I started working with MBA and Beyond in October. I had a decent 700+ GMAT score but was completely unaware of the application process. I am a military veteran from an unconventional background thus, I wanted a deliberate and systematic approach to my B school application process.
I contacted the MBA and Beyond team and had a detailed discussion with Elana. Post our conversation; I attended a webinar wherein I could better understand the process and methodology followed by MBA& Beyond. Further, I was also briefed by Paridhi on how MBA& Beyond has helped people from unconventional backgrounds with their MBA applications. Finally, I was mapped with Dr. Vinita Singh, and right from day one, I could feel the kind of experience and knowledge Dr. Vinita had. It was very kind of her to accept my profile, especially when I had already missed the round 1 deadline and was even late for round 2.
Dr. Vinita has been more than a consultant to me: she has helped me to understand what exactly transition means for a veteran. She made me understand why having crystal clear short term and long term goals are significant for someone like me, owing to my work experience and profile as a veteran. At the same time, she made me realise my main strength- Leadership experience and how we can leverage it to make a strong application. Further, she removed any noise from the process and kept me focused and attentive toward the smallest details.
Finally, she quickly realized my biggest shortcoming: interview skills, and patiently worked with me toward overcoming the same. She pushed me to the extremes and ensured that I gave at least three to four mocks before appearing for the final interview with any school. It is her sheer dedication and ownership she has toward her students which makes her a true mentor. Over the last year, I have realised that more than the guidance and help, it is the partnership between the consultant and the student which helps to bring the best in the application. The true value which I was able to get out of MBA& Beyond is surely beyond MBA. To summarise in Dr. Vinita's way, the three things which makes her stand out from any other consultant are:-
1) She is incredibly genuine and empathetic, with an uncanny ability to observe your unique strengths and weaknesses.
2) She knows how to present these unique traits in a manner that is attractive to the top programs
3) She understands the core of the MBA application process extremely well and can provide outstanding advice on how to navigate through it using the unique strengths each candidate has.
I was able to find a true mentor and a genuine person whom I trust and I would always be thankful for making it happen for me. I was able to get shortlisted to 50 % of the schools I applied to and convert 50% of those shortlists to a final admission with a scholarship.
Schools Applied- ISB, IIM A, USC Marshall, Notre Dame Mendoza, IESE, WBS, INSEAD, LBS, Oxford

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a. The content gathering process really structures your story & helps even after essays - personally helped me during the interview process as well. MBA & Beyond really makes you work to get this right.
b. Unlimited sessions - be it for actual consulting, sounding off writing prompts, finalizing essays & interview prep - my consultant Andy Fischstrom was super supportive throughout the process, and managed to make time almost on a daily basis
c. Andy was also able to bring in diverse perspectives - soliciting the opinions of other consultants when we were unsure of what path to take
d. As nerve-wracking as the application process can be, it felt like I had a coach willing me on, even through bleak days, and that is something I'm grateful for
e. Focus on the little things - a lot of hours were spent in making small modifications to the essays, following which Andy and me would step back and look at it as a whole - and over time, the essays got to a point where we were both happy with them. Those little things add up!
f. The supporting team takes care of a lot of work that needs doing to keep applications on track - they let you focus on the essay writing

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Considering factors such as my higher work experience (7+ years), personal geographical preferences, low GMAT score (650), and post-MBA career goals, I wanted to apply to one of the top B-schools in the UK, and Alliance Manchester Business School was at the top of my target list. Even though I was confident in my overall profile, the low GMAT score and the tough competition for the specific geography meant that it was always safer to seek professional help from a reputed MBA consultant for guidance during the application process.
I had profile evaluation sessions with several reputed consultants from India. The outcome was not really encouraging. Some of the top consultants gave highly sceptical remarks by focusing too much on my GMAT score alone and not being interested in looking into some of the unique aspects of my profile. It was a stage where I started doubting my chances of making it to some of the target B-schools.
Then came the profile evaluation session with MBA&B. With how my previous profile evaluations have gone thus far, I wasn’t expecting a different outcome. However, to my surprise, the MBA&B consultant was more interested in my life stories and various life achievements than tangible factors such as my GMAT score and GPA. Based on several life stories I shared, the consultant gave me a deep insight into some of my strengths and weaknesses. I was told that my profile had several USPs and that with the right branding, the target school could be cracked. The best part was that the evaluation was very much rooted in reality, and I was not fed with any false sense of hope. The consultant also walked me through MBA&B’s overall methodical application process. I was convinced that MBA&B held the key to my admission success.
MBA&B had a team in place to cater to my various application-related requirements. It started with a content-gathering session. The content-gathering platform had a set of questions, questions meticulously put together to allow one to self-reflect on various life stories- both personal and professional. Ayushi, who was responsible for the content gathering, was not only supportive but also continuously pushed me to bring all my stories to paper. She also helped shape my perspective by guiding me in identifying the types of stories that could help my branding. At the end of the session, I had a vast ocean of stories and contents I could choose from to help effectively articulate the application essays.
In the next stage, I was assigned my consultant, Shweta. Shweta laid out the plan for the application process. I was given specific goals for each of our sessions, which helped me become more effective and stay on track to complete the applications on time. Based on the content-gathering data, she helped me identify the right stories that could help create the best application. My discussions with the consultant were around 1 hour and around 2 per week. Shweta was also never ready to settle for a mediocre essay response. Shweta would go to great lengths to analyse the essay word for word, revision after revision, to make sure that the best stories are captured clearly and crisply. MBA&B also arranged two mock interview sessions—one with my consultant and another with a different consultant—to give me comprehensive feedback for the interview session.
Thus, with the help of the MBA&B team, I was able to secure admission to Alliance Manchester Business School. My overall experience with MBA&B was excellent. I don’t think I could have asked for a better team considering how MBA&B helped me with the tiring and challenging application process. I will recommend MBA&B to all the MBA candidates who dare to dream and are not afraid to put their ultimate efforts into realising that dream.

