
Not only was she incredibly professional, but she was a genuinely kind person who really cares about you, your success, and your career progression, and that really shows with the amount of support and guidance she provides. I knew I wanted to work with Menlo as they were top of the line and helped start-to-finish with the process, but Rebecca was truly the cherry on top who made the usually grueling application a really enjoyable experience. I cannot recommend Rebecca and the Menlo team highly enough – they are an absolute joy, create an amazing ecosystem, and are rooting for your success from Day 1. It is absolutely worth the investment, and you won’t be sorry with your choice to work with Rebecca at Menlo Coaching!

I cannot speak highly enough of my experience with David and the Menlo Coaching staff! I started working with David 1.5 years before applying for my MBA, and all of the time and money was well worth it – I got into my top choice, the Stanford GSB!
I pivoted from wanting to apply to graduate school to business school, and so the MBA admissions process seemed daunting and overwhelming. David and the team at Menlo Coaching supported me through the whole thing, with structured resources, test prep, unlimited one-on-one coaching, and comprehensive mock interviews. From helping me craft my story of wanting to move from engineering to management positions, to helping me identify weak spots in my application and how I could use the time before applying to address them, to reassuring me when I felt overwhelmed, David had my back. I could not have done this without his expertise, support, and keen eye for bringing out the best in my application materials!

I had an excellent experience preparing for four interviews with Obinna. Each school used a different format (subject matter, intensity, interviewer, duration, etc.), and he prepared fantastic mock sessions for each. In general, he is very professional and flexible, often accommodating my requests for mock interviews at the time of day that my actual ones would be, weekday and weekend. His responses are near-instantaneous; each session is well-documented (follow-up notes, recordings, etc.) to allow the applicant to truly self-reflect afterward. He provided great advice outside the interview, like how to prepare in terms of mindset and even giving feedback on my broader interview prep plan – he is very pragmatic. I even found that the way he speaks, himself, is a model for interviewees and great coaching in and of itself.
Obinna really cares – he reached out to me after my most challenging interviews just to see how they had gone and provide encouragement. He was certainly instrumental in helping me gain admission to programs that I thought were big stretches throughout the process (HBS, Stanford), you just won’t find support like his anywhere else.

Joy helped me through my application process for Executive MBA programs in 2023. I was 12 years past by college graduation, 16 years since my last standardized test or applications essay, and although I am in consulting, I have a non traditional background for MBAs. She helped me immensely in preparing for the applications process, challenged my perception of myself and my story, and kept me on track to meet all my deadlines. We worked together for almost a full calendar year, and she was always available to bounce ideas off of and listen to my concerns. She guided me successfully through at least one minor admissions crisis. From an ROI perspective, not only did I get accepted into all 3 of my schools, I received a merit scholarship offer from all 3 and negotiated an increase for the school I selected.

I worked with Alice on my Round 1 application to HBS and GSB, and landed both interviews, and got accepted to HBS. My first interaction with Alice was during the 30 min free consultation. At the time, I was evaluating a few other consultants, and I was immediately won over by Alice’s thoughtfulness and caring nature. She already started giving me helpful advice, even though she told me she was full for R1 applicants. Luckily we worked out our timing, and I got the amazing opportunity to work with Alice. Through out the process, Alice was a great listener, and always made sure I presented the best of myself in the most genuine way. We also did a mock HBS interview which had many topics that showed up in my actual interview. All in all, I would highly recommend Alice!

Joy Pincus is an absolute gem in the world of MBA admissions coaching, and I had an exceptional experience with her. From the moment I connected with Joy, I knew I was in capable hands. Her dedication to my success was unwavering, and her expertise proved invaluable every step of the way.
As someone navigating the EMBA application process with 11 years of experience, a non-traditional background, and minimal support from my company, I found Joy to be a beacon of support. She not only provided expert guidance, but also approached our collaboration with a level of attentiveness and kindness that set her apart.
One of Joy’s standout qualities is her keen attention to detail. She meticulously reviewed my application materials, offering insightful feedback that elevated my essays and resume to new heights. Her ability to draw out the most compelling aspects of my experiences truly made my application shine.
What ultimately sets Joy apart, however, was her genuine investment in my success. She was always available to address my concerns, offer encouragement, and celebrate milestones along the way. Her positivity and enthusiasm were infectious, making the entire process not only manageable, but also empowering and enjoyable.
Thanks to Joy’s support, I not only secured admission to 3 of my desired top-tier EMBA programs, but also received additional scholarships—which more than covered the coaching fee. Working with Joy was truly a wonderful experience, and I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone seeking to navigate the MBA admissions journey with confidence and success. She is, without a doubt, a five-star coach in every sense of the word.

I could not have gotten into these four top MBA programs and received a total of >$100k scholarship without David’s guidance.
David had proved to be an invaluable resource since our very first session. Because I am based in Europe, David invited me to Amsterdam for a full-day kick off meeting, and kindly helped with travel logistics. It was an extremely productive day. In the morning, I shared my stories in detail with David, who asked follow up questions and took pages of notes. By the afternoon, he already sifted through the notes and identified a few highlights that would differentiate me from others. I left Amsterdam with a near final selection of schools, a concrete plan of the application process, and a list of stories to work with. Thanks to this session, I felt inspired when tackling essays and preparing for interviews.
David is an exceptional MBA consultant – I highly recommend you reach out to him ASAP!

Yaron helped me shape my narrative and helped me stand out in a multitude of ways. His experience in the film and script industry allowed him to take my essay as though it’s a movie script, making it exciting and memorable for the reader. This approach was crucial because you want your application to be distinctive and unforgettable. His straightforward feedback ensured that my application was the best it could be, without any sugar-coating.

I had a truly incredible experience working with Pascal on my applications. We worked together for 18 months as I went through the application process, and he offered his undivided attention and support throughout every step of the process. Pascal was always able to accommodate my schedule, and he made himself available to talk or review my essays regardless of the time of day.
His guidance went far beyond just the application, as he encouraged me to think deeply about who I was as a person and who I wanted to become. This level of self-reflection is something I couldn’t have achieved by myself, and it made a huge improvement in the quality of my applications and my ability to communicate effectively during my interviews.
Pascal also drove me to exceed my expectations in regard to my test scores. My GMAT had plateaued in the low 700s – not only did he push me to take the GMAT five times, but he also strongly suggested I switch to the GRE after I had exhausted all of my GMAT attempts. I was frustrated, exhausted, and discouraged, but Pascal helped me find another gear in regard to my work ethic. I ultimately scored 330+ on my first GRE attempt – a score I never would have achieved without Pascal pushing me to succeed.
As a candidate with a 3.2 GPA in undergrad, I was pleasantly surprised with my results. I submitted 8 applications in R1, received 7 interviews, and was admitted to 6 schools. I will be attending Wharton in the fall, which felt like a huge stretch when I began the process. Pascal’s guidance made all of the difference and having him as my consultant was worth every penny.

I worked with Lainie for the class of 2025 applications and had a wonderful experience. I’ve been accepted to HBS and Wharton (with a large scholarship) in R1, and could not have done it without her!
Lainie is always responsive, timely, and honest. She is a perfectionist and isn’t afraid to push me on areas where I needed improvement. Her 15+ years of experience in being an admissions consultant really showed throughout the application process, because she knew what story would resonate with admissions and what would be considered “generic”. She also helped me a ton during the interview stage and always took the time to do mock interviews with me. She is truly outstanding.
Most importantly, she gave me confidence. I knew that if Lainie was signed off on an essay, the essay had the right tone and portrayed my story. I can’t underscore how important this was for my mental health during this stressful process – having Lainie’s review gave me the sense of comfort that I needed.

Alice is an amazing MBA coach who truly cares about your application and is extremely professional in strategizing the application process from beginning to end. In the initial appointments, Alice gave me pragmatic advice in choosing which schools to apply, but she also respected my choices and took every application seriously. Alice made an effort to really listen and understand who I am and what are my professional and personal experiences. Initially, I was worried about my experience being too scattered, and I was also not too confident about my story-telling skills. Alice encouraged me to open up, to be authentic and to reflect deep on my motivations and qualities without worrying about how admission would perceive me. At the same time, she took charge of strategizing and crafting the stories that were authentic, personal and compelling. Interview prep with Alice and David was very helpful too – I did two mock sessions with her and she was able to provide honest and constructive feedbacks. In the end, I got admitted to HBS and Wharton. It would not be possible without Alice and David!

I absolutely enjoyed working with Jarrett as an MBA coach because he’s so friendly and very helpful. He answered all my questions. And it made me much less nervous or worried about whether I could really get it or not. He also really helped me with my confidence. Jarrett really switched my fears and made me realize, despite my purely scientific background, that I do have plenty of qualities that make me a good candidate for business school!
I would like to highlight the interview process because that was one of my biggest concerns. Jarrett really helped me to understand the whole process, and he explained what to expect. And what the typical flow would be like, so that I was more prepared and expecting what to see during the interview. I felt much more confident going into the interview. In the end, I got into Booth, Kellogg, and Columbia. I’m very excited, and I’m really grateful for how Menlo helped me to achieve this.

I worked with David and Alice for my business school application. David provided an amazing level of support with essay strategy and interview prep. I used David’s essay idea for my top choice business school (Harvard), worked together with him and Alice through multiple rounds of revision, and ultimately got the interview for HBS! After receiving the interview notice, I held numerous Skype-based interview practice sessions with David, and thanks to those practice sessions (where David provides very clear and actionable feedback), I was able to nail my actual HBS interview. Last week I got the admissions notice from Harvard and I’m sure that I couldn’t have done it without David’s help!

I had an amazing experience working with Leslie. Being from Belgium and willing to embark on an MBA on the west coast of the United States, I reached out to Menlo quite late in the process when I realized that I knew too little about this very particular environment. Knowing that the competition is fierce to embark on a top MBA program in the US, I wanted to improve my odds and this is exactly what Menlo will provide you. With their intimate knowledge of the different MBA programs and their very professional planning, Menlo coaches like Leslie will walk you through the tricky and stressful application process with confidence and professionalism. Leslie, via her countless feedback, will definitely encourage you to elevate yourself and make the difference between a good and a great application.
Even though Leslie and I had a time zone difference of 9 hours, it never impacted the tight schedule to get my applications ready in time. It felt like Leslie was available 24/7. I could reach out to her during weekends, early mornings, evenings, and even during the holiday period which was particularly important since I applied in round 2.
Menlo Coaching is a full-service package with no limit on the hours they spend to help you. They only select candidates in which they believe and will do their uttermost to have you admitted to your dream school. This goes from the school selection, the essay writings and edits, the very important and sometimes forgotten interview preparations with multiple coaches, and finally the scholarship application. This full-service package implies a premium on the fee that made me first hesitant to embark on this journey with Menlo. But looking back, I’m confident that I made the right choice to get support from Leslie who pushed me to surpass myself and go to the essence of my story. The outcome was very positive. I was admitted to my dream school, Haas, as well as another program with an impressive merit-based scholarship. With the counsel of Leslie, I was able to negotiate my scholarship at Haas which offered me a generous amount covering more than all the costs of my application. Applying for a top MBA program is a long and tedious journey and the support of a coach like Leslie is definitely worth the price.
I sincerely recommend Leslie and the Menlo team to anybody serious about getting into his or her dream program. It makes the difference!

I was referred to Alice by a friend and colleague. I was planning to apply to business school and wanted to work with an experienced consultant for not only guidance on essays and applications, but because I valued the direction and insight of someone intimately familiar with the process and my targeted schools. Working with Alice was fantastic and I cannot imagine a resource more knowledgeable, helpful or supportive.
Working with Alice resulted in a very organized and methodical process, and her help was invaluable in crafting the best possible version of my story. I applied to four schools in Round 1, and this method allowed me to manage a large undertaking with minimal stress. She (and David) also helped me prepare for interviews in a way that allowed me to feel calm and prepared going into the real thing. Our process had a happy conclusion as I beat the odds and was accepted to my top choice school. I cannot thank Alice (and her team) enough for their role because without her guidance, I would not have stood a chance.
In addition to her great work, Alice’s caring and thoughtful manner sets her apart. Despite a full roster of clients, she always made me feel like a top priority. This environment facilitated an honest, transparent and supportive working relationship, which means a lot during a grueling process.
Alice is an exceptional resource for any prospective business school applicant and I cannot recommend her more strongly.

David and his team at Menlo Coaching were instrumental in helping me get into Wharton & CBS despite the limited preparation time (started in Q3 without a first attempt at GMAT). David quickly demystified the entire process and highlighted what really mattered to the adcom team at the different schools. This allowed me to focus my time and energy on the aspects that maximized my chance of admission. What I really appreciated:
1)100% focused on you: Starting from the initial chat, David had a genuine interest in my background and helped me identify the qualities that differentiate me from the other applicants. He made sure that every part of my application was highly relevant and presented an angle of me that altogether made me a strong applicant.
2) Never settle for less: There were times when I felt that I presented a well-drafted essay, but David came back with more questions, probing deeper and deeper for my story. It was definitely a good introspective process. I could see how my drafts got more powerful and yet authentic each time.
3)Timeliness: I really appreciate the quick turnaround and knew that I could always rely on David.
Knowing my career goals, David has also connected me with a few people in the industry that I am interested in.
David is a remarkable MBA coach and I strongly recommend him and his team to anyone who is navigating the MBA application process.

I decided to apply for MBA fairly late in the process (fully committed end of August for December R2) and had to balance between studying / taking the GMAT and working on applications, all while being at a full-time job in PE.
Rebecca was instrumental in not only the project management aspects of the process (e.g. organizing workstreams, to-dos, and when to do what), but also in the journey of refining my MBA story to make sure I put the absolute best foot forward in my applications. Her supportive communication style made our working sessions absolutely fluid and seamless, and her flexibility made it extremely easy for me to work within my own schedule and working style. Most importantly, I can tell that she genuinely cared about my success and outcomes.
In the end I got accepted at Wharton, Booth, CBS, and Kellogg. Really couldn’t have done it without Rebecca’s support and mentorship!

David was instrumental in my successfully receiving an offer to my first-choice top MBA program, and he exceeded my expectations in every sense of the word. My MBA application process was longer than expected, taking place over several years due to a diagnosis of bipolar, which caused me to postpone applications until I received treatment and felt ready to apply. David and the Menlo team were very supportive and understanding about the unexpected pause in the process and helped me complete very thorough applications to four top schools.
David went above and beyond every step of the way, making sure I had strong career goals and well-written essays and was very prompt with his feedback; after submitting an essay draft in the evening, I would wake up the next morning to find feedback already in my inbox! I felt very prepared for my interviews based on his input and feedback. I would highly recommend David and the Menlo team to anyone looking for the best in the business.

There are few decisions in life that are truly life-changing, that help you learn about yourself, discover new opportunities, and vault toward your potential. Working with Rebecca at Menlo Coaching was my life-changing decision, and I could not feel more grateful for the experience nor more excited about my future prospects.
Rebecca brings a personalized touch to the experience rather than pushing you through the gauntlet of an application checklist. She takes time to get to know you, and from our first conversation, Rebecca’s empathetic and thoughtful disposition put me at ease and encouraged me to open up and tackle difficult but important topics. Her feedback was always frank and direct, and it was a relief to be able to get straight to the point in a process that requires the applicant to be extremely honest with him or herself. Rebecca went above and beyond in every aspect, and I came away from this process not only with 7 Round 1 applications I was immensely proud of and admission to my top school but also with a deeper understanding of myself and my goals. I could go on and on, but I will instead summarize just a few key areas below.
Essay Feedback:
– Kicked off the process by encouraging me to do a free-write of my life story, which was invaluable later on when addressing specific questions in essay prompts or short answers
– Helped me approach essay prompts from the lense of the admissions reader so that my message was communicated clearly, precisely, and emphatically
– Asked insightful questions to extract or discover a deeper meaning to what I was trying to say
– Never compromised quality, even if it meant patiently answering my questions or providing feedback repeatedly on the same short sentence
– Never compromised my identity, guiding me to craft essays that were the purest expression of myself
Networking Connections and Guidance:
– Provided guidance on how to get the most out of networking events and school visits, which can be overwhelming with so many people to talk to and a day jam-packed with programming
– Introduced me to past clients at my target schools, current clients in industries that interested me, and more senior professionals that had successfully navigated a similar path to the one I had in mind
Wealth of Resources:
– Connected me with a body language coach, since an interview is not all about words
Provided countless informational videos covering every topic related to MBA programs, career opportunities, and the application process
– Organized a clear and thoughtful approach with a calendar and to-do list available online
– Encouraged collaboration with her other current clients, creating a network of peers we could rely on for school visit reports and interview feedback
– Facilitated 3 mock interviews, with opportunities for more if I needed them
Personalized Approach:
– Brought a customized approach, not cookie-cutter at all. I applied with my partner, so Rebecca tailored her approach to consider both of our goals and likely outcomes
– Helped me and my partner negotiate offers with schools
– Was literally always available and responsive. I was concerned the time zones would be a problem, but it is actually an advantage for US clients since she always had lots of feedback for me when I woke up in the mornings
– Accommodated my busy work schedule and helped me create a plan that took advantage of my mornings and late evenings
– Helped me navigate a difficult political situation that arose while networking with alumni
– Gave me peace of mind knowing that an experienced professional was guiding me through the very involved and often overwhelming process of applying to top MBA programs
If you are looking for an MBA admissions coach who will elevate your applications, guide you through the process, and help you realize your potential, look no further than Rebecca at Menlo Coaching. I guarantee you will also have a life-changing experience.

I worked with Joy for several months leading up to R2 application deadlines, and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the help I received from her through that time was invaluable. Navigating the MBA application process turned out to be much more involved than I ever would have thought, and Joy was a constant source of guidance, support, and positivity in that time.
From the outset, Joy ensured that I stayed disciplined and on-track in my application, both checking in regularly and challenging me when necessary, such that I never felt pressed for time in any of my applications. She was willing to overcome time zone differences (often waking up incredibly early in the morning) to ensure we were able to keep a regular cadence of meetings, and was always available and responsive whenever I needed help or feedback.
Another great benefit of working with Joy is that she is refreshingly candid with her feedback, not settling for half-baked ideas when she senses that more lies underneath. The brainstorming I was able to do with Joy, both on big picture storytelling as well as the nitty-gritty of essay writing, were also very meaningful. She has the remarkable ability to facilitate conversations and help you arrive at ideas and language on your own, such that you don’t feel like you are compromising your voice.
I was incredibly happy with my outcomes with Joy’s help, with acceptances to both Ross and Yale SOM (with scholarship). I would highly recommend Joy to anyone looking for a consultant to help them navigate the MBA application process.

I worked with Pascal for over half a year on the whole MBA process, from essay ideation to essay writing, and the interview process. I spoke with a couple of other consultants from different companies but only felt comfortable speaking candidly with Pascal. I found it hard to craft a story from the get-go, but Pascal helped me dive deep into my personal background, and we finally found a thread in my story after many sessions. During the essay writing process, Pascal helped me edit all of my different drafts, spotting the smallest mistakes I wouldn’t have thought about. By the time we reached the interview process, I was so familiar with the aspects we wanted to highlight about my story given that we had gone through it so many times throughout the previous steps, that interview prep went by extremely smoothly. I will be attending an M7 school and am incredibly grateful to Pascal for his guidance throughout this process.

Obinna is an absolutely incredible interview coach. His guidance made a huge difference in the quality and structure of my answers, as well as in my confidence level going into the interview process. I was ultimately accepted to all four schools I interviewed at.
I was admittedly completely unprepared going into my first mock interview. I was extremely nervous, which was reflected in my answers. Obinna was very patient and understanding, striking the perfect balance of being thoughtful and supportive while also extremely structured and thorough. He first suggested a more effective high-level way to approach the interview. He then provided very detailed feedback for every one of my answers to make them higher impact. What really struck me was his level of structure and specificity. Instead of merely saying, “You need to structure this part more clearly”, for example, he’d say, “I really liked the first part of your response. I think you should highlight that more by mentioning XYZ. The second part is a bit too long and has too much overlap with the first. I suggest cutting ABC and instead just focusing on EFG.”
After implementing his suggestions, I could feel a major improvement in the quality and structure of my next run-through. Ultimately, I was admitted to every school I interviewed at. Obinna is really an exceptional interview prep coach — so eloquent and meticulous. I couldn’t recommend him highly enough!

I can not recommend Alice and her team from Menlo enough! She was super helpful and thoughtful throughout the process. I had worked with another MBA consultant from a different firm a few years ago but Alice’s professionalism and experience were a leap ahead of what I expected. Aside from being extremely supportive in ideating during the application process, Alice and the team were very helpful in preparing me for my interview. Alice isn’t scared to give you direct feedback and is clearly on your team throughout the process, always welcoming live conversations or additional iterations (as desired), If you want to give yourself the best chance for admission into a top MBA program, you should use Alice, a full-stop.

