GET INTO BUSINESS SCHOOL OR COLLEGE WITH LESS STRESS AND GREAT RESULTS

I worked with Karen on short notice for a mock interview—she scheduled time with me the same day I reached out and was incredibly flexible. Her positivity and optimism are contagious, and she gave me the confidence I needed to excel in my interview. Compared to other consultants, Karen stands out for her thoughtfulness and insight. She has a unique ability to quickly understand her clients and help shape their stories into something truly impactful. Working with Karen was the most valuable part of my application process, and I firmly believe it made the difference in getting into my top-choice.  

“She was kind and direct and it made all the difference. We worked through every aspect of the application and I got accepted into Cornell with a 60K scholarship and to Carnegie Mellon with a 100K scholarship! I am so happy I had the opportunity to work with Karen and would recommend her to all applicants (and re-applicants!).”

As a re-applicant, heading into the second application cycle was very overwhelming. I had gotten a significant number of interviews during my first cycle so I was definitely feeling a bit lost as to why I only had one acceptance. I knew I needed someone with experience in the MBA application process to help me improve my application. Karen worked with me to help me narrow down the schools, taking into account my profile as well as what I wanted out of my MBA experience.

I also knew I needed some feedback to help me improve. Giving feedback can be a tough conversation, but Karen navigated it perfectly. She was kind and direct and it made all the difference. We worked through every aspect of the application and I got accepted into Cornell with a 60K scholarship and to Carnegie Mellon with a 100K scholarship! I am so happy I had the opportunity to work with Karen and would recommend her to all applicants (and re-applicants!).

“With her encouragement, I decided to reapply—a decision that led to two top-10 acceptances, both with scholarships.”

When I first reached out to Karen, I had just one acceptance to a top-40 school and was unsure how to improve my chances at higher-ranked MBA programs. Karen’s expertise and thorough assessment made all the difference. She took the time to understand my background, interests, and personality, carefully reviewing my previous application before evaluating my re-application prospects. With her encouragement, I decided to reapply—a decision that led to two top-10 acceptances, both with scholarships. Karen helped me identify the best-fit schools for my goals and lifestyle while guiding me through every stage of the MBA process. I gained invaluable insights I hadn’t even considered the year before. In hindsight, I wish I had reached out to her sooner!

“I was not asked by her to do a review of her performance, but I wanted to, considering how great of a job she did working with me. And if you’re still wondering, yes, she is worth the money.”

If you are reading this and searching for a consultant to help you get into your dream school/program, look no further. I was referred to Karen by a dear friend of mine, who was referred to her through a dear friend of his (and I’m sure the list goes on and on). Karen is truly a professional in helping prospective applicants become prospective students. Even beyond that, she is a kind and caring individual. She always speaks with optimism and a certain level of joy that cannot be taught. I was an untraditional student, with an untraditional background, looking to compete against students attempting to get into top MBA programs. Karen not only went above and beyond to work with me to make sure this dream came true, but more importantly, she instilled the confidence in me to allow me to be the best version of myself throughout this difficult process. If you’ve made it this far in my review, I truly hope you believe in the words I’m writing and consider Karen as your MBA consultant. I was not asked by her to do a review of her performance, but I wanted to, considering how great of a job she did working with me. And if you’re still wondering, yes, she is worth the money.

“There is no way I could have done it without her and I cannot recommend her enough to anyone applying to business school.”

Karen was an instrumental part of my MBA application journey. I was extremely overwhelmed with the application process and had no idea how to craft my story or where to even begin. Karen was so patient and thorough with me during the process, and helped me articulate my narrative blending both my personal/life and professional experiences. She was extremely responsive over the countless months that we worked together (literally would answer most of my emails within minutes and set up calls whenever I wanted), and helped ground me during my MANY anxious moments doing final essay edits, waiting for interviews, and making my decision of where to attend school. Karen helped me get into 2 of the 4 schools I applied to (both M7s) despite having a below average GMAT score, and I am extremely excited to attend CBS this fall! There is no way I could have done it without her and I cannot recommend her enough to anyone applying to business school.

“Despite my application having a few weaknesses, Karen’s help over a few months played a huge part in securing an admission at my dream school!”

I cannot speak highly enough about my experience working with Karen. She is intimately familiar with all aspects of the MBA application process, including the subtle nuances of each school’s differentiating factors. During times where my confidence was wavering, she was a calm guiding force that removed any doubts about my application. Despite my application having a few weaknesses, Karen’s help over a few months played a huge part in securing an admission at my dream school! She is an asset for anyone considering retaining an admission consultant, especially for someone like me in need of personalized help and not a ‘one size fits all’ approach.

“As a result, I was accepted to all seven schools I applied to, including receiving a full ride at a top 20 school!”

