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Product mbaMission Hourly Services
Consultant Harshad Mali
By the time I met with Harshad, I had applied to 4 different schools, with fairly dismal results (3 rejections, 1 waitlist). While I thought I had a fairly good story, Harshad clearly spotted areas that could have been perceived as "weak" on my application and other areas that needed to be either fleshed out more or highlighted. When tackling my weaker areas, he always kept a can-do attitude and continuously encouraged me through the application. When stumped over an essay point, Harshad got me on a call and we worked through the essay prompt and brainstormed ideas for me to use!
Harshad was never afraid to tell me what he really thought, and I appreciated that immensely, even when I had to choose between the better-fit school and my dream city. Ultimately ended up in a T10 school, which turned out to be the right school for me, with so much thanks for Harshad!
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Harshad Mali
As I studied for my GMAT, I often lurked on Reddit and P&Q to read up on consultant reviews. But the decision couldn’t have been more challenging when the time came. After talking to 7-8 consultants, I couldn’t find a fit with anyone. Some would often sell themselves, while others would try to sell me dreams. So, I decided to talk to more consultants. This is when I stumbled upon Harshad. An individual who was genuinely interested in my story rather than trying to sell me his services. So much so that after talking to consultants for over 2 weeks, I decided to work with Harshad the same day I spoke to him.
One thing was obvious: Harshad mentioned he is “very direct,” and he means it. He understands that time is of the essence in MBA applications, so there is no time to beat around the bush.
The process was straightforward. Brainstorming sessions, school selection, Resume, essays, interviews, etc…
While looking for a consultant, I also assessed the “firm” they worked for. This became obvious when Harshad sent me the Brainstorming document to fill out. Mbamission’s brainstorming document is long, but filling it out in its entirety allowed Harshad to really get to know me. This made our essay discussions easier because all of my stories were laid out, and Harshad could pinpoint exactly how I could approach the essays.
Things weren’t always easy. Initially, I thought that I had hired a consultant, and with his guidance, I had written my essays, and my job was done. Harshad put a stop to this in our very first essay. What I had written was nowhere close to what we had discussed. He was “direct” in his approach and quick to get on a call to re-discuss, just in case I had missed any details in our initial essay call. It again became evident that Harshad wasn’t willing to settle for less. Even if it meant additional time and resources, he went above and beyond for me to craft the best essays possible.
I also liked Harshad’s “one-school” at a time approach. With 2 months to go for app deadlines, I was wary of this and thought I couldn’t submit it on time. However, he assured me that we would meet the timeline, and we did. The time we invested in our initial essays on one school, made it easier for us on the subsequent schools.
After submitting my applications, Harshad suggested I get some rest, but the job wasn’t done. Slowly, the interviews trickled in, and Harshad quickly set up mock interviews, provided resources on Mbamission’s Ontrack, and assured me I was in the best place possible during my interviews. I enjoyed Harshad’s mock interviews because he threw hard questions at me, ensuring I could think on my feet.
From the interviews to the decisions, Harshad checked in often to ensure I was doing well. He even took the time to check in on my parents during our regular essay calls, showing genuine care and understanding of the personal challenges I had shared about their health. While he is undoubtedly direct and professional, he has a very high emotional intelligence.
I knew hiring a consultant was expensive, but I couldn’t have been happier with my decision to work with Harshad. With Harshad’s help, I was admitted to Yale (with a 50% scholarship), Tuck (with a 50% scholarship), and Darden.
Also, a special shoutout to Jen (also from the mbaMission team), who connected me with Harshad!
Joined: Dec 15, 2024
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Verified GMAT Classic score:
690 Q48 V37 (Online)
Product mbaMission Hourly Services
Consultant Harshad Mali
If you want the short version, Harshad is the best! You should absolutely hire him if you are serious about wanting to be accepted to a top MBA program!