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When I started my journey, I knew where I wanted to apply but I had no idea how to go about it. My search for MBA Consultants started at a time when I was still preparing for the GMAT and had my target schools shortlisted.
MBA and Beyond - Key Differentiator
I spoke to many different companies and a lot of them asked me questions that I felt were being plugged into a foolproof equation that was known to provide results. However, I finalized MBA and Beyond because -
- I felt that my personal strengths and motivations were understood by the team and they didn’t boil my experience and personal qualities down to a math
- I didn't feel pressure to score exceptionally well on my GMAT or that the GMAT score was the make or break for my schools - the encouragement and tone through and through was always to give it my best shot
- Their success rate/ track record in helping secure INSEAD admits for applicants with low GMAT scores
The Application Process
a) The Product
The process itself of starting work on my applications was life-changing. Putting down points in the product in the MBA and Beyond framework gives you so much clarity going into this process about who you are as a person. From start to end the product covers content and instruction for each stage of your application process specific to the schools you are applying for. The content-gathering stage is the most pivotal step in this process in my opinion because it pushes you to think hard about your personal qualities. The team, especially Ayushi in my case, supports you through and through, even when you’re stuck and helps you position your content in unique and powerful ways. I think what comes out of this process is a simplified and more focused thought process that prepares you not just for your applications but also for your interviews.
b) Working with your Consultant – Andy my Partner
The relationship working with Andy was like no other. For starters, he actually read all the material I had written with a fine-toothed comb – be it my content frameworks, notes, first drafts and of course my final drafts. He helped come up with my branding – who I was as a person, what were some defining qualities/ motivations in my life that got me to where I am, my professional strengths and my contributions to a diverse classroom. I can’t emphasize how important this was for me because at each step of the way, I felt secure in knowing that Andy understood who I was and exactly that person was being presented in my applications. I was truly myself in the applications and not a summation of different variables in a tried and tested formula. Despite being in completely different timezones, Andy was always approachable, quick to respond and a true partner in this journey.
I would also like to highlight that the applications for both schools I got accepted into – INSEAD and IESE were with submission dates on the same day. This was extremely challenging as the INSEAD application is quite extensive and detailed oriented but with Andy’s help I was able to help systematically work on all aspects well in time.
Amidst this process, I would also like to share, that I took the GMAT twice as I scored poorly the first time and it pushed my plans to apply to INSEAD from R2 to R3. However, not once did Andy make me feel stressed or uneasy about my situation. He was a beacon of hope and positivity and encouraged me to take it again and not worry about the outcome. As I said – Andy just understood me and knew that I had a very very VERY bad day and it wasn’t a reflection of me or who I was. He was confident that I would take it again and “smash it” and even if I didn’t get that 700+ score I would still be just okay and we’d give it our best shot. There was never an expectation from me to score a specific number or be within a certain threshold – I was only and only encouraged to do my best. So I juggled preparing for my second GMAT attempt and working on my applications side by side with Andy’s help.
To sum up, I truly believe I made it here only thanks to Andy’s encouragement and support and I would encourage you all to work with him in applying to your dream schools!
The Interview Process
With Andy’s help, I was able to prepare just the right amount for my interviews and I think a key piece of advice that worked for me was to prepare but not over-prepare. Andy gave me the confidence boost and motivation I needed to just be myself during the interview and we went over certain aspects of my interviews in different calls he had set up.
Finally, Shakshi from MBA and Beyond, made sure to check in with me, every step of the way and ensure I was comfortable and all set at each stage. She was always just a call away and proactively helped me with quick responses for any queries that I had, never needing any follow-ups or reminders. So I can vouch for the fact that it’s not just your Consultant but an entire team that is there to support you through this entire lifecycle and the Teamwork truly makes the Dream work.

