Menlo Coaching is often rated as one of the best MBA admissions consultants in the industry. They cater to candidates who want to attend the most prominent business schools and have a reputation for offering highly customized and thorough options.
In this review, I’ll offer my thoughts, based on my significant expertise in MBA admissions consulting, to assist potential customers in making an educated decision about whether Menlo Coaching is a good fit for them.
Pros & Cons of Menlo Coaching
Like any other service, Menlo Coaching has advantages and disadvantages.
| Pros | Cons |
| Menlo Coaching offers unlimited revisions and consultations so clients can refine their applications to the highest standard without worrying about extra costs. | The comprehensive and personalized services come at a premium price, which might be prohibitive for some applicants. |
| With a low client-to-consultant ratio, Menlo Coaching provides highly individualized guidance. | The coaching process is thorough and demanding, which can be helpful but also hard and take time. |
| Many clients have reported significant success in gaining admission to top MBA programs such as Harvard, Wharton, and MIT Sloan. | Due to the low client-to-consultant ratio, there may be limited spots available. |
Menlo Coaching provides a thorough and possibly helpful MBA admissions consulting service but also has some problems. It might not be the best fit for everyone because of the high cost and the pressure to follow their strict process fully. You might want to consider it if you work well under pressure and have the money to make the effort. You might want to look at other choices if you’re on a tight budget or would instead use a service that gives you more free resources immediately.
So, I think Menlo Coaching is a good choice, but you should carefully consider the pros and cons before deciding on your best MBA admission consulting service.
What Are The Main Admission Consulting Services of Menlo Coaching?
In my opinion, Menlo Coaching offers a wide array of services tailored to MBA applicants aiming for top business schools. They pride themselves on providing comprehensive support throughout the application process, from writing essays to preparing for interviews. The key selling point here is the “unlimited” nature of their support, which means clients can reach out as many times as needed for help with their applications.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
Their services include school selection, career goal crafting, resume perfecting, essay writing, and mock interviews. These elements are pretty standard across the industry. Still, Menlo Coaching sets itself apart with its “unlimited” offerings, meaning clients can access as much help as they need without worrying about additional fees.
One key feature that Menlo Coaching emphasizes is its personalized approach to each client’s application. The process is about creating a narrative that resonates with the top MBA programs. Here are the core services included:
- School selection. Helping you choose the right schools that align with your career goals.
- Essay writing. Unlimited revisions for writing essays that tell your unique story.
- Resume perfecting. Ensuring your resume highlights your most relevant achievements and experience.
- Mock interviews. Like Stacy Blackman Consulting, they prepare you for the interview process with detailed feedback and strategies for improvement.
However, from working with clients in general, I know that some might find the “unlimited” part very helpful, especially if they need a lot of help making their applications. Some people might not see it as valuable, especially those who are more independent or have a better idea of what they want.
It’s also important to note that even though the service is theoretically endless, experts may be unable to help you if they have too many clients.
Who Is on Their Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
Menlo Coaching boasts a team of experienced professionals, including MBA graduates from top schools, former admissions officers, and seasoned consultants. While this might sound impressive, it’s worth noting that simply having an MBA or experience in admissions doesn’t automatically translate into effective coaching.
The real question is whether these professionals can effectively communicate and guide applicants through the complexities of the MBA admissions process.
For example, some clients have praised consultants like Leslie Monstavicius for their insightful advice and personalized approach. However, not everyone might find their assigned consultant responsive or attuned to their needs, which can be a drawback considering the high expectations of Menlo Coaching’s marketing.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Beyond the core consulting services, Menlo Coaching offers some extras, such as access to a proprietary Application Platform. This platform contains tools and resources to help clients manage their applications, including deadline tracking, essay prompts, and progress dashboards.
While these tools are helpful, they might not be a game-changer for an already organized person.
Do They Have Any Free Services?
Menlo Coaching doesn’t emphasize free services, which is disappointing. Most of their offerings are bundled into their comprehensive (and pricey) packages, so if you’re looking for a free consultation or some advice to get started, you might be out of luck.
In my experience, many competitors provide some free resources, which can be very helpful for prospective clients still in the research phase.
Their Pricing and Guarantees
Speaking of price, clients typically pay around $20,000 for their full-service package. The exact cost is determined after an initial consultation, during which the team assesses your specific needs, the schools you are targeting, and the timeline for your applications.
In addition to the full-service packages, Menlo Coaching offers specialized interview preparation. This package, priced at $2,500 for most schools, includes:
- A 2-hour communications training session.
- Two mock interviews.
- Access to a self-paced interview curriculum.
For applicants targeting Harvard Business School (HBS), the interview preparation package costs $3,000 due to the additional time required to create realistic, HBS-specific questions.
There’s also no guarantee of success like with Kaplan Test Prep, which is something to keep in mind if you’re considering shelling out that kind of cash.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
When reviewing reviews across platforms like Reddit, the feedback is generally positive, but there are some mixed opinions. Some clients rave about their experience, citing successful admissions to schools like Harvard and Wharton.
On the flip side, there are also mentions of the high costs and that not everyone finds the unlimited service as valuable as advertised. A recurring theme in the reviews is that Menlo Coaching expects a lot from its clients, which can be both a pro and a con, depending on your perspective and capacity to engage fully.
Areas of Menlo Coaching That They Should Work On
While Menlo Coaching has many strengths, it could improve in certain areas to better serve its clients.
🛑 Cost vs. Value
The pricing is steep, and while some clients feel it’s justified, others might find that the value doesn’t quite match the cost.
🛑 Limited Free Resources
They don’t offer much in the way of free content or initial consultations, which could be a barrier for prospective clients.
🛑 Inconsistent Experience
The quality of the consulting experience seems to vary depending on the consultant you’re paired with, which can be a gamble.
🛑 High Pressure
The intense “leave no stone unturned” approach might be overwhelming for some, especially those juggling work and application deadlines.
🛑 Availability of Consultants
Despite the promise of unlimited support, consultants manage multiple clients, and responsiveness can sometimes suffer.