They weren’t sure they were competitive either.
Read what happened to people who felt the same way, in their own words.
541 client stories 176 reviews on Poets&Quants $109,000 average scholarship per admitted client (last 3 years)
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I knew I wanted to do an MBA for so long. It will unlock tons of opportunities abroad that I simply cannot get by staying in my own country.
I got interviews from 6 out of 8 schools – including Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Yale, Haas, and Ross – converting into offers with scholarships for a total of around $500k!
Before MBA Protocol
I was working in sales in one of the FAANG companies, with prior experience in marketing as a Brand Manager. I knew my role in sales would have given me more analytical skills, but I didn’t always feel I was building something meaningful.
I knew I wanted to pivot toward marketing roles where I could drive more human-centered innovation – building brands and products that are not just successful commercially, but also representative.
Why MBA, why now
My post-MBA goal is to work in brand management and marketing strategy, focusing on building inclusive, human-centered products.
This vision became much clearer during the application process. Instead of a generic “I want to grow in marketing,” I defined what kind of marketer I want to be: someone who connects business performance with real impact on people’s lives.
MBA Protocol was key in helping me deeply reflect on what I want to do next, and frame it in a way that clearly conveyed my goals in my applications.
I knew I wanted to do an MBA for so long. It will unlock tons of opportunities abroad that I simply cannot get by staying in my own country.
First off, shifting back to marketing from sales is not easy. Normally, marketing companies try to hire interns and let them grow from inside the organization.
Second, I’ll get to meet incredible people from around the world – which is the best part!
Why MBA Protocol
I chose MBA Protocol because I needed more than just editing support. I needed someone who could challenge my thinking but also brainstorm together.
They just put a spin on how to approach the applications and work in general that is unique, fun, and transparent.
MBA Protocol is a real community, which was the best part, as not many people decide to enroll for an MBA in my country, so I was never really alone and constantly in touch with coaches and peers.
The work we did together
The biggest shift was clarity.
I went from having a vague narrative to a very intentional story that connected my past, present, and future. My essays stopped being descriptive and became directional.
I also changed my approach to interviews. Instead of trying to “perform well,” my goal was to have transparent and friendly conversations, focusing more on who I am instead of what I’ve done. So, less bragging, more me! :)
And, of course, MBA Protocol is a great confidence booster, as they show you your values from Day 1 and start crafting the applications exactly from there.
MBA Admission Results
I got interviews from 6 out of 8 schools – including Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Yale, Haas, and Ross – converting into offers with scholarships for a total of around $500k!
I felt really great about the results I got. I worked hard to build a strong profile and stats in the two years after I first spoke with Angela before I applied. But I didn’t take anything for granted during the application season. Luckly, I found other applicants within the MBA Protocol community who were ready to help and cheer each other on along the way.
Advice to other pivoters
You sure need to trust yourself, your skills, and gut. Make the pivot “credible” to the eye of the admissions and be ready to challenge yourself as well. Am I making too big a jump? Do I have any “hint” from my experience that can lead me toward the post-MBA goal? The reality is, the world is your oyster – but be sure to have a plan A or B to make it work :)
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyGot into Chicago Booth and UCLA Anderson + 1 more
As an international student, their package was well out of my budget.
I applied to 7 schools (Harvard, Stanford, Booth, Columbia, Duke, UCLA, and McCombs), got interview invites from 5 of them, and finally got into 3 (Booth + UCLA and McCombs with 50% scholarship).
The Best Decision I Made: Why I Highly Recommend Brian & Career Protocol
Brian truly embodies the “Under-commit and OVER Deliver” spirit, and the career protocol package is both super-detailed and truly end-to-end (they guide on everything: from deciding which schools to apply for to now sharing tips on how to maximize the next 2 years).
