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MBACrystalBall
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 28 Aug 2023, 07:37
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Many are not aware that we have been offering a general career counselling service for several years. This is unrelated to our MBA admissions services, and is aimed at experience candidates who're looking for something more from their careers and aren't sure how to get there.

Based on requests from many, we've started another career coaching program designed for students and professionals who want to get into the financial industry.

We offer 2 options - Basic and Advanced - to help you with different stages of the career change process.

Check out more here: Finance career counseling

As we do for our other services, this one will also be on a selective basis. Which means we have to be convinced about what we can do for you before you signup.

So, if you're on the fence, reach out and we'll both figure out if this is the right program for you.
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball Updated on: 12 Nov 2023, 06:59
Originally posted by MBACrystalBall on 11 Sep 2023, 00:21.
Last edited by MBACrystalBall on 12 Nov 2023, 06:59, edited 1 time in total.
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We were approached by The Free Press Journal, a leading newspaper in India, to cover the benefits of Mini MBA. So we wrote one, and touched upon the following aspects:

  • What makes a mini-MBA course good (or bad) for you
  • How different is it from a regular full-time MBA
  • What are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing it over traditional programs.

If that sounds interesting, here's the full on the benefits of Mini MBA programs.

What did you think about it? Was there anything else that you wanted to know that we may have missed out in the article?

Here are a few blogs that refer to our popular online course:

MBA Frog:
https://www.mbafrog.com/2023/09/mini-mba-vs-regular-mba.html

Sumit Suri reviews the program:
https://surisumit.wordpress.com/2023/10/15/review-of-online-mini-mba-program/

When Blogspot was still in vogue:
https://thereaddicts.blogspot.com/2014/05/guest-post-giveaway-in-only-business.html

Vidya Suri's reviewed one of our books:
https://vidyasury.com/2014/10/book-review-busines-doctors.html

We'll update this list when we discover more articles that reference our online management course.

And some sites where MCB has been reviewed / discussed / recommended:

Authentic reviews of MBA Crystal Ball on ProvenExpert

Client Reviews of MBA Crystal Ball on Indiapl

Short review of MBA Crystal Ball on Fishbowl

MBA Crystal Ball recommended on Fishbowl
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 10 Nov 2023, 00:13
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Online GMAT vs Offline test centers in person: My traumatic experiences with both

While the dust is yet to settle on GMAT Focus vs traditional version, for the moment, we delve deeper into another debate on which the dust is yet to settle - online vs offline GMAT.

The article shares perspectives of a candidate who tried his hands at both (offline followed by online) and how that proved to be a pivotal part of his strategy.

Not to say it's the gospel truth by any means of course. But it certainly provides an option though some schools are still wary of the online option.

The blog also has interesting elements of a success story that culminated with admits from Cambridge and INSEAD.

Read here

Other Selected articles:
Is a 720 GMAT score good enough for IIM ISB?
MBA in Spain for Indian Student: Automotive Engineer with average GMAT score shares success story
Unbalanced GMAT (low quantitative, high verbal) score? Kellogg MBA admit shares tips

Related Video Posts:
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 28 Nov 2023, 21:57
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High GMAT score doesn’t guarantee admission & scholarship says 760 scorer

The benefits of a high GMAT score are plenty - differentiation, demonstration of academic capability, value for some recruiters and more.

These are often mistaken to mean that a high score guarantees admission. It is important to remember that GMAT is but one of the tens of factors that schools consider while making admission decisions.

In this blog, we present the story of a candidate who learnt this the hard way in his first attempt at applications.

Thereafter, partnering with us, he was able to not only leverage the score but also use his articleship experience (Indian context for chartered accountants) to eventually snatch admits from UCLA and Ross.

Want to know more?

Read here

Other Selected articles:
Indian applicant gets into Wharton in Round 2 with low GMAT score
After 6 Rejections & 4 GMAT attempts, Praveen gets into INSEAD Paris (France)
Admission chances for GMAT score below 700

Latest Video Posts:
Best country for MBA abroad students: USA vs Canada vs Europe vs Asia
Deferred MBA | Apply to top MBA abroad (USA) without work experience
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 12 Dec 2023, 21:39
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MIT Supply Chain Management (SCM) Master’s Program Review: How I got in with scholarship

Most MBA programs offer specialization or electives in Operations/SCM and there are jobs in the domain available after graduation.

However, some professionals want a more focused approach and want to go deeper into the domain.

The MIT SCMr program is arguably the only program of its kind, that takes experienced candidates (most master's programs are otherwise targeted towards those with 0-2 years of experience).

We take an in-depth look into the program and also present the application journey of Nilay who successfully made it.

Want to know more?

Read here


Check out one of the latest MBA Crystal Ball Reviews on LinkedIn

Other Selected articles:
Top masters in SCM admit in USA with low GMAT for public sector mechanical engineer
MIT SCMr vs Ross MSCM with scholarship: An admit reviews two top SCM masters degrees
Masters (MS / MBA) in Logistics and Supply Chain Management

Latest/Relevant Video Posts:
McKinsey MECE Framework with examples
Top MBA Specializations
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 22 Dec 2023, 08:55
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Latest MBA Crystal Ball reviews on Quora, LinkedIn

Here are two recent reviews of MBA Crystal Ball shared by MBA admission consulting clients on social media.

