Ryan Barba is an independent MBA admissions advisor who worked in MBA Admissions offices for four years and who has been supporting candidates applying to top business schools for more than 13 years. Ryan has helped hundreds of candidates from more than 30 countries earn acceptances to top-15 MBA programs and has particular expertise in M7 MBA programs. Ryan prides himself on providing a "white glove service" and takes on a small number of clients each year, to ensure a very high level of accessibility, attention, and admissions success. He works with both "traditional" and "non-traditional" candidates and enjoys the challenge of working with driven candidates who have weaknesses in their profile - such as lower-than-ideal test scores or college GPAs - but who still want to aim for top-tier programs.
Ryan Barba Consulting (ryanbarba.com) has 93 customer reviews on Five Star Index, with an average rating of 4.9 out of 5.
Also known as
ryanbarba.com
Website
ryanbarba.com
Category
Education Services
Location
Los Angeles, California
Listed on Five Star Index
2026
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Most recent review: October 2026.
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I'm so glad I found this page! I've been looking for an avenue to brag about Ryan for years!
I worked with Ryan 5 years ago on my MBA applications, and he changed my life! I'm now a alum of Stanford GSB - where I had a great experience - and I'll always look back at my experience working with Ryan as life-changing, exciting, and enjoyable. He was extremely knowledgeable, provided intelligent pushback in just the right ways, and made the application process very efficient. I was very successful working with him - 4 acceptances to top programs! - and I have no doubt that that success was largely thanks to his help.
Ryan will push you to do better and be better. He'll challenge you. And he'll make your application shine. If I could give him 6 stars, I would!
SH
Shubham
I had a great experience with Ryan…
I had a great experience with Ryan Barba Consulting. I knew that as a male, Indian candidate that I was facing an uphill challenge, especially given that my GMAT was a 700 and I was aiming high, but I felt fully supported going through the admissions process. I used RBC for 4 schools, and got into 2 of them: Kellogg and NYU Stern (dinged at MIT and Booth, although I did get interviewed at Booth).
I was a little disappointed I didn't get into Booth, especially since I was so close, but Ryan's team did all they could to prepare me well. And hey - I got into 2 of the 3 schools I got interviewed for! The only other thing I would say is an improvement opportunity is that it took a few days for them to get going. I signed up for their services on a Sunday and we didn't kick off until that Thursday, after they'd had time to review my materials in detail and find a mutually-beneficial time to hold our first call. Since I was under a time crunch, this caused me a bit of stress. But once we got rolling, my consultant was fully responsive: Same-day responses to emails, highly available for calls whenever I needed them (including on weekends) and super-fast edits to my materials.
All-in-all, I had a great experience and highly recommend Ryan and his highly-skilled team of experts on MBA admissions.
JA
James
I worked with Ryan three years ago and…
I worked with Ryan three years ago and still look back and say, "Wow, what a great decision!" Not only did Ryan help me get into MIT Sloan with a substantial scholarship (which is where I ended up going), but also earned acceptance to Kellogg, Columbia Business School, and NYU Stern. I was extremely satisfied with Ryan's services and how attentive he was, and am ETERNALLY GRATEFUL for what he's done for me and my career.
Ryan and I keep in touch, and he's remained a mentor to me throughout, and now after, business school. He's just simply a good guy, and has your best interest at heart.
JH
Jen H.
Admitted to Kellogg, Booth, and McCombs!
I had the BEST experience with Ryan Barba Consulting! I really felt like a had partner throughout the application process who was championing my cause. My consultant was always willing to go above and beyond to give me the answers I needed, invest the time necessary to do a GREAT, thorough job editing my application materials, and make me feel 100% supported.
I was really nervous that I'd be able to get into any top schools given my sub-700 GMAT score and the fact that I didn't work for a big-name company, but RBC helped me craft compelling essays that not only showed portrayed me in the best possible light but that also (in the optional essays) perfectly explained away my weaknesses thoroughly and convincingly.
I got into Chicago Booth, Kellogg and McCombs with their help! Getting that phone call from Kellogg, my dream school, is a moment I'll always remember. I called my consultant immediately (after calling my parents) and it just felt like we had accomplished this amazing goal together, and that she was as excited as I was. I'll always remember that moment! Thanks so much RBC!!!!
JM
JM
I had such a great experience working…
I had such a great experience working with Ryan's team. They were so supportive and helpful every step of the way and are really true experts in the field of business school admissions. I love their strategy of making sure that every consultant only takes on a few clients at once to ensure that clients are treated like gold. Phenomenal experience, phenomenal results. I was accepted to both schools they helped me with. Looking forward to attending Booth next year!
JD
Jenn D.
Exceptional in every way!
I had a great experience working with Ryan. He thoroughly guided me through the entire MBA process and helped keep me sane and confident every step of the way.
He first had me fill out a detailed "intake form" which was pretty holistic - it made me think through elements of my candidacy and background that I really hadn't thought through before. We reviewed this in really strong depth, and worked together over several phone calls and emails to develop my "brand strategy" - basically, my clear messaging for how I'd distinguish myself from other applicants. This process was super in depth and really strategic. He had a specific structure he followed, which he shared with me, and it was really clever and insightful. I really loved how we decided to "brand" me and it really helped as I was working to craft my essays later.
From there, we worked really in-depth on all of my applications. Ryan was extremely thorough and detailed in helping to edit my resume, essays, and even short essay prompts within each application. We worked on 4 applications together and was SO HAPPY with how they turned out - far better than I believe I could've done myself. They were works of art!
Then, Ryan coached me really hard on my interview skills - skills I'm sure I'll carry with me for the rest of my life. As he was on my essays, he was very direct and forthcoming in his feedback, but he made it so clear how to bring my interview skills to that next level. And when I stepped into my HBS interview (the first interview I had) I felt so confident and prepared. He really gave me all the confidence in the world to really nail it.
And I did! Not only did I get into HBS, but I earned acceptances to 3 of the 4 programs I applied to with Ryan's help (HBS, MIT Sloan, and Haas). Looking back, I couldn't be happier with the level and quality of support I got from Ryan. He's a true rockstar as a coach and mentor, and really understands the MBA Admissions process. He also clearly has a passion for this work. It was truly enjoyable working with him and I can't thank him enough!
SM
Steve M.
No question... work with Ryan!
Ryan is the man. Super fun to work with, hilarious, and kept me relaxed the whole way. Admitted to Wharton, Columbia Business School and Stern. Aces all the way!
MS
Marissa S.
Outstanding in every way! Acceptances to MIT, Kellogg, and NYU Stern!
I'm so thankful that I hired Ryan Barba's team to help me with my MBA applications! They were so helpful in getting me clear on where to apply, how to position myself to my target schools, and to address my "weaknesses" (low GPA, 6-month work gap) in my applications. They made me feel so much more confident and comfortable throughout every aspect of the process and made the process of applying to business school so much smoother. I worked with them on 4 applications, and despite my 3.1 GPA I got accepted to MIT Sloan, Kellogg, and NYU Stern. I fully recommend them - the best decision I made in my application process was hiring this amazing team! :)