usguy wrote:This isn't going to earn me any brownie points around here with some people, but I despise the business model of the admission consultant industry. So few would be b-school applicants can spend $3000+ to buy "professional" admissions services (with no guarantee of any return on investment) that it's certainly an unfair advantage of the wealthy.

I really hope adcoms can somehow see through the perfect "professional" admission consultant application and appropriately deal with it.

I just don't get it; if someone is such an apt business person (or has amazing potential to be one), why can't they devise their own, personal, marketing strategy and execute it?

Tom

Money will always afford advantages to those who have it. It's a fact of life, and it's never going to change. In this case, as you say, there's no guarantee of return on investment though. So it's probably not worth your time or effort to worry about it.

I'll echo chieftang's thoughts. This goes back to the whole "life's not fair" adage, and there are always those who will have more resources to his/her disposal. Outside of money, there are definitely applicants who receive other help from friends/family who have attended these MBA programs, etc. They may not be paying for services but I'd say it gives them a certain leg up as well.

Adcoms definitely do see through the perfect, "professional" application, as you call it. I'd venture to say that some consultants definitely box up some applicants very similarly, and many admissions directors have noted this.

Final point - people have strengths in different aspects of business. I wouldn't consider myself great at marketing, etc., but I can structure an investment like no other. Trying to figure out a way to frame yourself sometimes does require the help of a 3rd party, especially if you have a very narrow view of yourself.

You're right - no brownie points. Admissions consulting is a profitable business in itself. Haven't availed of services myself, but the very fact that they're in business means that you shouldn't be posting on this forum.

Alright, I take that back. Why not try your hand at the profession?

So I applied last year without any help and am applying this year with help.

This is the way I look at it. 3K is a lot to spend for no guarantee. If you can get unbiased 3rd party opinions on your essays from people with an MBA you don't need to fork over the money, but you are getting the same advantage. If you cannot, going with a consultant gives you a fresh set of eyes on your works and directions to take your essays.

In my view, and MBA is an investment in your future. If you can justify 50K a year in tuition and living expenses if not more, then an addition 3-5K now should not be unreasonable. I understand different pre-MBA careers lead to different financial situation, but I am looking more at the big picture.

You are positioning yourself for 100-200K in debt over the next 2 years. Whats another couple of thousand now? I do not think it is the monetary value that is the impact but the need that should be viewed. That is why I have never thought of it as unfair. But to each their own.

I do credit people who are capable to craft brilliant essays without any help. I have always been more of a numbers guy myself.

Good luck on the process!