STILL MORE AMAZING  USER RESPONCES.
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How are you doing, Sir? 
I have to tell you this good news. I got in at both HBS and Stanford, and 
will head for HBS in this summer. I just can't do this without you, and I 
am so happy I made a good decision and found the coolest professional to 
help me. I still remember when I first called you to say I only wanna apply 
to H and S, you told me I was crazy -- and yes now I am crazily happy to 
have a choice between H and S, and I'm SO GRATEFUL that I met you and had 
your help. You are just the greatest, Sandy. Now what I worry about is not 
whether I can get in at H or S anymore, but which laptop I should buy and 
how I can get a nice dorm at HBS....
Will keep in touch with you, and see you in Cambridge.With a zillion thanks
===========
Sandy: 
You the man. Just wanted to let you know that I got my acceptance from Wharton today. I definitely could not have done it without your help. You were the difference between my rejected application last year and my accepted one this year. 
Thanks again. YIKES more on next page too
======
Sandy:

I found out last night that I was accepted to Harvard Business School!!!

Thank you very much for your help and guidance. You really helped me give them what they need to hear and I greatly appreciate your help.
YIKES more on next page too
====
Subject: im IN TO HBS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
To: Sanford Kreisberg <edit@world.std.com> 
 
 

i got a call!!!  i am SO EXCITED!!!
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====
Dear Sanford,
I got into Harvard! I can't believe it. I got in! I got in! I got in!
I also used portions of the Harvard essays that you edited to put together my Wharton application and I got an interview.
I could not have done it without you. If it were not for your help, my attempt would've failed the same way it did in 1999. Contacting you was the best decision I've made during the application process. 
Thank you so much. You changed my life
YIKES more on next page too
.======
Sandy,
   I just got the letter today offering me admissions
to the January Cohort.  I am ecstatic to say the
least!  Thanks for all of your help.  I know I would
not be in the same position I am right now without
your guidance along the admissions process.  The
letter did say that I would have to complete a two
week on-campus analytics program.  Do you know
anything about that?   Thanks again.
YIKES more on next page too
=============
Sandy-
 

I will be in Palo Alto this weekend for the Admitted Students shindig.  I wonder how many of those you had a hand in...  FYI:  My acceptance letter had a handwritten note saying that my essays were excellent.  Thanks again for your help.  
YIKES more on next page too
==============
Sandy:
 

I learned yesterday morning that I have been admitted to Wharton.  Thanks a
lot for all your help.  I would not have been able to get into Wharton
without your suggestions and direction.
YIKES more on next page too

Since I was able to get into Wharton, I was wondering whether you think I
have any shot at Harvard in its third round (I am sure you have heard this
question many times from people who were admitted to Wharton/Kellogg, etc.)
You know my application very well, especially because you worked on the
Kellogg one also.  I would appreciate if you would share your opinions on
my chances of getting into Harvard especially in the third round (I would
be a reapplicant to Harvard).
 

Thanks again for helping me to get into Wharton.
=======================
I just received my letter of admission from HBS. I couldn't have done it without your guidance. Thank you.

=======
You are the man!  I got the $.55 special from HBS last night!  Without
your encouragement I probably would not have even applied there.  I have
also been accepted to Wharton which makes me 2 for 2 so far.  I am going
to HBS.  This process has been so long that I'm not sure what to do with
myself now that it is over - your support made a big difference.

 I will
definitely encourage friends interested in business schools to get in
touch with you.

==========================

Well, you called it. Break out the Champaigne. I'm in Sloan 2004. Thank you so much for your advice and support. Please let me know if I can be of help in the future.
=================
IV. Best things SK did for my essays:
 

a - vetoed bad essays
b - improved positioning for good essays
c - overall structure help, especially for long essays.
d - taught me how to transform 150 words of BS into a sharp, focused 15 word
sentence.
 Based on my stats, my outcome at top choice school was
WHO KNOWS, I HAVE GOOD STATS BUT GETTING INTO HBS IS ALWAYS A MIRACLE!

.As to H/W/S I would rec. SK for the following reasons to the following people:
POSITIONING IN THOSE SCHOOLS IS REALLY TOUGH IN MY OPINION. IE WHAT DO THEY WANT
BESIDES THE OBVIOUS (SMART, LEADERSHIP/MGMT EXPERIENCE). THIS IS PARTICULARLY
TRUE FOR HARVARD AND STANFORD, WHARTON SEEMS TO BE A LITTLE EASIER TO FIGURE
OUT. I ALSO FEEL THAT PEOPLE WITH ENGINEERING / SCIENCE BACKGROUNDS HAVE MORE
DIFFICULTY WITH WRITING THESE KIND OF ESSAYS AND MAY NEED MORE HELP (LIKE
MYSELF).
 

