MBA coaching is comprehensive professional guidance for candidates who aim to gain admission to the ever-challenging MBA programmes. Just as in sports and arts, individuals who aim at high performance usually rely on structured professional assistance in order to develop their potential to the maximum.

MBA admission is highly competitive and success requires outstanding performance during the application process. Coaching is highly personalised and tailored to the goals and potential of each candidate. It is a partnership between the candidate and the coach. MBA coaches take candidates through focused self-searching, benchmarking, prioritising and skills development. Coaching is a comprehensive process covering all stages from evaluating the relevance of an MBA to achieving candidates' career goals, selecting the most appropriate MBA programmes, to actual work on the application package and interview preparation. Guidance on GMAT preparation may also be part of the process. Thus, coaching fully maximises candidates' chances for admission.

The value of MBA coaching

Coaching ensures that candidates will do all that is crucial for an outstanding MBA application, and will do it in the right order, with the necessary attention, and on time. Although coaching is a comprehensive process, there are some stages at which having an expert by your side will add the highest value to your future success.

  • Coaching is indispensable when candidates evaluate the relevance of an MBA to their career goals. At this point, coaches weave some career counselling into the discussion. They conduct an in-depth analysis with the candidates on their educational and professional background, achievements, lessons learnt, and their relevance to their career aspirations and to rewarding MBA experience. "Why MBA and how it will help you achieve your goals?" is a fundamental question, not just at the MBA admission interview. It is essential for the whole experience. During the discussion and soul-searching candidates may also find that their goals diverge from an MBA. "Very interesting and constructive comments. I feel very well after the coaching session. As a result, I am rethinking the whole MBA idea. Maybe I will wait a few years and try out an executive MBA", shares Quentin, after the MBA profile evaluation and a session on the relevance of an MBA for his career goals. Work at this stage also reveals the characteristics of the MBA programmes which best match the candidates as there are a lot of choices to be made to fine-tune your best match.
  • Selecting not just the best school, but the most appropriate MBA programmes is another milestone in the process. This ensures that your MBA experience is worthwhile. Coaches have the expertise to evaluate whether a candidate has the right profile for the schools they aspire to, as well as which programmes will be the best vehicle for a candidate to achieve their post-MBA goals. Many factors are taken into consideration for this selection – analysis of the curriculum, student body, faculty profile, teaching methods, international exposure, industry relations, networking and career services. These details take an experienced eye to uncover quickly and analyse consistently in the context of the candidate's goals. Coaching can change the initial school aspirations of a candidate.
  • Building an outstanding application is related to a candidate's work on the resume/CV, application essays, selecting the recommenders, and preparing for the interview. Most of the work has already been done with the evaluation of the candidate's goals and profile, and the school selection. However, now is the time for a fresh look and the experience of the coach to highlight what is unique in the candidate's background and how it is relevant to each MBA programme. "Many MBA applicants think that their 700+ GMAT score will get them a seat at their MBA of choice. It is a wrong and dangerous assumption", warns Riadh Hamida, founder and MBA coach at Cours Colbert. He explains the value of the coaching process: "Working on the right profile helps students set up the right strategy in their application essays to convince the admissions committee they are the right person to choose among thousands of applicants". Selecting the most relevant experiences, achievements and challenges is crucial to make the application unique. This selection aims to reveal the qualities and potential of the candidate for the selected MBA programme. It also justifies that the candidate will benefit from the programme, as well as contribute to it.
  • Coaching ensures a focused, coherent, and well-managed approach. MBA candidates are all busy professionals, while a successful MBA application takes a lot of effort and time. Guidance ensures that candidates will be on the right track at the right time. However, candidates should commit to the coaching process and be responsible partners to their coach, so they both celebrate success at the end of this partnership. The Association of International Graduate Admission Consultants highlights "Business leaders constantly surround themselves with skilled advisors to make the best decisions. While the decisions are ultimately theirs, the process of bouncing ideas and talking through problems is tremendously valuable. The same is true in the admissions process where candidates may need guidance in exploring career options, identifying appropriate programs and determining the best way to position their candidacy", as described by Rosemaria Martinelli, former Associate Dean for Student Recruitment and Admissions, University of Chicago Graduate School of Business.

