Strengths:

Having one coach for the entire process (especially editing) helps flesh out the candidate's story and keep it coherent. The entire team was extremely responsive to anything I needed and checked in often to from the top-down to make sure I was happy.

Would make the product better:

The project management software wasn't all that useful, but this is a tiny nitpick and may not be avoidable.

Working with Court on my MBA applications exceeded all expectations, culminating in acceptance at Stanford Graduate School of Business. I interviewed several coaches, and I knew Court was the right choice in our first consultation call.

My background is very non-traditional, so I wasn’t sure that attending a school like Stanford would be possible for me. Court assured me that I wasn’t crazy for applying to GSB, and that we could produce a compelling application that would give me a good chance.

I knew I would need help making my unconventional story coherent with a limited word count. During the writing process, I learned a lot about myself and found that Court was always there with honest and pragmatic feedback that made my writing shine. Court was very good at pulling anecdotes out of me that didn’t seem important at first, but later came to define my application and interview. No stone was left unturned, and I am 100% confident that I submitted the best application possible.

Court was always willing to make time to talk, and it was obvious that he truly cared about me and my future. By the end of the process Court felt like a friend who was very invested in my success, because that’s what he was. He’s a wonderful person and coach, and I would recommend him to anyone looking for help on their MBA applications.

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I was introduced to Court through a referral a few weeks before my application deadline, and I reached out for his assistance with a particularly challenging situation. He not only agreed to help but also collaborated with me closely, forming an amazing team.

I am deeply grateful for his support, which was key in my acceptance into the top MBA program I was aiming for. It has transformed my life.

The preparation process is rigorous and demanding, yet Court's guidance was the support and advantage I needed. He has a remarkable ability to go deep and bring out one's best qualities.

I absolutely recommend working with him.

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Through out my whole application journey for MBA, Christine was very professional, responsive, and genuine. I was targeting Columbia from the beginning and she was there for every steps that required. I didn’t not set any budget on hiring consultant because my only goal was to get admitted to the school that I want. I am based in New York and I was only targeting Columbia. I talked to about 10 different consultants including some consultants that my mba friends recommended. From the complimentary video call with Christine, I was able to know right away that she is professional and very experienced. With her solid background of working at admission offices at different schools, she really knows how to effectively tell your own, authentic and personal story into application essays. When it comes to mba application, I knew that it’s all about strategy on how to present yourself through applications ( essays, resume and interview) and how to be the well rounded applicant for schools. With her many years of experience at this field, she really knows how to craft the best application. I am very happy with the result and deeply thankful to her for everything.

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Court Stroud is the best investment I've made in my professional development. Our almost year-long collaboration transformed me into a stronger writer, a better storyteller, and a more engaging public speaker.

The journey of writing my MBA applications with Court was incredibly fruitful, not only because I gained admission to two Ivy League schools, but also because it significantly advanced my professional skills. I came out of our collaboration as a more confident and polished leader.

Before selecting Court, I spoke with 14 different highly-rated consultants. Some of them were risk-averse, especially with non-traditional backgrounds like mine. Many of them leaned on their experience as former admissions officers. Court leveraged his background in communications, entertainment, journalism, and publishing. And precisely these skills proved invaluable in crafting a compelling application. If you wanted to become a Michelin star chef, would you choose to train under a food critic or a Michelin star chef? Court is this Michelin star MBA-chef. He has this rare talent for uncovering the good story, no matter where it originates.

From our first meeting, I immediately felt trust in Court’s expertise and his genuine interest in my story. I consider myself lucky that he also wanted to work with me. His feedback was always clear and constructive, and his sense of humour made every session enjoyable, helping his insights resonate even more. The MBA application process is challenging, with many highs and lows. Court was always there to listen, support, and empathise. By the end of our collaboration, he was not only an effective coach but also a friend.

Despite the seven-hour time difference, communication was seamless and quick. Court’s responsiveness and commitment ensured that I never felt the distance.

When I build my startup, I hope Court will again be the person who helps me take my stories to the world.

For anyone looking for the best MBA coach, I wholeheartedly recommend Court.

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I'm from Mexico City and had previously worked with two other consultants who weren't confident in my chances of getting into a top MBA program. Fortunately, one of Court's former mentees recommended him to me. From our first 1:1, Court believed in my ability to craft a strong application and was a constant source of encouragement when I struggled with the GMAT. He served as both a psychologist and a motivator, always pushing me to reach my full potential and letting my true personality shine through. Court's thought-provoking questions led to introspective work, helping me express myself authentically in my applications. His clear and straightforward method was ideal for balancing work, applications, GMAT prep, and personal life. Choosing Court as my mentor was the best decision I made, and I'm incredibly grateful for his knowledge, professionalism, and support.

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Working with Court offered me a peace of mind during the MBA application process that I would be hard-pressed to find through other means. He was a great listener that thought deeply about the best ways to tell my story. His eye for crafting a story and willingness to work through numerous edits of my first essay helped improve my writing significantly.

However, for the price that I paid, I felt that things could have been better about my experience. I regularly received feedback later than the window in our contract. I would have appreciated clearer communication regarding when I should have expected to receive this feedback. More importantly, I did not appreciate Court's approach when we encountered a shortcoming in my application strategy - his first response was to emphasize that he recommended a different approach, which I do not recall him doing.

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Going to b-school has been on my agenda for a few years, but I spent most of my preparation for my GMAT and, for lack of wisdom, did not really start looking at the application essays 1.5 months prior to the R2 deadline. I was more than overwhelmed. There is so much information online and from students/alumni that I connected with that exacerbates my situation and makes me even more nervous to start my essays. That’s when I know that I need a great consultant to guide me through the process.

