NORTH STAR ADMISSIONS CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

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.

“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 would be glad you did!!”

Thanks to All Her Efforts I Was Able to Earn Admission Into Every School I Applied to, and Successfully Earned Scholarships That Were Beyond Any Expectation.

“Applying to business school is a daunting process with all the interviews, school visits, and essays. However, Karen was able to bring a sense of calm throughout the experience as we tailored my story. Her dedication to understanding who I am as a person, and what I want to achieve, was critical. Combine this genuine interest with her attention to detail and ability to deliver honest, product feedback, and you have exactly what I needed to be successful. Ultimately, she guided me in crafting a narrative that was logical, compelling, and, most importantly, inherently me.Thanks to all her efforts I was able to earn admission into every school I applied to, and successfully earned scholarships that were beyond any expectation. I’d highly recommend Karen to anyone who is looking to put their best foot forward in the MBA application process.

I Could Not Have Done It Without Her!

Karen was instrumental in helping me get into business school. She has a gift for understanding the unique personality of each of her clients and teasing out elements that determine the best fit for each person. From the start, Karen’s instincts on the right program for me were spot on, even before I came around to realizing it myself. Further, Karen provided the guidance I needed throughout the entire process, from planning to essays to interviews, and she enabled me to present the strongest version of myself to prospective programs. I could not have done it without her!“

Working with Karen is the best investment you can make for your future!

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.  

As a re-applicant, heading into the second application cycle was very overwhelming.

“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!).

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.

“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!

North Star Admissions Consulting