Top 3 value adds for me: helping me improve my GMAT score from 740 to 770 (V47!!), helping me find my calling and encouraging me to make a pre-MBA pivot from consulting to Venture Capital, and of course, helping me land an offer from my dream school, Booth! I applied to 7 schools (Harvard, Stanford, Booth, Columbia, Duke, UCLA, and McCombs), got interview invites from 5 of them, and finally got into 3 (Booth + UCLA and McCombs with 50% scholarship).
I’ve had a FANTASTIC experience working with them and would highly recommend them to anyone who’s willing to put in the time and effort. Below are my top 5 reasons:
• Extensive support – When you sign up with CP, you don’t just get a consultant, you get an army of people who have your back and a community of applicants who are driven and supportive. I am someone who asks a LOT of questions, and I can safely say that their team has a wealth of experience to guide you/point you in the right direction. For instance, I was gutted when I learned that I was waitlisted from Booth in R1. Soon enough, another member from the CP team who was a waitlist expert stepped in. She gave me tips on how I can continue engaging with the school and helped me approach the waitlist process with a positive mindset.
• They give you “no-nonsense” advice – I come from an over-represented Indian, Engineer, Male demographic. Brian was honest about what was realistic for me and had enough knowledge and inspiration to help me make a valiant attempt for the top. He didn’t hesitate from telling me if I needed to completely scrap off an essay draft or that I needed to retake the GMAT.
• Their process is painfully introspective – When I signed up with CP, I was completely clueless about what I wanted from my MBA. Their “Discovery process” pushed me to take a pause and reflect on my life experiences: My successes, failures, choices, everything. For someone who’s not as open about their life, Brian created a comfortable environment for me to express myself freely which led to some beautiful essays, and ensured that my applications were 100%, authentically me. (That’s their way of helping you stand out). Beyond the results, their process was transformational for me. Personally, I’ve become much more comfortable owning my story. Career-wise, I’ve been able to join a VC firm. Something I could not have imagined doing a year prior. The clarity I gained on what I wanted motivated me to consider my options and the confidence he inspired enabled me to boldly “go for it” and pursue the change.
• Brian is a GMAT God! – I thought I had maxed out when I scored 740 and didn’t know how to go beyond that. Brian used his expertise to quickly identify what my gaps were (Verbal + taking too much stress) and gave me advice that inspired me to take a fresh approach to the test, which combined with my work ethic, helped me score 770 in <1 month. This gave me a lot of confidence as I approached R1 applications at top B-schools.
• Value for Money! Brian works with only a handful of applicants every year and I could feel that he was genuinely invested in my success. As an international student, their package was well out of my budget. But I can reassure you, that he is worth every penny and then some more. By the end of our time together, Brian knew my stories better than I did. He is very generous with his time and leaves no stone unturned: he happily responded to my countless questions, returned drafts faster than expected as deadlines approached, and things like GMAT advice, and preparing for VC interviews were technically not a part of our MBA application scope. Yet, he did that. (with a smile!)
Lastly, I would like to add that the MBA application process is a long and tedious journey, when you do it with someone like Brian, it doesn’t seem like “work”.
Good luck with your applications! 😊
Lakshay Piplani
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyGot into Kellogg and Dartmouth Tuck + 1 more
I am 33 years old from South America with a solid career at small investment management companies.
I got accepted to Kellogg, Tuck and UCLA. I also got 70K in scholarship from UCLA and an additional 30K from an UCLA Alumni Society.
A comprehensive review of Angela Guido - In short, Great!
It is long past due for me to do this review. First, I want to thank you, Angela, for the exceptional job that you did with me. I would not have been accepted at 3 top business schools if it weren’t for you. Also, I wish you the best of luck with Career Protocol!
BEFORE I START, SOME CONTEXT. I am 33 years old from South America with a solid career at small investment management companies. I started early (May), had a solid gmat score (740) but due to my age, I knew this would be my only and last shot at business schools. Career wise, I wanted to keep working in finance and stay in America after my MBA. I did the full package for 5 schools with Angela and applied to another 3 on my own (all on R1).
