Our BestAdmissionsConsultant.com Ranking:
Overview
Accepted.com is a top-tier MBA admissions consulting service ideal for applicants aiming for competitive programs like Harvard, Wharton, or INSEAD. They excel in personalized guidance, leveraging consultants with admissions committee experience. They’re great for crafting compelling applications but can be pricey, so budget-conscious applicants should carefully evaluate their needs. One thing to keep in mind is that they are a smaller firm, with 6 MBA dedicated consultants, which some applicants may like / dislike. They also position themselves as having a wealth of global reach if you are targeting international programs and support.
✓ Pros
- Expertise: Many consultants are former admissions officers or have extensive experience in MBA admissions, providing insider knowledge.
- Comprehensive offerings: Services include essay editing, interview prep, school selection, and application reviews, making it a one-stop shop for applicants.
- Flexible packages: Applicants can choose between hourly consulting or comprehensive packages, offering flexibility based on needs.
- High track record of success: Clients are accepted at rates 50% or more above average at top schools, showcasing their effectiveness.
- Diverse language support: Consultants speak multiple languages (e.g., Chinese, French, Spanish), which is beneficial for international applicants.
✗ Cons
- High Pricing: Packages start at $6,000 for one school and hourly rates are $360, making it less accessible for budget-conscious applicants.
- Methodical: Some reviews suggest their methods may feel formulaic and lack depth for highly unique profiles.
- Mixed Consultant Expertise: While some consultants are highly experienced, others may lack admissions-specific backgrounds.
- Limited Additional Services: They do not offer financial aid guidance or post-admission counseling, which some competitors provide.
- Restrictive Refund Policy: Their refund policy can disappoint clients if services fall short of expectations.
Other Ratings & Reviews
About Accepted
Accepted is a well-established MBA admissions consulting service with over 25 years of experience. Their consultants, a smaller team of six though some of whom are former admissions officers, specialize in helping applicants craft compelling applications for top programs. They offer comprehensive packages covering essay editing, interview prep, school selection, and more, as well as hourly consulting for targeted needs.
Pricing for Accepted is competitive but leans toward the higher end, with comprehensive packages starting at $6,000 for one school. This places them in line with other premium services like mbaMission and Square One Prep but above budget-friendly options like ApplicantLab. Their services are ideal for applicants targeting elite MBA programs who value personalized guidance and have the budget to invest in expert support.
Accepted’s strength lies in its tailored approach—clients work consistently with one consultant who becomes deeply familiar with their story. However, some reviews suggest their services may lack depth for highly unique profiles. They are best suited for applicants seeking structured, high-quality assistance to navigate the competitive admissions process while presenting themselves authentically.
For those who prioritize expertise and a personalized experience over cost or looking for international program guidance, Accepted is a strong contender in the MBA admissions consulting space.
Accepted Expertise & Track Record
Accepted’s MBA admissions team boasts impressive credentials. Their consultants have extensive experience, with over 80 years of combined service on admissions committees at top-tier schools. For example, Esmeralda Cardenal has 16 years of experience, including roles at Yale SOM and Michigan State, while Christie St-John has more than 25 years as an admissions director at Dartmouth Tuck and Vanderbilt Owen. These professionals possess deep insights into what makes a compelling MBA application.
In terms of program-specific knowledge, Accepted’s consultants are well-versed. They have a keen understanding of schools like Wharton, Columbia, and INSEAD, helping applicants tailor their strategies for optimal results.
Their track record is equally impressive. At many top schools, Accepted’s clients achieve acceptance rates significantly higher than the overall acceptance rate—often 50% or more above average. This is particularly notable given that top B-schools typically have acceptance rates around 10%.
If you’re seeking MBA admissions consulting with a proven track record and insider expertise, Accepted is certainly worth considering for your path to B-school success.
The Accepted Product Offering
Accepted’s MBA admissions consulting services are quite comprehensive, covering all aspects for aspiring business school students. They offer both comprehensive packages and hourly services, allowing you to choose between full support or targeted assistance.
