You’ve decided you want to graduate school, and start making a list of tasks.
- First, figure out which schools you might want to attend, and add yourself to their mailing lists
- At the same time, start prepping for the GMAT/GRE.
- Get a copy of your undergraduate transcript(s).
- Consider all possible recommenders and select a few to approach.
- Put together a schedule to ensure that you don’t miss deadlines.
Somewhere in there, you will start hanging out on forums, thinking they will be a great resource (a topic for a future post). At which point you may realize that (1) everyone else who’s applying is at least as qualified as you are and (2) a lot of applicants are working with consultants.
You ask yourself two questions:
How do you know if you need a consultant?
How do you select the best possible fit for you?
The answer to the first question is a topic for another post. The answer to the second question: you start sending emails and making calls. After you’ve established rapport with one or more counselors, start to probe. Following are some questions that should be on your list.
- Who will be your main point of contact? Although the website may feature names and bios of people with extensive admissions experience, in reality most of your time may be spent with someone who has no more experience than you do. In some situations, you will be assigned a coach who was just admitted to grad school. The coach may be able to empathize with your ordeal but will have few insights into the programs and no experience with admissions, other than as a client of that consulting firm
- If the consultant assures you that an experienced admissions professional will be assigned to you, ask about the professional’s hour caps and other limits. Clients are often not informed of these limits, and then wonder why they have almost no contact with the expert.
- Who will be helping with essays, and does that person have a professional background as a writer/editor?
- Also ask about responsiveness. You may find yourself working with someone who has a regular day job, and who will have to juggle job responsibilities, business travel, other commitments…and you. When you’re down to the wire and you need an extra push to meet a deadline, it’s no fun to realize your coach has gone AWOL.
Take advantage of the free consultations — everyone offers them. Ask your questions, and don’t shy away from the tough ones. It’s your money. It’s your life. You deserve value for your investment.