Rebecca has been instrumental in my success during the 2022 R1 application cycle. I have a fairly average profile with few bright spots (no-name undergrad, work at a company that isn’t a b-school feeder). However, with her guidance, I was admitted to all my target schools in the T15 (with scholarship) and my reach school in the M7. Rebecca’s extensive knowledge of all the top MBA programs was invaluable in helping me craft a compelling narrative for essays that resonated with each school, wordsmithing to meet the pesky word count, and answering all my late-night random questions about the schools. My lowest point was when one of my recommenders was apparently not going to meet the deadline despite my numerous attempts at reminding him. I was on the verge of giving up and preparing to apply in R2 but Rebecca went above and beyond by tactfully diffusing the tense situation – a few days later I received an email notifying me that the LoR was received. Besides that, she has been pleasant to work with and attentive throughout the process. I’ve never had to wait long for a response to a quick question or feedback on essays.
Based on my experience, I can confidently recommend her services to any prospective students reading this review. I would not have been half as successful in this round without her help.

I was terrified at the beginning of the process, feeling like I was coming in later than I should be, but Menlo and Yaron made it very easy and streamlined. Working with them was incredibly structured, with a clear calendar and tasks, all managed through an online portal. Yaron was like the English teacher I wish I’d had—patient, constructive, and a master storyteller who made my essays five times better. The process was unexpectedly introspective, helping me understand my own story and what I truly wanted from an MBA, which was invaluable for my application and personal growth.

In the second round, I applied to eight schools, got into six of them, and got into two WLs. I could not have achieved this and gotten into nearly all of my dream schools without Jarret’s support and help.
I’d say one of the most notable traits of Jarret is his work efficiency and work ethic. He made sure he had his contact open 24/7 so whenever I needed something from him, he could give me support/advice as soon as possible. The advisor was never late on anything during our consultation, and he delivered feedback really quickly.
What I also appreciate from this Advisor is his ability to help me tailor my story and truly stand from my perspectives to customize my application strategies in terms of essay, interview, and school selection. He is very professional and sophisticated with various applicants.
Lastly, Jarret gave me lots of confidence and energy during the entire application journey. I always feel more secure and confident in myself after talking to him. That helps me a lot when I am stressed about the results. Overall, he is a 5-star consultant and definitely worthy of the consultation fee.

When I thought that I absolutely did not have any chance to get into the top 10 and I could probably go into top 20 or top 25 if I’m lucky, to come to this point where I have offers from some of the best places in the world is an absolute surprise. The results were very, very generous and really surprising, to be honest. I got interview invites from Wharton, from Kellogg, from Columbia, Yale, and NYU which was exceptional, but more importantly, I got admits from Wharton, Kellogg, Columbia, and Yale. To this day, sometimes I can’t believe it and I have to go back and check the mails that I’ve had so that I know whether it was all a big dream or was it all reality?

If you are coming across Alice’s profile, consider yourself lucky. She is the best person to have in your corner as you take on the MBA admissions journey. I worked with Alice targeting schools in Europe and Asia. Alice is not just someone with great insights into what works and what doesn’t in an application, but also someone who would never give up on you. Let me give an example here: I struggled in keeping my nerves calm during the GMAT test despite doing very well in the official mocks. I missed many internal deadlines working on my GMAT score (I seriously felt it is only fair for her to move on with others after my extended tussle with GMAT), but Alice always had my back and you want such a person in your corner during this roller-coaster ride of MBA admissions. I cut too close to the deadlines and if it was not for Alice I wouldn’t have even been able to submit them in time. I ended up with 3 admits from top schools including an admit from the most prestigious university based in the UK.
Alice and her team put in genuine efforts to understand me and my background, they identified valuable experiences which I never really realized I had myself and molded them into great application essays. Menlo Coaching is a one-stop for all your admission needs. Be it GMAT (which if aren’t yet done with then blindly work with her team-mate Chris) or Interview coaches, Alice is supported by the best in the industry. Alice made me feel as if I was her only client and I got all the attention I wanted.
Alice always and every time tried to get me the very best that I could achieve. She never compromised on my application. I am sure Alice puts more thought and effort than her applicants themselves. She was worth every cent I spent and more, I walked away knowing I showed the best version of myself to the adcoms.
Picking an admission consultant can be very confusing, I have been there. If you want to maximize your chances at your target schools, I suggest working with Alice. Thank you for everything Alice.

I had a one hour interview prep session with Obinna. This was the best decision I took before going for the interview. I have 3 points that made Obinna stand out.
1. Obinna was very sharp in analysing my answers, pointing out very clearly how the intended message came out and how to better formulate crisp replies to questions.
2. Obinna is very considerate in understanding that in the early stages of preparations, answers may not come out in the best possible way. At the same time, he has a knack of getting the best out of you, and I came out of the session feeling very confident having improved myself.
3. Obinna instills a framework model into approaching the interview questions. This helped me a lot in clearly articulating my answers in a structured manner.
To summarise, he not only provides with the information required to approach the interview in the best possible way, but also makes you feel very confident and fully prepared going into the interview.
I would highly recommend anyone preparing for an interview to work with Obinna so as to bring the best out of you in the interview process.

Alice is an excellent choice as a consultant, whether you’re from a traditional or non-traditional background. As others have mentioned, she is very intelligent and organized. Her assistance in crafting my story for each of the schools to which I applied was invaluable and she was highly responsive in going through drafts of my essays. The other resource she provided that was particularly helpful to me was walking me through the recommendation process, from selecting recommenders to spending time with them on the phone to ensure they were emphasizing qualities I wanted to get across. Interview prep was also useful, both 1 on 1 and especially a Skype team-based discussion mimicking the format of the Wharton interview. I also appreciated the hourly pricing structure vs. the fixed fee you often find. Regardless of how much help you need, I would highly recommend Alice’s services and at the very least setting up time to talk to her to see if she would be a good fit.

I worked with Pascal for most of the summer of 2022, getting ready for Round 1 admissions. From the beginning, Pascal was an incredible asset in helping me achieve my objective of admission to a top-tier business school.
Pascal is incredibly flexible and understanding of personal circumstances, which was a great help as much of the work we did was while I was at sea on a warship, without much in the way of good Internet connectivity. He has worked with multiple veteran applicants before, and his background in Finance means he is a perfect consultant if your goal is to recruit into the field of Investment Banking (as mine was.)
Pascal is someone who is unafraid to hold applicants accountable to their deadlines and requirements – you definitely won’t have someone telling you only what you want to hear. That being said, Pascal is incredible in his talent for being able to distill the overarching themes of your life and turn them into useful essay vignettes. Every draft of an essay I submitted was turned around within the expected timeframe, with evident care and attention given to each draft. With Pascal, you will always receive nothing but the highest level of performance.
Moving through past the application stages, Pascal was again an incredible help in helping me to prepare for my interviews. His background as an Admissions Director at IESE gives him a detailed understanding of what the schools are looking for in the applicants they are inviting to interview.
Ultimately, I can definitively say that I would never have been able to acheive my result without Pascal’s help and guidance. I can’t thank him enough for helping to make my successful transition out of the military (and my future dreams) possible.

Prior to hiring Menlo for helping with my application, I had applied to multiple highly-ranked full-time MBA programs and was rejected 12 times in a period of 2 years. I had a chance encounter with Alice from Menlo while at the Amsterdam MBA fair. She promptly connected me with Joy and that turned things around for me.
As a 32-year-old from an over-represented community, with 10 years of work experience, I had limited hope of carrying forward with my dream of getting into a top-tier MBA program. Joy brushed my fears aside and got down to the details of my story. She asked me questions I hadn’t considered before, encouraged me to get a little more personal with my essays and identified the strong areas in my profile. Thanks to her guidance, I received my first interview invitation and soon after, I was admitted into a top-5 MBA program!
Menlo’s team and its platform is truly amazing. As soon as you are onboard with Menlo, you are given access to their online platform, which will serve as your one stop for everything related to your MBA applications. It breaks down your applications into tasks with homework and deadlines. If you follow this, you will be able to submit your best application ahead of your deadline.
Menlo’s interview prep is incredible! My session with Obinna was a masterclass in interviewing.
As she is aptly named, Joy always has a smile on her face. The MBA application process can be grueling; make sure you have someone joyful & compassionate helping you through it.

When I first met Pascal, he gave me a very candid and realistic overview of my profile and how he could help me show the best version of myself to admissions. He is not shy to point out my weaknesses, which I really appreciated because it still gave me time to improve on them.
Throughout the application process, Pascal had been very supportive. We would schedule periodic catchups and review my progress on my applications and preparations. He was also very encouraging during my GMAT prep and gave a lot of advice.
After spending time to know me on a personal level, Pascal gave me meaningful comments and insights on my essays. Pascal was able to strategically find ways to improve the overall flow of my essays and tailor the message I want to deliver to the schools. I couldn’t have asked for a better counselor and wouldn’t be able to make it without his guidance and support!

Yaron’s guidance made a world of difference – it made the whole MBA application process so much easier and more efficient for me. I felt like he was always available to answer my questions and provide feedback every step of the way. The biggest undertaking in the process was the essays and Yaron was as helpful here as you would expect from his glowing reviews. He helped me keep things in perspective and always made me look at the big picture. This also meant omitting some ideas which I thought were great at the time, but in hindsight it all makes sense. His experience with the process and his attention to detail with every draft allowed me to write my story with a specific direction in mind. Yaron helped me to shape my story into a compelling narrative that combined my diverse work experience with my many passions/extracurriculars. The end result? I got into my dream school! I couldn’t be happier with Yaron and with Menlo Coaching.

I decided to apply to business school shortly before I turned 28; I, therefore, did not make decisions in my undergraduate training, early career, or extracurriculars that would directly funnel into my MBA applications. At the same time, I had an immense passion for my experiences leading up to the MBA application. Having decided I wanted personalized help to make sure I put my best foot forward, I Initially expected only to turn to Rebecca for help communicating my excitement effectively. In practice, Rebecca guided me to a critical second prong in my overall application strategy: doubling down on the parts of my profile still under my control.
Without Rebecca as a coach, I would not have reached a high-700 GMAT score, pivoted my application strategy due to new information at work, pushed beyond 3-4 essay drafts, connected personally with each of my target schools, or performed extensive interview prep. Each of these very concrete efforts, informed by Rebecca’s strategy, proved critical in my applications, and drove my overall outcomes. Rebecca helped me shift focus from PT programs to FT during re-orgs at work and as the outlook for the overall job-market changed (just prior to the start of Covid-19). These insights proved very prescient; I now will be attending Kellogg FT in fall (which happens to be Rebecca’s alma mater). I was also admitted to McCombs, Tepper ($70K scholarship), and Ross ($30K scholarship). I ultimately canceled waitlist decisions at Haas and SOM.
The combination of these two focus areas — making sense of my pre-MBA experiences and doubling down on the application — also produced outstanding results off-paper. Having now turned my professional experiences inside-out and examined my interests from many different angles, I am much more confident in both where I came from and where I want to go. The process of expending tremendous amounts of effort and achieving a top outcome also encouraged me to continue setting reach-goals as I begin to plan for my post-MBA trajectory. This growth, in addition to the above results, came as direct results of working with Rebecca; both she and the team at Menlo have my strongest recommendation!

Working with Pascal and Maya gave me unparalleled confidence and clarity in my MBA application process. They helped me thread my diverse experiences into a cohesive narrative and coached me in professional storytelling, which was crucial for my success. Their personalized approach, constant communication, and deep understanding of the admissions process were invaluable, ultimately leading to my acceptance at Harvard Business School. I truly believe that without their guidance, my successful outcomes wouldn’t have been possible.

Applying for an MBA is like a marathon, not a sprint, and without the structured approach set out by Menlo Coaching, I couldn’t have done everything in a timely manner. The process was way more complicated and involved than I initially thought, from understanding the differences between schools to crafting a compelling narrative that differentiates me as an Indian engineer. Working with David and Alice, I felt confident in putting forth the best possible case with my story, and their guidance helped me navigate every step, from essays to interviews. I applied to four schools and got into all of them, including Harvard Business School, which was beyond my wildest dreams.

From school selection to scholarship negotiation, Pascal was my trusted advisor. At every step of the journey, he supercharged my personal story, writing proficiency, and interview strategies to win offers and scholarships from M7, T10, and T15 schools. Working with him was my secret weapon, and I strongly recommend him to prospective MBA students who want to craft their best MBA application. Pascal is the real deal and is worth your time, energy, and money.

I worked with David at Menlo Coaching in the 2021-2022 admissions season based on the recommendation of another family member, who got into Stanford GSB after working with David.
Early in the decision period, I got into Wharton with a $130,000 scholarship! This was great news and made it easy to wait for the other decisions.
And then a week later I got into Stanford!!! Kirsten called around 7:30 pm right as my 5-hour flight was departing, so I couldn’t tell anyone for forever! I still can’t believe it, I am so so lucky and so so grateful to David and his team.
Given my busy work schedule, David was great at keeping me on a weekly schedule. This helped me break down the application into manageable chunks and I always had someone I could e-mail if I had any questions. David is very responsive – almost always responding to questions or feedback within 24 hours. Overall, I am really happy I got to work with David. The MBA process can often times feel like a black box of uncertainty, and David’s experience helps demystify the process.
Getting into my dream school makes it easy to say goodbye to the east coast. Thank you for everything David, I’m still in disbelief!

I am so happy to have had Rebecca by my side throughout the MBA application as she was my MBA rock. I selected Menlo Coaching for their expertise and insight but I didn’t realize how important the emotional support would be during this process. The MBA process makes you question your sanity sometimes. It was so nice to have a cool, calm, level-headed person like Rebecca by my side to keep me grounded. The MBA process is a very intimate process and it requires you to dig deep so you want someone you can trust. Rebecca is approachable, warm and I never felt judged. By nature, I am not a writer and do not particularly like it. Rebecca did a great job of helping to edit and shape my essays into a cohesive story that highlighted my strengths. The benefit of Menlo Coaching’s consulting package is there is no limit on the amount of coaching you can receive. We worked on my essays and MBA resume until it was in a state where we were both happy with it and I never once needed to worry about counting hours.
Menlo Coaching provides a top-notch white-glove experience. Every step and detail in the process has been thoughtfully planned out. I enjoyed the welcome package I received at the beginning (comic + interview flashcards) and all the different modules in basecamp with videos and attachments. Different specialists were pulled in at different stages of the application process to help but Rebecca was there the entire time for a seamless experience. In the beginning, David, Rebecca, and I all talked about my school selection together. Later on, I worked with Fearless Communicators on my interviewing skills (body language and presence) while Obinna helped me with interview answers (content).
I applied to a mix of part-time and full-time programs and was admitted to 3 of my 5 schools, including my top choice program Chicago Booth. I was able to negotiate a scholarship at Booth with Rebecca’s help which I ended up accepting.
Hiring Rebecca and Menlo Coaching was a great decision and I know I wouldn’t have gotten as far as I did without them.

I hired Menlo Coaching to help me with my 2019 MBA Applications
I decided to hire a consulting firm for 3 reasons
1.I didn’t know anyone who got their MBA so I needed someone who could guide me
2.I was facing significant weaknesses in my application
3.The financial ROI of a top MBA program was high (3x my salary)
I did consultations with about 8 consultants. 6 were cliché and a waste of time. Ultimately, my decision came down to Menlo Coaching and a consultant from MBA Mission.
MBA Mission was enticing for 2 reasons
1.I come from a niche industry and he’s the only consultant I found who shared my pre-MBA background and post-MBA goals.
2.He was about 40-50% of the cost (depending on how many schools I applied to) and since I didn’t make much money, cost was an important factor to me.
In the end, these were the 3 reasons I went with Menlo
1.I felt like Alice & David genuinely cared and wanted me as a client (they are selective) despite my weaknesses. And that was reinforced in the reviews I read online. Every consultant has 5-star reviews. But read the contents of those reviews and you’ll see a real difference in the detail and quality of Menlo Coaching.
2.While the MBA Mission consultant might’ve been a good career coach, I realized my target audience (admissions officers) wouldn’t have an in-depth understanding of my industry either so I actually wanted someone who could translate my experience into a language they would understand.
3.As I mentioned, the ROI was high and the total cost of attendance was also going to be high regardless of where I went so might as well spend a little extra money to maximize my chances. Hiring an admissions consultant is one of the few times in life where I didn’t want the best value. I wanted the best.
Looking back, I definitely made the right decision. Be prepared to work hard, but here’s a look at some of my biggest ways Alice added value.
Taught me how the game is played. And trust me, a bit of it is a game. As I mentioned, I didn’t know anyone who got an MBA and I didn’t work at a feeder firm. But thanks to Alice teaching me the value of “influencers”, I found at least one person who vouched for me at each of the 9 schools that I applied to.
Starting early. All the other consultants I talked to didn’t want to start working until June. I started working with Alice the moment I signed in February. We wrote resumes, personal stories and career goal statements in the Spring that made writing the individual essays much easier when applications were released.
Always available. I felt like I could ask Alice about anything – from campus visits to sending the perfect thank you email. None of my questions or concerns ever felt unimportant. Being overseas in Europe was never an issue either. If you send an essay at night in the U.S., you can expect a response in the morning.
Unlimited means unlimited. Some consultants charge per school but Alice charges a flat fee and doesn’t cap how many schools you can apply to. Because I was a non-traditional applicant and we couldn’t properly handicap my chances, I ended up applying to 9 schools spread across the Top 20. That meant a lot of extra work for her but she believed it was the right strategy so we did it. We literally went through 20+ revisions on some of the essays and she never complained.
Access to reports. Menlo Coaching has a strong network of applicants who share detailed notes over the years of campus visits, interviews, etc. which I found to be more helpful than the guides available on other sites.
Crisis management. Something came up before applying that could’ve seriously jeopardized my ability to apply at all. This is where I really gained respect for her. She could’ve easily quit on me and focused on her other candidates who had strong shots at M7 schools. But she stayed loyal and doubled down her efforts to make sure I overcame the setback and could finish strong. She had the perfect balance between empathy and pushing me to get tasks done. Even later, when the coronavirus hit, she was able to assess the situation and give me insights into how it would affect my MBA experience.
Interview Prep. I can’t speak highly enough about her interview coach Obinna Arizor either. He was always well prepared, came with tough questions and gave me instant feedback on how to improve. Even though interviewing was my strength, he was always available to hop on the phone and chat so I felt 100% confident going in.
As for my outcomes: I got accepted into 4 schools:
A Top 10 school (off the waitlist), Top 15 school (off the waitlist) and 2 Top 20 schools (including 1 with a 2/3rd scholarship)
For me, this was a wild success. I went into the process hoping only 1 school would take a chance on me.
Finally, Alice is just a genuinely good person who I actually hope to stay in touch with.
I met Leslie when I visited the Bay Area on vacation and if it weren’t for the virus, I planned to meet Alice & David in Amsterdam during my pre-MBA Eurotrip.
Our contract was for Round 1 applications but I feel like she’s the type of person who if I reached out for advice about MBA recruiting a year from now, she wouldn’t hesitate to offer her insights.
There are so many people who will be involved with your MBA journey from the moment you decide you want to apply to the moment you graduate. I really feel Alice is one of the few people who will always be an important part of that process.

I’m really grateful to work with Alice and the rest of Menlo Coaching team for my R1 application this year. Like a lot of people who have been through this process, I felt really overwhelmed at the beginning, facing a tight schedule to prepare for the GMAT while having a quite busy job. Alice not only helped me to figure out the timeline that perfectly fit but also offered tremendous guidance on how to relax and be focused. She has been such an insightful and effective mentor along the way!
As we were drafting the essays, it was beyond my expectations of how responsive and patient Alice was to whatever questions or worries I had. Her expertise and dedication in crafting compelling essays are incredible and so effective. Rounds after rounds of editing have improved my essays to an entirely new level. And she’s always willing to even give it a final little push. As she said, she wanted it to be as perfect as possible. And most importantly, I can tell that Alice truly cares about my story and she can always help me to discover the deeper side of it. This is just invaluable as I’ve learned more about myself during the past few months and felt more confident facing the upcoming challenges.
Alice has been a professional coach, an inspiring mentor and a great friend! She’s is the top in the business and someone you can truly count on during your MBA application. I can’t recommend Alice and Menlo Coaching team more strongly and it’s going to be a great journey working with Alice!

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Joy from Menlo Coaching for my EMBA applications. I couldn’t have asked for a better coach. She is very professional and cares about every detail in your application.

Before I started working with Joy, I was struggling to pick the right stories for my essays. She guided me from there to an M7 EMBA admission in a matter of four months.

She is very methodical and direct in her approach. She is constantly re-evaluating and course-correcting throughout the process while building a story around the application. And she won’t let you settle for anything less than the best presentation of yourself in your application.

She is great at highlighting the quantitative impact of your work and the qualities within you that are not apparent otherwise. This way of looking at things made me approach my essays, resume and interviews in a way that I hadn’t previously imagined. She makes you look deeper and identify the key details in your story instead of just feeding the data that is important for the essays. It made the whole story telling process that much more fulfilling.

I would recommend Joy to anyone looking to work with one of the best in the business who not only delivers the results but also makes the journey more enjoyable.

Yaron is amazing. He is a great guide who actively took the time to discuss all aspects of my background and helped me think critically of my applications. He gave honest and straightforward feedback, which helped me improve different parts of my application. I was able to reflect of my career choices and future career interests to create an effective story because of Yaron’s feedback. I was able to fully understand the differences in the application essays for the top schools in the US due to Menlo’s and Yaron’s guidance. My discussions with Yaron helped me develop confidence as well as greater self-awareness regarding my future career interests, which also helped me pick my target schools for pursuing my MBA.
I was able to effectively prioritize my timeline for applications while being very busy with my job to secure financial aid from one of my dream schools.

