MBA Prep School Reviews
January 13, 2026
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January 15, 2026
Stratus Admissions Reviews
About Stratus Admissions Counseling
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Stratus Admissions Counseling is a full-service consulting firm, offering everything from GMAT tutoring to admissions counseling. It is not specifically MBA-focused, though that is one of the services they provide. They have helped students get admitted to top schools worldwide.
Basics
The main MBA service that Stratus offers is their MBA Admissions Counseling Package, which includes everything from school selection and strategy building to Recommender Selection, creating essays, interview preparation, and even negotiating on scholarships. These counseling packages are available in two tiers: the Standard Package or a variant that includes Senior Strategists with extra experience in the field.
They also offer Canadian-specific consulting packages for students interested in applying to a business school in Canada.
In addition to the packaged services, Stratus offers other counseling services (mainly Interview Preparation, Profile Development, and Ding Analysis), as well as hourly counseling with normal or senior strategists. Students who have not yet taken the GMAT can also obtain tutoring to help improve their scores.
Stratus Admissions Counseling Cost and Contact Info
The full Admissions Counseling Package is available starting at $4,950 for one school, or $6,050 with a Senior Strategist. Stratus Admissions also offers a 4+ School Guarantee. If applicants do not get into at least one of the schools when a package of four or more is bought, they will work with the applicant on the same number of schools, for free, the next year.
Other counseling services start at $700 for Ding Analysis, $625 for Interview Prep, and $1,700 for their MBA Early Edge Package (designed for candidates who are not applying to business school in the current admissions cycle). Hourly services start at $700 for 2 hours,.
Stratus can be contacted by email at info@stratusadmissions.com or through a contact form on their website at www.stratusadmissions.com.
To view how Fortuna Admissions stacks up, check out the link below:
Bilal Mahmood –
Terrible Experience with Stratus Consulting – No Refund Policy! I
had an incredibly disappointing experience with Stratus Consulting. Despite their promising advertisements and commitments, their service was far below what was expected. I encountered numerous issues during my consultation, which not only wasted my time but also cost me financially.
The most frustrating part of my experience was their rigid refund policy. They refused to offer any form of refund. This inflexibility shows a lack of consideration for customer satisfaction and service quality. I tried multiple times to resolve the issue amicably, explaining my situation and seeking a fair resolution, but the company was unresponsive and dismissive. Their customer service is severely lacking; they do not value client relationships or the basic principles of customer service.
It’s appalling that a company operates with such disregard for client feedback and post-service support.
I strongly advise potential customers to look elsewhere.
There are many other firms that not only provide superior service but also respect their clients enough to offer protections like refunds when services do not meet reasonable standards. Save your money and your time!
P.J. –
I worked with Melisa, who was extremely kind and made me think holistically about my work and life experience. She was also very helpful in helping me put my thoughts on paper, and I don’t know that I would have had as clear of an application without her.
ANONYMOUS –
I worked with Donna and cannot say enough about her. She was very direct which was perfect for someone like me. Ultimately I am heading to CBS in the fall and cannot be more excited.
Anna Mire –
Stratus was comprehensive and gave me a lot of great guidance without making me feel like they were overly influencing or writing my application for me. I was very wary about using an MBA Admissions Counselor, but Stratus gave me insights and advice that I would have picked up on my own.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
HBS 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I applied to HBS and Stanford, and since HBS was my top choice, I only hired Stratus for that one. My counselor was aware I was applying to another program, and still gave good advice on that application as well, even though she did not help me with it directly.
Danielle Eisenberg –
I used Status when applying to business school and they were truly the best firm to work with. I absolutely loved my advisor, Jennifer, and could not have done it without her.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross MBA 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Definitely start the process earlier than you think you should, and really research the culture of the schools as it makes a difference
O. B. –
It all started a few years ago after I had completed by Bachelor’s degree. After my undergraduate degree I absolutely wanted to do a Master’s degree, but I didn’t know exactly which Master to do. So I applied for a Master in Finance and a Master in Management at different universities in the UK and got accepted. Although I had several offers, I postponed my degree plans. But why? At the same time, I spoke to a colleague at work, who studied an MBA at WHU in Germany. He advised me that I should take my time, reflect, look ahead what I would like to achieve in the future and most importantly look for a university with a great reputation. At that time, I didn’t think I have the chance to get into a highly reputable university. To make a long story short – this year I got offers from my two dream universities inter alia with the help of Stratus Admissions Counselling.
