28,622Leland Reviews

Simply put, Kelsey presents all of the premiere qualities you can possibly ask for in an advisor for the MBA application process. Her cunning whit, invaluable experience, sheer honesty, and true passion for getting you exactly where you want to be completely drove me to getting accepted to seven programs. Kelsey will work around the clock for you to ensure you’re on the right path in essay writing and interview prep. We worked through every minute detail in each essay to ensure that I was conveying my optimal skillset and experience and my unique personal achievements and qualities. Kelsey will unlock your highest potential as an applicant, working strategically through answering essay questions with eloquence and genuine expression and answering interview questions with grace and poise. Among several workings, she presented me with thought-provoking prompts that posed as the framework for building writings that adcom loves to see. Her strong will, compassion, and raw intellect was more than invaluable. Overall, you will be making a grave mistake by not exercising her talents and guidance, and I owe my success to her in this process in every way, shape, and form.

As a candidate balancing a demanding full-time job and what I felt as not having the “traditional” MBA application profile, I knew I needed expert guidance to present the strongest version of myself. I found Kelsey late in the MBA process (literally with only like 2 weeks to spare) – but from our very first conversation, Kelsey was a game changer. It was not just because of her deep admissions expertise from her M7 background, but because of her genuine commitment to helping me craft a story that was both authentic and compelling. After our first intro call, she immediately told me that I was a M7 candidate … and for the first time, I actually started to believe it! She spoke a whole new level of confidence into my profile that I had not begun to appreciate until I started meeting with her. Kelsey’s process was efficient, strategic, and encouraging. She had an incredible ability to quickly zero in on the key aspects of my professional and personal background that would resonate most with top MBA programs and brought them to life. Her feedback was always quick and precise, while also being direct and supportive. Kelsey always pushed me to refine my messaging and articulate my value in a way that felt true to who I am, but also had that touch an admissions officer would love to read. Whether it was polishing my MBA resume, brainstorming essay topics, or preparing for interviews, Kelsey brought a level of precision and insight that made every step of the journey less stressful and much more effective. She also provided previous anonymous examples of accepted candidates that she helped in prior years that was great to use as templates to help me succeed in my messaging. With Kelsey’s guidance, I was able to submit applications that I felt truly proud of — which included apps to my big 3: The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Wharton School of Business and Columbia School of Business. I am proud to say the results spoke for themselves! I was admitted to two out of those three, as well a few other top MBA programs. I can say with complete confidence that working with Kelsey was one of the best investments I made in this process. She didn’t just help me apply — she helped me believe in my story and achieve goals I could only dream of. It is because of her, I am proud to say I accepted an offer to my dream school (Chicago Booth) with a six figure scholarship. If you are serious about maximizing your potential in the MBA admissions process, I cannot recommend Kelsey and Embark highly enough. She changed my life and I know she will change yours!

Kelsey is an outstanding mentor and coach. She possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of business, specifically in the realm of MBA admissions. Kelsey’s dedication and commitment to my success were unparalleled, and she was my top advocate during my application process. Her storytelling abilities are remarkable, and her advice sets candidates apart in the application process. I received acceptance to Wharton and Columbia with scholarships. I highly recommend Kelsey to anyone looking for expert guidance in pursuing an MBA degree. Pre-MBA Industry: Military Years of Work Experience: 5 Undergraduate GPA: 3.65 EA Scores: 150

Kelsey was instrumental during my MBA prep process and a core reason why I was able to get into HBS! At the onset, I did not think I had a chance at a top 5 school, and Kelsey explained very clearly that yes, it is extremely hard to get into these top schools. But through her advice, hard work, interview preparation, and all the other tactical prep items, Kelsey was able set me up for the best possible shot at getting into a top MBA, and I ended up at HBS! I think what makes Kelsey different than other consultants is she is very personalized and it does not feel like an MBA prep factory. She takes the time to learn your story so she can help craft the best essays possible. She knows the process inside & out, and really acts as your guide throughout the difficult year of applying. I could not recommend Kelsey enough for the MBA journey. Pre-MBA Industry: Tech Strategy Years of Work Experience: 4 Undergraduate GPA: 3.52 GRE Scores: 318

As a brown woman, I was hesitant to trust a consultant because I feared that they wouldn’t understand my story or how I wanted to explain it. I was also hesitant to work with a consultant because I was scared that they would overcharge me and underwork. Working with Kelsey has completely changed my perception of what it is like to work with a trustworthy consultant. Kelsey was my support system throughout my MBA process and I couldn’t have gotten through this process (and into Columbia) without her. Over the past year, I have seen her as a trusted mentor who I can reach out to at any time for help in the process. Working with Kelsey is the best investment I have made throughout this MBA process. We made the most of every session and I walked away feeling like I got the best value out of every session. She is honest (both in her feedback and how she works with you), empathetic (which helps in flushing out your unique story), and direct. This allows you to focus your energy on doing what is best for your application. After interviewing and asking 7 consultants on why I should go with their services, I realized that none of them gave me the honest candor and personalized coaching that I was looking for. I found that many of them just wanted me as one of their hundreds of clients, would shuffle me around and put me through the same process that they put everyone through. Kelsey gives personalized coaching, feedback, and help so that you can focus your energy where you need to. She has changed my life and I highly recommend working with her. Pre-MBA Industry: Tech Years of Work Experience: 4 Undergraduate GPA: 3.61 GRE Scores: 324

I literally could not have gone through this process without Kelsey. Her knowledge of how the system works and what timelines position you best to get everything done in time helped immensely. Additionally, her efficiency of work is truly beyond anything I’ve ever experienced - comments were turned back within a day and were of incredible quality and easily understood. Highly highly recommend Kelsey for anyone going through the B school process.