Alice was really helpful throughout the application process. Applications are time intensive and require diligence, especially when working on them while actually working professionally in tandem. Alice and the team made the process much easier, I would have seriously struggled without their guidance and coaching.

Alice and Menlo Coaching provide numerous resources to help you succeed – from countless essay edits to rigorous interview preparation tailored to each school. I have a unique career goal, and Alice did a wonderful job of helping portray myself in the most genuine and compelling manner possible. She is patient and always available for any questions regarding unique or different applicant backgrounds.

Lainie is very empathetic, and the level of attention and care she provided really brought my application to life. She was the perfect fit for someone like me with an unconventional background, helping me to craft a cohesive, understandable narrative for my MBA application. Her professionalism ensured everything was ready, from test scores to essays, while her personal touch kept me motivated and attentive to my well-being. Working with Menlo Coaching was a vital investment in my future, and it gave me the confidence that I was in good hands throughout the entire process.

Starting out the process was daunting. Alice and team ensured I was able to focus on what mattered, I didn’t have to worry about everything that still needed to be done, I just focused on the next deadline. The whole process didn’t just get me a spot in the program I wanted, it also helped me get a much clearer picture of what I want to get out of it. Alice and team really went beyond what I expected and really supported on the areas where I needed support: time management, making my career goals more concrete, how to present your achievements clearly in your resume

Lainie helped make my dreams come true – simple as that! The unconditional support, mentorship, advice, and constructive feedback that she provided me with were monumental in helping me secure an offer at my dream school – CBS in New York!
I was originally very stressed about managing application work, exam studying, my current job, and physical therapy from a significant injury but Lainie helped me build out a schedule that was tailored to my needs and goals. She is the most organized person I have worked with and was there for me 24/7 with any questions I asked (which were a ton)!
Whether it came down to helping decide which schools to apply to, which exam (GMAT, GRE, EA) I should take, or which topics should be addressed in essays for each individual school, Lainie guided me. She armed me with questions to ask at info sessions, how to present myself during interviews, how to address sensitive areas of the application, and how to display confidence with every action and response. This made the process not only less daunting but actually fun and enjoyable – with plenty of self-reflection and pride.
The most important thing is that Lainie let me be myself in my essays and let me show my own voice. I felt empowered and her direction and feedback were critical in my story-telling.
I can confidently say that I would not have gotten the results I did without her help. She made sure that all the long hours and sacrifice that went into the admissions process was worth it, and for that, I will be forever grateful. She will make you feel like the center of her focus, and will help you achieve your goals!

Pascal was instrumental in my MBA application journey. From our first call, it was evident that Pascal would be invested in the process and genuinely cared about the clients he worked with. Throughout our 9+ months of working together, he worked tirelessly to pull the best out of me through candid feedback and encouragement. And I know I wouldn’t have been able to get through the long process of applications, interviews, and ultimately acceptance to my dream school, without him.
Not only did Pascal provide excellent feedback on my essays through his keen understanding of the ins and outs of admissions committees, but his ability to make the stressful process of researching and applying to schools feel like a breeze is something I will always be grateful for. It felt like anytime I hit a snag or was afflicted by writer’s block, Pascal would know exactly what to say to nudge me in the right direction. When I submitted my applications, I was incredibly proud of the work I was putting forth and that is all a testament to Pascal.
After reading all the wonderful reviews that previous clients had left Pascal, my expectations were sky high. But to say that he greatly exceeded those expectations would be a gross understatement. He was an invaluable resource and teammate whose skills for navigating the admissions process and elevating my applications were matched by his genuine determination to help me meet my goals. He is a true professional. If I could give Pascal 10 stars on here, I would.

My recommendation is that you follow the link to their website, fill out the application form, and then do a consultation call with Alice or one of her colleagues at Menlo Coaching. If you’re considering working with an MBA admissions coach, you should do multiple consultation calls with different coaches/consultants and compare how you feel about each call/coach. I called a couple of MBA admissions coaches including some of the ones frequently mentioned on P&Q, and decided to work with Menlo Coaching for two reasons. The first and more material reason was that they made a convincing argument that their lower client-to-coach ratio meant that someone would be “holding my hand” throughout the entire admissions process to a greater degree than would be possible with other admissions coaching/consulting firms. The second reason had more to do with my ‘gut’ feeling: I felt that their candor, and the thoughtfulness and realism of their analysis of my near-term career options on this (free) call differentiated them from the other initial consultation calls I’d done.
I worked with Alice and the Menlo Coaching team throughout my admissions process, from getting my GMAT score up and then brainstorming target schools, all the way through to scholarship ‘negotiations’ post-offer. Menlo’s team includes many specialists in different areas, but Alice was my primary coach and point-of-contact throughout the whole admissions process.
I did participate in Menlo’s “Early Birds” program, so I was working with Alice from almost a year before my target R1 window. This was very helpful, because my pre-MBA background was US military and very few of my colleagues/mentors had in-depth knowledge of MBA admissions. As such, I benefited immensely from using Menlo to build detailed knowledge of MBA programs & admissions long in advance of getting into the weeds of applying. I did this largely through studying Menlo’s extensive database of research on each school, watching their videos which walk clients through each step of the process (explaining the “purpose/intent” behind each step), through talking with Alice and her colleague David White, and through connecting with multiple former Menlo clients whose backgrounds made them knowledgeable about areas where I needed more context.
Ultimately, I applied to five T10 MBA programs, got offers from three programs, one “HSW”, one M7 and one T10. I’m extremely happy with this result, and I feel like working with Alice significantly increased the “return” I got on my efforts throughout my admissions process.
Over the course of about a year, I met and spoke with many other applicants during campus visits, info sessions, and interview days. Talking to these other applicants, I came to appreciate some of the ways that Alice/Menlo’s method was giving me a persistent advantage throughout the process.
Firstly, my entire application process was very structured. Alice and her team have developed a very logical sequence for all of the things you’ll need to do well in order to maximize your admissions odds, which they will then tailor to your unique situation. This means you’ll waste little time stressing about *what* you should be focusing on *when*, and will be instead work your way through a thoughtfully sequenced plan. It’s nice to not have to worry about the “big picture” as you work though the weeds of writing and editing. Also, their web platform is great and will keep everything organized, which especially pays off in managing document control as you and Alice (or another Menlo editor) get deep into editing.
Second, Alice and her team at Menlo are amazing at guiding you through the writing and editing process. As you write your essays, work with recommenders, and prep for interviews, you’ll need to identify the elements of your personal and professional life that will tell a compelling story which addresses two questions- “who are you”, and “how will you add value to the program’s portfolio of current students and alumni”. Alice and the Menlo team take a very systematic approach to identifying these elements and guiding you through weaving them into a compelling story. I think one reason they excel here is that Alice and the editing team at Menlo have experience in English-language literature writing at an extremely high academic level, meaning that they are super-knowledgeable about the iterative process of creating effective writing. It was very effort-intensive on my part, but I was never left feeling confused/frustrated or unsure of what I should be writing/editing/re-writing throughout this (long) process. In the end, I submitted essays that told my unusual story very effectively, and convincingly made the case for my admission.
Lastly, Alice and her team will connect you with the right third-party resources at the right time. There are an abundance of resources for GMAT score improvement, interview prep, etc. But the effort of discerning *whom* to work with, and figuring out how to effectively sequence those engagements into the timeline of my personal admissions process (without adversely affecting other key steps), would have been a headache. Again, Alice and Menlo excelled here.
In summary, throughout my work with Alice and Menlo coaching, I consistently felt like I had the correct tool in my hands at the correct time, and clear instructions for what I should be doing in each phase, that fit into a broader timeline of steps that made sense to me. I was quickly connected with easy-to understand knowledge resources that gave me sufficiently detailed contextual information to perform each step of the admissions process as effectively as possible. It was still a stressful and suspenseful experience; I don’t think anything could make MBA the admissions process stress-free or suspense-free. However, after the first month of working with Alice, I was never in doubt that I’d achieve a satisfactory admissions outcome- it was always more a question of whether I’d achieve a good outcome or a great outcome.

I really enjoyed working with David as I went through the application process. The structure of his methods makes the entire application process easy and not overwhelming. My GPA is on the lower end and I had a solid GMAT score coming in, but David was adamant that I could improve my score with a retake (was able to raise my score another 30 points). I felt like we were able to get my personal story out well and he positioned my overall application with care to make sure each aspect of the application was consistent with the others in telling a compelling story. Very happy with how it turned out as I was interviewed and admitted to my top choice rapidly.

I had a wonderful time working with Alice when applying to HBS and Wharton in R1 last year (and got into both!:)). I was struck with Alice’s candid feedback on my essays and resume – she never shied away from giving me honest, constructive criticism. She does not tell you what you want to hear but tells you what she really feels and backs her arguments up with solid logic.
Alice handles the process (from resume to interview) extremely well and not once did I feel worried that I might not finish my application in time or submit a sub-standard essay. She is meticulous and invested in uncovering your story, and isn’t focused on force-fitting you into a pre-defined mold. She is also able to think outside the box.
I have come to rely on Alice as more than a coach or advisor and more as a friend and thought partner, and continue to stay in touch for other advice, either B-school related or not! Strongly recommend you work with her and Menlo!

Joy from Menlo Coaching worked with my son on his undergraduate applications. Her insights, prompts, edits, and suggestions were invaluable. He was accepted to several schools, including selective ones, and I have no doubt that this outcome was due to Joy’s wise assistance and warm encouragement.

I am so happy I found Alice through a friend’s referral. From the start we clicked and I could tell she really cared about finding the best MBA fit for me (she helped me narrow down the list of schools I was applying to based on personal/family needs). Then while writing the essays, she always followed up, helped me think through my story, and paid attention to the smallest details so that I came across as dynamic and not just a typical “finance person.” I knew when I submitted each application that it was as perfect as possible – and I ended up getting admitted to Wharton, MIT, and Booth with an 80k scholarship!
She is also a great resource to practice interviewing with (we prepped for about five hours total) and is as invested in the process as you are. I think this is because she doesn’t overwhelm her schedule with clients – so once she is fully booked, she doesn’t accept more clients in order to ensure quality time with the set that she has. That was really helpful, especially when I was finishing essays last minute.
I look forward to staying in touch with her even after I start school, since her guidance and advice has been so valuable. Thank you Alice!!

Coming from an overrepresented background, I knew I had to make my application stand out in some way. She did a great job helping me craft a compelling story tailored to each school. She was always very responsive and knowledgeable, and if she didn’t know the answer, she would always check with her colleagues to get me the best information possible. She stayed in contact through the whole process including helping with waitlist letters which got me off the Booth waitlist. I was very happy with my results and admission into 2 M7s out of my 3 applications.

I was admitted to Columbia’s new MBA/Executive MS Engineering program. I scheduled a 60 minute mock interview with Obinna which I found extremely helpful. He tailored the interview specifically toward Columbia. After each question, he gave insightful feedback and was extremely helpful in figuring out ways to structure my answers. He did an excellent job in helping me tailor my responses specifically toward the dual degree program, emphasizing “why MBA”, “why MS”, and how both of these degrees combined will be useful. Obinna also gave great general advice in addition to the pointed advice he gave after each of my answers, helping me understand what the admission committee looks for and what can hurt me during the interview.

Alice and Menlo are more than just a (world class) MBA admissions consultancy. They are sincerely curious in you as an individual and want the best for you, and as a result, they will push you to reach your maximum potential. This sincere approach means that they really understand your strengths, values, weaknesses, and ambitions (and what sits behind those ambitions). Frank and honest, they will tell you when they expect more of you or when you need to take that extra step to have the best chance of getting into an MBA, which was hugely important for me at times. The working relationship absolutely feels like a partnership. Initially, you will go through a process where Alice delves deep into your story, and very skillfully she will pull out parts of your story that you may not have appreciated enough, or perhaps place too much importance on. Alice has a remarkable ability to understand your story and motivations and then reflect it back in a way that puts all the pieces together in a way that is compelling to a potential business school. Further, when I had big questions about things such as quitting my job and moving country, Alice provided honest constructive feedback. It is important for me to also say that Alice gives you the confidence to perform. She understands how to softly instill confidence in you. First for the essay writing stage and then the interview – she keeps it simple, light, and gives you a way of thinking whereby you enjoy the process. In summary, Menlo gave me absolute confidence at every stage that what I was submitting or presenting was the best that I could offer. Not quite sure how I would have done it without the Menlo team, I couldn’t speak about them more highly. They will push you but they will get the best out of you and your application.

I think working with Menlo provides a really unique and individualized experience that, from what I’ve heard, is very difficult to find in the MBA consulting realm. If you want someone who’s going to really dedicate their time to you, make sure that they understand your story from start to finish, and is really dedicated to making sure that you have the best applications possible, that’s why you should work with the Menlo team. The individualized approach and the connection you’ll have with your consultant is bar none to any other offering on the market.

Investing in David, Alice, and their holistic approach to the application process is an investment in 1) admission to a program that is right for you and 2) your subsequent success there (which is to say, VERY important!).
Starting Day 1, David gave me invaluable guidance on exactly how to research each target school in a meaningful way – with this research, I painted a 75% picture of what my experience would look like at each program, which removed the uncertainty I felt about whether a program was “right” for me. The research also provided ample material for my essays, reducing the time it took to produce a usable first draft. Since David is based in Amsterdam, his feedback was almost instantaneous – I would send him a draft right before I slept, and the edits were waiting in my inbox the next morning without fail. This made the entire application process extremely efficient and much more enjoyable than I anticipated!
Outside of the application itself, what really sets David and Alice apart is how much they care about you as an individual. Without repeating too much of what other reviewers have mentioned, I can confirm that I truly felt David believed in my story (even sending me related news articles for personal interest) and worked hard to ensure my ideas and experiences came through in my essays and interview responses. I have no regrets about any aspect of the applications because everything was authentic – I’m just glad I had David on my side to ensure I could tell my story in the most compelling way.
I didn’t anticipate getting into more than two schools, but I ended up with acceptances to all my targets and with scholarships. The price tag is higher for Menlo Coaching compared to other consultants, but the ROI is unbeatable! I attribute the scholarships entirely to the quality of my applications and interview prep, and I know the quality was due to David’s constant coaching and support.
As one final proof point, I’m now a first year at Wharton and have checked off half of the items I mentioned in my application essay because I had done the hard research at the beginning of the process. While it’s still overwhelming to adjust to all the opportunities available in school, it has been very helpful to know my game plan to stay focused on my goals and take advantage of targeted resources.
I couldn’t recommend David and Alice more – I can assure that your process from start to finish (and even throughout your program) will be worth it!

I was very happy with the overall process and support provided by Pascal. He gave me invaluable input on how to structure my essay and tweaked my tonality wherever needed and assisted me with the whole interview prep process. Besides the quality of his work what sets him apart from other consultants is his ability to take a personal interest in his clients cracking the application processes of top schools. Menlo coaching is a one-stop solution for prospective MBA students.

Rebecca helped me get into my no.1 choice. She was professional, patient and compassionate. She genuinely cares about her client and is a great pleasure to work with. I really appreciate Rebecca’s guidance and support that made my application process more manageable and less stressful. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for top-notch MBA coaching.
Rebecca gave very thoughtful comments and asked good questions that lead me to find new angles and connect the dots. She also gave excellent advice on writing styles. I made multiple iterations of my essays and each time her response time was exceptional, sometimes even at nights and during weekends. Her dedication was a life saver especially when deadlines were approaching.
One time, Rebecca came out of her way to schedule an extra meeting with me to share her personal experience with prioritizing an important deadline and convinced me to make a trade-off between work and application preparation when it became absolutely necessary. I’m really glad that I followed her advice because it would not have worked the other way around given my extensive work hours.
In addition, Menlo’s platform and processes are also exceptional. I found Basecamp to be very intuitive and user-friendly. Alice and Rebecca held a joint call to brainstorm creative ideas for a video essay, and Alice and David helped to give second opinions when needed. Overall I feel extremely supported and well prepared for the essays and interviews.

Working with Rebecca and the Menlo team truly changed my MBA application experience for the better. I couldn’t have done it without her! Being a nontraditional applicant with a less than stellar GPA, I needed a lot of support crafting my story in a way that would appeal to adcom. Rebecca helped me highlight the strongest parts of my experience and craft a narrative that was cohesive and strong. Working with Rebecca ultimately resulted in 5 admittances to top programs, including 2 M7s and over $400K total scholarship awards.
Support from Rebecca begins as early as helping to select schools that are both strong fits and a mix of reach/target programs. Rebecca helped me navigate networking conversations in a way that allowed me to collect valuable information that was later used in my essays and interviews. She reviewed each of my applications in extreme detail and spent countless hours with me preparing for each of my interviews. She was also incredibly patient and understanding in answering all of my questions and anxieties about the application process. Rebecca truly brings a personal and empathetic approach to the process that is difficult to find amongst MBA consultants and it was comforting to feel like I had a friend in my corner.
Reflecting back on the process, I absolutely believe that working with Rebecca was one of the primary factors that contributed to my numerous acceptances and large scholarship awards. Thanks to her help, I had the privilege of choosing between a number of top programs and committing to the one I think is the best fit for me.
Working with Rebecca and the Menlo team was worth every penny and I cannot recommend them enough if you are beginning your application journey!

In round 2 of last season, I applied to several top full-time programs with limited success, being waitlisted and eventually accepted at one program falling just outside the top 10. In 2018, I re-applied and was admitted to my top choice Booth. I improved my GMAT score; however, working with Alice and Menlo Coaching maximized my success. I don’t think I’d be in my fortunate situation without their help. There are several benefits working with Alice and the Menlo team, which I’d distill into two major buckets. First, they help peel back the layers of your life story and help craft a unique and compelling story. When it comes to packaging your story into essays, they guide you with achieving the perfect balance of building a narrative and the necessary details while adhering to the prompt’s constraints. Second, they coach you with how to best position yourself to adcoms throughout the admissions process, including avoiding pitfalls that can be repellant (many of which I unconsciously did my first attempt). The preparation makes you very confident. Beyond the valuable support and coaching, working with Alice and team was a truly pleasurable experience in every aspect. Also, and while I didn’t need it to be sold, it’s hard to have more impressive credentials than Alice and her team (all went to M7 schools, Alice is a GSB grad who received offers from each MBB firm and received a scholarship for her PhD – she knows how to navigate the process) Without getting too in the weeds, Menlo’s business model also is the best economically. I applied to multiple schools and would have paid 2x if I went down the route of the fixed cost model other organizations offer. If I were to go through the process again, I wouldn’t do anything differently. I couldn’t have stronger praise for Alice and the Menlo team.

Working with David & Menlo Coaching is one of the best decisions I’ve made through the MBA application process. He demystified the process, kept my application on track, and ultimately helped me put my best foot forward. I worked with David on 3 schools and was admitted to two: Stanford & Wharton (with $$$). Here are a few key reasons why I recommend David & team:
Expert advice:
– It’s so easy to fall down the rabbit hole of blogs, testimonials and well-meaning friends who might all offer conflicting advice. David cut through that noise. I can’t count the number of times I fact-checked a piece of advice with David, only to find out it didn’t apply to my particular profile or situation.
– David has a deep understanding of each school, and he was able to give me frank and honest feedback about my impressions of each program so that I could make a decision with eyes wide open.
Structured process:
– The application process can feel really overwhelming, particularly if you’re working a demanding full-time job. Menlo makes this less overwhelming by breaking down the application into modules to ensure clients give every component of the application the attention they need to shine.
Thorough & FAST:
– David was incredibly thorough, pushing me to get specific so that my experiences and stories had more impact. I believe my resume went through 10 iterations alone! Importantly, David was really really fast in providing feedback, which was huge for me – I tend to work in sprints, so his quick turnaround time meant I could crank out large chunks of the application out at a time.
Personal touch:
– It was extremely important to me to feel like I was true to myself through the application process. David & team not only respected this, but encouraged it. They spent hours on calls with me learning about my background and experiences, drawing the best stories out of me, and helping me tell those stories in a way that did service to my experiences.
– With David, I feel like I received bonus career coaching, too! He pushed me to think about the types of companies I wanted to be a part of, what impact I wanted to have, and what path made the most sense to getting there.
Business school is a huge investment, and one that I wanted to do the right way. David & Menlo Coaching made sure I was getting the most out of my money, time and energy, and I would 10/10 recommend him to anyone applying to business school.

I strongly recommend Menlo Coaching for anyone who is looking to get into top MBA programs.
I started my application in early 2018. After shopping around for a few consultants, I decided to go with David and Alice because of the fabulous reviews on the internet. I am glad that I made the decision as I received an offer from a few to programs including Wharton. Personally, I especially appreciated three aspects of my journey with Menlo Coaching. First, Menlo Coaching helped me to manage a hectic application timeline. I work long hours, and setting aside time for MBA application is extremely challenging. David helped me to compartmentalized the entire application progress into smaller, digestible pieces, which made my application process much more efficient. Second, I got some honest, valuable inputs from David on my essays. He and Alice are great at what they do. David helped me to brainstorm my stories, and pushed me where I could do better. I finally turned my essays into cohesive, interesting stories. Had I not had David’s help, my essays would have read like mumbles at best. Third, David cares. I always felt comfortable reaching out to him for advice on my application, and I would always receive timely, candid feedback from him. I applied with my spouse and our application profiles were a bit unconventional. David carefully curated our stories lines; beyond that, he also gave us advice on the potential impacts of our admissions on our lives. I appreciate the thoughtfulness. I consider David not only as my consultant, but also as my friend.

