I n s i g h t s o n A d m i s s i o n s C o n s u l t i n g

A su r vey o f 234 MBA S tuden t s

C o n d u c t e d b y

51% of students surveyed said they used an MBA admissions consultant.

R e s p o n d e n t s r e p r e s e n t e d t h e f o l l o w i n g s c h o o l s :

62% of survey respondents were

American and 38% were from overseas –

representing 36 countries.

62% of survey respondents were

American and 38% were from overseas –

representing 36 countries.

International students were

slightly more likely (56%) to use an

admissions consultant than U.S.

students (45%).

17% of international applicants that didn’t hire an admissions consultant wish

they had…

17% of international applicants that didn’t hire an admissions consultant wish

they had…

…meanwhile only 10% of American students regret

their decision.

-MBA student at Stern

I would have done more with a

consultant if I had understood

the difficulties of applying to

business school.“

Of those that used admissions consultants, 64% were men and 36% were women – roughly equal

to average MBA student populations.

Over 50% of students that used a consultant purchased a comprehensive package of three or more schools

25% of students that purchased 3 hours or fewer

were dissatisfied and would not do

so again.

However, 76% of students that purchased a 4 or more school package were highly satisfied and would sign up for an equal

or greater package.

25% of students that purchased 3 hours or fewer

were dissatisfied and would not do

so again.

-MBA graduate from Booth

There is no information

transparency or comparable

prices. How do you figure out how

effective the consultants are at

the services they offer?

“

46% of respondents that found an admissions consultant online described

the experience as “confusing” and “time-consuming”.

46% of respondents that found an admissions consultant online described

the experience as “confusing” and “time-consuming”.

38% of applicants had to have 3 or more conversations with consultants prior to

making a purchase.

46% of respondents that found an admissions consultant online described

the experience as “confusing” and “time-consuming”.

38% of applicants had to have 3 or more conversations with consultants prior to

making a purchase.

22% of people had 5 or more conversations.

-MBA Student at Wharton

I found the consulting

process search time-consuming

and confusing to figure out

who was any good. It’s hard

to know who to trust.

“

70% of clients do not trust user reviews or information posted about consultants online.

23% of students used MBA Mission, MBA Exchange, or Stacy Blackman

Consulting.

23% of students used MBA Mission, MBA Exchange, or Stacy Blackman

Consulting.

The remaining 77% of students used one of over 30 different consulting firms.

-MBA graduate from Haas

It’s definitely a black box. The

quality of the advice you receive

is so dependent on the consultant

you ultimately get. “

89% of people that used an admissions consultant would do so again…

89% of people that used an admissions consultant would do so again…

…but 36% might have used a different consultant.

-MBA student at Wharton

They were telling me things that

I can’t verify if they were true

or not, especially about my

potential and where to apply.“

K e y Ta k e a w a y s

• As many as half of students attending top 10 programs are using an admissions consultant.

K e y Ta k e a w a y s

• As many as half of students attending top 10 programs are using an admissions consultant.

• There doesn’t seem to be a clear favorite firm among users but satisfaction rates vary significantly.

K e y Ta k e a w a y s

• As many as half of students attending top 10 programs are using an admissions consultant.

• There doesn’t seem to be a clear favorite firm among users but satisfaction rates vary significantly.

• Users consistently expressed frustration that choosing a consultant can’t be simpler and more transparent.

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36% might have used a different consultant if they had to do it over.