7.  If you use SK, be sure to
1,BUG HIM FOR ANSWERS
2,EXPECT TO BE INSULTED FREQUENTLY
3,DO NOT BE AFRAID TO QUESTION SOMETHING SILLY - BUT EXPECT TO GET SHOUTED AT
FOR ASKING IT! (EVEN SO, THESE KIND OF EXCHANGES USUALLY BRING THE MOST
IMPROVEMENT TO YOUR EVENTUAL ESSAYS

===
Hi SK,
Admitted to Sloan. I am very grateful. Couldn't 
have done it without you. You are the amazing 
consultant.. Thanks alot! 
=====
Sandy, 
I've finally got good news -- I'm in at MIT!
O, God, it happened.
After ding from Harvard, ding after interview from Wharton, call (!) from Don Martin about WaiList, interview with him and another ding from Chicago, I FINALLY MANAGED THIS RESULT.
I followed your advice of arranging a campaign and get support letters from two more recommeders, alumnae in Moscow (thanks God, Rod Garcia knew her personally), students (MIT guys were in Moscow during Study Tour and I had a chance to convert them; one of them wrote a letter for me)
On April,15th I had the interview in Frankfurt and felt that everything was OK this time. And yesterday I finally got my Congratulations letter.
I'm a bit shocked and can't believe that this maraphon of admission (2 years, you know) is going to finish. I realize also how many problems I have to solve: credit, visa, housing, etc.
BUT FIRST OF ALL, thank you, coach... You were the person who cut all shit from my stories. You made me focused on top. And altho I didn't get result from H and W, I'm in at MIT. This year, I suppose, it is more than perfect result. Hope, that someday I'll be so useful for you. As soon as I arrive to Boston I pay for a dinner with you. Don't mind?
=======
Sandy:
I'm in!!!! It was really a great surprise!!!
Thank you so much again!!! It was really a wise investment - and you accuratelly predicted that I would be accepted!
Now I have this problem: go to Stanford or HBS? I know your opinion: HBS has strong brand/alumni/resources. However, Stanford has a strong appeal for me: more liberal, more selective, better environment,...But ultimately I think I'll go to HBS, because I'll learn more, get more contacts, and it is less risky...
So, hope to meet you one day in Boston!
======
BEFORE: Stop having second thoughts.  Essay two was part. good, and actually added value to the app, 
instead of just touching the bases.
Both are baggy, loosely structured and a bit lazy, but they read behind 
them to get to the core story, which is very good.
Once we get there, however, this is absolutely an accomplishment driven 
politically correct, service oriented, Stanford essay-- your point on the 
phone yesterday that essay A was thought driven is just not true, what 
gives it backbone and force is the organizations you joined, works you 
organized, etc. Not any great thoughts you had about those activities, 
which were, ahem, mildly generic. Did not hurt that your great grand 
parents ran with Gahndi [before setting up business empire] as well.
anyway, you are cert. in the running, and let me know how the interview 
works out. 
AFTER: Sandy,
I AM IN!!!
I'm thrilled after the dings from H/W and even K!
thanks for your help
cheers
 

======
Hi Sandy,
Just wanted to share the good news that I got into Stanford! Got the call from Derrick Bolton yesterday afternoon in Hong Kong. I'm really excited about this and wanted to say a big thank you again for all your help with my application. Now I have the choice of Stanford vs. Wharton and will make a decision after I visit both schools. Any advice?
Thanks again! 

=======
Hey Sandy -- 
Guess what!!! I just found out that I got into HBS. YAAY! Just wanted to let you know, have of course been e-mailing, calling, screaming into the phone all day to every and any family member, distant relation, poor relation, friend, enemy, you name it. Obviously, without your help and advice, I would have been screwed! Thank you!!!! 
What can I say Sandy, you are worth your weight in gold. 
If you ever need a testimonial from me (i'm sure you don't, but I'll offer), let me know. 
You rule! 
=======Sandy, 

I just found out a few days ago.  Sorry I have not written yet.  I had an interview and got in HBS!!  I also got in MIT and Darden.  Those are the only ones I heard from. 

Thank you very much for all your help.  I am really excited!!   

II. the best things were 
 

SK's encouragement
 
 
 

I think SK'a honesty and direct comments were useful.  I prefer that someone is harsh and honest than someone who makes me feel good.  I appreciated his ideas greatly as well.
 

Best things SK did for my essays:

Good ideas, know what schools really ask for and guides you in positioning.
 