One is about a tech wizkid from Kolkata who was introduced to the exciting world of computers when he was very small. He did a lot of good work in the IT industry, but that experience turned out to be a challenge when he was planning his b-school admissions process. Why? Because there were thousands of male IT engineers just like him who were also applying. Fortunately, he managed to carve out a strategy that got him an admit and a huge financial aid from INSEAD. Check out his MBA Crystal Ball review (Quora).

The next one is about an applicant who struggled with the GMAT. After 4 attempts, he was done with tests. He hired a well-known admission consultant and put in 8 MBA applications. Guess how many admits he got - zero. Not even a single interview call. Something was just not right. So re-jigged his approach...and that worked! He got 3 admits from the same schools where he had been dinged earlier. He reviews MBA Crystal Ball on LinkedIn.

This are just two of the many stories you'll find on the web. And we have several more coming up soon on the MCB blog as well. Stay tuned!
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 23 Jan 2024, 21:31
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MBA after IIT isn’t easy! Story of IITian who got merit scholarship after multiple rejections

IITian with a 750+ score and a top MBA admissions consulting team - winning combination?

The answer sadly was a no and the team was us.

However, despite the rejections, Vivek didn't lose hope, continued improving his profile (something he had worked with us earlier too) and returned to us.

This time, with a dramatically different result - he got into Duke Fuqua and from there, went on to BCG.

Want to know why he decided to stick with us?

Read here


Other Selected articles:
Is a 323 GRE score good? Second MBA abroad with scholarship for happy IIT IIM grad
MIT SCMr vs Ross MSCM with scholarship: An admit reviews two top SCM masters degrees
Life before and after IIT Bombay, INSEAD and McKinsey: Diary of an overachiever

Latest/Relevant Video Posts:
McKinsey MECE Framework with examples
Which is the best degree to become a CEO?
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 20 Feb 2024, 21:33
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Here’s what this Apple engineer did to get into Berkeley Haas and INSEAD with a GMAT score of 720

Savita had done her master's from UMich and then lived the dream of working with teach bigges - Qualcomm followed by Apple.

However, she wanted more and that prompted her to go down the MBA route.

Though she could only muster a 720, she decided against a retake and instead, focus on her applications. 

Working with the MBA Crystal Ball team, she was able to get admits from Berkeley Haas and INSEAD. 

Currently at INSEAD, she recounts her story. 

Read here

Other Selected articles:
Am I too old for an MBA?
Why and how to get into Berkeley Haas MBA when you’re already earning $125,000
INSEAD vs London Business School (LBS) MBA: Which is better?

Latest/Relevant Video Posts:
How to get into INSEAD
MBA in Singapore for international students­
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 19 Mar 2024, 22:26
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MBA Couple Application: We got into ISB and rejected the admit because…

Anuj and Ekta wanted to emark on their MBA journey together. But their first effort didn't yield the desired outcome, especially for Anuj.

Not giving up hope, they persevered. Anuj worked with us and despite a relatively modest GMAT score, eventually they both got admits from the same college (Georgetown). To top it all, both of them got very attractive scholarships too. 

Whether you are a couple or an individual, the story is sure to inspire. 

Read about it here

Other Selected articles:
MBA application for married couple from India
When husband and wife study in the same MBA program abroad
MBA after marriage
Why MBA causes breakup


Latest/Relevant Video Posts:
Highest Paying Finance Jobs in the World
McKinsey MECE Framework with examples­
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 04 Apr 2024, 07:26
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­Many MBA aspirants assume their work is done after getting an admit, and they can sit back and relax till their classes officially start. They don't realize that it can be a uphill battle especially in the first few weeks.

The pace and amount of academic work can be tough to handle for those who aren't from business undergrad backgrounds. To avoid ending up in this situation, it can help to take up some pre MBA courses that can give you a quick overview of the essential concepts covered in all good business schools.

Check out these Bizcool Mini MBA reviews to see if it might be a good option to consider before you start your MBA journey. It's an online business management course created by MBA Crystal Ball.

We'd love to hear some feedback on what we can do to improve it.
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 14 May 2024, 22:36
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Stanford MSx vs MIT Sloan Fellows: My application experience with EA score

Each year, we get several 'late' career MBA candidates. Those with 8-10+ years of work experience. Some are already aware of the challenges that arise due to being an outlier candidate while some others get that feedback from us.

Srikar was in the former set. After a top Indian Enginnering undergrad, US PhD and work with Intel, he wanted to do more. Showing awareness, he also opted for the EA instad of GMAT/GRE and was focused on the Sloan Fellows programs. 

While MIT didn't blink, he was only too happy to get the admit from his dream school, Stanford. 

Want to know how he navigated the journey? 

