Harold Simansky

Senior Consultant

mbaMission

Boston, Massachusetts

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

A graduate of the MIT Sloan School of Management, Harold Simansky offers his clients more than five years’ experience as a dedicated MBA admissions consultant, in addition to several years helping his colleagues complete their business school applications. His clients have been accepted at more than 30 different institutions, including all the top U.S. and international MBA programs. Among his success stories are applicants who “ran the table” and were granted admission to every school they targeted, as well as candidates with distinct backgrounds for whom Harold found programs that uniquely suited their personalities and needs.

At his graduation from MIT Sloan, Harold received the highly selective Martin Trust Community Fellowship before joining the private equity group at Bain & Company, where he worked on the largest media merger of all time. Upon leaving Bain, Harold founded a series of companies in such sectors as financial services, real estate development, green energy, online rewards, and print media. He also spent time consulting to a private equity firm in the building materials space.

Outside of work, Harold has kept busy as a member of his town’s government, a Little League coach, a board member for a nonprofit organization, and father to three lively young sons.

Company Information

mbaMission is the world’s leading MBA admissions consulting firm and the only one exclusively recommended by Manhattan Prep and Kaplan GMAT. Our dedicated, full-time Senior Consultants work one-on-one with business school candidates to identify and showcase their strongest attributes in their applications.

When applying to an elite MBA program, you need elite experience on your side. mbaMission’s full-time consultants are highly skilled communicators with comprehensive knowledge of the MBA admissions process, and helping you navigate that process to your fullest potential is our sole priority. You can be confident of having our undivided attention because admissions consulting is our exclusive focus. In pursuing your MBA, you are making an important investment in yourself, so choose a firm whose singular objective is helping you achieve your goals.

Our full-time team includes MBAs from all the top programs. Although you work exclusively with one dedicated consultant at mbaMission, you benefit from the experience and input of our entire team. Our consultants intercommunicate constantly, sharing information, ideas, feedback, and recommendations. We also conduct semimonthly meetings, require ongoing training, and hold an annual full-company conference, where we gather to discuss best practices and continue improving our skills and knowledge base. More than 20 full-time admissions experts combine their know-how and experience to advance your cause. We know that our being at the top of our game means you have the greatest chance of success, and together, our team will find the best ways to strengthen your application.

Menu of Services and Associated Costs

One-on-one consultation services, comprehensive admissions, and school-specific guides, a robust blog, free eBooks, essay analyses, and other valuable resources—visit our Web site to find all that mbaMission offers.
FREE CONSULTATION
Want to know your chances of being admitted to business school? Wondering how to differentiate yourself from other applicants? Sign up for a free, 30-minute consultation with an mbaMission Senior Consultant today!
FEATURED SERVICES
Complete Start-to-Finish Package
A la Carte Hourly Services
Mock Interview Sessions
Ding Review
Pre-Application Strategy
RESOURCES
Robust blog
Free Interview Primers
Free Personal Statement Guide
Free Selecting Your Target MBA Program eBook
Free Social Media Primer
Business School Insider’s Guides
MBA Admissions Guides
Free monthly online and in-person events

