I worked with The Red Pen for my applications to 6 schools and got into Kellogg, Stern, and UCLA, and was waitlisted at Haas and Cornell. I’m really happy with the outcome and would attribute a large part of this to Shreya Bajaj, my lead consultant, Kshitij Malhotra, content specialist, and Anju Goela, my LoR specialist. For every question I had, they provided great advice promptly, and the service was personalized from start to finish. Their methodical approach, combined with strong domain knowledge, made the application process much simpler for me. Shreya’s honest feedback on my interview prep helped me convert all the interviews I was called for. Her background in tech also made the brainstorming process much more relatable and easier. Since I applied to several schools, I had less time to prepare quality applications, but the team worked hard to ensure everything was submitted on time without compromising much on quality, helping me get into great schools.

Read More

Strengths:

The MBA package offered by Anju and The Red Pen team stands out for its exceptional personalized services. They take the time to truly understand your background, goals, and aspirations, ensuring every part of your application reflects your best self. One of the biggest strengths of their approach is their persistence in crafting the perfect essays—they meticulously work through multiple iterations to magnify the strengths of your narrative and make your story compelling. Additionally, their attention to detail goes beyond just essays; they thoroughly review every aspect of your application, including the form, to ensure consistency and alignment with your overall profile. This comprehensive, tailored support makes the entire process feel seamless and significantly boosts your confidence as an applicant.

Would make the product better:

One area where I feel the process could improve is the interview preparation. The package included just one mock interview, which felt a bit limiting for someone like me who needed more practice and candid feedback to refine my responses.

Working with Anju was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application journey. From day one, she took the time to understand me—my background, my goals, and what I wanted to achieve with an MBA. She guided me through the entire process, from choosing schools to perfecting my essays and preparing for interviews.

What really stood out was her dedication. She went through countless drafts with me, and her feedback always helped me get closer to the perfect version of my application. It wasn’t always easy—there were definitely moments when I felt overwhelmed—but her encouragement and belief in me made all the difference.

In the end, I got into my top-choice MBA program out of the four schools I applied to in Round 1, and I couldn’t have done it without her. If you’re looking for someone who will be your biggest cheerleader while also giving you honest, actionable advice, Anju is the one.

Read More

Strengths:

Manan was incredibly patient, kind, and genuinely helpful. He was the only person on the team who truly felt worth it. My lead consultant also had good knowledge about the colleges, so credit where it’s due.

After consulting with multiple MBA admissions consultants, I chose TRP based on reviews on GMAT Club and a personal consultation with Anju Goel. I officially enrolled with them on June 5th, 2024, to apply for the first round of MBA admissions. With nearly four months until the October 1st deadlines for my target schools, I was optimistic. Unfortunately, we ended up submitting my applications on the very last day, which caused a severe anxiety attack. While TRP has a strong model for MBA admissions, the execution left much to be desired. Unless they introduce better accountability and improve their timelines, I wouldn’t recommend their services.

One major issue I faced was the delays. It took more than a month for my "Getting to Know You" document to be reviewed, which significantly stalled the process. Scheduling calls was another challenge—it usually took three days to set up, and the sessions were always capped at one hour, even though I had purchased a comprehensive package. Many times, I had lingering concerns, but the sessions felt rushed, especially in the second half.

I also found their guidance to be insufficient in several areas. For instance, I had to research a lot on my own to figure out details about things like IELTS requirements and college-specific information. They didn’t provide internal guides for schools, which would have been incredibly helpful. Additionally, the entire process felt unorganized. Applications were postponed until the very last moment, adding unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Communication wasn’t great either. There were moments when the consultant came across as rude or dismissive, which made the experience even more frustrating. After submitting my applications, they didn’t even bother to check on my interview status or follow up, leaving me to navigate that phase on my own.

Overall, I felt there was a lack of accountability throughout the process. I often spent hours researching things myself because of the lack of proper guidance. The only real help I received was through some pre-recorded YouTube videos, which fell short of my expectations for a comprehensive package.

TRP has potential, but they need to address these issues before I can recommend them. My experience was disappointing, and I hope they take steps to improve their services for future applicants.

Read More

Going with TRP was the best decision, getting me to my dream school! I went with the 5-school package and applied to Stanford, Wharton, Booth and CBS with TRP. I applied to NYU Stern apart from this, with their support on the other apps helping me put a quality application independently. Their guidance helped me convert Booth (120K merit scholarship), CBS and NYU Stern (100% tuition, faculty scholarship, forte fellowship).

