Are you applying to a top MBA program? If so, you may be seeking support to ensure your success from an MBA admission consultant or, even better, an MBA coach.
If you’re wondering about the difference, here it is: a consultant tells you what to do based on their knowledge, while a coach helps you find the right answers yourself through guidance, tools, structure, and collaboration. So, MBA Admissions Consultant & MBA Admissions Coach are similar terms, and some big media outlets that we love as great resources for applicants (ah hem, Poets&Quants) use these terms interchangeably. They sound similar, but are very different in how they approach the practice and the vibe of getting applicants from point A to point MBA.
A consultant shares their knowledge and expertise to guide you toward your goal with valuable insights and answers. A coach, on the other hand, doesn’t give you all the answers but accompanies you on the journey, encouraging you toward the finish, while helping you discover your own strength to finish. In the end, both styles require work. At MBA Protocol, we favor the coach model. We’ll share more about that in another post where we’ll also talk about project management tools, video courses, group coaching, and how to make sense of it all.
It’s a crowded market. There are a lot of options–not all of them good, and some of them are actually bad. How do I know? Well, I built the world’s only directory of MBA Admissions Consultants for Poets&Quants a few years ago, based on the individual consultant as well as the firm, designed the review system, and for many years acted as the gatekeeper for people who wanted to be included. I know the majority of the firms and their coaches on a first name basis and many of those I call friends. Many of them are great firms, consultants, and coaches.
But I’m writing this now for you as a service to the industry—and most importantly, to the MBA applicant who is about to endeavor on a life-changing journey. Let me say this up front, the degree to which an MBA can change your life depends on how well you know yourself and how effectively you can communicate that to admissions committees and potential employers.
This article is meant to help you make the right choice for yourself–whether or not to hire support. And, if so, how to identify the right support person, team, or program for your MBA application. We’re going to start with a check list that you can copy and paste (or print out this downloadable PDF) to use during your free consultations, which are offered by almost every firm. Some example questions and descriptions follow. I’ll even pepper in a little Q&A with MBA Protocol founder, and former head of MBA recruiting at BCG, Angela Guido, for her many years of holistic, whole-person, straight-shooting MBA advice and wisdom.
In terms of selecting your support team, we’re happy to be your guide–wherever that leads you. Just do us this one big favor …
Make sure you familiarize yourself with our eight evaluation points before all of your free consultation calls–with us and anyone else–before you sign on the dotted line
Eight Evaluation Points For MBA Admissions Support (AKA: What to look for in an MBA admissions consultant, coach, or application program)
RESULTS: A clear track record of success and integrity in their data collection
What this means: This means that your coach, firm, or program must have a method for accurately tracking their outcomes and be able to share high-level success metrics with you.
Why it’s important: This is EXTREMELY important so that you are not misled into thinking you are working with someone with a high placement rate at the most selective schools (pretty much any M7 and top 10) when, really, their high success rate is from clients who were placed in less selective schools. For example, here are some quick stats:
- Fordham’s Gabelli School of Business has an acceptance rate of 58%
- Duke’s Fuqua & Columbia hover in the low twenties 22 – 24%
- The Stanford Graduate School of Business & Harvard Business School average in the single digits (8 – 9%), which is more generous than in prior years.
Another way firms can game the buyer is by grouping full-time MBA applicants with part-time, online, executive, master’s, and undergrads. Which, don’t get me wrong, can have staggeringly difficult acceptances but, for the most part, it’s apples and oranges.
You’re not buying a sandwich here; this is your life, career, overall trajectory for earning, impact, and meaning. Snake oil has no place here. Integrity is everything.
Many people want to find out if their potential support team is experienced in working with someone like themself by asking these three common questions:
- Have you ever worked with a candidate like me?
- Do you have an MBA?
- Did you ever work in [enter whatever industry you are in or moving toward]?
However, these do not actually directly tie to any meaningful success metric. None!
So, yes, your support team should have experience dealing with many unique demographics and understand the benefits and challenges of them all. They should have knowledge of industries far and wide and they should know the schools, but they don’t need to have worked there. The three questions, while they make you feel like it’s a good fit, don’t actually tell you: what their results are, if they have your back until you’re successful, and if you’ll make it through the application process feeling already like a success or, sadly, beaten down. And that’s what you really must find out before you engage with a firm, consultant, or coach.
