GMAT Club

Hourly Services Reviews

For those who have identified specific needs and require focused advisory services, we offer "A la Carte" services.
5.0 /5 Average Rating
5 star
553
4 star
12
3 star
1
2 star
0
1 star
0
Based on 566 reviews

AI Super-Summary of Customer Reviews for Hourly Services*

These reviews highlight the impactful support and guidance provided by various MBA admissions consultants, who have helped clients shape compelling narratives, optimize application materials, and ultimately gain admission to top business schools. Reviewers consistently praise the consultants for their responsiveness, professionalism, and ability to provide personalized feedback that aligns with each client's strengths and goals. Several clients succeeded in securing admissions with scholarships, and emphasize the consultants' role in addressing application weaknesses and building confidence for interviews. Overall, it's clear that these consultants have made a significant difference in their clients' educational and professional journeys.
9 users mention "Admitted"
  • "With his guidance, I went from being lost and confused to getting into fantastic schools!..." Read more
  • "At the end of the process I got into my top school (Wharton)..." Read more
  • "Thanks to Kate, I was accepted into Kellogg..." Read more
  • "in securing my place at my top-choice program - HBS!..." Read more
  • "I am thrilled to say I got into my target MBA program Darden!..." Read more
  • "I was admitted to my #1 choice, Columbia Business School..." Read more
  • "I applied to Stanford MSx program and got admitted...." Read more
  • "I was accepted into all five of the top MBA programs I applied to...." Read more
  • "I worked with Julie-Anne for the MBA program and was admitted to both Columbia and Wharton...." Read more
5 users mention "Responsive"
  • "he is very quick to respond to emails and often provides detailed and thoughtful feedback on the same day..." Read more
  • "Michael is very experienced, responsive, and knows how to highlight your unique strengths..." Read more
  • "highly responsive to my needs...." Read more
  • "She was also very responsive and I never had to wait long for feedback...." Read more
  • "I was especially impressed with her responsiveness and availability, which were crucial given my tight deadlines and demanding work schedule...." Read more
3 users mention "Scholarship Awarded"
  • "offers of admission and scholarships from all 5 other schools. The lowest amount of scholarship I got was 50% of tuition, and I even got a full-ride scholarship..." Read more
  • "Harold guided me through the scholarship negotiation process, helping me leverage offers effectively to maximize my financial aid...." Read more
  • "I was accepted to an M7 program with full tuition..." Read more
3 users mention "Top-Tier School Focus"
  • "she was helping the clarity of my application through her artful guidance and deft editing...." Read more
  • "Debbie also gave a lot useful tips and strategic comments which allowed me to be more focus on the most important things...." Read more
  • "Julie-Anne has worked on getting many students in different programs so she knew what are good areas to be highlighted in essays and characteristics of different schools...." Read more
2 users mention "Non-traditional Backgrounds"
  • "As a non-traditional applicant, applying to business school was a bit intimidating. When I first met with Harshad, I could tell right away that I wanted to work with him. He is skilled at and passionate about crafting a story that is not only compelling to admissions committees but also speaks to your unique strengths...." Read more
  • "I come from a nontraditional background and knew that seeking the help of an admissions consultant was likely the best way for me to craft the best applications possible...." Read more
2 users mention "Interview Prep"
  • "Her warm personality made the stress and tediousness of MBA applications and interview prep easier to handle...." Read more
  • "Kate was also instrumental in preparing me for the interview process...." Read more
2 users mention "Free Consultation"
  • "I started my process at mbaMission with a 30-minute free consultation with the next available consultant..." Read more
  • "mbaMission offers a variety of service package. I chose the hourly service which allowed me to use the time flexibly and wisely...." Read more
2 users mention "Career Transition"
  • "Kate took the time to understand my unique background, career goals, and personal story...." Read more
  • "I came from financial services and decided I was ready to transition into consulting..." Read more
2 users mention "Value for Money"
  • "The cost is absolutely worth it...." Read more
  • "I believe the hourly service is a great value if you are particularly seeking assistance with the essay portion of your application...." Read more
2 users mention "Supportive"
  • "having someone in my corner who genuinely cared about my success made all the difference...." Read more
  • "providing unwavering support and motivation..." Read more
1 users mention "Reapplication Success"
  • "As a reapplicant, I could easily see how she was helping the clarity of my application through her artful guidance and deft editing...." Read more
1 users mention "Low GPA Success"
  • "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...." Read more
1 users mention "Industry Specialist"
  • "my professional background is in advertising/marketing, which is where Kim spent most of her career prior to doing MBA admissions and consulting work...." Read more
1 users mention "Career Changers"
  • "provide advice that was best tailored to help me achieve my goals. She was also able to be flexible as I decided what I wanted to do..." Read more
1 users mention "Resume Review"
  • "she felt that my resume was in good shape and it would be more beneficial for her to spend time refining my essays..." Read more
1 users mention "Time Management"
  • "she is really good at pushing you to think through what differentiates you and how you can highlight yourself..." Read more
1 users mention "Essay Editing"
  • "what was unnecessary and what needed fixing, without worrying about sugarcoating something I really appreciated...." Read more
*Review summaries are AI generated from 25 latest reviews in the past 2 years.
May 05, 2025
javierguerrero