I first began working with David as part of Menlo’s “Early Birds” program, which is designed to help candidates develop/improve elements of their application profile that require ample lead time (GMAT score, brainstorming “your story”, etc.). As someone from a very non-target background, I found this program to be incredibly helpful. I was able to hear firsthand the experiences of previous Menlo clients, and David worked closely with me to develop my story.
After finding the Early Birds program so valuable, I decided to work with David through the primary application process as well. I applied within a very competitive industry pool, and David spent hours helping me think through ways to position my profile as unique. Then, while writing essays, David continually challenged me to dig deeper and explore how my unique experiences might resonate with each individual program.
I was invited to interview at several M7 programs to which I applied. With David’s help, I went into each interview feeling calm and well prepared. After receiving acceptance letters, David helped me form a negotiation strategy for merit-based financial aid, which ultimately led to several sizable scholarships.
Working with David was a great experience. He provided highly personalized support during each step of my application. He also provided constant guidance and advice, helping me through the ups and downs of the MBA application process. For those reasons, I can’t recommend David enough.

Working with Menlo was transformative for my MBA application process. They encouraged me to be far more open and honest than I initially thought was appropriate, giving me the confidence to share my nuanced and personal story. Pascal, in particular, was an incredible storyteller who helped me frame my experiences in a meaningful and impactful way. This approach not only made my application stand out but also resulted in several scholarship offers from top schools, far beyond my initial expectations or hopes.

I came into the MBA application process from a non-corporate non-traditional background with an incredible mountain to climb. I knew I needed help in order to gain acceptance to my target schools. After meeting Obinna, he checked a few major boxes for me. 1) He seemed to genuinely care about me, constantly checking in on how I was doing and actually listening to my story. I never felt like just another client to him and that was huge for me. 2) He sifted through my long-winded interview responses and constant questions to find the best in me. I would email him every other day and he always gave insightful advice and feedback. 3) The guy is just a cool down-to-earth person who made one of the most nerve-wracking aspects of the MBA process (interviews) much more bearable.
In the end, I had 9 interviews in the second round in this crazy competitive cycle. My sessions with Obinna helped me land a spot at the highest-ranked school I applied to and end up with a decent scholarship. I am forever indebted to his guidance in this process. Getting an MBA is a life-changing opportunity and personally, as someone who doesn’t work with other MBAs or comes from a traditional background, Obinna’s support helped me level the playing field…truly.

Working with Yaron at Menlo Coaching was a great experience. I was looking for someone to help me navigate the entire admissions process, as I needed help crafting a compelling narrative, refining my resume to showcase accomplishments, and perhaps most importantly, approaching application essays.
Yaron and the team at Menlo had a library of robust resources – I was able to learn about the entire application journey from start to finish and really understand every aspect of what I needed to do, and just as importantly, what not to do. They were available to answer any questions and had terrific turnaround times for essay edits. Through our conversations, Yaron was able to ask questions to elicit the right information to be able to craft a narrative unique to me, and when I was feeling stuck or unmotivated, he encouraged me to keep pushing through, all of which ultimately helped get me into my dream school.
Overall, I would highly recommend working with Yaron at Menlo Coaching – I cannot emphasize enough the importance of his and Menlo’s role in my gaining admission at NYU Stern! I would also recommend reaching out sooner much rather than later to secure working with Yaron as his services are not only high in demand, but also devoted to a limited number of applicants as he needs a certain amount of bandwidth to devote to each prospective student.

When I started my consulting search, I anticipated applying to nine schools in round two and was attracted to Menlo’s all-inclusive package. Rebecca and the entire Menlo team did not disappoint and now that I’m on the other end of my application cycle, I have no regrets working with them! In particular, Rebecca was incredibly professional yet personable and helped me assemble the best applications I feel possible.
Rebecca helped me in a number of ways: pushing me to improve my GMAT, aiding me in developing my personal story, managing timelines across various application items, and interfacing with my recommenders. Starting in the summer before my application cycle, I was scoring in the low-to-mid 700’s and Rebecca continued to push me to retake the exam and even recommended GMAT tutors until I got my score up to 770. Had it not been for Rebecca, I might’ve given up and settled for my previous score instead of pushing for my very best.
At the early stages of preparing my essays, we combed through my personal story and discussed introspectively about my experiences. While I was reticent to discuss sensitive subjects from my childhood and past, I felt like Rebecca was genuinely invested in my outcomes and was tactful in her handling of such issues. Also, since I chose to apply to MBA programs without my employer’s knowledge, I was dreading having to ask co-workers and work with them on my recommendation letters in secrecy. However, Rebecca made the process seamless in helping answer my recommenders’ questions and time-management across so many schools.
While it seemed unrealistic to apply to so many schools, we were able to finish all my applications on time and I am thrilled with the results. Out of the nine schools I applied to, I was interviewed at eight and accepted into seven including the following schools: HBS, Wharton, Booth, Haas, Columbia, Yale SOM & Duke Fuqua. Combined across those schools, I was offered $400,000 in merit scholarships, which I don’t think I would’ve received otherwise.
I am incredibly grateful for Rebecca’s help and guidance in the process. I would unquestionably recommend her to other prospective applicants!

David was recommended to me by a colleague who was recently admitted into a top US B-School. David’s best asset is his ability to quickly tune into your experience and goals, and help present a clear and compelling application. This combined with prompt communication resulted in an efficient application preparation timeline. David’s experience working with many successful applicants also showed in the pre-interview phase, specifically in simplifying my responses. Based on my personal constraints, I applied only to CBS and was admitted. Working with David has returns far beyond the b-school admit – I have renewed my approach to written and oral communication after this experience. Based on my collaboration with David, I can easily see how he can also be a great executive/career coach. I strongly recommend David for admissions counseling and professional guidance at any stage of your career.

I could not have done it without Alice – no question about it. As a re-applicant, applying again was a daunting task. I had used an MBA coach from one of the big firms the first time around and while not getting in was completely on me, I felt the value that firm provided was minimal. I was skeptical about using another coach, until I spoke with Alice. Instead of telling me what I “wanted” to hear (how I was a shoe-in for my top choices etc. – which was the approach all the other MBA coaches took) she told me exactly what I needed to hear. Off the bat she was able to identify the holes in my application and what I could do to address them before re-applying. She helped me better position my story and form narratives that were so much more insightful and articulate than the year before. Alice has worked with applicants with all types of backgrounds and she has an unparalleled knack at developing customized strategies for each of her clients. Lastly, Alice genuinely cares – she took the time to get to know me so much deeper than just my resume which was crucial during the essay writing process because she was able to provide feedback that was that much more insightful. If you want to get into the school of your dreams, Alice is the way to go.

Tl;dr;
a) Brings structure to an unstructured process.
b) Great work ethic. Usually got responses to questions within an hour or two (unless it’s super late for them) and usually responds to all of your essays within 8 hours. The time difference (I live in the US, David in the Netherlands) really worked to my advantage as I got input on my essays at least twice a day – once before I woke up and once before evening.
c) Gives solid advice and is always there to listen to your ideas and concerns.
d) No room for complacency. Will not sign off on any essay/topic until the final product lives up to his expectations.
e) Structured program breaks the application into 15 bite-sized modules to make it easy to know where to begin.
f) Nice people.
I am in the dreaded {Indian, Male, IT} genre and was also a re-applicant. Working with David, I interviewed at four of the seven schools where I applied (H/S were two of the three where I didn’t get an interview), and I have been waitlisted at Wharton and accepted at LBS.
We went 21 rounds on my Resume before he was finally satisfied with the result. Some of the later topics took less to and fro as I got more used to writing but he never let me submit a less than perfect essay even if I were satisfied with it.
Sometime in the second month of the schedule, David set up a 2-hour call with me and we basically talked about my whole life story including about how different interactions with my parents and grandparents influenced some of my choices. David took notes throughout the call and sent me a few observations after the call. Fun fact: My mom was impressed with how insightful those were!?
The thing that most impressed about this whole process is how committed David is to your success. I applied to seven schools so I am sure it was by no means easy to maintain such high turnover with such low latency.
I used to write up 2-4 drafts in the morning and sent it to him by 6 AM my time. He used to respond with his edits and comments by about 1 PM my time. I, then, worked on those edits in the evening after work and sent him a second version by 9 PM my time and voila by 4:30 AM the next day, I received the V3 version. This went on the whole of June, July, and August with the result that I was mostly done with my essays before September rolled in. I had a relatively stress-free September.
Along the way, we had group calls with other fellow applicants so we could learn from each other. We also had guest speakers in the form of current students at Harvard, and Booth. He also arranged for a public speaking coach to work with us so we can appear confident during the interviews and the video essays.
It was a lot of money but I would do it again. I made great applications, was accepted at a great school, and even now, David is helping me negotiate the waitlist at Wharton, getting funding from LBS and with Pre-MBA internships.

I cannot stress enough how grateful I am for Rebecca and Menlo Coaching. I am going to my dream school, Wharton, with scholarship money, and I could not have done it without her. When I first started thinking about business school, I never thought I would get the results I did. Out of the 6 schools I applied to, I got in five, with a full scholarship at Booth, another full scholarship, one partial scholarship, and I was waitlisted at the other school.
After working with her on my applications, I also have a much better understanding of myself, my story and my goals. When I first started thinking about applying, I talked to a few applications consultants before settling on Rebecca and Menlo. I have a non-traditional work background, and while many consultants told me that weakened my chances to get in the schools I wanted to, Rebecca immediately saw it as a strength. From our first intro call, I knew I wanted her and the whole Menlo team on my side. I was blown away by Rebecca’s level of engagement with my application from the start. Unlike other consultants I spoke to when I first talked to Menlo, I never felt like it was a sales pitch. Instead, I felt a genuine willingness to listen to me, gather insight on my story, and offer candid feedback on my career goals, my candidacy, and the process.
From selecting schools and networking with current students and alumni, to helping me craft my story and reviewing my essays, prepping me for interviews, and finally helping me negotiate scholarship money, Rebecca was by my side every step of the application process. She leaves nothing to chance, she was incredibly thorough and on top of everything that was going on with my applications. She encouraged me to visit and network heavily with the schools (which turned out to be a huge game changer) and set up calls before my visits or coffee chats to discuss strategies and how to make the most out of them. Even though I went with the 3 schools package and applied to 3 other schools on my own, Rebecca knew what was going on with all of my applications, and helped me choose which schools made the most sense to have her more involved from start to finish. For the other 3, Rebecca still offered invaluable advice on networking, bounced off some ideas for essays and application strategies, and helped with the interview prep. In short, I felt extremely supported, whether it was a school I was “officially” working on with her or not. In addition, I really loved that my recommenders were able to work with her. One of my recommenders had never written a letter of recommendation before and he told me that he really enjoyed her guidance. It also ensured that while I didn’t have access to the content of the letters, Rebecca was on top of it, making sure my application was well rounded and truly the best possible.
The Menlo approach to the application process is incredibly effective. Their in-depth, hands-on and holistic approach has amazed me. While the application process seems daunting, they break it down into smaller modules and make it manageable. There are videos explaining each part of the process, accompanied by assignments that hold you accountable and on track to deliver while forcing you to think really hard about your goals. And this is all before the essay writing! On our kickoff call, Rebecca and I spent a couple of hours on the phone diving deep into my story. She patiently listened, offered her perspective on some of the challenges I’ve faced and was able to extract key themes and defining moments from my life, that not only helped shape my essays but also helped me develop a deeper understanding of myself. It felt more like a therapy session than brainstorming for essays. In the end, every essay reflected who I am, and Rebecca was able to get the best version out of me. I was also very impressed with her responsiveness; every edit usually took less than 24hs to turn around.
One of my favorite things about working with Menlo is that you get to work with a whole team of professionals. And they are truly the best in the game, not just as professionals, but also genuinely great people. David jumped in at different stages of the process and offered me invaluable career advice and introduced me to people in the industry, and later helped me choose which school to attend and negotiate scholarship money. I now feel a lot more confident in my MBA plan (and beyond). Alice also helped me with a particularly challenging personal essay. When it was time to prep for the interviews, I worked with a communications coach who helped me with public speaking, techniques to relax, articulate my speech and voice (and it was also a fun experience).
On a personal level, working with Rebecca helped take a lot of anxiety out of the process. Rebecca really goes above and beyond for her clients, and I could tell she cared and was genuinely rooting for me. Working with her felt like a partnership, and I trust her completely. One time, when deadlines were approaching (I applied in Round 2, so it was right around the holidays) and I was feeling extremely anxious and unsure about the application, Rebecca went out of her way to immediately hop on a call to talk me through it. I always felt like I was her only client, even though she had many others because that’s how dedicated and responsive she was. She is also the kind of person that you just really want to be friends with.
Working with Rebecca and the Menlo team was easily the best decision I’ve made, and I can’t recommend them enough. As stressful as it was, I actually enjoyed the application process and look back at it fondly, as strange as it might sound, and that is all because of Rebecca. Her and Menlo were fundamental in making my dream school a reality and helped me grow professionally and personally. With Menlo, you get what you give. So, if you are truly committed to your application, willing to work insanely hard and make sacrifices, then so are they, they will reciprocate the commitment and hard work and the results will follow!

I had the opportunity to work with Joy as my coach for my MBA admissions applications, and she played an instrumental role in helping me get accepted to both of the programs that I applied to (in addition to securing a top scholarship offer to both programs). Joy was super responsive and provided valuable feedback within a short time frame throughout the entire process. I’m so grateful I got the chance to work with her! Her helpful insights made a huge difference in helping me prioritize the different steps of each application process and making it as stress-free as possible.
I highly recommend working with Joy and Menlo – you will not regret it.

Yaron and the Menlo Coaching program are incredible, and I highly recommend them to anyone with hopes of attending a top business school.
The Menlo Coaching program is extremely structured, taking all the mental burden of the process out of the applications, so you can focus on the quality of the content: writing the best stories you can, crafting the best narrative about yourself, researching schools, and networking with them. When you sign on to work with Menlo, you’ll have access not only to genius coaching from Yaron and others but also to the infrastructure of people and tools that keep you organized and on schedule to accomplish all you need to do before deadlines hit.
Yaron is one of the best coaches (of any kind – sports, work, school) I’ve worked with because he guides you to the best answer, the best outcome, by asking prompting questions that force you to dig deep and do a lot of tough, creative introspection. For me, I had somewhat of a sense of what I wanted to say going into the applications, but Yaron took it to another level, making my story extremely personal, unique to me, and compelling. We got there through a mix of one-on-one sessions where Yaron and I talked through my entire history – not just career and school, but what motivated me in life – and trading essays back and forth, Yaron asking me thought-provoking questions in his redlines. And lastly, perhaps most importantly, Yaron helped me then tie my personal story and life goals together to articulate to my top choice schools exactly why I was a perfect fit.
When interview season came along, Yaron made sure I was prepared to tell my story with excitement. And through Menlo, I also had access to a communications coach from Fearless Communicators, who put me through my paces in a 2hr session before my interviews began.
In the end, I was admitted to my top choice school – CBS – with additional acceptances to Kellogg, Yale, Stern and Darden. I’m extremely excited to be heading to CBS in the fall and would highly recommend Yaron to anyone seeking success in MBA admissions.

Working with David and Alice at Menlo Coaching was a transformative experience for me. I was trying to punch above my weight with my MBA applications, and their guidance was invaluable. David’s ability to quickly understand my situation and help me articulate my career goals in investment banking made all the difference. The personal attention and strategic insight they provided led to admissions offers from three fantastic schools, including a $48,000 scholarship at Emory Goizueta. This outcome exceeded my expectations and made the investment in their services truly worthwhile.

I highly recommend Menlo Coaching. Brooke was extremely helpful throughout me entire MBA process. I purchased 5 hours specifically for small questions here and there and for reviewing my essays. Brooke had catered suggestions and deep knowledge of what each school is looking for. I appreciate all of her help and will be attending Haas in the fall!

Alice and the rest of the Menlo Team were instrumental in helping me successfully apply to business school. Coming from a non-traditional and fairly disjointed background, she was able to help me create a winning narrative. Beyond this, Alice is a wealth of knowledge about the application process. She was the source of invaluable information I don’t think I would have been able to access otherwise. And, as a bonus, she is a very nice person!

Yaron has been incredibly helpful in my application process. Honest, direct, and very efficient, he provided feedback that was effective and pertinent. He challenged me in every single way making me advance not only in my application but also in my personal development. Menlo support is well structured and gives a full overview of the application process. I appreciated the way they connect you to other applicants so every candidate can share his experience.
I highly recommend Yaron to anyone who is considering top-business schools.

Chatting with Alice is always a pleasure. Initially the MBA application process was so daunting I didn’t even know where to start. I spoke with a lot of peers and contacts who had been through the process, but I realized I would still benefit from working with a consultant to receive honest, tailored, and direct feedback. I read a lot of reviews and spoke with several different consultants from both big name firms and small shops. The Big Names were a big turnoff for me because they seemed on a hurry to get me off the phone and had a very impersonal feel. I felt I could get the same level of effort from personal contacts who had been through the process. Out of the small shops I spoke with, I chose Menlo because of a) the stronger connection I felt during our initial conversation, b) their track record of success, and c) the flexible payment model. I was a giant ball of stress during the application process and Alice and David were fantastic in alleviating that and helping me to get where I wanted to be. I’m happy to report I’ve been admitted to my target schools with sizeable merit scholarships!

Working with Menlo Coaching was such a wonderful experience. I really appreciated the phase-based approach and the way they laid out what needed to happen at different stages. I felt extremely well supported throughout the process, and the practical advice from David and the team was invaluable. They helped me focus on self-reflection and storytelling, which allowed me to present an authentic narrative in my essays and interviews. I was over the moon when I got interviews at both Stanford GSB and Haas, and I couldn’t have done it without Menlo Coaching.

I had an amazing experience working with Alice. Prior to choosing a consultant I spent countless hours researching the various options, and I came away with the conclusion that working with Menlo and specifically Alice would best set me up for success. Having now gone through the process I can confidently say that this proved true! We spent significant time going over items such as realistic career goals to crafting my life story that we could then leverage for my applications. At times when I was slacking on my applications, Alice got me back on track by having weekly calls with me think through what was stumping me. When it came time to interview, they provided a theatre coach to help me come across in my best light and connected me with other consultants at Menlo to have mock interviews with.

Great experience. David went beyond simply helping with my application, he took the time to question my assumptions and help me to develop a better sense of my story and journey. This experience paid dividends in crafting a compelling and cohesive narrative across the pieces of my applications

I initially contacted Pascal because IESE was my dream school. However, given my poor mental health history that affected my undergraduate performance, my priority was to find a competent and empathetic consultant that could help me frame this delicate topic in the right way. Since, in addition to IESE and LBS, I ended up receiving an offer from Wharton, I guess we did an amazing job!
We immediately established a very friendly and productive relationship, thanks to his ability to share invaluable insights from his personal life, his experience as an MBA student, and his jobs in finance and later as the head of the admission at IESE.
He is always available and his suggestions are obviously top-notch. I was genuinely impressed by how fast he is at thinking and editing. Lastly, because he himself interviewed hundreds of candidates, the mock interviews were game-changing and helped me gain a lot of confidence.
I could not recommend him enough! The only reason why I am sad to be attending Wharton next year is that I will not be able to see Pascal for some more tapas and beers in Barcelona. I am sure we will meet each other again though.

I was accepted to Kellogg, Columbia, Anderson, Stern, and even wait-listed at Stanford—a better outcome than I ever could have imagined. Menlo was instrumental in this journey; they ensured I was on track to hit all necessary deadlines and provided amazing videos that walked me through every step of the process. Pascal, in particular, helped me emphasize the great parts of myself to present to the AdComs, focusing on developing the entire candidate rather than just someone pursuing an MBA.

I got connected with Obinna through Menlo Coaching. He helped me prepare for the interview, specifically for CBS, and the prep session was a lot more thorough than I ever expected. His feedbacks allowed me to enhance my responses with more personalized/ program-specific examples. I felt very well-prepared during my actual interview and received an offer after the interview. The interview prep with Obinna was also very helpful for interviews I had with other schools. I would 100% recommend him.

Working with Menlo and with Yaron was incredible and even more than I had hoped for. There is a reason people say Menlo is the top admissions consultant. When looking at consultants to work with, I was struck by how robust and informative Menlo’s website was. I think I learned more from the free videos on their site than I had in all of the rest of my admissions research, and was impressed by how Menlo’s approach was the “white glove” service.
Once I took the plunge and started working with Yaron, I was happy to find that the hype was real. Not only was the whole Menlo process wonderfully well-oiled and time efficient for someone working full-time and studying to re-take the GMAT (thanks to the focus on videos rather than reading as pre-conversation materials), but Yaron and the Menlo team pushed me to go beyond my initial story and turn it into so much more. The way Menlo structures their modules, with each one forcing me to take a hard look at a different part of my application and goals, went beyond helping me craft a good story – it helped me understand what I actually wanted to achieve in life. This made the application process far beyond a simple check the box exercise – it was a journey of self discovery.
On a more tactical level, Yaron being in Europe was very helpful for my schedule, since he would have me edits first thing in the morning US time. He was very prompt to respond, and we were able to rip through multiple drafts over the course of a few days. His edits were very thoughtful and were very clearly tailored to me, not to some stereotype of what an applicant like me should say.
After I got interview invites, Menlo had personalized interview prep sessions and a forum for other members to share their experience. I felt almost laughably prepared – by the time I got to the actual interview, I’d been through it several times in my head and knew exactly what the questions were likely to be.

