Harshad Mali

mbaMission

Chicago, Illinois

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9.94

Consultant Bio

With an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, a BE in mechanical engineering from the Government College of Engineering in Aurangabad, India, and an ME in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the Illinois Institute of Technology, Harshad Mali has enjoyed a successful career as both an engineer and an entrepreneur. In addition to having worked in design and product development within the automotive industry for the truck manufacturer Navistar, he has traveled extensively in Europe, Asia, and South America to evaluate and create supply chains for critical hardware. After graduating from Chicago Booth, Harshad co-founded a consulting start-up to address the operational and product commercialization challenges faced by small- and medium-sized manufacturing companies. His corporate and entrepreneurial experiences have given him valuable insight into the various career paths MBAs pursue. An avid mentor and coach, Harshad has participated in university career fairs, discussing professional goals and career paths with graduating students, and has also freelanced as an MBA essay consultant.

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: Chicago, Illinois, United States

Email: info@mbamission.com

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

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Clear, Thoughtful, & Effective - Highly Recommend!
    2 months ago
    It was amazing working with Harshad with mbaMission and well worth the effort and resources. I came to him with a seemingly impossible task of a week turnaround time for an application, start to finish, but he was more than up to the challenge and approached each step of supporting me with brainstorming, essay strengthening, resume revision, and interview preparation with clear, concise, relevant, comprehensive, and manageable steps. He was direct and upfront with telling me when I had good content but needed significant work to present it in a much clearer way and that aligned more in what the schools are looking for. He provided a good balance of a challenge to work hard to strengthen my application in very applicable and tangible ways ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Clear, Direct, & Thoughtful!
    2 months ago
    By the time I met with Harshad, I had applied to 4 different schools, with fairly dismal results (3 rejections, 1 waitlist). While I thought I had a fairly good story, Harshad clearly spotted areas that could have been perceived as "weak" on my application and other areas that needed to be either fleshed out more or highlighted. When tackling my weaker areas, he always kept a can-do attitude and continuously encouraged me through the application. When stumped over an essay point, Harshad got me on a call and we worked through the essay prompt and brainstormed ideas for me to use! Harshad was never afraid to tell me what he really thought, and I appreciated that immensely, even when I had to choose between ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Highly Effective & Great Individual To Work With. Definitely Recommend!
    2 months ago
    As a reapplicant, I knew I needed to take a different approach, and Harshad was instrumental in helping me achieve that. He worked closely with me to refine my story, identifying the key aspects of my life that would resonate with admissions committees. His insight into crafting a clear R1 and R2 strategy was invaluable. Despite my struggles with the GMAT, Harshad never wavered in his belief that I could meet my target schools' requirements. His unwavering support kept me motivated. Ultimately, I was accepted into both Kellogg and Wharton. Harshad's true strength lies in his deep understanding of the essay prompts. He has a unique ability to break them down and reveal what the schools are really looking for. This insight allowed me to answer each ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Effective, Direct, & Efficient: Harshad Is #1
    3 months ago
    During my initial consult with Harshad, it was clear to me that he had deep and valuable insights into the admissions process. I began my MBA journey unsure about my prospect of admission into a top program. My undergraduate background was less than stellar, with an average GPA from a state college, few extracurriculars, etc. Harshad quickly identified a path forward for us to craft a compelling admissions story. He essentially took the work and academic experiences I shared with him, and presented them in a way that gave a far more favorable view of my candidacy for MBA programs. Additionally, Harshad is an expert at identifying the parts of an essay that won't resonate with admissions positively. Every word of my admissions essays were intentionally ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Fantastic Experience With Harshad
    4 months ago
    I originally attempted to go through the process on my own but after doing a handful of free consultations with different firms, I decided to work with Harshad. He was fantastic to work with helping me craft my personal story and prepare for interviews with schools. Ultimately, working with him led to an outcome I'm thrilled about and would highly recommend him to others.
    Class of 2026 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • HIRE HARSHAD
    5 months ago
    I will start by saying that Harshad and the mbaMission team / resources are phenomenal. For a bit of background, I began my MBA journey one month before R2 application deadlines. I explained my situation (MBA needed for next step in my career and targeting top 3 program). Without hesitation, Harshad agreed to the challenge and adapted his ‘typical’ working style to me. We immediately got to work crafting a story that would best position me for target school. At the same time, I needed to secure a better test score. Harshad introduced me to a private tutor and showed me how to position application around score. Throughout the process, Harshad frequently made himself available to provide feedback and discuss application strategy (even through the ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • The Best Consultant One Can Ask For!
    5 months ago
    I was a bit late into the application game, as GMAT took longer than I had expected, but also I frankly didn’t know where to start the application. When I reached out to mbaMission, I got matched with Harshad, and I was lucky to snatch up the last spot for this application cycle. I had complete confidence in him, having read numerous positive reviews from previous applicants on various portals and websites. Harshad exceede my expectations. From brainstorming (crafting my overall story) to detailed edits and providing emotional support when Round 1 didn’t go as planned, he was there to guide, encourage, and help me push through. As a full-time professional, it was crucial for me to use my limited time efficiently for applications and ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Great Experience With Harshad
    6 months ago
    After trying to work on my application processes by myself and with non-professional resources, I decided to work with Harshad hoping the investment would be worth it. My expectations were exceeded, as the whole MBAMission structure provides so much clarity and working with Harshad was in the perfect point between personal engagement and professionalism. I am very grateful with him for the support and would highly recommend him, it is worth your while.
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Fantastic Consultant!
    6 months ago
    Harshad is a joy to work with. I applied only to MS/MBA programs and, given his engineering background, he was really able to identify how I could better frame the work I did as an engineer in ways the admissions committees would understand. Beyond that, I really appreciated his directness during our conversations. He has a fantastic sense of what parts of my story, background, and future interests the schools want to hear about as well as how to give feedback that elicits that in my writing. He was always willing to point out when he didn’t think an essay came across well enough and explained his reasoning clearly. I think his willingness to have conversations like these took my essays to the next level ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Do Yourself A Favor: Work With Harshad!
    7 months ago
    As a nontraditional applicant, applying to business school was a bit intimidating. When I first met with Harshad, I could tell right away that I wanted to work with him. He is skilled at and passionate about crafting a story that speaks to your unique strengths and is compelling to admissions committees. He is also very quick to respond to emails and often provides detailed and thoughtful feedback on the same day. With his guidance, I went from being lost and confused to getting into great schools! If you are applying to business school, do yourself a favor: work with Harshad!
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Absolutely The Best I Could Have Hoped For!
    7 months ago
    I remember telling Harshad mid-way during applications that I was very thankful I worked with him irrespective of the outcome. A few weeks later, receiving interview invites from almost all schools I applied to, we had exceeded my expectations. Today, after receiving an admit with scholarship from my dream school, all I can say is I am glad I worked with him. When I started the application process, I was anxious about applying in R2 as an applicant from the overrepresented pool of Indian consultants with an engineering background. While many admissions consultants either said "round doesn't matter" or "You have no chance", Harshad was honest in his views on the matter - presented facts, nuanced perspectives without judgement. I knew he was the right ...
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    Sreelatha Challa
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Incredible Consultant & Mentor
    7 months ago
    Harshad was an invaluable resource during my MBA application process. His knowledge of what each business school was looking for in particular and how to connect that with my professional experiences and post mba goals in a concise and elegant way, was critical in me being accepted into my 2 of my top schools: Fuqua (with scholarship) and Tuck. He also helped me get an interview with HBS but unfortunately, I didn’t interview well enough to gain admission. Harshad pushed me to write the best essays I possibly could and therefore put my best foot forward. Since Harshad and I were both engineers prior to business school, he has a personal understanding of the strengths and weaknesses I currently have, how I will add value to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Great Consultant!