WHY ANGELA? She had great reviews, but I am a thorough person. I talked with about 5 consultants, all from top firms and with great reviews. Angela was the one that I felt most confident about. She really knew all the schools, had a great insight into the reality about employment of the programs and we had a great chemistry. I am sure all the other consultants were great, but I know Angela was the right choice and I don’t regret, not even for a second, choosing her.
THE FIRST GREAT FEATURE – She really knows the employability of each program. I think that most of the employment statistics provided by business schools are bogus. There is industry and region bias and people might be employed at second tier jobs or companies. Do you really believe that a top 20 BS is better than HBS because HBS has only 90% of its students employed upon graduation? Well, I don’t and neither does Angela. Our first task together was to narrow my 15 schools list to about half of that and also pick the 5 that made more sense working together. She really knew which programs were doing great and which were struggling to get jobs for their students. It was like I was working with someone from the inside! We also discussed a lot about the career path that made more sense given my goals. The MBA consulting came with a bonus of career counselingJ! She made me realize that PE was not a go way to go for an international to stay in the US. After putting all together, we decided on HBS, Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, Duke, Wharton, MIT and UCLA. The first five I worked with her.
THE HARSH TRUTH. It was early June and we were excited to start working on the essays. We were already done with the Brainstorming, which turned out great and full of stories, and were very advanced on my resume. My original Resume really stunk. It was very bad! LOL. Angela had a tough job there, but it became a masterpiece. I am so proud of it that I am thinking of framing it! Back then, only very few schools had they essay out. We started working on HBS (the dream and reach school). The first essay was terrible! The second, worst! Angela kept returning my essays with honest comments about them. After five bad essays, we decided to take a break and go back to the drawing board. She taught me the concept of a narrative. Tell the story, show the facts, be specific, but not so much that you can be concise, which I am not being here, and not turn boring. Also, she demanded me to take another look at the material she had sent to me. Advice: read everything carefully and pay attention to the structure of the examples. Angela does what a great consultant should do. She will tell will the truth, teach you how to overcome the problem and will not let you deliver anything short of a great work.
THE GREAT TALENT. Angela is the best writer I have ever seen. She could really spin any fact that I told her in a perfectly told story. It is amazing how she does it on the spot and had I had that talent, my life would have been so much easier. Well I don’t have the talent, but I was fortunate to have Angela as my consultant. She guided me on the right direction in a way that I was able to tell my stories and at the same time the essay were compelling and resonated with the AdCom. After the HBS fiasco and of a round of advising, we decided to move on to Tuck. I nailed it on the very first draft! Her counseling really stuck and that essay was so compelling that became the base for at least another 3 different business school. Angela really taught me how to write a perfect essay.
THE ESSAYS (in order of writing). HBS – Took me 13 drafts. I only started getting right on the 11th. The final draft made my wife literally cry. TUCK – Nailed both on the 1st draft but after minor reviews they were ready in 3 drafts. DUKE – About 5 drafts each. KELLOGG – 3 drafts each. BOOTH – 5 drafts to what, I am quoting here, became the best essay Angela had seen for Chicago that year. MIT – 2 drafts. WHARTON – 5 drafts. UCLA – 5 drafts.
SOME OTHER QUALITIES. Besides the career and essay insights that were fantastic, I really enjoyed working with Angela. Not only me. In fact, my wife participated all the way in the business school applications. She was with us from the first to the last call. She read every single essay and short answer. Angela embraced her all the way in the process, as if she was the one applying. Even though she was in Europe and we in South America, we had little trouble in arranging calls to discuss essays and strategies. I sent her a huge amount of work every week (I must have been her most frenetic client) and she handled it beautifully. The interview prep material and the mock interviews were extremely helpful. She was even a shoulder to “cry” on, when everything seemed to be falling apart. The first five schools to release their decision dinged me, including Duke that I was certain to get in. She asked some friend to review my stuff to check for inconsistencies and problems, which they didn’t, and she gave me advices on how to proceed for R2.
