Ryan Barba ConsultingReviews of ryanbarba.com

I can't say enough about my GREAT experience working with Ryan Barba on my MBA applications. I was really insecure about my candidacy and potential to get into top programs, since my GMAT score and GPA were both below the averages for these programs, but Ryan immediately gave me confidence that I could be successful, and his help was invaluable throughout my application process. His feedback on my essays and application materials was always direct and specific (jus the way I preferred it), and he helped me think through angles and strategies to position and market myself compellingly, in ways I never would have thought of. Then, when it came to time interview, we spent several hours working together to make sure I was fully prepared and confident. He was so patient and thoughtful throughout the process, and he always made me feel reassured that I was doing everything I possibly could to get accepted. Ryan really knows how to help you brand yourself in ways that will make you stand apart, but also make that brand come to life in your application and interview responses. With Ryan's help, I gained admission to Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan, and Kellogg, and got a significant scholarship offer from Columbia Business School. I highly recommend him!

Ryan not only assisted in helping me get accepted, with scholarship money, to two Top Schools (Johnson and Marshall), but he also helped me define my goals and set a vision for my career. I arrived on campus much more prepared than my classmates to pursue my goals, and I was able to hit the ground running in recruiting. If you care about not only getting accepted but also being in a position to succeed when you start business school, choose Ryan as your consultant.

Working with Ryan was easily the best decision I made when going through the business school application process! He is extremely knowledgable about all things b-school and knows how to highlight your individual strengths / story in an original way that truly makes you stand out to each school's admissions committees. We had a couple of initial calls to talk in-depth about my aspirations, past experiences, and overall application strategy. Developing a comprehensive story is the most important part of the application, and Ryan was critical in helping me formulate that narrative. After that, Ryan was extremely responsive to any questions or resume / essay drafts that I sent over, and we scheduled additional calls as necessary. Throughout the process, Ryan was super engaged, upbeat, and positive, but he wasn't afraid to be direct and honest with his feedback, which I really appreciated because it improved my applications way more efficiently! I always felt very prioritized - you won't find that same experience with a bigger consulting firm. With Ryan's help and guidance, I received acceptance to HBS (and also received full scholarships at Columbia and Fuqua)!

Results: I applied to three top-10 US MBA programs two years ago and didn't even get a response. After working with Ryan last year and applying, I was accepted to MIT Sloan and am on the waitlist at Wharton. (1.5/2). Better than the big consultants: I initially hired Ivywise but was disappointed with the level of service, which was nowhere near the value I paid. I felt like I was just another one of their candidates. The feedback they provided was unimpressive and largely unhelpful, particularly regarding key strategic points of my application, including essay structuring and content. Essay reviews were often limited to vocabulary and stylistic points, leaving me uncertain around content. There was also little discussion about how the entire application flowed together to support my story. Ryan's approach cut straight to the important details: Ryan asked me to complete a comprehensive questionnaire about my life experiences so that he could understand (and help me understand) my story and how to shape my application. This was absolutely critical to the success of my application. Throughout our drafting discussions, Ryan was direct with his feedback and focused on content far before worrying about vocabulary, word count, etc. I always got the sense that Ryan was putting more work into my application than the budget (my reasonable fee) actually allowed. This experience was in stark contrast to the Ivywise experience. I spent significantly more hours working with Ivywise and got significantly less out of it than I did in the short amount of time working with Ryan. Great to work with: Ryan immediately saw the points of my past that I needed to focus on to be successful. He gave me confidence that I had an honest shot at the two schools to which I was applying. He was passionate, optimistic, considerate, and very direct and transparent. An essential mix of qualities for a consultant.

I got accepted to Cornell Tech's MBA program thanks to Ryan Barba Consulting. They helped my perfect my resume and craft a narrative surround "my story." I am very grateful to their service. Thank you.

Ryan was an integral part of my MBA admissions process. His insight as an MBA graduate is a real competitive edge when applying. He cares deeply about his clients and invests his time, energy, and passion to help achieve their goals. With his assistance, I received an acceptance letter to Cornell University. Thank you, Ryan!

Thanks to Ryan I was able to get into my dream school: Tuck!

Ryan is incredibly knowledgeable of the admissions process. I enjoyed working with him on my applications and found his guidance to be paramount to my success. Ryan cares deeply about his clients and works extremely hard to help them accomplish their educational goals (as he did with me). His passion and belief in me gave me the extra push to work harder under his guidance. I now hold an MBA from a Top-25 B-school and gained an offer from a prestigious consulting firm. Without Ryan, I would still be working a 9-5 job instead of passionately pursuing my long-term career goals and aspirations. Thanks again, Ryan!