Kelsey was an integral part of my MBA application process and a key factor in the success I saw getting into my top schools. Having known very few people who have gotten an MBA and feeling very overwhelmed at the application steps, I met with Kelsey at the recommendation of my former coworker. In just our first consultation call, she started by listening to my business school goals and career aspirations, and by the end, had constructed a personalized game plan for my application process. I can’t recommend Kelsey enough. Applying to schools and putting yourself at the risk of rejection brought much anxiety, yet she made me feel confident. When I hit submit on my applications, I knew I had created a cohesive vision of myself and proved myself a competitive candidate. Whether it was meticulous essay and resume editing, detailed mock interviews, or simply words of encouragement after what felt like a million GRE attempts, Kelsey was the advocate I needed throughout this process. Not to mention, her method works - with her help and encouragement, I was granted admission to my top schools, CBS and Stern, and look forward to attending in the Fall.

Coming from the military, I knew I needed an outsider's perspective on my application, and I'm so glad I found Kelsey! I didn't have a resume so that was the first place we started. Kelsey gave me perspective on how things would read to a civilian and we were able to put together a good product. The essays were next. I'd do the initial drafts and she'd turn around and send those back to me with corrections. We did this several times until we had our final products. I want to emphasize here that there was no "72 hour turnaround" or anything like that. I got responses to all my emails within minutes, and longer corrections came back the same day. She also helped with interview prep before my interview. Having served on an admissions committee, she knows how things sound from the other side of the table, and she's able to steer you one way or another to ensure you're putting together the strongest application possible. I also want to bring up that despite my GPA being well under the median, not once did she try to talk me out of applying to HSW. I feel like that's something a lot of admissions consultants do. They'll tell you you're not competitive and get you to apply to lower ranked schools so that they can ensure a successful outcome. In this case, my dreams were my dreams and Kelsey was 100% on board with that right from the start. Lastly, there were several times when I had questions about things. She was always just an email or phone call away. Another friend I referred her to got into HSW as well. I would highly recommend Kelsey to anyone applying to the top schools! She goes above and beyond at every step, and you just won't get that personalized experience working with a bigger name admissions consultant. Pre-MBA Industry: Military Years of Work Experience: 4 Undergraduate GPA: 3.29 GRE Scores: 320

Simply put, Kelsey was the essential ingredient in my successful MBA journey. After a lackluster Round 1 of waitlists and with Round 2 deadlines fast approaching, I found Kelsey and I can confidently say that her feedback saved my applications from impending catastrophe. My only regret is not finding her earlier in the process. Kelsey and I had our first 15-minute call with Round 2 deadlines a mere week away-needless to say, time was of the essence. Seemingly within minutes, I had a structured game plan and expert feedback on the pitfalls of my applications. With other consultants I constantly felt as though I were a nuisance to them, working with Kelsey could not have been more different. Kelsey genuinely cared about me and my applications, taking the time to learn my background and goals (and respond to my “burning the midnight oil” emails asking for essay advice). When editing my admittedly wordy essays, she made sure to tailor her feedback to my unique voice. After hitting submit on my Round 2 applications, she immediately turned around to provide extremely in-depth waitlist guidance. Not only did Kelsey help get me off the waitlist at Columbia, but her guidance helped me realize my ultimate goal of being admitted to Wharton. To anyone out there researching MBA consultants, your applications (and wallet) will thank you for choosing Kelsey! Pre-MBA Industry: Military Years of Work Experience: 4 Undergraduate GPA: 3.09 GMAT Scores: 700

If you’re reading this, you can stop searching for your MBA consultant. Kelsey is the one you need. I started my application journey with a big-name consulting company, but after finding Kelsey, it was clear she was the better choice. Her approach is simply superior. She takes the time to really get to know you, understands what drives you, and then blends that with her deep knowledge of what admissions committees look for. The result is a powerful and unique application adcoms will drool over. But here’s what sets Kelsey apart: the personal care and attention she pours into your application. Hit a writer’s block on a complicated essay question? She’s a call away. Feeling nervous before an interview? She’s got your back. Even during those late-night, last-minute application grind sessions, she’s there. You won’t find this kind of one-on-one focus at the larger firms. If you’re still not sure, let me put it this way: I was a real Hail Mary applicant—low GPA, young age, not a single big-name brand on my resume—and yet, Kelsey got me into Columbia. If you want an application that will truly stand out, don’t make my mistake by paying five times more at a big consulting firm (and then not even use their services). Kelsey is the one you want. Pre-MBA Industry: Food & Bev Entrepreneur Applicant Type: Re-applicant Years of Work Experience: 2 Undergraduate GPA: 3.50 GMAT Scores: 750