The Most Favorably Reviewed MBA Admission Consulting Firms

Scott Edinburgh, founder of Personal MBA Coach

Scott Edinburgh, founder of Personal MBA Coach

Personal MBA Coach

Q: Tell me a little bit about the firm. Size, number of full-time or part-time admissions consultants, how long you’ve been in business, and who do you serve?

A: Founded 15 years ago, Personal MBA Coach is a boutique family-owned business. We support clients applying to full-time MBA, EMBA, part-time MBA, deferred MBA and business master’s programs. We also have a small team of tutors. We currently have two primary consultants.

Q: What is your firm best known for?

A: Personal MBA Coach is best known for our track record of success, deep level of insider expertise, talented editors and the strong scholarships our clients receive.

Q: What makes your firm unique and differentiates you from other firms, large or small?

A: Applicants have the ability to work directly with our founder, Scott Edinburgh. He has been on the Board of Directors of AIGAC (Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants) for four years, is an invited global speaker at leading MBA conferences, and has close relationships with top MBA admissions directors. Unlike many other firms, we have no junior consultants who have just finished their own MBA degrees and work full-time in other roles while taking just a few clients on the side. Our consultants know the MBA application process inside and out. They are supported by a team of former M7 and T10 admissions interviewers, expert GMAT, GRE, and EA tutors, and a small boutique team of seasoned writers and graduate professors with Ph.D. and master’s degrees from leading universities including Harvard, Yale, and Columbia. We are a family-run business and pride ourselves on our detailed project management system that guides our clients’ step by step through the application process.

Q: Do you have a roadmap or formula for the MBA applicant?

A: Each client is unique, and we do not use any formulas. Instead, we help our clients craft application plans and school lists that best meet their profiles and goals.

That said, we carefully research what each school is looking to learn from each element of the MBA application by speaking to admissions directors and reviewing successful and unsuccessful essays (which we usually get from reapplicants who did not work with us the first time).

Q: Since you opened doors, how many MBA seekers have you helped to gain acceptance? How many successful applicants?

A: Almost everybody gets accepted. Last year, 100% of clients applying to 6+ schools got accepted.

Q: How can an applicant tell if your firm is a good fit for them to help them through the application process?

A: Are you dedicated to getting in? Are you ready and willing to follow directions? Are you open to feedback? Are you realistic about your chances? These are the questions we consider when evaluating clients. We help a lot of applicants from non-traditional backgrounds—family businesses, the military, entrepreneurs—and of course the more standard applicants from banks, PE firms, and consulting firms.

Q: Do you ever refer people to other firms?

A: Yes. We are selective in taking clients and fit is important on both sides. If we do not think the fit is right, we will refer out or flat out turn clients away in some cases.

Q: Give us one free tip for applicants:

A: Do not overthink the process. If you find the right advisor, trust them to get you accepted. There is no need to have five friends weigh in on your application.

 

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