Any MBA admissions consultants that you particularly loved/hated? Shopping around right now and would love to hear personal experiences

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Not personal mba coach

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The literal worst. All reviews are fake

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Second ApplicantLab. It is a massively lower cost option that yields WAY better results. Got me into HSW

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@ SA Can I know your stats?

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https://joinfishbowl.com/post_ghg20j

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This is a great thread with TONS of info about others

Have worked with two consultants.

First time it was with someone from mba exchange. Won’t call the guy I worked with out by name but he was trash. Did not get interviews from any of the schools I applied to, and looking back, my essays were trash, but he basically nodded his head yes at them so he could fulfill his obligation with minimal effort.

Second time around I worked with Brett Haber (she’s independent but also works through mba prep). She was absolutely incredible and really pushed me to write some outstanding essays. Still got dinged from hbs, but got interviews at Stanford, wharton, and Columbia, and ultimately got into the latter two. She does charge a bit more than most consultants but she definitely put in the extra mile, hopping on last-minute unscheduled calls late in the evening and is genuinely an amazing person who is really invested in her clients’ success. We still keep in touch, and while I don’t think everyone should hire an admissions consultant, I think that if you do hire an admissions consultant, you can’t do better than Brett.

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Just want to comment that I had the same experience with a consultant that just nodded her head yes at some hot garbage just so she could do as little as possible

Hi all, I’ve helped hundreds of people get into the top MBA programs. While I recognize that some comments are true (expensive, paying bc of FOMO, you could use friends, etc ) I do want to provide some points. I’m happy to chat to anyone if you want to talk.

1) having too many cooks in the kitchen isn’t good. Some people believe that their way of getting in is the only way of getting in, and when you have a bunch of high achieving MBA friends who think this way, you will have too many cooks in the kitchen and might be losing your authentic self in the process

2) how much does your consultant care about your money vs you?: there’s nothing wrong with paying a service. At the end of the day price equals value, and if you need the service, it means that you value somebody’s time and expertise. But as you interview these consultants ask why they do what they do? Nobody will tell you bc they want the money but they might reveal a part of themselves that helps you understand. For example, for some it’s fun, for others it’s about giving back, and for others it’s a side hustle. For me, it’s aligned with my life’s purpose of helping people unleash the best of themselves and I’ve rejected working with people when I didn’t find a mutual fit (even if they wanted to pay me)

3) are there alternative pricing structures? If you ask, you’ll find out.

On the surface, admissions consultants might get a bad rep because some players are not up to the standards of other players. So I encourage you to shop before deciding. You can always say no.

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Applicant Lab - Maria helped me punch above my weight.

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If you have a strong personal network of others who have gotten MBAs, I would strongly discourage using a consultant. I hired one (from a reputed admissions consulting firm) if anything more out of fear of not using one and regret the incredible waste of money to this day. These consultants tend to have many clients and devote a bare minimum of time to you. A handful of close readings from friends did way more for my essays. It all worked out in the end, but wish I had that money back...

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Mck1- are there any firm resources for people interested in b school? I know BCG and Bain have some so was wondering if McK did

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Worked with Fortuna and got into HSW. Can really recommend Tatiana Nemo.

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Ivy Advisors 🙂 Lulu Curiel

I’m using mba prep school and I’m happy with them for now.

Thanks everybody! This has all been super helpful info

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