Your GMAT score constitutes (roughly) 25% of the total weightage within an MBA application. That means around 75% of the importance is given to the rest of the application - your overall story-line, writing skills (essays, resume/CV), interviewing skills and recommendations. Yet, most candidates prefer experimenting directly with their dream-schools, by jumping into MBA essays without first getting their overall approach and strategy validated. Read on to see how you can gain confidence (and an edge over your competition) to tackle this bigger component of your MBA application.

MBA Crystal Ball has conceptualised the innovative MBA Mock Application Process (MBA MAP™) to help you gain clarity before you begin working on your actual application. It can save you a lot of time, cost, effort and heartburn later on.

The entire process is managed personally by Sameer (Founder | MBA Crystal Ball). The growing popularity of our MBA MAP™ can be judged from the fact that it is now being offered by international MBA admissions consulting teams for their own clientele in their respective countries (including Russian candidates!), making it India's first export in the world of MBA admissions consulting.

The MBA MAP™ Concept

Check out this video to get an idea of the rationale and concept behind the MBA MAP.

The MBA MAP™ methodology

We simulate a Mini-application Process in order to create a personalised report for you based on a proprietary MBA profile evaluation methodology. The report forms the basis for business school selection / shortlisting and application strategy.

Phase I – Mini Application Using a questionnaire, we ask you to provide details covering personal, educational and professional data (there's also a section on soft-skills).
- Resume: A 1-page summary of your accomplishments.
- Mini-essays: Includes the most common essay topics listed by the top schools. Demonstrate your writing skills, clarity of thought and well-defined career goals here.
- Short-interview: We want to hear you speak. Just to cross-verify the data and/or to probe you further in areas that aren't entirely clear.

Phase II - Profile Evaluation & Analysis We analyze the data and create a report that includes the following:
- A rating for your profile (Below Average, Closer to Average, Good, Strong etc)
- A big (correction, HUGE) list of close to 100 top schools with your indicative chances at each (Ambitious, Stretch, Practical, Safe, Backup)
- Financial implications (Average Tuition Fees, Expected Post-MBA salary)
- A SWOT analysis covering your strengths and weaknesses
The final output is in the form of a personalized report which will be emailed to you in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format. Depending on the volume of requests we get, we aim for a turnaround time of 1-2 working days.

Phase III - Personalised Action Plan We wrap up the process with a final 1-hour consultation over the phone, covering questions you may have on the report, the analysis, the recommendations and the way forward. This is where you can also validate the basic storyline that you plan to use in your MBA essays.

The entire process happens over email/phone. Our client-base is spread across the globe.

What folks are saying about the MBA MAP™

Real people | 100% Authentic & Verifiable Reviews

Shipra Baranwal - Entrepreneur (India) - HEC (Paris) with scholarship
The MBA MAP assessed me on unambiguous parameters and gave me a clear understanding of where I stand in the MBA run and what is the stamina I need to build up to finish the marathon. Not only has the process given me answers to a lot of questions but also the approach to find answers and cleared away clouds of confusion. It is designed to allow each one of us to look deeper within ourselves. The process has taught me to connect the dots. The MAP has taught me the difference between making choices versus taking chances. I have devised a logical and a rational approach to making choices.

Lucas Mohr - Military (US Army) - Columbia Business School
I really enjoyed the process. It forced me to articulate many of the key themes and points I wanted to make, and helped me tie my individual experiences and essays into a complete package. Even just the act of going through a mock interview is enough to provide some familiarity with the process, and will be a huge advantage when I start doing the real interviews. You were of course very knowledgable and responsive. Overall, it was a terrific value for the money, and a beneficial experience. I would suggest that anyone serious about b-school do some initial school research, complete a few draft essays, and then do a MAP to focus their strategy before the applications open.

Read more MBA MAP Reviews.

How to order the MBA MAP™

The personalized MBA MAP™ is available in India for INR 15,000 (bank transfer) and outside India for $350 (through Paypal). Drop us a mail at info [at] mbacrystalball [dot] com and we'll take it from there.