Hello! So I haven't actually bought a consulting package from a particular company, but I've just had 4 free consultation sessions and wanted to share my experience while it's still fresh in my mind.
1)
Stacy Blackman: This was my very first session, so I wasn't particularly prepared for questions. The consultation was set up fairly quickly, and the consultant emailed me with time suggestions. After I had picked one for the same day, she asked me to end her my resume. I couldn't since I was at work, so I asked her if she wanted to reschedule. She said it was OK and that she would just ask me some questions about my job.
She called right on time! The questions she asked me were basically... when I graduated, gpa, major, UG school, and current position at work. She told me I was too young to be applying right now, and that based on my GPA (which is super low... from a state school), my to choices (Columbia and Stern Langone) were more than reaches. Basically, that I shouldn't even really be considering them. I was shocked at her bluntness, but very appreciative. She told me to wait 1-2 years to apply, and switch companies (to one that would give me a promotion), a lateral move. She didn't know much about Stern's PT program, but told me that one of the biggest benefits of that is that the class is filled with older individuals who have accomplished so much more in their career. Because I was so young, it might be even MORE difficult for me to get in. And then listed schools that were within my reach. I ended the call because I didn't have any more questions and she didn't either. It lasted about 21 minutes.
What I appreciated was her bluntness. It was a reality check, and based on that I decided to wait till next year to apply. But I really don't think she tried to get to know me, and what really bothered me was that she didn't give me ways to enhance my position. So I left this meeting really discouraged, and really sad.
2)
Stratus Prep: The person I spoke with was a LOT more encouraging than the consultant from
Stacy Blackman. He did call a bit late, I was about to start driving back home from work when he called and I pulled over to a parking spot lol. But it was <10 min. He told me that I needed to treat my GPA like a cancer cell- isolate it and make every other part of my app spectacular. I asked him about leadership suggestions, and he said that it really depends on my own assessment. Whatever volunteer leadership role I take should mesh will with the overall theme of my application- which makes sense. He gave me HOPE, that Columbia wasn't completely out of the question. He also told me a lot about the packaged programs, as well as their gmat programs, and stats.
This guy tried getting to know me a little bit more but I also felt like he was trying to market to me a lot too. I felt like he was a little too encouraging.. but maybe I'm just being overly sensitive. Oh, what I didn't like was that he didn't look at my resume beforehand because he was asking me questions that he would've known if he did. Where I worked, where I graduated from... it was all there. Something worth noting about their package is that you can get it very early and at no extra cost. For example, for someone like me wanting to apply for Fall 2014, I could get the package now and have my consultant work with me on revving up my resume.
3) Accepted: Holyyyy mofo could this lady talk. She gave me lots of advice, even advice on what to do after admission. She also told me to shoot for my dream school, but also apply to other schools within my league (and listed a bunch of them within my area). She was so down to earth, it was easy for me to connect with her. It was really a lot of repeated stuff from what the guy previous to her said. Nothing too new, and nothing I didn't know already from this forum
Oh, and one thing to note is that this gal definitely looked at the resume I had sent her, even before my call with her (during our emails prior to the call).
4)
MBA Prep School: The consultant I spoke to stood out from every other one I've spoken with from the VERY beginning. He didn't wait for me to talk, he basically took control of the conversation from the beginning which I thought was a LOT more productive. What were my long-term and short-term career goals? Where did I want to be post MBA? Why Columbia? Why Cornell? Was there any explanation to why my GPA was so low? Leadership outside of my sorority that I still do now? He had a comment about every one of my answers, and he gave me so much GOOD advice that no one else had ever mentioned. In this short amount of time, he tried to get to know me and tell me where I stood and what I would have to do to even be competitive. That, and he gave me examples of leadership I could do within my community. We went over the allotted time (which I did not do with anyone else) and I felt.. safe with him, if that makes ANY sense. I trusted in what he said, and I trusted that his company would be the best. I had that sense of relief, like FINALLY someone who really knows what they're talking about. And it's not just because of his charming accent :D
I have a few more consultations, and I will definitely update my post after I have them. But I don't think I'll be scheduling any more until next early next year. I don't feel like asking the same questions and hearing the same answers again. But for now, I think
MBA Prep School is going to be really hard to beat. As of right now, I have my sights set on them!
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02 Aug 2012, 02:58
cheers! 
