GMAT Club

Chris (SBC) Reviews

Company: Stacy Blackman Consulting


3.7 /5 Average Rating
Based on 3 reviews
November 10, 2020
stb11

Joined: Nov 10, 2020

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Chris' Valuable Experience and Expertise

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Chris was invaluable as I progressed through the MBA admissions process. I initially worked with Chris on my Kellogg application. However, because of Chris' flexible and relevant feedback, I was also able to leverage Chris' guidance in completing the rest of my applications. With Chris' help, I received admission to Kellogg and four other schools, though I ultimately decided to enroll at MIT Sloan.

In what is a very stressful time, Chris is a calming influence. He is incredibly responsive - often I would send him updates to my essays and he would have comments back to me within hours. Chris' prior work experience in the Kellogg admissions department resulted in him having an answer to almost every question, even the 'gray-area' ones. Chris really helped me draw out the most salient points of my application story and gave me crucial guidance in how to weave those points in throughout my interviews.

I would recommend Chris to anyone looking for a true veteran in the MBA application sphere. His writing skills, accessibility, and expertise were critical throughout my application journey.

Read More

verify-zero-posts
This reviewer has not participated on GMAT Club but it is a REAL person and a REAL review. GMAT Club has verified this test-taker's identity through GMAC/Pearson Vue Score Reporting system or .edu email address and confirmed that this reviewer indeed took the GMAT, is unique, and has not submitted multiple reviews.
June 05, 2019
midnight7

Joined: May 23, 2017

Posts: 6

Kudos: 8

Verified GMAT Classic score:
780 Q50 V48

Disappointed

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I worked with Chris Van Nostrand on my Kellogg application. At first I thought he had done a good job challenging me on both broader topics and specific anecdotes in my essays. He was prompt and direct with his comments, which I appreciated. We also did a mock interview over the phone that was enjoyable. When I had my on-campus interview in R1 I felt well-prepared.

Ultimately, however, I was rejected from Kellogg in R1. Perhaps the biggest disappointment in the entire process wasn't that I was rejected from my dream school despite a 780 GMAT score and otherwise competitive profile but that I received zero follow-up from Chris or the SBC team after my rejection. No condolences, no sympathy, nothing. The last thing an applicant needs when juggling rejections and waitlists and figuring out R2 applications as the holidays approach is radio silence from their consultants.

I was accepted at a T10-15 school and will be matriculating there this Fall, but I did that application entirely on my own in R2 and without the help of any consultants. Bill Chionis of SBC actually told me not to apply to the school that I'm going to now and I'm glad I went against his advice, otherwise I would have come up completely empty. Overall I felt ripped off by the entire admissions consulting process and consider it a waste of time and money. It was extremely poor client management to ghost an applicant after they are rejected.

Read More

March 31, 2017
gittinreddy

Joined: Apr 13, 2011

Posts: 6

Kudos: 0

Thankful for Chris and the SBC team

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by membership [?]

Hiring SBC was the smartest move I made while applying to b-school. I worked with an incredible consultant, Chris, who made all the difference for me. Chris has been consulting for many years and knew exactly how to tweak my stories so that they were more authentic and strategic. The difference was clear to me very quickly and I ended up increasing to a full three school package. I actually really enjoyed working with Chris - he is smart, funny and helped me to get real. He never made me feel like I was pestering him even though I am sure I was - there were a few times where I freaked out about small details and could not decide which path to take. He was my voice of reason. Additionally, within my three school package, my application was reviewed by another consultant who came from Kellogg Admissions. This was valuable because she identified a few details that we needed to refine. At the end of the day, I am going to Kellogg and my only regret - that Chris cannot come along....My before and after essays, resume, application form, rec letters etc are striking. The difference is clear. I gained so much from this partnership with the SBC team and am eternally grateful!

Read More

GMAT ® is a registered trademark of the Graduate Management Admission Council ® (GMAC ®). GMAT Club's website has not been reviewed or endorsed by GMAC.