Alice is amazing, full stop. The hype is real; working with Alice will help you achieve your MBA goals.
When I first approached Menlo Coaching, I’d read how successful Alice was with placing her clients into top programs. At first, I was skeptical – having gone through the process now, I’m completely convinced that Alice is preternaturally gifted at pushing her clients towards top MBA admissions. Her ability to learn about her clients quickly and deeply as well as her propensity to push them to reflect productively results empowers them to tell their story with confidence.
I will say though, working with Alice is not for the faint of heart. She will push you to re-write over and over again if she’s not happy with the materials. If something isn’t working in your essays, she will tell you and never compromise on quality. In my case, she pushed me to take the GMAT 5 times until I received an exceptional score. All worth it in the end.
For those of you who may be concerned about the cost – trust me, it’s well worth it. In my case, her services paid for themselves with a hefty scholarship at Wharton that would allow me to graduate debt / loan free upon graduation. Sign with her and don’t look back. You’re in good hands.

I highly recommend everyone to consider a consultant especially if you are applying internationally (like I did). There are SO many ill-informed “facts” out there and what you should/should not do. Firstly, I just could NOT get anywhere near my target GMAT/GRE scores and ran out of time to even consider it further (do not recommend!). I was well aware that this was a huge risk submitting with a low 600 score, gave up hope many times, BUT throughout the whole process, David went above and beyond to ensure I was equipped to do my best in other parts of the application. With a low test score, it meant truly bringing out the best parts of my story in my essays and smashing those interviews (David does mock TBDs with real humans, other clients, and it was amazing). Everyone has a unique story (even when I did not think so and I bet you do too!) and David will help you bring this out. There are SO many more reasons I can write to recommend David further but I truly would not have been admitted into Wharton with a low 600 score if I did it alone and I would be very happy to use David/Menlo again but thankfully I don’t need to!

Having an admissions consultant made a huge difference in terms of identifying what would fit my personality and my personal and professional goals. I wanted something a bit structured but at the same time a bit smaller, a bit more intimate, a bit more personalized. The self-discovery aspect was key, especially within the essays, which are really nuanced and university-focused. It’s been fantastic because they’ve been really helpful in terms of making me understand what I need to do and trusting the process, which is why I’ve ended up at the school of my choice.

Alice is the best partner to have in the MBA process – she helped me get into my dream school (along with other top MBA programs)! Prior to working with Alice, I had worked with our consultants and, without a doubt, Alice is the best consultant. She helped me think through my story and narrative, the schools I was applying to, and how to best craft my entire application. She is definitely the consultant you want throughout the grueling MBA application process, especially while balancing a busy job – she is incredibly detailed oriented and organized, responsive (to a host of questions), and knowledgeable in her craft. I highly recommend hiring her!

David helped me a lot during the preparation for interview and I see the main impact in two areas.
First, he challenged my application and my story and asked tough questions. That really helped me to think every aspect of my profile deeper and add a new dimension to the story. His approach is really thorough, analytic and no-bullshit.
Second, the mock interview was an experience that was actually harder than the real one. I believe that’s what you need before the real interview because the stress caused by the situation itself will balance it.
Besides David responds really quickly and it’s pleasure to work with him because of his punctuality and accuracy.
P.S. I started to work with David a few days before the application submission date so we had time only for a few last changes.

As a straight Asian male I was told by many consultants that I had incredibly slim odds at an acceptance to HBS or GSB. Alice not only believed in me but saw an opportunity to transform my application. She spent countless hours helping craft my story, adjust my essay, and prep for interviews. She was integral to my success, ultimately helping me get accepted to both HBS and GSB! Thanks, Alice!!

If you are currently working towards 2024 admissions cycle, or thinking about 2025 admissions cycle, and you aren’t sure how to put all of your materials together to present it to the adcom in a cohesive/comprehensive manner, then I highly encourage you to reach out to Menlo Coaching and ask for Lainie’s availability for two reasons (1) her expertise and knowledge in crafting a successful application (2) her professional commitment to be available and also be kind throughout this arduous process.
Lainie was able to dissect, analyze, and formulate all the components that an applicant needs to be a competitive candidate for each of the specific schools that I wanted to apply to (M7s and T15s). She first took her time and effort in learning about my entire personal and professional history – this allowed her to help me craft a personalized, goal-driven, and execution oriented essays that are compelling and viable for the adcom evaluating my candidacy. I cannot stress the importance of the months long back and forth I had with Lainie in fine tuning the essays: it’s perhaps the most convincing component of your application as to why you want to attend the school, and Lainie made sure we had that down to the tee. Without Lainie, I am unreservedly convinced that I would not have received interview invites and offers from CBS, Stern, Johnson, Tepper, and McDonough.
Beyond her obvious talent and expertise in this field, Lainie is highly empathetic to how difficult this entire process can be, and her experience allows her to be the perfect pacemaker throughout the entire journey. She checks up on you frequently to ensure that you aren’t overwhelmed, and helps you breakdown the workload so you are still working towards your goals. And when we need to accelerate and push, she’ll be energetic and reliable in ensuring fast turnarounds.
So go ahead and reach out to Menlo Coaching to ask for Lainie as soon as you decide to work with a consultant – it will be a great investment for your peace of mind as your work to put together your application. And I am confident the results will immensely satisfy you!

Before selecting Alice, I did initial conversations with a number of different firms. While most of the firms focused on their past successes, Alice was already formulating a strategy to help present my story to the admissions committees. This focus on her client persisted throughout our relationship from developing ambitious career goals (that were actually aligned with my interests), to making sure all the discrete pieces of my applications fit into a coherent narrative, and finally to a mock group interview to prepare me for Wharton’s process. Alice provided sage guidance and a level head while going through the emotional rollercoaster of the application process. She is constantly asked to take on additional clients but refuses because she worries that this will dilute her focus on her existing clients. I could not have asked for a better guide through the MBA application process.

I worked with Alice from Oct 16 – Mar 17 on 4 round 2 applications to US schools. The schools were Wharton, Harvard, Stanford and Booth. I am originally from the UK and had been working in New York for a year. I want to state up front that all the words below are mine and I did not share this review with Alice before posting. The reason I am doing this is that when I was choosing a consultant a year ago and came across Alice’s reviews they were so unbelievably positive that I was nervous they weren’t fully independent (I ended up speaking to a few of the reviewers who assured me that they were all their own words). I have tried to be as balanced as possible below and to not just be universally positive in order to be as helpful as possible to the reader. Apologies for the length of review but this is an important decision and so I have tried to give a many details as possible. As background context I initially really did not want to use a consultant due to the cost. I was confident that if I really worked hard I would be able to produce good essays. I ended up deciding to use a consultant for four main reasons: i) I was applying for difficult schools and was going to need all the help I could get; ii) I knew that a lot of applicants were using consultants and I did not want to be at a disadvantage to them straight off the bat; iii) being from the UK, I thought I might benefit more from the guidance on applications to US schools than someone from the US would; and iv) reading Alice’s reviews and speaking to her convinced me that she would really add value to my application. I spoke to four other consultants and finally narrowed it down to Alice and one other. It can be very hard to make that decision as there are a lot of strong consultants with impressive resumes, reviews and track records. One reservation that I had with Alice was that she had not worked within admissions while a lot of other consultants had. I ended up going with Alice due primarily to: i) the personal connection that I felt we had from the introductory phone calls; ii) I got comfortable that it was no secret what admissions people were looking for and so it wasn’t a real disadvantage that Alice had not worked on the inside (it could even be an advantage that she brings a different angle having worked in business and consulting); and iii) the fact that she was pretty much a one-person company rather than from one of the larger firms. More on these below. In summary, I was delighted with my experience working with Alice. I got into top schools, one with a good scholarship offer, and the overall process was a lot easier and less stressful that it would have been if I had gone on my own. I have already personally recommended Alice to colleagues and friends but I do always caution on the cost. There’s no denying that the application consulting service is expensive and it’s really a personal decision on whether you are happy to pay that money. Depending on the strength of your application it may or not be the difference between you getting into a top school – it’s very hard to weigh this up before you have really started the process so my recommendation is to peak to lots of consultants / friends etc. in order to really understand how much help you need and in what areas. See below for more detailed thoughts on specific areas of working with Alice. Personal connection: Alice is a really lovely person and I think it is a real differentiator that she seems to develop a strong personal connection with all of her applicants. The application process is long and tough and can be disheartening at times and therefore it is so vitally important to like the person you are working with. I would look forward to the phone calls, which says a lot given they were at 7am and often after late nights at work and given that she was often telling me that I needed to work harder on a certain essay (i.e. I would need to cancel my Saturday plans). I can imagine that if you do not get along well with your consultant you would really resent these calls and the free time that you are asked to give up. Although I believe that you really cannot go wrong with Alice I think it is still worthwhile to do your research and speak to a number of consultants before deciding who to go with. The personal connection is so important. Alice is consulting for the right reasons: Another huge positive about Alice is that you get the impression that she really cares about your application. Of course it’s in her interest for you to do well in your applications (and so will be more likely to recommend her) but I always felt that she really enjoyed helping people and was genuinely doing it for the right reasons. It is easy to be cynical about the industry (charging high rates to people who are often already well off on the promise that with a top offer they will be able to get even richer) but Alice is one of the “good guys” in the industry. For Alice it is about more than just the application and paycheck and she wants you to make the right decision – for example we are still in touch about post-MBA career goals and she is always offering to give advice. There were a number of situations where Alice gave me advice that was not in her monetary interest. These really gave me trust in her and gave me confidence that she would never rack up unnecessary hours. A few examples: – When I was weighing up choosing between Alice and another consultant she did not attempt to oversell herself. Rather she laid out her particular approach to the process and advised me to only choose to work with her if I thought our approaches aligned. – Once we’d started working together I was verging towards Columbia being my first choice. Alice told me that I should apply “early decision” there and would get in with minimal guidance from Alice. I was someone who was willing to apply to 4-5 schools with the full suite of services and she was basically advising me to only use ~5 hours of her time. (I ended up not even applying to Columbia, for personal reasons); – Later on in the process and I was considering doing a last minute application to Stanford. I asked Alice what my chances were, i.e. was this really worth the time and cost. A less scrupulous person may have tried to encourage me to apply, thereby increasing my hours, but Alice was very clear on how long a shot it was and did not make any attempt to push me towards an application; and – When we had a recent discussion on applying for consulting jobs post-MBA she mentioned that she offered a service to help with the applications. I would have thought that she would be well positioned to help on this given her experience with applications in general and that she worked for Bain (as well as getting offers from BCG and Mckinsey) but she advised me to use a different company that she thought would be able to help me more. There were a few times when Alice and I went off topic and started chatting generally on our calls. When we did this she always stopped the clock. There are pros and cons to an hourly versus package pricing model but I believe that overall the incentives are better aligned with Alice’s hourly method. With hourly pricing it means she has to be continuously adding value or risk the applicant reducing the hours used. I probably ended up paying a similar amount to if I had bought a package from one of the bigger companies but it was important to me to retain the option to turn the tap off at any moment and was not committed to a certain amount. I have also heard from other applicants who went down the package route that they did not feel very valued – rather they had been sold hard by the company initially but once they’d paid the fees they no longer felt they were a priority. The other side of the coin is that I was very aware of always being on the clock and there were a few situations when I would have loved to discuss something further but I kept quiet so as to not to incur more costs. Although there are surely many excellent consultants, they are definitely not all created equal. Of three good friends who used consultants, one had a great experience and two did not. One of these two said that she did not get along well with the consultant and actually stopped using him halfway through. The other person got along fine with her consultant but felt that she did not add that much. This shows how important it is to get the decision right. Essays: Most applicants can probably write a good essay without the help of a consultant but few would be able to write a very good essay. The strength of your background and experience helps for sure but even with a very interesting story you may not be that effective at turning it into a compelling essay. If I go back and re-read my first drafts of each essay and compare them to the final versions, it is pretty incredible how much they improved. I obviously cannot comment on how much other consultants help your essays but can just say that Alice added huge value to mine both in giving her thoughts on what the content / theme of each essay should be (the “story”) and also in editing so that it reads well. The first thing you will do with Alice is have a 1-2 hour kick off call where she will ask you lots of questions about your background and experience (it is characteristic of Alice’s personal approach that this is all done on skype rather than through questionnaires that some of the larger companies use to save their time) . This allows her to get to know your strengths and weaknesses and ultimately is what she will use direct the content of the essays. I think that Alice helped all of my essays hugely but it was probably on the more open-ended ones that she really came into her own. For example, most people would be able to make a good attempt at the two Wharton essays and Stanford’s “Why Stanford” (i.e. the more structured ones) but would struggle with HBS’s “Tell us what else we don’t know about you” and Stanford’s “What matters most to you and why”. This is primarily because it is very hard to look at oneself objectively and know what it is interesting about your background. The things that I thought were interesting about myself were apparently not that interesting, rather it was things I would never have thought of. For example, if you had asked me to think of ten ideas for the topic for the HBS essay I would not have listed the one that Alice thought the strongest (and which we went with). But by the time that essay was written I could see how strong the story was. Alice has helped so many people through the process that she is so good at identifying the characteristics that set you apart from other applicants. Another example is the Booth application, where they give you the option to write a traditional essay or submit a photo presentation. I would never have had the confidence to submit a photo presentation without Alice’s encouragement that she believed it to be the more compelling approach in my case. I ended up with a scholarship offer. Another area where Alice really influenced the content of my essays was my career goals (important for Wharton’s “Why MBA at Wharton”, Stanford’s “Why Stanford” and interviews). I started off thinking that I should be as ambitious as possible with career goals on the basis that schools would be interested in someone who aimed high. I then toned my goals down to private equity, which again Alice said was not suitable as it showed I hadn’t really done my research (very few MBAs leave for a job in private equity who hadn’t done it before, and even less without banking experience). The career goal we went with (banking) was not my real career goal but it made so much more sense given my background as well as being very achievable (which is important for the schools’ rankings as these are partly based on how quickly their students gets employed). This advice drastically altered my application and I am so relieved that I had Alice to explain all this to me. Alice also really improved the flow of the essays. This is less important than content and for sure the admissions teams are not expecting everyone to be great writers but it can only help to submit an essay that is well structured and reads nicely. Alice has great experience at cutting unnecessary words / sentences and I always enjoyed receiving each draft back from her because I knew she would have really improved it. Comments on other areas where Alice helped Managing the process – if you are really busy, e.g. at work, it is such a bonus to be able to effectively outsource the project management of your application. Alice gives you timing goals / deadlines and makes sure you are always on track. There were times when I was nervous that I was falling behind but Alice was able to reassure me that I was still on track. The application is stressful enough wand so being able to rely on Alice for managing everything made life a lot easier than it could have been. Resume – it took a few drafts but Alice helped me to write a really strong resume. I had not written a resume since being at university and it is an added bonus that I now have a great starting point for when I apply for my next jobs. Online application forms – it is easy to ignore these until the last minute and to rush them but they are important and include some difficult questions which Alice guided me through. Alice’s partner – a potential advantage of the larger consulting companies is that they have large teams of consultants and so your essays get passed around and commented on from different sets of eyes. I wanted to point out that, although Alice doesn’t have a large team, her founding partner David is also very useful in that respect. I do not know how much Alice consults with David but I got the impression that she runs a lot by him and I was aware of certain situations where he had a direct input (for example in formulating my career goals). He also gave me interview practice, more on which below. Interview prep – this was incredibly helpful and I will definitely take what I learnt with me on to job interviews. I had not had an interview in five years and definitely needed guidance on style and content of answering questions. It is both a pro and a con to have Alice give you interview practice. On the one hand she knows you well by now and so knows where you may be under-selling yourself or if you have better answers in your locker for certain questions; on the other hand, you perhaps know each other too well and it is hard to completely detach yourself from this. Luckily, Alice’s partner David can step in here – this was the first time we had spoken and so David could be completely impartial. I ended up having mock interviews with both David and Alice and so had the best of both worlds. I probably used two hours of their time on interview prep but this really was money well spent. Wharton TBD prep – this is also interview prep but a very specific type as Wharton’s interview is centered on a team exercise with other applicants. Luckily, Alice had other applicants who also had Wharton interviews and so was ale to organize a practice for 5 of us. She helped with the whole process, starting with guidance on our opening pitch and ending with detailed overall and individual feedback on our performances in the practice. She also got a current Wharton student to speak to us about her experience a year earlier. I cannot over-state how helpful this practice was. The Wharton interview is a very unnatural experience and you only have 30 mins to make a good impression. In the practice we all made obvious mistakes which we learnt from and it was also useful to see how other applicants approached it and I definitely brought some of these with me. I was able to have a list of do’s and don’ts for the real interview and I felt so much more confident for it now that I knew what to expect. Other companies also offer practice for the Wharton interview but I decided to stick with Alice because: i) everything else had gone so well with her so far; and ii) I felt that she would be able to give me better advice than a different consultant given that she knew my strengths and weaknesses. Areas for improvement In the interests of giving a balanced review I have thought hard about negatives. It speaks for itself that I don’t have much to say here, especially given what I have heard friends complain about with their consultants. The obvious negative is the cost. However this is really question about whether or not you want to use a consultant as Alice’s rates are comparable. Given how conscious I was over costs there were definitely situations where I was frustrated that I wasn’t able to keep costs down. At the start there were some inefficiencies where, for example, I hadn’t completely understood Alice’s directions and so there required an extra turn or two of an essay than was completely necessary (and therefore more costs). I definitely do not absolve myself of responsibility here given it was really on me to flag if I didn’t fully understand something. I also think that it is normal when two people start working together to take some time to sync with each other’s approaches. After a few weeks it became a lot more seamless and efficient. I also think it could be useful for Alice to direct applicants towards external scholarships. The majority of MBA scholarships are internal (and you are entered automatically through your application) but there are many external ones that you may not be aware of. I did not realize that these existed and ended up missing deadlines for a few scholarships that I would have had a good chance at. There are too many different scholarships (and varying by country / background / school applied to) for Alice to tell you which ones to apply to but she has agreed that it would be helpful to tell applicants early on that they should research this so as to not miss out. Conclusion The first thing to decide is whether you want to use a consultant at all and I hope that the details above will help you in this decision. A good consultant will improve your chances, and the extent of this improvement depends on the applicant (how good at applications in general, how busy, how challenging the school choices are). In terms of choosing between consultants, you need to: – Decide between big company or smaller place; – Decide whether you prefer package or hourly rates (some places offer both); – Find someone who is well reviewed and that you can imagine working with for six months. I would highly recommend Alice. I had a great experience with her and it was more positive than my three other friends that used different consultants. She has universally positive reviews online so it seems that everyone loves working with her. Alice is great to work with, is a lovely person and made huge improvements to all aspects of my application, in particular the essays and interviews. Alice gets fully booked quickly so I’d recommend getting in touch with her early.

80% interview-acceptance conversion. 100% thanks to David.
I worked with David just for interview preparation. Effective communication has always been a personal area of improvement, and I knew a bit of guidance would go a long way. As many others have attested to, David’s support has been absolutely incredible. He was always quick to respond to inquiries, and his knowledge of the MBA admissions process was immense. Through multiple live online sessions that included communication coaching and mock interview deep dives, I was able to significantly improve my delivery and sharpen my responses. The accuracy of the rehearsed questions was spot on and allowed me to focus on things other than just answering the question in the interview (such as a building rapport and managing non-verbal cues). Also, rather than simply matching example narratives to particular questions, David’s training helped me get comfortable applying a handful of stories to a number of different questions – which turned the interview into a fluid conversation and not a series of questions and answers.
Even if one didn’t use consultants in the application stage, I highly recommend anyone hoping to improve their odds to consider partnering with David post-interview invite. By the time you are at the interview day, interacting with students and sitting down for the interview, you won’t be thinking about the monetary investment you had to put up with. What you will be mulling over (for days) is how much you could have done better had you just been more prepared. David will help you put your best foot forward until the very end.

If I’m being perfectly honest, I don’t think I would have gotten into my dream program (Chicago Booth EMBA in London) if I hadn’t worked with Pascal. Before I talk about how good he is at what he does, I just want to mention what a joy it was to work with him. I’m very disappointed that I won’t be speaking with him as frequently now. He is very respectful, always wears his heart on his sleeve, and is extremely intelligent. I am very happy to have gained a friend in him; he is someone I will continue to be in touch with for many years to come.
When it comes to the provision of his professional services, Pascal is expert an expert at what he does. I do not say that lightly – Pascal is an expert at what he does. There is no way I could have put forth a better application if I had worked alone. He is very knowledgeable about the top MBA programs in the US and Europe and knows exactly what they look for in candidates. That, in particular, was evident both when he was providing guidance in my drafting of the personal statement and when he was coaching me for the interview. He prepared me for both the expected and unexpected questions (he asked me so many unexpected, but still relevant, questions during our practice that I got used to being thrown off). This came in handy during the actual interview with Booth as I was asked questions I wasn’t expecting but thankfully managed to maintain my composure.
I am a very happy client and cannot recommend him enough.

