Who We Are: mbaMission Reviews

I have only the most positive things to say about Susan.

When I started my MBA journey, I was skeptical about working with a consultant (purely from a cost perspective), but I had an initial call with Susan and immediately realized how much value she would add. Throughout the process she was brilliant to work with: very clear, always knew the right questions to ask, and really helped refine my essay topics. The other highlight was the interview prep: this made such a difference to my confidence going into the interviews.

Whilst I’d been thinking about my professional goals for a long while, I basically started my actual application process in mid-August. So this meant I had about a month to do everything, including writing the essays, prep my resume, do all the smaller application questions, and study for and sit the exam twice… The point being: Susan’s advice and expertise helped me enormously in a short time frame!

I’m delighted that I got into every school I applied to: Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. I’m so excited and grateful. I really doubt I’d be in this position if I hadn’t worked with a consultant as strong as Susan.

I would recommend her in the strongest possible terms and without hesitation to anybody. My younger sibling wants to apply for MBAs in the next couple of years and Susan would be my first call. Thanks so much Susan!

Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton Admit

Working with Susan was hands down one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process. She wasn’t just an advisor—she was a true mentor, confidante, and champion from day one. Susan brought a unique blend of warmth, candor, and strategic insight that made me feel fully supported at every step, and her guidance played a pivotal role in helping me gain admission to Columbia Business School. Her ability to help you uncover your authentic story and frame it in a way that resonates with top programs is unmatched. With her incredible career experience across sectors and her genuine investment in your success, Susan brings a perspective and level of care that’s incredibly rare. Even after hitting “submit,” she remained a steady source of encouragement and advice, showing just how much she cares about her clients beyond the application. If you have the chance to work with Susan—take it. You’ll walk away with not only a stronger application, but a lifelong mentor and friend.

Columbia Admit

Susan is an all-star: she is whip smart, an expert in her field, and an emotionally attuned cheerleader for what can be a very taxing process. I got into every school I applied to, including Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, a homerun outcome for which Susan deserves a lot of credit. Susan is generous and flexible with her time; even as an hourly client, I knew she was in my corner and available when I needed her. She is the best in the business -- I am so glad I chose to work with her and now consider her a friend. I highly recommend that you do the same!

Harvard, Stanford, Wharton Admit

I can’t recommend Susan enough – with her help, I got into my dream M7 Executive MBA Program! Working with Susan was one of the best decisions I made during the application process. I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am without her insight, guidance, and unwavering support.

From day one, Susan went above and beyond. She knows my target program inside and out, and guided me through every step with clarity and confidence—from early brainstorming to interviews and even after admission results were announced. She was always just a message away and consistently made herself available to review materials and emails, provide thoughtful feedback, or help me work through decisions. For someone unfamiliar with the process, that level of accessibility and reassurance made a world of difference.

What truly sets Susan apart is how deeply she invests in getting to know you. She doesn’t just focus on your resume or career milestones—she genuinely takes the time to understand who you are as a person. She asked thoughtful questions and really listened, which allowed us to craft an application that felt both authentic and compelling. That personal connection showed through in my materials, and I believe this is a true differentiator as it helped my story resonate with the admissions team on a deeper level.

Susan also supported my recommenders—both seasoned executives—with tailored guidance that they found incredibly helpful. They both told me how much they appreciated her insight in helping them understand what the school is truly looking for and how to best frame their recommendations, making the process more strategic and focused.

I feel incredibly fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with Susan. She’s thoughtful, respectful, and genuinely committed to your success. Most of all, she’s someone you can trust to walk with you through what can be a very personal and high-stakes journey. I can’t recommend her highly enough.

Wharton Admit

I worked with Susan McInerny at mbaMission as an hourly client while preparing my application to the HBS Class of 2026. I’m incredibly excited to say that I was accepted to HBS and that I couldn’t be stronger in my endorsement of Susan!! She helped me transform my application from good to GREAT. As an HBS alum herself, Susan gave me amazing insight into how to best tell my story in a clear and compelling way. She offered invaluable guidance every step of the way from my resume to essays to interview prep. Not only did she help me strengthen my application, but she also instilled in me a confidence about my background, my story, and what I have to offer at these elite programs.

Harvard Admit

I cannot speak highly enough of Susan. With her support and expertise, I was accepted into all the schools I applied to! Her wisdom, mentorship, and guidance made the application process so smooth and enjoyable.

