MBA Interview Preparation

I met Scott 3 years ago at an MBA fair in Paris. I decided to work with him for my round 2 applications and called him pretty late in the process. I was worried about my low GPA, my age and the price tag. From the initial meeting, Scott gave me non-sugarcoated advice about my candidacy. Working with Scott’s team was amazing. The team is highly professional. There were a lot of exchanges and I was pushed to think deeply on my career goals and the meaning of every sentence in my application documents. Be prepared to be challenged on that part. Towards the end of the preparation, the team checked how I felt about my work. I was very proud of the quality of my application! The interview prep was great too. I was asked the same questions I was asked during my real interviews (shout out to Nicole and Jacqueline!).

I applied to 2 US schools (CBS and Booth) and 1 European school, got admitted at both the US schools with scholarships, and haven’t received the European’s school response yet but I am pretty sure it will be a “yes.”

All in one, this outcome would never have been possible without Scott and his amazing team (I know it for sure since I applied round 1 with another consultant on an hourly basis, and looking back, I can confidently say that I messed these applications up).

Calling Scott was the best decision I made this year! Thank you, Scott, and the Personal MBA Coach team for this outcome!

I used Scott for Wharton’s TBD prep and it was a well-worth-it experience. I got detailed feedback during my performance, and I was able to see what aspects I should fix in order to deliver a strong TBD. I had actionable steps that I could work on and ask for additional feedback on at any time. The actual interview went very well and was instrumental in allowing me to be admitted to Wharton’s class of 2024. Couldn’t have done it without Scott!

Scott and his team were absolutely fantastic! I could not have gotten through the MBA process without him! I used his services for applying to 5 schools and GMAT tutoring. I got into my top choice program at an M7 and couldn’t be happier!

I started the MBA application process pretty late (treated it like a sprint, not a marathon). I started working through applications and the GMAT together starting in June/July for R1 deadlines in September. I reached out to Scott because I knew I was going to be overwhelmed. I was looking for somebody who’d keep me honest, was organized, pragmatic, easily approachable, and knew his stuff. Scott 100% met this.

Throughout the process, Scott was a voice of reason. He’s great at listening to you and explaining the nuances of the application process. When I was considering pushing some of my applications to R2 Scott helped me strategize so that I maximized my chances in both rounds. The turnaround on essay reviews was very quick, the feedback was always targeted and actionable. Whenever I started falling behind on timelines (which was often!), I got a gentle reminder to help keep me on track.

The interview prep also really helped. The mock interviewers are former members of admissions committees for top schools and have actual experience with admissions reviews. The feedback is provided real time and takes into consideration the school you’re prepping for and what is important for that school.

I could not recommend Scott more!

I absolutely recommend working with Scott and the whole PMC team. The amount of detail and thought put into every aspect of the application is quite incredible. Scott and his team were very easy to work with throughout the process.

He will keep pushing you until your goals statement (can be used in multiple goal essays across schools) and essays are absolutely top-notch and gold star. We went through 9-10 rounds of edits for my CBS essays!

Scott and his PMC team leave the best part for the last – the mock interview prep. The interview prep is spot on with questions that a specific school might ask. The mock interview is conducted by either a former Adcom member part of his team (Nicole or MJ) or by an alum of the school you are interviewing for. You are given a customized interview guide for each school with a set of questions with the highest probability of being asked, sometimes even an insider guide about what the school expects the interviewer to test, and a general master list of possible MBA interview questions. Post-interview, you receive detailed feedback on where you could do better.

I had multiple rejections in Round 2 last year. However, as someone who went through the application process again – reapplied to some schools and applied first time to some others (CBS was a new school for me) – I could see the noticeable difference in my resume, essays, and application after working with Scott.

Working with Scott and the PMC team was worth it as CBS has awarded me a $100k+ scholarship!

I had a fantastic experience with Scott and his team. Scott gives it to you straight while ensuring that you put your best foot forward in each application.

Resume and essay feedback were the highlights, with direct and pointed suggestions in every iteration. Essay feedback pushed me to really flesh out my MBA goals and show (rather than tell) personal stories. The feedback took my essay quality from ‘good’ to ‘great’.

Scott’s team comprises prior MBA students and interviewers from top schools, that help tailor interview responses to the school’s culture and values. I received an admit from every school I interviewed with.

I’d recommend Scott and PMC if you’re ready to put in the work and need direct/straightforward feedback and guidance to create the best possible application.