Question to Angela: Angela, what is your no nonsense advice about the three questions above that you hear frequently during consult calls?
Angela’s Insights: “The three questions above are unfortunately the most misguided questions that I get. They are so common that they actually lead to ordinariness. What someone else, who looks like you on paper, did to get into business school will not be the same thing that you need to do. You aren’t defined by a demographic and your MBA strategy should not be either. “
Pro tip: Be specific. Ask about what is relevant to you; not about others like you. Ask them hard questions about their results; there’s no need to be bashful. This is where we’re allowed to think in black and white terms: The good ones will be direct and honest. The bad ones will lie. Note: it isn’t always too good to be true! But if it seems like it, you find out how they track. That’s all.
Beware of: Any firm or individuals that boast a 100% success rate. Full stop. Also, beware of anyone with wild successes, but can’t back it up with actual data or gets defensive when you ask about it.
Some questions you can ask:
- How do you define success?
- Who selects the schools I apply to—me, you, or both of us?
- What are your success rates at [your dream school]?
- Can you, to any degree, predict my success rates at a given school? How?
- What percentage of your clients apply to full-time MBA programs versus other programs, like: part-time, online, executive, and masters?
- How do you track and collect client success data?
- What happens if I put in my best effort and don’t get in?
- [OH! See what we did there?! Segway into evaluation point number two!]
GUARANTEE: A legitimate guarantee–or offer–if the process is unsuccessful
What this means: A guarantee means the firm or individual provides some form of assurance, compensation, or refund if their services do not result in a successful admission outcome. That’s why it’s important to find out from evaluation point one how they define success and who selects the schools.
Why it’s important: In terms of MBA application and admission, a guarantee is less about mitigating financial risk and more about demonstrating commitment to results. It's crucial for you to review and understand the terms of your engagement, what is promised and under what circumstances, before you sign on the proverbial dotted line.
Pro tip: MBA admissions experts, even though some of them really are experts, ultimately have no control over the final outcome, so don’t expect anyone to offer a full refund. But you do want to see some skin in the game—something that ties them to your success in a meaningful way.
Beware of: Firms and individuals who have no mechanism to predict your odds of success. Be cautious of those only interested in turning you into a paying client, rather than genuinely investing in your journey.
Key questions to ask:
- Do you offer a money back guarantee? If so, what are the terms?
- Do you offer any other kind of guarantee?
- What conditions must I meet to qualify for a refund?
- Can I transfer services to a different round if I am not satisfied with my results?
- Can I change my consultant or coach in the middle of the application process if I’m not happy with my service?
CLEAR PROCESS: A defined and transparent process for you to follow with well-developed tools that add clarity to each part of the application
What this means: Whether hiring an MBA coach or joining a program, part of what you are purchasing is the structured MBA application process and the calm that comes with years of experience. For the MBA applicant, your program needs to follow a structured, transparent, and predicated process that guides you through the steps and stages of the process.
Why it’s important: The path to an MBA is not the same for everyone. People apply in different rounds, with different (sometimes rolling) deadlines, and juggle a variety of responsibilities outside their new undertaking. Having a protocol, as we call it, clearly defined allows the applicant to plan ahead or even jump ahead on the board. It syncs the real life calendar with the application timeline. Imagine not having a plan and trying to get letters of recommendation over the winter holidays. More than that, it adds a sense of preparedness to you, the applicant–a map in your hands that, if all else fails, you can locate where you are.
And, by process, we don’t just mean the milestones, we mean the tools and coaching that will be used to help you maximize those milestones in order to submit your very best apps.
Pro tip: Any service charging you more than $10,000 needs to have intellectual property and materials–some kind of resource folder, hub, or archive that maps out the steps of the process and the supporting materials. Choose firms and individuals who have invested in a cohesive product for you.