Starting my application, I knew that there will be parts of the application I need help with. But on the other hand, I wasn’t sure if it’s worth the bunch of money you have to pay an Admissions Consultant. I somehow came to the opinion that it is worth engaging an Admissions Consultant and, in the end, I chose Stratus Admissions Counselling. The consultant I worked with was Susan, a Fuqua alumni and former member of Fuqua’s AdCom. During the whole process I worked with her on my story, my CV and my essays. From that point in time, we worked closely and consistently toward the goal of an MBA offer. During the whole process, Susan was super helpful, provided me with insightful feedback and made me dig deeper. Moreover, Susan really had the perfect balance between enabler, challenger and recommender. I felt that I had the control of my own story at all time and didn’t have to take any story made by an Admissions Consultant. I would like to highlight the solution approach of Stratus: At first, I didn’t know why I did specific exercises (e.g. introspection), but in hindsight, it made so much sense and now I totally know why we did all these exercises. The whole journey was like a soccer game. I was a player and could do my own game as well as emphasize my features. Susan and Stratus were like a coach who watched the game and expressed recommendations pointedly.
To sum it up, I can totally recommend engaging with Stratus and especially Susan to work on your MBA journey. I don’t regret it a single penny or a single second, because I got offers from my dream universities and the process and help of Susan are so great. If you feel you might need help on your MBA application just give it a shout and set up a free call with Susan to discuss your ideas. I am sure she and Stratus can help you achieve your dreams. Please do not hesitate to contact me for any questions.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
-
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
-
Brooke –
I worked with Melisa and she was extremely helpful, insightful, and positive! I would highly recommend others to work with her.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Focus on what matters most to you - it’ll connect you both with the schools that are likely to be a fit, and you’ll have a story that is authentic.
Jennifer Foulon –
Loved working with Melisa Prevost! She was professional, kind, and motivating. Would highly recommend her!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start the process as early as possible!
Cathy –
I really enjoyed my Stratus counselor. She gave me excellent advice regarding what topics to write about in order to maximize impact, and also what to incorporate in my optional essay. She went above and beyond, and I would recommend them to anyone who needs a good framework + extra brainstorming for the essay portions.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Yale 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Make sure you have a good timeline and framework for approaching your application!
Sarah Catallo –
I thoroughly enjoyed my experience with Stratus. My counselor was amazing and helped me tremendously through each stage of the application process. I really cannot say enough good things about Stratus and would highly recommend! Having an expert guide you through this stressful and confusing process is worth every penny!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Yale SOM 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
It's a marathon, not a race! Also, visit the schools if you can and talk to many MBA students about their career goals and interests.
Mark koz –
Stratus was absolutely great! I worked with a consultant who was previously on the admissions committee at Penn. She actually completely overhauled my essay in a way that I would not have done it, so the insight was spot on. Thank you so much!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Get your gmat score. From there work with a consultant. Plan big!
Angel Wang –
I interviewed 6 MBA application advisory firms before selecting Stratus because of their proven track record of success, their team-oriented operating model, and their support for professional women in business. As a Forte Foundation member, I saw Stratus present in multiple webinars, conferences, and office hours sessions. Every interaction with one of their Stratus reps was productive and positive.
Within Stratus, my admissions consultant had the most relevant experience with my target schools at the top MBA programs. I worked with my consultant for 6 months during my MBA application journey and was thoroughly impressed by her expertise in the industry, her targeted feedback, and her kind demeanor. She frequently responded with detailed feedback within 12 hours (well within the Stratus SLA) and, most importantly, she challenged me to produce even higher-quality results for my essays and short answers. On principle, Stratus consultants were true professional coaches because they did not write any material on my behalf, but coached me in a tailored manner and challenged many of the initial assumptions that I had.
The MBA application process is a reflective journey that happens to produce an application as a result. I received an overwhelming amount of advice during this journey (from admissions committees, current MBA students, alumni, family, friends, non-MBA grad students, online blogs, YouTube videos…) which meant it was critical to have a trusted advisor who could cut through the noise and represent my best interest. I am grateful for the relationship that I’ve built with Stratus, and would highly recommend them! At a minimum, I recommend that you sign-up for Stratus’ newsletter and one of their webinars.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Harvard Business School 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be authentic during the reflection process, and be honest with yourself about why you are going to business school. The initial financial investment is steep, so you need to be confident about your ROI calculations and your overall rationale. There's no "wrong" reason to get an MBA, but it is a transformative experience and you should have a clear decision-making matrix before you apply.
Sanveer Uppal –
Stratus is proactive and helps through the process. Even though I did not end up continuing with their service however they provided a holistic analysis of my application and advise.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Do not let a waitlist decision keep you down. Be focused and reiterate your interest.
Neimy –
Stratus was very proactive in keeping in touch. They validated my actions based on what I read online to prepare and projected a sense of security in my process. I believe they would be most helpful for applicants who need a lot of structure and proactiveness to keep a consistent timeline to apply.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Columbia Business School, 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
It's a marathon! It'll be worth it in the end when you get that acceptance letter. Don't compare yourself or your process to other candidates and identify what works best for you in the process.