Choosing David as my MBA coach was the best decision I made during the application process. I first came to David over a year ago, and was seeking his help to submit rushed applications to USC and UCSD a couple weeks before the R2 deadlines. He talked me out of this and convinced me to wait until R1 the following year so that I would have time to put together the best application possible – I’m so thankful that he did. David was very helpful in helping me determine my career goals (one of his specialties) and making sure that my applications told a cohesive and compelling story. He is very knowledgeable about the tech industry and helped me chart my career path and the steps necessary to reach my end goal. David advised me through each step of the application process and gave tips and recommendations that I would have otherwise had no idea about. He was also instrumental for interview preparation, and during all of my interviews I was not asked a single question that we hadn’t prepared for in some form. He also referred me to an amazing GMAT tutor who helped me raise my score from 700 to 730. With his guidance, I was able to secure a full tuition scholarship at Darden! I was also accepted to USC Marshall with a sizable scholarship. I have had an amazing experience working with David and cannot recommend him highly enough.

Working with Rebecca should be a no-brainer decision. I was initially very nervous starting this process as I was coming from an overrepresented applicant pool, but throughout the admission cycle Rebecca was always in my corner. I could always go to her with any question and she would promptly answer. She also helped me stay very organized throughout the application process, making sure that I completed every part of my application with a lot of time to spare for reviews. She always kept the bar for all my essays really high but was also always there with me when I needed to dig deep to craft compelling stories. Rebecca is a super woman who will be your biggest supporter while providing you with the tools to succeed on your applicant journey. Thank you so much Rebecca, couldn’t have done this without you.

While I have had the plan of attaining my MBA since high school, only recently did I have an idea of why I wanted to do so. David helped me immensely in crafting my story for the application process especially considering my non traditional (engineering) background. He provided me with an unbiased opinion of areas to improve to give me the greatest results from the process. While I had done my own research initially into application strategy, David helped to clarify the goal of each individual piece, i.e. what I should be communicating in the essays or how to present myself in the interview. Even from the initial sessions I could tell that David was concerned with my success throughout the entire application process. David is also extremely knowledgeable about the different programs’ strengths and weaknesses, providing observations that are not biased by the lens of current students or the admissions office. This led me to apply to programs that I had not originally considered. Overall I cannot recommend David enough!

Obinna’s mock interview is super helpful and insightful. I highly recommend it!!!
First, Obinna tailored the mock to each school’s format and frequently asked questions. He helped me with 2 schools’ mock interviews and covered almost all questions in my real interviews.
Second, for each feedback, he provided me with examples (in my second mock, he went through each of my answers in detail!!) that taught me how to make my answer clearer and better structured. Instead of simply saying something like “your answer is far too long”, he told me where I should keep the same, where I should shorten and how, and where I could include more details and how.
Third, for questions that I did not answer very well or were difficult to answer, he taught me how to think about and provided his answer for my reference.
Fourth, he collected sample questions to ask the interviewer. My interviewers loved the questions I picked from his sample!! They found each question super interesting and shared lots of their stories/experiences accordingly.
Last but not the least, he is very patient, encouraging, and supportive. He helped me build my confidence for the interview. He is also very flexible, and spent his weekend helping me.

I never thought in my life that I could apply or be admitted to some of the top universities in the world. Working with Jarrett and Menlo Coaching was a life decision I do not regret. I felt supported 24/7, and Jarrett helped me gain confidence in myself. He encouraged me not to exclude myself from my dreams, like applying to Harvard, and it paid off. I’m now an admitted student at Harvard Business School and excited about my future.

I cannot say enough positive things about my MBA application experience with Alice. As a member of the military serving on active duty, my planned application timeline was interrupted by deployments and further disrupted by an irregular work schedule. However, having worked with veterans before, Alice created a custom and holistic approach to my application designed to maximize our time together and be proactive. Throughout the entire process, Alice was always accessible by email or zoom, and she was incredibly prompt with her replies to my inquiries. Also, her comments on my application were incredibly detailed and insightful. Simply put, Alice is a master of the creative process who never misses a deadline. Leveraging Alice’s expertise, I was able to find my voice and create a truly compelling narrative that resonated with Adcoms at multiple prestigious MBA programs. Ultimately, I was accepted to all six MBA programs I applied to, including Booth, Kellogg, and HBS. Alice is an amazing consultant and a wonderful person–you will not be disappointed if you choose to work with her, and I would recommend her to anyone.

Alice and the entire team at Menlo Coaching were vital to my success applying to and receiving admission to my dream school, Columbia Business School. I loved that they were full service, totally overhauling my resume, offering sage advice and support with the essays, and the best interview prep. I loved that they brought in a former actor to help loosen me up and prepare me for the interview. The basecamp module videos were also extremely helpful and I loved how Alice and the team kept me to a strict deadline so I was never too rushed. Menlo services are pricey but it is the best if you want to shoot for the stars and get into your dream school.

I worked with David over a six-month period during my applications to US B-schools and he helped me with almost every step of the process. Throughout our interactions I found him to be very professional, knowledgeable and experienced in the admission process & always willing to go the extra mile to help ensure that I turned in my best work. Our interaction started with a long discussion around my career goals & what I wanted to achieve post B-school. David not only helped refine my professional objectives but given his deep knowledge of Technology industry, also provided pros & cons of each route. In the next phase we shortlisted schools which were a good fit for my objectives and David & I spent a lot of time thinking through & refining my story. Throughout the process David would keep checking in to ensure I was on track with my deadlines and given my demanding job, sometimes I needed the extra push! He also has an amazingly short turn around time and in most cases I’d hear back in less than 24 hours. Another aspect I really liked about David is that he is very consistent in his quality of work and very organized. He provides a lot of support in what can be a very hectic & exhausting process. After I took my GMAT, David encouraged that I take it again to aim for a higher score & connected me with a fantastic GMAT tutor who helped me achieve my target score! Towards the end, David conducted mock interviews via Skype & gave really good feedback on my preparation as well as non-verbal aspects such as body language etc. I strongly believe that without his support & constant motivation it would have been really hard for me to get accepted at both my target schools. In fact, he even offered to talk to me (for free) & help in choosing the right school! Overall, I’m really happy with my experience working with David (& Menlo Coaching) and would strongly recommend him! He is totally worth the time & money! I’m also open to answering any questions if you are considering working with him.

I loved working with Menlo Coaching. They managed to make the researching process of the actual schools fun, which was something I never expected. They asked me questions I didn’t even know I had, and that was super helpful. Having Menlo Coaching in my corner, really feeling like they were on my team, gave me this sense that they were invested in my success. It was more than just, ‘Hey, you should do this’; there was so much more mentorship and friendliness involved that it really felt a lot more personal.

I am very fortunate to have had Rebecca as my coach throughout the MBA application process. I am in my 30s and have a non-traditional background without million-dollar deals or multi-national marketing experience. I knew I needed a coach who is experienced but creative to guide me through this process. Together with other supports from Menlo Coaching, Rebecca helped me land offers from top programs.
Structural and efficient process
Rebecca has a very good sense of application timing and what process it takes to craft a good essay. This is important because an MBA application is extremely stressful and can impact daily work and life. With an experienced coach, I could multitask six schools in one round and had each application ready at least a week ahead of the deadline. Rebecca is compassionate and provides emotional support by not only understanding but solid professional experiences to relieve stress.
From story brainstorming to essay completion, we kept tracking all working processes. Without formulated methodology (i.e. finding a personal brand or label etc.), each version was headed in the direction that made the essay and application better, without wasting time swinging between versions. Of course, we did have differing viewpoints at times, and sometimes new ideas popped up along the application. However, all the decisions were upfront and finalized through conversations. For example, we had different thoughts on how to put extracurricular activities on my resume. I was finally convinced not because I did not know which was better, but because Rebecca had a clear thought to highlight my unique experiences together with other components in my application.
Both my recommenders were from non-traditional backgrounds without any experience in my MBA recommendation letters. Rebecca showed me high-level communication skills interfacing and guiding them to write strong letters through just two rounds of interactions. Except for a briefing document covering deadlines and suggested examples, I was blind in the process, but I felt confident that the final letter would be strong with Rebecca’s help.
Detail, detail, detail!
Application is a holistic evaluation, but holism is a sum of numerous details. When working with Rebecca, we never let a single detail slip. Rebecca pushed me to do thorough research about my career goal using whatever available resources, such as summarizing key findings from LinkedIn profiles, networking with alums who went on similar paths, and deep-diving into potential employer’s websites. Each of these served as pieces of evidence making a compelling career goal argument.
When talking about school resources and contributions, Rebecca suggested to me to find target alums and current students to validate my thoughts. Each name mentioned in the essay was deliberately chosen to support my understanding of the school programs or clubs. Rebecca may spend hours helping me work on one essay ending. She did research from school blogs, relevant websites, and came up with ideas; we discussed, and I reached out and talked to alums and students to pitch ideas and get feedback.
Let’s talk about outcomes
First, and this probably happens to almost every applicant, but not many will talk about rejection. I got five acceptances from the six schools that I applied to, including HBS, Sloan, and Kellogg. While the rejection was a surprise and we put a lot of effort into my target school, the process isn’t a guarantee for a clean sweep of 100% acceptances. I did not have any regrets about my application package (I would have submitted the same one if I had a second chance).
More importantly, I am very excited to get a yes from HBS! Rebecca guided me on how to tell a story that tied my personal experience, professional achievements, and future, to show not only my capability but also my human side. I believe it was the winning combination that led to my acceptance.
In the end, I truly recommend Rebecca as an admission coach. Besides the application, I learned so much from her: writing, communicating (my recommenders are pretty hardcore), and project management skills. Rebecca makes the application process an incredibly joyful and fruitful life experience!

I was worried about saying the right things and presenting the right aspects of me. I’ve had various experiences and I wanted to make sure that I was able to show who I was. Working with Menlo Coaching was actually an incredible experience. Leslie really helped me with everything. The criticism was always constructive, and she was always able to clearly articulate what was needed. In the end, I got into both Cambridge and INSEAD and received scholarships to both universities. I couldn’t be happier with my choice.

In 2016 I was waitlisted at Booth after an interview. After talking to various other consultants I was fortunate to come across David White. He asked for all my previous application materials to go over them before our consultation call. Unlike other consultants, who wouldn’t take a look at my previous material to do a ‘ding analysis’ unless I opted for a package, David really wanted to assess my situation to help me figure out the best way forward. During our call, he pointed out that my application materials went into too much technical detail (I am an engineer) and needed to be tailored for the adcom. He was kind enough to give a first-pass list of schools that I should target if I were to apply next year, but his suggestion was to definitely give the waitlist a shot as it would save me a year along with the fees that I might be paying a consultant. We put together a video that showed off a well-rounded profile (as opposed to the somewhat one-dimensional profile that I had on paper earlier). He was very candid in providing feedback, and also pointed out that I might well have to raise my GMAT and re-apply. He was right about that, and by the next year when I approached David he was already booked up, but he still gave me brief further advice. Between his insights about retaking the GMAT (I did!), showing a more well-rounded profile, and targeting the right schools, I was admitted at six top schools. Two things stood out about David. He was genuinely interested in my success and that showed by the level of interest he took and the candid discussions we had, be it my application, the chance of its success or even declining me because of his prior commitments. Unlike other consultants, in my experience, he wasn’t trying to make a ‘sale’ at any time. He wanted me to get to business school in the way that would be most logical and would work best for me, even if it meant turning me down and still helping me out!

With Rebecca’s help, I got into Kellogg, Columbia, Yale, Ross and NYU with $560,000 total in merit scholarships. Every school gave me money, including two full rides and two $100k scholarships. 
The year before I had also applied; I was rejected or waitlisted by every top school I applied to. I had also worked with a different well known consulting firm. Their help was somewhat rushed and impersonal, and I didn’t really feel like it provided any edge in the process. 
As someone in his 30s with a winding career history that included some substantial gaps, I was undoubtedly an atypical business school candidate.  I was starting to wonder if I’d ever “fit in” at a business school. 
Rebecca’s help along with the broader Menlo ecosystem was the highest value and most comprehensive service I have ever received in my life. There’s no question about it: they were fundamental in the success I experienced during this second attempt to apply to school. 
If you’re like I was prior to working with Rebecca, you’re probably looking for tangible, specific evidence of how she and Menlo drive success. Rebecca stands out because: 
1. She has a true informational edge: Rebecca and the broader Menlo crew are incredibly well networked with admissions departments, students and alumni at the top business schools. Rebecca quoted recent conversations she had with admissions committee members at top schools while helping me. Down to the specific anecdotes I mentioned in my essays, Rebecca helped me target the tone and specific content that she knew each individual school would be looking for. Plus, she was able to bring knowledge from her peers at Menlo to the conversation too. 
2. She has a strong, consultative point of view on… everything. Rebecca provided strategic advice on everything from checkboxes on applications to how to write thank you notes to students I met while visiting schools. I sent Rebecca hundreds of e-mails, worried about every detail and interaction in the process. She provided quick, sharp advice, no matter the question. This was a lifesaver for someone as detail-oriented and neurotic as me! 
3. She helped me develop a holistic, strategic plan for success, given my atypical profile. Rebecca stressed that due to my profile I would need to gain an edge by networking intensely with the schools. I am not a natural networker. So: from choosing the events to attend, admissions members to speak to and professors to contact… Rebecca helped me build a networking plan for success. The results: Admissions committee members knew me by name and cited our relationship as part of their decision to admit me. Students I met volunteered to write me letters of support to admissions. And with Rebecca’s guidance on how to ask the right questions to the right people, I learned enough to weave very specific anecdotes about students and schools into essays and interviews. Multiple interviewers said that my ability to name specific students, classes and professors was a key reason they strongly recommended me for admission.
4. She is an incredible storyteller and editor. I am not concise; I also struggled to build a story that made sense around my winding and atypical career history. Rebecca worked with me to build multiple, ultra concise pitches that conveyed my interest in business school, career goals, and personal history within minutes. Not only did these immediately resonate with admissions committee members (every AdComm member I met responded quickly and favorably to these pitches), but they became the backbone of my essays. Rebecca’s incredible ability to help you build a strategic story about yourself — both the good and the bad — that exposes the essence of who you are, while still appealing to the admissions committee… and then edit it down to a powerful but concise narrative is savant-like and undoubtedly changed the course of my applications. Plus she helps you tailor these narratives to each school and what they are looking for in candidates. 
5. She is rooting for you every step of the way. Rebecca brings such warmth, care and support to her consulting process that you can’t help but feel true confidence in yourself and your story. This helped me wow admissions committee members, ace interviews, and leave a favorable impression on everyone I met during campus visits. Menlo initially seemed expensive to me. Now I wonder how they don’t charge more. 
Rebecca is so comprehensive, so knowledgeable and so responsive — for months on end — that you’re going to wonder how she has time to do anything else in her life. You’re also going to be so well prepared, write such awesome essays, and wow every student and admissions committee member you meet.
I haven’t once questioned my decision to work with Rebecca (for an older re-applicant, the incredible results speak for themselves) and I can guarantee you won’t either.

David was an amazing person to have in my corner throughout the application process.
As someone coming from a non-traditional background with an underwhelming profile for the top business schools, I knew that I needed all the help I could get on bolstering my resume and story. One of the greatest things about David is the time he takes to learn about you and your situation. It’s a huge difference maker in the quality of service he provides. Because of it, his insight was spot on as it related to my industry, story, and career goals.
David is also extremely responsive. He’s very receptive and easy to talk to, but he won’t beat around the bush when it comes to giving you honest feedback, which is something I appreciate. David definitely did more than what was asked of him, and I would not have had the same success without his help. Thanks, David!

I worked with Rebecca for Round 2 in the 2021-2022 app season. Evaluating myself, I think I have the profile to get into a single M7 caliber school if I worked hard myself and used a service like ApplicantLab. Rebecca’s help really pushed me to take my apps to that next level and my results speak for themselves. I’m currently looking at admits to Wharton, Kellogg, Booth, Haas, and Ross with multiple scholarships and couldn’t be more thrilled! I’m confident you’ll get an amazing ROI if you work with her that will more than pay for itself. I don’t think I would have done nearly as well without her and firmly believed she helped change my life.
The process starts with refining your resume and creating master stories for professional and personal essays. After lots of hours working with her, I was astounded at how strong my stories were and I’m confident I couldn’t have gotten nearly as strong on my own just following generic advice online. After that, we went school by school and found specific things that would really stand out to adcoms and convince them I did my research and loved their schools, but also resonated with who I am, my story, and my goals. The end essays were incredible and I’m extremely proud of the work we did together. I’m confident that working with her, your end apps will be far stronger than what you’d be able to do alone.
From a more personal standpoint, Rebecca was extremely warm and amazing to work with. I’ve had multiple instances that could’ve derailed my app cycle (major problems with my recommenders) and having her there to talk me through it really helped keep me grounded and push through it. I really enjoyed spending time with her and am sad that our time is coming to an end (but I’m happy to be on the admitted side!).
Wrapping up, I recommend working with Rebecca in the strongest terms. You’ll be in amazing hands and will be shocked at how strong your apps are at the end of the process. Good luck!!

tl:dr I was accepted at 3 T20 FTMBA programs (with money at 2), waitlisted at 2, and will be attending my dream school in the fall.
In my search for an admissions consultant, it was important to me that the reviews I read through were genuine and authentic. Though there isn’t a secret sauce to identifying these, key characteristics immediately jumped out for David’s reviews: long, detailed reviews that couldn’t have been completed in a minute; the human side of David that every single person raved about; and, reviewers specifically talking about the enjoyment of the process (and NOT, just the prestige of the admit results). But in actually working with David, I realized a few other things.
1. Full service nature – Because David and his team are with you from the moment you begin working with them until your last scholarship negotiation, you can take comfort in the fact that he is just as invested in seeing you succeed as much as you want to. And because he’s with you every step of your application journey, you can rest assured that there will be few, if any, stones unturned that will ensure who you are as an applicant is fully displayed to its potential. Because of Menlo’s expertise and resources, I was never having to second guess the comments and feedback that I received. And any qualms you can take off of your mind during this process are so vital and important.
2. Timely and thorough feedback – Because there are so many different parts to a successfully admitted application (and interview process), having to complete all of the tasks could seem overwhelming. But knowing that I didn’t have to wait many days for turnaround really put me at ease as I continued to work through. And when there were assignments I was apprehensive about doing or didn’t quite know how to approach, I simply sought out advice from David, and he’d respond in a very simple to understand way that made the task at hand far less daunting.
3. # of clients/1:1 relationship – Because David doesn’t continue to take on client after client after client just for the money grab, the attentiveness that is shown to you really shines through (as exemplified in the two prior points). It goes further than that though. There was a calmness within me whenever I interacted with David, knowing that he wasn’t taking in more clients than he could handle, thus, having less time for me, thus making me stress out even more about the application process. None of that. That to me, is one of the most important differentiators when you’re looking for an admissions consultant.
One regret that I have? Not working with David sooner. Having done so probably would have helped my long-term health in not having had to stress as much as I had beforehand.
Stop your search, and just schedule that initial consultation. Trust me.

To be honest, having worked with sub-par consultants in the past for college admissions, I did not have the highest expectations of finding a good consultant to help with my MBA applications. Working with Pascal completely changed my mind. He is a real expert in this field and knows all the schools inside out. Over our countless brainstorming sessions for my HBS essay, Pascal’s warm personality made it incredibly easy for me to open up to him and share my unfiltered life story with him in order to produce the most authentic and compelling materials. Pascal has a way of inspiring people to dig deep within themselves through introspection, and then he will help you piece all of your ideas together to make your essays flow seamlessly. His level of attention to detail is also admirable. I cannot remember the number of times I’ve bombarded him with questions over WhatsApp, yet he was always so accommodating and responsive with helpful insight and edits. Before my final HBS draft, we had accumulated 20+ versions of just this one essay! It’s obvious that Pascal truly cares about his clients, and he is genuinely happy about their success. I could not have asked for a better consultant than Pascal; he is in a league of his own. I am grateful for all the help he’s given me throughout the process and I am glad to have made a new friend.