Beware of: Be cautious of f (no, run from) service providers who don't have these basic tools of the trade. Firms exist out there that capitalize on fear and insecurity. They drop words like work with a Harvard alum or top ranked consultant. They can and do charge a premium–anywhere from $4k – $12k, for sub-standard service, and some will not offer a roadmap, much less a guarantee. Your success will be your own but you’ll have parted with thousands of dollars.
Some questions you can ask about managing the timeline and milestones:
- Can you show me your platform or walk me through your process?
- What kinds of physical, online, or downloadable resources do you have to help clients?
- Is there a timeline, roadmap, or project management tool that clients can follow?
- How does your platform, app, process lead me to the best results? Can you show me?
Some questions you can ask that help you discover the depth of their process around the essays & understand you so that your best application is put forward:
- Will we have calls about essays?
- How do you get to know me before we embark on the storytelling/essay process?
- How do you help me choose essay topics and brainstorm? Is this done live or on a call?
- How does your story-shaping process work? Should I expect a lot of line edits?
- What effort do you invest in me to make sure my essays reflect me as an individual?
UNWAVERING COMMITMENT: A deep dedication to your success, your individuality, and to your personal and professional development
What this means: By now you already know that you need to be thinking beyond your target. So, you want your coach or consultant to be thinking about that too. But when we talk about a deep dedication to your success, your personal and professional development, we mean a client-centric, growth-focused, locus of care.
Why it’s important: This level of care, compassion, understanding, and commitment to seeing your unique value is where the transformative journey really begins. Personal growth with a dedicated coach actually increases your chances of getting accepted. Not because they hand you a formula to follow, but because they help you unlock the best, most compelling version of yourself. You’ll be cultivating critical personal and leadership skills as you go through the process of applying to B-school. Or, at least, you should be. And when your coach is committed to you as a person, just because you’re you, the impact will live far beyond B-school.
Pro tip: An MBA will make you more of who you are, with some excellent skill building along the way, but don’t you want the best version of yourself to step foot on campus? Don’t you want to grow THAT version of you? Heck, I do. We do. And your support team should too.
Beware of: Avoid anyone who wants to “help you get in” by telling you “what to say to the adcoms” or, in other words, write this & say that. This doesn’t serve you. While it may be dedication to a positive result and land you at the MBA program of your dreams, it’s a shortcut that robs you of the real growth this process can offer. You will lose big if you don’t take time to self-reflect. So, from the heart, beware of this approach.
Some questions you can ask:
- How do you work with your clients?
- What goals do you have for your work with clients?
- Do you advise on career plans, fit, or post-MBA goals?
- Do you have any testimonials from clients you have worked with?
Note: Look for testimonials of length on third-party platforms like Poets&Quants, which are personally verified by a human that works there. As an example, here’s Angela’s. They are long and moving, juicy with detailed stories of transformation and major victories. They are honest. And this is what you want to see: variety, length, meaning, a sense of sharing in the success of that applicant.
If you look through others, some may even be top rated, you might see short, brief, blurbs of verification of success–and, trust me, they are legit acceptances–but they lack depth because it was a transaction, not a relationship or transformation. No lightbulb went off. I won’t link to examples of that. We just don’t do that kinda thing around here, but we will point it out so you can make your own decision as you explore options for support.
Also, you might find some reviews that look like Mad Libs, you know, a fill-in-the-blank style where it almost looks cut and pasted. Maybe it seems like someone told the reviewer how to write it or exactly what to say. That probably says something about their approach to interviews, essays, and short-answer questions.
Please, want more for yourself than just to get in.
EMPOWERMENT: Your dignity and personal power is elevated and enhanced, never subjugated
What this means: This seems pretty straightforward! You want to feel empowered, uplifted, and confident by your coach, not berated, suppressed, or directed. You’re embarking on an exceptional journey where you may well uncover a deep sense of purpose, direction, and possibility. A great coach will amplify your voice, not overwrite it. There’s no reason to be badgered or made to feel less-than in the process.
Why it’s important: In short, you want to be guided, not told. One sets you off on your next task or milestone with curiosity and excitement, the other undermines autonomy and diminishes your self-worth. We wish we didn’t have to warn you about this. Tough love can be great for some, but the word to emphasize there is love. If you haven’t learned this yet in life, you can be honest and kind at the same time, it doesn’t have to be brutal.
