About MBA Admissions Counselors

Lisa Cummings

Lisa Cummings

Hi, I’m Lisa Cummings, Cornell Johnson MBA and former MIT Sloan admissions committee member.

I’m an MBA Admissions Counselor at Stratus.

Let’s Talk!  

Academic Background

  • Wellesley College, BA in Political Science
  • Cornell Johnson Graduate School of Management, MBA

Experience

Admissions Consulting

I have helped global applicants gain acceptance to all M7 schools as well as all the top programs in the United States and Europe. In the last three seasons, my clients have earned over $3M in Forté and merit scholarship offers.

Admissions Committee

I spent 13 years reviewing thousands of applications and interviewing candidates for MBA, MFin, LGO, Sloan Fellows, and EMBA programs as an admissions committee member at the MIT Sloan School of Management.

I continue to support the MIT Sloan Career Development Office staff by preparing students for interviews as well as conducting mock interviews, resume and cover letter reviews, and counseling sessions, which gives me an up-to-date inside look at what recruiters are seeking in candidates.

Post-MBA

I was the vice president and treasurer of the U.S. Trust Private Equity Investors Fund, Inc., and was part of the team that raised and managed a $40M fund invested in privately held companies and venture capital and leveraged buyout funds. I also worked as an institutional equity analyst at Prudential Securities and as director of investor relations at Tenneco.

Pre-MBA

Before earning my MBA, I worked in institutional equity sales at Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette.

We’ll Work Well Together If…

  • You have a background or interest in analytics, finance, private equity, or venture capital.
  • You are a veteran or active duty service member. I am a Blue Star family member!
  • You have a passion for pickleball, paddle tennis, or tennis. I have played on and captained competitive women’s tennis and paddle tennis teams for years.

What My Clients Say About Working with Me

I worked with Lisa at Stratus for my MBA applications and couldn’t be happier with the experience. I applied to HBS, Stanford, and Wharton, ultimately getting into Wharton—which I’m absolutely thrilled about!

Wharton MBA Class of 2027

Lisa was relentless in her pursuit of excellence. Whether it was brainstorming hidden gems from my past, refining my resume to make it sharp and concise, or giving precise, honest feedback on my essays, she always knew how to push me just hard enough to get the best out of me. And she did all this while being a constant source of support, calm, and clarity. Her dedication to my success was palpable, and it made all the difference.

MBA Class of 2027

I could not have been as successful as I was in my MBA application journey without Lisa’s help! With Lisa’s help throughout the busy application season, I ultimately gained admission to seven MBA programs, many of them with scholarship offers! I am certain I would not have been as successful without her advice along the way.

MBA Class of 2026

Lisa is the utmost professional, with excellent availability and quick turnaround on edits. At the same time, she is completely invested in your success and personal well-being.
I am confident that Lisa’s guidance played an instrumental role in my admission to multiple Top 10 MBA programs, including my first choice. I recommend her unequivocally and urge you to reach out to her if you are considering an MBA admissions consultant.

MBA Class of 2027

I received several M7 acceptances with Lisa’s help. Her biggest strength is that she will help you put your best foot forward on each application and every interview you will get. The best investment is an investment in yourself. Get into the best b-school you can. Use Lisa to help you achieve that.

MBA Class of 2025

If there was a single reason I’d recommend working with Lisa, it is because she genuinely cares about you as both an applicant and a person. I applied to six schools across the T15 and was ultimately accepted by four of them (with over $340,000 in scholarships, collectively) and waitlisted by the other two. I’ll be attending an M7 (with a scholarship!) this fall and I could not have done it without Lisa or the Stratus team.

MBA Class of 2025

Lisa was an absolute superstar through this entire process, and beyond. She not only did an amazing job of guiding me through voicing my own story, but helped me create an amazing application for school but also aiding me as I reflected on life and what I wanted from my future.

MBA Class of 2025

Lisa’s greatest strength is that she’s not afraid to tell you what you NEED to hear. I personally attest to the outstanding coaching and mentorship Lisa provided.

MBA Class of 2026

Working with Lisa was nothing short of a revelation. From the very beginning, she did more than just guide me—she unlocked the story within me, helping me see strengths I hadn’t fully realized.
If you’re looking for a consultant who will give it to you straight while also being one of the greatest supporters in your journey, I couldn’t recommend Lisa enough!!

MBA Class of 2024

My Recent Blog Posts

My Press Mentions

Start Your MBA Admissions Consulting Journey with Stratus!

Learn how Stratus’s team approach can help you get accepted to your top-choice business schools. Start with a FREE consultation with one of our Admissions Counselors. Our team is ready to dive into your goals, answer your questions about your profile and the application process, and help you boost your appeal to admissions committees!

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