Essay "Coaches" -- MBA Applications

I've been getting some mixed signals and wanted to see if any one on here might have some clarifying feedback for me.

I currently work at a PE fund, and plan to apply for b-school this fall for the '08 semester. I've heard from a number of associates that I should hire an essay coach to help out with writing the application essays. However, in my previous job at M/B/B I had been told that people rarely hire essay coaches, and that the coaches aren't particularly helpful. While the cost of an essay coach isn't astronomical ($2-3K), particularly when compared to b-school tuition, it seemed odd to me that I'd be getting conflicting advice on the subject. Not sure if the context is helpful, but my plan is to apply at HBS, Stanford and Wharton.

Any input regarding the relative value (or lack thereof) for these essay coaches would be greatly appreciated.

 

I guess its like GMAT prep classes. Some people find it useless but others take it either because it really helps or just for insurance.

 

think about it....people who major in english obviously will write a better/more convincing essay than you as a finance major could...

 

My personal belief is that you should write your own essays. There is a lot of writing involved in b-school (I'm guessing here, but come on...) and therefore your writing skills are important. If you apply with essays that are not 100% your own and get in, you run the risk of being under-qualified. B-School is more than just where you attend, you must perform well.

I know this is probably not the response you were looking for but it is one way to look at the process.

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Best Response
CompBanker:
If you apply with essays that are not 100% your own and get in, you run the risk of being under-qualified. B-School is more than just where you attend, you must perform well.

^^^ i think half the battle is actually getting into the best MBA program you can get into...obviously if you're a poor writer, then you probably did poorly on the GMAT as well...so you wouldn't be accepted either....i just think that professional writers, who have written MBA applications for candidates previously and have had prior success....know exactly what to write....The only reason i feel strongly about this is that, im pretty sure that if i had the money to hire an essay writer back in high school....i would have attended NYU (got on their waiting list) instead of Baruch College....and I know i would have done well at NYU (i know other applicants who got into that school with similar credentials as mine, and are doing well)

grades/ec's aside...the essay is the one thing that could separate you from the crowd...and with the competition being as fierce as it is, you need to take advantage of anything that you can use to differentiate yourself from other applicants

 

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