Karen’s expertise and support were invaluable throughout my MBA application process. Initially, I felt overwhelmed and struggled with imposter syndrome, but her guidance helped me navigate the process seamlessly. As a result, I was accepted to all seven schools I applied to, including receiving a full ride at a top 20 school! She was there every step of the way, providing career coaching, school targeting, essay assistance, and interview support. She is an incredible listener with a unique ability to transform my thoughts into something meaningful. She has a remarkable way of allowing you to be in the driver’s seat while providing honest and constructive feedback along the way. I am forever grateful for her guidance and couldn’t have done this without her!

Working with Karen at North Star Admissions Consulting transformed my MBA application journey, she is simply a joy to partner with. Her deep understanding of what top MBA programs look for enabled her to expertly coach me to match the unique ethos of each school. Karen’s commitment to diving into the details of my essays and profile (plenty of red ink), challenging me to reflect deeply, significantly elevated the quality of my application.

Karen’s exceptional flexibility and approachability stood out, always ready to address my numerous and often repetitive questions with patience and clarity. Her comprehensive coaching covered every aspect of the admissions process, from refining my profile and selecting compelling recommenders to acing interviews. Despite potential red flags in my background, like a lower undergraduate GPA and a prior MBA, Karen’s strategic guidance helped me craft a narrative that highlighted my growth and resilience, leading to my acceptance into an M7 program.

The pleasure of working with Karen extended beyond her professional expertise; her positive attitude and dedication to client success made the entire process enjoyable. I wholeheartedly recommend Karen and North Star Admissions Consulting to any MBA applicant seeking a transformative and successful admissions journey. Her impact on my path to an M7 program was invaluable, and I am deeply grateful for her support.

“I can’t put into words how incredible it was to work with Karen during my MBA application process. I could not have done it without her. She helped me hone in on my story and view my past experiences with a different perspective, and really helped me prepare for the admissions interviews. Most importantly for me, Karen helped me feel confident in my essays, interviews and overall applications. I was admitted to 6 of the 7 schools I applied to and received full scholarships to 3 of them. I’m happy to report that with Karen’s help I am attending my top choice with a full ride!”

I had been pondering the idea of enrolling for a Full Time MBA for quite some time. I felt that my career was stalling, and that the time was right for me to add extra skills to my tool box, via an MBA from a reputable program. When I finally decided to execute my thoughts however, all I could think about were the odds that were stacked up against me: I was an “older applicant”, I had a low undergraduate GPA, and just was sure how this whole process would play out. I decided that I needed the help of a coach who would keep me grounded and aligned throughout the process.

I came across North Star Admissions Consulting, and Karen Marks, after careful and extensive research on the internet. I was not looking for a business transaction as much as I was looking for an admissions consulting company with whom I could build a relationship through which my best possible applications could be nurtured, and I knew I had found THE Company when I saw North Star’s website. From my first phone call (in what appears to be a long, long time ago) to date, Karen has maintained the highest level of professionalism in our business relationship, taking a genuine interest in my story to help me craft the best possible applications. Through her very patient listening and insightful questioning, Karen was able to transform my biggest vulnerabilities into strong components of my overall application, and interview experience. The level of detail that Karen brings to the process is quite impressive; she helped me to determine what schools were the best for my post-MBA plans and my family fit, and provided insights about scholarships and my personal and professional aspirations upon completion of the MBA.

One of my personal challenges during this application process was meeting my soft deadlines (I was travelling extensively for work), and on several occasions when I thought the ship would be derailed, Karen’s easy but firm version of “tough love” kept me accountable. She also worked with my schedule such that we were able to meet all submission deadlines, delivering well thought out applications at each submission. I was AMAZED at the self-awareness that this relationship with North Star Admissions helped me to uncover about myself. When I finally got invited to interview at the schools I applied to, I scheduled mock interviews with Karen that certainly eased the anxieties of the day off. The culmination of this alliance was my admission to my dream school, and scholarship funds to boot!! Imagine my excitement!

Following my B-School admission, Karen and I have kept in touch, as she has reached out severally to check on my family’s preparation to move into B-School. I have sought her opinion through scheduled phone calls and email in the same time frame, despite the fact that our contractual agreements are since over. I found a friend in North Star Admissions Consulting to ease my B-School journey, and I am enthusiastic in my recommendations of them, should you be in need of an Admissions Consulting Company yourself! You will be glad you did!!

Working with Karen got me into one of the top business schools and made me realize how strong my personal story really is. I was arguably one of the biggest underdog applying to top business schools. My GPA and GRE were way below the average scores from top schools. Karen went above and beyond to get to know me at the personal level and helped narrate my personal story and work experience and turned it in to strongest asset in the application process. I couldn’t have done without the guidance of Karen and it was one of the best decisions I have made.

No matter where you are in terms of your future career plan and if you have ever thought of MBA, reach out to Karen for a quick chat. I promise that it will be your best decision and you will not only get guidance about related to MBA, but will really get to know yourself better. Go Karen!