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, United States

Phone: 646-485-8844

Email: info@mbamission.com

Website: https://www.mbamission.com/consult-pq/

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Harold Was Essential To My Success In The MBA Application Process!
    2 months ago
    Harold's calming presence and wise insight into the perspective of an admission's committee member was essential to my journey and finding success in the MBA application cycles. I applied round 1 and had multiple applications due within a 48-hour period. Harold kept me focused and on timeline to achieve great final products for all my essays and portal responses with his prompt assistance and guidance for where I should start. During our brain-storming session, Harold listened so intently to my story and background that it almost felt like a therapy session - it seemed like he knew me within a short video call and was able to help synthesize my experience into a coherent narrative that could be effectively communicated in a 400-900 word essay ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Harold Is The Best MBA Consultant I Could Have Asked For
    3 months ago
    To provide some background, I started my career in engineering and continued through a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina State University (NCSU) while working on energy development projects for both research institutes/agencies as well as utilities. Upon graduating from NCSU, I briefly worked in tech and then joined a utility in an internal engineering consultant role. It was last summer that I met Harold who was transparent with his advice and background. Immediately, I could tell that he was the real deal. Harold asked the right questions to draw the path of my transition from engineering, into an MBA degree, and then how my goals and background could contribute to the atmosphere of post-MBA careers such as consulting, which fascinated me. Not ...
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    Class of 2024 Applicant
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  • Harold Simansky - Very Personable & Helpful
    3 months ago
    Harold was very friendly and a valuable resource during my MBA application process. Harold assisted in my MBA application process from our initial consultation through when I landed the interview for my top choice program. Harold was personally invested in my case being from similar backgrounds and was supportive through adjusting our focus time geared toward my preferences for what I wanted to get out of an MBA program, which programs were the best fit for my goals and which programs I wanted to apply for the most. Harold assisted through every step of the application process: Initial discussions as to why I want an MBA and which programs would be the best fit for my goals, recommender selection, resume review, essay review and interview ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Harold Got Me Into Sloan
    3 months ago
    Harold is a rock star. I'm so glad I decided to go with him and mbaMission, and I truly would not have been admitted to Sloan without him. He was incredibly invested in my admissions process, and since Sloan was the only school I was applying to, he was incredibly pointed and diligent in making sure I put together the best possible application. I never had to worry about delayed responses or missing deadlines since Harold was incredibly timely (oftentimes responding at 5 or 6 a.m. to exceed expectations). He always had a smile on his face and offered his unwavering support during each step of my application. Harold was also tremendous at editing my essays. I'm forever grateful for Harold and would not have ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Best MBA Consultant I Could Ever Asked For
    3 months ago
    Just a little background about me to make everything easier to understand: I am Chinese but moved to the United States more than 10 years ago. I attended Rice University for architecture and graduated in 2021. During college, I took the GRE and scored 330 (163+167), maintaining a GPA of 3.52+4.0. Rice University awards architecture students two degrees: Bachelor of Art in Architecture and Bachelor of Architecture. After graduation, I worked for an architecture firm in Chicago for three years before applying to MBA programs, accumulating four years of work experience in total. Strengths of the Consulting Service: 1. Industry Understanding: Harold possesses a deep understanding of my industry, which is crucial for a non-traditional applicant like myself. As a Chinese male in architecture entering business school, ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Excellent, Personable and Responsive - Harold Simansky
    4 months ago
    I had the opportunity of working with Harold Simansky on my essay. Harold demonstrated a keen interest in helping me sell my story in a genuine and persuasive way. He was also very responsive and personable. I would readily recommend Harold to anyone. He did an excellent job.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Super Knowledgeable!
    5 months ago
    Harold was extremely helpful for me in my MIT application process. He is extremely knowledgeable about what it takes to get in, and how to nail the interview. He is a great communicator, excellent at explaining the complex details of the MBA application process, and overall great to work with. I highly recommend working with Harold!
    Class of 2026 Applicant
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  • Harold - Best Consultant!
    6 months ago
    As a re-applicant, I am glad that I chose to work with Harold Simansky from MBAmission this year. Compared to the consultant I worked with from another boutique shop last year, Harold definitely surpassed my expections and gave my schools applications a 360 turn. First of all, Harold has tremendous experience to offer and knows how to put together a compelling personal package for different schools. For example, the brainstorming session with him always gave me a new angle, idea or inspiration as to how to improve my essays. Another thing I appreciate is that he is personally invested in my case. While typical turnaround time for a consultant is 2 business days, Harold does not care that much at all. He would get back to ...
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    Class of 2026 Applicant
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  • Great Experience With Harold Simansky
    8 months ago
    I have had a wonderful experience working with Harold Simansky, who turned out to be an invaluable asset in my admission to both Wharton and Columbia Business School. From the very beginning, Harold's approach stood out as unique and personalized. He took the time to truly listen to my experiences, aspirations, and goals. This attentiveness allowed him to understand my strengths and weaknesses and identify the stories that would resonate most with the MBA admissions committee members. His ability to connect with applicants on a personal level sets him apart from other consultants. Throughout the application process, Harold listened to what experiences I thought were most impactful, and he helped me to understand that the stories you're most proud of aren't necessarily those that will resonate the ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Working With Harold: An Introspective & Rewarding Process
