Introducing "Underdog" MBA Consultants...is this post OK?

Question

Hi there,

My name is Niki, and I consider myself an "underdog." I come from a very modest background: city school education, non-finance work experience... I even had to take the GMAT five times before I broke the 700 barrier! After working with a typical Ivy-grad consultant, I was rejected from Columbia last year - it was one of the lowest points of my adult life.

However, this year I was able to get into Dartmouth and Wharton (I also interviewed with MIT, for which decisions come out April 4, 2011). I did not work with a consultant this time around, but I did gain an immense pool of knowledge about how to market my background properly to the admissions committee by concentrating on specific strengths of my application that my consultant dismissed initially.

It takes an "underdog" to help an "underdog"! My rates are pretty reasonable (negotiable, since I'm just starting out), and I would love to share my MBA application/essay knowledge with the next generation of quirky applicants.

Please feel free to PM me on GMATclub.

If you are curious to see my essays to verify my writing, I would be happy to share them for a nominal fee (please note that they cannot be used, or distributed).

Thanks, and I hope to hear from you soon.

Niki

TDA · Answer

So let me get this right - you plan to work on the side as an admissions consultant while going to either Dartmouth, Wharton, or MIT? I'd be concerned about time and availability?

jordanhendrix · Answer

How does a 3.7 and a 720 make you an underdog?
Did u reapply to CBS? What happened?
Are you suggesting that there is an "underdog strategy"
and if so, because you got into Wharton with above average stats that makes you qualified to help other such "underdogs?"
so your an expert now because you figured out how to market yourself?

gmatchaser · Answer

That is a fair concern. However, I would like to help some early applicants during the summer! I realize that class work, clubs, and social activities will keep me busy going forward, and this is why I plan to take on only a few applicants later in the year.

Thanks for sharing your opinion, and I hope that I answered your question - good luck with your MBA and congratulations on your offers!

Thanks for sharing your opinion, and I hope that I answered your question - good luck with your MBA and congratulations on your offers!

jordanhendrix · Answer

And your links are removed until the other mods and I discuss this.

gmatchaser · Answer

Hi there,

Thanks for your questions.

Yes I have a 3.7 GPA from a city university - I believe that as an applicant, I am at a disadvantage to Ivy league grads (even those with lower GPAs).

I took the GMAT five times - scored from 640 to 680, until finally beating it last year. Frequency of GMAT tests doesn't directly make one an "underdog," but I don't underestimate any school's admissions committee.

I re-applied to CBS and was dinged without an interview despite improving my GMAT score by 40 points, getting promoted, and getting a leadership position in my community (sometimes it's just bad luck).

Yes, I am suggesting that there is an "underdog" strategy.

Finally to address one of your last points: "because you got into Wharton with above average stats that makes you qualified to help other such "underdogs?" - I think that you're reading a little too much into what I am saying. I'm not promising that I will help just any schmuck get into an Ivy league school - I'm trying to emphasize that even people with major weaknesses in their profile can effectively structure their essays and get interviews from top schools.

I never claimed that I was an expert at marketing myself, but I am offering help based on my background and experience.

Thanks again - let me know if you have other questions.

Nik

gmatchaser · Answer

Sure - please feel free to contact me directly. If there is a protocol that I'm not following, I would be happy to speak to you and rectify the problem. Thanks again.

jordanhendrix · Answer

I'm moving this topic to the moderator only forum for discussion. Once a decision is made I will notify you.

My point is this, you cant spin you story as that of an underdog then charge people as a underdog consultant when you aren't one. If you want to make some extra money become a GMAT tutor. This post has me riled up because what else will you say if someone actually reaches out to you? How can we be sure your not going to tell the kid with a 640 and a 2.7 that he is good to go at CBS but you need to bill another 2 hours to reread his essay.

bb · Answer

This can be moved into the admissions consultants forum. As long as it stays there, it is ok.

Introducing "Underdog" MBA Consultants...is this post OK?

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