As someone with years of expertise in college admission advising, I’ve seen the good, bad, and ugly of the field. When finding the best MBA admissions consultant, it is critical to consider your alternatives thoroughly. Personal MBA Coach is a well-known brand, but can it live up to its promises? Here’s my view, based on my experience and what I’ve seen in their offers and customer comments.
Pros & Cons of PersonalMBACoach.com
Before we get to the basics, let’s quickly go over the pros and cons of this service.
| Pros | Cons |
| Personal MBA Coach provides highly personalized services based on applicants’ backgrounds and ambitions. | Some applicants might find the cost of Personal MBA Coach’s services prohibitive. |
| They offer full support, from essay editing and resume development to interview preparation and waitlist strategies. | As the founder, Scott Edinburgh’s time may be limited due to high demand. |
| With a history of helping applicants gain admission to top MBA programs like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, Personal MBA Coach has a strong track record. | Applicants targeting less competitive programs might feel that the services are more tailored to those aiming for elite institutions. |
Personal MBA Coach, in my view, offers certain advantages, particularly if you want to attend a top-tier MBA school. However, given the exorbitant fees, lack of assurances, and particular worries regarding the quality of individualized guidance, I feel better alternatives are available. If you hire an MBA admissions consultant, you should ensure you receive the most value for your money.
Personal MBA Coach may be worth considering. However, I suggest extensive research and investigating different consultants before making a final choice.
What Are the Main Admission Consulting Services of the Personal MBA Coach?
Personal MBA Coach offers a range of services aimed at helping students get into top MBA programs. Scott Edinburgh, an MBA graduate from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania, founded this company. They cover the essentials — essay editing, resume review, interview prep, and strategy development. If you’re aiming for schools like Harvard, Wharton, or Stanford, they claim to be the go-to service. But, from my perspective, there’s more to consider before jumping in.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
When you opt for one of Personal MBA Coach’s packages, you get a bundle of services designed to guide you through the entire MBA application process. Here’s a breakdown of what’s included.
🔶 Strategic Planning and School Selection
Like Admit Advantage, this company starts with a comprehensive planning phase. They help you identify which schools align with your career goals, profile, and personal preferences.
🔶 Essay Editing and Brainstorming
One of the core services is essay support. They offer extensive brainstorming sessions to help you generate impactful stories that resonate with admissions committees. This is followed by multiple rounds of editing to polish your essays to perfection.
🔶 Resume Review
Your resume is your first impression, and they ensure it’s a strong one. PersonalMBACoach provides detailed feedback and revisions, highlighting leadership, impact, and career progression.
🔶 Interview Preparation
The interview prep service includes mock interviews that mimic the real thing. You’ll receive feedback on your performance and tips to improve your answers and overall presentation.
🔶 Application Review
Before hitting submit, they review your entire application package to catch any errors or inconsistencies. This review helps ensure everything is in tip-top shape when it reaches the admissions committee.
🔶 Waitlist Strategy
If you find yourself on a waitlist, they don’t abandon you. Personal MBA Coach helps you strategize how to strengthen your candidacy and improve your chances of being admitted off the waitlist.
Who Is on Their Team (Are They Knowledgeable Enough)?
Scott Edinburgh, the founder, is the face of the company, and he’s got a solid background with an MBA from Wharton. However, I know from general practice that the founder’s involvement in day-to-day consulting can be limited.
The rest of the team comprises former admissions officers and MBA graduates, which sounds impressive. However, some clients have reported that they expected more senior consultants to work directly with them but ended up dealing with less experienced staff.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
They offer GMAT and GRE tutoring, which is an excellent addition to boosting your scores. But, I believe you can find more focused and effective tutoring services elsewhere, especially if you need a specialized approach.
Do They Have Any Free Services?
Personal MBA Coach doesn’t offer much in the way of free services. They have a blog with tips and occasional webinars, but you might be disappointed if you’re looking for substantial free content. As I know from other consulting firms, many provide free initial consultations or detailed guides, which can help you decide whether their services suit you. Personal MBA Coach’s offerings in this area feel a bit thin.
Their Pricing and Guarantees
Personal MBA Coach’s pricing reflects their extensive services but is also on the higher end. Here’s what you can expect:
- Single school package starts at $6,750, and packages with Scott Edinburgh begin at $11,750.
- Discounts are available for multiple schools, with costs decreasing per school as you add more to your package.
- A portion of the fee is typically required upfront.
- The remaining balance can often be paid in installments, providing some flexibility.
One thing to note is that PersonalMBACoach offers no guarantees or refunds like BeMo Consulting. The high costs can be daunting, especially considering there’s no promise of success. This lack of a refund policy may make some prospective clients think twice, as you’re essentially taking a financial risk without any safety net.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
When it comes to reviews, the picture is mixed. On Trustpilot, there are quite a few glowing reviews, but on Reddit and other platforms, you’ll find some critical comments as well.
Some users have mentioned feeling the service was more about selling than genuinely helping them through the process. Others have noted that the advice they received was generic and not as insightful as they’d hoped, which is not what you want when paying a premium.
Areas of Personal MBA Coach That They Should Work On
Before making the final decision, consider these grey areas of PersonalMBACoach.com:
- The pricing is steep and feels like a risky investment without guarantees.
- While Scott Edinburgh is well-qualified, the interaction with him might be less than expected, with most of the work done by other team members.
- Compared to competitors, they don’t offer much free content or consultations.
- Some users have reported that the advice felt generic and not tailored to their needs.
- Focus on Top Schools: If you’re not aiming for the top MBA programs, the services might not be as relevant or helpful for your needs.
While the services provided are comprehensive, the high price tag and lack of guarantees are significant factors to consider. If you’re working within a budget or investing a substantial amount without a guarantee of success, it makes you uneasy.