    7 months ago
    It was great personality match for me. Responses were fast and got my admit into an M7! Harshad has amazing insights into crafting great admission applications.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • The Best Possible Consultant You Could Ever Hope For! - From A Female With No Engineering Background
    7 months ago
    Harshad was the best possible consultant, mentor and financial investment throughout my MBA application experience. I was debating using an MBA consultant as it is a sizable investment, but it was the most worthwhile money I spent on anything throughout the entire process from tutors to test prep classes to books etc. I ended up only having a month to submit 8 applications and I truly couldn’t have done it without Harshad. When I met with Harshad for the free intro session, he was the perfect balance of complimentary and realistic about my background and business school prospects. I bought a school package and it was invaluable as I leveraged him for everything including guidance on where I should apply, my resume, my essays, random ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Above & Beyond
    7 months ago
    Thanks to Harshad's masterful guidance in navigating the waters of MBA applications, I achieved successes that truly would not have happened otherwise. His expert grasp of every aspect of the process, from the GMAT to applications, interviews, and beyond, gave me all of the tools and preparation I needed. This allowed me to gain admission to my dream MBA program with the best possible applicant profile I could assemble. Besides being a master of MBA applications, Harshad is also an excellent communicator and conversationalist. He's insightful, a great listener, a candid advisor, and someone who thinks deeply about how best to position you for success. These qualities all really matter when you are spending hundreds of hours together working on something so personal. For someone ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Amazing Consultant!
    7 months ago
    Harshad was a fantastic consultant as well as a supportive mentor. He helped me successfully get into every school I applied to, including my dream school where I ultimately ended up, Duke Fuqua. Harshad not only helped me craft optimized, extremely high-quality applications--he also helped me with interview prep and served as a mentor in many positive ways. Harshad helped me believe in myself and my abilities, instilling confidence that shined through in my applications and interviews. Highly recommend!
    Henry Probst
    MS Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Terrific Consultant & Fantastic Experience
    10 months ago
    In my free consultation with Harshad, it was clear that his candid and honest feedback was a match with my personality. Working with Harshad was a fantastic experience. As an American engineer working in industry, Harshad helped me portray my stories in such a way that brought out my unique character traits and leadership skills, and in such a way that flowed logically and smoothly. Harshad is extremely organized and professional, always editing faster than promised and responsive to questions no matter the day or time. Harshad even went the extra mile when I was unexpectedly laid off from my job a couple of months before applications were due, by serving as a mentor in the process of finding another job that would tie into ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Awesome Experience - Got Into Almost Every School I Applied To
    1 year ago
    Harshad was an amazing guide and mentor throughout the application process. He was kind, supportive and encouraging, and I would not have gotten into any of my schools without his confidence in me and my abilities. Highly, highly recommend him.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Best Investment - Highly Skilled Consultant & A Great Mentor!
    1 year ago
    Choosing to work with Harshad has been a blessing. From the start, he was genuinely interested in my story and believed that I could be admitted into a top school, even though I didn’t have quite the same conviction. He is thoughtful, patient, detail-oriented and direct. Of all his qualities, I most appreciated his respectful directness, as it enabled us to have an open and honest dialogue which increased our efficiency and improved the quality of my application. Harshad’s belief in my candidacy instilled a sense of confidence I hadn’t previously exhibited. His unique introspective style challenged me to dig deep and create a compelling narrative for my essays, while also helping me realize why I want to truly pursue an MBA. This, coupled with his ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • The Best MBA Admissions Consultant
    2 years ago
    Working with Harshad was the best decision I ever made. He not only understood the admissions process but also genuinely believed in my potential. His faith in my ability to get into a top school, even with the GMAT score I had, was the push I needed to believe in myself after speaking to many other skeptical consultants, who told me my chances are very limited. Harshad's expertise helped me find my unique story, which I believe was the key to making my application stand out. His ability to patiently listen and ask thought-provoking questions enabled me to dive deep into my experiences and aspirations, eventually crafting a compelling narrative that resonated with my target school. I must also highlight Harshad's deep understanding of my ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • The Best Mentor You Could Hope For
    2 years ago
    Choosing Harshad as my consultant during my MBA application process has been one of the best investments I have made for myself in my life. I started my applications fairly late and I don’t know what I would have done without his help. At the start of the application process, I was a little lost, overwhelmed, and intimidated. I quickly decided that I needed a consultant to deliver the best possible application that reflected who I am. From my first phone call with Harshad, I knew he was the right person to help me get into my dream schools. From the start, he helped me really hone in and focus on my story to show business schools why I was worthy of a place in ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Best Consultant For Veterans!
    2 years ago
    As a member of the military, I knew that applying to top MBA programs would be a daunting task. That's why I reached out to Harshad and I can confidently say that it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. From the outset, he took the time to understand my background and unique experiences, and helped me to craft an application that truly reflected who I am. Harshad provided expert guidance on every aspect of the application process, from selecting the right schools to crafting compelling essays and preparing for interviews. As a military applicant, I appreciated their deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities that come with serving in the armed forces, and their ability to help me communicate the value of ...
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    Andrew Walker
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Best Consultant I Could Have Wished For!
    2 years ago
    Choosing to work with Harshad was one of my best decisions yet. I dreamt of attending an M7, specifically Sloan, but felt it was a far-fetched dream. From day one Harshad took incredible care in getting to know me as a professional and a person, and in doing so helped me understand where my true strengths and uniqueness lay. Such newfound knowledge was essential in creating noteworthy essays for the admissions committees, and eventually in presenting the best version of myself to my interviewers. I was impressed with the level of care he dedicated to my applications as he updated me on new research and ideas he thought of to improve my chances of getting interviewed. Other than being an incredible source of knowledge, he ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Best Consultant - Hands Down
    2 years ago
    Harshad is the best consultant you can hire. From day one, he was very attentive to what my goals were and guided me very precisely in my application process. He really has a great eye for detail and a unique skill to understand your strengths to mold them into good responses for the application questions. It is very clear that he cares for his candidates because he takes a lot of time to understand your story before pointing out the major points to help you put your best foot forward. Harshad is very organized, highly methodical, and structured in his approach. If you work with him and follow his suggestions, you will see positive results -- I'm sure of it. His direct feedback approach ...
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    Nihar Desai
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Exceptional Mentor You MUST Have
    2 years ago
    I was confident Harshad would be the best consultant from the very first conversation I had with him. I started R1 applications fairly late and Harshad was BEYOND helpful through the entire process. With a no-name undergrad and an okay-ish GRE, I was very tentative about how I would do it, but Harshad was fantastic in the way he helped me craft my MBA story and bring out my merits through my work experience. He has a fantastic knowledge of what the adcom at each school is looking for and is very structured in how he approaches essays. But even more so, his feedback is incredibly incisive and helps you highlight your strengths while giving great mitigations for weaknesses. Mock interviewing with him prepares you for ...
