Working with Harold Simansky from mbaMission was an absolutely exceptional experience. Going into the MBA application process, I knew I needed extra guidance and support, especially since I was coming from a less straightforward professional and personal background. I needed an admissions consultant who not only had the expertise and professionalism to navigate the complexities of the application process—including selecting the right programs, creating a strong personal narrative, and crafting impactful program-specific essays—but also someone whose personality would be a match for mine. After speaking with multiple consultants from several firms, it became clear that Harold was the right choice.

From the start, Harold’s positivity and genuine enthusiasm made a huge difference in helping me overcome my self-doubt and anxiety around the application process. He kept me grounded and steady through every stage, from strategizing about how to select and approach my recommenders to program-specific essay writing and editing, student and alumni outreach, interview preparation, and even waitlist strategies. Harold consistently went above and beyond, whether that meant scheduling calls at odd hours or pulling in insights from his network of “school-expert” colleagues from across mbaMission to provide targeted program-specific feedback.

One moment that truly stood out was during the holiday season when Harold was out of the office. Despite being on a break, he still found time to review my essays and provide feedback, which was invaluable as I was simultaneously working on applications for a vast number of Round 2 programs with deadlines in early January. Throughout the entire process, Harold's communication was exceptionally clear, and his response times were incredibly fast—even during crunch periods and at the absolute latest, I never had to wait more than a day to hear back from him. On the rare occasions when he could not provide immediate feedback, he made sure to promptly acknowledge receipt of my materials and clearly communicate when I could expect his input, which gave me peace of mind and kept us on track. His clear communication, reliability, and commitment were a huge relief, especially given that we were juggling a large number of applications at once.

Beyond Harold’s invaluable support, mbaMission’s resources were a significant boon. The firm’s online platform, onTrack, offered useful supplementary materials, recorded videos, and guidance that enhanced my preparation and application writing. While Harold was always my main point of contact and go-to resource, the platform’s resources gave me added confidence as I worked through each step.

Thanks to Harold’s guidance and unwavering support, I was admitted to a number of my top-choice programs, including Yale SOM and UCLA Anderson. His encouragement, patience, optimism, and belief in me were crucial in navigating the ups and downs of the process. I truly could not have done it without him, and I am deeply grateful for his partnership every step of the way.

I would highly recommend Harold to anyone seeking not just a consultant but a true advocate and ally throughout the MBA application journey.

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My experience with Harold was exceptional. Stepping into MBA applications is DAUNTING, anyone will tell you it is INTIMIDATING, STRESSFUL, and DIFFICULT. Harold made it EASY, APPROACHABLE, and STRESS FREE. Harold knows the MBA admissions game. Having Harold as my partner in this made me feel like I was set out for success in the process from meeting 1 through the last. He provided thoughtful engagement with the material that I provided him, getting materials submitted back to me within 24 hours. Where Harold stands out to me from any other advisor, I have ever worked with is that he made me feel like I was his only client even though he has MANY. I am convinced that Harold never stops working for his clients. During my time with Harold, I spoke with him DAILY, often bouncing essay drafts back and forth at least 2 times a day. My MBA journey was important to me, and it felt like it was even MORE important to Harold. As I worked full time for a large bank, Harold would hop on facetimes with me at 6:00 am 3-4 times a week, and for the days I had to be at work early, he would hop on facetimes with me at 11:00 pm just so we could get my essays perfect. Closer to deadlines Harold made sure he was available sometimes meeting with me 2 days in a row just to make sure everything was set. I remember submitting my very first application, Harold stayed on the phone with me at 11:30 pm just to make sure I didn’t miss anything and was comfortable with the process. When I was ready to interview at my target program Georgetown University, Harold prepared me with questions two weeks in advance going over what to say, how long to say it, and much more. The night before I interviewed, Harold set up a facetime just to go over the interview prep one last time, and the day of he called me to check in to see how I was feeling and to give me a pep talk beforehand. Harold was a genuine partner through this whole process, and I highly regard and recommend him. This fall I will attend Georgetown University for my MBA and I 100% could not have done it without Harold. 5 stars is not enough!