Joined: Oct 28, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Harold is the absolute BEST!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Strengths:

-

Would make the product better:

-

My experience working with Harold was outstanding. I approached the MBA application process with very limited time and an ambitious plan: apply to four top programs, all of which were “reach” schools given my GMAT score. Harold turned out to be exactly the person I needed. Thanks to his guidance, I was admitted to three of those schools — each with generous scholarship offers.
From the start, Harold took the time to really get to know me — my background, my interests, my career path — and used all of that to help craft the strongest applications possible. He guided me through every part of the process and I always felt supported. He was incredibly responsive and available whenever I needed to connect.
When we first started, I had no clear idea what my essay topics should be or which stories to highlight. Harold’s deep experience showed right away. He helped me uncover and shape the stories that would resonate most with admissions committees. Instead of discouraging me because of my lower test score or suggesting I delay my applications to improve my stats, Harold focused on identifying my strengths and figuring out how to showcase them effectively. Once we aligned on the key themes and strategy, he fully believed in me and never let any doubts creep in. His confidence in my profile helped boost my own, especially as I prepared for interviews.
One of Harold’s standout skills is his ability to trim down essay drafts to meet word limits while keeping all the important content intact — and he does it quickly and naturally.
He was also fantastic at managing deadlines. Not only did he turn around essay edits rapidly (often in less than a day), but he kept me calm as deadlines approached. He promised we’d finalize materials a few days before each due date — and we did. By the end, I felt proud of every application I submitted and had ample time to review everything without stress.
I have no doubt that without Harold’s help, I wouldn’t have received the same admissions outcomes — and especially not the scholarship offers. Working with him was one of the best decisions I made during the application process. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire him again.

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April 28, 2025
rskinner

Joined: Mar 17, 2024

Posts: 1

Kudos: 5

Verified GMAT Focus score:
715 Q87 V86 DI84

Jessica Shklar - best consultant to work with!

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I can’t say enough about my experience working with Jessica. Her deep knowledge of the programs enabled me to have a clear sense of what each school was looking for and tailor my applications and interview prep accordingly. Her breadth of experience meant she had ample ideas on how to best position the different elements of my application, particularly in one area that was complicated to explain. Her fun and supportive nature helped me be at my best through the ups and downs of the process, and made her such a pleasure to work with. Couldn’t recommend her enough!!

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April 28, 2025
SJI11

Joined: Jul 20, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Working with Melissa is the Best Investment I’ve Made

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

I was fortunate to work with Melissa for my MBA applications. She guided me through the entire process with honesty and her deep insight that made all the difference. Melissa helped elevate every part of my application – from revamping my resume and crafting compelling essays to preparing for the interviews. She also recommended that I take the Executive Assessment (EA), as my GMAT score was on the lower end. That turned out to be great advice, as I performed really well on the EA.

Thanks to Melissa’s support, I was accepted into four top business schools and received a scholarship offer from all of them. The return on investment from working with her has been incredible – ranging from 300% to 900% in scholarship value alone.

Melissa genuinely cares about her clients. She’s not only an exceptional consultant, but also a true friend who makes your dreams come true. She made my applications an order of magnitude stronger. I would highly recommend Melissa to anyone seeking guidance on their MBA journey.

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April 23, 2025
mba888

Joined: Apr 20, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Rachel Beck Is Your MBA Secret Weapon

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Choosing Rachel as my MBA application coach was one of the best decisions I made during this process. I purchased her hourly services and couldn’t be more grateful for the experience.

During my coach selection process, I was particularly focused on finding someone who would resonate with the work I currently do. As an older applicant with a non-traditional background, it was important to me that my coach respect my journey, be tactful yet honest, and intellectually engaged. When I spoke with Rachel, I immediately knew she was exactly who I was looking for.

Rachel is incredibly knowledgeable, calm, supportive, responsive, and insightful. She communicates concisely and effectively, offering only the most relevant and useful information. She started by providing a well-structured brainstorming document, which allowed her to get to know me in depth. She always came to our calls thoroughly prepared, and it was clear she knew my story and strengths by heart.

Rachel also has a deep understanding of the MBA admissions “game”—her strategic insights and mastery of language helped me craft essays that truly stood out (even the optional essay where I only included two bullet points!) She works incredibly fast, sometimes returning thoughtful edits within a day—even during the holiday season.