I think I’ve written 1 other review in my life and I’m pretty sure it was to get $10 off for food delivery (college student budget). Now with that said, I have decided to sing the praises of Alice Van Harten and David White from Menlo Coaching. I decided in May 2016 to take a serious run at applying to Business School. Unfortunately, my work / extracurricular are significantly demanding and, even with the research I had done on the application process, I still felt unsure as to how to best position my “story.” I was familiar with admission consultants and figured since they all offered a free initial consult I would receive some insight. Awful. Perhaps it was my misfortune but a good amount of consultants I spoke with either: (i) gave a stereotypical used car salesman vibe (ii) forced me into a bucket without hearing my life experiences. A few were helpful but I just did not get the “I want this person in my corner” feeling. Enter Menlo Coaching. I came across Alice and David’s company through google searches. The reviews seemed so unbelievable that I had to check them out. To anyone reading this review, I will save you some time by saying: set up a consult and speak with them. That experience will speak to the quality of Menlo Coaching far better than I could. For my initial consult, I spoke with Alice and let me tell you, she is smart. Seriously smart. The kind of intelligence that impresses and draws you in within the first few minutes. She knows the admission game backwards and forwards. She genuinely cares about your success (not just in getting into a school but also your career) but at the same time, she is upfront and pragmatic about everything. While I was driving my story and the work, I kept getting constructive feedback and soon the application process stopped feeling like a chore. Moreover, she has a bell personality. All the personalities of her clients are different yet she can resonate with all of them and knows the right way to communicate with them. Beyond the application process, I learned quite a bit on how to be successful in general. It felt like I had all the answers in my back pocket. I applied to 4 schools and received admissions to Wharton (near full-tuition waiver.. this shocked me) and Booth (high scholarship … also surprising). I would not have achieved these results with other firms or alone. I *know* that I could not have achieved those results without Menlo Coaching because every now and then I reread my essays. My essays contain my story and do not contain a single fabrication yet I never would have thought about taking that approach or angle. However, when I read them I can’t help but think “wow I would totally want this kid in my class!” On a tangent note: I’ve worked two different high-finance jobs in my career and consider myself a strong interviewer. I worked with David for less than an hour to prepare for my Booth interview. When I finished my interview, I confidently told David and Alice it was the best interview of my life. I *knew* I would get the Booth offer and this is not from a place of ego but just to speak as to how well David prepared me. In short, work with Menlo Coaching. Do not wait too late though as I know their spots fill up rather quickly. When I spoke with Alice in May, she had mentioned that she expected to be fully booked in a few weeks. I believed her, that is just how strong of a consultant she is. Moreover, when you look at it from a Quality to Value ratio, the other consultants just are not in the same league.

Coming from a non-traditional background, applying for an MBA was a super daunting experience and I was looking for a very personalized college counselor who would really support me through the process. Alice over delivered on my expectation. Over the last year, she has been a huge support and I’m not sure if I would have managed without Alice’s guidance. I was lucky to get accepted into Europe’s 3 top MBA programs. Alice is really personal, taking on her applicants as personal projects. She was never too busy for me, and always giving guidance especially when I was wavering on whether to even do an MBA! I could email her evenings and weekends and she always responded. She gave me strong prep before my interviews, worked thoroughly on my resume with me, and helped me shape my personal story so that I would be a strong candidate for my schools. I couldn’t recommend anyone more highly qualified or supportive than Alice to get you through your MBA process. You will not be disappointed if you chose Alice or Menlo Coaching to guide you through the application journey.

I cannot speak highly enough of my experience working with Lainie and the Menlo Coaching team! I started working with Lainie for Round 1 admissions in April 2022, and she was with me every step of the way from school selection, resume building, essay writing, interview practice, and scholarship negotiations – and all other moments of stress and nerves. It was easy to forget that I actually wasn’t her only client; Lainie is that focused on you, and becomes an expert on every facet of you throughout the time you work with her.
I was initially a puddle of nerves and insecurity, but Lainie patiently guided me throughout the whole process with concrete milestones and a plan so that I never felt overwhelmed or like I was running behind schedule. When we first started working together, my school selection was still all over the place, but Lainie is so knowledgeable about all these programs that her advice helped me narrow down my choices, and naturally led us to craft my career goals.
Writing personal essays felt so daunting before I began the process, but Lainie patiently went through so many ideas and drafts with me until we were both sure that it felt true to who I was and was also a compelling story that I wanted to tell. She is direct, kind, understanding, clear with her advice, and so incredibly sharp with the advice she points out that I never felt like I was wasting time or going in circles, and I trusted every comment that came from her.
And then the interviews – I am 100% positive I would not have survived any of my interviews without Lainie’s coaching and numerous practice sessions. Not only did she help craft the content of my answers, she also coached me so that I could make the psychological/mental switch I needed to make to “perform” in the interview. I would not have been able to make that shift on my own, and I think it’s become a life skill that I’ll take with me moving forward.
Applications are stressful. Working with Lainie was the best decision I made, and I feel so good being on the other side of the process because I know that I did the best that I possibly could – and I owe all of that to Lainie, along with the generous merit scholarships I received with my admissions offers. And honestly, professional services aside, I love Lainie and genuinely miss our regular calls! You cannot go wrong working with her, and I cannot recommend her highly enough!!

Working with Rebecca truly made the R1 application process a breeze. Balancing a demanding career in consulting, Rebecca provided guidance throughout every stage of the application process, ensuring I stayed focused and on schedule. She pinpointed essential aspects for me to emphasize in my essays and assisted in crafting a cohesive life narrative. As the interview approached, the backing of the entire Menlo Coaching team was indispensable in ensuring I felt self-assured and thoroughly ready. Ultimately, I was accepted to 5 out of 6 schools I applied to (Booth, Kellogg, Sloan, Tuck, Yale SOM), and I could not have imagined having the same outcomes if I hadn’t had Rebecca guiding me at each step of the process. For me, working with Rebecca was a worthwhile investment I do not regret making. Thank you Rebecca!!

I knew Menlo Coaching’s approach was holistic when I decided to work with Yaron, but only after I started the process did I appreciate how well the program is designed, with a combination of the dedicated thought-partner (the “coach”), a self-paced video course laying my “MBA knowledge infrastructure”, and interview training based on school-specific formats.
The first two-hour session with Yaron was already gold. Yaron was able to tease out all the facets of my life, and help me refine a string of common themes, ultimately arriving at the core of “what mattered to me most”. Getting that first step right was crucial to the momentum gained during execution phase. There Yaron was never shy to rely on his years of coaching experience, shaping narrative that was both true to myself and aligned with my MBA goals.
The fact that Yaron is located in EU also helped with my schedule, since I could only crunch on essays early morning or after work. Yaron then worked “overnight” for me to pick up early morning again.
In supplement to Yaron are the many short 2-mins video bits that David & Alice, Menlo’s founders, created to help me think through critical questions, from target schools, ways of networking, to how to prepare for interviews. The content was extremely well made and easy to digest. These “on the go” bits really got me using fragmented times in between work / traveling to actively refine my application.
The pleasure surprise was working a team of vocal / actor trainers, that were part of the interview prep team, as part of the Menlo process. They walk you through a series of “performance” techniques, which ridiculous at first, really helped me master the non-verbal excellence of interviews. Having a few interview buddies to work on interviews, e.g., Wharton team based interview, were spot on as well.
All in all, if you are looking for a team of experienced, dedicated, and full-time team of coaches to help you achieve MBA goals, look no further.

I cannot recommend Alice highly enough because her service is mind-blowing and has resulted in a miracle: I would not have been admitted to HBS without Alice and her team, who are top-notch for a number of reasons:
1.I can always count on Alice for highly personalized advice. She was instrumental in highlighting my specific developmental areas so that I could prioritize my time and effort. There are a few exercises so you can be assured that your application will be truly unique. As a result, my application stood out although I have an over-represented background and odds are against me.
2.Alice pushed me to become better. I would not have done some of the most useful preparation without her.
3.Alice always tells the truth. Unlike every other consultant who told me confidently that I could get into a target school, she asked me to wait for one more year before applying, the best advice that I have received.
4.Alice strives for perfection and has an incredible work ethic. For instance, without being asked, she made further iterations on my essays. She also works incredibly hard. She did not let her work slip one bit when a significant family member passed away.
5.Alice and her team work seamlessly together, providing prompt responses almost 24-7. I find this particularly helpful given that I live in a different time zone and that some situations require fast turnaround.
6.Alice makes an extra effort to solicit opinions from her team (particularly David). On several occasions, Alice and I decided on the best course of action, drawing upon a diverse set of ideas and suggestions.
7.Most importantly, I find Alice personally invested in my success. Working with her is beyond a professional service; it is not transactional. She goes out of her way to best prepare me. For example, she connected me to students and alumni, helping me to gain insights into schools and practice for interviews.
8.Lastly, Alice and her team are always looking for ways to improve their services. They take feedback seriously and work on initiatives to provide useful resources.

I wholeheartedly recommend Pascal as an excellent advisor to guide any aspiring MBA candidate through the grueling application process. The entire application process took over a year (from GMAT studying to applications to interviews to offer negotiations), but Pascal was there with me every step of the way – I spoke more with Pascal some weeks than even my best friend during the peak of the application process (which goes to show how committed Pascal is) – and in doing so, Pascal became not just an advisor, but a friend and confidante (who I continue to keep in touch with to this day!).

From the first time I spoke to Pascal, I could tell he was different from other consultants. During the free 30-minute consultation I had with him I could tell he cared. Pascal took the time to get to know me and what I was looking for. I can’t say the same about the other consultants I spoke to. I had a terrible undergrad GPA and was currently working in a sales role which isn’t exactly the most attractive job in a top MBA program. I had no idea what I was going to write about in my essays but using his experience as an admissions director Pascal took the time to help me craft a story that was appealing to top MBA programs. Pascal was also more than generous with his time. He was available anytime I needed him and the turnaround time on my essay drafts was amazing. The longest it ever took Pascal to get an essay back to me was two days! Other consultants I spoke to charged extra for such a quick turnaround time. He also had no issues going through the same essay 5+ times until it met his high standards. Pascal even took the time to personally prepare me for the many interview invites I received. Not only that but Pascal was a pleasure to work with. I actually found myself looking forward to our meetings. In the end, I got into multiple top schools that I no doubt wouldn’t have been able to without his help. I even received a $90,000 scholarship at one of them! If I had to give Pascal a rating of 1-10 I would give him an 11. If you need that extra push that will get you into the school of your dreams Pascal is the guy for you. I can’t recommend him enough.

Menlo was a game changer in how I see myself and in making sure that I was successful with my MBA applications, which ultimately was my goal when I chose a company to help me throughout this process. I applied to six schools, got into five, and was wait-listed at a sixth. I am over the moon, extremely excited, couldn’t be happier. I got into Wharton, which was my top choice, with a little over 50% scholarship. I recommend Menlo to everyone thinking about getting an MBA and really willing to get very honest about why they’re doing it and finding their reason; it’s an invaluable experience, extremely rewarding.

I can’t say enough about David and the team at Menlo. From my first conversation with David, it was apparent that he would be honest and realistic about my profile. For many aspects of my application, I worked with Darren, a member of David’s team. In a short time, he was able to understand who I was and help me find my voice. Ultimately that’s what differentiated my experience from my peers’ who went to other firms – Menlo Coaching clearly values each of their clients and provides individually tailored advice. As for the outcome, I was accepted to Booth with scholarship! I absolutely wouldn’t have been able to get here without David or the team at Menlo. I strongly recommend him to anyone in the application process!

Alice was highly recommended by a close friend who got into HBS. I was lucky to work with her as she had no availability when I spoke with her (and I only got the opportunity when one candidate dropped out). I informed her how my dream school was the GSB and despite my concerns of applying R2, I was fortunate to be admitted – Alice provided such invaluable advice along the way. She is incredibly experienced in all aspects related to the application process. Some key highlights – For the recommendation, she has great instincts on who to select (her choice turned out to be so ideal when I was personally skeptical) and she’s very clear on explaining her rationale. She is also experienced in how an applicant can best brief the recommenders to help them through the process (I wasn’t aware that was even a part of the process!). For the resume & essay portions, not only does she attentively listen to your own personal life story and opinions, she has a lot of experience knowing what each business school is looking for (e.g., what GSB cares about) and is always very direct in telling you when your opinion/direction is off track and not compelling. This really makes Alice stand out because she is determined to help you achieve your goal – more so than she cares about how you feel & letting you go on a less compelling path. Last but not least, she always finds time to talk whenever you have something on your mind during an extremely stressful time (it isn’t always business) and it’s been incredible working with Alice. Would highly recommend!

Obinna is a thorough and thoughtful Menlo Coaching consultant who led me through interview prep ahead of interviews at 10 schools. His expert counsel left me well equipped to present my story in a compelling way that was authentically me and tailored to the spirit of each program. I performed better than I ever could have hoped and was admitted to 7 of those 10 schools. Obinna didn’t stop there, though. He was incredibly generous with his time in sharing a few important differences between MBA programs that really helped to guide my decision-making process. If you are looking for a professional, detailed, and experienced consultant, look no further – Obinna is your guy!

I cannot speak highly enough of Rebecca who guided me through the daunting process of applying to business school. From the moment I connected with her, it was clear that she possessed a combination of thoughtfulness, efficiency, and expertise that proved invaluable throughout the application process.
Rebecca’s guidance during the essay-writing process was truly exceptional. Not only did she provide insightful feedback and suggestions, but she had a skill for helping me articulate my thoughts and experiences in a compelling manner.
One of Rebecca’s standout qualities was her ability to keep me on task, despite my busy schedule. She understood the demands of my professional life and ensured I stayed focused and met crucial deadlines without feeling overwhelmed.
Beyond Rebecca’s professional expertise, she was kind, approachable, and incredibly smart. She took the time to understand my aspirations and motivations, offering personalized guidance every step of the way. Rebecca’s professionalism and dedication were evident in every interaction, and I always felt supported and encouraged.
Thanks to Rebecca, I achieved an amazing outcome – acceptance into all three business schools to which I applied. I am immensely grateful for Rebecca’s contributions to my journey and would wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone applying to business school.

I worked with Obinna to prepare for the HBS interview. He conducted a very realistic mock interview and provided extremely relevant and helpful feedback. Obinna is personable and patient and really calmed my nerves. When I went into the HBS interview, I felt prepared and had a plan – and it went great and I was admitted – many thanks to Obinna! I would recommend working with him 100 times over.

Obinna’s approach to mock interviews ensures maximum impact in a short amount of time.
Before working with Obinna, I had worked on high level interview prep with my main Menlo Coaching consultant and was then referred to Obinna as the interview expert. In just two sessions, Obinna took me from novice to expert as it pertained to alumni interviews at Kellogg.
During each session, Obinna was prepared with commonly asked questions during MBA interviews and questions the school was known to have asked applicants previously. Obinna gave both specific advice, such as ways to reword a response to be clearer and more succinct, and thematic advice based on habits he had observed across multiple questions. After just an hour, I could see how small changes could significantly impact how my responses were received.
After listening to the recording of the mock interview sessions and incorporating his feedback, Obinna pushed me during the second session to further improve my communication style and responses, and included a few curve ball questions to keep me sharp. Finally, Obinna provided me with a list of questions for my interviewers that I was able to adapt based on my background and interests.
It was only with Obinna’s experience and comprehensive approach to interview preparation that I gained acceptance to one of my top choice schools.

Talking to Pascal, I knew I was on the right path. He told me those top schools were a challenge, but not impossible, and we needed a plan to increase my chances. He became more than just a coach; our relationship transcended from a client relationship to something more personal. Every time I doubted myself, he reminded me of my accomplishments and encouraged me to see my potential objectively. This support was pivotal in my journey to getting into the school of my dreams.

Pascal is a wonderful consultant that helped me prep 6 MBA applications, one of which I only had 2 weeks to complete! He is incredibly generous with his time, meeting with me at practically any time of day, and responds with feedback very quickly. He also helped me immensely to craft my story, a piece that I was most nervous about initially, to something I know is miles ahead of what I would have come up with on my own. We dug very deep into my background, my motivations, and the experiences that made me who I am today, a process that has been incredibly beneficial even outside of the MBA application process. All in all, he helped me craft an application that I am actually very proud of and I am excited to be going to Wharton soon!

I had the pleasure of working with Leslie on my R1 apps (Class of 2025) for HBS, Stanford, and Wharton. I’ve had a few months to reflect on my Harvard and Wharton acceptances and sincerely believe that this would not have been possible without Leslie as my coach!
HBS has been a dream of mine ever since I was in college, and I had applied twice (unsuccessfully) before for the 2+2 programme. Given my slightly tricky re-applicant history and the fact that I was in a hyper-competitive applicant bucket (Indian Male), I knew that I had to go with the best consultant for my third, and likely final, time applying to HBS. I could list countless examples that showcase why you should pick Menlo and Leslie for your MBA journey but the 4 most important factors for you to consider are:
1. A Partner in your MBA journey and not an instructor
• I started the MBA application journey in Feb ’22 and over the course of 6-7 months, I felt Leslie was an invaluable partner in the journey. I always felt like Leslie was rooting for me and that our successes were intertwined.
• Not once did I feel like I was simply paying for a service where I was spoon-fed and told what to do. Leslie always wanted to showcase my voice, authenticity, and tone in all components of the application, and this meant I always had to have an active role in driving the story forward. This was an important consideration for me because I wanted to come across as genuine and considered, and also wanted my voice to come through in the essays.
• Leslie, and the rest of the Menlo team, have been doing this for several years with 100s of applicants. This allowed Leslie to share unique data-driven perspectives and expertise whenever I asked questions about the application process, what is right/wrong, what the admissions committee is looking for, etc.
2. Unlimited support and their number 1 priority
• Leslie was always available for me whenever I needed her. I know she had other clients too but anytime I had a question I knew I could reach out to Leslie and I’d be able to get on a call within a day or get an e-mail response a few hours later. Whether it was a holiday or a weekend, I could always get Leslie’s input if I needed to!
• Leslie was also based in a different time zone (West Coast) than me (UK), which was a cause for concern for me at the beginning but ended up being one key reason why our partnership worked so well. I could send my drafts in EOD UK time and have Leslie’s feedback, changes, and comments back in my inbox the next morning because Leslie was 8 hours behind me.
• Although you are assigned 1 Menlo coach, throughout the application process, I always felt like I had an entire team behind me. For instance, Alice, Menlo’s Founder, jumped in to review essay drafts that were in their final stages and also helped shape my career goals statement. I also had several conversations with Alice 1:1 that involved strategizing and brainstorming about how I could gain an edge despite being in a competitive bucket. During the mock interview stage, I was interviewed by Alice and Leslie, each structuring their mock HBS interviews in a way that mitigated different gaps. Finally, for the Wharton TBD, I was able to do a mock interview with David, the co-founder of Menlo, and other Menlo clients.
• Over several months, I always felt like I was Menlo’s #1 priority despite them having several other clients who were all applying to similar schools. I know several of my friends used other Admissions Consultants and only had their ‘coach’ to lean on.
3. Hand-holding if you are in a busy job
• I work in a job with long hours (MBB) and I wanted to work with a consultant that offered a bit more hand-holding along the journey than others. Upon speaking to several former Menlo clients I was told that Leslie/Menlo will ensure you stay on track by gently nudging you and checking in with you regularly to ensure you aren’t falling behind.
• In fact, I finished all my applications with a few days to spare, and Leslie was a big reason for that! Furthermore, when I had particularly busy weeks at work, Leslie suggested I make progress on other parts of the application that weren’t as time/effort intensive and to come back to my essays when things cooled down at work.
4. Leslie will do what’s right for you, not what’s easy for Menlo
• Firstly, there were times when I had a strong point of view about how my essays should end or what to include/exclude from the story. On the few occasions where Leslie categorically disagreed with me, she was not afraid to say so and explain why, whilst also leveraging her experience in the past with other applicants. Although it would’ve been easier for Leslie/Menlo to keep me happier by agreeing with me, they were not scared to tell me when they disagreed with me, which ultimately led to a better essay.
• Secondly, I went through 20+ iterations of my HBS essay with Leslie until we both felt it was perfect. Although it was difficult to constantly make changes and build upon previous drafts, the fact that Leslie kept pushing me to refine my stories and content further allowed me to pull out key details that allowed me to showcase who I am as a person and applicant more effectively. Given draft 10 may not have been significantly different than draft 20, I know it would’ve been easier for Leslie to not request additional builds but she pushed me and added work on to her own plate until she knew the essays were acceptable.

David remained a highly reliable resource throughout my MBA application process. This was exemplified by him not only responding to nearly all of my requests within 24 hours, but also constantly thinking on my behalf. Specifically, David was very good at identifying my uniqueness among all the other well-qualified applicants in the financial service industry, and helped me brainstorm ideas and eventually construct a highly compelling, personal story. I was also impressed every time when he came back with revised versions of my essays, which were succinct and to-the-point. I ended up receiving offers from my top 2 schools, Wharton and Columbia. David was definitely one of the biggest contributors to this pleasant outcome.

I had an outstanding experience working with Yaron at Menlo coaching for my MBA application process (though I also worked with others at Menlo throughout the process). From start to finish, he provided exceptional guidance that made all the difference in my journey.

Yaron demonstrated deep expertise in the MBA admissions landscape and offered personalized strategies tailored to my specific background (non-traditional) and target schools. He helped me craft compelling essays that truly reflected my story and aspirations, while also providing valuable insights on interview preparation and overall application strategy.

What impressed me most was Yaron’s ability to provide both strategic guidance and emotional support throughout the process. When I was dealing with tough test results or personal ups and downs, he helped me stay calm, focus on the positives, and work through challenges while always maintaining a realistic perspective. His balanced approach kept me grounded and motivated during stressful moments.

Yaron’s expertise in helping me frame my story was invaluable. He guided me in articulating strong, compelling reasons for pursuing business school and clearly connecting my goals to how an MBA would help me achieve them. This strategic storytelling made a huge difference in my applications.
The results speak for themselves: I ultimately got into 3 of my top 5 school choices, which I know was hugely impacted by Yaron’s help and the frameworks he taught me.