    8 months ago
    Harold is a phenomenal coach and played an invaluable role in my application process. His down-to-earth personality and genuine interest in understanding my pursuit of a dual MBA/master’s in urban planning degree made the experience both rewarding and introspective. Before I started working with Harold, I had an idea of what I wanted to do in the long term but no idea how to get there. From the start, Harold took the time to get to know me and asked lots of questions to help me understand what I wanted out of an MBA. He then was able to use his expertise in the professional world and as an MIT Sloan grad to present paths that would allow me to achieve my long-term goals. From there, ...
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    Jake Kirschner
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Harold Is The Dream Consultant
    9 months ago
    Harold is very professional, has a in depth understanding of the MBA application process and individual business schools. Harold cares about his clients. Without his guidance, coaching and encouragement, I would not be able to get into my dream business school. Thank you, Harold! He is the dream consultant. I started MBA application process two months before round 2 deadline. Because of Harold’s strategic application plan and quick turnaround time, I was able to submit 6 school applications on time. Throughout the entire application, interview, and waitlist process, Harold has always been very patiently answering my questions and providing me insightful feedbacks. Harold is empathetic and very generous about his time. I feel very comfortable just sending him email or call him when I have questions. ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Accepted To MIT Sloan Early Admission MBA Program!
    10 months ago
    Harold Simansky was immensely helpful throughout the process of applying to early admissions MBA programs. As a student in my final semester of college studying computer science, I was unsure of what exactly top MBA programs were looking for in applicants. Harold helped me focus on the experiences that were most important, while also giving me suggestions on how I should best talk about these events. His perspective was extremely helpful when trying to explain my role in technical projects to a business-focused audience. Harold ultimately helped me get accepted to MIT Sloan's early admissions MBA program, and I would highly recommend him as a consultant.
    Class of 2027 Admit
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  • Steady & Insightful Guide Through An Uncertain Process
    11 months ago
    Harold was instrumental in getting me into three top ten MBA programs, including my number one choice. Harold was most effective at getting me from authentic uncertainty in which career path I wanted to take down into a clean and clear narrative that made my case for why I wanted and needed an MBA. He was a calm, direct, and consistent presence that helped me channel these doubts into clarity. Additionally, his vast school specific knowledge was very helpful for expeditiously adapting my “Why XYZ school” essays in a manner that was authentic. Throughout the application process, Harold went above and beyond to ensure that I had my needs met. When up against application deadlines, Harold made sure to be available even when the policy ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Harold = Rockstar
    11 months ago
    Harold was a committed partner to me throughout the entire application process. I am Australian and the MBA application process is largely foreign to myself and my peers, so it was great to have someone on the ground I could field my questions to and better navigate the application process. We started our partnership with Harold helping refine my list of application schools based on my character, what I was looking to get out of an MBA, and where I was likely to be competitive given my CV and GMAT score. He was super knowledgeable about the nuanced difference between schools and was candid and pragmatic with where he believed I was likely to have a shot. He was prompt always in turning around essay ...
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    M OB
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admission To MIT Sloan 2024 With Harold!!
    1 year ago
    I worked with Harold on MIT Sloan's additional essay, which I was requested after my interview invitation. First of all, he guided me properly about the direction of my essay. He also helped me write a competitive essay. Also, he is really good at communicating. Every time I had a hard time writing essays, he helped me a lot without any sign of annoyance. Eventually, I got admission to MIT Sloan school thanks to his help. Without his help, getting admission to MIT would have been difficult.
    HJ J
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Incredible Experience! You Can't Go Wrong With Harold!
    1 year ago
    Coming from a non-traditional background, I knew I needed the help of an MBA consultant. I couldn't be happier that I chose mbaMission and was paired with Harold Simansky. When I began the process, I didn't really know what my story for my essays would be or even what industry I should target. Harold was extremely helpful in helping me craft a great story and also providing me with the resources to find a good post-MBA industry/job given my background. The resources and guides offered by mbaMission are extremely informative and played a crucial part in my MBA application process. But the school package was well worth the price as Harold was always available to chat anytime I had doubts or needed his advice. On ...
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    Santiago Restrepo
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Fantastic Service!
    2 years ago
    Harold Simansky was a fantastic tutor. He gave me great insight as we worked on my essays, and his suggestions were really useful. He helped me get into almost every school on my list! He is well worth the cost of his hourly rate, and you will be in very good hands with him!
    Victoria Lemmon
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Helped Crack M7 For An Overrepresented, Last-Minute R1 Applicant
    2 years ago
    I approached Harold on 4th August '21, a little over a month before the deadline for most b-schools. On top of that, I am an Indian male consultant with an accounting background. While most other consultants felt that the time was too short, Harold was confident I could manage my applications given that I was going to take the next few weeks off to focus on my applications. Harold focused on the key parts of the essays and helped in the quick turnaround of high-quality essays. Harold would not shy away from expressing his contrarian views - he never gave any incorrect advice just to please me. Having worked extensively with clients who have been admitted to M7 schools, Harold has a very good sense ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Use Harold! He Helped Me Get Acceptances & $$$