Their full-service MBA Application Packages are robust. You receive school choice evaluation, essay strategy and editing, guidance on recommendation letters, resume critiques, interview preparation, final application review, waitlist support, and decision counseling. It’s akin to having a dedicated MBA application advisor.
For those seeking more focused help, Accepted provides a la carte services such as hourly consulting, essay editing, resume/LinkedIn services, interview prep, and waitlist strategy, to name a few.
One notable feature is their peer review system, where your work may receive multiple expert reviews at no additional cost. Additionally, they have consultants fluent in five languages besides English (Chinese, French, Hebrew, Japanese, and Spanish), which is beneficial for international applicants.
Accepted also offers several extras. They provide free initial consultations, rush services for last-minute applicants, and even mock Team-Based Discussions for Wharton applicants. With over 27 years of experience, they have the expertise to support these services effectively.
Accepted Pricing: Full Access for $349 per Year
Accepted.com offers a range of pricing options for MBA admissions consulting, designed to accommodate different levels of support and applicant needs. Their comprehensive MBA application packages start at a higher entry point at $6,000 for one school and increase incrementally: $7,800 for two schools, $9,400 for three schools, and up to $14,800 for eight schools. These packages include services such as essay brainstorming and editing, recommendation letter guidance, resume review, interview preparation, and waitlist strategy—all tailored to each applicant’s profile and goals].
For those seeking more flexibility, Accepted also provides hourly consulting with a 2hr minimum starting at $800 plus $400 for each additional hour. There is tiered discounting per hour the more hours that you commit to. Like many other consulting firms, they do charge a minimum, non-refundable hourly fee for two hours of their services. This option is ideal for applicants who need targeted assistance with specific aspects of their application, such as essay editing or interview prep. Additionally, Accepted offers rush services for applicants who need faster responses than their standard 2-business day turnaround time, ideal for tight deadlines.
They also provide a free initial consultation to help applicants determine which package or service best suits their needs.
With these flexible options and comprehensive offerings, Accepted.com caters to a wide range of MBA applicants looking for expert guidance.
The ApplicantLab Client Experience
What Clients Like
Many report positive experiences working with specific consultants at Accepted, resulting in successful admission…
“I worked very closely with Jennifer for my INSEAD application and I ultimately secured an admit from the school with a scholarship!”
–GMAT Club review, posted February 2021,
“Accepted helped me get into 3/5 Top 15 schools. I will be going to Darden this fall ! Background: I spoke with multiple consultants before my journey began and ended up going with Natalie Epstein from Accepted (She was an admissions director at two of the schools that I wanted to apply to and she seemed awesome).”
–GMAT Club review, posted May 2020
What to Watch Out For
Some clients complain about the high cost…
“Great information, the pricing is a little high though.”
–MBAinsight Review
“It is very helpful to have admission consultation services, however the cost is high compared with scholarship hunting students.”
–MBAinsight Review
“Good company, but a little on the pricey side.”
–MBAinsight Review
The Bottom Line
Accepted.com is a strong choice for MBA applicants seeking expert guidance, particularly those targeting competitive programs. Their consultants, many of whom are former admissions officers, bring extensive experience and program-specific knowledge to the table. Accepted offers tailored services, including comprehensive packages and hourly consulting, covering everything from school selection to interview preparation. Their strengths lie in personalized support, a rigorous peer review process, and a proven track record of helping clients achieve acceptance rates significantly above average at top schools.
Accepted.com is best suited for applicants who value individualized attention and need help crafting a compelling narrative to stand out in the competitive admissions process. They are particularly effective for candidates aiming at elite programs or those with complex profiles requiring strategic positioning.
However, be aware that Accepted’s services may not be the most budget-friendly option, and some reviews suggest their approach may feel less customized for highly unique profiles. Also, keep in mind that they are a smaller firm with a smaller consultant pool; be sure to evaluate the specific consultant whom you work with to see if they are a good fit.
Overall, Accepted.com excels in providing professional, targeted assistance for applicants serious about maximizing their chances at top MBA programs.