THE FINAL RESULT. I got invited to 5 interviews (Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, Duke and UCLA). Booth suggested me to pursue their executive MBA. I got accepted to Kellogg, Tuck and UCLA. I also got 70K in scholarship from UCLA and an additional 30K from an UCLA Alumni Society.
GRATITUTE. I want to one more time thank Angela for her work. I had 2 weaknesses on my profile. I had always worked at smaller non mainstream firms and I was on the verge of being too old to be an MBA applicant. I would not have passed to any of these schools if it weren’t for her. Instead, I got much more than I was hoping for.
If anyone has any questions, just PM me. Sincerely, Guilherme Kobylko
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyLikewise, for quite some time I wanted to live outside my country for a while, whether to study or work.
Of these 3 programs, I was accepted into 1 with a total scholarship of $100K, while I was waitlisted at the other 2 universities due to my GRE score.
Before MBA Protocol
Before working with MBA Protocol, I came from the insurance sector in roles related to strategic planning and internal consulting. Since I had worked in the insurance industry for several years, I wanted to leave such a small niche and make a transition into financial services companies or fintechs, specifically into companies related to electronic payments.
I wanted to make this change because I felt I was in a sector that was lagging in innovation compared to others in the financial sector. Also, since the sector is so niche, there weren't many opportunities for the growth and international exposure I wanted to have.
Why MBA, why now
Now I want to make a pivot toward consulting that will allow me to acquire the necessary skills to implement the changes I want to make within the insurance industry in Colombia.
I chose this path because I realized that despite being frustrated with the lack of innovation in the sector, I found that it is an industry I am passionate about and one where I want to help my country progress, as it has great opportunities for improvement. Additionally, MBA Protocol helped me realize this through the various You Discovery exercises, which gradually showed me the path I truly wanted to take.
I tried to make the pivot by applying to fintechs and consulting firms in the past, but I had not been successful.
Getting into a top MBA was important to me because it was the most natural way to make the pivot I wanted. For the market, it turns out to be much more reliable to choose someone who is part of a top program globally than someone who applies individually. In other words, my chances of making the pivot increase thanks to the MBA and its focus on consulting. Likewise, for quite some time I wanted to live outside my country for a while, whether to study or work.
Because of this, an MBA was perfect for me, as it would allow me to do both and gain exposure to more developed companies with a global vision and impact.
Why MBA Protocol
MBA Protocol welcomes you with open arms, regardless of your academic and professional background, and even though they know exams are important, they also understand that they aren't everything and because of this, they empower you to bring out your best in every part of your application.
I really liked the flexibility and methodology of the MBA LFG program, where each person sets their own pace and each stage guides you through the entire application process. It helps you to do a deep evaluation and understanding of your strengths and weaknesses, set professional goals in the short, mid, and long term, build a tier of potential programs to apply to based on the previously mentioned factors, and much more.
Also, since I applied with my wife, it was important to find someone who not only would root for us but also help us identify and apply to the programs where our chances of being accepted would be higher.
The work we did together
First, I understood what my chances were of being admitted to my dream programs using MBAmo and was able to focus my efforts.
MBA Protocol explains in great detail each stage of the application process, depending on the date you enroll in the program. This allowed me to create a clear work plan, prioritize tasks, focus efforts, and reduce uncertainty and stress.
With tools like You Discovery, Career Game Plan, and others, I was able to identify strengths, unique qualities, and my goals during and after the MBA. Thanks to this, I understood the true appeal I had as an international candidate, which boosted my confidence in myself and my application to the dream MBA.
Likewise, the program guided me step-by-step in building genuine stories that demonstrated why I should be part of each MBA, showing myself as a bold candidate, yet humble and proud of my international background.
Finally, during the interviews, the material provided by MBA Protocol was key to preparing each session according to the style of each university.