    2 years ago
    I came to the application process very concerned. I am from an over-represented demographic, being a male Chinese engineer, and I was out of work. Harold was not thrown by any of this. Right from our first conversation he was reassuring, and I felt completely supported and understood. He always listened, and he helped me think realistically about my goals, pushed me to consider schools that I had yet to consider, including some reach schools and more likely schools and he was always an encouraging voice. He was very thoughtful in his approach and his attention to detail was second to none. Throughout the process, his ability to break each step down into manageable and meaningful pieces helped bring me closer and closer ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • 2024 Wharton Admit - Use Harold!
    2 years ago
    I could not have gotten into my target school (Wharton) without Harold. From our first conversation about whether an MBA made sense for someone like me (a lawyer looking for a career pivot), to choosing between the GMAT and GRE, to multiple rounds of essay review and interview prep, Harold was insightful, responsive, and amazingly supportive. My background is non-traditional for an MBA applicant, and I definitely could not have put together as compelling a story as I did without Harold's coaching, which was incredibly detailed and school-specific. Even during the peak season before Round 1 deadlines, Harold never missed his promised 2-day turnaround time and regularly responded the next day with great feedback on my essays. I also really appreciated that he laid out ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Full Tuition Scholoarships
    2 years ago
    I worked with Harold Simansky in the 2021-2022 MBA application cycle and I would highly recommend him to anyone considering applying to MBA programs. Some things I really liked about working with Harold – First, he focuses on your personal and distinct story. I am a career switcher – trying to move from the energy industry into sustainability. Initially, I struggled with defining how my past career paired with an MBA would guide me into sustainability. However, through various in-depth brainstorming exercises, he helped me develop a clean and true-to-myself story that helped me in my applications, conversations with students and faculty, and my interviews. Second, Harold is prompt in his responses. Even though he is a top consultant with many clients demanding his time, ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • I Hired Harold Because I Needed A Miracle (MIT Sloan Admit)
    2 years ago
    If you are targeting a top-ranked business school, I would highly recommend Harold who is an MIT Sloan alumnus. He understands the selection process of B-schools really well. He keeps you focused and positive. He helps you discover the unique aspects of your personality and work experience and helps you present the most impressive, yet authentic, version of yourself. I hired Harold because I needed a miracle. I came from an over-represented segment in terms of geography (India) and industry (Finance). I had two breaks in my career and had changed jobs thrice. And I did not have international work experience. I did not have any direct report to demonstrate my leadership. As a working professional with two kids and a full-time job, I could ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Harold Got Me Into My Dream School!
    2 years ago
    Harold was amazing and very instrumental in getting me into HBS, Booth, LBS and MIT Sloan! I went into the process with a lower-than-average GMAT score for all my target schools. Harold did an amazing job of helping me bring the different pieces of my career and life together to make for a very compelling application narrative that got me interviews with all the schools I applied to. His turn-around time was amazing, almost always beating the two-day promised turn-around. His comments were very thoughtful and always felt like he was reading with a fresh set of eyes. I would definitely recommend Harold to anyone who’s applying to B-school.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • 2024 GSB Admit - Harold Changed My Life
    2 years ago
    I was struggling with the GMAT and was losing hope in my chances at a top MBA program. I met with Harold during a coaching session, and one piece of advice Harold offered to me was to consider taking the GRE, and I took that advice seriously. I quickly pivoted and saw a point jump from 660 on the GMAT to ultimately a 690 equivalent on the GRE. It wasn't an amazing mark, but after taking the GMAT and GRE a combined 5 times, I was willing to take the score that would at least put me in the 80th percentile for the programs I was applying to. This gave me the confidence once again to aim high and apply to the top-tier programs. I'm ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Booth & Wharton Admit Thanks To Harold
    2 years ago
    I worked with Harold through the entirety of this year's R1 application season and found his guidance to be indispensable. From the beginning of the application cycle (nearly 8 months ago), Harold helped me think through school selection and which programs to target. He directed me to school resources I likely never would have found on my own, and gave me insight into the application process that put my mind at ease. Once I began to write essays, Harold worked with me to identify the most relevant parts of my background and translate that into a compelling essay. He consistently gave quality feedback on my essays and resume (his turnaround time is very quick!), along with helpful guidance as I chose my recommenders. Prior to ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • 2024 HBS Admit, with Harold's Help
    2 years ago
    Taking standardized test took me a longer time than expected. When I started working on the essays, I was running a little behind than the ideal application timing, and then I decided to work with Harold with a full package. When we started, Harold helped me to identify a compelling career path story. My initial thought was to enter consulting after MBA. With Harold’s experience in the consulting industry and an understanding of my diverse professional background, he felt that entering the consulting industry wouldn’t be a compelling story to tell for my career goal essays. And he encouraged me to brainstorm and explore other potential career options. Therefore, I did some more research in the VC and entrepreneurship space, and was eventually able to ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Simply Put: Use Harold. He's Amazing
    2 years ago