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    Heena Dabke
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • You've Found The Best Consultant
    2 years ago
    Harshad was not only my mentor through this process, but he would also become a friend. It becomes abundantly clear while working with him that he cares about the person as well as the results. He was deeply invested in helping me achieve admission into the school of my dreams. I was accepted into my top choice program as a result and would recommend him to anyone applying to business school. Specifically, I chose Harshad because of his knack for telling nontraditional stories, as mine was not your typical business school application. He took on the challenge with enthusiasm. He put in the time and energy to learn about me and thoughtfully helped me craft my story in a way that was polished and effective. His ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Knowledgeable & Trustworthy, Harshad Is An Incredible Mentor & Friend
    3 years ago
    Harshad is truly one of a kind. His abilities as an amazing MBA consultant start with the genuine care he has about your life, your career, and your pursuits in the short and long term. Through the questions and discussion Harshad and I had, I felt he truly understood my background, the academic, professional, and personal decisions I had made in my life, how important an MBA was to me, and how these all fit into the story of my life. Because he took the time to truly understand who I am, Harshad helped me tell extremely compelling stories about my life and make them shine in my application in ways that I couldn't have done on my own. From full-length essays to short answers, to ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Not Just A Consultant, But A Mentor & Friend
    3 years ago
    From my initial free consultant with Harshad, I knew I had found the consultant I wanted to work on. As a prospective dual degree student, I was looking for a consultant who would be able to help me navigate through the application process for both programs, and went through many initial consultants with various MBA consulting companies. Harshad was realistic with my strengths/weaknesses and school choices, and encouraged me to look at potential programs I had not even considered. It was very clear to me that Harshad was the consultant I was looking for - somebody with emotional intelligence, honesty, and an ability to see one's story from just a 15-minute chat. Using the hourly plan, I was afraid that I would not be able ...
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    Annie Eng
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • A Decision You Won't Regret!
    3 years ago
    As a South Asian woman with below-average standardized test scores and years of work experience, I knew that achieving my dream of attending a top MBA program would be an uphill battle - that’s where Harshad came in. Harshad helped me navigate the extremely daunting task of applying to top MBA programs and was there to support me every single step of the way. Harshad is extremely organized, highly knowledgeable and tremendously structured in his approach with all his clients. In addition to being a fantastic editor, Harshad has a deep understanding of what admissions committees look for and helped me craft a very compelling story that highlighted my strengths and mitigated my weaknesses. I genuinely appreciated his direct feedback on my essays and at ...
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    Misha Faraz
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Trustworthy Coach For M7
    3 years ago
    Having Harshad on my side during the application process was key - I don't think I would've received an admit into my top school without his guidance. While his perspectives on crafting my resume and identifying schools were very helpful, his expertise really shone in selecting and crafting the stories that were highlighted in the essays. His ideation process is very methodical and it was where he helped me identify which stories to best convey my story. His tremendous knowledge of each school's qualities and what they're looking for was astounding. There were so many occasions when after I thought an essay was finished, Harshad would review and push me to submit the best possible version of myself. His turnaround time and review quality are ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Stop Looking
    3 years ago
    I highly recommend working with Harshad to help you with your business school applications. Through his help and a long few months, I got into GSB, Wharton, and Booth! I actually started a little late (in November) for Round 2 deadlines but Harshad was more than up for the challenge. He set expectations upfront - we knew going in this is going to be an uphill battle. From the onset, it was clear that Harshad was highly organized and methodical in his approach. Harshad is definitely not someone who will beat around the bush and/or sugarcoat. He is direct but thoughtful which is the exact duo you will need while going through this process, especially when you get to a point where every day matters. I did ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • In Good Hands
    3 years ago
    Harshad was instrumental to my success. I worked with him through mbaMission's 3 school package. Not fitting the typical mold, I was very apprehensive about how to portray myself appropriately to the admissions committees. Harshad was recommended to me because he had the "heart of a storyteller". When we first spoke, his emotional intelligence stood out amongst other qualified professionals I had interviewed for advisory. I was convinced he was the right person to guide me. In October, I was overwhelmed with what to do. I was full of questions, but Harshad was prepared for all of my inquiries, even scheduling time with me during nights and weekends to accommodate my full-time work schedule. He always responded to my questions promptly. His responses were ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Honest, Responsive, Knowledgeable
    3 years ago
    Harshad was very helpful through my MBA application process. As a chemist with 8 years of work experience, Harshad used his own engineering background to position my story for success in the business world. I hired Harshad on an hourly basis and he was able to help me with essays from 5 schools as well as my resume without going over the allotted time. Ultimately, I was accepted at HBS, Tuck, and Haas. I believe Harshad helped me sharpen my story and he wasn't afraid to redirect my focus when needed.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • A True Mentor
    3 years ago
    Harshad was instrumental in helping me get into the MBA program of my dreams! His constant support, guidance, and positive attitude played a pivotal role in achieving my goals. The MBA application process is an extremely strenuous one - Harshad's positivity and humor really helped alleviate my stress. Harshad was always very organized, timely, and meticulous in his editing and helped bring my story to life in my essays. I was applying alongside my twin sister and we both clicked with Harshad and decided to work with him. He counseled us both but always made sure our individuality showed through our stories and essays. He helped us both get into our dream school. Overall, I just want to thank Harshad for all his help and support. ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Unwavering Support That I Couldn't Have Done Without
    3 years ago
    Harshad had been a constant support throughout the application process. I could really connect with him, as it helped that I and Harshad have one big common area of interest. Harshad never sugar-coated words and was forthright in truly reflecting what schools and programs I held the potential of hitting. This was a major help, as it narrowed the focus of schools/programs, and accordingly, the work was cut out. Harshad’s biggest contribution came in the form of decoding what the essays were asking and then suggesting structures in which to put together essay responses. That was able to help me put together my stories in the most fitting ways. On occasions of deadlines approaching, Harshad would without fail remain available to guide me at every ...
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    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • Major Value Add
    3 years ago
    As an Indian male with a below-average GPA, I was doubtful about getting into a top MBA program. However, working with Harshad completely changed my opinion. From the get-go, he was extremely transparent and honest. He candidly explained to me I come from an overrepresented demographic and will have to score an above-average GRE score to compensate. After receiving my scores we brainstormed the best fit programs for me. He helped me in selecting safety schools, par schools, and reach schools. He was an incredible value add here because he was very knowledgeable about each program and could speak to their different cultures and expertise. After choosing the programs we proceeded to brainstorm. He helped me shine a light on things that would differentiate me ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Harshad Is The Real Deal!
    3 years ago
    Having Harshad by my side during the MBA application process has been very critical: I do not think that I would have received an admission offer from my target school without his involvement. Harshad helped me craft my resume and my essays and got me prepared for my interview in a very efficient way. His tremendous knowledge about top-tier schools allowed me to craft essays that showcased my strengths and tied them with the school’s culture. One of the key challenges for me was to craft three essays and a resume in a two-week timeframe to apply in the early rounds of my target school. Harshad has been very reliable, well organized, and very reactive which allowed me to meet that goal. Also, Harshad does not hesitate ...
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    Yannick Dago
    EMBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Best Decision I Made!
    3 years ago
    Working with Harshad has been the best decision I took during this admissions cycle. I worked with Harshad through mbaMission's four school package and his work was worth every penny. Right from the first brainstorming session, Harshad has been extremely interested and passionate about my background and goals. As we went through my applications, he has become my most trusted advisor and even a close mentor. I can always trust Harshad to never sugarcoat any advice. This has consistently ensured that my applications were of the best quality. Working with him has also made me a better writer in general - even when I write reports at work, I find myself asking "What would Harshad say." Harshad has always exceeded his turnaround time and I am ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Harshad Will Bring Out Your Best Stories
    3 years ago
    I had decided to submit my applications early in the cycle and hence started researching and talking to consultants. I spoke with a few of the highest-rated consultants but the level of comfort I felt after my conversation with Harshad stood out. Considering the genuineness of the conversation with Harshad, I decided to work with him. Coming from a highly overrepresented demographic, I was worried about standing out as an applicant. Harshad understood my story very well and helped me bring out my uniqueness and my strengths. There were many occasions when I was satisfied with my content but Harshad felt we could do better and pushed me to submit the best possible application. Harshad’s style of reviewing documents and giving feedback is highly organized and ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Harshad Is Definitely The Best!
