TLDR the brainstorming and structure of a "Complete Start-to-Finish Package" with MBAMission was useful but definitely not worth the $6,900 price tag. I went into the process thinking that using a consultant would give me an "edge" in the extremely competitive process of applying for top 10 MBA programs but found that to be not the case. Overall the consultant (John Sisk) was very nice and personable. The brainstorming session and documents at the beginning of the process were definitely helpful in coalescing thoughts and providing direction. The structured process can also be a boon to someone who is less organized but I'd say any reasonably driven individual should be able to handle organization / time management on their own.

The two primary reasons for my less-than-stellar rating are:
1) in hindsight, I believe the structured essay writing style of the consultant actually hurt my chances as they likely felt too sanitized and polished; and
2) although the consultant was friendly, I didn't feel like the consultant actually cared whether I got into a good program. I had disappointing results in Round 1 (with his complete package assistance) but didn't receive any follow-up or hear from him come decision time. As a consultant, he was keenly aware of when school decisions were released but basically if I didn't reach out to him with the news, good or bad, he likely never would have contacted me again. After getting a hold of him and telling him of my rejections in Round 1 he offered to continue helping and providing advice for Round 2 but my subsequent two emails were left unanswered. Also, case in point, he never reached out or contacted me again to ask how my MBA application process was going and still does not know which schools I got into in Round 2.

I was ultimately successful in getting into a top 10 MBA program on my own in Round 2 (writing essays in my own style rather than the vanilla structure he recommended) so all is well that ends well but I simply cannot recommend spending so much money for this service.

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If you’re reading this review, you’re probably asking yourself the same two questions that I did: Is it really worth thousands of dollars to hire an MBA consultant? And if so, is Susan Kaplan the right consultant to hire? I will do my best to answer both of those questions.

As some background…

I was born and raised in a small, Midwest town in the United States. I attended a good (not great) public university, where I played a Division-1 sport and graduated with a 3.9 GPA. I turned pro after college and played for two years at the minor league level. I then spent six months as an investment banking analyst at a reputable “middle market” firm. I scored 700 on the GMAT (48 quant) and I applied to HBS and Tuck, two schools that were at the top of my range.

1. Is it really worth thousands of dollars to hire an MBA consultant?

The harsh reality is that every individual that gets into a top MBA program inevitably takes that seat from someone else. The process is highly competitive, and preparation is everything. It is also binary – you either get in or you don’t – so the reality is that outcomes determine whether hiring a consultant was money well spent. I looked at it this way: Whether a consultant provided me with 50% or 1% improvement during this process, that could very well be the difference between whether I was admitted and not. I wanted my best chance at success, leaving no stone unturned, so I hired Susan as my consultant from start to finish for both programs.

This is not a simple process that you can accomplish with little to no effort. A consultant will not complete your application for you. Quite honestly, it would be a mistake to approach it with that mindset, especially considering the financial commitment. If you have the means ($), have the foundation/resume to be competitive, and have the time and work ethic to fully commit to this process, you will absolutely benefit from working with an MBA consultant. If you are halfheartedly invested in the process, your money is better spent somewhere else because you are competing against a group of highly distinguished, fully committed applicants.

2. Is Susan Kaplan the right consultant to hire?

The short answer is, with conviction, YES. Susan was instrumental in helping me better understand the MBA application process, HBS and Tuck’s expectations, and how to best present my application to each program. Initially, we spent a significant amount of time identifying my post-MBA goals and which programs would be the best fit for me, both in terms of culture and career development. We then began to craft my story based on my experiences, tailoring this story to each program. We identified the best options for recommendation letters and then started preparing for my essays and additional responses.

Susan provided critical guidance and accountability throughout the entire application process. She provides direct, efficient feedback and is quick at responding to questions. She has “been there, done that” and, thus, makes sure you are prioritizing the appropriate tasks and staying on track with your set timeline. If you are looking for someone to coddle you, Susan should not be your first choice. If you are looking for someone who is passionate, responsive, accountable, and committed to doing what it takes to get you into your dream school, then you are in the right place. When you hit “Submit Application,” you will know that you have given yourself the best chance at success.

Final Review…

I truly believe I was able to put forth my highest quality application possible with Susan’s guidance and accountability. With that said, I look forward to attending my top choice, the Dartmouth Tuck School of Business, in the fall of 2023.

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I cannot emphasise enough how much I recommend Melissa as an MBA admission consultant. Working with her was an absolute game-changer! Her expertise, dedication, and support played a crucial role in my admission to all three programs during the final application round.

Melissa truly took the time to understand my unique story, aspirations and goals by deep diving into my background and experiences and ensure it was effectively communicated in every aspect of my application. Melissa’s warm, thoughtful and genuine approach created a safe space where I felt super comfortable sharing my ideas or concerns throughout the process.

Her insightful advice were absolute gold. Melissa provided invaluable feedback, helping me refine my ideas and craft compelling narratives that truly demonstrated my unique story.

Melissa’s commitment to time is unparalleled. I was working on an extremely tight timeframe for the final application round and she always ensured that we stayed on track. Her prompt responses to my inquiries and availability for calls provided me with a sense of reliability that was very comforting.

Melissa genuinely cares, her dedication and belief in my abilities instilled me with great confidence and enthusiasm (especially during interviews) that were instrumental to my success. This is truly one of the best decisions you can make!

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When it comes to deferred MBA admissions, the competition is fierce, especially for candidates like me from India with a STEM background. I realized that to stand out, I needed the expertise of someone who truly knows the ins and outs of the MBA admissions world. After exploring various admission consultants, Katy stood out from the crowd. During our trial call, her thoroughness and understanding of my background, strengths, and weaknesses blew me away. My gut told me she was the right person to guide me through this journey, and boy, was I right!

