Who We Are: mbaMission Reviews

When I started my business school application process, I seriously doubted whether or not I could get into a top program due to my below average GMAT score. Melissa not only instilled confidence in me, but also helped me execute flawless applications to all of my top choices (most of which were reach programs). She helped me frame my story in a way that made perfect sense, and most importantly helped me highlight experiences that on the surface I didn’t think were that unique. From the initial brainstorming session, to my countless essays (I literally had 19 different drafts for one school), to interview prep, Melissa was there by my side every step of the way. Not only did I get into three top programs, but I also got a merit scholarship to my top choice. Melissa even went out of her way to review my scholarship request essay! I would highly recommend Melissa to anyone going through the business school application process. I can’t say enough about her, she is the best in the business.

B-School Admit

I just heard back a moment ago! I got in to CBS!!!! I couldn’t be happier, and have great news to start my weekend.

Thank you sooo much for all your help throughout this process! I knew from first speaking with you that you would be great at this. I really couldn’t have done it without you, you really helped me pull together a real and compelling story and your guidance was invaluable!

Columbia Business School Admit

We did it! I got the call from Kellogg about 20 minutes ago. Accepted :) I am speechless. Oh, did I forget to mention that they also threw in a $40K scholarship?!?! Life is beautiful.

Thank you for everything. You are the first person I have told and I cannot wait to spread the news. I also cannot thank you enough for all of your efforts and for getting me to this point. It’s been a long road, but you’ve made the process sooo much easier. Can’t wait to talk about everything in more detail on Friday, but I have to try to get some actual work done right about now! Thanks again!

Kellogg Admit

After my initial mbaMission consultation, during which I gave brief descriptions of my career path, aspirations, and target schools, I was connected with Melissa Merchant. Melissa’s help has proven to be instrumental for my acceptance into Duke Fuqua. Since Melissa went to a Bschool that has a similar collaborative culture as Fuqua’s, she not only shared her experience of living and learning in such tight-knit communities but also helped me arrive at the conviction that Fuqua is the right program for me. During our brainstorming session, she gave a refreshing perspective on my past experiences and helped me understand how my strengths are aligned to the characteristics of an ideal Fuqua candidate. Her edits of my essays were absolutely outstanding: she fixed my grammar, transformed my sentence structures, and enriched my writing style. She also asked encouraging questions in her edits to prompt me to give more examples to support my point.

While working with Melissa, she was incredibly responsive: she often returned her edits to me well before the 2-day return policy. She also gave her edits back to me on Fridays so that I can re-write over the weekend.

I highly recommend Melissa and mbaMission to anyone who is applying to top MBA programs. They will guide you through the process, help you craft your best story, and offer insight that you need along the way!

Duke Fuqua Admit (via GMAT Club)

Melissa Merchant at mbaMission made the MBA application process so doable. The schedules and resources that she provided me not only kept me on track, but also took away a lot of the stresses of the many moving parts that are needed for a strong MBA application. From the calls about essay prep, the essay outlines, the edits and feedback to the interview prep and general MBA questions that I had – she had a level of understanding of the process that I would have never been able to get if not for this service. mbaMission took me from an overwhelmed, nervous candidate to a highly organized, strong MBA applicant. Melissa was very objective in her feedback and kept me positive throughout the process. I feel so much more confident in myself because of it.

Duke Fuqua Admit (via GMAT Club)

Melissa, my consultant at mbaMission, supported me throughout the admission process with essay brainstorming, essay and resume review, interview prep, and more. She was always timely and constructive in her feedback, helping to restructure and providing concrete areas for improvement. Melissa was able to accommodate my schedule even though I started applying late in Round 2 and I would highly recommend her, and mbaMission, to any applicant looking for an admissions consultant.