I would wholeheartedly recommend Menlo to anyone serious about their MBA applications. Their combination of resources, technical expertise, strategic thinking, and genuine support made a huge difference.

I worked with Rebecca and David on my applications and am very thankful for the time they put in with me during most of 2024. I am happy to say that I will be enrolling at a great MBA program this fall. The structured guidance from Rebecca, who was my lead MBA admissions consultant, helped me maximize my stats and my story, which was key. David helped me understand the tonality of the subjects I cover/say, and this helped me become very cognizant of how I am perceived rather than being nonchalant about it.

I also wanted to thank the greater Menlo team of Maya, the staff, and Hailey Cusimano, who helped me get a 695+ GMAT Focus score which was a driving factor to get me an offer letter in Round 2.

I wish everyone at Menlo the best and hope we get to work together again someday!

With David’s help, I finally got admitted to my reach schools – HBS and Wharton. Throughout the process, David worked with me closely to plan out an achievable career path that fits my background and motivations. He took his time to understand why I wanted an MBA and how it could help me succeed. Every time David reviewed my essay drafts, he always provided thoughtful advice and feedbacks, encouraged me to do more research and dig deep into the schools – the essays turned out much stronger after all the twists and tweaks. David was also extremely professional when working with my recommenders. He can always grasp important information and helped my recommenders to highlight my strengths and focus on the point. For interview prep, David helped me with mock interviews and really pushed me to work on the content and presentation. He is professional, knowledgeable and super easy to work with! I can’t recommend David more highly!

Menlo Coaching jumped out to me because David was very upfront in the first call we had together. Because I started so early, I went from zero to a hundred from initially thinking about my activities to working on my resume and the rest of my application to interview prep and preparing to make my final decision. Menlo Coaching’s service is great about that: it’s almost like a buffet, with pretty much every stage of the process included in the package.

Kellogg was my “far-fetched” fantasy, because I’m a male engineer with a below-average GPA and GMAT/GRE in an overrepresented pool. I still remember how shocked I was when my Kellogg acceptance came, and I credit all my success to Rebecca. Working with her is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life. She steers and advises on every single detail that’s related to my application, and she is extremely responsive on every big or small question I have – a way of working that’s not common in the industry.
Understanding my profile, Rebecca proactively suggested extracurricular activities aligned with my true interests, making me a more interesting applicant in the eyes of the adcom. When it came to crafting my story, Rebecca dedicated numerous hours solely to listening and understanding my life experiences. She then suggested stories tailored for prompts from
different schools. Despite numerous essay revisions, Rebecca consistently provided quick and helpful feedback.
What surprised me the most about Rebecca is her attention to detail. She not only advised on major components like resumes and essays but also on minor details like my outfit and conversation during campus visits, the background and chair setting for interviews, the content in my application forms, and even my email communication with the adcom. While each detail alone may not be a deal-breaker, their cumulative impact carries significant weight. Following Rebecca’s tips, I believe these details were critical factors that helped me stand out in such a
competitive round.
Another aspect that sets Rebecca apart is her dedication to engaging and guiding my recommenders in writing strong Letters of Recommendation – not a typical service in the industry. Since my recommenders had never written an LoR for an MBA application, let alone a strong one, Rebecca’s help was invaluable in ensuring they understood the level of recommendation needed.
Even after securing my admissions, Rebecca continued to provide advice on scholarship requests and waitlist strategies, proactively laying down a decision strategy in the end. Reflecting on my journey, I feel incredibly happy and lucky to have worked with Rebecca. To me, she is truly a magician who has changed my life for the better.

David and I first made contact around last March. I had talked to a few other consultants beforehand, and I told myself that I wasn’t going to let the stellar reviews for Menlo bias my approach – I was committed to talking to each consultant with a blank slate and pick the one that was the best for me. It quickly became apparent that there is a reason that Menlo is rated so highly – David showed a deep understanding of my story and I could already tell that he would help me craft a compelling narrative. After confirming my intent to work with him, we narrowed down a list of a few schools to apply to Round 1 and began working on the essays in June. I appreciate that David really took the time to understand my story and helped me craft a narrative that was both genuine and compelling. I appreciate that David sets an extremely high bar – there were many times where I felt that my essay was good enough, only for David to ask me to write a few more drafts, and the result was noticeably better. When I submitted my applications, I genuinely believed that I had a chance to get admitted to each school that I applied to because of the high quality of the applications. After submitting the essays, I received interview invites to several of the top schools and felt that the interviews all went well. So I was somewhat surprised on the downside when I didn’t get into some of the schools that I felt confident in. David continued to encourage me and picked me up when I was feeling down, and I did eventually get admitted into a M7 school with money. Although I did eventually get into a great school, I got dinged by several schools that I had confidence in and I think my process was probably tougher than that of some of the others that have written reviews here. So I wanted to write the review to paint a full picture and emphasize that there are no guarantees – it’s almost like a game of poker in that one could do everything right and still not get the desired result. But I do believe that I submitted the best application that I could’ve and there was nothing more that I could’ve done, and I attribute much of that to David and I could not recommend him more. Finally, David sent me a complimentary bottle of wine to celebrating getting an M7 acceptance. For those of you reading and contemplating, I would recommend reaching out to David ASAP and I hope that you will eventually get a bottle of wine from him too!

With his tech background, David was very helpful in providing ideas and suggestions to help me decide my post-MBA goal. He was very patient when I asked a lot of questions and went back and forth on my decision. After I decided on my post-MBA goal, he urged me to write essays early, and was crucial in making my essay easy to read and concise. He also gave critical feedback for my mock interview. In general, I find him very sharp.

Rebecca truly went above and beyond in helping me get into my dream school.
A few of the many things that Rebecca did that stood out to me are:
1) She set a very detailed plan for me to help accommodate my work schedule. I knew I was going to be extremely busy at work during the summer so she helped me get ahead, especially doing my due diligence with all of the programs I was interested in. All of the extra effort upfront made the work later on a LOT easier.
2) Rebecca had multiple calls (one of which was two hours long) with me to improve her understanding of my personal story. She showed genuine interest and was empathetic. She used that information to help me bring in key moments from my life into my application in a way that didn’t make the essays sound like pity stories, something I was concerned about.
3) The application process can be quite stressful. Even after you’re done applying, it’s easy to become anxious while you wait for interview invites and/or decisions. Rebecca was like a friend and supported me through the emotional ups and downs.
4) Rebecca’s feedback on my essays was super helpful. She never compromised on quality, even if it meant that we’d have many rounds of review.
5) Regarding interview prep, Rebecca didn’t use a cookie-cutter approach towards my preparation. She knew that I’d be a strong interviewer so she focused my preparation around specific areas. The goal wasn’t to have sufficient responses. The goal was to have exceptional responses to each and every potential question.

I cannot say enough wonderful things about Alice and her all-star Menlo Coaching team. I could not have gotten into Stanford GSB without her.
I started working with Alice in February, and she coached me through the entire Round 1 application process. Alice’s team was involved in every step of the process, incl. re-doing my resume, guiding me on school visits, preparing me for interviews, and of course, crafting my essays. Most importantly, her support in my Stanford essay was invaluable. I felt paralyzed when we started the essay writing process – I had no idea where to begin and was terrified of putting pen to paper. Alice was incredibly supportive and called me every week to coach me through the process. She responded to my questions within the hour (even though she was in a different time zone). She and Leslie would turn drafts in 1 day. She was as invested in the success of this essay as I was, and she was never interested in throwing in the towel and settling for an essay that wasn’t groundbreaking. She even answered my call on Labor Day to help me with the very last sentence. At the end of the process, I was overwhelmingly happy with every single word in my essay.
Alice believed in me more than I believed in myself. She, Leslie, Ava, and the entire team were by my side day after day, keeping me on track and reminding me of what I have to bring to the table. I truly could not have gotten into my dream school without her. If anyone is looking for a consultant who is there for you 24/7 and is a deep subject matter expert in every step of the application process, Alice is your person!

David was an essential resource throughout the application process. I was late to the game in getting my applications underway but David was there every step of the way. He helped he realistically whittle down school choices and set up an efficient plan to complete the applications. He helped me craft a narrative about my experiences and goals that I would have struggled to do on my own. That narrative was very effective. Despite applying in Round 3, I was accepted at Berkeley-Haas and Chicago Booth and waitlisted at Northwestern Kellogg. I certainly would not have been successful without David’s help.

If you are on the market for an MBA consultant, look no further than Pascal of Menlo Coaching. I spent weeks interviewing various MBA consultants and could not be happier that I decided to work with Pascal. From my experience, the three key differentiators between Menlo Coaching and other consultants are the following: (i) personalization of the consulting process, (ii) time invested, and (iii) complementary resources.
First, Pascal recognizes that every MBA applicant is different. As a female from a “non-traditional” sales background, Pascal encouraged me to lean into the parts of my life that make me unique. Throughout the application process, he so adeptly helped me create a narrative that highlighted these differences. Pascal ensures that the admissions committees are presented with a 360-degree view of you as a person, not just you as an applicant. Pascal spends the requisite time (and then some) understanding his clients so that he can help you present your best, most holistic self in your applications.
Second, and most importantly, Pascal cares. He demonstrates this by investing as much time and energy as is necessary to help you present your best possible self to the adcoms. There were countless times I sent Pascal panic emails asking him to hop on a call to discuss a component of an application or to review one last essay or email. He was there to assist no matter the time or situation.
Lastly, outside of the one-on-one time that is spent with your consultant, Menlo offers group applicant sessions, coaching from external communication coaches, and mock interview prep with Menlo consultants. During the group sessions, I was able to ask questions to other Menlo applicants and receive valuable feedback on my essays and resume.
To help applicants prepare for interviews, Menlo facilitates one-on-one sessions with professional communication coaches and provides mock interview prep with Menlo interview consultants. If you are someone that struggles with interviews I would 10/10 recommend Menlo for these resources alone.
Candidly, I underestimated how arduous the MBA application process would be for me. If it weren’t for Pascal and his constant encouragement I’m not sure I would have been able to hit those submit buttons! Now I have acceptances from Kellogg and Columbia and on the waitlist at Stanford (fingers crossed!). I cannot recommend him and Menlo Coaching enough.

Joy not only got incredible results for me, but the experience of working with her was also completely smooth and painless. She is highly efficient and clearly understands the admissions process inside and out, and I believe that it is thanks to her guidance in framing my career and accomplishments that I was accepted to my first-choice program. On top of the incredible results she got me (acceptance to my first choice program, several other M7 acceptances, AND merit-based scholarships at most of the programs based solely on the strength of my application), she is a genuinely nice, easy person to work with. I could not recommend her highly enough.

As I embarked on my MBA application journey, I knew it would be as challenging as preparing for an Ironman. I started with the early bird package at Menlo and began working with Pascal, not realizing how pivotal his role would be. Our weekly meetings quickly became deep dives into my life – covering everything from family and work to my dedication to sports. Through this process, Pascal came to know me better than many of my closest friends.
What began as a professional relationship evolved into a friendship, so much so that I traveled to Amsterdam to celebrate my acceptance to Columbia University with him. Pascal’s empathetic nature and ability to create a space where I could embrace my vulnerabilities allowed us to uncover the stories that truly resonated with admissions committees.
His guidance led to my acceptance at two Ivy League schools and two M7 schools. Pascal worked tirelessly, often late into the night, and was always flexible and available. I am incredibly grateful for his support and have nothing but high recommendations for him.

As Joy’s client in Menlo coaching, I am so glad to work with Joy and get the Kellogg, Tuck offer and Ross offer with a full ride. Joy could empathize with my past experience and use her impressive writing skills to guide me to tell a whole story to others. Furthermore, she provides a lot of suggestions about my career goals, resume and interview. Not only does she give you a “fish” but also teaches you how to “fish”!
As a reapplicant who had worked with an MBA consultant from another firm last year with all dings, it was hard at first to trust any consultant. However, Menlo Coaching and Joy are definitely worth you to try if you have a similar case. My friend Susie got admitted to HBS last year with Menlo’s help and I should have listened to her and chosen Menlo Coaching a year earlier!
The founder David is also willing to help and hope you to be successful in your applications.
Anyway, the only advice I would give would be to trust Joy and Menlo Coaching, follow her steps and keep your fingers crossed!

Working with Menlo Coaching was truly transformative for my MBA application journey. Despite initial hesitations about the cost, I found their services invaluable, ultimately earning a full scholarship from Michigan Ross and admissions to top schools like Northwestern Kellogg and Dartmouth Tuck. The Menlo team, especially my consultant Joy, was incredibly supportive, helping me articulate my story in a compelling way that resonated with admissions officers. Their empathy and dedication made all the difference, turning what was a stressful process into a rewarding experience. I can confidently say that the investment in Menlo Coaching was worth every penny.

Rebecca and the Menlo team were the consultative experts I needed to advance my MBA aspirations. Going into this process I knew that I was facing an uphill battle to get into the top-tier programs I was looking at; my undergraduate GPA was less than stellar, I am in an over-represented applicant pool and I just turned thirty. Rebecca’s help in framing my story, which in part explained my GPA troubles, was a key part of me not only getting into Booth, Kellogg, Stern and Jones but also being offered scholarships at three of the four. The process Rebecca and Menlo have created is challenging and highly structured in order to keep things moving and ensure that the final product best represents each applicant they work with. This process encompassed all aspects of the application, including working with my recommenders to help them create the most impactful letters.
Rebecca took the time early on to learn my story and motivations. With that insight, she helped me identify an MBA path that worked for me as I was advancing at work (part-time over full-time or EMBA) and what schools I may fit best with. When it came to the applications and essays, Rebecca truly differentiated herself. I lost track of how many iterations we went through for each essay but it was significant. Her expertise in taking what I now realize was a rough starting point (but at the time thought was a near finished essay) and condensing it down to the points I was really trying to convey within the wordcount that I was given was exactly what I needed and worth every penny. Later on in the process, Menlo’s interview prep gave me extreme confidence going into a nerve-wracking situation.
The cost is significant but having full access to a responsive and engaged consultant is worth it. Interestingly enough, as I look back on some of the discouraging times in my application process with the exam, I question if I would have given up had I not already made that initial investment in a consultant and myself. My only other hesitation with engaging Rebecca was her European location but after going through this entire process, including dozens of calls and significant digital communication, I can say that the time difference was no issue at all. Rebecca made the times I and other stakeholders in my MBA were available work. If you are serious about getting your MBA at a top school, particularly if you know you are a less than perfect applicant, Rebecca and Menlo will give you the best shot at getting to where you want to be. I cannot recommend them enough!

If you are looking for an understanding consultant to bring the best out of you, look no further than Pascal. He genuinely wanted to get to know me as a person and was very patient throughout the entire process. His passion and genuine interest allowed him to provide insightful comments on my essay and helped improve the overall flow of my applications.
Pascal spent countless hours with me, working on every aspect of the application. He was also extremely helpful in navigating the post-acceptance process. I was accepted into five schools, all with varying levels of scholarships. Ultimately I chose a T-15 school with a full tuition scholarship.
Without any hesitation, I fully recommend Pascal to anyone looking for a top consultant that genuinely cares about you as a person. I could not have asked for a better person to help me through the process, and I would not have been able to make it without him.

Alice is my coach during my entire application process – I could not have been accepted into both HBS and GSB without her guidance throughout the process. She is personable, knowledgeable, patient, and detail-oriented. I followed her advice from crafting my personal story (we probably went back and forth 15+ times until we felt it was in good shape), writing thoughtful school-specific essays, what to put into my application form (and how to word them), to doing two rounds of mock interviews. She is not only good at what she does, she also helps me think about the big picture of what I have and will want to achieve in my career (and life). She is there for me every step along the way – I couldn’t have achieved this without her help. Alice is THE BEST!!!

From working with Menlo Consulting, I was connected with Obinna to conduct my interview preparation. With eight school interviews to prepare for in Round two, I knew I needed to be concise and well-prepared and there was little margin for error. Obinna helped me with just that and more! Given his experience as an MBA interview, Obinna was able to share incredibly valuable insights as to how certain answers are perceived. He also helped me avoid using ‘we’ language and directly taking ownership for my accomplishments. Throughout our time, I never felt like he used a cookie-cutter approach and instead tailored his approach and advice to my particular strengths/weaknesses. I competed for seven years in speech and debate at both the high school and collegiate level and received a lot of speaking advice and still felt like I walked away from my interview prep with Obinna with novel insights that I could apply from Day 1. Out of the eight schools I interviewed with, I was accepted into seven so I would say the results speak for themselves. I would not hesitate to work with Obinna in your interview preparation.

I am a Canadian male MBA applicant. I did not come from generational wealth, and was working a job that provides me a good — not great — income. The Menlo Coaching price tag was certainly daunting, but I whole-heartedly recommend Menlo’s service.
The Menlo team puts in the work and becomes your champion. They value the money and time that their clients put in, and expect a lot from you.
I found Alice to be more than just an MBA Admissions coach, but a guide and mentor. She pushed me to be a better professional, and live up to my potential. She helped me recognize my own weaknesses, and provided steps on how to make improvements in my professional life.
I was a part of the Early Bird package with Alice, and worked wtih her for ~1.5 years. Alice helped skyrocket my profile during this time, to make me a much more compelling candidate.
Alice has also assembled a team of experts to help with different parts of the application. For example, I worked with no fewer than 5 experts on her team, like Leslie who specifically helped uncover and shape my story for the personal essays, and Maya who helped with resume reviews. I appreciated having a suite of different skillsets and viewpoints at my disposal, with Alice remaining the singular main point of contact that oversaw my candidacy in its entirety. It felt like a very smooth process, and I was always in good hands.
In the end, I was accepted into 3 schools, with scholarships at two schools:
1. Dartmouth Tuck, $40K in scholarships.
2. Northwestern Kellogg, $30K in scholarships (bumped up with Alice’s guidance!)
3. MIT Sloan
I am 100% confident that I would not have achieved this stellar outcome without the expert knowledge and support that Menlo Coaching provided. Thank you Alice!

It was an absolute pleasure to work with Yaron. He provided an elite level of judgment and expertise for my application combined with sincere investment in my success and passion for crafting my story.
The process started with two very helpful initiatives. First of all, Menlo gives you a package of prerecorded videos that teach you the ropes for how the admissions process will work overall. You might think this would be basic info that is accessible everywhere, but quite the opposite- I am a reapplicant and so I’d done over a year of research prior, but I still learned a lot from Menlo’s informational videos. The second step was a 2 hour session with Yaron where he simply listened and got to know me. He was very inquisitive, present, and nonjudgmental, yet also very honest. Given my 3.0 GPA, he was very honest with me about my chances at various schools but was up to the challenge to work with me to get into a top school.
When it came to crafting the story for my application, Yaron highlighted a hook for me to use that I didn’t think about during my first round of applications. This hook ended up being what I based my whole narrative around, and when I got accepted to Columbia, they mentioned they were particularly impressed by the narrative that Yaron originally recommended I highlight. I truly could not have done it without him.

I can not recommend Alice highly enough. I am a non-traditional applicant, and I wasn’t sure how to best present myself, or even what schools would be a good fit, given my background. So, I knew I needed some help, but was skeptical of working with a consultant due to the hefty price tag. I did free consultation calls with several different agencies to assess my options. These calls ranged from bad to mediocre; they all felt relatively generic, and none of them felt like they truly understood how to deal with me as an individual. I then read a positive review of Alice on Gmat club, so I signed up for a free call on her site. After talking to Alice on the phone for 30 minutes, I felt like she had a good understanding of my goals, and would work with me to create a plan that I was comfortable with. I ended up working with Alice through the entire application process. We started with an evaluation call to go through my background and to clarify my MBA goals. We then outlined a timeline and process for choosing schools, drafting essays, and prepping for interviews. Here are some of the best things about working with Alice: 1) Alice takes the time to get to know you. Even after the initial 30 minute call, I felt that Alice had a better understanding of my background and goals than any of the other consultants I spoke with. But, she didn’t stop there. She continued to ask questions throughout the process to get to know me, so that her feedback was personalized to me, and to make sure that who I am as a person was reflected in every part of all of my applications. 2) Alice gets things back to you quickly, and holds both you and herself accountable to deadlines. All drafts I sent to Alice were returned to me within a day or two (sometimes within an hour or two!), and Alice made a point to reach out to me to check on that status of various parts of my applications to make sure I was on track. 3) Alice doesn’t beat around the bush. There was no wasted time during any calls or in any emails. Every interaction with Alice contained direct, constructive feedback. 4) Alice’s flat hourly rate allows you to choose how to use her time. I didn’t want to pay huge amounts of money for unlimited help I might not use, or for services that I didn’t think I needed. The hourly rate allowed me to choose how to use the time I paid for. Alice was also very generous with her time, providing a couple of free advice calls after I received interview invites and accepts, for example, which I very much appreciated. I am waiting on one final decision, but so far I’ve received scholarship offers from two top-ten schools. I would recommend Alice to anyone who feels like they could use even just a little direction.

I really enjoy working with Menlo Coaching because I’m not the most decisive person out there and I love bouncing ideas with people. David is always open-minded to hear me out, but he’ll give me his best ideas and then push back on some of the weaker spots about the ideas that I proposed. I think the most surprising part is the interview because now looking back, it’s really just a conversation. Many people say HBS interviews are difficult, but I actually don’t think so. They just want to know how you think and if you can think out loud on the spot.