If you want the long version, please read on. When I made the decision to apply to business schools, my target schools were very ambitious. I wanted to be accepted to a program that could be truly life changing. I was mainly targeting M7 programs and was not even considering any MBA programs outside of the top 25. I come from a nontraditional background and knew that seeking the help of an admissions consultant was likely the best way for me to craft the best applications possible. During my initial consultations with several other consultants, they expressed concern about the programs that I was targeting - then I had my consultation with Harshad. I remember asking Harshad, "Which school's application is your favorite?" He responded, "I like helping people with applications for schools that are difficult to get into." At that point, I knew I had found the right person. I was confident that Harshad was going to push me and give me the best chance to help me achieve my lofty goal. Throughout the application process, Harshad was structured and efficient, but also very personable and kind. Harshad's engineering background came across in the best way when I worked with him. The way he approached topics and explained information was very structured, which made it easy to follow. I found this structure extremely valuable when I felt overwhelmed by the application process (which was frequent). Harshad was also very efficient, always providing essay feedback on time or early. I appreciated this aspect increasingly as the application deadlines drew closer. Lastly, Harshad is just a great person. I felt that he truly wanted me to succeed. Whenever I felt stuck, Harshad would offer to hop on a brainstorming call with me to get the ball rolling again. He helped me recall stories from my life that shaped who I am. His essay feedback was very insightful and actionable. Harshad also had a knack for helping me trim my essays down to fit within the word count limits. When I received invitations to interview, Harshad helped me prepare by walking me through a plan for how to navigate them. Once the dust had settled, I was accepted to an M7 program with full tuition! I feel truly humbled by this incredible opportunity and feel that Harshad played a big role in my success. If you want your wildest MBA dreams to come true, I believe that Harshad is the best person to help you do that.
P.S. If you enjoy sports, Harshad is a former athlete and has a very interesting sports background.
Product mbaMission onTrack by mbaMission
Consultant Harshad Mali
OnTrack has truly been a one stop-shop for everything I needed to complete MBA applications. It provides a tailor-made schedule of modules based on an initial assessment. Simply completing the modules alone gave me enough insight to tackle multiple applications confidently. Since I signed up late, I was short on time and had to be selective with which modules I focused on. I would recommend signing up as early as possible to take advantage of all the content.
One of the more challenging parts of the MBA application is researching the different schools. OnTrack does a great job of covering the basics and essentials of most schools. This was a huge time-saver and gave me a solid foundation before diving into my own research.
OnTrack also provides modules on essay writing and resume preparation, including examples that help you navigate these challenging aspects of an application. I especially loved the interview prep modules. They offer an interface with a repository of school-specific interview questions, where you can record yourself answering them. Watching these recordings back helped me spot and improve any habits I didn’t realize I had. There’s no limit to how many times you can practice, which is perfect for prepping. They also provide specific questions to help you get ready for the video assessments required by some schools.
Overall, I feel OnTrack is an excellent investment for anyone working on their MBA applications. It is comprehensive and gives you a strong structure to work with.
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Product mbaMission Hourly Services
Consultant Harshad Mali
It was amazing working with Harshad with mbaMission and well worth the effort and resources. I came to him with a seemingly impossible task of a week turnaround time for an application, start to finish, but he was more than up to the challenge and approached each step of supporting me with brainstorming, essay strengthening, resume revision, and interview preparation with clear, concise, relevant, comprehensive, and manageable steps. He was direct and upfront with telling me I had good content but needed a lot of work to present it in a much clearer way and that aligned more in what the schools are looking for. He provided a good balance of a challenge to work hard to strengthen my application in very applicable and tangible ways while keep me moving forward at a pace necessary to reach the deadline. His direct and to the point guidance on where to put my effort, thoughtful feedback, and structure in the calls and emails were clear about what was well done and what needed work. He invited me to guide his support for where I most wanted to focus on. Through his support in overhauling and strengthening my application, it led me to being accepted at my top school.
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Harshad Mali
As a reapplicant, I knew I needed to take a different approach, and Harshad was instrumental in helping me achieve that. He worked closely with me to refine my story, identifying the key aspects of my life that would resonate with admissions committees. His insight into crafting a clear R1 and R2 strategy was invaluable.