Out of the three schools I applied to, I was admitted to two—including one with a full-ride scholarship—and I ultimately committed to my dream school, NYU Stern! I can’t thank Rachel enough. She is both caring and very smart, and I felt refreshed and energized after every conversation with her. She’s more than just a coach—she’s a mentor, a thoughtful partner, and a wellspring of wisdom. I highly recommend her!

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April 19, 2025
rloh

Joined: Nov 30, 2023

Posts: 1

Kudos: 0

Susan is amazing!!!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Strengths:

Adaptable to you needs

Would make the product better:

None

I cannot speak highly enough of Susan. With her support and expertise, I was accepted into all the schools I applied to! Her wisdom, mentorship, and guidance made the application process so smooth and enjoyable.

I decided to work with her after meeting with a multitude of admission consultants. She was the only one who gave me tangible and impactful advice during my complimentary consultation. Also, I could tell she genuinely cared about my overall success. Not only did Susan show her deep knowledge of navigating the MBA process, but she also was the kindest and nicest consultant I met.

I am beyond thankful for the opportunity to work with Susan! She helped me craft a meaningful and real story when writing essays. Susan gave me valuable advice when reviewing various aspects of my application portfolio. With her feedback, I was able to confidently submit my applications. She made the entire process stress free and fun! I truly feel blessed!

I definitely recommend Susan to anyone looking for an MBA consultant! She will truly make your life better when applying!

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April 18, 2025
JackUkProb

Joined: Apr 18, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

MbaMission : Harold Simansky Review - 5*

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Strengths:

-

Would make the product better:

-

As an international student applying to US MBA programs, the whole process a bit of a black box. No one teaches you about it and you aren't exposed often to alumni that can explain the intricacies of applying.

I met Harold in August. I was accepted into HBS in March. This is a LONG period of time and it is a lonely journey. I 100% would not have achieved this objective without him.

Harold was a star throughout but three things shine particularly bright :

1 Exceptional guidance : Harold knows the journey well and had an incredible ability to help me correctly prioritise tasks and assess trade offs. When was it better to focus on GMAT/GRE and when to focus on essays? Which schools to start with ? Which essays first ? This made my journey much more calm and filled in gaps most of us have when doing this application process

2 Dedication & professionalism : Getting the school you want is really important and that's why you'd use external support in the first place. When you are feeling stressed, knowing the person supporting you truly has your back is invaluable. Not that I think he should, but Harold regularly took calls on holidays, at odd hours given his family commitments and regularly provided excellent feedback in short turnaround times, often faster than officially agreed turnaround times. This gave me energy and confidence across the journey

3 Rare blend of creative and logical : Harold has an excellent brain. On the one hand, rigorous, honest, challenging and thorough. On the other, creative, inventive and visionary. This means he is able to spar with you on multiple fronts and help you create and iterate on work until it is both cogent and compelling.

I would highly recommend Harold to anyone looking for support.

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April 16, 2025
erl1311415

Joined: Aug 05, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Highly Recommend

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Susan is an all-star: she is whip smart, an expert in her field, and an emotionally attuned cheerleader for what can be a very taxing process. I got into every school I applied to, including Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, a homerun outcome for which Susan deserves a lot of credit. Susan is generous and flexible with her time; even as an hourly client, I knew she was in my corner and available when I needed her. She is the best in the business -- I am so glad I chose to work with her and now consider her a friend. I highly recommend that you do the same!

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April 16, 2025
miguels1

Joined: Mar 16, 2022

Posts: 7

Kudos: 1

Verified GMAT Focus score:
705 Q84 V90 DI81

Christine is an absolute rockstar!

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Strengths:

Working with Christine was one of my best decisions during my R2 MBA application journey. From the moment we started working together in November, she became so much more than just an advisor. She was a coach, a thought partner, and a source of calm and encouragement that helped me push through tight deadlines with confidence.
Christine’s sincere and honest feedback helped me discover dimensions of my story I hadn’t seen in myself. She had a great ability to connect dots I hadn’t thought to link, often revealing deeper themes that made my essays come alive.
She also personally invested in my success in a way that went far beyond what I expected. Whether it was turning around drafts in record time (including over the Christmas holidays!) or jumping on calls to help me find clarity under pressure, she always showed up with empathy, focus, and invaluable insights on the admission process. Her dedication was unwavering, and in moments when I was running on fumes, she brought the energy I needed to keep going.
What makes her an absolute rockstar is how deeply she cares. Throughout the months we worked together, she believed in me and always encouraged me to stay authentic, pushed me to dig deeper, and always made sure my voice remained at the center of everything I submitted.
I began the application process without the intention of hiring a consultant, but looking back, Christine’s guidance was invaluable and definitely played a key role in my admission into my top schools: HBS, GSB, and Wharton.
If you’re considering working with her, don’t hesitate. Christine isn’t just a great consultant, she’s a game-changer. I can say with complete confidence: she’s the real deal.