Scott is fantastic in understanding your personal requirements and tailoring his advice and feedback to get the most out of your applications. Right from the initial conversation with him to the mock interview with the Personal MBA Coach team, I received honest and invaluable tips to enhance my personal story, eventually enabling me to get admission to a top school. The application process can be intimidating but Scott demystified each step of the application, with round-the-clock availability and pinpoint recommendations to improve each part of the application. 100% recommend!!

I interviewed with Nicole one day before my final interview! Not only did Nicole provide valuable feedback that improved the quality of my answers, but I instantly felt more confident after my mock interview with her. Interviews can be the most nerve-racking part of the application process and I believe my mock interview ultimately helped me remain calm, composed, and confident during my final interview. Couldn’t recommend more!!

I worked with Nicole to prep specifically for my Kellogg interview, but her help and preparation served me well throughout the interview process for all four schools I applied to and was admitted to (Kellogg, Stanford, Columbia, Duke). Nicole helped push, shape, and polish my responses to key questions and advised on my delivery. Nicole is very approachable, genuine, and honest and our prep session was not only extremely beneficial but also enjoyable. Highly recommend Nicole for interview prep and in general!

I honestly had no idea how to prepare for my MBA interviews. The advice MJ gave me made all the difference! From the ubiquitous “Tell me about yourself” to the more school-specific “Why do you want to live in X city” and “What would you add to Y school?,” MJ made sure that I clearly and effectively communicated my thoughts during MBA interviews. Thanks to her help, I was accepted to UCLA Anderson and am now a first-year MBA Candidate.

I had an excellent experience working with Scott, MJ and Nicole. From my initial phone call, Scott was direct, informed and honest. He helped me craft a target list of schools to suit my ability and background. Though he is at every step supportive, he’s unusual in that his feedback is consistently candid. He does not sugarcoat. In a process as nebulous as MBA applications, this was much appreciated. I knew the minimum score I needed to hit on my GMAT and how I needed to position myself for each school.

Once you begin preparing for interviews, you’ll meet MJ and Nicole, who are best-in-class. They bring incredible experience and can walk you through exactly what to expect at every school on your list. Not to mention they’re wonderful people, kind and encouraging.

I was accepted to 3 of my 5 schools, receiving scholarships at two. I came into the process not knowing how to succeed. Thankfully, the entire PMC team made sure I was prepared throughout. They want you to win and will put in the time necessary to make sure you do.

I worked with Personal MBA Coach for a mock Wharton TBD and it helped me immensely. It helped confirm certain behaviors that would be helpful to double down on, what I should express more and what I could do better. My 1:1 session with MJ Shores was even more helpful as she helped me trim the fat from my interview responses and make it more succinct and clean. Scott Edinburgh was also incredibly prompt and on top of things, particularly since I booked and prepared very last-minute. PMC and MJ’s support was super helpful and enabled me to feel much more confident and prepared for the TBD.

I was referred to Scott by a friend who applied in the 2020 cycle and got admitted to an M7. Right from my first “getting to know you” session, Scott was very direct and honest about my candidacy and MBA prospects, which I really appreciated. I did not have the best scores on paper, but Scott and the team pushed beyond that. The team helped me carve out and perfect my story and resume to show that I was more than just the sum of my numbers. The team helped me identify certain anecdotes from my life and helped me turn them into cases for competency in business school. There is a certain way to craft business school essays, and the PMC team knows exactly what it is and what specific schools are looking for. The whole process was so smooth and well planned that I completed all my applications well before the deadlines.

After countless essay reviews, one on one calls and emails, the team also assisted me with interview prep and gave valuable feedback, ensuring that I was in peak performance.

While I initially had concerns about the price tag, I am ultimately glad I did it. I highly recommend Scott and the Personal MBA Coach team!

I’ve known MJ through Personal MBA Coach’s TBD mock interview prep. I’ve joined a couple of mocks with other candidates before. However, I wasn’t sure whether my performance was good enough for the real interview. I’ve connected with Scott at the Personal MBA Coach and he introduced me to MJ for a mock session. After the session, we held an amazing feedback session in which she touched on my personal and technical performance. Even after our conversation, she sent a very detailed written feedback for me. It was my first time getting feedback from a professional for interview prep and clearly, it was a game-changer. I thank MJ for conducting a great mock session, her kind approach, and her amazing feedback. I recommend Personal MBA Coach’s TBD mock interviews and MJ with utmost pleasure.

