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Harold Simansky Reviews

Company: mbaMission

A graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management, Harold Simansky offers his clients more than five years’ experience as a dedicated MBA admissions consultant, in addition to several years helping his colleagues complete their business school applications. His clients have been accepted at more than 30 different institutions, including all the top U.S. and international MBA programs. Among his success stories are applicants who “ran the table” and were granted admission to every school they targeted, as well as candidates with distinct backgrounds for whom Harold found programs that uniquely suited their personalities and needs. At his graduation from MIT Sloan, Harold received the highly selective Martin Trust Community Fellowship before joining the private equity group at Bain & Company, where he worked on the largest media merger of all time. Upon leaving Bain, Harold founded a series of companies in such sectors as financial services, real estate development, green energy, online rewards, and print media. He also spent time consulting to a private equity firm in the building materials space. Outside of work, Harold has kept busy as a member of his town’s government, a Little League coach, a board member for a nonprofit organization, and father to three lively young sons.

5.0 /5 Average Rating
Based on 73 reviews
October 22, 2024
rs0822

Joined: Jan 24, 2023

Posts: 0

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Verified GMAT Classic score:
740 Q50 V40

onTrack - Brilliant!

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I have thoroughly enjoyed using onTrack - the interface is very clean and the content is thorough and tailored to each school. I appreciate that along with the videos are documents to help brainstorm and pinpoint what each school is looking for. onTrack also works really well on mobile which is unique to other on-demand MBA app prep services. This is a small price to pay when you think about the value that you are getting out of the comprehensive and well-organized information that Jeremy and the team have put together. Highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a service that will make you as ready as possible in your candidacy to a top MBA program!

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November 12, 2024
mmaciag

Joined: Aug 25, 2024

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Harold Was Phenomenal

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Harold really is the best consultant you can ask for. He was supremely helpful in my MBA application process. His demystification of the entire process made figuring out where and how to apply much easier than it would have been otherwise and he did a great job translating the "admissions speak" application questions into English and helping me determine how best to answer each one. After my experience working with him for around 8 months I can confidently recommend his services to anyone interested in getting an MBA. I really can not have asked for a better partner in my MBA application journey.

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June 10, 2024
CandelaK

Joined: Jun 07, 2023

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Harold is of the highest caliber

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Everything mentioned about Harold across all of his reviews is completely accurate. Harold is an exceptional advisor, coach, and mentor.

Most recently, Harold helped me navigate the school decision process after receiving my acceptances. He helped me think through what my life would look like at each school and what the main priorities I would likely have were I to go to each. I really valued his perspective because he not only has a lot of insight considering his experience, but he also always shared his thoughts in an objective and unbiased manner. Harold also provided great advice on how to approach admitted students weekends and gain the most valuable insight out of these events for my decision-making process. There are many hard decisions and second guessing one goes through throughout the business school process. My conversations with Harold continue to make me confident in the choices I have made throughout both my application and decision processes, and I often think back to them to remind myself of this.

Further, as many other reviews mention, Harold is in addition an exceptional person. It is noticeable that he genuinely cares about the current and future success of the students he works with. Harold is a very well-rounded coach who does not suggest you prioritize one aspect of life over another. These are the best and most valuable kinds of coaches.

As many have also mentioned, Harold is extremely responsive. Another thing that stands out a lot is that he actually listens and remembers what you have previously said.

Harold is a consultant I can trust. I trust his experience and insights, his logic and way of thinking, his advice and guidance, and that is the #1 thing you need in a consultant. I would 100% recommend Harold to anyone looking for a consultant, and I am confident you will recommend him yourself after just your initial consultation with him.