Would make the product better:

n.a.

Working with Christine was one of my best decisions during my R2 MBA application journey. From the moment we started working together in November, she became so much more than just an advisor. She was a coach, a thought partner, and a source of calm and encouragement that helped me push through tight deadlines with confidence.
Christine’s sincere and honest feedback helped me discover dimensions of my story I hadn’t seen in myself. She had a great ability to connect dots I hadn’t thought to link, often revealing deeper themes that made my essays come alive.
She also personally invested in my success in a way that went far beyond what I expected. Whether it was turning around drafts in record time (including over the Christmas holidays!) or jumping on calls to help me find clarity under pressure, she always showed up with empathy, focus, and invaluable insights on the admission process. Her dedication was unwavering, and in moments when I was running on fumes, she brought the energy I needed to keep going.
What makes her an absolute rockstar is how deeply she cares. Throughout the months we worked together, she believed in me and always encouraged me to stay authentic, pushed me to dig deeper, and always made sure my voice remained at the center of everything I submitted.
I began the application process without the intention of hiring a consultant, but looking back, Christine’s guidance was invaluable and definitely played a key role in my admission into my top schools: HBS, GSB, and Wharton.
If you’re considering working with her, don’t hesitate. Christine isn’t just a great consultant, she’s a game-changer. I can say with complete confidence: she’s the real deal.

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April 16, 2025
jamesparkerw

Joined: Apr 16, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Admitted to Every School — Thanks to Harold’s Expert Guidance

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Strengths:

Harold’s strengths lie in his ability to combine strategic insight with a truly personal, human approach. He didn’t just help me craft strong applications — he helped me uncover and articulate the deeper motivations behind my decision to pursue an MBA in the first place. That kind of clarity became the foundation for every essay, interview, and school choice I made. He was also incredibly responsive and generous with his time — always willing to hop on a call or offer feedback with very quick turnaround. I never felt like I was going through this alone. What made the biggest impact, though, was that Harold genuinely understood me. That level of personal investment made all the difference.

Would make the product better:

Honestly, nothing. Harold exceeded every expectation I had. His support was comprehensive, timely, and deeply personalized. I always felt like a priority — not once did I feel like anything was missing from the process.

Working with Harold was hands-down the most important decision I made during my MBA admissions journey. I initially came to Harold thinking I wanted to apply to Executive MBA programs, but he encouraged me to take a step back and really reflect on where I was in my career and what I wanted out of the next phase of my life. That conversation led me to explore the Sloan Fellows programs — an option I hadn’t considered before — and I’m so glad I did. I ultimately got admitted to every school I applied to, including Stanford MSx, MIT Sloan Fellows, and the Rotman One-Year MBA. I truly couldn’t have done it without Harold.

Harold was incredibly engaged at every step of the process. He didn’t just review my essays or give surface-level feedback — he really took the time to get to know me. We met countless times over several months, and I always felt like I had his full attention. He helped me clarify my values and drivers before I even began writing, which made the entire application feel more authentic and grounded. His turnaround time was incredibly fast, and the feedback was always sharp, constructive, and deeply thoughtful. He even brought in one of his colleagues to run additional mock interviews with me to help me see different angles — a move that reflects how invested he was in my success.

What stood out most was Harold’s personal commitment. He truly cared. I never felt like just another client. He understood my story, believed in me, and helped me show up as my best and most honest self in every application and interview.

If you’re serious about applying to a top MBA or Fellows program and want someone who’s strategic, compassionate, and personally invested in your success — Harold is the person you want by your side.

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April 16, 2025
nicolecmele

Joined: Aug 26, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

MBA Admissions- worth every penny

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]

Strengths:

Susan brings a rare combination of strategic insight and heartfelt mentorship, helping applicants craft compelling, authentic narratives that stand out. Her deep cross-sector experience and genuine investment in her clients’ success make her an invaluable guide through every step of the MBA journey.

Would make the product better:

Because Susan invests so deeply in each client, her availability can be limited during peak application season. That said, Susan does a great job of sharing her availability and expected deadlines for review.

Working with Susan was hands down one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process. She wasn’t just an advisor—she was a true mentor, confidante, and champion from day one. Susan brought a unique blend of warmth, candor, and strategic insight that made me feel fully supported at every step, and her guidance played a pivotal role in helping me gain admission to Columbia Business School. Her ability to help you uncover your authentic story and frame it in a way that resonates with top programs is unmatched. With her incredible career experience across sectors and her genuine investment in your success, Susan brings a perspective and level of care that’s incredibly rare. Even after hitting “submit,” she remained a steady source of encouragement and advice, showing just how much she cares about her clients beyond the application. If you have the chance to work with Susan—take it. You’ll walk away with not only a stronger application, but a lifelong mentor and friend.

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