    3 years ago
    I had started my journey of applying to business schools with a different consultant from another company but didn’t achieve any tangible outcomes. After working with Harshad, I could tell the difference in the quality of work. From the first call, Harshad provided me with great advice on how to choose the programs that would best fit my career goals. I had a broad idea of what I wanted to achieve from a macro perspective, however, Harshad helped me figure out how to narrow down my goals and bring out my life stories. He helped me organize my thinking process and structure my applications holistically. He was always very honest with his opinion and never sugarcoated my work just to make me feel better until ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • 3.3 GPA & Poor ECs Makes M7
    3 years ago
    If you're anything like me, hiring a consultant seems a bit extra. I figured I could write decently well on my own, my resume was okay, and the interviews won’t be that bad. So why should I pay so much money for what I anticipated would be only marginal improvements to my overall application? Well, after working with Harshad, I can tell you exactly why. Essays: Harshad takes a deep look at your life story (personal and professional) to pull out the anecdotes that will resonate best with the AdComs. My instincts were totally off at first, but Harshad’s knowledge of each school’s specific essays saved me from writing about something that wouldn’t hit home. After that, every round of editing was thorough. Harshad does an ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Stop Your Search Now, Harshad Mali Is Your New MBA Admissions Consultant
    3 years ago
    Harshad was there for me in every step of the process, from explicitly choosing the schools with the best academic and social fit to getting interview invites from 3 M7 schools, and eventually, an admit from one. Given the reflective nature of the MBA application, I wanted to work with someone who genuinely understood my history and vision, i.e. I wasn't just another client for them. After talking to several consultants (who constantly suggested that I shouldn't aim for M7 schools), Harshad was the only consultant who highlighted the positive aspects of my applications during our first consultation. After that, it was an easy choice. He and I worked on five schools, and I eventually got into the school of my choice. Harshad believed in me, pushed ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Great guy and insightful feedback
    3 years ago
    Amazingly helpful and always willing to go the extra mile. Provided candid and useful feedback helped me get into a top school and waitlisted at the top school! Really beleive the pointers he made had a signficant impact on my applciaitons.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • I Couldn't Have Done It Without Harshad
    3 years ago
    From our very first phone call, Harshad was genuine, motivating, direct, and candid. With our common background in manufacturing, we immediately hit it off and I felt like I'd known him for much longer! Given my path to enter my family's business, he suggested a program that I ultimately am now attending. It would not only allow me to return to my family business on a faster timeline but I am now attending a program in the top 10 schools. He showed me how to highlight areas of strength that I didn't even recognize but also how to strengthen the weaknesses of my application as well. His direct advice on the path I needed to take in the next year pushed my application to the ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Direct, Motivating & Honest
    3 years ago
    I worked with Harshad on my MBA application this year for my first choice school, and I am glad to say that I got in and will be commencing my studies! Harshad has been direct, straightforward with his views and he never tells you something he doesn't believe in. This is an extremely useful quality to have in a consultant because you have limited time to apply and you need someone to tell you like it is, without any fairy dust sprinkled on top. Despite being straightforward, however, Harshad will still motivate you to do your very best. He has been a constant source of support, constantly motivating me to apply to even better schools. After my admit, we are currently also working on another application for ...
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  • Harshad Took My Application To The Next Level!!
    3 years ago
    Applying during the most competitive admissions seasons was excruciating. However, Harshad's constant support and honest feedback helped me to stay on track. Moreover, Harshad is very dedicated to his clients. There have been many instances when I was very close to the deadline and Harshad turned over his feedbacks even during weekends and holidays. Harshad is also very empathetic and that helps to bring out our originality when writing the essays. He also goes above and beyond in giving suggestions to schools that I applied to on my own. Finally, Harshad also showed genuine interest in my career goal and helped me to tailor my essays accordingly, and suggested I apply to schools that I hadn't even considered before talking to him.
    Nandakumar Sundararajan
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • You Will Not Regret This Decision!!
    3 years ago
    Harshad is one of those no-nonsense and to-the-point coaches that will help you level up your MBA apps. From the time we first spoke during the free consultation, Harshad was genuine and empathetic with me about my ambitions and how to turn them into reality. His feedback and editing work on the essays was by far the most value-added aspect of the consultation, which turned my VERY rough drafts into essays with substance, relevance, and flow. He is extremely adept at breaking down the essay questions and what the ad coms are looking for in response so that your essay responses are clear and concise. He will work with you to revise your draft as many times as you need (believe me as I needed ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • The Best Decision I Made During My Application Cycle
    3 years ago
    For me, obtaining an MBA degree from the nation's top credited school was my dream, and when you desire something so much, you have great motivation but the anxiety and fear of failing also reside throughout your journey. One thing Harshad told me during our initial interview that brought me a sense of assurance was that: "there is no guarantee for the admission, but if you could follow along with my guidance, we will submit the best application we can. " From that moment, I knew he is the right consultant for me. However, during our partnership, Harshad went above and beyond my expectation. His approach was very systematic, and he spends a lot of time learning about your personality, your highlights, and your distinctions ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Clear, Candid Feedback Makes Harshad Exceptional
    4 years ago
    Working with Harshad was a pleasure from the beginning. I met with Harshad on an initial call to review my profile, goals, and target schools. I immediately decided to work with Harshad based on the thoughtfulness, experience, and candor he demonstrated on our call. I worked with Harshad to improve my resume and to review essays for a number of applications to top-20 FTMBA programs. Throughout our partnership together, I was very impressed with Harshad's candid feedback, strategic guidance, and timeliness. First and foremost, Harshad is immensely helpful as a consultant because he is direct with his feedback. This saved me a lot of precious time as an applicant during the arduous application process because it allowed me to easily digest the review commentary and to make ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Trustworthy Coach For An Admit To M7
    4 years ago
    I have been admitted to Chicago Booth! Harshad was instrumental in coaching me to think through the entire application process. He helped me think through my approach to the essays that I submitted at the M7 programs I applied to. He also helped me prepare my CV and guided me in getting ready for interviews and work with my recommenders. Harshad helped me write my essays until I got to high quality while meeting word limits and time deadlines. Words, quite literally fail me, in sharing my gratitude for finding Harshad as a partner and mentor in my application process. He was always encouraging, always positive but at the same time very focused. He never failed to tell me when my writing was off the course. He ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • The BEST!
