How many of you have used/plan to use an admissions consultant? Would you say it’s worth the $$$, even if you have good stats/experience?

They might be of value to folks with an unusual work experience or if you don’t have a strong network of friends / family that went to b-school and can review your essays I used a couple of ‘highly rated’ consultants to review my essays towards the end, and their input was marginally helpful and not worth the investment. In fact, my college friends that were good writers had much better feedback.

I think they’re overrated. Talk to as many friends /colleagues who got their MBA or are currently in the program as you can. Spend some serious time writing essays and get a few trusted people to read them. Do that and you’ve got 75% of the value add of a consultant for free

Researched this last year and there were such mixed reviews out there (some had great experiences with consultants, some had terrible) that I decided not to get one. I did Applicant Lab instead and I would recommend it— it’s not perfect, but it’s a great way to get guidance from an admissions consultant at a low price (it just won’t be personalized). It has the options to add a “sanity check” or other more personalized advice too if you need it. I did the sanity check and feel like that was all I needed. Spent like $500-$700 ish instead of $5k or something crazy

Well worth it. My app would not have been as refined without my consultant. Got into M7 from a tough pool and even got money, which was a bonus.

The problem is it’s impossible to know how much value they add, since we can’t personally A/B test it. For me it was worth it, because I’m risk averse and wanted to know I did everything I could to get in. Buying one eliminated the chance that I not get what I want then regret not getting one. That was worth $12k to me.

I used 2, one hourly and one for my CBS app. My advice is if you do it go hourly and get help with a few edits or essays and then recycle for other apps. Can be done for $1-2K. You work for McKinsey, you’re obviously a capable person, and can build a narrative/research how to do apps online. Don’t let some consultant scam you and prey on your uneasiness regarding the application process. My 2 cents is they add some value but not enough value to justify thousands of dollars

I used the full package program for 3 schools, didn’t even get an interview at any of them and spent 8k+. I used my sister to help me on the other 2 and I got interviews and into both. My sister knows me well though and pushed me when I was being lazy, I think the consultant I hired didn’t do that quite as much and looking back I’m not super happy with my essays that they helped me with. Consultant helped me with CBS, HBS, and Wharton, sis helped me with Kellogg and Booth. I think the consultant did help me up front, but my recommendation would be to have a friend or family member who is good at writing and knows you well do most of the heavy lifting, then buy a few hourlys from an expert to make final refinements/sanity check.

Just get applicant lab. Gives you everything you could possibly need for $300

I have above average stats and brand name work experience. But I decided to use one specifically because I really wanted admission to HSW. If I didn’t get admitted to HSW, it’s fine but I didn’t want to be wondering “What if I had hired someone”

Check Google reviews. Gmat Club reviews are fake. Not all have Google reviews so that’s your litmus test. Good ones really do help.