What the Strongest Applicants Actually Do

There’s a misconception in MBA admissions that only candidates who are struggling or insecure seek out help from admissions consultants. That if you’re smart enough, you should be able to do it all on your own.

But here’s what actually happens:

The strongest candidates are the ones who are most likely to bring in outside expertise.

They know they have a shot at top programs, and they’re not about to leave things to chance. So they seek guidance—sometimes from multiple consultants—to make sure they’re telling the strongest possible version of their story.

What This MBA Candidate Did Differently

The last couple of weeks, I worked with an MBA candidate who got interview invites from both Harvard and Stanford. He came to me for MBA interview prep. It wasn’t until a few days later that he confided he worked with three different admissions consultants throughout the process. Not because he wasn’t strong enough, but because he was.

He had a "main" consultant and then worked with two different ones, including me, for his interview prep. He also heavily leaned on his friends at HBS and Stanford.

I wouldn’t necessarily recommend going to such lengths, but here’s the point: The best candidates think like the best leaders—they leverage expert support to maximize their outcomes.

Creativity Can’t Be Scheduled in 30-Minute Blocks

But what really struck me in our conversation was when he told me that my approach is very unusual. Not because I do anything radical, but because I don’t put limits on the brainstorming and exploration process.

He was happy with his consultant, but their process allowed for only two 30-minute sessions to identify the right vignettes for his MBA essay. After that, he turned to ChatGPT to refine his focus. That caught me off guard—not because ChatGPT can’t be helpful, but because, for the amount of money he was paying ($11K for two schools), he was essentially left to figure out the deeper connections on his own.

And when he needed quick help after an unpleasant surprise in his Stanford GSB interview? He reached out to me, not his “main” consultant. He said by then he knew I respond quickly and with care.

Partner vs. Service Provider

In my work, I don’t just edit essays or tweak resumes. I work with my clients as a thought partner, helping them create applications that they are truly proud of.

That takes time. For months before the deadlines, I meet with my candidates weekly. We brainstorm, heartstorm, dig deep, and iterate—again and again. I don’t just say “do this” or “don’t do that.” I explain, from firsthand experience, how their choices will be perceived and assessed by the actual AdComs—the people making the decisions.

In the end, we create applications that capture their strengths, their vision, and their potential in ways that stand out.

And when applications stand out, they don’t just get admits—they get options.

Options like multiple M7 offers. Options like multiple full ride scholarships. Options that let them choose, rather than just hope to be chosen.

When you become one of my clients, you become my cause. Like this MBA candidate who didn’t just get in—she got into 7 top MBA programs with multiple full-ride scholarships.

👉 Read her story here.

But You Don’t Need a Consultant for Every School!

Now, here’s something that many candidates don’t realize. Getting expert support doesn’t have to mean paying for someone to hold your hand through every single application. That can be prohibitively expensive.

One of the biggest misconceptions I see is the idea that if you work with an admissions consultant, you need to package for every school you’re applying to. I never encourage that. In fact, I tell every candidate the same thing: no one should start with more than a three-school package.

Why? Because when you do the foundational work right—when you develop a clear career vision, sharpen your key stories, and create a strong first set of applications—you don’t need to start from scratch every time. You can repurpose and refine, which means you’ll be even stronger for the schools where you go it alone.

Some of my clients start with a one-school package. Just one. They get expert feedback on their strategy, build a rock-solid foundation, and then apply that thinking across the rest of their schools. And guess what? They still end up with M7 admits and large scholarships.

But If Even a 1-School Package Is Out of Reach...

I know MBA applications are already a major investment, and not everyone has the budget for 1:1 consulting. Having grown up in a developing country where the cost of the admissions test itself was a quarter of my monthly salary, I get it. That’s exactly why I created MBA ABC—a high-impact, no-fluff program designed to give you the strategy, structure, and feedback you need at a fraction of the cost.

You’ll get personalized resume and essays review, live coaching, real AdCom perspective, and a community of serious applicants, all led by a former Dean of MBA Admissions (that’s me!)—so you can apply with confidence, even on a budget.

👉 Check it out here.

Are You Giving Yourself the Best Shot?

If you’re starting your MBA application journey now, ask yourself—are you giving yourself the best shot?

At the end of the day, MBA admissions is a competition.

Are you putting yourself in a situation where you’re competing against candidates with more resources, more strategic guidance, and a stronger execution plan?

Onwards and upwards,

Petia

P.S. Come speak with HBS, Wharton, MIT, and SO.MANY.MORE schools at one of the MBA Tour Events. 👉 Register now - they are all free!