    4 years ago
    After speaking with many consultants, I decided to work with Harshad due to his direct and candid approach when tackling the Admission process. His guidance proved priceless right from the start with his thorough brainstorming sessions, which were strengthened by the constant back and forth exchanges to deliver my core and concise story. Harshad’s turnaround times were impressive, pushing me to work hard and efficiently in an attempt to keep up. Even when I thought I was almost done, Harshad found a way to effortlessly improve my essay’s structure to deliver a stronger message. With his guidance, I got admitted at my top choice - a top 10 US Business school! Look no further and hire Harshad for your MBA quest!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Working With Harshad Is One Of The Best Decisions You’ll Ever Make
    5 years ago
    I can honestly say I wouldn’t have made it through the MBA application process without Harshad’s help; he helped me to believe in myself when things were difficult, to craft the best stories for my essays and interviews, to come up with the best strategies to deliver results, and so much more. In the end, I ended up getting accepted to two of my top schools, and I was offered a full ride to one of them. I contacted mbaMission sometime in the spring (R2 applicant) as I knew I had to put my best forward during the application cycle as an older applicant (31-year-old); my initial call with a different consultant was eye-opening, I could not believe all the feedback I received in such short ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Highly Recommended
    5 years ago
    I hired Harshad because he had a background in Engineering and Product Management which matched my academic and professional background. I loved hearing Harshad's honest feedback on everything I said in the discovery call. He understood my background, my goals and gave me a reality check which helped me make a decision between applying for a Full-time vs Part-time MBA program. Once I decided which programs to apply, he helped me craft my Resume and Essays which were a big piece in my application. I always looked forward to his thoughtful, straightforward feedback which helped me craft compelling essays. Whenever I was stuck in the process, he took time from his busy schedule to call me and helped me move forward. With his guidance, I ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Exceptional & Highly Recommended
    5 years ago
    I started my journey with another consultant and somehow missed the connection. When I started the process with Harshad, I wasn't sure what I was looking for. Harshad understood my background and very patiently guided me through the self discovery process. My GMAT score was my bottleneck but he still helped me submit a strong application without discouraging me from applying but being true about my application weaknesses. He gave me candid feedback which not only helped me give my best shot but also made me learn through my mistakes throughout the process.I loved sessions with him and he was extremely flexible with my schedule. He was able to help me structure my thought process and approach which not only helped me during the application ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Highly Recommended
    5 years ago
    Harshad has this incredible ability to help me find my core message and articulate it concisely. He worked with me to peel back the layers of my story, patiently waiting for me to connect my dots and paint my perspectives. Not once did he shortcut the discovery process, which at the end of the day enabled me to bring my best and most authentic self to the table. At the same time, Harshad is not afraid to give thoughtful, clear, and direct feedback. Knowing that I had time constraints on my application, this approach was exactly what I needed. Every feedback I received, I immediately understood what I needed to improve and, most importantly, the reasons behind those improvements. Also, he was always on-time with responses ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A Sincere & Encouraging Consultant
    5 years ago
    Harshad helped me get through what ended up being a two-year process of applying for an MBA and I would not have got into an M7 school without him. I got the start to finish package, and deferred the first year due to having to retake the GMAT, and honestly, due to not feeling professionally or personally prepared. When I reconnected with Harshad last year to apply in R2, he was so encouraging by mentioning that he could tell that I had matured. During our first session, which ended up lasting three hours, I was able to unload everything that had happened in the past couple years and we were able to get a handle on the best areas of my application (short of essays ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • I Am Glad I Sought Harshad's Help
    5 years ago
    After some dismal results in the previous application cycle, I wanted some guidance and sought out professional help. During my 30 minute consultation with Harshad, we went over my choice of schools and some of my previous essays. Harshad gave me a clear analysis of where I had gone wrong and what I could do to improve my chances. His no-bullshit and can-do approach were just the things I needed and I decided to work with him. Harshad brought structure to my application process. He provided me with a lot of material about what to expect during the application process and also during and after my MBA. He helped me organize my thoughts and together we reasoned out which schools would be best given my background ...
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    Ameya Purandare
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Choose Harshad! Admitted To A Top 10 US School With A Sub-3 GPA
    5 years ago
    Coming into the MBA application process, I was confused and lost on how to proceed. Furthermore, with my subpar GPA, I knew I was fighting an uphill battle. Thankfully Harshad was there to guide me. 1. He is a great storyteller and will help you filter your essays into clear, concise, and interesting stories that highlight the values and achievements each individual school looks for. 2. He is transparent when providing his feedback to make sure that you are following the right path in your career goals, essays, resume, interviews, etc. 3. His in-depth knowledge of the end-to-end MBA application process is amazing, from brainstorming career goals, writing stories, and all the way to practicing for interviews. The application process is quite stressful with all the ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Hiring Harshad Changed My Life
    5 years ago
    Harshad is simply amazing at what he does. He gave me the confidence to put forth a high-quality application and was incredibly friendly yet constructive when he reviewed my resume and essays. With his guidance, I was admitted to my school of choice with a full scholarship, and I know that wouldn't have been the case without Harshad! I could go on and on but just trust me, if he happens to be available, hire this guy! There are none better!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Harshad is Exceptional!
    5 years ago
    It is with great pride that I give Harshad Mali my highest recommendation. There are 3 things you must know about Harshad: 1. Harshad knows the MBA process in totality. Harshad was able to answer all of my questions about getting an MBA. What GMAT score I would need, what my strengths and weaknesses were, what business school would fit me the best, and many more. He has expert-level knowledge. 2. Harshad will get the best out of you. Like all great consultants, Harshad does not change who you are, rather he tailors your unique application to put you in the best possible light. He knows what business schools are looking for and helps craft answers that "check all the boxes" ...
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    Christopher Boyce
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2020 Admit
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  • I highly recommend Harshad!
    5 years ago
    To start off, Harshad was very patient and honest when he conducted the 30 min free consultation with me, which made me decide to work with him. Harshad was very responsive to all my questions and did a great help to my applications, especially on resume and essays writings. I will not be able to get in a top business school EMBA program without his help! I highly recommend Harshad to everyone who needs help in their MBA/EMBA application.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Amazing Consultant!
    5 years ago
    Harshad’s help throughout the whole process was incredible and it was with his help that my application was as strong as it could be. Even though my age is younger than the average age of most MBA students, I was still interviewed by all the schools I applied to and got accepted into a top 10 school. I know I would not have been as successful without his help! His support is very strong and he is extremely good at breaking down and polishing your experiences to create a compelling message for admissions. As I have a technical job, it was through this that we clearly broke down my achievements so they could easily highlight my fortitudes for an MBA. Furthermore, as others have stated ...
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    Cristoforo Fernandez
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • You Will Not Regret Hiring Harshad
    5 years ago
    I was dinged from the 3 schools I applied to the previous year without interviews. This left me feeling unmotivated and unworthy of getting into a top program. Then Harshad entered into the picture. Not only did he help me get into the school of my dreams (one I was previously dinged from before), he helped to instill in me the confidence that I truly deserved it and was capable of getting there. Simply put, he believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. So, thank you Harshad. Thank you for the time and energy you put into helping me craft my best stories. Thank you for your patience in my emotional struggles. And thank you for helping me push my limits and get ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Hiring Harshad Will Likely Be the Best Decision You Make in This Process
    5 years ago
    Harshad's help was incredible and put me in a position to choose between offers from Top 10 schools. The application process can be long and grueling, but Harshad always gives it his all and his support turned all of the ups and downs into a truly rewarding journey. I don't believe I would have been as successful without his help, and here are his strengths to support why - 1) He is exceptional at distilling your experiences and actions into clear and compelling messages that can be understood by admissions committees. For someone who has a tendency to dive right into the complexities of situations, this was incredibly helpful. 2) As other reviews have stated, his feedback is concise, direct, insightful, and constructive. He ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Harshad is Hardworking, Passionate, & Caring.
    5 years ago
    Wow! What a hardworking consultant. Harshad will spend as much time as you need to make sure you feel 100% confident in your application/ interview/ whatever really! He does an amazing job at helping you dig deep to find your strengths and ultimately, your story. Harshad never once was late with an email or deadline and honestly exceeded my expectations in every area. Going into the process I was highly skeptical that a consultant would be necessary/ worth the money. After going through the process I keep recommending my friends to use a consultant/ Harshad specifically. I used a five school package for R2 and felt like the extra push from a consultant in terms of helping you spend more time on each app was ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Harshad is THE MAN!