My criteria for selecting a consultant is that the consultant needs to be 1/ super organized and structured. I have 8+ years of experience in various industries. I need someone who can help me shape my stories that best showcase the diversity of my work experience so that my longer YoE is not a weakness to my profile. Also with only 1 month left on the deadline, I need a project management guru on my side. 2/ able to best communicate their vast inside knowledge of the world of MBA application to me. I believe top consultants, as a baseline, have all the knowledge. But, I need someone who can synthesize and translate it well for my case. 3/ responsiveness. Again, my timeline is crunched, so responsiveness is a key.

I reached out to many consultants in the beginning, but Faisal stood out from the get-go. We got in touch through a call less than 2 days from my first query. In the 30 minutes, Faisal not only outperformed other consultants that I talked to on the 3 criteria above, he also started to share how he planned to shape my story AND structure the works to be done, broken down by days.

In the following month that we were working together, Faisal challenged me hard on each component of my story. He knew when I half-baked a story or when what I wrote was not impactful. He dug deep into what motivated me, what drove me, what I learned from each experience. That approach radically changed the initial draft of my application. Each part of the application truly represented different facets of my story in an elegant way – thanks to Faisal.
I am very happy with the application that I submitted – and even happier when Columbia Business School wanted me to matriculate this Fall 2023.

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I had the privilege of working with Court as my coach during the MBA application process for my dream university. His guidance was instrumental in my success. Court's expertise and support were remarkable. He took the time to understand my aspirations and experiences, providing personalized advice. His meticulous feedback helped me go beyond surface-level goals, allowing me to express my authentic self. He pushed me to convey the value I could bring to the university and fellow students, giving my application a compelling edge.

Court's professionalism and dedication were evident throughout. His prompt feedback ensured I met deadlines while maintaining quality, which was no easy feat considering I contacted him less than a month before the submission deadline. Through the process, he offered constructive criticism in a supportive manner, refining my thoughts and maintaining my voice.

In addition to essay guidance, Court provided valuable insights on the overall application process. From selecting recommenders to interview preparation, his expertise and understanding of admissions committees gave me the confidence to present my best self.

I highly recommend Court to anyone starting their MBA application journey. His expertise, commitment, and passion for storytelling make him an outstanding coach. I am forever grateful for his guidance and support in achieving this incredible opportunity.

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I highly recommend Faisal for his exceptional guidance and support throughout my MBA application process. His expertise, dedication, and personalized approach were instrumental in helping me secure admission to my top school choices. I believe he would be a valuable asset to any MBA candidate, especially those who, like me, may feel overwhelmed by the extensive research and preparation required.

From the beginning, Faisal immediately put me at ease with his comprehensive knowledge of the admissions landscape and his unwavering commitment to my success. Despite starting from scratch, he provided invaluable guidance to navigate the complex application process, offering specific solutions and troubleshooting challenges along the way.

One notable aspect of Faisal's support was his ability to work effectively within time constraints: during my application process, I faced a very time-consuming personal circumstance as well as a hectic work schedule that coincided with application deadlines. However, Faisal consistently worked around these time constraints, ensuring that I made progress without compromising the quality of my application. I vividly recall feeling rushed as I approached one of the final deadlines, and I was losing steam after a strenuous application process targeting multiple schools. In that critical moment, Faisal encouraged me to push through and further refine my essay, guiding me to truly showcase my full potential. And I am so glad he did as I was admitted at that school!

Beyond his technical expertise, Faisal proved to be an incredible motivator. He recognized my capabilities and consistently encouraged me to improve my application, challenging me to refine my essays, enhance my interview skills, and present myself with confidence. His constructive criticism and unwavering support pushed me to achieve a level of excellence that I had not thought possible.

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At the beginning of my application journey, I spoke with various top admissions consultants. About 5 minutes into my conversation with MBA Prep School's Court Stroud, I knew that he was the one I wanted to work with.

What made Court stand out? Instead of focusing on my weaknesses and how my profile needs to improve, Court made an effort to learn what drives me, what I want to do, and what makes me who I am -- he was already thinking about how we can shape my application. I could tell that he was going to be a true partner throughout the process.

Court is extremely knowledgeable of the MBA process. His approach is very detailed and truly helped me identify my strengths so that I could shine in my application. Although his process was structured, Court was flexible with his approach. He was willing to change how we work together and craft my application so that I was comfortable enough to put my full self into the application. He helped me identify my goals, strengths, and how my prior professional and personal experiences connect with how I can contribute to each MBA program I applied to.

He went above and beyond preparing me to write my essays, even helping me get in touch with alumni at my target schools. I had multiple essay iterations, and he provided thorough feedback to each. Court helped me identify my differentiating factors and bring light to stories that showed my strengths. He helped me see how experiences that I initially thought were unimportant or irrelevant actually were vital in sharing my story and what I could add to the MBA community.

With Court’s help, I was able to show more about my candidacy with each component -- the essays, recommendations, short answers, and the interview. He helped me connect that thread throughout my application so that the admissions committee would not be left with questions.

I am an extremely anxious person, so although Court helped me craft the best application I could have submitted, I was still nervous that I wasn’t going to get interview invites or be admitted. Court helped me manage my anxiety and trust the process - his process. He helped me believe in myself and feel like the schools I applied to were actually in reach. Note, he wasn’t just telling me what I wanted to hear. He was candid in where my application could be stronger, but instead of focusing on my weaknesses, he helped me bolster my strengths in other areas of the application.

I was accepted into my top choice (Wharton!) with scholarship - something only 30% of admitted students achieve. Court helped me achieve this. 10/10 would recommend!

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