MBA Prep School
MBA Prep School is a Los Angeles-based boutique admissions consulting firm serving individual MBA applicants targeting elite global business schools. Founded in 2009, it offers multi-school consulting packages, hourly services, essay/resume editing, mock interviews, and proprietary digital tools via a small team of former admissions officers and storytelling experts.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersLos Angeles, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What MBA Prep School does
MBA Prep School, operating through Prep School Media LLC, is a Los Angeles-based boutique MBA admissions consulting firm founded in 2009. It serves individual MBA applicants targeting elite global business schools — primarily the M7 cohort (Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Chicago Booth, MIT Sloan, Kellogg, Columbia) plus other top-10 and selective international programs — with a particular depth in serving first-generation, low-income, military, LGBTQ, female, immigrant, career-changing, and international candidates alongside the traditional over-represented applicant pool.
The firm's core product is comprehensive, single-consultant admissions coaching delivered as multi-school packages ($7,495 for two schools up to $13,495 for six schools, with $2,500-$5,000 premiums for Harvard/Stanford) plus hourly consulting at $325-$375/hour. Layered around this are professional services — Essay Prep™ essay editing ($299-$699 by word count), resume editing ($399-$599), former-admissions-officer application reviews ($899), and mock interview prep ($599 or $799 for HBS/Stanford/Wharton) — along with entry-tier products: the MBA Applicant Readiness Assessment bundle ($399), the Prepare to Apply coaching program ($1,995), the MBA Prep School Digital subscription platform, and a $47 standalone "How to Apply for an MBA" eBook. The intellectual backbone is the trademarked MBA Prep Steps™ methodology, a 10-step project work plan covering self-assessment through interview prep.
Commercial mechanics are sales-led and consultation-driven: prospects complete a structured online intake form, are matched by a team member with a dedicated consultant, and transact via Stripe payment links on the website. Marketing is content-led (school-specific essay guides, free video tutorials, the eBook as lead magnet) supplemented by referral, earned media (Poets & Quants top-firm recognition in 2023, 2024, 2025; features in GMAT Club, Bloomberg, U.S. News & World Report), and placement on GMAT test-prep platforms. The firm operates a small bench of named consultants (co-founders Tyler Cormney and Chris Aitken, plus consultants Faisal and Kevin), each carrying deliberately limited client loads to preserve the dedicated-coach model. There is no disclosed outside funding, M&A, or institutional investment.
MBA Prep School firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MBA Prep School
- Legal name
- Prep School Media LLC
- Website
- https://mbaprepschool.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- MBA Prep School is a Los Angeles-based boutique admissions consulting firm serving individual MBA applicants targeting elite global business schools. Founded in 2009, it offers multi-school consulting packages, hourly services, essay/resume editing, mock interviews, and proprietary digital tools via a small team of former admissions officers and storytelling experts.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MBA Prep School industry classification
Industry- Product category
- MBA Admissions Consulting
- NAICS
- Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Educational Support Services (611710)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Graduate & Professional School Admissions Counseling (MBA/MD/JD/MS) (EDANAEAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Graduate & Professional School Admissions Exams (GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT) Prep (EDANABAB)
Keywords
Where MBA Prep School is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Los Angeles
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MBA Prep School business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Comprehensive Admissions Consulting (School Packages): Fixed-fee consulting packages priced per number of schools in the application campaign. Services cover application strategy, career planning, school selection, resume editing, recommendation letter guidance, essay strategy and editing, application form guidance, admissions officer review, and interview preparation. Payment can be split across three equal installments. Packages are valid through May 1 of the following year.
- Hourly Admissions Consulting: Hourly consulting engagements allowing clients to purchase blocks of consulting hours (3 to 20 hours) to target specific application areas such as school selection, resume coaching, essay brainstorming, recommenders, and application forms. Hours expire based on package size (45 days for <10 hours; 90 days for ≥10 hours).
- Essay Editing (Essay Prep™): Professional MBA essay editing service with per-word and turnaround-based pricing. Editing covers structure, ideas, clarity, style, and grammar without compromising the applicant's distinctive voice. Rush 24-hour service available. 20% discount for second review of the same essay set.
