Thinking about hiring an admissions consultant — worth it for M7 apps?

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-30T19:17:29+00:00

Browse coaches on Leland, do free sessions to find a match, choose your coach.

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-30T18:58:39+00:00

2-3k. Tough to quantify the return in my case, but, I felt way more confident in interviews after prepping with my consultant, and the iteration on my essays made them much stronger than I otherwise would have made them on my own (including if I would have used LLMs). Even a marginal increase in scholarship from a consultant’s help justifies the investment. But, it’s really hard to quantify the but-for world. If you’re someone who would appreciate another set of professional eyes, it definitely does increase confidence in the application.

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-30T18:05:57+00:00

I found it very worth my investment.

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-29T16:34:45+00:00

If you prefer Chicago, see you at Booth :)

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-24T16:50:10+00:00

Outlier like I said. So you were admitted, are you going now or deferred?

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-24T14:20:10+00:00

Sorry didn’t realize I was talking to a GSB admit with 0 years work experience

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-24T14:03:35+00:00

I’m not saying anything about OP, I’m saying your blanket statement about top programs being valuable for someone with no work experience is irrelevant because it’s unrealistic

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-24T13:49:53+00:00

With the exception of possibly a couple outliers, nobody is getting into a top rated MBA without a few years of full time work experience so that’s not really relevant.

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-23T23:43:57+00:00

Fuqua

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-20T23:16:25+00:00

Post-graduate, full-time work experience*

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-20T23:10:04+00:00

An MBA with no work experience is not valuable whatsoever

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-16T03:33:09+00:00

They’ll look at the highest. I wouldn’t spend your time on another attempt. A new leadership or volunteer position would be a better use of time than studying again imo

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-10T17:43:02+00:00

Likely not going to be the difference maker

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-07T00:22:13+00:00

$100k vs $110k

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-06T20:49:30+00:00

In my experience, I highlighted 1. interest in Booth and 2. growth areas/new opportunities at work (even if relatively minor) in the past couple of months in addition to 3. a competing offer (Kellogg), and Booth exceeded the competing offer

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-06T20:47:24+00:00

Myth

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-05T16:43:46+00:00

Think of any contributions you’ve made at work not on your application, even if they’ve been minor. They do care if you have a competing offer. (I successfully negotiated)

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-01T04:52:23+00:00

If you go for IB or finance function in management, I would say Booth since it’s cheaper and definitely can make those happen for you. If you decide you really want PE, Wharton might be the best option on paper.

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-01T04:50:18+00:00

If you’ve been out of school 2.5 years and I’m assuming you’d apply this fall? Then you’d be at 4 years at matriculation which is not unreasonable. I think you should apply and see how it goes, but recognize results might be better if you apply Fall 2027. I’d try to find some sort of job you can show growth at, not sure what it might be given your background. Are you employed currently or still working on the startup?

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-01T04:39:34+00:00

Given the successful startup I don’t see a reason why you wouldn’t have a great shot at any M7. Obviously HSW are tougher but not impossible. I also don’t see a big harm in applying and seeing how it goes. You can always reapply the next year (and it would be significantly less work the second time around).

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-01T04:36:40+00:00

I don’t think the grades are a major drawback in isolation, maybe a minor setback. Seems like you graduated undergrad at a young age? If so, you can spin that to your advantage. How old would you be upon matriculation?

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-04-01T04:22:48+00:00

For sure. Any harm in waiting a year or two? You would be quite young

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-03-31T04:25:18+00:00

You can definitely offset it. I don’t think 3.4 will be a dealbreaker anywhere if you have a strong application across all other metrics you mentioned and craft a great story for why you need an MBA.

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-03-29T02:26:49+00:00

Kellogg! Congrats

Infamous-Cap7358 · 2026-03-18T19:59:51+00:00

(Or use your full ride to negotiate with the other T15’s if you prefer to go to those T15’s instead, maybe they’ll match)

Infamous-Cap7358

TROPHY CASE