Business School Attended / Year Graduated: Haas 2018

Haas Admit (via MBAInsight.com)

mbaMission was recommended to me by one of my mentors and its ala-carte offering was just what I needed. My aim was to get into one of the top B-schools in the world and like most others, I had access to basic information and was conversant with the admissions process elements. However, no one in my friends’ circle or peer group had been to any of the top B-schools. I needed someone who had relevant experience and knew what it may take to get into one of those B-schools. Though there is no recipe or formula to get into any of these schools but the value of advice from someone who has been through the process himself/ herself and has successfully guided a lot of others should not be underestimated. Most of mbaMission consultants have done their MBAs from top B-schools and are subject matter experts of the process. Ms. Melissa Merchant, a Kellogg alumnus, was my consultant. Her dedication, commitment and involvement was commendable and extremely reassuring. I found her recommendations and suggestions spot-on and truly useful. With a full-time job, I wrote a lot of my essays in the eleventh hour. Melissa was extremely responsive and there were multiple occasions when she had to put in long spells of extra hours and with very little prior intimation. It was heartening to see this level of commitment. A lot of consultants around give generic feedback, derive their recommendations and inputs from sources that are otherwise freely available on the web and offer very little insight. Unlike these consultants, Melissa took time to understand the nuances of my profile and coached me along the way. She helped me perform to the best of my abilities and guess what, I made it to one of my dream schools. What I loved about her was that she never offered to write the essays for me or tried to change who I was. But she encouraged me to be myself and to be a better version of myself. While there are some hygiene factors that need to be in place, but what differentiates one candidate from another is not the similarities but the differences. Melissa helped me maintain my originality and helped me explore sides of myself that I did not even know existed. I guess that it is safe to say that by the end of the process she knew more about me than a lot of my closest friends will ever do. Her insights will stay with me forever and certainly transcend the MBA admission process. Each time I am asked to share my experiences or need to appear for any interview, I will remember to go through her feedback and suggestions because she did not give me a fish to eat but she taught me how to fish. Thanks a lot Melissa. :)

B-School Admit (via GMAT Club)

I highly recommend working with Melissa and mbaMission. I started the process really late - I did not start school research or essay preparation until December, but Melissa was able to help me move very fast and I was able to meet the R2 deadlines. I especially like her candid way of communication.

The essays are from my personal experiences. But the most impressive aspect about Melissa was that she was always able to bring out the noblest/most touching aspects of those experiences. She was also very critical in examining any potential red flags in my essays which I never thought about.

Melissa was extremely responsive. She was quick in replying my emails and questions. They have the two-day policy for returning essays, and Melissa was sometimes able to return the work back to me before deadline.

There was a time when I had a tricky question about finding the appropriate recommender, and Melissa asked other consultants in mbaMission for their opinions before giving me an answer. It was very reassuring to have collective wisdom on tricky questions. I got admitted into my dream school!

B-School Admit (via GMAT Club)

I received great news from Stanford GSB and Kellogg and was admitted at both... I could not be more thrilled and excited. As of right now I will be enrolling at Stanford this fall. I want to thank you again for your guidance and help throughout this process. It’s been quite a journey and I am grateful for all the support I received along the way. I will be in touch, and thank you again for everything!

Stanford GSB Admit

I got admitted to Anderson with a $100,000 merit scholarship and I just got a call from Stern today that I’ve been admitted! I just wanted you to know because it’s so much your doing. The more I reflect on the application process the more I realize how much you helped me unlock my potential. So thank you so so much!

UCLA Anderson & NYU Stern Admit

I want to thank you for all your help — it made a huge difference to have your guidance while navigating the application process. I never would have thought it was possible to get into 2 top programs, and I know I owe a great deal of that success to your efforts and feedback!

Chicago Booth & Kellogg Admit

Melissa Merchant at mbaMission made the MBA application process so doable. The schedules and resources that she provided me not only kept me on track, but also took away a lot of the stresses of the many moving parts that are needed for a strong MBA application. From the calls about essay prep, the essay outlines, the edits and feedback to the interview prep and general MBA questions that I had – she had a level of understanding of the process that I would have never been able to get if not for this service. mbaMission took me from an overwhelmed, nervous candidate to a highly organized, strong MBA applicant. Melissa was very objective in her feedback and kept me positive throughout the process. I feel so much more confident in myself because of it.

B-School Admit (via GMAT Club)