Plus, it’s hard to feel courageous if you’re made to feel incapable. Feeling empowered will help you take the risks you need to take in order to put your most authentic self in front of the gatekeepers that stand between you and your future.
Pro tip: There’s no way around it, MBA admissions is a competitive process and a stressful time for the applicant. Make sure you’re working with someone that has the skills, respect, tools, and resources that enable you to be and feel capable.
Beware of: Avoid anyone, in this industry and elsewhere, who makes you feel small. Full stop.
Some questions you can ask:
- How do you help clients that are struggling with an aspect of their application?
- Have you ever had to tell someone they had no chance of getting in? If so, how did you tell them?
Pay attention to what they say and how empathetic they seem as they communicate. But also, note how you’ve felt in the conversation overall. Do they seem like they know it all but make you feel like you don’t know anything? Or, do they seem like they know it all (or a lot) and they can’t wait to share it with you so that you can go on being the badass you were meant to be.
INSPIRATION: Drives, even pushes, you toward your best work without settling, while maintaining kindness and respect
What this means: This is similar to what we covered above but slightly different in that the core feeling you want to feel after your interactions is inspiration. It’s about striking the right balance—high expectations matched with unwavering support.
Why it’s important: You want to inspire the admissions committees, and that inspiration should start with you. Your best work will flow from this feeling. Looking to see if you feel inspired is a good measure for fit with your coach or consultant. If you’re action-oriented, a high-energy coach may feel like the perfect match. If you’re more reflective and methodical, you might thrive with someone who brings a calm, thoughtful presence.. So, do they energize or drain you? This is a gut check.
Some questions to reflect on after or during your call:
- How do you feel when you talk to them? Motivated? Excited to start? Clear-headed?
- Did you feel like this person can help you push through any blocks you might experience? Or, did you feel like you were being talked at instead of supported?
LONG-TERM YIELD: The work provides benefits beyond the immediate outcome of admission
What this means: Aside from getting accepted into an MBA program, a truly valuable admissions experience leaves you with the skills, insights, and connections that will last long after your work with the consultant or coach ends. Your coach should be invested in your long-term success—not just your acceptance letter.
Why it’s important: Whether it’s advice on scholarships, making your whole ROI brighter, career advice, or having a profound and clear sense of purpose, your consultant or coach should have something beyond “acceptance” to offer. Let’s say we aim for them all, eh?
An experienced coach worth your investment will be able to support you in the process in terms of scholarships in several areas. They should position you as a must-have candidate, cultivate scholarship resources, and guide and mentor you through meaningful personal development and soft skills that can be applied to your life for every year to come, that enlarge you as a person and enrich your relationships.
Pro tip: Don’t settle for less or be pointed to third party resources UNLESS you are only buying a project management tool.
Beware of: Steer clear of those who cannot answer this one crucial question below to your satisfaction.
The question:
- What long-term benefits can I expect from our work together?
GOOD VIBES: It’s a long journey. You should genuinely like spending time with your support team
Ahhhh, enough said! …Almost.
Stay with me on this.
When you feel good, you are more engaged. When you’re more engaged, you do better work. When you do better work, you feel better about yourself. When you feel better about yourself, you’re a nicer, more joyful person to be around. When you’re a nicer, more joyful person to be around, you’re inspiring. When you’re inspiring, you have the power to influence the lives of others, to do good, meaningful work. Which, in turn, makes you feel good.
It’s the ultimate virtuous cycle! 🙂
Look, I know this has been a long read, especially if you opened all of the accordions! I don’t believe in ‘TL;DR' (too long; didn’t read), plus our amazing creative team distilled a lot of this into a PDF that you can download and scribble notes on each time you have a consultation call. We hope it leads you to your best-fit consultant, coach, or program. We’d love you to try it out with us! But, in the long run, if you’re better served elsewhere then we’ll be happy for you!
So, here it is, with a few bonus questions added, condensed into one glorious downloadable PDF.
Wishing you the best in your boldest endeavors!
So, here it is, with a few bonus questions added, condensed into one glorious downloadable PDF.
Let’s have a conversation!
Start your journey with MBA Protocol today.