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Harold really is the best consultant you can ask for. He was supremely helpful in my MBA application process. His demystification of the entire process made figuring out where and how to apply much easier than it would have been otherwise and he did a great job translating the "admissions speak" application questions into English and helping me determine how best to answer each one. After my experience working with him for around 8 months I can confidently recommend his services to anyone interested in getting an MBA. I really can not have asked for a better partner in my MBA application journey.

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I have thoroughly enjoyed using onTrack - the interface is very clean and the content is thorough and tailored to each school. I appreciate that along with the videos are documents to help brainstorm and pinpoint what each school is looking for. onTrack also works really well on mobile which is unique to other on-demand MBA app prep services. This is a small price to pay when you think about the value that you are getting out of the comprehensive and well-organized information that Jeremy and the team have put together. Highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a service that will make you as ready as possible in your candidacy to a top MBA program!

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Everything mentioned about Harold across all of his reviews is completely accurate. Harold is an exceptional advisor, coach, and mentor.

Most recently, Harold helped me navigate the school decision process after receiving my acceptances. He helped me think through what my life would look like at each school and what the main priorities I would likely have were I to go to each. I really valued his perspective because he not only has a lot of insight considering his experience, but he also always shared his thoughts in an objective and unbiased manner. Harold also provided great advice on how to approach admitted students weekends and gain the most valuable insight out of these events for my decision-making process. There are many hard decisions and second guessing one goes through throughout the business school process. My conversations with Harold continue to make me confident in the choices I have made throughout both my application and decision processes, and I often think back to them to remind myself of this.

Further, as many other reviews mention, Harold is in addition an exceptional person. It is noticeable that he genuinely cares about the current and future success of the students he works with. Harold is a very well-rounded coach who does not suggest you prioritize one aspect of life over another. These are the best and most valuable kinds of coaches.

As many have also mentioned, Harold is extremely responsive. Another thing that stands out a lot is that he actually listens and remembers what you have previously said.

Harold is a consultant I can trust. I trust his experience and insights, his logic and way of thinking, his advice and guidance, and that is the #1 thing you need in a consultant. I would 100% recommend Harold to anyone looking for a consultant, and I am confident you will recommend him yourself after just your initial consultation with him.

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Harold's expertise and support were indispensable from start to finish of my MBA journey. His practical guidance and consistent reassurance made the daunting application process manageable and ultimately successful. Despite my below-average GPA, Harold’s strategic insights led to my acceptance at Dartmouth Tuck and Chicago Booth, with significant scholarships, and admittance to another T10 school.
The process began with strategizing for the GMAT. Harold advised me on the best timing for the exam and identified a score range appropriate for my target schools. His high-level tips were crucial in achieving my desired score within three months. Simultaneously, Harold facilitated an extensive brainstorming process to unearth and polish stories and accomplishments that would resonate in my essays and interviews. His keen eye for detail and deep understanding of what top business schools look for in candidates enabled me to select the most compelling content for my applications.
As we tackled each school's application, Harold's meticulous feedback on my essays was particularly impactful. He helped refine my narratives to ensure clarity and purpose, aligning them closely with each school’s values and expectations. His ability to tailor content to specific schools was remarkable, allowing me to present myself authentically and persuasively.
During the application process, Harold also provided strategic advice on which schools to visit, and which events to attend. He provided me with special contacts at some of the schools that I could reach out to for the particular industry that I was interested in. This not only enhanced my applications but also broadened my understanding of the MBA landscape.
Interview preparations with Harold were thorough, covering frequently asked questions and refining my responses to reflect each school's unique characteristics. His support was crucial in building my confidence and enabling me to handle the toughest questions smoothly, without sounding rehearsed.
After receiving multiple admissions offers, Harold guided me through the scholarship negotiation process, helping me leverage offers effectively to maximize my financial aid. For the schools where I was waitlisted, Harold advised me on additional information to submit and how to communicate effectively with admissions committees, further strengthening my standing.
Harold's professionalism and expertise were matched by his personal dedication and optimism. Throughout this challenging journey, his positive attitude and personalized approach not only bolstered my applications but also kept me motivated and focused. His guidance was a major factor in my successful MBA admissions outcomes, and I am grateful for his involvement.
For anyone navigating the complexities of MBA applications, I wholeheartedly recommend Harold as a knowledgeable, strategic, and supportive teammate who will go above and beyond to ensure your success. His combination of professional acumen and personal commitment makes him an outstanding guide for any prospective MBA student.

