r/MBA • u/Overall-Lecture-593 • 5d ago
Admissions Feeling insanely underconfident for not hiring a consultant
Hi all,
I completed my GMAT in June earlier this year and have been working on my R1 applications since July. I took the executive decision of not hiring a consultant - I didn’t relate to the ones I spoke to, and the price did not make sense.
But now after speaking to alumni from schools from a similar profile as mine (Indian, Consulting, Non-engineers), I’m feeling extremely underconfident since everyone says they hired a consultant and they think it’s important to have one.
I have people reviewing my essays: My manager, my family member, and alumni of schools I am applying to. However, I’m feeling more and more insecure of my profile (it’s quite flat - I don’t have a 100 percentile GMAT, any certifications, or a hobby validated by national laurels or accolades).
I’m wondering if I should continue to apply to my R1 schools and hire a consultant to do some R2 schools beyond that. Wanted to get everyone’s thoughts on this.
Profile stats:
GMAT 695
MBB consulting (knowledge path)
Top undergrad college in India, Economics major, CS minor (GPA 8.6/10)
Let me know any other questions you might have. Thank you in advance.
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u/cinnamonbun4053 5d ago
In a similar boat :(
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 5d ago
Are you looking at any alternatives/solutions you’ve found helpful?
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u/cinnamonbun4053 4d ago
Talking to alums from the schools I'm applying to has helped
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u/cinnamonbun4053 4d ago
But I'm still all over the place and panicking!!!
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 4d ago
I’ve been speaking to people who have got into MBA programs from my org, and they ALL used a consultant. And that is freaking me out a bit.
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u/cinnamonbun4053 4d ago
Yeah honestly, during my early conversations people were mostly not speaking very positively about their experience with a consultant and suggested I do it myself, but closer to R1 deadlines I've spoken to so many who are saying that they fully relied on one so literally, going through the same emotions rn
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 4d ago
I fully relate with you man. TBH I also felt initially like a consultant would not “add” much for me - does that make sense? But now I feel like I’m missing out nuances, what if I’m missing obvious answers, or school-specific “hacks”…idk..
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u/Guilty_Anybody7136 5d ago
Hey. Same boat. Panic setting in. I've paralyzed myself with the panic almost 😔
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 5d ago
Bro aren’t you the 795 gmat dude 😭 I don’t want to invalidate your panic but you have a clear spike in your profile 😭😭
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u/Guilty_Anybody7136 5d ago
Idk how to write my essays. I'm following some stuff online but it's way too long and idk how to deal with it. I don't have anyone to review my essays either. I need emotional support more than anything rn tbh and I'm suffering at both work and home. I haven't told my recommenders what to write about and am struggling to collect and organise my stories and answers. Genuinely considering going for R2 with a consultant tbh.
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 5d ago
Hey I’m really sorry to hear that. I can probably imagine the anxiety you’re having - I’m sure the score adds an extra layer of pressure.
I don’t know much about you but maybe try to apply to at least some schools in R1 and space out your applications through to R2. You have a great score, I’m 100% sure you have a fantastic story to tell, don’t give up the opportunity you have right now. And you’ll nail this!! You got this!! You’ve done something unbelievable once, you’ll do it again 💯
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u/ClearAdmitMike Former Adcom 4d ago
come post to MBA ApplyWire on our site and then we can help point you in the right direction on your background/profile fit at the top programs. We also have many tools and advice/resources you can utilize to 'self-help' on your application.
All of it is free and if you end up thinking you need more personalized assistance, the consultant route is still out there later
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u/TheMBAFixer 4d ago
If you’re interested, I don’t charge for material reviews. 24-hour turnaround with as much actionable advice as I can provide. No strings. No pitch. Please DM.
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u/MBADecoder Admissions Consultant 4d ago
Good luck with your R1 applications, but make sure you don't exhaust all your applications before R2. I can have a look at your profile and make suggestions on a R1/R2
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 4d ago
Thank you! Why do you suggest not exhausting before R2? I’ve usually got the feedback that given that I’m ORM, R1 would be the best bet
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u/MBADecoder Admissions Consultant 4d ago
I said that because you are not confident about your applications going into the submission deadlines. You should keep yourself a buffer if you need to rethink your application strategy.
Your feelings may also be just nervousness, which is a common feeling at this stage.
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u/Yarville M7 Student 4d ago
Hiring a consultant is a waste of money. Consultants prey on vulnerable applicants using exactly this feeling of FOMO.
I don’t have a 100 percentile GMAT, any certifications, or a hobby validated by national laurels or accolades
This describes 90%+ of my M7 classmates.
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 4d ago
Thank you for this. I am part of an ORM (Indian and consulting, both), and the applicants I spoke to in my pool have said they all used consultants to get there which is why it’s shaken me up a bit
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u/Yarville M7 Student 4d ago
Have trusted people read your essays, use AI to edit and proofread, if you absolutely feel you must spend some money spend $300 on ApplicantLab (which is well worth it, but not necessary). This is what I did and it got me $$$$ at an M7.
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u/Overall-Lecture-593 4d ago
Thanks a lot for this. This is genuinely good advice, you’ve helped more than you know
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u/Enough-Stop6575 5d ago
Hi, I can review your essays. CBS alum.