Choosing an MBA Admissions Consultant: 6 Questions to Ask

I am not endorsing the use of MBA admissions consultants. In fact, I developed this website to support candidates that weren’t likely to use consultants, but still needed the information and insight that consultants typically offer. At the same time, you are grown! You can and will make your own decisions and I am just here to ensure that you have the best information available.

MBA Admissions consultants fulfill a need and provide a service that many MBA applicants employ. Essentially, when considering consultants, you are looking for the best coach with significant experience who had the strongest service offering for the lowest price (good luck finding all of that!)

Here are six things to consider when selecting an admissions consultant:

Your Needs – What do you want and need from an admissions consultant?

Why do you want to use an admissions consultant? Why do you think you need one? Before you launch into a search for an admissions consultant, understand your motivations. You may find that you feel overwhelmed with the process (maybe because of a heavy workload that limits your free time); in that case, an admissions consultant that provides a highly structured approach may be the best fit. Or you may just be feeling a little anxiety about putting your best foot forward, so a limited consulting engagement that includes only final application review (before you hit the submit button) may be sufficient. This is also a good time to consider your admissions expectations; are you expecting miracles from the consultant?

Admissions Experience – Does the admissions consultant have MBA admissions experience?

The hierarchy of admissions expertise goes from Admissions Director to Admissions Officer to student representative on the admissions committee down to application reader. Then you have MBA alumni who have no admissions experience. Admissions experience isn’t the end all be all; even when consultants have admissions experience, it’s generally from 1-2 schools max and every school has its own application nuances.

Coaching Experience – Has the admissions consultant successfully assisted other MBA applicants?

Coaching is a skill. Just because someone knows a lot about MBA admissions doesn’t mean that they can guide you getting admitted to school. A good coach helps you bring out the best of yourself and supports you in the way that you need (which might be a swift kick in the pants or gentle encouragement). They can quickly get to know you, understand your aspirations and challenges and adapt their style to fit you. Remember they work for you.

Services – What is the admissions consultant offering?

Admissions consultants have all types of offerings. They may give you a “platinum” package that allows you to meet with them regularly or you may get the “tin” package that limits you to one phone call. Understand how the admissions consultant will support you and the amount of access that you will have to them during the process. (How often can you call them? How many other candidates are they working with beside you?) If you are looking at an admissions consulting firm, find out who will be assigned to you (the firm may have been founded by an admissions consultant extraordinaire, but they may stick you with an inexperienced newbie). Make sure you read the fine print on the contract before giving them your money, ask questions and check references.

Application Strategy – What is the admissions consultant’s approach to MBA applications?

Admissions consultants have different approaches on application strategy. Will they help you apply to any school, or only to those in which you are a strong fit? Will they help you structure an application plan for all of your schools or just one? What is their philosophy on how to get admitted to business school? They should be able to answer these questions for you in advance.

Cost – What are the all-in costs?

Some admissions consultants charge one price and you get everything. Others have a la carte pricing. Obviously, you have to consider your budget, but make sure if you consider a la carte pricing that you don’t end up spending more when it’s all said and done. You have to be a bit forward thinking – consider what you need today, but also what you might need three weeks before the application deadline.