Testimonials
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“Working with Horatiu is easily one of the best investments I’ve ever made.”
I’ll be honest—I wasn’t sold on the idea of hiring an MBA admissions consultant. But after weeks of spinning my wheels on my first essay, I realized I needed help.
From our first call, Horatiu was transparent, strategic, and refreshingly direct. He didn’t try to impress me—he asked smart, incisive questions, quickly spotted the weaknesses in my approach, and showed me how to think like an admissions reader.
That changed everything. My essays began to flow. I started seeing connections in my career that I hadn’t noticed before. Horatiu’s feedback was always clear, specific, and actionable, and for the first time, the process stopped feeling like a burden.
Working with Horatiu wasn’t just about getting in—it was about learning how to own my story and actually believe in it.
I applied to Wharton, Columbia, Sloan, and Booth—and got into three.
Wharton ‘25
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“I walked away from this experience feeling proud—not just as a candidate, but as a person.”
I’ve always been the kind of person who’d rather build a model than write a paragraph. So, when I started my first application, I hit a wall—fast. That’s when I reached out to Horatiu, hoping he could help me unlock whatever was blocking me.
Horatiu created space for me to reflect. He asked thoughtful, often challenging questions that forced me to look deeper at my choices, values, and motivations. Slowly, a story began to take shape—one that felt authentic, not contrived. Horatiu helped me find the balance between personal and professional, and he always gave feedback that elevated my thinking—not just my grammar.
More than the outcome (I got into Kellogg, my top choice!) I left this process with a better understanding of myself.
Kelogg ‘24
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“He helped me shift from formal and factual to personal and reflective—something U.S. schools value deeply.”
Coming from an international background and aiming to pivot industries, I knew I had to get my message exactly right. I had the ‘stats’ and global experience, but I wasn’t sure how to express it in a way that would resonate with US MBA programs.
What set Horatiu apart was his ability to decode what US admissions committees value. He explained the importance of tone, storytelling, and demonstrating reflection—elements that aren’t typically emphasized in my culture. He helped me shift from a fact-based, resume-style narrative to a personal, compelling story.
Even with a time zone difference, Horatiu was incredibly responsive. Every meeting felt purposeful. His comments were never vague—they were insightful and targeted. If you’re an international applicant feeling unsure how to present yourself, Horatiu will not only guide you—he’ll help you translate your story into something memorable.
With his support, I was admitted to Tuck, Booth, Wharton, and HBS—with scholarships from two.
HBS ‘26
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“This wasn’t about reinvention—it was about refinement.”
I wasn’t looking to pivot industries or radically change direction. I liked my job and was performing well—but I wanted to accelerate. I wanted an MBA to sharpen my skills, build my network, and open doors to more strategic roles down the line. But explaining that in a compelling way turned out to be harder than I expected.
Horatiu helped me articulate a narrative that was clear, focused, and forward-looking. He helped me see that I didn’t need to create drama to justify an MBA—what I needed was to connect the dots between what I’d done, where I was headed, and how business school fit in.
Together, we crafted essays that were ambitious yet grounded. He helped me tighten my resume, identify high-impact stories, and speak with clarity in interviews. One of the most helpful parts of the process was how he pushed me to refine my “why now.” That single element helped the rest of my story snap into place.
I was admitted to Booth, Kellogg, Stern, and Yale SOM. If you’re looking to elevate your career, Horatiu will help you tell that story with confidence and credibility.
CBS ‘26
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“Horatiu believed in me before I fully believed in myself.”
I had the ‘raw material’ but I had a tendency to coast. I was writing safe essays that hit the right notes but didn’t say much about me. Horatiu challenged me to dig deeper—he saw more in me than I was showing—and refused to let me play small.
When I submitted early drafts that were vague or generic, he asked hard questions: “Why does this matter? What does this actually say about you?” At first, I resisted. Then I leaned in. And that’s when things shifted.
We rewrote my essays for Stanford GSB, Wharton, Kellogg, and Haas. Each draft became sharper, more personal, more real. I started to connect with the material AND to believe in my own story.
The results speak for themselves: admits to all four schools.
If you want someone who will tell you the truth, challenge your assumptions, and help you rise to your own potential, Horatiu is the coach you want.
GSB ‘25
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“Horatiu is a partner in long-term growth—not just a coach.”
When I first reached out to Horatiu, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to apply to business school. But I also had a sense that I wanted more—and I didn’t want to wait until deadlines were around the corner to figure it out.
