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Best admission consultant companies?

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Best admission consultant companies?

by machichi » Wed Oct 03, 2012 8:10 pm
I have been hearing lots of questions trying to figure out which consultants are the best. In my opinion there isn't any simple answer, but to help people make more informed decisions, I want to ask people who have USED consultant services to fill out this survey. Should take about 10 minutes! Thanks so much!

Survey for Clients
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by geronimoshere » Thu Oct 04, 2012 2:09 am
Please publish the results Machichi... I've been trying to figure this out but so many random discussions on this... Most pointing to Sandy vs Stacy, or Veritas vs ClearAdmit.

The only problem for me is that I don't have the USD3000+ that most of these guys ask for a single school. What's the strategy to mazimise efficiency while minimizing outlays?

Do admissions consultants even make sense? Do they really increase one's chances of getting in - if so, what a shame. (I guess I'll cry about unethical ways of using someone else to make my case stronger, but eventually end up using one anyway!)
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by rautab » Sun Dec 09, 2012 4:22 am
After applying and getting dinged at various schools last year I decided to go for a admission consultant and after a lot of reserach decided to go for MBADream.in and I couldn't have done any better. One of the reason I choose them was because they are experts with indian applicants. Add to it a solid track record of getting more than 99% of the applicants admitted into their preffered MBA program you have a winner in my eyes.

Getting 7 interview invites from TOP 20 schools already combined with ISB speaks volume about the quality of work done by MBADream. I also got admitted into Vanderbilt Owen with more than 75% scholarship. I am thoroughly convinced that MBADream increased my chances many times over than if I had done it on my own considering I would fall under the most competitive applicant pools ever. My consultant's guidance and ability to see the best in me helped me realize my life long dreams. I would highly recommend MBAdream, especially to anyone that wants to differentiate themselves and compete for the most coveted business school acceptance letters
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by rahulg83 » Sat Feb 23, 2013 10:14 pm
I would agree with rautab. I myself have taken MBADream services last year, and found them truly appreciative and engrossing.
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by nestin » Sun May 26, 2013 5:11 am
Hi All,

I wanted to share my experience on this forum about my sprint to a top 30 US bschool.March 6th, I talked to Rahul for the first time. April 23rd I got an admit from a US top-30 B-school with 100% tuition scholarship.


I contacted mbadream in March when the international deadlines for all US schools were over. The first thing he told me was "Don't apply this year, you have a better chance next year". But I convinced him that I want to give it a try this year only. He agreed and gave me a very good deal. He didn't make any big promises but just said that "We'll try our best and we'll both have to work for it".

My profile was very simpleton. What can an IT guy achieve in 3 years after all. But Rahul projected my strengths very well, wrote some really focused essays for me. He also helped me in preparing my Resume, and scholarship essays.He kept everything simple. Also he was very responsive over emails, Skype and phone which made me feel connected. He also shared an interview questionnaire and helped me with my (interview) weaknesses. All in all he gave me hope and gave me the confidence that I'm good.

Initially our plan was to apply to around 9 to 10 Bschools. He didn't want me to spend much, so I applied only to the colleges which granted me application fee waivers. By the time I had applied to 7 colleges, I had 5 interview calls lined up (US and Germany). Even before I could complete all my interviews, I got an admit from a US top-30 Bschool with a scholarship of $95000 which amounts to full tuition fee waiver. And all this we did in less than a month.


Feel free to PM me about my application experience and i will be happy to share my journey.
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by navpaktos » Mon May 27, 2013 12:07 am
You should definitely try MBADream. I had used their services and they offer excellent consulting for a very reasonable price too. I understand the need to be economical and yet have a top notch consulting for your MBA admissions. I was in the same dilemma and a friend of mine introduced me to Rahul who runs MBA dream. After availing his service I have now got admitted into a top 30 college with 80% scholarship.
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by bremkofi » Wed Dec 18, 2013 8:22 am
Dear all,
This looks like the proper place to share my experience with Aringo MBA admission consulting:
I worked with Aringo on my applications and was accepted to Stanford, Wharton, LBS, and Carnegie-Mellon with a significant scholarship. I started relatively early (around May) and the work was very pleasant and relaxed.
The cooperation was very fruitful and obviously successful, and without a doubt Aringo's help, mainly the perfectionism expressed in word for word analysis, was a significant factor in my acceptance.
Aside from the contribution to the application, with Aringo's help I gained many abilities that I am sure will accompany and aid me throughout my career.
There is no doubt that Aringo was a great choice for me! So like they love to say at Aringo, "The result speaks for itself."
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by Gator1214 » Tue Jan 21, 2014 7:55 am
After a lot of research, I decided to go with MBAPrepAdvantage and couldn't be happier with my decision. I chose MBAPrepAdvantage for several reasons... The founder Michael Cohan worked directly with me eliminating the concern I had related to being staffed with a consultant who had little experience. His quick responsiveness helped me manage the process. Michael genuinely cared about my success. He helped me improve my essays. He questioned how I thought and gave me guidance on how to improve my profile. His knowledge of my space and schools was remarkable. He motivated me to put together a complete package that accurately represented my life priorities and career goals. He was also instrumental in the overall strategy of the application process. With his help I was accepted into a top 5 program despite a low GMAT.
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by prnd7748 » Wed Mar 05, 2014 8:20 am
I know this forum offers a lot of stories and reviews about admission consulting companies, but if you need more in order to make a decision you can read more reviews on this website which I have recently found: https://www.admissionconsultantreviews.com
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by anne__1 » Thu Mar 27, 2014 10:33 am
Hi,