I’ve known Scott and MJ through Personal MBA Coach’s TBD mock interview prep. I’ve joined a couple of mocks with other candidates before. However, I wasn’t sure about whether my performance was good enough for the real interview. I’ve connected with Scott at the Personal MBA Coach and he introduced me to MJ for a mock session, which was awesome. After the session, we held an amazing feedback session in which she touched on my personal and technical performance. Even after our conversation, she sent a very detailed written feedback for me. It was my first time getting a feedback from a professional for an interview prep and clearly it was a game changer.

I thank MJ for conducting a great mock session, her kind approach, and her amazing feedback. I also thank Scott for the entire process. He has a good heart and is a great professional. I recommend the Personal MBA Coach team to everyone with utmost pleasure.

The simulation that Personal MBA Coach was extremely helpful — the proctor was an experienced interviewer and observer for Wharton and gave constructive feedback. I felt prepared for the actual day of the interview.

One of Scott’s associates who is an ex-Kellogg interviewer took my mock interview. Her feedback on the mock interview was very helpful and she gave detailed question-by-question feedback. She also coached me on how to answer the questions. My confidence post the mock interview increased tremendously

I can say honestly that without this interview preparation, I would not have been ready for the depth of questions I was asked in my actual interview. This package was a critical part of my preparation and allowed me to go into the interview feeling confident and prepared.

Scott is a great coach. He helps students select the right schools and his interview prep services are fantastic. I felt so comfortable in my interviews thanks to these sessions.

When it came time to interview, Scott set me up with his interviewing experts, who thoroughly prepared me for each interview. I ended up getting into every single school that I applied to with many full rides, and am now in the position to choose between Stanford, Harvard, and Wharton. Scott’s expertise, dedication, transparency, and most importantly, patience, allowed for my lofty goals to become a reality.

I utilized the mock interviews, which were definitely a game-changer for me. Post mock interview feedback was again constructive and candid and was a great way to practice that I wouldn’t have done on my own. Mocks gave me a lot more confidence going into the real interviews.

I worked with Personal MBA Coach on the interview preparation portion of my application to HBS. I can say honestly that without this interview preparation, I would not have been ready for the depth of questions I was asked in my actual HBS interview. This package was a critical part of my preparation, and allowed me to go into the interview feeling confident and prepared. Scott was always just a quick email away if I needed anything, and his service was a key factor in my preparation that ultimately led to an HBS admission. I would recommend Scott and his team to any of my peers applying to business school. And can truly say it was 100% worth the money. Thank you Scott!

Personal MBA Coach went above and beyond with my interview prep for top schools. Multiple practice sessions with other applicants fully prepared me for the real thing. Tips and tricks specific to each school helped me tailor my message to resonate differently with each school. The Wharton practice interviews were especially helpful because Wharton’s group interview presented a challenging new format. With Personal MBA Coach’s help, I was able to master admissions interviews, earning admission to my top choice, Wharton. Furthermore, my interview practice buddy was admitted as well – Personal MBA Coach helped us both succeed.

I decided to work with Scott after doing consultations with four other firms. I was very disillusioned about the industry and wasn’t sure if I even wanted to work with anyone. Upon speaking with him, I was very pleasantly surprised by our natural chemistry and his easygoing nature. Rather than pushing a cookie-cutter narrative for my industry, he asked me for my story and pointed out areas that I should give more thought to. I was incredibly aggressive/ambitious in my school selection, however, Scott was very encouraging while still holding me accountable.

Scott’s team pushed me to take my essays to new levels which I can now appreciate was instrumental in bringing my personality to life in the application. When I did not perform well on my GMAT, Scott was very direct with me that I was jeopardizing my future success. After leveraging Personal MBA Coach’s GMAT tutoring service, I was able to hit my target score. The interview prep, specifically for Wharton’s TBD, helped me ease my nerves before the actual interviews. I was waitlisted at my top choice and heavily relied on Scott’s guidance in writing update letters and also for strategies on how to navigate the smoke and mirrors of being a waitlisted candidate.

I have so much respect for Scott and his team at Personal MBA Coach. Their commitment to helping early-career individuals achieve their professional goals is unwavering. I would highly recommend Scott to anyone who is looking for a customized partnership in the application process. I am extremely excited and proud to be following in Scott’s footsteps by attending Wharton this fall!!”

I applied from one of the most competitive categories in MBA – Indian Male engineer. My age was on the higher side (30 yrs) and my GMAT score of 730 was a little low for the competitive category of Indian Male engineers. I was also a reapplicant.

One of my friends recommended Scott to me. I worked with Scott on three schools. Got waitlisted in Kellogg and accepted in Tuck.

