Over the years, many MBA hopefuls have come to us with one resounding question:
Which admissions consulting service is right for me?
Maybe you are just getting started with the GMAT exam and admittedly have not even thought about your business school applications yet. Or maybe you are already well into the application process but are seeking some last-minute advice from an honest professional. Or perhaps you are a reapplicant who cannot understand what went wrong the first time around.
No matter where you are in the application process, mbaMission is here to help you. If you are unsure about which service might be the most beneficial to your candidacy, read on. In this blog post, we provide several different scenarios (one of which you might find yourself in now) and the corresponding best mbaMission service for each one.
“I need help with my MBA applications, but I don’t know where to start!”
- The Complete “Start-to-Finish” Package (our most comprehensive service)
Best for: Those who are (or plan to be) committing themselves fully to the MBA application process
The cost: Flat fee per school, starting at $5,900 for a one-school package with a Senior Consultant
The commitment: Extensive—This flat-fee option gives you unlimited brainstorming assistance, ongoing feedback and advice, and as many revisions to your essays, resume, and other application elements as you feel you need to craft the most successful application possible.
Our package services work best for those who are beginning the MBA application process and have committed themselves wholeheartedly. mbaMission’s package clients benefit from having no limitations on the amount of time spent brainstorming for essay ideas, the number of essay revisions allowed, the number of rounds of changes to resumes, and so on. If you intend to devote significant time to the application process, our Complete “Start-to-Finish” Package is for you.
With the Complete “Start-to-Finish” Package, you have the option to add additional schools to your purchase at any time within your contract agreement (May 1–April 30). So, if you decide to apply to another school (perhaps in a later round), you can do so with the help of mbaMission.
“I’ve started my applications, but I need help with a few elements.”
Best for: Business school applicants who need help with discrete tasks rather than their overall application
The cost: Starting at $385 per hour to work with a Senior Consultant, with special “bundle” pricing available for clients purchasing five hours.
The commitment: Flexible—Use your hours however you choose, whenever you choose. Start with our minimum of two hours, and if you require more guidance, you can add hours to your purchase at any time within your contract agreement (six months from the purchase date).
Hourly services are a great option for applicants who need help with a few application elements rather than their entire application. For example, perhaps you feel your essays are strong, but you are unsure of how to assemble a compelling resume to accompany them. Or maybe you have been invited to interview and could benefit from some practice and feedback beforehand. Or perhaps just one essay is giving you trouble, so you feel you need assistance only with that portion. Whatever the task, we can serve your needs through our a la carte hourly services.
“I applied and, unfortunately, got rejected. What went wrong?”
Best for: Reapplicants who want to improve on their failed application(s)
The cost: Starting at $700 for one application with a Senior Consultant
The commitment: Low—Approximately two hours
One of our advisors will first examine all aspects of your previous application—including your test scores, resume, essays, transcript, short-answer responses, reference letters (if available), and any other related materials. Then, your consultant will provide written feedback, highlighting your strengths and weaknesses and offering recommendations for improvement in your next application. Finally, you will have a 30-minute phone call with your consultant to discuss this feedback and ensure that your questions are answered. Ding Review clients will also be eligible for a $250 discount on any Complete Start-to-Finish Package service, redeemable within three months of your completed review.
“I submitted my MBA application(s), and I just got invited to interview! What can I do to prepare?”
Best for: Applicants who require focused interview preparation
The cost: Starting at $800 with a Senior Consultant
The commitment: Moderate—The Mock Interview Session and subsequent debrief will last approximately two hours.
In our individual interview preparation sessions, you will meet* with an experienced mbaMission Admissions Advisor who has read either your entire application or just your resume, depending on the approach the school with which you are interviewing prefers, and who will use actual questions posed to previous applicants by your target school’s interviewers. You will therefore be able to familiarize yourself with the content and style of a typical interview at that program and practice both forming and presenting effective responses. Through Q&A, feedback, and thorough planning, we can help you improve the content of your answers, your time-management skills, and your overall presentation.
We also offer a specialized Mock Interview Session for Harvard Business School (HBS), which includes an HBS-specific mock interview plus support for the post-interview reflection, and a new HBS Intensive Interview Simulation with veteran interviewer Devi Vallbhaneni.
And for those applicants who are interviewing at The Wharton School, we offer our Wharton Team-Based Discussion Simulation to help you prepare for this unique group interview experience.
*Mock Interview Sessions can be held over the phone/Zoom/Skype.
“I see myself applying to business school…but not yet! What can I do to prepare now so that I am ready to apply in a year or two?”
Best for: Those who are 6–24 months from applying
The cost: Starting at $1,540 with a Senior Consultant
The commitment: Moderate—Your consultant will schedule periodic check-ins and offer comprehensive, ongoing coaching leading up to your application season.
As you approach your business school applications, having a long-term plan in mind and benchmarks to achieve is crucial to prepare for this incredibly important step in your life. We can help you navigate this stage of the admissions process so that when the time comes to differentiate yourself, you will have a host of professional, community, and personal achievements on which to draw.
“I did not see my personal scenario in this blog post!”
We are always willing to work with you. If you find yourself in a unique situation and are not certain whether any of the services we have outlined here are quite right for you, please contact us for more information.
If you’re sure where to begin, we penned this blog post to shed some light on what MBA admissions consultants do in the first place and hopefully help you determine whether hiring an MBA admissions consultant is the right choice for you.
If you are unsure about which service would be ideal for you or how much time your business school application(s) will actually take to prepare, we encourage you to sign up for a free 30-minute consultation. During this session, we will honestly assess your candidacy and recommend what we truly feel is best for you. For a complete list of our services (and pricing), please visit our Services page.
We look forward to helping you apply to the business school of your dreams!