I decided to work with her after meeting with a multitude of admission consultants. She was the only one who gave me tangible and impactful advice during my complimentary consultation. Also, I could tell she genuinely cared about my overall success. Not only did Susan show her deep knowledge of navigating the MBA process, but she also was the kindest and nicest consultant I met.

I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to work with Susan! She helped me craft a meaningful and real story when writing essays. Susan gave me valuable advice when reviewing various aspects of my application portfolio. With her feedback, I was able to confidently submit my applications. She made the entire process stress free and fun! I truly feel blessed!

I definitely recommend Susan to anyone looking for an MBA consultant! She will truly make your life better when applying!

Columbia, NYU, Duke and UCLA Admit

I decided I wanted to apply for HBS deferred MBA a few days before the deadline and only had a draft essay the day before it was due. I contacted Susan with only 2 days left until the HBS deadline and she got to work right away. If I'm honest, compared to the anxiety and stress I felt with my other applications (to MIT and Columbia deferred, using another very well esteemed consultant), I really felt supported by Susan. She was lovely, reassuring and she really helped me turn my essay around quickly whilst retaining my voice and messaging. She was a bright and bubbly person and in a process where chances of rejection are high even for the best candidate, I was feeling demotivated before speaking to her. Her writing and storytelling skills were amazing, she constantly checked that I was happy with her suggested changes and I could feel she genuinely wanted to help. Even though the whole process went by quickly, I feel as though with Susan’s help I was able to give it my all and present myself in the very best way I could. My initial feeling from consultants was usually that they just wanted my money and me obtaining a place was a byproduct. After making the choice to work with Susan, I felt like someone was rooting for me - as I’m from the UK and most of my friends/parents have no idea what I have been spending my time and money applying for.

When I got an interview at HBS, I used Susan again for interview prep - and I got into Harvard Business School! I was rejected from Columbia and MIT, and didn't use her for those - so a true testament to her work.

Harvard Admit

I cannot recommend Susan enough! Throughout my MBA application journey, she was more than just a consultant—she became a lifelong friend and trusted advisor. With her guidance, I was accepted into five incredible MBA programs, even though my GMAT score was slightly below average.

What truly sets Susan apart is her ability to deeply understand your story and help you convey it authentically and powerfully to admissions committees. She worked tirelessly with me to hone in on my narrative, ensuring that my applications reflected not only my accomplishments but also my unique passions and values.

The process of applying to business school can be overwhelming, but Susan removed so much of that anxiety. Her personalized approach and constant encouragement made the process feel manageable and even enjoyable. From strategizing early on to reviewing countless drafts of essays, she provided thoughtful and actionable feedback every step of the way.

Susan goes above and beyond in every aspect of the application process. Whether it was brainstorming essay ideas, preparing for interviews, or just being a sounding board when I needed reassurance, she was always there.

Thanks to Susan’s expertise and unwavering support, I’m heading to MIT Sloan and feel confident about the journey ahead. If you’re looking for someone who will invest in you and truly elevate your MBA applications, look no further!

MIT, Booth, Kellogg, Columbia, and NYU Admit

Susan was the best partner I could’ve asked for to help me navigate the entire application process! We connected fairly late in the process, when I was experiencing significant anxiety and doubting whether I would be able to prepare thoughtful, quality applications in time. Despite challenging circumstances and condensed timeframes, Susan was consistently positive, warm, engaged, and supportive throughout the entire process and gave me tremendous confidence.

She really took pride in understanding who I am, how my experiences molded me into the person I am today, and what matters most to me, and used that to craft an incredibly compelling narrative that helped get me into HBS!

I could not recommend her highly enough – not just for her contributions to my application and sage advice, but also for how supportive and fun she was during the entire process!! I will miss working with her!

Harvard, Wharton, and MIT Admit

Working with Susan has been nothing short of life changing —and I mean that wholeheartedly. After two years of feeling lost in the MBA application process as an international EU student unfamiliar with its complexities, Susan illuminated the path-my path. She empowered me to believe in myself, own my narrative, and boldly tell my story.

