The 4-School Set

Working with Essaysnark was a great choice for me this admissions season. I was definitely an imperfect candidate (low GPA) with a lot of good things going for me, and I really needed to strategize to get the interviews I wanted. My essays were *important*. Essaysnark really helped me craft my story and the DIY style was perfect for me. For candidates who are willing to work hard, prioritize this process, and take it seriously the team offers great feedback (sometimes tough to hear :)) and can really help you put yourself in the best light. So far, I've gotten interview invites at Wharton, Sloan, and Haas with a

I decided to go with the 4-school set after using the complete essay package for a while.

It definitely offers better value and most importantly, it makes my whole application more consistent as EssaySnark knows more about me through my app.

Also, with 4 school-set you would have the resume prep in the package. Trust me resume is a great deal... EssaySnark were very insightful and professional in reviewing and guiding me through resume prep.

I applied to 4 schools, all during R2. It was difficult and very competitive year. Eventually I got an offer with scholarship in one school. Thanks EssaySnark!

EssaySnark has an unusual approach: no voice contact and no direction as to what you should write. You will get direct feedback pointing out the flaws in everything your write. You will get the objective perspective of an experienced essay-reader, one who will share all the questions and concerns your essays raise, one who knows the admissions world. You will not get answers. You will not get short cuts.



But with the 4-School Set, you also get a deep dive into your profile, a couple warmup sessions with the App Accelerators, and a whole bunch of chances to practice writing and get feedback. It’s a great deal, if you are prepared to work.



As for me, I mistakenly started late in the season and therefore missed the Round 1 deadlines. The Accelerators helped me understand content I wanted to include in my applications, but I was still writing poorly after several drafts. It was emotionally difficult to be continually frustrated, yet I was improving the entire time. Things started to click only at the very end of the process, which is a testament about how badly I was writing and thinking at the start, and a testament to EssaySnark’s patience. In the end I was proud of my essays. (All the invitation-only schools I applied to invited me to interview, including one of H/S/W, despite being more than a decade older than the average applicant. In the end, I accepted an offer to join an EMBA program, but that’s a whole ‘nother story. However, EssaySnark helped me think through issues along the way, for which I’m grateful. EssaySnark provided an objective but passionate outside perspective, and the advice given and questions raised were well-informed, mature, and thoughtful.)



One key to working with EssaySnark is to be open direct feedback, take it without getting defensive or angry, and very carefully consider that you might need to change what you think and how you present yourself in your application. It was equal parts humbling, frustrating, and maddening, but I made sure to never let my emotional reactions disrupt my engagement with EssaySnark. Similarly, EssaySnark was good in tempering the feedback appropriately and managing my emotional state. (These are actually critical skills for BSers trying to break into consulting, so it’s nice to see them modelled).



If you’re not willing to do the work yourself, go somewhere else and find someone else who will dig through your profile and tell you what to write, or just accept that your essays won’t be as good as they could have been. But if you want to master the writing process, own everything you submit, and present yourself authentically in the best light possible, engage with EssaySnark. In fact, I find myself with a little EssaySnark over my shoulder, pointing out the flaws and inconsistencies when I am writing. (If this review has any glaring issues, I take full responsibility, and probably should not have sat down with a nice glass of single malt scotch whiskey. Oh, but it’s so smooth and smoky!)



If you are nervous about this process, or worried about the financial commitment, start with a single essay review. However, I found the most value in having an extended engagement. EssaySnark took the time to dig into my profile, and was constantly referring back to previous submissions for other schools. EssaySnark was a valuable advisor who pushed me to push myself. Highly recommended.

In early July, I went for the 4-school package or as the ‘Snark calls it, “the whole enchilada”. Buying the package was a no-brainer for me because I was planning to apply to six schools and going through four schools with EssaySnark would ensure that I have four very strong applications and that I am prepared to tackle the other two applications on my own. I am also very budget-conscious so while the 4-school package seemed pricey, it was an absolutely STEAL compared to what the other admission consultants charge for even one school.



Once you are “all in” with the ‘Snark, you have all the tools to create a winning application. As you go through the app accelerators and the essay decimators, EssaySnark’s comments become very detailed and valuable as they can basically see all the pieces of your application.



The priority turnaround is a godsend because I was getting most of my material reviewed in less than 24 hours! This takes so much stress away when you are near an application deadline.



Going through the MBA admissions process, I have made a lot of decisions about school selection, recommenders, essay topics, admission consultants, etc. However, I can confidently say that purchasing the 4-school package was my best decision!



tl;dr – Buy the 4-school package. Save money. Stress less. Be confident in your MBA applications.