Strategizing your path to a prestigious MBA program? The extended application journey begins with an exciting phase of exploration, discovery and shortlisting schools that best match your ambitions. To navigate each element of this complex landscape effectively, you need to make informed decisions that allow you to make the most of your time and resources.
Sub-par planning will impede your ability to navigate various roadblocks. It can result in rejection from your dream schools, leaving you no choice but to repeat the entire process in the next year or settle for a less desirable business school. Leveraging the expertise of an MBA admissions consultant is a prudent decision to maximize your potential for success in the sometimes overwhelming admissions process.
There is no shortage of MBA admissions consultants globally. In India alone, a quick Google search will throw up hundreds of names making grand promises of getting you into your dream business school. Before you know it, choosing an admissions consultant could become as stressful as applying to business schools.
Don’t worry! As a seasoned MBA admissions consulting firm, we have drawn on our experience working with thousands of diverse applicants across different geographies to curate a list of factors you should consider when selecting a consultant to help you navigate the MBA admissions process.
1) Understanding your unique requirements
The MBA application consists of four main components- resume, application form, letters of recommendation, and school-specific essays. Each element will have distinct timelines, and prioritizing tasks for completion may entail multiple considerations- juggling pointers for your recommender with building your resume and speaking to student ambassadors. Consider evaluating potential consulting partners on their ability to help you develop an application strategy, lock down timelines and prioritize tasks, and build a holistic research plan to understand how a program’s resources best suit your individual needs.
2) Ratings of MBA admissions consultants
If you are new to the MBA admissions space, you may gain a frame of reference for the consulting landscape by looking up admissions consultant rankings online. Platforms like Poets & Quants, Exam Strategist, and Beat the GMAT publish ranking lists dominated by big international firms.
While there is value in being familiar with these rankings, it is essential to avoid relying solely on them when selecting a consultant. As with shortlisting business schools, brand names and high rankings should not be automatically equated with a suitable match; you must choose a consultant that best suits you.
3) Reviews and testimonials of MBA admissions consultants
A better indicator for choosing an admissions consultant is reading reviews and testimonials of past clients, which can be found on platforms such as GMAT Club, Poets & Quants, or even on their Google listing. When perusing these testimonials, look beyond the ratings and consider feedback patterns in the reviews- this will give you a reliable indication of a firm’s strengths. If the client provides a comprehensive review that includes the consultant’s name and highlights specific reasons for their positive experience, you should consider their opinion.
4) Track record of MBA admissions consultants
Success in the MBA admissions consulting industry is measured by the number and diversity of business school admissions the firm facilitates. Most firms share their success rate on their websites. The success rate is typically a ratio of successful applicants to the total number of applicants, expressed as a percentage, and this is a crucial metric for comparing across various firms.
It is crucial to investigate the profile of schools the firm claims success with – a 100 percent success rate does not carry much weight if the schools are of inferior quality. The best MBA admission consultants in India maintain a high success rate while also helping their clients gain admission to leading business schools, where competition for admission is the fiercest.
5) Scholarship achievements of MBA admissions consultants
An MBA from a reputable business school requires a significant financial investment, and any relief from the financial burden is extremely helpful. Therefore, another key metric to consider when selecting MBA admissions consultants is the amount of financial aid their clients have received in the form of scholarships.
6) Services provided by MBA admissions consultants
One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a consultant for MBA admissions is the scope of their services and whether they match your unique requirements and working style. Ideally, your consultant should provide highly personalized end-to-end services that assist you at each step in the application process. These services usually include:
- Pre-application strategy for shortlisting MBA programs.
- Assistance in brainstorming unique essay ideas.
- Professional essay editing support.
- Guidelines for drafting letters of recommendation and your resume.
- Pre-submission review of the entire application.
- Post-submission support in the form of interview preparation.
If you want an admissions consultant, schedule a free consultation to learn more about their services.
7) Affiliations of MBA admissions consultants
If you are about to make an expensive purchase like a car or diamond jewelry, you will verify its authenticity and quality by an independent external authority. Professional associations such as the Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants (AIGAC) or the Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA) serve this role for MBA admissions consultants. These associations have stringent membership requirements, ensuring member firms conform to the highest ethical and professional standards. Choosing an admissions consultant affiliated with a prestigious professional association will assure you of their quality and integrity.
8) MBA consultant profile and rapport
Most firms employ consultants who are MBA graduates from top business schools or have experience working in the admissions offices of business schools. While these credentials are essential for validating a consultant’s pedigree, don’t evaluate them in isolation.
Once you enlist the services of a firm, you have to work with a consultant over several months. During this time, you will share aspects of your personal and professional life to build a healthy personal equation. Building this equation requires your consultant to be a competent coach, friendly, approachable, empathetic, and capable of devoting enough time to your application. If you are an international applicant, it also helps if the consultant has some understanding of your specific cultural background. Regular one-on-one conversations with a consultant ahead of time will help you determine whether they are a good fit for your MBA admissions counseling.
9) Cost of the MBA admissions consultants
Cost is the most subjective of all the factors we have discussed. Depending on your budget and the number of schools you want to target, you could take an all-inclusive three- or five-school package, thereby gaining support to apply to a broader range of schools. Alternatively, you could sign up for a single school and then use the insights and materials provided by your consultant to apply to other schools independently. Firms also offer stand-alone services such as essay editing, resume editing, mock interviews, and counseling, which you can avail of in case your budget is exceptionally tight. As financially prudent as this option is, your application can suffer from not receiving a more holistic treatment from experts.
Selecting a consultant to support your MBA application journey requires careful consideration to make a choice that aligns with your individual needs and work style. The key points outlined in this article will help you make a well-informed decision when choosing an ideal partner. Read our 9-Step Guide to MBA Applications and our blog, 7 Points to Check Before Submitting Your MBA Applications, for more information on what to expect when building your application to international business schools. The Red Pen MBA team, with its experienced and dedicated MBA counselors, is ready to provide expert guidance. Schedule a free consultation and embark on your MBA counseling 2025 journey today!
