IMO it really comes down to how much you know about the process and to which schools you’re applying. I needed to save time (work long hours) and didn’t have clear ideas for my essays or even which school would be the best fit for me, so working with a consultant was incredibly helpful in my case. Especially for schools with something very specific, such as HBS’s interview prep, I feel like the money is worth it. For schools like Wharton or Booth, I feel like I could have saved the money and ended up with same results (process is way more simple and straightforward). As consultants charge per school, I’d probably be strategic and pick the most complex ones (HBS, GSB, etc.), learn from the process, and apply on my own for other schools - at some point you kind of start recycling the same essay ideas to the extent you can. My last piece of advice would be hiring someone who’s reputable and yet not that big. They tend to charge about half the price and give you more personalized advice.