TRP’s methodical approach channelized my efforts. Starting with their comprehensive form, the GTKY made me pen down my experiences to set a strong foundation for impactful essays. With so many elements in the process, I was supported with a structured approach to prepare my resume, essays, LOR pointers and interview strategy.

My lead consultant, Natasha Mankikar, was instrumental in making me move in the right direction, sharing her rich experience and perspective through every step of this long journey. Discussions during our initial brainstorming sessions were key in the self-discovery process, helping me identify my defining life experiences and portray my most authentic self in the applications. Giving thorough and honest feedback, Natasha made me think deeper about what I penned down, going through several iterations with me to get to genuine and impactful essays. She provided valuable pieces of advice throughout this rollercoaster of a ride!

My resume and LOR expert, Anju Goela, was crucial to create a powerful resume. Her expertise in perfecting this critical aspect of the application helped me utilize the real estate on that small piece of paper. Anju’s perspective on the LOR pointers refreshed my recommenders’ memories with my most critical projects, presented in the most impactful manner.

Supporting me each step of the way, their guidance with the interview preparation helped me convert all 3 interviews I received. Getting detailed feedback from my mock interviewer, Preeti Wadekar, helped me identify blind-spots and work on them before my interviews. Combining this with their comprehensive interview question booklet gave me the confidence to present my best self in interviews.

I could not have achieved this outcome without their expertise and dedicated support, and I’m truly grateful to the entire team at TRP! I wholeheartedly recommend TRP to help you achieve your potential and get into the best school you can.

Read More

The largest contribution that TRP had in my application was in making a spectacular resume. My lead consultant Udit helped to refine my resume very tactfully using achievement oriented pointers. The resume has almost 70% weightage in a candidate being called for the interview process. I was applying with lesser than average years of work experience (only 3 years by the time of joining) and Udit did a perfect job in bringing out my multi-faceted experience and giving the adcom exactly what they wanted to see.
The other area where TRP helped me improve drastically was the interview preparation. Udit corrected and refined the answers to some of the most important questions such as "why mba", "why now" etc in the proper STAR format so that I was succint and effective with my replies. The mock interview gave me more questions to think about and prepare. Preparation was key for all the interviews.

I had taken the 1 school package through TRP and got a scholarship around 40k USD.

Read More

I worked with The Red Pen for R2 applications for the fall 2024 intake for the MBA. I loved my experience of working with TRP. I came into the applications process with limited knowledge of MBA applications, and the TRP team was there to guide me through every step of the way. They are extremely punctual and while they demand the best out of you, it's only because that is what they are willing to give themselves.

I would like to thank the red pen team, namely Anju, Srishti, and Prerna. Anju, my lead consultant, went above and beyond in making sure I was well prepared in my applications, and all her hard work has resulted in me getting interviews at every school I applied to, and admits into all the schools I have heard back from till now!

Read More

If I were to do it again, I would, with TRP. While I did not get in the college we worked together on, they really prepare you to take on other colleges youself. Application is a marathon that requires skill and finesse. This comes with practice and guidance. And TRP excels at providing correct guidance. My personal suggestion: Start early! Start 2 months before you think it is the correct time. The introspection part TRP does, need time and effort, and is genuinely very important even outside of an application. Additionally, trust the process. What might feel like an eternity of nothing is really where the true effort goes. Learn from their team of experts who excel at all they do. TRP gave me the confidence in their skill and expertise from day 1. While a few other gave me the feel of wanting to push for more number of colleges to apply rather than their skills. All in all, they know their stuff, but application requires a whole lot of self work as well.

Read More

Starting my MBA application from Ukraine, I knew I needed expert help. My first meeting with Preeti Wadekar from The Red Pen confirmed I made the right choice. Her genuine interest in my story during our Google Meet session was encouraging.

Unlike traditional email exchanges, The Red Pen used a WhatsApp group for communication, which made discussions prompt and straightforward. This approach made the entire process more accessible and efficient.

Preeti helped me delve into my personal and professional experiences, guiding me to understand and articulate my story better. Our discussions were not just about filling out an application; they were about discovering which aspects of my life were most impactful and relevant to my MBA aspirations.