1) Scott is very professional, humble, and straight forward. If something is lacking in the essay or some part of your profile needs work, Scott will tell you in a straightforward manner ( without sugar coating). This is one of the best things a liked about him – he gives honest feedback.

2) His insights on what the admission committee of different schools seeks are fantastic. Therefore, his recommendations on which school to apply for were very useful. In fact, I wasn’t even considering applying to Kellogg, but Scott recommended that I apply and I was waitlisted.

3) He will push you to self-reflect and think more about your experiences and stories.

4) One of Scott’s associates who is an ex-Kellogg interviewer took my mock interview. Her feedback on the mock interview was very helpful and she gave detailed question-by-question feedback. She also coached me on how to answer the questions. My confidence post the mock interview increased tremendously.

Overall, I wouldn’t have done it without Scott’s coaching and help. He helped me navigate through each part of the MBA application process and I got through my dream school – Tuck. Thank you, Scott. I wholeheartedly recommend Personal MBA Coach for MBA applications.

Scott was absolutely instrumental to my success in the business school application process; there was no way I would have been as successful and comfortable without him.

From our very first conversation, it was clear that Scott had exactly the expertise, experience, and empathy I was looking for in an excellent MBA coach. Scott guided me through the entire process, including picking my target schools, setting milestones and deadlines, crafting my story, reviewing my applications, essays, and recommendations, interview prep, and even up to post-offer strategy.

Throughout the process, Scott was extremely available at all times of the day; there was not a moment that I was worried that he would not be available to me for an important part of the process. In addition, he pulled no punches; he was truly fully invested in my success and pointed out my strengths and weaknesses clearly and specifically.

Again, without Scott’s guidance, the MBA application process would certainly have been a much harder and stressful process and there could very well have been a different outcome for me in the end.

I had an amazing experience with Scott. He is willing to go above and beyond to help you throughout the admission process – regardless of where you are or what you need help with. Personally, he helped me with school selection, presenting my resume, essays, interview prep, and everything that happens in between. Scott and his team are always happy to answer any ad hoc questions I had and will jump on the phone day or night. Scott was an amazing resource to have and helped me get into my #1 choice. I strongly recommend other students to use Personal MBA Coach. Thank you, Scott!!

I chose to go with Scott after making the usual consultation rounds as I felt our initial chat was the most earnest and straightforward out of everyone that I talked to. I liked the fact that his business model allowed him to personally oversee my application process the whole way through.

Scott’s pedigree is second to none as is his deep knowledge of the top institutions and the candidate profiles they go after. I knew I needed someone to help me craft my story and help me refine my essays, and Scott’s team was able to push me to produce materials that surpassed my expectations. He won’t do the work for you, and that’s essential to creating a sincere story that addresses what adcoms are looking for. I also found the team performing interview prep both honest and invaluable and was able to use their advice across multiple schools. I’m extremely pleased with my decision to work with Scott and recommend him to any candidate, especially those that are new or have little experience to the application process.

Scott was an absolutely amazing resource throughout the application process. When I first started working with Scott, I hadn’t hit my desired GMAT/GRE score and he was upfront and candid about what was realistic considering my score at that time. I really appreciated that he didn’t pander but was honest and constructive in his feedback. I found him to be extremely knowledgeable on the nuance of what each school is looking for and he gave me great advice for tailoring my story accordingly. His comments on my essays were always very constructive and helped me to think about my message from an outsider’s perspective. He was always really quick to respond, and I felt like I got a tailored, personal approach rather than a one size fits all package.

I also utilized the mock interviews, which were definitely a game-changer for me. Post mock interview feedback was again constructive and candid and was a great way to practice that I wouldn’t have done on my own. Mocks gave me a lot more confidence going into the real interviews.

I got into some really great schools and will be attending Booth in the fall. I definitely accredit my success to the support I received from Scott. Would 100% recommend him!

I worked with Personal MBA Coach and thought the experience was worth every penny. I got into both the schools I had applied to (INSEAD and Columbia Business School). I worked with Scott and he was very responsive, gave excellent feedback, and gave me as much time as I needed. I do not think my essays would have been as sharp without his help. He also helped me brainstorm ideas on how to make my story most impactful.

When it came to interview rounds, it was helpful to do mock interviews. In short, Scott was available throughout the process for anything I needed. I definitely recommend working with him.

I was waitlisted at my top choice and heavily relied on Scott’s guidance in writing update letters and also for strategies on how to navigate the smoke and mirrors of being a waitlisted candidate. I have so much respect for Scott and his team at Personal MBA Coach. Their commitment to helping early career individuals achieve their professional goals is unwavering.