MBA Admission Results
Facing the GRE, I received a guide on how to approach the exam and what methodology to use to improve my score, both in the verbal and quantitative sections, which helped me raise it over time.
Writing genuine essays that truly represented me, with which I obtained 3 interviews out of the 4 programs I applied to.
Of these 3 programs, I was accepted into 1 with a total scholarship of $100K, while I was waitlisted at the other 2 universities due to my GRE score. Not only was I accepted to this university, but my wife was as well.
Upon being accepted into this program, I understood much of the work done with MBA Protocol and was grateful for having done it, because it allowed me to have clarity and originality when presenting myself as an international candidate.
Advice to other pivoters
Clearly define whether the pivot is your Plan A or Plan B within your career.
Understand what a post-MBA person does in the industry you want to switch to: for this, have interviews with people who are in the desired sector.
Then, determine if your strengths and professional background work in your favor or against that transition. If not, look for ways to strengthen your appeal in your application and in front of the industry you want to join. Also, if the university has resources to support this process, use them and, in this way, have the support of experienced people in this type of career change.
Finally, and most importantly, apply and trust in yourself.
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyI was also intentionally looking for an MBA abroad because of my own cultural background and personal experiences growing up between cultures.
I was accepted to my first-choice school and also received a 40% scholarship from another program I was strongly considering.
Before MBA Protocol
Before I began working with Tiffany from MBA Protocol, I worked as a Hospice Registered Nurse Case Manager. I graduated as a Registered Nurse in 2017 and spent several years working in hospice care. Over time, I realized I genuinely enjoyed this side of healthcare and the human connection that came with it. At the same time, there were frustrations within the industry that became more apparent to me the longer I worked in it. As a case manager, my ability to impact patient care was often limited to individual cases. I constantly had to navigate a complex healthcare system in order to deliver good end-of-life care for patients and families. I also began to notice that my role existed somewhere between bedside care and leadership. In many ways, a hospice case manager occupies both spaces, but without the ability to influence the broader systems that shape care delivery. What I wanted was to move toward a healthcare leadership role where I could contribute at a larger organizational and systems level.
Why MBA, why now
I chose to pursue an MBA because, unlike a more specialized master’s in healthcare management, the MBA would allow me to learn alongside people from very different professional and personal backgrounds. That diversity of perspectives was something I found very appealing and enriching. I was also intentionally looking for an MBA abroad because of my own cultural background and personal experiences growing up between cultures. Before deciding on the MBA path, I considered more traditional routes for advancement within nursing, including becoming a nurse practitioner. But fairly quickly I realized that while I respected those paths, they were not what I truly wanted for myself. I knew I wanted to contribute to changing how healthcare is delivered at a broader level. A lot of that motivation also comes from personal experiences from my childhood, which showed me how important a strong and well-designed healthcare system can be. That stayed with me and ultimately pushed me to pursue this path.
My post-MBA vision became much clearer through the work I did with Tiffany. While I already had a general sense of what I wanted to do, working through my essays and goals with her helped me define them in a much more concrete and thoughtful way. My goal after the MBA is to pursue a consulting role where I can learn more about the healthcare system in Spain, which is where I will be studying. Healthcare delivery there differs quite a bit from the US system, and I hope that through consulting I can better understand how organizations operate, build a professional network, and gain experience working within the Spanish healthcare landscape. Long term, I would like to lead a healthcare organization in Spain.
Why MBA Protocol
As I started researching MBA programs, I quickly realized that applying to business school is an intense and, at times, overwhelming process. I remember watching YouTube videos and coming across content from MBA Protocol early on. What stood out to me immediately was both the quality of the advice and the overall approach. I understood that if I was going to work with a consultant, I needed to feel comfortable talking openly about myself and my experiences. I ended up interviewing with three consulting companies, but my conversation with MBA Protocol confirmed what I had already sensed from their videos, which was that they genuinely cared about people and connected with applicants at a human level. During my initial call with Angela Guido, I spoke about my background in hospice care. Afterwards, Angela sent me a very thoughtful message thanking me for the work I do caring for patients and families. That stayed with me. I felt heard, understood, and comfortable. I also appreciated the way MBA Protocol approached such a stressful process with both professionalism and humor. They made the experience feel engaging and personal while still giving excellent advice. Their Discovery Program, especially, helped me better understand myself and my own story.