    I tried to get into b-school for 3 years. I worked with Harold and got in 2 months later. When Harold works with you, it's like you're the only client in the world and nothing else matters. Harold was personally invested in my success and he was my first call whenever I received good news in the process since he was part of the journey and I wouldn't have wanted to celebrate without him. Harold was absolutely amazing; 1. Very specific advice for each part of the application 2. Extremely skilled in personalizing your application to you specifically, for the school you're applying for 3. UNREAL turnaround times. I would send him 3 separate emails for 3 different schools and he'd send them back like it was ping pong.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Highly Structured & Robust Advisory
    3 years ago
    I had the good fortune of working with Harold every step of the way of my MBA application process. Since I was embarking on the ambitious journey of putting together an entire application package from scratch, in a matter of just three months, I knew I sorely needed the around-the-clock attention and targeted advice of a seasoned expert. Harold, recognizing the tight timeline I was navigating, really came through for me in playing out this exact role. Above and beyond functioning in a mentor/advisor capacity, though, Harold also came across as a close friend/supporter throughout a lengthy and arduous process. His consistent words of encouragement were much needed, especially in the inevitable moments of self-doubt as I hammered out draft after draft in a seemingly ...
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    Class of 2021 Rejected
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  • Incredible
    3 years ago
    Working with Harold was nothing short of humbling. His institutional knowledge guided me through the NYU Stern MBA application with a successful result. He had a plan of action from the start and met with me to ensure we were aligned on execution. We worked through multiple iterations of my resume and essay where Harold provided guidance on how to improve my application. The best part of working with Harold is that he understood what the result should look like but would not give away the answers. He spent time coaching me to ensure I learned as the process progressed. Harold was prompt with his responses to my emails and always made sure I was clear on the task at ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Phenomenal!
    3 years ago
    Working with Harold was the best decision I made during the MBA application process. The work we did together was absolutely instrumental in getting accepted into several of the top business schools in the country.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Superb Hourly Service
    3 years ago
    I highly recommend Harold Simansky for his hourly services. Through Harold's resume and essay reviews, I was accepted with a scholarship to Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, and Columbia. Harold was extremely timely and communicative. His reviews - even when it was a busy season for round 2 - were extremely efficient. When I had an urgent request due to an upcoming deadline, Harold was understanding and was quick to prioritize my work. In terms of the feedback, it was clear that Harold had extensive experience in reviewing essays and tailoring them to each school. The essay feedback was very helpful and prescriptive, allowing me to quickly edit and turnaround versions. Harold even shared my essays and resume with other reviewers at mbaMission for no charge. I really ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • You Have To Work With Harold
    3 years ago
    Two of my friends have worked with Harold for b-school applications and got into top schools, and strongly recommended him to me. When I applied, I only had a few months to spare and was trying to retake the GMAT. On top of that, I have non-traditional work experiences that I was struggling to tie together in my essays. Harold knew exactly what I should/should not highlight and gave VERY clear comments. I was especially impressed by his turnaround time. Without Harold's clear guidance, there is no way I would have been able to complete 3 applications in 2 months while working long hours AND also get into Booth with a scholarship.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Want to feel excited about applying? Go for Harold.
    3 years ago
    Harold was the first admissions consultant I spoke to that made me feel confident and excited about the application process. He helped me to distil a complicated career path into a coherent story, and re-fashion what I had initially seen as application weaknesses into that narrative. He was calm and assured throughout the entire process, but also great about reaching out to me if I ever dropped the ball and hadn't been in touch for a little while. When it came to turnaround times, he never over-promised but regularly over-delivered. I was ultimately offered a place at my first-choice school, one which another consultant had told me I was 'not the right candidate for'. Harold's encouragement and support were integral to that achievement.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Such Great Help
    3 years ago
    At first, I was hesitant to use an admissions consulting service, but after my first chat with Harold, I knew it was going to be worth it. Harold was genuinely invested in me, and wanted to give me the tools to succeed. He gave incredibly helpful insights into what admissions committees might be looking for - for instance, he provided me with lists of clubs and offerings that set certain programs apart so that I could incorporate them into my essays. Harold's guidance on my essays made me feel all the more comfortable before I pressed "Submit" on my applications. I would highly recommend Harold to anyone who is looking to bring their application from "good" to "great". I was admitted to both HBS & Stanford ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Very Helpful Coaching
    4 years ago
    I really enjoyed speaking with Harold and appreciated his expertise in many areas of preparation for my MBA application. It can be a stressful process, so it really helps to have someone on your side who knows the process inside and out. Harold is very responsive and provided advice that was tailored to my situation. He provided great feedback on my application materials, and I believe that this contributed to a successful outcome - I was thrilled to receive admission offers from multiple top schools. His perspective also helped me make an informed decision at that point, understanding the pros and cons of each option.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Harold!
    4 years ago
    I had the pleasure to work with Harold throughout my MBA application process. Harold is extremely kind, proactive, and helpful. I spoke with a few other consultants before choosing Harold but felt that Harold really took the time to personally understand my story and that he would be the best to help me on my MBA process. During our process, Harold was supportive, timely, and invaluable. He was very quick to get back to me and was happy to hop on the phone if I had questions or concerns. I ended up doing a final push for rolling admissions during COVID, and Harold would immediately get back to me and help me meet my last-minute deadlines. ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Cannot Say Enough Fantastic Things About Harold