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May 02, 2024
MBA_Admit2026

Joined: May 02, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
760 Q49 V45

Great Experience with Harold S. of mbaMission

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Harold's expertise and support were indispensable from start to finish of my MBA journey. His practical guidance and consistent reassurance made the daunting application process manageable and ultimately successful. Despite my below-average GPA, Harold’s strategic insights led to my acceptance at Dartmouth Tuck and Chicago Booth, with significant scholarships, and admittance to another T10 school.
The process began with strategizing for the GMAT. Harold advised me on the best timing for the exam and identified a score range appropriate for my target schools. His high-level tips were crucial in achieving my desired score within three months. Simultaneously, Harold facilitated an extensive brainstorming process to unearth and polish stories and accomplishments that would resonate in my essays and interviews. His keen eye for detail and deep understanding of what top business schools look for in candidates enabled me to select the most compelling content for my applications.
As we tackled each school's application, Harold's meticulous feedback on my essays was particularly impactful. He helped refine my narratives to ensure clarity and purpose, aligning them closely with each school’s values and expectations. His ability to tailor content to specific schools was remarkable, allowing me to present myself authentically and persuasively.
During the application process, Harold also provided strategic advice on which schools to visit, and which events to attend. He provided me with special contacts at some of the schools that I could reach out to for the particular industry that I was interested in. This not only enhanced my applications but also broadened my understanding of the MBA landscape.
Interview preparations with Harold were thorough, covering frequently asked questions and refining my responses to reflect each school's unique characteristics. His support was crucial in building my confidence and enabling me to handle the toughest questions smoothly, without sounding rehearsed.
After receiving multiple admissions offers, Harold guided me through the scholarship negotiation process, helping me leverage offers effectively to maximize my financial aid. For the schools where I was waitlisted, Harold advised me on additional information to submit and how to communicate effectively with admissions committees, further strengthening my standing.
Harold's professionalism and expertise were matched by his personal dedication and optimism. Throughout this challenging journey, his positive attitude and personalized approach not only bolstered my applications but also kept me motivated and focused. His guidance was a major factor in my successful MBA admissions outcomes, and I am grateful for his involvement.
For anyone navigating the complexities of MBA applications, I wholeheartedly recommend Harold as a knowledgeable, strategic, and supportive teammate who will go above and beyond to ensure your success. His combination of professional acumen and personal commitment makes him an outstanding guide for any prospective MBA student.

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April 07, 2024
Dachi_G

Joined: Apr 07, 2024

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Harold Simansky got me into 5 top MBA programs

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Harold is not only an exceptional coach and advisor but also a genuinely great person. I couldn’t have imagined a better advisor for my MBA journey. Right from our first meetings, Harold showcased a perfect mix of professionalism and friendliness. During the brainstorming phase, he dedicated significant time to understanding my background and asked super insightful questions that turned out to be super important in later stages when drafting different applications.

Initially, I underestimated the complexity of MBA applications, assuming a straightforward process. I soon realized the intricate nature of tailoring applications to various programs. Harold’s expertise was invaluable here; his knowledge of each program's nuances proved to be extremely helpful.

Although our initial agreement was to focus on five MBA programs, Harold's flexible and collaborative nature led us to expand our scope. In the end, I applied to 10 MBA programs, got accepted at 5, all within the top 15, was waitlisted at 3, and received only 2 rejections.

Lastly, what sets Harold apart is his responsiveness and availability. He returned emails almost instantly and provided feedback even on the 25th of December, Christmas Day - a level of dedication beyond what one might expect from an advisor.

In summary, Harold is a prime example of professionalism. He’s always ready to assist—even during holidays—and offers prompt, insightful feedback. For anyone seeking a friendly yet professional MBA advisor, Harold is the ideal choice.

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April 04, 2024
JPNTL

Joined: Apr 04, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Self-reported Score:
770

Amazing help from Harold!

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I applied to HBS and Harold helped me get into the school, but what a journey it's been!

In short, I could not have imagined the process without Harold. From the start, he helped me understand and prepare for the application process better than I could have on my own, by providing me with a lot of materials and the timeline we would be working under. Given I am not from the US and I had little time due to my job requirements, the application process was as smooth and efficient as it could have been. What should have a heavy workload became manageable after following his guidance.

Where Harold really stood out was in his ability to help me convey my personal story into a compelling narrative, which I think is what ultimately makes the difference. We had quite a bit of back and forth as we were brainstorming around the narrative but, once it was agreed, the process suddenly became a lot easier (and actually really fast). It was overall much faster and efficient than I thought it would be (also thanks to Harold's quick turnaround times, edits and feedback).