The work we did together
During my journey with MBA Protocol, I noticed a significant improvement in my ability to tell my story in a way that genuinely reflected both my accomplishments and my aspirations. The process involved a level of self-reflection that I honestly had not taken the time to do before. Working through my essays and experiences helped me look back on my professional journey with a different perspective. I became more aware of the things I had accomplished, the experiences that shaped me, and the aspects of my career that I was truly proud of. More than anything, it helped me connect the different parts of my story into something that felt authentic and meaningful.
MBA Admission Results
I initially studied for the GRE, but ultimately decided to take the school-specific entrance exams for my top three schools instead. These schools do not provide applicants with detailed feedback on exam performance.
I was accepted to my first-choice school and also received a 40% scholarship from another program I was strongly considering. More importantly, I felt confident that I had made a decision that aligned with both my professional goals and personal circumstances.
Advice to other pivoters
My advice would be to speak with someone who has gone through a similar transition and who creates an environment where you feel comfortable sharing your goals openly. A big career pivot can feel intimidating, especially when you are coming from a nontraditional background. Having guidance from people who can help you better understand your own story and potential makes an enormous difference.
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyI was a Senior Associate in Finance, Procurement, and Administration at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) across three countries (Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru).
I applied to three MBA programs, was interviewed by two, admitted to one, and waitlisted at the other.
Before MBA Protocol
I was a Senior Associate in Finance, Procurement, and Administration at the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) across three countries (Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru). GGGI is an intergovernmental organization working in the international development sector that supports its member countries in reaching inclusive and green growth.
Since university, I have envisioned my professional path connecting Business, Sustainability, and Social Inclusion. While my role at GGGI confirmed I was in the right industry, I kept wondering after several years: “How can sustainable solutions be more financially viable?” This question inspired me to pivot toward sustainable finance. I don’t want to become a narrowly specialized expert in the field, but I do want to dig deeper, expand my financial knowledge, and develop the skills needed to lead in this space.
Why MBA, why now
My long-term vision remains to become a leader in sustainable finance. To achieve this, I recognized my priority is to strengthen both my financial and leadership skills. Building these skills would not only establish a strong foundation for a career in sustainable finance but also broaden my employability and provide me with transferable skills across various industries.
I explored various master’s degrees and pathways for making this career change. I chose an MBA because it offered three essential elements for transitioning into sustainable finance: first, the option to take specialized finance courses and the ability to tailor my studies; second, a strong sustainability focus integrated throughout the curriculum in specific schools; and third, opportunities to develop leadership, team management, and networking skills.
My post-MBA plan is to pursue traditional finance roles to gain the foundational experience I need. The MBA Protocol content was critical in helping me transform my future ambitions into a concrete career game plan with clear steps, actions, and transitions.
Why MBA Protocol
After considering several options, a friend recommended MBA Protocol. As soon as I started looking at the website, I loved it. It felt like a place where I could be authentic, wasn’t expected to have an exceptionally high GMAT score, and would receive support to dig deep into my objectives, goals, and career plan.
The work we did together
Everything changed with MBA Protocol. For starters, it broke down the entire application process into very manageable steps, transforming something overwhelming into a journey I felt confident about. It encouraged me to aim high while keeping expectations clear. It also helped me understand myself better, identify my strengths and success stories, and clarify my goals. Finally, it taught me to communicate what I’d learned about myself, which boosted my interview confidence and improved my storytelling skills.
MBA Admission Results
I achieved a test score that, while not outstanding, was good enough to apply to the MBA programs I wanted. MBA Protocol helped me assess how much effort I wanted to invest in improving my score. I realized that, given my time constraints and goals, it was okay not to focus extensively on the test, and I felt confident moving forward.