Despite my struggles with the GMAT, Harshad never wavered in his belief that I could meet my target schools' requirements. His unwavering support kept me motivated. Ultimately, I was accepted into both Kellogg and Wharton.
Harshad's true strength lies in his deep understanding of the essay prompts. He has a unique ability to break them down and reveal what the schools are really looking for. This insight allowed me to answer each question with precision and focus, tailored specifically to each school.
Beyond his expertise, Harshad is a pleasure to work with. He makes the process smoother and less stressful, truly making your life easier and constantly motivating you. I couldn’t have asked for a better consultant to guide me through this journey.
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Harshad Mali
I will start by saying that Harshad and the mbaMission team / resources are phenomenal. For a bit of background, I began my MBA journey one month before R2 application deadlines. I explained my situation (MBA needed for next step in my career and targeting top 3 program). Without hesitation, Harshad agreed to the challenge and adapted his ‘typical’ working style to me. We immediately got to work crafting a story that would best position me for target school. At the same time, I needed to secure a better test score. Harshad introduced me to a private tutor and showed me how to position application around score. Throughout the process, Harshad frequently made himself available to provide feedback and discuss application strategy (even through the holidays!). When it came time to apply, I had a well-crafted application for my top school and earned admittance (with a nice scholarship)! Regardless of the outcome, I was glad I hired Harshad and the mbaMission team. I have already recommended him to numerous colleagues and friends. If you are interested in applying to a top business program, HIRE HARSHAD!
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Harshad Mali
I was a bit late into the application game, as GMAT took longer than I had expected, but also I frankly didn’t know where to start the application. When I reached out to mbaMission, I got matched with Harshad, and I was lucky to snatch up the last spot for this application cycle. I had complete confidence in him, having read numerous positive reviews from previous applicants on various portals and websites.
Harshad exceede my expectations. From brainstorming (crafting my overall story) to detailed edits and providing emotional support when Round 1 didn’t go as planned, he was there to guide, encourage, and help me push through. As a full-time professional, it was crucial for me to use my limited time efficiently for applications and essays. Harshad had ample experience and he knew exactly how to tackle different prompts and when not to go overboard or overkill on one essay. Different schools emphasize different qualities, which can be difficult to discern from websites or conversations with current students and alumni. Harshad’s years of experience helped him understand what works best for each school. Remember this is a marathon (application process can take as a year), and Harshad is a great pacemaker by my side. I was able to get into multiple M7 schools!
Moreover, I really appreciated how he was super responsive despite tight deadlines and the fact that he may be working with multiple candidates at a time. He was always on top of his stuff. I hope to continue this friendship even after I matriculate into a school, as I genuinely like him as a person.
Product mbaMission School Package
Consultant Harshad Mali
Harshad is a joy to work with. I applied only to MS/MBA programs and, given his engineering background, he was really able to identify how I could better frame the work I did as an engineer in ways the admissions committees would understand. Beyond that, I really appreciated his directness during our conversations. He has a fantastic sense of what parts of my story, background, and future interests the schools want to hear about as well as how to give feedback that elicits that in my writing. He was always willing to point out when he didn’t think an essay came across well enough and explained his reasoning clearly. I think his willingness to have conversations like these took my essays to the next level and pushed me to write more compellingly. He was also very quick to reply and provide feedback! Overall, Harshad was great both as a consultant and as a person to ask for advice and guidance. I’m very happy with the results and can say that the investment was worth it. I ended up getting into CBS, MIT, and Berkeley with his help.
Product mbaMission Hourly Services
Consultant Harshad Mali
As a non-traditional applicant, applying to business school was a bit intimidating. When I first met with Harshad, I could tell right away that I wanted to work with him. He is skilled at and passionate about crafting a story that is not only compelling to admissions committees but also speaks to your unique strengths. On top of that, he is very quick to respond to emails and often provides detailed and thoughtful feedback on the same day. With his guidance, I went from being lost and confused to getting into fantastic schools!
If you are applying to business school, do yourself a favor: work with Harshad!