Picking the right consulting company is very important to getting into an MBA program. Because there are so many choices, you need to look into what each service offers before making a choice. This review concerns Vantage Point MBA, a consulting firm that claims to take your application process to a new level.
Based on my experience and real-life cases, I’ll investigate whether their big claims and high prices match the experience you’ll get. It’s not all going to plan, so be warned.
Pros & Cons in Short
No service is perfect, and Vantage Point MBA is no exception. While it has some strengths, it falls short in several areas.
| Pros | Cons |
| Vantage Point MBA offers tailored consulting services, including in-depth profile assessments and strategic planning. | The services are expensive, with all-inclusive packages starting at $7,900 for one school. |
| Clients of Vantage Point MBA are accepted to top MBA programs at a rate three times higher than average. | The process is thorough, requiring 6-9 months of preparation. For applicants who need faster results, this timeline is a drawback. |
| The firm provides end-to-end support, from initial strategy development to mock interviews and essay editing. | Vantage Point MBA is best suited for those already committed to applying to top MBA programs. |
I believe that Vantage Point MBA provides some good services, but they are lacking in some areas. I’m unsure if I can fully recommend them because of the high price, lack of promises, and mixed reviews. Before going with Vantage Point, you might look at other options to get into a top MBA program. Different MBA consulting firms offer similar (if not better) services at a more fair price. These firms focus more on individual teaching and better client support.
What Are The Main Admission Consulting Services of Vantage Point MBA?
I believe VantagePointMBA.com offers a range of admission consulting services that seem comprehensive at first glance. They cover everything from strategic planning, essay editing, and resume adjustments to mock interviews and recommender preparation. These are pretty standard offerings in the MBA consulting world. Still, they claim to go above and beyond by offering an “Adcom Trial Run” and an “incremental fit review” for highly competitive programs like HBS and Stanford GSB.
I know from general practice that most reputable firms like BeMo Consulting offer similar services, so this isn’t groundbreaking.
What’s Included in Those Packages?
When it comes to their packages, Vantage Point MBA divides their offerings into several categories:
- Comprehensive school packages include unlimited support and guidance for the number of schools you select. Your consultant walks you through each stage of the process, ensuring that every step optimizes your chances of success.
- Amplify hourly packages are for applicants who need targeted support. These packages are offered at four levels for specific aspects of the application process.
- A pre-pack 5-hour package is ideal for those getting a head start on their applications or wanting to test the waters with Vantage Point’s services. This package includes a customized strategy, profile analysis, and support for career goals and story development.
- The seed stage package targets applicants 1-3 years before applying. This package helps build a strategic profile with quarterly goal-setting, coaching sessions, and unlimited Q&A access.
- The re-pack for those who have faced rejection from one or more MBA programs. It includes reviewing the rejected application, providing feedback, and having a Q&A session with a consultant.
It sounds great, right? But as I know from general practice, most top consulting firms will offer you the same thing. And they’ll do it without the hefty price tag that Vantage Point MBA attaches to their packages.
Who Is on the VantagePointMBA.com Team?
Vantage Point MBA boasts a team of consultants who have either graduated from top MBA programs or have worked in admissions at elite schools. It might sound impressive, but let’s be honest. Just because someone went to a top school doesn’t mean they have the coaching skills to guide others through the process.
In fact, as someone who’s been around the block a few times, I’ve seen cases where consultants at MBA Exchange deliver far better results simply because they’re more invested in their clients.
Do They Offer Any Extra Services?
Aside from the basics, Vantage Point MBA offers a few extra services, like Slack channel access for ongoing advice and collaboration among its consultants. In theory, this sounds like a nice touch, but how useful is it in practice? From what I’ve seen, most applicants seek direct, one-on-one advice rather than trying to navigate group discussions.
Do They Have Any FREE Services?
When it comes to freebies, VantagePointMBA doesn’t stand out. Yes, they offer a free initial consultation, but that’s pretty standard across the board. Many other firms provide more value upfront, like free webinars, resources, and tools to help you understand your chances before committing to a paid service.
Their Pricing and Guarantees
Here’s where things get tricky. Vantage Point’s pricing is steep, to say the least. Here’s a quick breakdown of their packages:
- Comprehensive packages – $7,900+ (unlimited support across all application areas).
- Amplify hourly packages – $2,945+ (6 to 12 hours of targeted consulting).
- The pre-pack – $2,625 (5 hours of early-stage consulting with the option to upgrade).
- The seed stage package – $2,000/year (profile building 1-3 years before applying).
- The re-pack – $695 (2 hours minimum for rejected applications).
I’ve seen Admit Advantage offering similar services for far less, and they don’t compromise on quality. As I know from general practice, paying more doesn’t always mean getting more. And with Vantage Point MBA, there are no guarantees. If you don’t get into your desired school, that’s just too bad — no refunds, no guarantees.
Their Professionalism in Terms of Reviews Available Online
You’ll see a mixed bag if you look at reviews on sites like Reddit. While some clients rave about their experience, others point out that the service was not worth the price.
A few reviews even mentioned feeling rushed or that their consultant was unresponsive during critical stages of the application process. In my experience, these are red flags that shouldn’t be ignored. It’s one thing to be pricey, but another to be expensive and not fully delivered.
Areas of Vantage Point MBA that They Should Work On
Here are the top five aspects VantagePointMBA needs to improve to justify its premium pricing and reputation.
- High Pricing Without Guarantees
The cost of their services is prohibitive, especially considering there are no guarantees of success.
- Lack of Personalization
Despite their claims of providing a highly customized experience, some clients have reported feeling like they were just another number in the queue.
- Inconsistent Communication
Several clients have mentioned that communication with their Vantage Point MBA consultants was slow or inconsistent, particularly during critical stages of their application process. Given the stakes involved, this is simply unacceptable.
- Overemphasis on Credentials
While having a team of consultants from top schools is nice, it doesn’t always translate to better coaching. The value of practical, hands-on experience is sometimes overlooked.
- Limited Free Resources
Compared to other consulting firms, Vantage Point MBA offers few free tools or resources to help potential clients gauge their readiness before committing. Unfortunately, this company falls short in this area, with only a standard free consultation that doesn’t add much value.