I applied to three MBA programs, was interviewed by two, admitted to one, and waitlisted at the other. I intentionally applied to only a few schools because I was drawn to their strong focus on sustainability. I knew it was risky not to apply to more, so I was thrilled to receive two interview invitations and overjoyed with my first acceptance.
Advice to other pivoters
Work with MBA Protocol. They will help you reflect on your story and bring out your best self. You’ll gain clarity on your career gameplan and define the specific steps needed to get there.
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyGot into Chicago Booth and Kellogg + 3 more
I’m an international future student who has been working in Marketing and Sales for the past 5 years.
With Brian, I was admitted to 5 out of 6 MBA programs with $150k+ scholarships: Booth, Kellogg, Yale, Haas, and Ross (and was invited to interview at Wharton as well).
Super Brian: The Superhero You Want
Repeat with me: “I. Want. Brian.” With Brian, I was admitted to 5 out of 6 MBA programs with $150k+ scholarships: Booth, Kellogg, Yale, Haas, and Ross (and was invited to interview at Wharton as well).
I’m an international future student who has been working in Marketing and Sales for the past 5 years. From the very first call with Brian, I could immediately tell that he’s not only an amazingly professional and trustworthy person, but he’s also the chillest, most fun guy I’ve met in years. And trust me: you really want someone you can fully trust and who lifts your mood during this process – especially when you’re doing it on your own and most friends and family won’t fully grasp the amount of work ahead.
Brian will not forget a single detail of your personal and professional story. He has remarkable emotional intelligence and an incredible ability to highlight your persona in the strongest, most authentic way. With his help – made of lots of laughter, some shared tears, and tough love – I developed the most compelling stories in my essays, without ever settling or feeling like I wasn’t myself.
But the work we did went far beyond essays. We rebuilt my resume from scratch (even though my previous one had already helped me get into FAANG companies), strategized on the best recommenders, and carefully selected the portfolio of schools that best fit my goals and dreams. Most importantly, Brian was always there: ready to answer questions of all kinds and to offer thoughtful, honest advice whenever I needed it.
You just cannot go wrong with Brian. And, in the end, he’s someone that will always root for you as long as you are willing to work hard, be authentic, and have fun. I already miss working with him, but I’m sure I’ll keep in touch for the rest of my life.
“I. Want. Brian.”
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyAs a European applicant, I was overwhelmed by the whole American university admissions process.
Despite all the tears, I’m happy to say that I was admitted into one M7, waitlisted at another M7, and admitted into three T15s and one T20.
If You're An International Student Eyeing Up A US MBA, MY COACH'S YOUR WOMAN!
As a European applicant, I was overwhelmed by the whole American university admissions process. I’ve already got a masters from a Top 3 UK university, but the US admissions process was totally different to anything I’d encountered before. I have a high undergrad GPA in a non-STEM subject, have above average number of years’ work experience, worked with some multinational companies, and I was looking to gain admission to a top MBA to accelerate my career, have a change in scenery, and grow my network. I just needed someone to guide me, but through working with my coach I got much, much more than that.
I initially worked with her on R1 applications, we worked together on 3 schools, and I planned to apply to 9 schools, however I just could not get my GMAT high enough and I really felt like I wasn’t going to make R1 deadlines with a good test score. My coach and I had a debrief call, she calmed me down, told me that it was all going to work out, and I decided to change my strategy. I switched to the GRE last minute, and submitted all my applications in R2 instead. Despite all the tears, I’m happy to say that I was admitted into one M7, waitlisted at another M7, and admitted into three T15s and one T20.