    4 years ago
    It might be easy to stand at the end of this process, having turned down a scholarship at my #3 school for a place at my #1 school, and say that “everything works out for the best”. I would say instead that things have worked out – better than I would have dreamed – despite waitlists, late nights, dreaded GREs, thousands of corrections, and many tears. I have countless stories that I could recount about calling Harold at off-hours in a puddle of self-doubt, where he managed to re-assure and motivate me to continue putting one foot in front of the other. Things worked out, because I was lucky enough to have Harold as my consultant. I started working with Harold soon-after taking my GRE ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Harold Knows All
    4 years ago
    Put as simply as possible, trust this man. Harold is largely responsible for my getting accepted to Johnson (Cornell) and for my career trajectory since then. He lives and breathes the admissions process and has a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses than you do. Trust this man, and he will guide you true.
    Class of 2018 Admit
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  • Incredible Working with Harold, Could Not Recommend More Highly
    4 years ago
    I struggle to emphasize just how impactful working with Harold was on my MBA application process. From the very first meeting to helping me choose between acceptances, Harold’s help and advice were invaluable. I started working with Harold in early June before Fall Round 1 deadlines. From the beginning, he was great about taking the intimidating MBA application process and breaking it down into simple steps with achievable timelines. Harold’s assistance in crafting my story and really honing in on my strengths and weaknesses and how they matched to my target schools set me up for success from the get-go. Harold’s impact on my application essays was extraordinary. Both in helping me with the big picture of the story I was trying to tell, and ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Encouraging, Thoughtful & Effective
    4 years ago
    Harold's thoughtful approach to my applications was clear from the start. He was extremely supportive, encouraging me to aim high and apply to Harvard Business School - which I will now be attending in the fall! I am certain I would not have received the offer without Harold's help. Prior to working with Harold, I had spoken to consultants from other firms who had been much less encouraging and suggested considering less competitive schools. Harold helped me clearly articulate my career goals and ambitions in my essays while ensuring my application remained personal. Working with Harold removed the stress and anxiety from the application process, and allowed me to focus on putting together the strongest application I could. He was quick, responsive, and always came back ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Harold Knows Best
    4 years ago
    I could not be more grateful for working with Harold. I approached him as an unconventional candidate, and at nearly the 11th hour before Round 2 deadlines. But no matter, Harold was at the ready. He assured me he was all-in for the final push across the finish line, and he wasn't kidding. Harold responded nimbly, providing a clear plan of action, ample encouragement, and generous availability. While working on my essays, Harold maintained a tight turnaround and constantly sharpened the content with specific and incisive notes. He had a firm grasp of each school and knew how to tailor my story to the personality and principles of each program. If I ever had a question, he was ready to jump on the phone as ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Instrumental in helping me land a seat at HBS!! Thank you Harold
    4 years ago
    Harold is a fantastic coach and I don’t know that I would have gotten my seat at Harvard Business School if it wasn’t for the strategic role he played in crafting my narrative for business schools. Early in the application process, Harold and I talked a lot about my target schools, my background, and my experiences that could lend to a strong application at each school. He helped me mold those into a clean personal/professional story and he coached me on how to articulate those succinctly in my applications. 5 out of 6 schools I applied to gave me an interview and I know that Harold’s help crafting each application to each school was key to that success. In addition to the technical stuff, Harold ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Excellent Listener, Extremely Efficient, Amazing Insights!
    4 years ago
    Background: I highly recommend choosing mbaMission, and Harold specifically. To provide some context, my application was an unusual one and Harold rose to the occasion remarkably. I’m from the Middle East. I have an engineering background and I have recently switched from Private to Public sector, and my goal from graduate school is to obtain a degree (or a dual degree) that focused on both policy and business. I started a bit late in the process. I submitted an application for the MPA/ID program at HKS in December. Then, I decided to apply for MIT Sloan, to be a dual degree with the program from my HKS. To hedge my bets, I also wanted to apply for the Master in Computational Analysis & Public Policy (MSCAPP) ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Choose Harold!
    4 years ago
    Harold was the best admissions consultant for me and he played a huge part in my success in getting accepted into Columbia Business School. Our work together focused on breaking the application process into individual components and developing a well though-out plan before any writing began. Harold and I were successful for the following reasons: Harold began the process by getting to know everything about me and took the time in the beginning to understand my story. Business school applications can be a very time-consuming and difficult process that requires organization and a well-thought-out plan before the writing process begins. In this way, he is remarkably efficient at time management and we saved a lot of time by getting fully acquainted with my story in the ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A Consistently Supportive, Positive, & Responsive Coach
    4 years ago
    I don't know what I would have done without Harold during my MBA application process. I came from a highly non-traditional professional background and wasn't sure how my story would be received. Indeed, I spoke to consultants from other agencies and was flat-out told that my story "was really weird", along with a list of schools that I shouldn't bother applying to. In stark contrast, Harold was extremely encouraging and positive, and from the get-go, showing genuine interest and belief in my story and MBA goals. This made a huge difference in bolstering my confidence in the process. Beyond that, Harold was extremely responsive and communicative through both Round 1 and Round 2, as I shifted strategies and adjusted my list of schools. He was truly ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Worth The Investment - HBS & Wharton & Booth Admit
