Nicole,
As you can see, I have been a member of BTG since 2009 and have posted more than 50 messages about the GMAT and my prep. I completed my entire GMAT prep process as a member of the BTG community and then decided to work with Stratus Prep on my applications this last season. I was admitted to Wharton, one of my stretch schools even though I had a relatively weaker profile as I did not attend an Ivy/near-Ivy college, had only a reasonable GPA, and only had about just two year of substantive real work experience. As you can see from my profile, I fortunately had a 710 on the GMAT, but I doubted that would be enough to get me in. Just for your information, I am a white male in finance from the Northeast. I felt the need to write this post because I get so many PM's from people asking about Stratus and now I can just refer them to this post.
From my initial research, Stratus Prep is unlike any other admissions consulting firm out there (and I did my due diligence on about 10 other firms before signing up). Even though I had previously taken an LSAT class with Stratus, I did not want to risk anything with the MBA admissions process so I spoke to all the major companies in the "MBA consulting" industry... Including Manhattan GMAT's partners [I used MGMAT for some GMAT Prep].
From my research, at most admissions consulting firms, you talk to the head of the firm , who is usually incredibly knowledgeable, when you are first thinking about signing up, and he or she presents you with a bunch of bios of potential consultants, but that is the extent of the head of the firm's involvement. Once you sign up, you are on your own with that consultant for better or worse. There may be a final review by someone else but at that point it's really too late. I was really not comfortable with that model at all. Why should I pay $5K+ (I did a school package with several schools) and not get regular access to the head of the firm? Also, unlike any other firm I could find, Stratus has a professional, detailed methodology that they give you when you sign up with the firm that guides you through all of your work with Shawn and your counselor. I found this document which focused me and kept me on schedule to be invaluable. [Btw, just a side note, Shawn is a literal genius. Check out his background, Harvard MBA, consulting at a big 3 firm, perfect LSAT score I believe.]
I shared some of your concerns about the lack of reviews of Stratus so before I signed up I spoke with a few friends/classmates that had used Stratus for MBA counseling (going back to 2007). I also asked for and got two references of other former clients from Shawn. Though these were guys who got into good schools, point is, I was more asking them about the process/interactions with Shawn/Stratus, not about the end result of their acceptances. [Note: I told Shawn to feel free to pass me along as a reference too now, as its just what you do when someone gives you good service].
At Stratus, you work with a FULL-TIME counselor (beware many other firms have counselors who work for top consulting firms and banks and for whom you are an afterthought - I would never spend thousands of dollars for that) as well as directly with Shawn, the founder of the firm, throughout the entire admissions process. Stratus strictly limits the number of applicants per counselor and the overall number of applicants per round so that Shawn and your counselor have more than ample time to help you. Shawn and my counselor were always available at nights and weekends when I needed them. There is also an independent, school specific blind reader who reviews your essays and gives you really frank feedback. Shawn and my counselor, Vanessa, helped me with every part of the admissions process including pushing me to come up with best examples, developing my story/strategy (which proved to be the most challenging part), picking and advising my recommenders, outlining and editing my essays to perfection, preparing me relentlessly for the group and individual interview, and helping me with the financial aid process. They could not have been more knowledgeable or accommodating to my often crazy schedule.
You are more than welcome to contact me directly with any questions you have about Stratus. I would also recommend asking Stratus for references if you have doubts. I found them really helpful as you can verify their name and where they go to school so you know the firm is absolutely legit. Last year, after I chose Stratus, I referred some friends to Stratus and I think all of them ended up at top 5 MBA programs [top 15 if you go by FT... but who goes by FT lol!! Sorry had to throw that in there]. Based on their results, I have no doubts about Stratus's published success rates. I never thought I had a shot at Wharton with my GPA, but I am headed there next month.
Ok really quickly I need to finish up then go: In the end... I felt that a lot of those other places are just self-promoting essay factories [people who used other companies and found this not to be true should write reviews for BTG members]; Stratus cares deeply about each client and gives them the attention they need and deserve (and I say this as a client who was admittedly pretty [very] needy).
Lastly, just as a warning: Make sure you use a real company like Stratus, because some of the firms that arent as well known made offers to do unethical things like help write my essay. Note: good firms only consult with ideas, and do ZERO of the writing. It is unethical to have someone else write for you or edit your paper.
Again, feel free to private message me if that would be helpful.
Good luck on your GMAT and B-School journey! [and in any event, don't cheap out on consulting because everyone else is using them...]
Mr. Boo
