I used the Veritas Prep full package for three schools based on a recommendation from a friend and had an excellent experience. PM if you want more details about my consultant--she was great. Their interview prep service was also really nice. My consultant wasn't a lead for any of the schools I applied to (my fault, not their's) but I was mock interviewed by an alums from those schools, which was a great service because they really knew their schools head to toe. I was rejected by HBS, but so are a lot of folks, and have been accepted by Notre Dame and Texas. I'm still waiting on Michigan, but that was easily my best application and interview.

I think it's important to have realistic expectations for admissions consultants. I began my process before schools published their essays by working on my resume and getting that down. Then I tackled essays as they came out and had finished products by the beginning of September. I went in expecting someone to help me refine my message, prevent any significant mistakes in my message, and act as a high-priced proofreader. A consultant can't change your GMAT score, undergrad GPA, or work experience, so purchasing services isn't going to instantly make you an attractive candidate at HBS. However, if you put the work in early on in the process, a good consultant can really help you tailor yourself to each school and make you (in my opinion) more attractive.

After reading a couple of books on MBA admissions secrets I still did not feel 100% confident about my chances of getting admitted to a top MBA program (Chicago Booth). My qualifications we good, not great, and I didn't want to take any chances. Although I had reservations about spending top dollar on admissions consultants, I found that Veritas Prep was worth every penny.

Richard Williams was assigned to me as he was previously on the admissions committee at my target school. It's doubtful that I could get admitted to Booth without his help. He was knowledgeable, patient, thoughtful, responsive, passionate and went above and beyond. I could tell he genuinely enjoyed helping me achieve this very important goal and that made the experience less stressful. When I signed up for the service, I expected a proofreader for my essays; instead I met a mentor and a friend. As a testament to Richard's role in my success, he was the first person I called after receiving my acceptance to Chicago Booth.

I've had a wonderful experience with Veritas Prep. Everyone has his own weak points, and mine was definitely writing strong essays. My GMAT score and work experience were not too bad, but where I come from, we are not taught to say proudly that we are the best. Therefore, I had a very hard time convincing the schools that I would be the one who would save the world if I were admitted to their program.

A friend of mine told me about his great experience with Veritas Prep a few years earlier, also I subscribed to a School package. This was the best decision I made since I chose to attend a MBA program.

Larry, my consultant has been very helpful, from his objective point of view in the MBA Game Plan to the his last recommendations regarding the interview process. He was not gentle and didn't lie, trying to make me feel good, but rather was direct, blunt and honest. Certainly the best attributes of a good consultant. Thanks to him, I definitely learnt a lot during the application process, and eventually got into INSEAD!!

Regarding Veritas Prep as a whole, I am very satisfied. Aside from the consulting job, Veritas Prep has always been correct and all my requests have been treated in no time.

I was very impressed with the entire process. To begin, Veritas was thorough in identifying the best consultant for me. Dave spent the time to teach me the Veritas process for crafting the application essays and was a great critique of structure and content.

I also had great interactions with the school-specific consultant as well. I had one of my school-specific consultants that I felt didn’t provide much unique insight and when I expressed my disappointment I was quickly matched up with a new contact with whom I had a great experience. It was impressive how quickly a minor issue I had was adequately fixed.

I believe the best qualities of the Veritas experience for me were the punctuality of responses/feedback and the passion all of the consultants had for the application process. I could not be more appreciative of all of the help Dave and the rest of the Veritas staff provided while guiding me through the application process. They truly helped with everything.

Dave/staff walked me through the schools that were best suited for my goals, perfecting the essays, and preparing for the interviews. In the end, yes it is a steep price to pay, but it is rather insignificant in the grand total of the MBA costs.

As for my results: I applied to four of the top six rated MBA programs. I received interviews at three of the schools. I have already been accepted to one school and find out about the other two in the coming weeks. I had a 710 GMAT and a strong undergraduate GPA in engineering, but feel Veritas helped put me over the top. I strongly recommend Veritas consulting.

