essay consultants - anyone using them

Aviroop....$300 for an essay edit service...Man that is cheap considering the websites I have been too. They advertise at 2000-3000 $ for a package for one school....IMHO, I do not believe anyone can help us make the essays ever so exceptional unless you have "some" stuff to write about. And when we have something to write about, I think we would be the best person to do that.

Or do you say it is 300$ just to read our essays once and comment ?

I think you can get someone to edit your essays for grammar and english for a reasonable rate. Its the people that market their ability to get your content right for b-schools that charge insane fees. Pick the people who have the best english writing skills you know, a friend who was an english major or a cousin who teaches high school english. Whoever it you can find to review your grammar, spelling, punctuation...all that fun stuff. You

Personally I am just having friends and family edit. The content is all on me. That way it doesn't sound fake and my passion can come through. I have heard way to many stories of consultants pushing people in directions they dont want to go because the consultant thinks thats what works best and it doesnt work out in the end. There are some good consultants but I can't justify 2-3k per application, when I feel that I can make just as good a presentation on my own. I may miss some little things schools look for but at least it wont be so polished that schools will be convinced I had outside help.

2-3 grand per school !!!! That is daylight robbery. Each to their own I guess. I am happy sending my 'unpolished diamonds' ....

No, just proof-reading services for your finished essays. They have price ranges for the amount of words you want them to read. For example, Essay Edge states:

0 - 900 words $194.95
901 - 1200 words $224.95
1201 - 1500 words $264.95
1501 - 2000 words $324.95
2001 - 3000 words $424.95
3001 - 4000 words $524.95
4001 - 5000 words $624.95

And this is just for proof-reading, and some comments as to whether your essay is good or rubbish.

And they have the premium packages where they write their essays for you - which in my opinion is wrong and unethical.

.. and suicidal ! I have more faith in me than in some guy that I just know nothing about. Moreover, if my essays stay crap even after some friends proof-read and review them, and I get no admit, then that'll be a sign that I should look at other ways of making money.

+1

You stole the words out of my mouth. That is why I am off to Mexico in December to look for more favorable jobs, in case I get dinged from all schools.

Give me a couple hundred bucks and I'll copyedit for you too.

heh, I'm already lining up "interviews" with prospective startups to work for if I don't get into any school. It's actually not bad if you think about what the b-school application forces you to do. Once you inflect on your entire career, your life, and who you are, you have a pretty good idea what you want to do and why you don't want to stay in your current job anymore (for those of us career switchers).

I'm slowly but surely realizing that even if I don't get into a b-school, I *will* go out there and start to work in startups or small, forward thinking companies. Even if my pay gets cut, I think I'll be a lot happier...

B-school applications are like free psychotherapy sessions for yourself... except they're not really "free" because of all the pain and agony it causes...

I will need a therapist just to let go of all the tension buildup.

B-school applications are like visits from Satan. They torment you, tease you and slowly rip your lives apart.

Well once you get admitted you will be like Archimedes, running naked through the streets shouting "Eureka" but that aint happening yet.

LOL! That's true... maybe we'll all be featured in our local news after we get admitted

I dont think I will be turning on TV to watch you or me running naked. Talking of which did you read about the naked protests on top of a glacier - imagine putting that as your community/social experience in an essay!!!!!!

it would definitely be "unique"

Precisely! I know that if I do not get into my b-schools, then I'll start working on the next best things that I can do to get to my goals. This introspection that we are going through is going to have great benefit long term.

unless you have a boss like mine, who breathes fire down your neck, tells you an MBA is a waste of resources, and destroys your promotion chances.

But before I hijack the thread any more - any further thoughts or opinions on essay services.

mba2010, how about 20 bucks and 3 mp3 cds of world's top 1000 80's hits - will that work for u?

For $20, you get 15 minutes of my time

I've worked in corporate marketing communications the entirety of my career, so I'm totally worth it. And I'm still cheaper than those essay editing services!

I can do without the CD, but I've always wanted to go to an Indian wedding.

ha ha ha... wow, you are expensive mba2010!

aviroop, unless you REALLY can't think of what to talk about, I wouldn't use consultants. As for editing, you should have some friends who are good at English or English/communications majors you can have edit your essays, right?

Did rhyme not do a good enough job?

Oops, I did my math wrong. $20 gets you 25-30 minutes.

As you can see, the sharpness that came about as a result of studying for the GMAT has already left me. I was trying to multiply 19 x 4 in my head today and was off by 20.