EssaySnark Overview
About EssaySnark
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EssaySnark is a both an admissions consulting service and informative blog (or ‘blahg’, as they call it), with a cutting but intelligent analysis of schools and real-world events. Some of their articles require membership on the site and are not available to the public.
Basics
Outside of their blog, EssaySnark offers a wide variety of services including some that other consulting services do not. This most popular service is the essay review, but they also offer expert opinions on how the strength of applications, career goals, analysis of accomplishments, and suggestions for who should write letters of recommendation.
Most of their services are one-off purchases, but their Complete Essay Package allows clients to create essays from nothing over the course of several weeks. Their 4-School Set provides full support for four different schools, which according to the website has proven successful for “all applicants”. Though, keep in mind past performance does not guarantee your personal success.
EssaySnark Cost and Contact Info
EssaySnark’s prices vary throughout the year, and may have changed on their website since they last updated their profile.
Some services have discounts during non-peak times, and can go as low as $199 for a single rushed essay. The COMPLETE ESSAY PACKAGE ($1,249) allows you to understand how to build a solid pitch across all of the essays individually and taken as a whole in the context of your unique profile, and you will know exactly how good your essays are at the end of the process.
EssaySnark offers several different routes of contact, but discourages casual inquiry and would rather people attempt to find answers on the site prior to contacting them. If something hasn’t already been answered, visitors can pick a method of contact from the list at www.essaysnark.com/about/contact.
To view how EssaySnark stacks up, check out the link below:
Abuoma Nwadike – :
I got a free resume review session and it was very helpful to get their unbiased opinions. I did not follow their advice on my school choices and I am quite happy I did not, but it was useful to hear all the same. All in all I would recommend
LL – :
EssaySnark was incredible and easy to use. I did a comprehensive profile assessment with them and received solid, clearly personalized, very actionable feedback that I was able to incorporate immediately into my application. I absolutely devoured their blogs and guides, which are a treasure trove of information at an extremely affordable prize. And I later followed up with their HBS Interview question package, where they designed questions specific to my background. Wow! All of them were tough, and all of them were so helpful to getting me relaxed and ready for my HBS interview. Glad to say that’s where I’ll be matriculating this fall 🙂
MBA Program & Grad Year:
HBS 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
In general would highly recommend using admissions consultant free intro calls to get a better sense of your profile, primarily strengths and weaknesses. Knock the GMAT or GRE out of the way at least a year before you start applying - this gives you plenty of time for retakes and breaks in between. Start the actual application process (essays, networking with students, campus visits) as early as possible (I started in March of my application year, but this was during COVID and I'd already visited campuses).
Osereme Ujadughele – :
Wow! Where to begin. Honestly I fell upon ES by accident. All other consulting packages were ridiculous and as an underrepresented minority I didn’t have that kind of money. I ended up utilizing their free comprehensive review as part of their BIPOC program and received 27 pages of feedback on my profile! I was so shocked. They went into details about areas I wasn’t confident in and how I could improve. But most importantly they highlighted areas about my application package that I undervalued. They gave me the courage to apply to schools that I was told I couldn’t possibly get into. I ended up apply to 5 schools( 4- top 25schools and 1 top 50) and as of now I’ve gotten into 2 and have had interviews for the rest. I’m still pending some decisions but I thank ES for the transparency and straight-fowardness through the process. They taught me skills that I can use beyond this all without breaking my bank account!! Love ESSAYSNARK!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Program pending- Class of 2023
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Be willing to stretch yourself. I was sooo scared about my gpa hindering me that I wasted so much time worrying about it rather than combating it. Take a class, retake the test (even if it's for the 5th time)...and do whatever you feel with showcase the real you. Schools love to see that you're qualified but also that you're willing to do whatever it takes to get there.
Eliie – :
Essay snark was a must for me!! I got a fundamental advice!! It was very good you should definitely try
MBA Program & Grad Year:
2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Essay is really important It was helpful for me to talk with alums especially who graduated years ago, not just current students
Morgan Carlotto – :
EssaySnark has positive attributes that other admissions consulting services, simply cannot attest to! EssaySnark will not only help you in putting your best foot forward in determining what programs you apply to, but also will review your essays for the application to make sure it is simply brilliant upon review. Overall, worth it!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
BA 2022
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Read reviews on the schools to get the raw sides from the student.