    5 years ago
    Harshad was absolutely fantastic to work with! We started working together in the fall of 2018 when I was preparing for the GMAT. After failing to hit my target GMAT score three times (..or anywhere close to it for that matter), I was honestly ready to give up on my MBA dreams. But Harshad wasn’t going to let that happen. His constant support and encouragement kept me pushing through the late-night brainstorming sessions and essay writing when I worried it was all going to be a waste of time due to my low GMAT score. His very detailed and thorough questions allowed me to dig deep and discover my true story, which he then helped me tell in the most compelling way possible. After ...
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    Evan Land
    MBA Class of 2021 Admit
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  • A Friend & A Guide
    5 years ago
    I worked with Harshad given his top billing as a consultant and found him worth the acclaim. He was thorough with his essay- shaping skills: he helped me summarise my verbose write-ups into concise and sharp essays. He was also very perceptive in his interviewing skills. Though he is a tough task-master and very candid with his feedback, he rounds it up with his inherent goodness: he is a great friend to have as he is a very patient listener. His empathy towards my background and his moral support to me was a key factor in my success, especially when I hit a roadblock. I had a dream of getting into my dream school, and it looked like quite a quantum leap; Harshad helped ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Harshad Was Genuinely Invested In My Success
    6 years ago
    I worked with Harshad for the 2018-2019 application cycle, targeting the M7 schools. I had worked with other consultants before, so can speak to what makes Harshad different. One of the biggest challenges for me was telling a compelling story about my life, which I always assumed was “typical”. Harshad encouraged and helped me dig through my history, starting from early childhood, to help me understand myself better and understand the forces that shaped who I am. Harshad left no stones unturned and went far beyond “checking the boxes”. With his help, I was able to better understand my own story and present my unique person to the admissions committee. Harshad is responsive and direct and will tell you his honest opinion – he will not shy ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Excellent Service
    6 years ago
    I was referred to Harshad by another mbaMission consultant, who spoke highly of him. I used hourly services with Harshad since I needed help with certain aspects of my application, and without a doubt, it was the best decision. After my first two consultations with Harshad, I was impressed by his authenticity, honesty, and willingness to help me. He and I explored all areas of my background to come up with a clear, cohesive story. Harshad recommended a four-pronged strategy that became the foundation for my essays, considerably strengthening my application for the four schools that I applied. I applied in the January round, and I started my application in November of the prior year, leaving me about three months to complete my applications (I ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • The Perfect Coach For The MBA Application Process!
    6 years ago
    Right from the moment I started working with Harshad on my MBA application journey, he has always been there by my side and motivated me to bring out the best in myself and this helped me build a strong and authentic application - one which wouldn't have been possible without his support. Harshad treats your success as his own and this trait of his is evident through all his efforts throughout the application process. Harshad always provides constructive criticism and doesn't hold back from giving you his honest and straightforward opinion and this quality has helped me correct course numerous times be it while editing an essay or preparing for interviews. What makes him the best is that he is relatable! Whenever I have had ...
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    Class of 2021 Applicant
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  • My Search Ended With Harshad; So Will Yours!
    6 years ago
    Harshad and I were engaged in the Pre-Application Strategy package for a year. I still remember what I was when I had the first free call with him. And, I have seen tremendous improvement in me as a person since then and all because of Harshad’s guidance. We started by discussing my professional background, and he was very patient and interested in what I had to say. Then, he told me exactly what was good in my background, and what not so much. He told me I need to focus on my communication, extra-curricular, and present job responsibilities if I want to be a successful applicant next year. I always thought I had good communication skills, but Harshad won’t let you rest till you are ...
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    Vinay Gupta
    MBA
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  • Harshad Is Incredible!
    6 years ago
    Working with Harshad throughout the application process was extremely rewarding. I had a very unique and difficult timeline/situation, but Harshad worked with me through it all and supported me during each phase of the process. Harshad is an amazing storyteller; he was able to bring out my best qualities and help me put them into words to show the AdCom what I could bring to a program. He is able to do this because he takes the necessary time to get to know his clients and he is a diligent listener. Harshad was not just interested in my professional background; he cared about what motivated me, he asked questions about my family, my childhood, everything. Personally, my favorite aspect of Harshad was his honesty. As ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Can't Recommend Him Strongly Enough
    6 years ago
    When I first started the MBA application process, I was very confused and had no idea what admissions committees were “looking for.” During my initial calls with Harshad, it became abundantly clear that he was the person I needed to guide me through the process. He was extremely attentive to my concerns about weak points in my profile, and he could provide direct answers to all my questions about various schools, essays, etc. I could go on and on about my time working with him, but I think it’s best to highlight what I feel are a few of his greatest strengths. 1) He was a friend, not just a consultant. Harshad truly wanted to get to know me as a person. During our initial brainstorming ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Harshad Believed In Me & Helped Me Achieve My MBA Goals
    6 years ago
    To kick this review off, I will say that my MBA application season was an uphill battle. My undergrad GPA is sub-par (2.5) and I have no alternative transcript to mitigate it in any way. Additionally, I had only 3 years of work experience at a no-name tech firm. Every single consultant I spoke to before Harshad told me to trash my target list and look at part-time programs or lower ranked schools. However, I was determined to get into a full-time top 20 program and needed a coach to believe in me and help me achieve this goal. Harshad was exactly that and much more! Right off the bat, Harshad was blatantly honest with me and made sure I understood that I was punching above my ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Confidence Inspiring
    6 years ago
    Harshad and I started working together in August and he helped me through two rounds and applications to seven schools. I can honestly say this feat would have been impossible without him. Fundamentally, he is a warm and kind person who has just the right touch of honesty and pragmatism to keep you focused on what really matters. He is extremely efficient and is more than willing to help you under tight deadlines, which for me was crucial in round 2 where a number of deadlines were back to back. His approach helped me discover a lot about myself and he really pushed me to dig deep and develop unique and interesting ways of defining who I am within each school's vastly different essays. Harshad made ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Harshad Is Amazing!
    6 years ago
    The application process is awful, but you have to commit to it. It's nearly impossible if you don't have a support system that's pushing you, encouraging you and supporting you. Harshad is incredible. In the midst of all the self-doubting, he's there to remind you why you are embarking on this journey. He gets you excited about the prospects, and with it, motivates you to put your best application forward. He's incredibly wise and his advice has been unparalleled to anyone else I've spoken during this application process. He is able to shape your story in a way that makes so much sense that you wonder how you didn't come up with it yourself --- that's how natural it flows and that's a huge + ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Thanks, Harshad
    6 years ago
    Harshad's strengths are in listening to your story, pulling out the strongest elements, and then capturing that story within the school's word limit. Take your time with the brainstorming document - the more you can give Harshad about your story and your goals, the more he can help. Above all, he makes you feel like family and that he is rooting for you all the way.
    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Harshad Makes The Impossible Possible!
