How to choose an MBA Admissions Consultant...
Choosing an MBA admissions consultant is an important decision as it sets the path toward your dream #bschool and potentially your career.
The market is flooded with full-time, part-time, time-pass, past-time, etc. consultants.
While many claim to be the “best” out there (few with ~100% success rates and money-back guarantees!!), try looking beyond the numbers as well. Here are a few (not exhaustive) important factors you could consider before zeroing in on an application consultant (assuming you’ve decided to go for one),
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Been there-Done That!Someone who has been in your shoes before and understands what it takes to get over the line. More importantly, they will be able to empathise with you in the emotional roller coaster the entire application ride is!
In most cases, a great coach has played the sport at the highest level and knows how it feels to be on the field, especially in tough situations. Similarly, someone who has been closely associated with school and seen the life pre-MBA, life at MBA, and life post-MBA would be able to help you the best. They would be able to help you connect the dots among these three phases in your application.
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Knowledge of The School(s)Remember, in addition to the school choosing you, you are choosing the school as well.
Hence, you need someone to have in-depth knowledge about the school(s) you’re targeting so that they ensure to point you in the right direction for YOUR research. B-school applications are more than getting 2-3 essays in order. Knowledge of clubs, events, courses, placement process etc. helps you demonstrate your research and knowledge about the MBA program & the school.
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Admissions Consulting / Mentoring ExperienceMost B-schools (incl ISB) call alumni who have completed 2-3 years of post-MBA experience for admissions interviews, mentoring current students, etc. The reason- the experience of life post-MBA.
If not anything else, one’s perspectives change a lot after an MBA from a top B-school. This experience should be tapped into during your application process as well. For e.g. admissions consultants who have seen their clients through their post-MBA journey would know if a certain goal would work or if a certain school suits your personality. Hence, bank on the experience!
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A Diverse TeamEspecially true when it comes to mock interviews. You need exposure to different interviewing styles (consulting case-based, behavioral interview, stress interview, etc.) to be prepared for anything and everything that comes your way during the final MBA interview.
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Vibes!!Among other things, trust your gut! After the phone call or a free consultation, you don’t feel that a consultant aligns with your style of working, goals, or values - keep looking till you find the right one! It is like a relationship after all. 😊
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Money!The consultants’ fee ranges from INR 10,000 per school to sometimes INR 300,000 per school. Be mindful of your budget and it is always okay to ask for discounts if you have financial constraints. Most good consultants understand your situation and can offer flexible payment options. However, be flexible (10%-20%) with your budget since you don’t want to lose out on the above factors for a small sum (compared with what you’d spend at the B-school or earn later 😊)).
Other factors: referrals, whether they write the application (a strict NO!), testimonials (preferably video ones).
Let me know in the comments what other factors you have / should consider.
Cheers,
Manan Puri
Co-founder, S4G | ISB Alumnus
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mananpuri/Success stories:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=P ... z2DNd9eSgi