Katarina N –
This is a review for the Stratus Fundamentals and Strategy Package. I spent a month with Donna Bauman doing introspection exercises that would end up as the foundation for my essays and interviews. We had an hour long meeting once a week and between those meetings I continued with introspection exercises, although I was able to contact her anytime over email. By the end of the month, I was able to 1) identify key strengths, 2) articulate my immediate post-MBA goals, 3) determine my recommenders, and 4) specify a school list. There was no program specific assistance and she did not provide feedback on any essays or my resume. It was affordable compared to the more complete admissions consultant packages. I recommend this option if you need to structure your thoughts before actually starting the application as I did- it was an advantage to start my essays knowing exactly which stories I wanted to share and qualities I wanted to highlight. That being said, I only recommend doing this if you can complete the program 2-3 months before applications are due because you will still need a substantial amount of time to write! Do not sign up for this if you want a consultant to look at your essays/resume or assist you with a program specific application.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Michigan Ross 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
A great way to determine school fit and get program specific advice is to reach out to current students and alumni. Don't be afraid to ask questions, and factor in the quality of those interactions to decide which programs you want to apply to.
jennifer WHEELAN –
INCREDIBLE SERVICES!! A MUST USE.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
energy 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
FANTASTIC SITE. THIS TOO SHALL PASS. YOU GOT THIS!
Luke –
Wonderful experience! My consultant and the essay readers were excellent resources and brought up a lot of additional tools and routes for applying. Got into my dream school and often recommend Stratus for others.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Stanford/2019
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
If your Math score on the GMAT is horrendous, or your math grades on your college transcript aren’t where you’d like them to be, consider mbamath.com. It’s a self-paced course that provides you with a final transcript t show schools: “Look. I can handle MBA-level math and Excel skills.”
DL –
a helpful experiance, especially with essay writing.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
kenan flagler business school/2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
seek assistance from an alum or someone who's been through the process.
Hmf –
SP really helped me get my essay writing off the ground. I submitted my first few drafts and got very valuable feedback on how I should structure my narrative. I felt the extra reader service they offered (which I believe cost an hour) was not worth it. The main contact at SP, Harold Simansky, was great.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
I used SP to get my narrative down. This played a huge part in my essays and my interviews and in any conversation with current students when I was applying.
JX –
This review is for admissions consulting.
Stratus Prep was a good but not great service. I’ve think they’ve grown quite large recently, so I’ve found that they don’t give a ton of personal advice or attention, and is more of an editing service now. I largely crafted my application on my own and they helped to edit and tell me when things were wrong, but gave very little in the way of advice.
If you’re looking for a very attentive consultant who will really get to know you and give you a lot of personal attention, I wouldn’t recommend Stratus Prep. But if you are someone who is just looking for someone to read everything through and tell you what to leave out or not do, they will do the job. Personally thought they were a bit overpriced for what I got, as well.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Wharton / 2018
JS –
I worked with Samantha from Stratus Prep. Samantha was thorough, responsive, and encouraged me when I was felt like the admission process was daunting. She helped me break the application process down into smaller steps that seemed manageable. It seemed like we reviewed and edited the essays many many times, but nevertheless, it worked. I got into both schools where I applied.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Chicago booth, 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Get the GMAT out of the way first. I recommend visiting classes at your target schools so you can incorporate how the schools are the best fit for you into your essays. It's hard work, but your work will pay off.
J –
The firm does a very thorough job of helping each student understand the process, their goals and future interests. It starts off with a very introspective process and then becomes a very detailed application by application review. My counselor was very hands on and reviewed each app thoroughly while giving me the creative freedom to approach each essay the way I wanted to. It was great to have them there to ask any questions and they made me feel comfortable throughout the process.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Chicago Booth
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early. Take the GMAT a year before you even start your application. Know why you really want to go to B-School and think about the stories you want to tell!
Sarah Tierney –
I had a very good experience with my counselor Harold Simansky. He not only helped me decide on which schools would be a good fit for me, but also helped me tell my story. I am not a very good writer and he helped me “show” not tell. I don’t think I would have thought about the schools I applied to without his guidance and I don’t think I would have gotten in on my own.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Owen Vanderbilt/ 2018
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Give yourself plenty of time and set a schedule. The entire process including the application itself takes a long time.
Taylor Rhyne –
Waste of money. I was set up with the “number 2 consultant” in the company (Vanessa Gil), who immediately tried to fit me into a template based on my current job in finance, despite the fact I repeatedly mentioned to her that I was trying to switch careers into technology. She was constantly late to phone calls, gave me generic feedback on essays, and was generally unhelpful in helping me come up with unique ways of positioning myself. I stopped using her after 3 frustrating months (before even applying to any schools), but the company refused to refund any of the massive cost that I’d paid for her services.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Wharton / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Do it yourself. Be creative in how you position yourself, but know that no one will know you as well as you know yourself.