How to Select an MBA Admissions Consultant

The debate over whether to engage an MBA admissions consultant preoccupies countless MBA applicants. The stakes are high in engaging an MBA admissions consulting partner, as applicants want to get it right the first time. As we wrap up the 2021-2022 MBA application season, a new ranking of the best MBA admissions consulting firms by MBA Insight is a useful, comparative tool:

Applicants who are aiming for top MBA programmes find that the skills, expertise, and support of a quality MBA consulting partner is worth every penny. Here are the key factors to monitor when evaluating whether your MBA admissions consulting firm is the right fit:

#1 Check online reviews for the admissions firm to validate its quality, track record, and service. Look for review sites such as MBA insight, GMATClub and Beatthegmat, as they have amassed a huge database of online reviews.
 

#2 Assess the calibre of the MBA admissions firm and what type of consultants, such as top 7 MBA admissions officers, they have in-house. In recent years, MBA admissions firms have grown their teams to include former Admissions Officers (AdCom) from the elite MBA programmes. These former AdCom have closely-guarded, insider knowledge of how AdCom committees make admit and ding decisions.
 

#3 We encourage you to also look closer to evaluate the scope of services provided by your admissions consulting firm. The same is true of the comprehensive engagements offered by some MBA admissions firms.  Ask about whether the comprehensive model is truly unlimited by time, if there’s a diligent matchmaking process, and if there will be access to other consultants/ resources at the firm. Too often, MBA applicants get stuck in a tunnel-vision relationship with just one consultant at a firm and aren’t able to benefit from the firmwide resources because of contract fine print.

Good luck in the MBA admission process, from the team at Access MBA!