With patience, candor, and an unwavering sense of purpose, she coached me into someone who stands taller, speaks with clarity, and believes in herself. From the initial brainstorming to the countless essay drafts and eventually, interview preparation, she provided unwavering support every step of the way. Thanks to her guidance, I was accepted into four top MBA programs—two with scholarships. Beyond admissions success, Susan has strengthened my sense of self-worth, deepened my sense of purpose, and sharpened my ability to drive meaningful change.

If you’re seeking an exceptionally smart, knowledgeable, and purpose-driven coach to guide you through the MBA journey, I cannot recommend her highly enough.

Wharton, Yale, Haas, and Duke Admit

I’ve had the privilege of working with Susan on multiple occasions and across several professional milestones, starting with my admissions process for Wharton, where I am currently an MBA student. From the very beginning, she demonstrated an exceptional ability to understand my individual strengths, clarify my goals, and pinpoint precisely what admissions committees look for. The insights and support she provided were truly invaluable, ensuring that my application was both authentic and compelling.

But Susan’s impact went far beyond that initial admissions guidance. Even after I secured my place at Wharton, I turned to her again for overall career advice and later, for support in applying to a competitive venture capital fellowship in health tech. In each instance, she not only offered strategic guidance but also helped me refine my personal narrative, articulate my value proposition, and navigate the often complex world of professional development.

What stands out most is that my relationship with Susan never felt limited to a single project. We’ve stayed in touch long after my applications were submitted and deadlines passed, and I continue to benefit from her perspective and mentorship. This long-term connection has become a valuable resource—she’s someone who really understands my evolving career path and can offer thoughtful guidance at every new juncture.

Working with Susan has been an investment in my future. She’s proven herself to be not only an extraordinary admissions advisor, but also a trusted mentor and champion, genuinely invested in my success. I’m immensely grateful for her support and can confidently recommend her to anyone seeking guidance through high-stakes admissions, career transitions, or new professional opportunities.

Wharton Admit

Susan was incredible and I would recommend her 100 times over to anyone who is interested in pursuing a competitive MBA program. She was incredibly attentive, supportive, and encouraging throughout the application process, while also providing candid and realistic feedback during our conversations and brainstorm sessions. Susan is incredibly responsive, and I felt that we built a strong relationship throughout this process. I feel like she took the time to truly learn and understand my story, and helped me translate this into a competitive application (including essays and short answers).

Additionally, Susan’s expertise helped me tailor my applications appropriately, and supported me as I was looking to boost my candidacy outside of the application itself (i.e. advice on letters of support, networking, events to attend, etc.).

I will be attending Columbia Business School on a full-ride scholarship (along with multiple fellowships), and could not have done this without her. I have personally recommended her to multiple friends of mine, and appreciate her openness to continuing a relationship moving forward.

Columbia Admit

Susan’s unwavering support was critical in gaining my admission to UCLA Anderson, where I am joining the class of 2025 to pursue a career in the media and entertainment industry.

Rather than sticking to a one-size fits all approach, Susan invested a great amount of time from the get-go to hear my story and understand every detail and aspect of it, and therefore tailor her approach to my needs and help me craft an authentic application that does justice to who I am. Every question and every conversation helped me understand myself better and uncover parts of my journey that I often overlooked, which will serve me beyond my journey to get an MBA.

While my work experience and extracurricular activities were strong, being an international student my standardized tests scores were on the lower range. I wanted to work with a consultant who could help craft my story to overcome any hesitations that an admission committee would have about my application. After meeting with Susan, she truly believed I had an exciting story and goals that could be leveraged to be admitted into any top Business school.

She was always very prompt in answering questions related to the application, was always available to jump on a call to brainstorm ideas, and went above and beyond to help me get exactly where I was supposed to be. She believed in my application more than I did and never lost faith in me, which is key in this long process that can become very personal at times. When I struggled to verbalize my thoughts, Susan reassuring presence was always there to help and guide. At every stage of the process, I knew I had someone in my corner who would make sure I never leave any stone unturned, always knew how to synthesize my thoughts better than I could ever do, and showed more patience and willingness to help than I could have ever imagined.

Susan went above and beyond her duties as a consultant. She quickly became a friend, guide, and mentor; someone I can turn to for advice not just when it relates to Business school.

I cannot recommend Susan enough regardless of your background or the school you are targeting. Susan can guide you seamlessly throughout the process of finding your greatest strengths as a candidate and then piecing together the puzzle of your story to put forward an authentic application showcasing what makes you a unique candidate for your target school.

UCLA Admit