I've checked out some MBA admissions consultants out there, particularly MBAMission and Cambridge Essay Services.

What criteria / guidelines should an applicant use to evaluate whether he needs to obtain the services of a consultant? Has anyone here had experiences with the consultants I mentioned? Did they add value to your application?

For instance - I feel like I might need one, not because I don't know how to write a good story for the essays, but I feel there is just so many experiences / life events I need to distill and choose a story from. I want guidance on which of these experiences make compelling stories. In addition, a consultant would be exposed to a far broader set of applications and thus would have a better perspective than friends who are MBA alumni on whether an application story stands out.

What do you guys think?

There have been a bunch of topics on this if you do a search.

Personally I am not going to use a consultant. Too much $$$ and I have heard enough horror stories, which may be because some sell you their services by convincing you they can get you into your dream school even if you have no chance. I think a fair number of people who use consultants have unrealistic goals with where they are applying. Though I have seen posts on boards that some of the better consultants will bluntly tell you not to bother with certain schools and not to waste your money.

If you feel you are a strong candidate (well above the averages with a solid profile) for a school then the benefit is probably not nearly worth the cost...if you are a borderline or slightly subpar candidate then it may help and make your more confident. If you aren't a native speaker it also could benefit with writing the essays so they make more sense to whoever reads it.

I would recommend contacting them and seeing when they recommend starting with their service. If you are definitely planning on using one then I would try and get it set up now to beat the rush of people in sept and oct.

Avoid MBAmission, Jeremy is a good marketer till you sign the service..He gives great advice over the forums ( businessweek, pagalguy ) just to get clients....his claims of Strategic help, Help u to think etc etc just a gimmick...

Be careful while selecting the consultants. If possible talk to the references that they provide. I have gone through a bad experience with mbapply.com. I felt Alex @ mbaapply.com helped me only to fix the grammar in my essays though he charged me $$$$. I think consultant should have an idea about the school, its requirements and help to find a way to distinguish yourself from the rest of the crowd.

Guys, just use me now while I still have time before school starts.

Caveat emptor: I read your essays while drunk in my bathtub.

Folks, my selfish alter-ego wants you to know that rhyme is out of the market. I have booked him for reviewing my essays.

Any ad-coms from Duke, make note of my splendid team first approach.

Now, where is that essay I wanted rhyme to review?

And Rhyme's in box just got filled with 50 new messages...and 100 lurkers just finally signed up on the site.

Rhyme you always have a career in MBA consulting open for you.

Maybe rhyme is really thinking about going the MBA admission consultancy way after his MBA (Or maybe writing a competitor to the Montauk book)

I remember from one of his postings that he was already doing some marketing stuff for his essay editing business.

No, actually, not even one msg. Hah.

Correct. Its almost ready to go, just need to finish some of the text, meeting with the lawyer next week to incorporate and deal with some last minute legal questions, and thats about it. It'll probably be up and running by Sept 1.

If anyone wants to see an early marketing packet or demo of the site, let me know. I think its quite cool actually. Not 100% done, and I'll probably run into some snags this year, but I hope to turn it into a real player. It's not even really about money (those of you that worked with me last year probably realize I made about $5 an hour) - its just about building community around a common dream.

Man, you warm my heart. It's like little orphans getting new shoes at Christmas.

rhyme, check your inbox. You definitely have 1.

Naah .. he has at least 2.

Rhyme -- I would like to take a look at the Demo site...

I was lucky to work with you last year..and the last thing you cared about was money!!

Good luck with the new Venture

LOL... I'm at 8 now.