    6 years ago
    After a 30-minute free consultation call, I knew right away that Harshad is the person to partner with on my MBA journey. Harshad took the time to understand my background, both personal and professional, to assist me in identifying an impactful theme for my essays. Harshad’s honest, yet constructive feedback helped me perform deep introspections that led to crafting essays I never thought I could. His focus, analysis, and continuous comments challenged me to develop stronger versions of my story. His structured approach allowed me to finalize my essays way ahead of the schools’ deadlines. Although Harshad promises a two day turnaround period, he would usually get back to his clients in less than 48 hours. His dedication to his clients is unparalleled. Despite my lower than ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Confidence Boosting Consultant
    6 years ago
    This review is long overdue, which is somewhat fitting as my application probably would have been too if it wasn’t for Harshad. There is not a doubt in my mind that I would not have gotten into Chicago Booth if it wasn’t for him. In fact, I may not have even applied if it wasn’t for him encouraging me and giving me the confidence through all of my self-doubt. On a number of occasions after I made the decision to apply, I second guessed myself. Wondering if instead I should take some classes at the Graham school to show that my undergrad GPA wasn’t something the adcom needed to worry about, or if my lower end of the range GMAT and low quant score would ruin ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Harshad is a great MBA admission consultant
    6 years ago
    Harshad is a wonderful consultant for any kind of person. He is dedicated to drive out the greatest story from you and align your story with your strength in application. We talked for two hours during the kickoff session and framed up all essays, super efficiently. His excellent skills in essay editing will help you a lot in language especially if you are not a native speaker. He also helped me on my interview. He arranged a face to face mock interview since I am a local candidate. He pointed out my strengths and weaknesses in the mock and it greatly mitigated my risk to screw up real interview. I would highly recommend Harshad to anyone who is interested in any MBA programs.
    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • You Will Be in Great Hands
    6 years ago
    Applying to business schools can be a testing experience that requires a lot of self-reflection. I started using Harshad as a pay by the hour consultant to help tighten my stories. After working with him for a few sessions, I realized that I was going to need more help in coming up with my unique stories that would stand out in my applications. I upgraded to the full time package, and it was the best decision and money I spent in the application process. Harshad has a unique ability to connect with the people he works with. We have only communicated over the phone and email, but I found myself quickly trusting him. I opened up about events in my life that I have told few ...
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    - Will Bickford
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  • You only need to do one thing right… it’s hiring Harshad
    7 years ago
    Working with Harshad was hands down the best decision I’ve ever made. Since he would encourage me to “highlight the message early”, here’s the key takeaway from this novel of a review: Harshad will see you more clearly than you see yourself, and will hold up the mirror until you see what he sees. He’s genuine, invested, empathetic, ruthless, supportive, brilliant, honest, and kind. He is more than worth the investment, and you are making an absolutely massive mistake if you don’t hire him immediately. Okay now I’ll break it down for you: Statistically speaking, I was shooting far beyond my reach when it came to the schools I wanted to apply to. I spoke with a couple consultants before Harshad who encouraged me to either retake the ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Not just a consultant, a true mentor
    7 years ago
    I was a very confused MBA aspirant until I spoke to Harshad over the phone for the first time. Harshad spent a lot of time in understanding everything about me via a long brainstorming session. It wasn't just about career and achievements but also about who I am as a person. He then very intelligently guided me to tell my unique story in a finest way possible. He would review and let me update my essays a thousand times if it needs be till the time it looked like a true winner. I also wanted someone who can be direct with me and provide the correct feedback without any sugar coating, Harshad does it in his own style. More than a consultant, I always ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Harshad, the life raft I needed
    7 years ago
    Things you shouldn't do during the MBA application process: - Wait until 3 weeks before the deadline to start your essay - Not have schools picked out that fit your profile I took longer than expected to get my GMAT score to where I wanted it to be and as a result Round 1 passed me by and Round 2 was quickly approaching and I freaked out. It's been ages since I've applied to schools and I wanted someone to help me through this process. With only 3 weeks until Round 2 deadlines, many other admissions consultants said that it was impossible to do in such a short timeframe, which was totally understandable given the short notice. I was luckily paired with Harshad and he ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • A decision you won't regret!
    7 years ago
    Harshad was the first person from mbaMission I had reached out to for my free profile evaluation. I had not yet decided on taking anyone’s help. But by the time I finished my 30 minute discussion with Harshad I had already made up my mind. At no point during the call did he appear to cajole me into working with mbaMission. Far from it, his frank and unbiased evaluation of my profile and my chances at my target schools sounded more like a concerned mentor advising his student. He also evaluated my post MBA career interests and suggested me a list of consultants at mbaMission who represented those backgrounds and I ended up working with one of them. But as luck would have it, when ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Harshad! Great Consultant
    7 years ago
    I highly recommend Harshad to anyone looking for an admissions consultant. His support and guidance was critical to my success, and ultimately contributed to me getting accepted at both Wharton and Kellogg. Before I was connected to Harshad, I'd spent several months narrowing my list of schools, visiting, thinking about why I wanted to go to school, what matters to me, and what I wanted to do when I grew up. In December, I found myself planning to apply R2 having done a lot of thinking, but with no essays or concrete application progress made. After a 30 min "real talk" consultation with Harshad, I was off. With his support, I turned the many thoughts into compelling coherent applications. Highlights of the experience: - Harshad doesn't mince ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • There is a story in all of us.
    7 years ago
    Sharing that story is vital to sharing qualities and actions to admissions committees. I knew I was a solid writer, but not much of a storyteller. Nor did I think I had any story worth telling. Afterall, I'm an overrepresented applicant who had a steady upbringing and no apparent struggles through life. What compelling story could I have had to offer? I knew this was my challenge, and I knew an admissions consultant could help. But I was reluctant to work with one. I would read (and sometimes dismiss) the idea that a consultant could help you unearth stories that you would never think to showcase. Who knows you better than you? But it turns out that some of our most extraordinary life experiences don't ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Harshad made my MBA dream come true!
    7 years ago
    After being rejected from all the schools I applied to last year, I felt I needed some professional help to be successful and I’m happy I picked Harshad to guide me through this challenge. With his help I was able to secure 3 offers of admission from some of the top-10 schools with substantial scholarship $$$. He was incredibly helpful since the first 30 minutes consultation when I immediately appreciated his “we’ll make it happen” attitude. He was capable to identify the weaknesses from my previous applications and provided great insights to help me reflect on my achievements, redefine my career goals and strengthen my personal brand. The opportunity to work with a person who could deeply understand me on a personal level was fundamental to ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Harshad: Direct, Detail Oriented, Supportive, and Visionary
    7 years ago
    I originally chose to work with Harshad because he has a reputation for being detail oriented and unapologetically direct. I knew that if I wanted to put my best application effort forward, I would need to work with someone who was constructively critical, and consistently honest and straightforward with feedback. I was not disappointed – and while Harshad does exhibit all of those qualities, he is somehow able to concurrently be supportive and encouraging, as well. From the very beginning I was appreciative of Harshad's thorough nature, as he continually referenced details from my extremely lengthy intake materials. Similarly, I was struck by his ability to recall and suggest anecdotes that I had written about in previous drafts – even weeks or months later! Throughout ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Extremely Grateful for Harshad's guidance
    7 years ago
    Working with Harshad was very beneficial for me. He challenged me to get introspective on my own experiences to craft a great story for my applications. Like anything else in life- to do great work is going to be hard work. Despite having average scores at best, we worked extremely hard and I was able to accomplish my goal of getting into a top MBA program. As a reapplicant, I wanted to do everything I can to put out the best product and I am lucky to have Harshad guide me. He was a sounding board when I had any thoughts or questions from school selection on through the interview process. He was always available for quick calls and random questions that come up. I ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Believe me, he is unbelievably good...!!!