V. Based on my stats, my outcome at top choice school was 
 

normal, but glad I used SK.  My stats were on par with the average students, however, using SK gave me assurance, improvement in the content of my essays, and good insight to how to position myself. 
 
 
 
 

1- If you need improvement in the content of your essays.   
2-If you do not think you have great stories and need  to talk about it in depth with someone 
3- If you need assurance and one last approval to their application by someone who knows and understand the process very well.
 
 
 

============
Well, I've now received all the results from the schools I applied to.Australian
690 GMAT/H2A degree in chem eng (arond 3.4 GPA more or less) from top Aussie Univ.
7 yrs w/e in engineering, construction and proj. mgmt in Australia, UK, USA, ChileResults :
 
Tuck : Accepted with 25% tuition scholarship
Wharton : Accepted, don't have fin aid details yet
Thanks for your help along the way, 
Don't think W would've sniffed at me w/out your help. You're expensive but arguably
worth it.
[ARGUABLY WORTH IT, LOVE THESE INGRATES--SK ] 

I am a talented, highly accomplished professional with a unique story and astronomical test scores.  Knowing that performing at the top of my abilities required professional advice, I looked at half a dozen consultants and chose Sandy.  The fact that he was the most expensive was a major consideration-in an efficient market, you get what you pay for.
Sandy demonstrated to me that he is as knowledgeable about business and politics as I am (which is, very knowledgeable).
Sandy forced me to analyze the motivation behind my most significant choices of the last ten years.
Sandy picked every piece of BS in my essays- those that I put there knowingly, and those that sneaked there from my subconscious.

Sandy rained on me, day after day, a barrage of shrill questions and obnoxious comments.
 

Sandy annoyed the hell out of me with repeated demands for more and more rewrites, which ignored the pressures of my day job.
 

Sandy kept me on track when those pressures almost got the better of me three days before the application deadline.
 

Could I get without Sandy into a top 5 school?  Absolutely.
 

Could I get without Sandy into the best school in the world?  May be.  But I didn't get to where I am now by taking unnecessary chances.
 

I don't care how good you are - you owe it to yourself to hire the best consultant there is.

+++++++++++++++++++++
Thank you, Sandy.

You called it right...
got in at Wharton! I'm psyched. I cant thank you
enough for everything..without your constant egging,
your comments that cut to the chase and your help it
would have been impossible. 
 

thanks a ton, I really owe you one.
[THIS GUY KNOWS HOW TO SAY THANKS. ] 
==============
I applied to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, and Kellogg.  I was accepted to Harvard and Stanford in Round 1 and withdrew my applications to Wharton and Kellogg.  
Given my stats, work experience, and recommendations, I was a fairly strong applicant, but probably around average for the top schools.  I could have been easily dinged at any of the schools to which I applied.  I can honestly say that I would not have gotten into my top choices without Sandy’s help.
Working with Sandy is like sitting down with the admissions directors and staffs at the business schools and having them tell you what they want to hear from you, and how you should best position yourself.  Sandy knows more about the admissions process than anyone else I spoke with while I was applying.  

SANDY WILL GET YOU INTO ONE OF YOUR TOP CHOICES!
The best things about working with Sandy were his overall knowledge about the B-school admissions process, his unbelievable insight and help with the application essays, and his willingness to work as hard as his clients to fine-tune an application. 

Sandy’s unbelievable turn-around time enabled me to complete all of my HBS essays in one week, start to finish.  He was extremely accommodating to help me reach the Round 1 deadline.  

While I know people can be sometimes be put off by Sandy’s style, I actually found his comments very amusing in addition to their helpfulness.  The key is not to take his constructive criticism personally.  Sandy cuts right to the chase, and gets you to cut out the unnecessary BS and write about what is really important.  

I have recommended friends and colleagues to Sandy.  I think Sandy’s insight would be helpful to anyone applying to business school, regardless of the strength of their application or stats.  Sandy’s area of expertise is really effective for those applying to the top schools, especially Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton.  

NEVERTHELESS, HIS HELP WRITING THE ESSAYS IS ABSOLUTELY INVALUABLE FOR ANY APPLICANT.

 

 

Before I started working with Sandy, I had a number of ideas/stories I had in mind to present to the adcoms.  Sandy definitely saved me from making a couple of mistakes by vetoing topics or angles that were clearly not going to be a positive for my application.