When coaching

See an MBA coach as early as you start thinking that an MBA might be the right vehicle to achieve your midterm career goals. If your judgement is correct, you will be able to benefit further. If an MBA programme is not the right path, you will know it well in advance to save time, effort and money for a better way to boost your career.

Do not wait until you start preparing your application package to get a coach. Coaches are not editors of your essays and resume. Start early, as you will be much better prepared to build your convincing application if you have worked with a coach on discussing your motivation, your profile and the best-matching schools. "It seems that the essays will take longer than expected, maybe 3 weeks to get them well written. Seems not an easy process" shares Mohammad who contacted Access MBA Reach for advice because he was stuck with preparing his essays.

Coaching is recommended if you target the most competitive schools, especially those ranked in the top 100. However, many challenging programmes are not ranked that high, but they can be the best match for you and your highest achievable challenge. Professional guidance as early as you start thinking of an MBA application is always to your benefit.

How to identify a good coach

Two basic requirements are a must for MBA coaches: to know the MBA experience and to have coaching skills. MBA coaches have either done an MBA, have been professionally involved in MBA recruitment and admission, or are experienced in educational advising with knowledge of the MBA field. A background in consulting, psychology or communication is relevant for the coaching aspect of the service. Since coaching is a partnership there is a lot of trust involved. This is something for which each of us has his sixth sense. A good coach is also an ethical coach. It will not  to start an MBA programme which will not contribute to your goals. It will be only to your expense and disadvantage to submit an application package which is not your own product.

There is an increase in the offering of MBA coaching services worldwide. Communication technologies make it possible to have a coach even from another continent. Candidates nowadays have plenty of choices. How to select the best coach for you? Access MBA Reach provides a unique service for candidates – matching them to the right coach. Access MBA Reach monitors the offerings and advises candidates on the advantages of the leading international coaching providers.

ROI of coaching

MBAs are some of the most expensive graduate programmes worldwide. The high return on investment after graduation maintains high tuition fees ranging from  EUR 10,000 to EUR 100,000. Coaching also comes at a price. However, if you are ready to invest in an MBA, you should be ready to invest in increasing your chances for admission to an MBA. There is a wide variety of coaching offerings, pricing packages, and even scholarships for coaching to suit the diverse needs and goals of committed MBA candidates. Usually, coaching is paid in packages per school (average international prices ranging between EUR 1,000 and EUR 3,000 per school with a discount for more than one school). Some coaching providers offer the flexibility of per-hour payment (EUR 100 – 200 per hour). Full coaching for one school requires about 12 coaching hours in sessions, plus additional preparation by the coach, and the candidate.

Coaching guidance brings high-added value to your MBA application experience. It fully maximizes your chances for admission. However, the admission decision is out of your coach's control. The admission decision is a privilege and a responsibility of the Admissions Committee of each MBA programme. Benefit from coaching and you will do your best to build your outstanding application to the best matching programmes for your goals.

The real added value of coaching is that candidates get to know themselves much better. They benchmark the challenging requirements of MBA programmes and the most competitive managers. They end the coaching process with a much better awareness of their personal and professional qualities, accomplishments and potential, which is a real added value for their success.

About the author

Iliana Bobova is a seasoned international education and career coach. In addition to writing articles, she has been the Chief Editor of the annual Access Masters, MBA and EMBA Guide for the past 10 years. She also advises prospective MBA and Master’s students globally during the Access Masters, MBA and EMBA events of Advent Group. Iliana has gained expertise at Harvard University, the International Association of International Education (EAIE), the Institute of International Education (IIE), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Global Career Development Facilitator, and Randstad RiseSmart, among others.