The sales person was helpful and it was easy to find out the right package. He also quickly matched me with the consultant specializing (who is a graduate of that programme) in the school I was interested in.

Sylvia got back to me quickly. We scheduled a phone call. It was a helpful overview. Then I sent her all of my materials as I revised them and we did several iterations. She is very competent. Her comments made sense. She was very knowledgeable about the programme. Her turn-around time was very low. She even accommodated my last minute crunch time. Great experience overall!

Any admissions consultant is basically a very expensive essay editor. If you have close friends, colleagues, or family members that are willing to do this then it might not be worth it for you. You'll have to do a lot of your own homework however. Specifically, I mean that you'll want to read everything you can on how to craft successful essays, talk to current/former students, and probably visit campus.

I only used Dylan for one school: Wharton. I haven't heard back yet, but I don't expect to get into. Mostly, because of my profile, not anything Dylan did. Using strategies that I picked up from him and other Veritas Prep consultants I was able to apply to UCLA without any of their help. I was asked to interview and will hear back soon.

Bottom line: they can help a lot if you need it, but it might only be necessary to help get the basics from them rather than have them check everything you write.

My experience with Veritas was excellent and I would have wasted a lot of time and energy without their guidance during the MBA applications process. From the moment I signed on, they did an excellent job communicating and engaging me to think about why I was pursuing an MBA and which programs would be appropriate for my personal and career goals. Dylan was always accessible via email or phone and he helped me to see my application through the lens of an admissions committee to shape my candidacy in the best way possible for admittance. From the candidate profile with which I started the process to the various iterations of the essays, the consultants helped me to evolve my application into the best presentation of my real skills and weaknesses. When I had issues with one of my school specific resources, Veritas put me in touch with an alternate resource right away. Though the consultants often juggle many applicants, I found my main consultant (Dylan) to alway be available to listen to ideas or talk me off a ledge when I became overly stressed. The last few days before applications are due are insane, getting applications done a few days before would be better for all parties involved - this is easier said than done as essays tend to evolve towards the submission deadlines. Managing timeframes for discussions between the East and West coast was the only real challenge. Overall, the experience I had with Veritas helped make the tough application process much more bearable. Totally worth the investment.

Working with Veritas was the single best decision I made during the MBA application process. Veritas was able to efficiently screen my candidacy to place me with the perfect consultant (Janelle), and our working sessions were incredibly productive from the first meeting onward. Janelle had a strong background in my industry and quickly helped me focus my story and craft my application materials.

I genuinely believe I would not have been as successful with my admits if I had not worked with Janelle and Veritas - they were able to make my candidacy package much stronger than I believed possible. After our allotted hours had been used, Janelle stayed in touch - genuinely cared about my success.

Kellogg and Anderson admits.

I would recommend Veritas based on their school specific expertise and terrific consultants. Veritas was easy to work with and matched me with consultants who believed in me. Working outside of the normal banker/consultant realm, I didn't know what I was getting myself into as far as the application process goes and my consultants were there whenever I needed them.

I particularly enjoyed working with my head consultant, Dylan Tatz, who was always available and always my (constructive) champion. His essay editing and coaching skills helped me open up and present myself to the admissions committee in a clear, succinct manner.

Also, Scott Bryant (Fuqua specific consultant) provided great interview prep. I was completely prepared and at ease on the day thanks to his coaching on the phone and prep questions to take with me.

Anyone would be lucky to work with Dia Draper (Darden and Tuck consultant). She will keep you on task and is always available, going above and beyond what is required.

I was very happy with Scott Bryant, my admissions counselor. He took time to talk through some worries I had about my MBA, as well as edited my papers with precision. He also had a lot of knowledge about different eMBA programs, which was actually the exact programs I was looking at - so convenient for me! I was very fortunate to benefit from his knowledge as a student and now an admissions counselor.l I loved having him as a resource and would recommend him for anyone who is looking to have an excellent advocate in the admissions process!