 

Sandy was most helpful in taking my stories and personal and professional experiences and crafting them into effective essays.  He really pressed me to provide details and specific examples to give more color to my experiences and bolster my essays.  He was most helpful in positioning my story the way the schools want from their applicants.
normal, but glad I used SK

I would recommend Sandy for anyone applying to HSW for the reasons I listed above, including his unbeatable insight into what these schools are looking for and how to tailor your essays to fit their needs.  I think anyone with a reasonable shot at these schools should use Sandy.  Even if you think you’re out of the running it is worth giving him a call.  He’ll give you honest answers about your candidacy.
If you use Sandy, be sure to check your personal pride at the door and be prepared to do some serious self-evaluation.  Sandy ripped apart my essay drafts from top to bottom, pushed me to really dig and write about details from my experiences, and focused my energies on what was really important.  The end result were essays that would beat the pants off of anything I wrote as an undergrad at a top Ivy League school, and most importantly, got me accepted into the best business schools.  

========================
Well, Sandy, your prognostication skills are as good as your essay help. I just got the good word late last night--I'm in!! 
I'm very excited, I feel very fortunate. I think Sloan is probably the best fit for me of the top programs. Thanks so much for your help during the app process. It made putting the app together much more fun, especially when I was away from home surrounded by non-English speakers! 
I'll keep an eye out for you in Cambridge!!! Thanks again! 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

YIKES more on next page too
 
 
 
 
 
 

SK,
 
In at HBS. Now, which to go, HBS or Wharton?
==========
Sandy is great. I learnt a lot from him: not only how to write concise English, but also the way to think in English. The guy is awesome. Personally, I like his style: strict and blunt. He will never flatter you but you got the REAL improvement.

During the work, Sandy is always strict and sometimes frustrating, but I personally like it because I know that's the way to make results.

As to H/W/S I would rec. SK for the following reasons to the following people:Big ideas and excellent execution for HBS package. SK is good for guys who can think.  If you use SK, be sure to be inclusive and work hard. He doesn't write for you.
 
 

Sandy --Wanted to say my heartfelt thanks for helping me
get into Wharton. Looking back, I feel lucky I went to the right guy to seek help on my essays. You are THE best -
I know that I maynot have been in Wharton today
if I had submitted the essays that I had written
on my own. 
I guess I can not thank you enuf for making such a huge difference - Really, really appreciate all
your help.
=============================
i got into kellogg!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  i think its my first choice,
though i'll wait for stanford.  i am deliriously happy already!
THANK YOU SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO MUCH FOR YOUR HELP WITH THE APPLICATIONS.  
 
THE SERVICE WAS A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE OTHER CONSULTANTS I HAD RESEARCHED BUT IT WAS DEFINITELY WORTH THE XTRA MONEY. SK HAS A TRACK RECORD OF GETTING APPLICANTS INTO H/S/W THAT OTHER CONSULTANTS DON'T HAVE. HENCE, ITS A BIT MORE EXPENSIVE BUT YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR.
DEFINITELY ABUSIVE. BUT ITS AN EXCELLENT WAY TO GET THE JOB DONE. I DIDNT WANT A YES MAN, I WANTED SOMEONE WHO WOULD BE CANDID ABOUT MY ESSAYS AND WEAKNESSES AND SK WAS BLUNT IN TELLING THEM. BY DOING SO, HE MADE SURE I IMPROVED MY ESSAYS. YOU HAVE TO BE THICK SKINNED TO WORK WITH SK BUT HE'S LIKE A COACH, THINKING ABOUT YOUR BEST INTEREST.
SERVICE WAS FAST. TURNAROUND TIME WAS USUALLY A DAY, NEVER MORE THAN TWO DAYS.

THE BEST PART WAS SK'S FEEDBACK ON THE ESSAYS AND HOW I SHOULD SPIN THEM. HE TOOK OUT IRRELEVANT DETAILS AND TOLD ME WHAT I SHOULD FOCUS ON.
I WILL AND HAVE RECOMMENDED THIS SERVICE TO OTHERS BECAUSE HE IS THE BEST CONSULTANT TO HELP YOU IN YOUR MBA ESSAYS. HE IS CANDID ABOUT YOUR CHANCES, HE HELPS YOU SPIN YOUR ESSAYS AND BECAUSE OF HIS TRACK RECORD, HE KNOWS WHAT IT TAKES TO GET IN.

ADVISED ME TO PROVIDE MORE DETAIL. VETOED DUMB IDEAS. GAVE ME POSITIONING. TARGETED ESSAYS FOR DIFFERENT SCHOOLS. BROUGHT OUT MY STRONG POINTS.
GETTING INTO STANFORD WAS A REAL WIN FOR ME.DON'T GET DISCOURAGED IF HE'S VERBALLY ABUSIVE. THAT'S HIS STYLE AND IT WORKS. 
________________

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