Katy took the time to delve deep into my background, helping me uncover my true motivations and connecting the dots between my life experiences and choices. Together, we worked on multiple essay drafts, and her edits were nothing short of amazing. She possesses a nuanced understanding of what top MBA programs are looking for. Thanks to Katy, I became more confident in my writing and found clarity in expressing my thoughts, which was invaluable since English isn't my first language.

Throughout the entire application process, Katy made me feel like more than just a client. She genuinely cared about my success and offered unwavering support, even though we communicated through emails and video calls across different time zones.

But it didn't stop there. Katy also went above and beyond in preparing me for my HBS interview. We conducted numerous mock interviews, and it was incredible how the very first question of the actual interview was something we had practiced. That moment of familiarity eased my nerves and made the interview experience remarkably smooth.

I got accepted into HBS 2+2, and I owe a tremendous amount of gratitude to Katy. Not only is she a brilliant mentor, but she has also become a great friend. If you're serious about putting your best foot forward and making your business school dreams come true, I wholeheartedly recommend Katy. She's the real deal!

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I had consulted Harold for my mock interview prep for an M7 school and application approach. Throughout the process, he was always available for my questions, direct with his feedback and quick & thorough with his input. This was critical for me as I was juggling with multiple timelines. His vast experience makes him a great consultant during the MBA admissions process. I appreciated his availability and guidance both during our mock interview prep and offline

I highly recommend the mock interview practice with him as he provides constructive feedback to help you shine during the process.

Thank for all your help, Harold.

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Heidi Granner exceeded my expectations as an MBA consultant. She helped me craft clear essays and explore various career paths. She had invaluable insights into crafting a compelling, honest, and persuasive application. Heidi was a source of constant encouragement (especially as I was working under a relatively tight timeline) and also pushed me to produce better work. I feel like I got to know myself better through this process. Thanks to Heidi's guidance, I was accepted to Wharton and will be enrolling this fall. I cannot express enough gratitude for everything Heidi has done. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone pursuing an MBA.

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Making the decision to pursue an MBA program during the late stage of the application season and with a significantly low undergraduate GPA put me at a considerable disadvantage from the start. Consequently, I began my search for a consulting service to assist me with my application. After having several free consultations with consultants from various firms, I discovered that Debbie was the only one who provided me with honest advice and an effective application strategy, ultimately helping me regain my confidence. Working with her over the past three months has been an enjoyable experience. Debbie consistently demonstrated her professionalism and experience in every aspect, from structuring and refining my essays and resume to preparing me for interviews. She helped me uncover my strengths, guiding me to effectively showcase them in my essays, and she provided me with a newfound clarity in defining my career goals. Moreover, Debbie imparted invaluable techniques on capturing the attention of interviewers. If there were any lingering doubts about committing myself to an MBA program before working with Debbie, they have vanished completely. With her invaluable assistance, I successfully gained admission to Rice Business School. I strongly recommend Debbie to anyone seeking to maximize their chances of receiving offers from their dream schools.

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John was meant to be an MBA Admissions Consultant. His level of care and how committed he is to each client is unparalleled. He communicates feedback thoroughly and in a timely manner. He makes sure to check in and has a ton of patience when working with you. I had a bit of a quick turnaround and he made sure to let me know on a regular basis that we were pacing well and that all will be alright. He really develops a rapport with you and helps you see a clear way to tell your story. I could not be where I am at today without John.

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Choosing to work with Harshad has been a blessing. From the start, he was genuinely interested in my story and believed that I could be admitted into a top school, even though I didn’t have quite the same conviction. He is thoughtful, patient, detail-oriented and direct. Of all his qualities, I most appreciated his respectful directness, as it enabled us to have an open and honest dialogue which increased our efficiency and improved the quality of my application.

Harshad’s belief in my candidacy instilled a sense of confidence I hadn’t previously exhibited. His unique introspective style challenged me to dig deep and create a compelling narrative for my essays, while also helping me realize why I want to truly pursue an MBA. This, coupled with his ability to create a powerful story helped transform my essays and changed the way in which I approach storytelling. He was also able to successfully change my interview style through our mock interviews. These new skills were not only critical in curating a successful application but will be pivotal in my career going forward.

In conclusion, Harshad has been both a consultant and a mentor. Outside of our work on essays, he consistently made time to discuss strategy, give advice and provide guidance on my future. I am certain there are many knowledgeable consultants out there, however very few have the ability to connect personally and share such a genuine interest in their client’s success. Harshad always went above and beyond and helped me get into three great schools – Yale SOM, INSEAD and NYU Stern. These schools would have been quite a reach had I worked alone. The process is undoubtedly pricey, but it has been the best investment I have ever made. I can’t recommend Harshad highly enough!

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I reached out to Jessica when I was struggling with essays. I wanted to apply to a few top schools but wasn't able to figure out how to pick the right stories. I needed some help with brainstorming and guidance. Jessica provided all that and more. She has been simply incredible. Right from my first conversation with her, she made me feel comfortable due to her honesty and approachability. I knew immediately that I would reach out to her for hourly services if required. I am so glad I did! Jessica is very insightful and was able to expertly help me weave a strong narrative that was authentic and honest. I was initially reluctant to write about some experiences I had gone through but she helped me see aspects of those stories that I hadn't considered before. I am glad I trusted her and took her advice. She really knows her stuff. I also got to know myself really well in the process and enjoyed every minute with her. She is also extremely prompt with replies and answers questions patiently.

She helped me secure 5 admits and one of them is my dream school that I will be going to this fall! A year back, I would NEVER have expected to get in especially because of my above average age, middling score and non-traditional background but Jessica made it possible. She believed in me and helped me believe in myself. I'm extremely grateful that I got to work with her and I know it's not an exaggeration when I say that she changed my career trajectory.

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