When I first heard about Aringo, I was intrigued by its promise to help MBA applicants get into prestigious business schools. With extensive experience in MBA admissions consulting, I decided to learn more and evaluate whether its offerings lived up to the promise. Surprisingly, I found a mixed bag; while Aringo.com presents a shiny image of itself and its products, the reality of dealing with this service may not line up.
Now, I explain why I think Aringo may not be the ideal investment for your MBA path.
Pros & Cons of Aringo
The following summarizes the current state of affairs with Aringo MBA admission consulting.
| ✅ Pros | ❌ Cons |
| Aringo employs consultants who have graduated from top MBA programs such as Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. | Since Aringo specializes in top MBA programs, their clients often compete against similarly high-achieving applicants. |
| The firm has a strong history of helping clients gain admission to elite MBA programs, often with scholarships. | While Aringo offers different service levels, the comprehensive packages can be expensive. |
| Aringo offers tailored services that adapt to the individual needs of each client. | The most experienced consultants may have limited availability due to high demand. |
I wouldn’t suggest Aringo to people who are serious about attending top MBA schools. The service price is too high for what you get, and the advising style focuses more on marketing than helping each client succeed. You should look at Admissionado if you want real value and an expert who gets what you need. Spend money on a service that will give you the personalized help you need instead of wasting it.
What Are the Main Admission Consulting Services of Aringo?
Aringo claims to offer a comprehensive set of services aimed at getting you into top MBA programs. They cover everything from school selection, essay editing, resume optimization, and interview preparation. In theory, this sounds like a one-stop-shop for MBA hopefuls.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
Aringo advertises its MBA consulting packages as highly customizable, catering to applicants with varying needs and levels of assistance. They offer different service tiers, from a basic hourly package to more comprehensive options like their “Full School Package.” At first glance, this variety seems like a great advantage, allowing clients to choose what they need.
How Customizable Are the Packages?
However, I believe the customization Aringo claims to offer is more superficial than it appears. The different service levels essentially bundle basic elements — like essay editing, resume reviews, and interview prep — without providing much more value than expected.
For example, their “Full School Package,” which should theoretically include personalized essay guidance, often feels generic and formulaic. Clients frequently receive advice that seems recycled from one applicant to the next rather than tailored to their unique story and goals.
A Closer Look at the Comprehensive Packages
The “Full School Package” is marketed as an all-encompassing solution covering every aspect of the MBA application process. But, as I’ve observed, these packages often lack the depth and personal attention you expect for the price.
The so-called personalized services may fall short of expectations, leaving you with standard feedback that doesn’t necessarily give your application the standout edge it needs.
Who Is on the Aringo.com Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
Aringo touts a team of consultants who are graduates from top schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton. On paper, this sounds impressive. However, as I know from general practice, having an elite degree doesn’t always translate to being a great consultant.
Several of their consultants seem more focused on using their credentials as a marketing tool rather than genuinely engaging with each client’s unique story. This approach can leave you feeling like another name on a long client list rather than someone with individual goals and aspirations.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Aringo offers additional services, like a “Chances Calculator” and access to their “MBA Application Resources.” Here’s what you’ll find in their extra services:
- A “Chances Calculator” that gives a rough estimate of your chances based on limited inputs.
- Access to general MBA application resources, including articles and tips.
- Some additional tools for school selection and basic application planning.
However, these extras are nothing you can’t find elsewhere for free and often of better quality. For example, their “Chances Calculator” is overly simplistic and doesn’t account for the nuanced factors that admissions committees consider. As I see it, these extras are more about making the service seem comprehensive than providing something useful.
Do They Have Any FREE Services?
Aringo’s free services are limited and, frankly, underwhelming. They offer a free initial consultation, but it’s more of a sales pitch than a genuine attempt to assess your needs. The brief consultation focuses more on convincing you to buy their services than providing actionable advice.
Other free resources, like blog posts and articles, are pretty generic and don’t go beyond the basics you could easily find with a quick Google search.
Their Pricing and Guarantees
While they offer a range of packages, from hourly consultations to full-school support, the cost can quickly add up, especially if you opt for one of their more comprehensive plans:
- Hourly Packages. These start at $315 per hour, higher than other consulting services.
- Interview Preparation. $315 for one interview prep session and $600 for two sessions.
- Full School Package. This is their most extensive offering, costing up to $12,500 and including unlimited support.
Despite the high costs, the return on investment can be questionable, especially when compared to applicants’ results with MBA Exchange. While they offer a guarantee to continue working with you if you don’t get into one of your target schools, this promise comes with limitations.
For example, this guarantee may only apply if you’ve purchased one of their more expensive packages, and it often isn’t as straightforward as it sounds when you’re in the midst of the application process.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
I noticed a mixed bag when I researched reviews on Trustpilot, Reddit, and other forums. There are some positive reviews, but the negative ones paint a worrying picture. Common complaints include poor communication, cookie-cutter advice, and a lack of genuine investment in the client’s success.
One Reddit user even mentioned feeling pushed into a strategy that didn’t align with their personal goals because it was easier for the consultant to manage. These are red flags that shouldn’t be ignored.
Areas of Aringo.com That They Should Work On (Their 5 Worst Sides)
Think about the problems that many clients have reported when considering using Aringo’s services:
- Over-promising and under-delivering. They market themselves as elite, but the service can feel generic and impersonal.
- High costs with questionable ROI. The services are expensive, but the value doesn’t justify the price.
- Inconsistent consultant quality. Just because someone attended a top school doesn’t mean they’re good at helping others get in.
- Poor communication. Clients often report that getting timely, meaningful consultant responses is hard.
- Lack of genuine customization. The “personalized” services often boil down to a one-size-fits-all approach.
Given these issues, Aringo may look powerful initially, but its service may not meet expectations.
FAQs
1. What Is the Cost of Aringo Services?
Aringo’s pricing varies depending on the level of support you choose. Hourly packages start at $315, while comprehensive packages like the “Full School Package” can cost between $5,200 and $12,500.
2. Is Aringo.com a Reputable Firm?
Yes, Aringo is a well-known name in the MBA admissions consulting industry. Its team of consultants has impressive credentials from top schools.
3. Can Aringo.com Guarantee Acceptance to the MBA?
No, Aringo cannot guarantee admission to any MBA program. They offer a guarantee to continue working with you if you don’t get into one of your target schools, but this guarantee has specific conditions and may not apply to all packages.
4. Is Aringo.com Worth It?
The value of Aringo’s services depends on your specific needs and budget. While they offer extensive support, the high cost and mixed reviews suggest that their services may not best suit everyone.
5. Is Aringo.com a Legit Company?
Yes, Aringo.com is a legitimate MBA admissions consulting firm with a history of helping applicants get into top business schools. However, potential clients should be aware of the mixed feedback regarding the effectiveness and value of their services before making a decision.