I thought I would share my recent experience with Fortuna Admissions

After spending A LOT of time trying to improve the GMAT score, I realized that my aim for a 700+ was too distant and that it was better to put all the efforts into writing a sparkling application that would make me stand out. I therefore contacted Fortuna admissions through their website and was shortly after contacted by Matt. I was then assigned Caroline and Gopika who had in depth knowledge about what INSEAD is looking for in a future student, thanks to their behind the doors INSEAD admissions experience.

Together, with my story content and their coaching abilities and inside knowledge, we really made the application shine! And can you believe it; I was accepted for the one and only school I applied for! All the way, from the first email from Matt to the last congrats from Caroline I felt I had the Fortuna team on my side - cheering and motivating! I'd say - in my case - the investment in Fortuna was worth every penny.
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by RBBmba@2014 » Wed Jun 25, 2014 10:58 am
machichi wrote:I have been hearing lots of questions trying to figure out which consultants are the best. In my opinion there isn't any simple answer, but to help people make more informed decisions, I want to ask people who have USED consultant services to fill out this survey. Should take about 10 minutes! Thanks so much!

Survey for Clients
Hi machichi - just wondering whether you've published the result/any thoughts on your survey?
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by tinarey12 » Tue Jul 08, 2014 7:23 am
I came across this thread and wanted to share my story.
I worked with Aringo on my applications a few years ago and got admitted to Wharton, Chicago, and Michigan (with a scholarship). I did not expect to have the opportunity to choose between 3 top MBA programs...
Aringo in general and my consultant in particular made me feel like the sole client though there are many others. Their uncompromisingly professionalism, warm and personal treatment and editing skills often succeeded to amaze me. I could not have done it without their help and dedication. Aringo played a huge part in my acceptance and I am completely thrilled about how the process went on the MBA path!
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by MBACrystalBall » Mon Oct 20, 2014 1:12 am
machichi wrote:I have been hearing lots of questions trying to figure out which consultants are the best.
Quite keen to see what the results look like, machichi.

Any chance that you could share the results of your survey?
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Sameer Kamat, Founder - MBA Crystal Ball | Careerizma
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Must read for MBA aspirants
1. Beyond The MBA Hype | 2. Business Doctors: Management Consulting Gone Wild
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by fxmbaconsulting » Fri Oct 24, 2014 6:27 am
When approaching individual admissions consultants or firms here are a few things to consider and ask about:

1. Is this the admission consultant's full-time job or are they part-time/moonlighting? There is a difference in the amount of experience and knowledge a full-time vs a part-time consultant will have acquired over time.

2. What is the firm's hiring process for new consultants. Some firms hire anyone who can edit and has an MBA other firms have a lengthy training and evaluation process. If you don't see a full bio of YOUR consultant on the firm's website - it is likely that the firm has a high turnover of consultants and may hire a lot of untrained moonlighters.

3. What percentage of the fee (you the client pay) goes to the consultant, and what percentage goes to the firm? Typically if you work with a firm the consultant will actually earn 25-50% of the fee. Expect to get what you are paying the consultant, not the firm for. Someone who earns 25% will deliver on 25% of the cost to you etc.

4. Who will be editing my essays. Some firms hire non-MBA editors to do the work and the MBA Consultant just gives the final ok.

When speaking with a consultant during a free evaluation call.

1. Did the consultant listen to me? Did the consultant demonstrate insight into who I am and how I am positioned? Did the consultant offer concrete suggestions on how I might approach an essay or modify my resume etc.?

2. Was the consultant honest and direct with me about my chances at certain programs or did they avoid the question? (Obviously the firm makes more money the more schools you apply to...)

Finally don't get hung up on where a particular consultant went to school. I know - you want to get into Tuck and your consultant went to Booth - how could he possibly help you get in?
A good consultant is 1/3 writer, 1/3 career counselor and 1/3 psychologist. He or she will make you see yourself in a new light and will help you to strategically craft your personal story into a stellar set of stories=essays.
Leah Derus
MIT Sloan MBA 2010
Senior Admissions Consultant
[email protected]
fxmbaconsulting.com
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by RBBmba@2014 » Thu Apr 16, 2015 9:50 am
RBBmba@2014 wrote:
machichi wrote:I have been hearing lots of questions trying to figure out which consultants are the best. In my opinion there isn't any simple answer, but to help people make more informed decisions, I want to ask people who have USED consultant services to fill out this survey. Should take about 10 minutes! Thanks so much!

Survey for Clients
Hi machichi - just wondering whether you've published the result/any thoughts on your survey?
Hey machichi - Just curious to know whether you published this report or just had to scrap the project ?

@Sameer - do you've any update on this Sir ? It'd be interesting to note the findings, I think :-)
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