There’s many things I’ve learnt from my coach – from crafting a good resume, the art of storytelling, to even small things like borrowing her meat cleaver and hacking through my essays to reduce word count! But the biggest thing I’ve gained from my coach is her loyalty and friendship. She is able to make you feel like you’re on top of the world, able to conquer anything, whilst providing all the guidance, constructive criticism, and real-talk you need. These are the traits you need in a good coach (and friend). I’ll miss her smile, wit, candor, and laugh and I GENUINELY hope we can stay in touch.
Now, don’t get me wrong, hiring an admissions consultant is not cheap. But be safe in the knowledge that you’ll be investing in yourself and your future. If you’re going to apply to some of the world’s top business schools, you might as well throw everything at it and do it properly. Schedule a call with my coach. You WILL NOT regret it one bit.
The highlighted sentences are the ones quoted above.
Your story won’t look like this one, and it doesn’t need to. Tell us yours on a free 25-minute call and you’ll know whether we’re the right team for you.
Let’s talk about my storyWhat the first call is like.
Free, 25 minutes with one of our coaches, and you’ll leave knowing where you stand.
During the first consultation, she didn’t give me a feeling of selling business at all.
Just 10-15 minutes into our conversation, Angela was already able to put together a decent picture about me and tell me how to best position myself.
During our free consultation, what encouraged me to work with Angela was her candor, and fascinatingly accurate analysis of my profile, my key strengths and my required areas of focus!
Want to know where you stand?
Tell us about you, your scores (or no scores yet) and the schools on your list. You’ll hear where you stand, which schools make sense and what we’d do first.
If the honest answer is “retake the test” or “wait a round”, you’ll hear that too. Nobody will push you to buy anything.
Not ready to talk yet? Try the free Story Quiz first.
Somebody saw it in them first.
Ask clients what they remember most, and it’s usually the moment someone believed them.
From the beginning, Angela made it clear that she believed in me and in my story, and in the fact that, with the proper application, I had a chance at my dream school - Wharton.
She did much more than getting me into Harvard: She helped me connect all the dots, find confidence in myself and tell my story for the first time.
It left me, a burly manly man, in tears because I felt truly worthy and capable of taking on the challenge that laid ahead of me for the first time in my life.
When my mom and sister read my final drafts and said, “you actually sound like a human being instead of a robot,” I knew I had a real shot.
Our numbers, and how we count them.
of clients who followed our full school-portfolio guidance earned at least one admit, since 2018.
average scholarship per admitted client, last three years.
Reviews on Poets&Quants, as of October 2026
- Angela Guido: 131 reviews, rated 5.0 out of 5
- Brian Birdwell: 34 reviews, rated 5.0 out of 5
- Heather Soderquist: 11 reviews, rated 4.91 out of 5
How we count these · Coaching MBA applicants full time since 2008.
About these reviews
Where do they come from?
Clients wrote them on Poets&Quants, on GMAT Club, in notes to us and in the success stories they wrote for our site, starting in 2009. Where a review was posted publicly, the card links to it.
Do you edit them?
Almost never. We choose which sentence to show you, and every sentence is copied exactly, typos included. There are two exceptions. Where a client named a coach who has since moved on, the name now reads “my coach” (or she or he, as the client wrote it), and thank-you titles drop the name. Where a client named the company Angela worked for before, it now reads “the firm”.
Some reviews mention programs I can’t find. Why?
Some reviews mention programs we’ve since retired, like MBA Catalyst and MBA LFG. The coaching behind them is what we do today.
Some reviews say Career Protocol. Is that you?
Yes. MBA Protocol is part of Career Protocol, and older reviews use that name.
Did everyone get in?
No. Some stories here mention dings and waitlists, because those happened too.
Who are the coaches named on the cards?
The MBA Protocol coaching team. Where a client named their coach, the card says so and links to that coach’s page. You can meet the whole team on our About Us page.
Looking for a particular school?
Read stories from people who got in there.
Or start from what’s on your mind.
Read enough?
Every one of these people asked for help at some point. A free 25-minute call is a good place to start, and nobody will push you to buy anything.
Not ready to talk yet? Try the free Story Quiz first.
