August Academy

The first time around when I applied to MBA programs, I did so on my own accord. But I was not able to secure a single admit. The next admissions cycle, I was still determined to give it another shot. But my confidence had taken a big hit by then. So, I decided to look for a consultant whod help me approach things differently and stay on track amidst the fog that sets when applying to MBA programs. I met with over a dozen different consultants. Karthik seemed to be the right match for me. From the onset, Karthik stood out because of his transparent approach and his commitment towards giving an honest and complete picture of my profile and the business school landscape that matched with the same. He didn't just tell me things I wanted to hear and was direct with what he believed was the best path for me. He made sure to not let my list of previous rejections bog me down while I was planning for a fresh season of applications. Karthik was very quick with getting the ball rolling. He is a very systematic individual with great organizations skills and a strong sense of time management. His resources urged me to think in the right direction and his approach towards breaking down the entire application process helps gain a good grasp of how AdComs view each component of the application. He is very well-researched and each of his writing exercises helped bring out all sorts of stories that I initially hadnt realized would play a crucial role in telling my story. After the initial introspection and brainstorming, Karthik makes efficient use of project management tools to streamline the essay writing process. I was able to seamlessly write through 5-6 iterations for many essays until I reached the perfect versions. While making edits or suggestions, Karthik was thoughtful in ensuring that he preserved my voice while still using his judgement to ensure that I was appropriately addressing what was asked of each essay. He gave me the freedom to experiment with different stories for certain essays to ensure that I was able to demonstrate my fit with schools in the best way possible. His confidence in his process and in my stories allowed me to experiment a lot. I dont feel Id be able to do that had I gone about it my way. Karthik is a great coach who truly believes that he is training an athlete. He held me accountable every step of the way and pushed me till he believed I had gotten to the right version. He was also very good at assessing obstacles in my mind that I had trouble articulating, and was able to help me maintain the right focus. The essay writing period is very strenuous and confusing. Karthik played a major role in helping curb any deviations at various points. His prompt turnaround time between versions helped me plan my work and gave me the confidence to run through as many edits as I needed. Post the application, I had weekly sessions with Karthik to prepare for interviews. He helped me ensure that I was able to convey all aspects of my story. Karthik really spent alot of time learning about my thought process for each of my answers and talked me through different ways I could express myself in a simpler manner. He helped me understand the importance of being succinct and also helped me articulate my story in an easy-to-understand way. This goes a long way when youre talking to an AdCom who usually comes from a different background from you but still needs to be able to connect to your story. In conclusion, I do believe that Karthik was the perfect consultant for me. One thing that stuck with me when working with him was that his commitment level was very high and he really got into the process as if it were for himself. The level of care he puts into it always filled me with a high level of confidence. And it is this momentum that finally helped me secure an admit very early in the admission cycle. I will always recommend Karthik to whomsoever I speak to. He not only helps with the admissions process, but also makes you think about other aspects you should be thinking of when wanting to do an MBA.

I scored a 690 on GMAT and was from a traditional technology background. I was a little sceptical on whether to pursue an MBA or re-take the exam and wait for another year. I came across August Academy through a friends reference. Ever since the very first meeting, Karthik sir gave me a realistic picture of the entire application process. I truly admire his honesty because that is what set the momentum for my journey. His entire application process is extremely seamless, professional and thorough. His profile review, resume building and brainstorming sessions are exceptionally informative because they helped me explore certain areas of my profile I was not aware of. He always provided the right insights, did multiple review sessions and constantly motivated me to upgrade my profile. He is extremely meticulous and listens actively, therefore, he helped me pick the right kind of stories for my resume and essays. I truly believe Karthik sir tries his best to bring the best out every student. I was able to get into 3 colleges with up to 85% scholarship. I strongly recommend Karthik sir to future applicants.

When I applied (without an MBA consultant) during R2 for the Fall 2022 intake, I received rejects from all my dream and competitive schools. Not wanting to compromise, I decided to reapply for the 2023 Fall intake during R1. After extensive research and reaching out to multiple MBA consultants, I decided to go with Karthik from August Academy. During my demo call with him, he was very upfront and direct with his feedback on my profile (I have 6.5 years of work experience and a GRE score of 325). I heard a lot of sugar coated responses from other consultants about what schools I can apply to and my chances of getting in. I believe that setting clear expectations from the start and getting direct feedback reflecting the ground reality of the competitiveness of Indian students applying to MBA programs helped me immensely during my application process. During my brainstorming sessions with Karthik, he made me find my leadership stories that I could highlight. To be honest, I didn't even realise these could be identified with leadership skills. This changed my entire outlook of myself and my profile. In addition, he kept pushing me to rework on my essays until both of us were happy with them and this process helped me gain more clarity of thought. It was an amazing experience working with him. I currently hold admits from five top 25 schools including my dream school, UVA Darden, all with scholarships. I would definitely recommend Karthik to anyone applying to MBA programs and looking for a clear and smooth application process. Best of luck!

Working with Karthik was a fantastic experience. He showed a genuine interest in my story and provided personalized guidance that helped me to craft a compelling MBA application. He was easy to talk to, and I always felt that he was invested in my success. He also encouraged me to express my individuality, which allowed me to showcase my unique strengths and experiences. Thanks to Karthik's help, I was able to secure a 100% scholarship at Georgia Tech's MBA program and a $25k scholarship at Georgetown's McDonough School of business. I highly recommend Karthik to anyone looking for an MBA admissions consultant who is supportive, knowledgeable, and easy to work with.

I had sought out the help of August Academy to gain insight into the B-school application process and to determine which programs would be the best fit for me. Overall, I found the experience to be incredibly helpful and valuable. Mr. Karthik worked with me one-on-one to assess my goals, strengths, weaknesses, and preferences. In addition he helped me identify the programs that aligned with my interests and provided guidance on how to best position myself as a strong candidate. His methodical approach of building the application and sticking to a timeline really helped me handle my priorities and meet the application deadlines well in advance. From August Academy I got the support and guidance needed to deeply introspect myself and figure out my highlights. Mr. Karthik was always available via mails to answer my questions and provide feedback on my essays and other application materials. I was able to crack into some of the most competitive B-Schools in the world and am entirely grateful to Mr. Karthik and August Academy for the same