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Harold is not only an exceptional coach and advisor but also a genuinely great person. I couldn’t have imagined a better advisor for my MBA journey. Right from our first meetings, Harold showcased a perfect mix of professionalism and friendliness. During the brainstorming phase, he dedicated significant time to understanding my background and asked super insightful questions that turned out to be super important in later stages when drafting different applications.

Initially, I underestimated the complexity of MBA applications, assuming a straightforward process. I soon realized the intricate nature of tailoring applications to various programs. Harold’s expertise was invaluable here; his knowledge of each program's nuances proved to be extremely helpful.

Although our initial agreement was to focus on five MBA programs, Harold's flexible and collaborative nature led us to expand our scope. In the end, I applied to 10 MBA programs, got accepted at 5, all within the top 15, was waitlisted at 3, and received only 2 rejections.

Lastly, what sets Harold apart is his responsiveness and availability. He returned emails almost instantly and provided feedback even on the 25th of December, Christmas Day - a level of dedication beyond what one might expect from an advisor.

In summary, Harold is a prime example of professionalism. He’s always ready to assist—even during holidays—and offers prompt, insightful feedback. For anyone seeking a friendly yet professional MBA advisor, Harold is the ideal choice.

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I applied to HBS and Harold helped me get into the school, but what a journey it's been!

In short, I could not have imagined the process without Harold. From the start, he helped me understand and prepare for the application process better than I could have on my own, by providing me with a lot of materials and the timeline we would be working under. Given I am not from the US and I had little time due to my job requirements, the application process was as smooth and efficient as it could have been. What should have a heavy workload became manageable after following his guidance.

Where Harold really stood out was in his ability to help me convey my personal story into a compelling narrative, which I think is what ultimately makes the difference. We had quite a bit of back and forth as we were brainstorming around the narrative but, once it was agreed, the process suddenly became a lot easier (and actually really fast). It was overall much faster and efficient than I thought it would be (also thanks to Harold's quick turnaround times, edits and feedback).

When we started interview prep, Harold helped me prepare for the dreaded interview, providing me guidance and helping me understand how to navigate it. I don't think I would have been accepted without his help and guidance, up until the very end.

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Harold is everything you want in a admissions consultant and more. He is extremely responsive, very knowledgeable on the application process for each school, honest, empathetic, provides great feedback, and clearly goes above and beyond when reviewing essays and working with you on submitting a complete application. Harold took the time to understand who I was, my family background, and my goals post MBA in order to help guide me through the application process. He would respond over the weekends, and was very aware of the deadlines I was supposed to meet. Harold was quick to applaud a well written essay, and was very honest when he thought an essay needed more work and would help me brainstorm a strategy for the next draft. I was admitted to my top choices and received a full scholarship and I can honestly say I could not have done it without Harold!

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Harold is an incredible! He’s extremely knowledgable about the business school process, and his expertise was practical and tailored to my specific situation, which made all the difference. Each conversation with Harold was productive and inspiring; he helped me identify my strengths and voice, and worked hand-in-hand with me to craft a unique and compelling narrative. I didn’t think this was possible before I met Harold, given that I came from an over-represented candidate group. Harold also helped me transformed my resume, put together a strong application partake, and aced the interview. He was so supportive and was always quick to answer my questions. His support made all the difference in my successful application to Columbia Business School. I'm grateful for Harold’s expertise and guidance and cannot recommend him highly enough!

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