    4 years ago
    Harold was instrumental throughout my MBA application journey. Harold truly takes the success of his students as his own. I was shocked by the amount of dedication and energy he brought to presenting my application in the best light and his belief (and support) in me to finish all my application in round 1. From start to finish, Harold provided timely, constructive, and supportive opinions when reviewing my essays. I ultimately received admission to 3 of 3 MBA programs I applied to HBS, Wharton, and Booth (with a fellowship of over $100k). I could not have done this without Harold!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Excellent Consultant: Empathetic & Knowledgeable
    4 years ago
    I've been working with Harold for over a year now, and couldn't be more grateful for the support he's provided. From the get-go, he listened to my interests and passions and helped me find the unifying thread that brought that all together into a strong story. Harold is incredibly knowledgeable about different schools, the application process, and career paths. He has opinions about different programs, which is refreshing. He is able to balance making space for your own needs and desires while sharing his genuine thoughts. Having his expertise helped me feel stable within this opaque process. What I appreciate the most about Harold are his patience and empathy. Applying to an MBA program can be an anxiety-filled and emotional process. Through it all, Harold was ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Great Listener / Brainstormer
    4 years ago
    Harold was a great listener who helped me get to the heart of my story. I came in feeling fairly confident about executing my app (actually writing it), but wanted to make sure I got the story right. Harold helped me digest all my past experiences and synthesize them into something cohesive. In addition, he was a great resource to bounce ideas off. That perspective really helped steer the course for my whole application, which I found tremendously helpful and confidence-inspiring. In the end, I was admitted to Wharton with a healthy scholarship.
    Oliver Spalding
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A Great Mentor, Very Knowledgeable & Trustworthy
    4 years ago
    From my very first conversation with Harold, I knew he was the perfect mentor to guide me through the physically and emotionally draining MBA admissions process. For reference, I come from an extremely over-represented cohort. What really stood out for me was that he "listened" to my entire story for the first 15 mins and took into consideration all that I had to say before sharing his thoughts on how I should position my application. All the other consultants I had spoken with tried to force-fit my story into a certain profile type even before I had the chance to explain the nuances in my story. Working with Harold during the actual application process was also a breeze. He was very responsive and would provide ...
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    Rohan Dcruz
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Experienced Mentor, Insightful Motivator, & Awesome Friend!
    4 years ago
    I only had one month left to write my essay before the application deadline. I was so fortunate to have Harold to go through the process with me. Harold can understand my profile quickly and transform it into a story that appeals to the admission committee of my dream school. Whenever in doubt, I can always arrange a call with Harold and e-mail him. His quick response and accurate answer assure me that I did not waste my time and I was on the right track. The application process can be very stressful. However, there is nothing better to have a mentor, motivator, and friend like Harold who is dedicated to ensuring you have the best version of yourself in the application and get admitted ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Excellent Coach
    4 years ago
    Some admissions consultants pride themselves on attributes like "critical", "brutally honest", and "harsh". Harold stands as a refreshing contrast to these types: supporting your good ideas and candid in suggesting ways to improve. Harold was great at focusing on the fundamental parts that build an application: short-term/long-term goals, program-fit, etc. He was able tackle high-level issues like how is essay prompts are addressed rather than get bogged-down in minutiae. Overall, I'm very happy to have worked with Harold and would highly recommend.
    Martin Grady
    MBA Class of 2022 Waitlist
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  • A Mentor You Can Depend On
    4 years ago
    Harold is a consultant that you cannot afford not to use if you are serious about getting into a good MBA or EMBA program. I applied one month before the dateline for round 2 of an EMBA program with Sloan. If not for Harold's experience and insightful knowledge of the admissions process I will not have had the right strategy and approach to complete my admissions application to get into the program. Harold got me very focus on what I needed to do on my application and we planned each material I had to submit carefully so that I'm able to differentiate myself from the other applicants to the admissions committee. Harold is also very good with clients living in a different time zone. I ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Efficient & Motivating
    4 years ago
    I was referred to Harold by a friend and mainly needed help with my essays. As a non-native English speaker and someone better with numbers than words, essay writing has never been my strong suit. Luckily, I found Harold. Harold is very efficient and well-organized, which makes him a great pleasure to work with. All his suggestions and comments were direct and to-the-point. He was also very motivating. I knew exactly which schools I wanted to attend and didn't want to apply to 'safe schools' simply for the sake of it. Harold understood my situation from day 1 and fully supported my decisions. Whenever I feel unsure about myself or my decisions, Harold would motivate me with his wealth of knowledge. I highly recommend Harold ...
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    Chengxuan Zhuang
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Great Coach!
    4 years ago
    When Harold and I first started working together my story was a mess. Harold helped shape the storytelling to highlight my key strengths, mitigate some of the weaknesses and - most importantly - make it more personal. I am really happy about the end product. I would like to highlight that Harold went above and beyond to help out. I had very little time and Harold's swift turnarounds meant that I could get it out of the door in time!. Thank you!
    Felix Lienau
    MBA Class of 2021 Applicant
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  • Incredibly Knowledgeable, Helpful & Compassionate