Read about it here

Other Selected articles:
Sloan Fellows Program Review: MIT vs LBS vs Stanford – MBA after 30
Second MBA degree abroad (USA) with scholarship after 30 from MIT Sloan Fellows
LBS Sloan Masters in Leadership and Strategy review and admissions experience
Mid-career MBA after 20 years of experience: Worth it or not?


Latest/Relevant Video Posts:
IIM vs Foreign MBA: Salary, placements, admissions, pros & cons
Which is the best degree to become a CEO?­
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 17 Jun 2024, 06:52
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­MBA after layoff. 

In the world of MBA applications, being laid off is often considered a big handicap.

Not for Shurthi. She knew she had a good profiel and decided to defy the odds.

Working with her, she perfected her pitch and ended up with admits, and hefty scholarships! 

Read about her journey here

Other Selected articles:
How to handle gaps in your education and career in MBA essays
MBA applications: FAQ regarding voluntary career breaks
MBA Scholarships 


Latest/Relevant Video Posts:
Highest Paying Finance Jobs in the world
McKinsey MECE Framework with examples­
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 17 Jun 2024, 07:11
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On this episode of MBA Waves, we interviewed two MBA couples: one is a pair of Indians at LBS and the other a pair of Americans at Tepper CMU.

Here are their fantastic stories of "Love in the Times of Graduate Management Education":
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHYexhU ... l=MBAWaves­

#MbaWaves #MbasForCouples #MBA #LondonBusinessSchool #LBS #Tepper #CMU
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 17 Sep 2025, 03:15
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You'll find MBA application consultants on many social media websites - which would include LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Youtube and Reddit. That is in addition to GMAT and GRE MBA related forums like GMAT Club and (the once popular) Beat The GMAT. This is how the teams are able to present what they have to offer to MBA applicants.

On platforms like Reddit Indian MBA consultants are quite active on some GMAT and MBA related 'subs' (as the niche sub-forums are called). At MCB, we have not paid too much attention to that site for a long time. We had incorrectly thought that it was another version of FB or Twitter. But then we realised (quite late) that it isn't. It has it's unique flavour that makes it such a hot destination for everyone to discuss everything.

Not all of it is helpful. It's filled with a lot of noise too. And it's anonymous. That makes it simple for users to do a lot of things that ideally should be regulated. Some consultants used it to promote themselves and that's not so fab. But at times they use it to post fake reviews of competitors. There are moderators but it's tough for them to police what's happening 24X7.

So if you're relying on social media opinions, especially those that are posted anonymously, use your discretion to decide if they are authentic or not. At MBA Crystal Ball, almost all our success stories have client names, pics and other details that point to their credibility. Reach out if you have queries about anything you want to know.
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 13 Nov 2025, 20:21
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Who are the Best MBA Admission Consultants in India?

Admission Panel recently answered this question on their blog. Their editorial team has independently compared and listed several parameters across teams, including global MBA focus, ISB / IIM expertise, interview preparation, scholarship help, GMAT coaching, price range and key strengths.

According to their analysis, the best MBA admission consultants in India are as follows:

  1. MBA Crystal Ball
  2. AdmitSquare
  3. General Education
  4. Management Masters
  5. ExpertsGlobal
  6. CrackAdmission
  7. PythaGURUS
  8. ReachIvy

The comprehensive article also busts some of the myths around admission consultants.

Myth: Consultants Guarantee Admission to Top B-Schools
Reality: No ethical MBA consultant should or can be able to guarantee acceptance.

Myth: Only Weak Candidates Need Consultants
Reality: Top candidates often employ consultants in order to increase the odds.

Myth: Consultants Will Write Your Essays for You
Reality: That’s unethical–and top consultants won’t ever do it.

Myth: All Consultants Offer the Same Services
Reality: Huge differences exist regarding quality, pricing and method.

Myth: It’s Not Worth Paying When There’s Free Info Online
Reality: Free info is beneficial, but it’s often not enough.

Myth: A Consultant Can Fix a Weak Profile
Reality: They can place your profile in a better way, but they aren’t able to invent new ways to make you successful.

Myth: It’s Too Late to Hire a Consultant if Deadlines Are Near
Reality: Some consultants offer speed-track programs for applicants with last-minute deadlines.
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Ask MBA Crystal Ball 13 Nov 2025, 23:59
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Thank you MBACrystalBall for the mention.

Adding to some more myths about Consultants and what they can or can't do - Expectation vs Reality check

Myth: A Consultant Will Tell Me the One “Magic Angle” My Profile Has Been Missing
Reality: Most profiles lack magic angles; they need clearer connections.

Myth: Consultants Want You to Play It Safe
Reality: Good consultants often push you toward bolder, braver storytelling.

Myth: Consultants Prefer “Shiny” Profiles and Don’t Understand Messy Journeys
Reality: Strong consultants decode the mess before the adcom misreads it.

Myth: Consultants Will Immediately Identify My Strengths
Reality: Real strengths emerge slowly through deeper conversations.

Myth: Consultants Try To Make Everyone Sound Like an Overachiever
Reality: Good consultants remove exaggeration to keep your voice grounded.

Myth: Consultants Fix Weaknesses by Hiding Them
Reality: Addressed weaknesses work better than ignored or concealed one
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