When we started interview prep, Harold helped me prepare for the dreaded interview, providing me guidance and helping me understand how to navigate it. I don't think I would have been accepted without his help and guidance, up until the very end.

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March 25, 2024
jrodrigues4

Joined: Mar 25, 2024

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Harold was everything you'd expect and more!

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Harold is everything you want in a admissions consultant and more. He is extremely responsive, very knowledgeable on the application process for each school, honest, empathetic, provides great feedback, and clearly goes above and beyond when reviewing essays and working with you on submitting a complete application. Harold took the time to understand who I was, my family background, and my goals post MBA in order to help guide me through the application process. He would respond over the weekends, and was very aware of the deadlines I was supposed to meet. Harold was quick to applaud a well written essay, and was very honest when he thought an essay needed more work and would help me brainstorm a strategy for the next draft. I was admitted to my top choices and received a full scholarship and I can honestly say I could not have done it without Harold!

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March 21, 2024
hellogoldendeer

Joined: Jan 27, 2023

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
760 Q51 V41

The best MBA admission consultant!

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Harold is an incredible! He’s extremely knowledgable about the business school process, and his expertise was practical and tailored to my specific situation, which made all the difference. Each conversation with Harold was productive and inspiring; he helped me identify my strengths and voice, and worked hand-in-hand with me to craft a unique and compelling narrative. I didn’t think this was possible before I met Harold, given that I came from an over-represented candidate group. Harold also helped me transformed my resume, put together a strong application partake, and aced the interview. He was so supportive and was always quick to answer my questions. His support made all the difference in my successful application to Columbia Business School. I'm grateful for Harold’s expertise and guidance and cannot recommend him highly enough!

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February 06, 2024
kaylawalsh

Joined: May 29, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Harold was essential to my success in the MBA application process!

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Harold's calming presence and wise insight into the perspective of an admission's committee member was essential to my journey and finding success in the MBA application cycles. I applied round 1 and had multiple applications due within a 48-hour period. Harold kept me focused and on timeline to achieve great final products for all my essays and portal responses with his prompt assistance and guidance for where I should start. When you sign with Harold, there are guaranteed turn-around times for your essays and reviews. He was always faster, more thorough, and more prompt than I could have ever expected. He kept my applications moving forward, and even when I was working right up to the deadline, 15 hours a day, he never slowed me down. Harold, I owe you forever thanks for helping me achieve this dream!

During our brain-storming session, Harold listened so intently to my story and background that it almost felt like a therapy session - it seemed like he knew me within a short video call and was able to help synthesize my experience into a coherent narrative that could be effectively communicated in a 400-900 word essay for each MBA application. I honestly don't know how successful I would have been without Harold or the support from the mbaMission team, but I know I would not have achieved 5/5 acceptances to all T7 programs. The MBA application cycles are demanding and challenging, and the best decision I made was to choose Harold and the team of support at mbaMission to be on my team.

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January 10, 2024
admit_2024

Joined: Jan 10, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Harold is The Greatest MBA Consultant I Could Have Asked For.

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To provide some background, I started my career in engineering and continued through a Master of Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University (NCSU) while working on energy development projects for both research institutes/agencies as well as utilities. Upon graduating from NCSU, I briefly worked in tech and then joined a utility in an internal engineering consultant role.

It was last summer that I met Harold who was transparent with his advice and background. Immediately, I could tell that he was the real deal. Harold asked the right questions to draw the path of my transition from engineering, into an MBA degree, and then how my goals and background could contribute to the atmosphere of post-MBA careers such as consulting, which fascinated me. Not only was he supportive and optimistic, but he added some real value to what MBA programs would best suit my specific background.

It's no doubt that Harold is one of the best MBA consultants that I could have asked for to guide me through this process. Not only in choosing and applying for an MBA program but making a transition from engineering into the business arena. What truly set Harold apart was his distinctive approach during our initial phone call -- an approach that showcased his dedication to understanding my aspirations and tailoring guidance accordingly.

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