    7 years ago
    When I started doing my research on admission consultants, I was confused about many things - whether I should go with a consultant or not, which consulting firm to choose, which type of consultant to choose, which schools to target etc. After doing some more research and speaking to different consulting companies, I chose mbamission. I had my initial consultation with Dan and after hearing my story, he suggested that Harshad would be a great fit for me. Initially I was not sure about Harshad but did some research and agreed to have a second free consultation with him and that was the best decision I made to start my b school journey. After speaking with Harshad for the first time, I knew that he ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Excellent Process, Excellent Outcome
    7 years ago
    When I began evaluating consultants, I was looking for someone with a similar background to mine. On paper, Harshad and I could not be more different. Angela assured me that he is extremely talented, but I still had my doubts about whether or not he would be the right fit for me. Boy was I wrong. Based on my credentials, I was an underdog in the b-school admissions process. I had a number of prospective consultants break the news that I was a long shot for top-tier schools and they encouraged me to lower my expectations. Not Harshad. From the get-go, it was clear he was in my corner. Instead of trying to convince me to settle for lesser schools, he immediately focused on what ...
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    Class of 2020 Applicant
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  • Man Of The Year
    7 years ago
    Harshad Mali is incredible. With so many moving parts, I started my MBA journey scattered minded and overwhelmed. Honestly, I did not know where to start so I decided to get a consultant. After checking out the tops 3 firms, I settled on mbaMission because they showed a genuine interest even though I had a low GMAT score, which I significantly increased before applying to any school. During the consultation call Harshad and I hit it off and started immediately. Within one call we had a clear path to my goals. Harshad’s work on my essays, resume, and all the typical material needed to complete an application was top notch, as expected, but what really stands out is the support Harshad provides that one can’t ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Top notch service! @HarshadMali and @mbaMission
    7 years ago
    It has been amazing working with Harshad Mali from mbaMission! The quality of the service I received went above and beyond my expectations. I was very tentative about working with a consultant initially for two main reasons - Cost of the service, and I was concerned that the application would get heavily influenced by the consultant's writing style and personality. But these concerns were put to rest from the time I started working with mbaMission and Harshad Mali. The first big breakthrough happened in the Brainstorming session. Harshad made me talk about my story starting from early childhood, patiently listening for the most part, but every now and then asking me questions to make me think about why I reacted the way I did, and ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • I'm a fan
    7 years ago
    I never planned to pay for an admissions consultant - I just wanted to use the free calls to perfect my resume. But after many calls Harshad stood out to me. He didn't hit me with a sales pitch, he quickly responded to an email with follow-up questions, and most importantly he demonstrated an interest in and understanding of my profile that the other consultants didn't. A couple weeks before the R1 deadline I realized I needed help telling my story. I reached out to Harshad and, despite being fully booked, he agreed to take me on as a client. Working with him was as advertised: his emails were always on time (usually early) and the one time we ran into technical difficulties he responded ...
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    - jmccarthy91@gmail.com
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  • Harshad Mali helped me create the best version of my story
    7 years ago
    Harshad was wonderful to work with. He was prompt, direct and helpful. While I only purchased a few hours of his time, he spent time getting to know me and my strengths. I had a terrible first draft of one essay. Harshad was direct with his feedback and have extremely useful comments about how to improve and where I should focus my efforts. We had 4 rounds of comments, and each time, I feel that my essay significantly improved. He really encouraged me to dig deep into why I was applying to school, and politely told me which paragraphs were not value adds and recommended their removal.
    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Simply the Best!
    7 years ago
    From the very beginning of the experience, mbaMission treated me with exceptional courtesy and respect. After the free 30 minute consultation, I did a "fit call" with Harshad Mali- that call confirmed to me that Harshad was the exact right consultant for me. Things to know about Harshad: 1) Harshad has detailed knowledge of school statistics, and an understanding of broad admissions trends. Harshad helped me get my game plan together to apply to four schools in short order and provided me feedback on historical trends of acceptance rates by round, by school. He even gathered other consultant opinions on my resume; 2) Harshad will push you until you have a cohesive product that is the best representation of you and your story. Just a ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Great working with Harshad Mali!
    7 years ago
    Harshad took over helping me with my applications when his colleague went on paternity leave. He hit the ground running, was incredibly responsive, and helped me shape the final version of my Wharton essay in the 36 hours before it was due. I nearly started from scratch at that point, and Harshad was supportive and cool under pressure. He absolutely delivered. We went back and forth on many drafts, even in a short amount of time, and my Wharton application was ultimately successful. I thank Harshad for all his valuable inputs and editing.
    - Victoria Rau
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  • Harshad Mali = Lifesaver!
    7 years ago
    I worked with Harshad to apply for b-school in late 2016, and really appreciated all of his help and work! Due to taking the GMAT later than expected I had a short timeframe to get my applications done (about a month), and Harshad worked tirelessly in order to ensure that he provided advice quickly and efficiently. After undergoing the initial brainstorming for my applications, Harshad was able to analyze and boil down my various experiences in order to suggest an essay path forward that properly highlighted my best qualities to admissions. Even during a short timeframe (and over the holidays) Harshad responded almost immediately to every request or e-mail I sent. He was always available for a call in order to go through potential ideas ...
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    Class of 2018 Admit
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  • Harshad Mali - Extremely Valuable Consultant
    7 years ago
    Having never applied to a program outside my country (Pakistan), let alone a top global leadership program, I had little idea about where to begin with when I started thinking about applying to a business school. My initial thoughts were that a good GMAT score was all that was needed. It was not until I took 30-minutes free consultation session with Helen Summers from mbaMission that I realized that GMAT is just part of the whole story. She broke it to me that business school application consists of many parts that tell a coherent story together. She was also very honest in telling me that my age and my experience were not going to be attractive features of my application to a full-time program. However, ...
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    Class of 2017 Admit
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  • Harshad + mbaMission helped me get to my top-choice school!
    7 years ago
    I was connected to Harshad by Angela Guido, another mbaMission consultant and generally amazing human being whom I'd met through the Forté Foundation MBALaunch program. I'd had my sights set on attending Chicago Booth from the time I opened my first Manhattan prep book, and I knew it would be a challenging process. I come from a social impact background, and I knew I could really only afford a couple of hours of admissions support. Although I was applying to a number of schools, I decided to devote my time with Harshad to structuring and editing my Booth essay. A Booth alum himself, Harshad was incredibly thoughtful and easy to talk to, and before I knew it I was sharing my life story with him. ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Great services
    7 years ago
    I did a "fit call" with Harshad Mali- that call confirmed to me that Harshad was the exact right consultant for me. Some points from my own experience: 1) Harshad will push you until you have a cohesive product that is the best representation of you and your story. Just a week before the deadline, Harshad and I started my Emory essay over from scratch because my previous version was not developing strongly enough. This was the best possible thing he could have guided me to do, rather than moving forward with a weak concept; 2) Harshad always provided great feedback on my deliverable and questions within a day or two. Never late. He reminded me about the coming deadlines. He pushed me to complete ...
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    Class of 2018 Admit
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  • Great consultant
    7 years ago
    Signing up with MBAMission was very straightforward and I'm lucky I got paired with Harshad Mali. From our first 30 minute intro call, Harshad gave valuable insights to my overall profile. As an Indian Applicant, it is quite challenging to differentiate yourself from the applicant pool. I have a diverse background and in many different industries but Harshad understood my story right off the bat and really helped me come up with a coherent narrative that highlighted my strengths and uniqueness. Harshad is no BS consultant and gives honest, straightforward feedback. I worked with him on polishing my resume and essays for five schools and preparing for interview at a top school. Harshad was always prompt and on-time with his reviews and there was never ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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