Horatiu was the only consultant who didn’t try to rush me into applications. Instead, he treated me like a long-term partner. He helped me explore potential goals, identify gaps in my story, and build a 12-month plan that included everything from stepping up at work to volunteering and taking on a board role.
By the time application season arrived, we hit the ground running with my resume and essays because the content was there. Horatiu helped me articulate my story in a way that felt genuine and forward-looking. He also helped me pace the applications, so I never felt burned out.
I was admitted to Booth, Tuck, Sloan, and Wharton. What’s more, I felt like I earned those admits because I grew into the kind of candidate those programs were looking for.
Horatiu is more than a coach. He’s a thought partner. If you’re planning ahead and want to do it right, start with him.
Tuck ‘27
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“He respected my vision and helped me sharpen it—not reshape it.”
I was in management consulting but knew I wanted to make a shift into the climate tech space. I had the experience, the passion, and a general idea of where I wanted to go—but every time I tried to write about it, my story felt vague.
From day one, Horatiu listened without judgment. He asked smart questions that forced me to define what I really meant by “climate tech” and what impact I wanted to have in that space. What impressed me most was his ability to translate my consulting experience into something deeply relevant to a new field.
Mock interviews with him were like coaching sessions in communication. I became more confident and more connected to my own message.
I was admitted to Haas, Yale SOM, Booth, and Fuqua—with scholarships from two. The clarity I gained through this process didn’t just help my applications—it helped me define my career path. Horatiu didn’t force-fit me into a mold. He respected my vision and helped me sharpen it.
If you’re a career switcher, Horatiu is the strategic partner you want.
Booth ‘24
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“Horatiu adapted the process to my pace and kept things manageable when I nearly gave up.”
When I first reached out, I was struggling. I didn’t have the energy to perform at 100% every day. Horatiu never judged that. Instead, he adapted. We slowed down when needed, adjusted deadlines, and built in buffer time. He respected my limits but never lowered the bar.
Horatiu’s emotional intelligence was as important as his strategic guidance. He made sure I felt in control of my process, even when so much else in my life wasn’t.
I was admitted to Columbia, Tuck, Booth, and Haas. That outcome was beyond what I expected—but what meant more was how I felt doing it. For the first time in months, I felt proud of myself again.
Horatiu doesn’t just help you get in. He helps you hold yourself together.
CBS ‘24
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“Horatiu respected my time, pushed me when I needed it, and never let the process feel overwhelming.”
Balancing a demanding full-time job, family responsibilities, and MBA applications felt like juggling knives. I didn’t have time for fluff. I needed structure, accountability, and feedback that was sharp and to the point. Horatiu delivered exactly that.
What I appreciated most was that he didn’t waste a minute. From our first call, he understood the constraints I was under and customized a plan that worked for me. He helped me prioritize schools, set a realistic schedule, and stay on track—even when I was traveling for work or dealing with personal obligations.
Every essay draft I sent came back with comments that were direct, specific, and incredibly useful. No vague “this could be stronger”—he told me what to cut, what to clarify, and what to expand. I was able to revise each draft efficiently, usually in under an hour. That kind of feedback is rare—and incredibly valuable when time is short.
I applied to Kellogg, Fuqua, Darden, and Haas and was admitted to three. I never felt like I was compromising quality, even though I had so little time to work with. Horatiu respected my time, pushed me when I needed it, and kept the process moving without ever letting it feel overwhelming.
For any executive or full-time professional wondering if this is doable—yes, it is. With Horatiu, it absolutely is.
Fuqua ‘25
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“For any technical applicant feeling unsure, Horatiu helps you speak the language of business with confidence.”
I have a PhD in materials science and spent years in research and academia. My transition to industry had been recent, and I had no business training and a giant case of imposter syndrome. I worried that admissions committees wouldn’t see how I fit into an MBA classroom.
Horatiu helped me see the leadership, resilience, and strategy hidden in my experience. He didn’t just edit my essays—he taught me how to translate my world for a business audience. Grant-writing became fundraising. Lab management became team leadership. Research design became problem-solving.
Horatiu also helped me frame my pivot into business not as a correction, but as an evolution. We crafted a compelling vision of how I could integrate technical depth with strategic breadth. I learned how to speak the language of impact and influence. I didn’t have to pretend to be someone else. I told my story in my own voice, with the confidence Horatiu helped me develop.
I applied to Wharton, Yale SOM, MIT Sloan, and Booth—and got into all four.
For any technical applicant feeling unsure of how to position themselves, I can’t recommend Horatiu enough. He sees value in paths that don’t follow the standard track—and he helps you make others see it, too.
Wharton ‘25