Review of MBA Crystal Ball

Question

Hi all,

I am a b-school aspirant and have been a part of gmatclub for quite a while now. Now that we are reaching the end of May, I am getting busy doing all the groundwork for the application process. This will be my second attempt and am hoping to be more successful than in my previous attempt.

I wanted to know whether anyone on this forum has used MBA Crystal Ball admission consultants for their application process. From the looks of it, they seem to be doing a really good job. So, I wanted reviews about their MBA MAP and Essay Editing services before going ahead.

Please PM your reviews to me.

Thanks in advance.

newbornkyd · Answer

Anyone?

kaashi · Answer

Check your PM

amitjathar · Answer

Hi  kaashi ,

I appreciate if you can you give some insights to me also.

debjeet · Answer

Guys, I have contacted Manish from MBA Crystal Ball and he has just confirmed today that they are no longer onboarding any new students for this year's application season.

newbornkyd · Answer

Is this really true? A couple of my colleagues started the proceedings for their 5 schools. They had availed the MAP about 15-20 days ago so I am just wondering whether the date of the MAP subscription falls into the story. Have you availed the MAP yet?

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Jumping in to clear the air here a bit.

Our team is very small, so juggling capacity during peak season is always a challenge.

When there's a spike in signups, instead of hiring consultants randomly (and potentially diluting the quality of our service) we temporarily stop accepting new requests.

As and when the capacity gets freed up, we start evaluating new requests on a selective basis.

The woes (and joys) of working with a boutique model!

Don't let that stop you from talking to us.

Cheers,

tuanquang269 · Answer

Although I didn't use any application consulting service yet, I am impressed by Sameer Kamat in his book "Beyond the MBA Hype". Got his book one year ago, now I've completed it (international edition). If you do not have time to read a ton of page like "How to get into top MBA programs" which I always saw as the bible for MBA applicants, Sameer Kamat's book is one of the most valuable. He wrote in narrative tone, so you can easily catch his ideas. The book was divided into separate from admission process, so you can quickly engage its proper chapter with your application procedure.

My takeaways from this book: "Just read it at least 2 times!".

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My takeaways from this book: "Just read it at least 2 times!".

amitjathar · Answer

I have few things to share about MBACrystalBall after my personal interaction with Sameer:

As I started my research about B-schools, I was a regular visitor of
MBA Crystal Ball and I read almost all the blogs on the MCB.

I used to regularly visit the MBA application questions forum and read
Sameer Kamat’s answers to applicant’s questions, and used to relate it
to my profile. I frequently asked questions to Sameer on this forum
and received timely answers.

One day, I saw on Facebook that Sameer called for a quick meet in
Mumbai and grabbed the opportunity to meet him personally. We met over
a coffee and Sameer provided me with very good inputs. He changed my
perception about MCB.

Before the meet, I thought Sameer would try to persuade me to join MCB
and purchase its services, but instead he provided me honest and free
help.

He explained to me how the MBA MAP process works and told me to do it on my own.

After understanding my priorities and choice of schools, he honestly
told me that for the league of schools that I shortlisted, there was
no need to hire MCB, and I should manage the applications on my own.

I respect Sameer and MCB for their honesty.

After the meet, I felt like I found a good friend and mentor whom I
can resort whenever I need an advice.

I'm happy that my story (from which I've taken the above debrief) is
now published on the same site that I used to visit so frequently for
knowledge and inspiration. I hope it will inspire others who have a
profile similar to mine.

Read my full application experience here:
https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2015 ... mat-score/

Harsimran86 · Answer

I've been a long time GMAT Clubber (since 2011). I'm happy to share my experience.

My background: NIT Jalandhar, Oil & Gas industry, 8 years 
After my GMAT result came out (I scored 730), the next thing to choose was the college. I was overwhelmed by the number of colleges to choose from. I decided to work with a consultant to guide me in this.

After searching on net, I choose MBACrystalBall, basically because of the testimonials on the site.

First of all I decided to take MAP strategy to have an independent view on my current standing and narrow down my college choice. After that I choose three colleges and decided to take an essay package for three colleges from MCB.

Working with Stanford MBA grad – Ankur from MCB on essays was an extremely satisfying experience. His feedback inputs were quite thought provoking and they made my essays more wholesome and coherent. I was ready to apply to colleges by end of 2014.
But I unexpectedly faced a setback in professional life. Oil prices crashed and I lost my job. Since I did not think it wise to apply while I was out of the work, I decided to first get another job and then go for MBA applications.

I got a job back in March 2015. I also gave GMAT again with a little bit of preparation and was able to improve my score to 750. I again started my essays in August 2015.

The most beneficial aspect of my interactions with MBA Crystal Ball was that it helped me to understand the viewpoint of a MBA admission officer and what they were looking for. This enabled me write my essays again without need of any consultants.

I applied to four colleges: ISB, Oxford, McCombs and ESADE. I got interview admit from all of them. Understanding viewpoint of admissions officer also helped me greatly in interview.

Finally I have got admit from ISB (within 3 minutes of starting the interview), McCombs and Oxford.I was waitlisted for ESADE but withdraw my application for it when I got admit from other schools.
But I have decided that I would be going only for Oxford. It is a dream come true for a person like me who had only heard of people from famous universities of Oxbridge.

ssmba2020 · Answer

I've shared my review here - https://gmatclub.com/forum/review-of-se ... 98704.html

Testify · Answer

Hi guys,

Has anyone use MBA Crystal Ball's services recently? How was it?

8Harshitsharma · Answer

Same question. Any recent reviews or experiences with them? Kudos will be given to posters who provide some context to their personal experiences

Thank you in advance!

CaptainCurious · Answer

Applied Last Year.
Matriculating this August.

Applied in R1, and to only Ambitious schools (No practical or Backup ones).

I had amazing experience with them and got into Kellogg & Stern (plus a few waitlists which I didn't pursue after acceptances).

Good luck with your applications.

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