Ricky – :
Essay Snark was super effective for me. While it gave me pretty strong comments, thanks to essay snark I passed!! I feel it is also cheep and time efficient because you can get all the comments online.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
GSB 2021
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
It is important to know about the school by talking with alumnis to know what you can learn there
1 – :
I just wanted to say thank you to EssaySnark. They provided an comprehensive profile review that really helped me get focused. Being a very nontraditional MBA candidate that is currently in the military, I didn’t really have a clue about how to articulate my goals in a way that would be appreciated by a university like HBS or Booth. I thought it might be beneficial to base some of my goals on the strengths of the school. For example, Booth is known for their finance and quantitative coursework…. maybe I should highlight how I am somewhat interested in learning about finance…
EssaySnark very clearly told me that is not the way to go. It made much more sense to be authentic to my true goals and to actually highlight my strengths. I am so happy I didn’t pander to what I thought the school might want to hear. Any reputable ADCOM would see right through this.
I wanted to submit numerous applications for round two. Out of nowhere, I recieved orders for a temporary duty assignment and had to drop everything. I put a hold on putting together my applications while I was overseas, but I kept EssaySnark’s advice on the back of my mind while I was away. I wrote my essays, fixed weaknesses with my resume, and thought long and hard about my goals. I basically counted out round two because I didn’t think I would have enough time to execute.
When I returned back home from my temporary assignment, I literally had a weekend before most of the due dates for the MBA programs. On a whim, I decided to apply to my top four programs. I submitted my applications to HBS, Stanford, and Booth. I also submitted an application to Harris School of Public Policy because I applied to a joint MBA/MPP program at the University of Chicago. Keep in mind, I put together all of these applications over 4 days which is not advised and pretty foolish. After submitting the applications, I thought I didn’t have a chance. After a few weeks, I received a call from Harris saying that they were happy I applied. The person that called me mentioned reading my essay and said it was “very impressive.” I still don’t have an official acceptance from Harris, but from what I understand… Harris doesn’t usually call people after you submit your application to give an impromptu interview.
Just a few days ago I find out that I was invited to interview with Booth. HBS interviews are announced in a couple days. I feel like I am on the right track.
I really owe this to EssaySnark’s feedback from the comprehensive review. I honestly do not believe my essays would have been as strong as they were without reading all of the materials on this website and without the very blunt feedback I was provided during the review. I highly recommend nontraditonal candidates to get the comprehensive review. The advice is solid, blunt, and will open your eyes to what your weaknesses and strengths are. Thank you EssaySnark!
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Booth
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
My advice to prospective applicants is to at least purchase the comprehensive review from EssaySnark... from there, you will have a better idea whether or not you should purchase more support.
Steve Chen – :
I worked with them for proofreading services. They had great communication throughout the process. I worked with them to provide feedback on my career goals essay; Don’t expect them to write the essay for you! The feedback was mainly helpful for me to do more self-reflection. The were also upfront about letting me know whether the essay was up to par. I went through two revisions with them. They also provide a full 360 feedback on your first revision. Overall, I’d definitely use them if you have thought about your essay and have a draft and are looking for feedback for polishing your essay.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
University of Michigan - Ross School of Business
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Before writing the essay, I'd definitely start by reflecting on what you want professionally and personally the next two to three years. I think this will definitely help you understand your goals and your personal values which will contribute to helping you write the essay easier. MOst people who do not do this end up rewriting their essay multiple times which wastes a lot of time. Also, Ask your friends and family for feedback. They are a great resource and reach out to current MBA students at the school to learn about the career and personal growth opportunities available!
jt328mth – :
Pretty good advice and also is knowledgeable on what schools you could get into based on your background
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Ross / 2017
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
use it. it's cheap
Adriana – :
Was very helpful in learning the school specifics and school culture
MBA Program & Grad Year:
UCLA Anderson/2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Start early in preparing your application
Jay Barki – :
I purchased a school guide from Essay Snark. I found it extremely helpful – It was a great source to get data about the school as well as preliminary insights into the school’s culture and career opportunities. It does not substitute what you can get by visiting a school and talking to current students though.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Fuqua
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Visit the school and talk to current students to figure out if you are really passionate about a school - your essays will flow much more naturally and you will make a better choice for yourself that way!
Josh Panuthos – :
I thought this was a great service at a reasonable price.
I could not fathom paying a consultant several thousand dollars per application, but wanted advice from someone other than family/friends who (despite the best intentions) are inherently not as critical as they should be or are unfamiliar with the admissions process. Essay Snark is not for the faint of heart – they tell it to you exactly how it is, which I found extremely valuable.
MBA Program & Grad Year:
Chicago Booth / 2016
Your MBA Application & School Advice:
Try not to overthink the essays - your gut is probably correct.