With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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With acceptance rates at top MBA programs ranging from 7% to 20% and recent studies showing that over 50% of MBA applicants use an MBA consultant, the cost for competing begins early in the MBA pursuit process and has steepened dramatically. This advice comes at a steep price, though: the average hourly rate for admissions consulting is $280 / hour, or almost $9,000 for a five-school “comprehensive package”.
We at the Harbus continue to leverage our access to current HBS students to compile resourceful guides – including advice, essays, interview questions, and post-interview reflections from successful candidates – at an affordable price, as a means of leveling the playing field for HBS applicants. While our products have most greatly benefited those applying to HBS, they also apply to applicants applying to all of the other top business schools. Recently, we crossed paths with Maria Wich-Vila, an HBS Alum (’05) and entrepreneur who is also passionate about lowering the financial barriers for all MBA applicants looking to remain competitive against their peers, without emptying their savings account. Her interactive online MBA admissions platform, ApplicantLab, starts at just $249, which is thousands of dollars less than most other traditional MBA consulting services. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her path to entrepreneurship, the inspiration behind her company, ApplicantLab, and how ApplicantLab continues to benefit MBA applicants. We even managed to extract some insight into life at a startup.
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Alula Eshete (HBS ‘17): So how did you come up with the idea for your startup, ApplicantLab?
AE: For those who are unfamiliar with the service, what is ApplicantLab, exactly? Is it an online course, or a series of advice articles, or an e-book? MWV:
AE: How does it differ from other admissions consultants?MWV: The short answer is price. The reason consultants charge so much is because it truly is a very time-intensive process to work with someone, one-on-one. You need to ask them about their background, give them tips for dealing with weaknesses, brainstorm story ideas, reject the weak ideas, organize the strong ideas, etc. This process is, understandably, expensive.
AE: But wait – if someone follows the steps in ApplicantLab, are their essays going to sound like someone else’s?MWV: No. This is something we’ve been very thoughtful about. Part of what I wanted to achieve via interactivity was to avoid a “one size fits all” advice approach by mimicking the same process consultants use. This is, again, why the idea of simply creating something passive like some “e-books” or a “video course” didn’t sit well with me. And, to be clear: the software at no point actually “writes” anything for you. It’s a guide to help you uncover and express your best stories, but there is a lot of freedom in how you do it. We tell you which key points to make, to fully answer the question, but how you tell it is up to you. Keeping things in your authentic voice is vital.
AE: What keeps you up at night?MWV: Other admissions consultants can be selective and turn away weak or difficult candidates, or actively encourage candidates with sub-par profiles to apply to less-selective schools. I’m not currently doing that. I’m not turning anyone away. The good news is, since I currently charge a flat-fee in the platform, regardless of number of schools applied to, I can be really honest with people when they ask me what I think about their chances. That is, I don’t have any incentive to falsely encourage them, since it’s not like I’m going to make an extra $1,200 for each extra school I persuade them to apply to. If anything, I have an incentive to be very blunt.
AE: In all honesty, did you use an admissions consultant when you were applying to HBS? MWV: No; there was no way I could have afforded one. Even if I could have though, I’m not sure I could have justified it to myself. I ended up lucking out because a major deal I had been working on in my job was suddenly shelved the August before I applied. With my job unexpectedly and temporarily in a lull, I was able to hustle and self-study for the GMAT (thankfully, a generous friend from college lent me her prep books), and then I spent a couple of months reading every article and message-board posting I could get my hands on. The main branch of the Hong Kong library had one copy of one book about MBA admissions at the time. It was in the reference section, so I couldn’t even check it out – I had to spend several Saturdays re-reading it and taking a million notes. I literally did not spend a penny on preparation, but again, I lucked out with a slow patch at work that did give me the luxury of time. Unfortunately, these circumstances aren’t the norm for most MBA applicants.
AE: ARE THERE DIFFERENT WAYS to use ApplicantLab? Can someone still use it and hire an Admissions Consultant?MWV: Absolutely. Someone could just access the software as a “DIY” tool, and then get additional guidance from friends or from another consultant. In addition, for a modest additional fee, they can get feedback from an ApplicantLab consultant, who can see all of their information in the system and thus have a more efficient, productive call. Due to client demand, we’re also starting to offer additional feedback, mock interview packages, etc., with the condition that someone use the software first. This is vital to keeping things efficient!
AE: Very interesting! This is some great food for thought for our readers. On behalf of the Harbus community, thank you for your time!MWV: Thank you, it was my pleasure! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- In closing, we at the Harbus would like to thank Maria for sharing her time, experiences, and her groundbreaking ApplicantLab software. We wish her continued success in her quest to level the playing field for MBA applicants on their respective paths to business school. For more information on Applicant Lab*, you can visit //applicantlab.com/ or reach out to Maria directly at maria@applicantlab.com. *For a discount on your ApplicantLab download, use the Promo Code: HARBUS10 As always, the Harbus HBS Essay Guide and Admissions & Interview Guide are both available on the Harbus website (www.harbus.org), along with the latest articles on HBS news.
Good luck (and guidance) on your business school applications!
ApplicantLab is an official partner of The Harbus News 2015-2016
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