    4 years ago
    Harold was an absolute pleasure to work with. He was organized, straight forward and insightful. He gave candid pointed feedback which was helpful in getting my essays to the finish line. I felt that Harold genuinely cared about the process and was a great support system through a very stressful time.
    Eric Goldstein
    MBA Class of 2020 Applicant
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  • Couldn't Have Done It Without Him!
    4 years ago
    I got a late start to the MBA application process after spending more time than I had planned preparing for the GMAT. Harold helped me stay on track for round 1 by helping me prioritize my top schools and created a plan that enabled me to get all applications done on time. The most difficult part of the process for me was finding the time to write essays with a busy work schedule. Harold was instrumental in helping me organize my essay topics so I could make the best use of my time. He encouraged me to keep sending him drafts even when far from perfect form. Harold’s insightful feedback and knowledge of the application process led to a final product I felt confident submitting. ...
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    Michael Koniares
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A Needed Mentor, Insightful & Direct
    4 years ago
    Harold was a fantastic mentor and consultant throughout the MBA applications process. Coming from Private Equity, I knew I needed to have a unique story to stand-out amongst the other, plentiful finance applicants. Harold helped me hone my life story to something concise and digestible for the AdCom. He often provided insights and suggestions that were the exact catalysts I needed to round out my application. I applied to a handful of schools and Harold was able to give me unique feedback on each that helped put my applications "over-the-top". I would definitely recommend and use Harold again.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Got Into My Dream School - Thank You, Harold!
    4 years ago
    I always wanted to do an MBA, but I had a lot of weak points in my application: low quant score on my GRE, several gaps in my work experience, a non-traditional background that wasn't very analytical/quantitative, etc. Despite these challenges, Harold worked with me to pull out the best and most impressive parts of my story, and I ended up getting into every school I applied for + some with scholarships. I can't recommend Harold enough!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Thank You, Harold!
    4 years ago
    When I realized this year my only real shot at business school, I knew I couldn’t risk overlooking anything in this very delicate process. With a below 3.0 GPA and a good but not great GMAT score, I knew I needed someone to guide me through the MBA process. From the initial brainstorming session with Harold, I knew I had made the right choice. Harold helped me identify the key strengths that made me unique and valuable to the schools I was applying to. The faster I worked, the faster he responded. He was always attentive to my concerns and hesitations, and I appreciated his quick responses to my emails. If I had a quick question, I would often receive a response in minutes! Harold is very ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • A Must if You Are Considering a Top MBA!
    4 years ago
    Harold has been an indispensable resource for my application journey to HBS. The time and care that Harold spent to understand my candidacy was above and beyond my expectations and was instrumental in providing tailored advice that took my application to the next level. His holistic understanding of the MBA application process, his unparalleled knowledge of each program and the time spent knowing my strengths and weaknesses were crucial for my success. I would have not been accepted to HBS without his counseling, guidance and overall direction. A must if you are serious about applying to business school.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Harold was Great!
    4 years ago
    I found Harold via referral. I was mostly looking for help with my essay, as well as polishing off a few other areas of my application. Harold delivered on everything I hoped for and more. After giving him what I wanted to get out of an MBA, he told me what my realistic chances were for getting into some of the programs I was looking at. He even recommended a new program that I hadn't thought of and ultimately became the program I decided to go with. Harold was extremely helpful in the essay component of my application. He helped me workshop a few different themes until we found the one that was right. During my interview, the admissions officer referenced specific elements of my essay which ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Can't thank Harold enough!
    4 years ago
    Quick background: I am a 35 years old candidate with a traditional work experience (finance/investment). I first applied to B-schools about 5 years ago using a “consultant” who only worked with me on the essays. I applied to HBS, Stanford, Wharton and UC Berkeley. Dinged from ALL of them without an interview! I had a low GMAT (620) and my essays (in hindsight) were weak. I attempted the GMAT multiple times without success, so I decided to sleep on it for few years. This time around, I did an extensive research on consultants, including various interview calls. Some of them are highly ranked with extensive experience. Many of those highly-ranked consultants tried to persuade me to only apply to top 30 schools, international schools (outside of ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Harold Simansky - a hidden gem at mbaMission
    4 years ago
    It was July 2019 when I started thinking about getting an MBA. I didn’t even know what GMAT was back then. I changed career to a completely unrelated field 2 years ago, so I had no idea how to get my story straight. 5 months later, I was successfully admitted to my top choice M7 school by round 1. It was all because of Harold’s encouragement and guidance. Harold has his own method and system to bring out the best story to tell. I came from technical and non traditional background and over-represented demographics. From our brainstorm call, he asked questions that helped me identify unique stories throughout my life to write about which I probably would have overlooked if I were to do this myself. ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Recommend!
    4 years ago
    This is my 2nd time applying. I've work with a consultant when I first applied two years ago, so I am able to compare my experience. Harold really stood out in two ways 1) Clarity - Harold has helped tremendously restructuring my stories in more concise ways for readers. He doesn't just tell you it is not working; he suggests here is how it may work. 2)Encouraging - Harold made the application process less stressful and more positive. He delivered his comments in a positive but constructive way.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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