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> Wonderful experience with the staffs and consultant.
> Superior knowledge on Schools and positioning of profile.
> No time limit. I got to work n no. of times with my consultant for the review and series of brainstorming discussions.
> Well crafted system to find the true self. You can rediscover through it.
> Nice branding document with strengths and weakness. Then Position yourself through this document.
> They made me feel confident about my profile.
> I applied without Test score and they have a superior knowledge on how to find the best fit.
> Very personalized approach to your application.
> Overall, I enjoyed my journey with MBA Beyond. I wish them a beautiful time ahead with greater impacts.
> Last, I am thankful to Oriana Magro, for her amazing assistance through my application journey. She is a super champion. Wish you loads of success ahead.

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MBA & Beyond employs a unique approach that involves identifying the candidate's unique personality traits and using them to build a compelling application. Their framework offers a limitless array of questions that enabled me to identify specific experiences in my life where I exemplified these traits. With the help of my consultant, Noam, I was able to craft my story to deliver maximum impact. Noam was an exceptional consultant, providing quick responses, honest feedback, and invaluable knowledge. MBA & Beyond's content gathering framework and call with Ayushi were both incredibly helpful in delving deep beneath the surface to uncover critical details about my experiences and skills, resulting in excellent content. Throughout the process, my application coordinator Shakshi provided outstanding support, connecting me with Vinita and Sneha from the team, who helped me prepare for the interviews. I would highly recommend MBA & Beyond to any aspiring MBA candidate looking to get into their dream school.

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I had a fantastic experience working with MBA and Beyond during my MBA admissions process. From the very first consultation, their consultant was professional, knowledgeable, and personable. They took the time to understand my unique background and career goals and provided valuable insights and advice on which business schools to target.

The process was enjoyable and stress-free, largely due to the consultant's expertise and support. They were incredibly helpful in crafting a compelling application that highlighted my strengths and addressed any potential weaknesses. Additionally, they provided regular feedback and updates on my application, which helped me feel informed and confident throughout the admissions process.

MBA and Beyond exceeded my expectations in every way, and I would highly recommend them to anyone considering an MBA program. Their greatest strength is their expertise and personalized approach, which helped me create a strong application and ultimately gain acceptance into my preferred MBA program. The only weakness I can think of is that their services are somewhat expensive, but I felt that the value I received was worth the investment.

Overall, I am extremely grateful for the support and guidance provided by MBA and Beyond, and I can confidently say that working with them was a key factor in my successful MBA admissions journey.

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Post my GMAT I was under pressure to start applying for R1 and knew that I needed a consultant to help me out in this journey.
Initially I had a profile evaluation with Paridhi (very friendly) post where I expressed to her that I want to apply in R1. I told her that I am willing to work hard but I want to achieve the deadline. A week later I was working with Dr Vinita Singh. We focused on getting my complete life in one document which made the rest of my admission process easy.
I am so grateful to her for helping me throughout my journey, guiding me at every single point, helping me develop soft skills which are essential in future. She ensures that she empowers you by enhancing your soft skills which are an essential for admission essays/interviews. There were times when we had sessions at morning 6 am or 10 pm. She was flexible in accommodating my schedule.
Dr Vinita is a thorough professional, extremely hardworking , doesn't sugar coat things and makes you achieve your end goals. Working with her made it possible for me to get an admit from Schulich School of Business with a scholarship and as I write this review I have completed my interview in McGill - Desautels faculty of management.
I would definitely recommend MBA and Beyond to people who are looking out for a good consultants

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Full-time MBA offers from Oxford (Said) and NUS, Singapore
Consultant: Dr. Vinita Singh

Before joining MBAB, I also had introductory calls with other consulting services. What made MBAB stand out was the ease of its services and quick response time. MBAB did not require one to fill in a copious number of forms before every session. The MBAB content-gathering portal is seamless and helps gather your stories in one place.

My consultant, Dr. Vinita Singh was incredible. She helped me put together my entire application in under 10 days! I did not think I will be able to submit my application on time and was considering applying in the later rounds. Some consultants had even suggested I apply next year. However, she provided me with a structure and task-wise deadlines. She believed in the stories I wanted to convey to the Admissions Office. This, I believe helped me meet the tight timeline. She was available to address my questions even when there was no call scheduled. She conducted multiple mocks for the interview and prepared me to handle any curve ball. It would not be an understatement to say that her guidance was key to my application. Thank you so much, Ma'am.

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I highly recommend MBA and Beyond as an MBA admissions consultant. From the moment I began working with Shantanu, I was impressed by his wealth of knowledge and expertise in the field. Shantanu took the time to understand my background, career goals, and what I wanted to achieve through an MBA program. With his guidance, I was able to craft compelling essays that highlighted my strengths and differentiated me from other applicants.

Shantanu also prepared me extensively for my MBA interviews, providing insightful feedback and effective strategies to help me communicate my value proposition effectively. His commitment to my success was evident in his attention to detail and dedication to ensuring that every aspect of my application was as strong as possible.

As a result of our hard work and dedication, I was accepted into top MBA programs and ultimately enrolled at my dream school. I cannot thank him enough for his guidance and support throughout the process. If you're looking for an experienced and knowledgeable MBA admissions consultant, I highly recommend MBA and Beyond. You won't be disappointed!

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