Anju Goela’s expertise in crafting straightforward, descriptive pointers was crucial. Her demand for excellence pushed me to refine my pointers multiple times, ensuring they were as strong as possible. Anju was also empathetic and shared cultural insights, adding depth to our relationship.

Natasha Mankikar was instrumental in connecting my life stories to create a cohesive and compelling application. Her creativity and strategic thinking were very important as well to my acceptance to NYU Stern. Natasha was always ready to discuss ideas and fine-tune our approach.

The mock interview preparations with Garima Agarwal for Stern and Montu Gupta for another program were invaluable. Garima's thorough preparation and nuanced questions reflected her deep understanding of the interview process. Montu’s feedback was insightful, providing me with clear direction on how to improve. His advice was so beneficial that I transcribed our session to revisit his guidance.

I am deeply thankful to the entire team at The Red Pen, especially Dr. Kimberly, Preeti, Anju, Natasha, Garima, and Montu, for their support and professionalism throughout my MBA application journey. Their guidance was not just about getting into an MBA program; it was about understanding my strengths and how to present them effectively.

Working with The Red Pen was a significant factor in my successful application to NYU Stern. Their approach was personalized, their feedback was precise, and their support was consistent. For anyone seeking guidance through the complex MBA application process, I highly recommend The Red Pen for their professional and effective support.

Read More

Choosing TRP's services turned out to be a game-changer for me in my application journey. Even though I thought I was fairly acquainted with the MBA application process, the TRP team's expertise and guidance added an extra layer of excellence. Their initial exercises and questionnaires were exceptionally thorough, prompting deep reflection on various aspects of my life, dating back to childhood. This groundwork proved invaluable when I sat down to write my essays; I already had a treasure trove of 20-25 stories to draw from.
In the thick of the admissions process, I realized the value of having a team instead of just a single consultant. TRP's team structure meant that every element of my application (resume, LOR, essays, video essays, and more) underwent thorough scrutiny, revisions, and feedback from multiple perspectives. This ensured that my application stood out in all aspects. When it came to my essays, Dhiraj and Srishti dissected every line multiple times, and I can't express enough gratitude for their unwavering support. Essay reviews and mock interviews conducted by external members added tremendous value to my application. One thing worth mentioning is that the proactive engagement of the team persisted throughout the application process, extending beyond the submission of my application.
In this journey, my lead consultant, Dhiraj Daryani, has been my biggest support. He's not just a great mentor but was genuinely invested in my progress. His advice proved beneficial not just in the context of my MBA journey but also had a positive impact on my professional development. Dhiraj always goes above and beyond to support and guide you and is always available when you want to talk; having conversations with him gives you the clarity and strength you need in this gruesome MBA application process. His emphasis on building connections and keeping in constant touch with students and clubs provided me with clarity, firsthand insights, and a network I can count on in the years to come.
Because of the invaluable support of the team, I was able to get into my dream college (Kellogg) and received admits from 2 other programs. Without a doubt, I highly recommend TRP for MBA applications. My experience with Dhiraj and the team was nothing short of amazing.

Read More

I worked with The Red Pen for a period of ~9 months on 5 MBA applications, and applied to 5-schools independently. Following the onboarding process, I completed an extensive Get To Know You (GTKY) questionnaire probing deeply into my background, career, and MBA aspirations. My Lead Consultant (LC) - Kaushik Reddy - provided detailed feedback that allowed for much greater clarity on my post-MBA goals and formed the basis for (i) my selecting specific MBA programs and (i) outlining STAR stories (to be incorporated into essays and interviews).

Splitting the workload across four themes (resume, application forms, essays, and pointers for recommenders), I benefitted greatly from the support, guidance, and mentorship of the entire team at TRP: Kaushik Reddy, Rachel Roper, Abhishek Kochhar, Smita Shah, and Prerna Nigotiya! Each component involved ~5 drafts on average and exhaustive line-by-line comments, consistently encouraging me to reflect more deeply, clarify my research & motivations, and produce work of much greater quality. After submitting 10 MBA applications in Round 1, I participated in 2 mock interviews with TRP, interviewed at 6 schools, and received 4 offers: Wharton, LBS, Kellogg, and Yale!

These outcomes are a direct result of TRP's comprehensive application process, guidance, and timelines, that greatly simplifies the rigorous MBA application process. I highly recommend working with The Red Pen to MBA aspirants - I could not have done it without them!

Read More