- Resume Editing: Professional MBA resume editing service. Editors improve structure, messaging, and clarity while preserving the applicant's profile and voice. Offered at standard (3-day) and rush (1-day) turnaround.
- MBA Application Review (Former Admissions Officer Review): Veteran former MBA admissions officers review and critique a complete application package (resume, essays, application forms), returning a written report on strengths, weaknesses, and specific improvement recommendations within 3 business days.
- MBA Admissions Interview Preparation: Mock interview (30 min) plus coaching session (30 min), combined with access to a three-part video course on MBA admissions interviews. Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton mock interviews priced at a premium due to additional preparation required.
- MBA Applicant Readiness Assessment: Profile evaluation combining a written analysis by a former admissions officer across four competitive dimensions, a 30-minute coaching call, a 12-month premium subscription to MBA Prep School Digital, and a copy of the 'How to Apply for an MBA' eBook. Sold as a bundled package.
- Prepare to Apply Program: Four 1-hour coaching sessions plus a kickoff call spread across the months before applications begin. Covers school research, application strategy, career planning, and leadership portfolio building. Includes 12-month MBA Prep School Digital access and the eBook.
- How to Apply for an MBA eBook: Digital eBook sold as a standalone one-time purchase. 200+ pages covering the full MBA application process. Available for immediate download after purchase.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Comprehensive school package for 2 schools covering all admissions consulting services |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Comprehensive school package for 3 schools with $1,000 savings vs. per-school pricing |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Comprehensive school package for 4 schools with $2,000 savings vs. per-school pricing |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Comprehensive school package for 5 schools with $3,000 savings vs. per-school pricing |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Comprehensive school package for 6 schools with $4,000 savings vs. per-school pricing |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Additional school added to a comprehensive package within 30 days of purchase |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Hourly consulting — 3-hour minimum engagement |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Hourly consulting — 5-hour package |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Hourly consulting — 10-hour package |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Hourly consulting — 15-hour package |
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | Hourly consulting — 20-hour package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Essay editing (Essay Prep™) — up to 1,000 words, 3-day turnaround |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Essay editing (Essay Prep™) — 1,001 to 2,000 words |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Essay editing (Essay Prep™) — 2,001 to 3,000 words |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Essay editing (Essay Prep™) — 3,001 to 4,000 words |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Second review discount for the same essay set |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MBA Resume Editing — standard 3-day turnaround |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MBA Resume Editing — rush 1-day turnaround |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | MBA Application Review by Former Admissions Officer |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MBA Admissions Interview Prep Package — standard schools |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | MBA Admissions Interview Prep Package — Harvard, Stanford, or Wharton |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | MBA Applicant Readiness Assessment bundle |
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | Prepare to Apply Program |
| Other | Multi-year contract | Consultant-specific pricing — Tyler Cormney |
| Subscription | Multi-year contract | Consultant-specific pricing — Chris Aitken |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | How to Apply for an MBA eBook |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels12 records
MBA Prep School product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MBA Prep School provides one-on-one admissions consulting services to MBA applicants targeting top-tier business schools. Its offerings include comprehensive school packages (covering strategy, essays, resume, recommendations, application forms, and interview prep), hourly consulting, essay and resume editing, application reviews by former admissions officers, mock interviews, and an admissions predictor assessment. These services are supported by the proprietary MBA Prep Steps™ methodology, the MBA Prep School Digital video platform, and the "How to Apply for an MBA" eBook.
Product overview
MBA Prep School offers a suite of MBA admissions consulting services and digital tools delivered through a hybrid model combining one-on-one expert consultant guidance with proprietary digital resources. The core offering is comprehensive admissions consulting (school packages for 2-6 schools) and hourly consulting, supplemented by specialized editing services for essays and resumes, application reviews by former admissions officers, mock interview preparation, and an MBA admissions predictor tool. These are complemented by the MBA Prep School Digital video platform and the 'How to Apply for an MBA' eBook, which together form the proprietary MBA Prep Steps™ methodology—a 10-step program that guides applicants through self-assessment, school selection, application material creation, and interview preparation.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- MBA Prep Steps: A 10-step project work plan methodology for building an outstanding MBA application.
- Essay Prep
- MBA Applicant Readiness Assessment
- MBA Prep School Digital
Products and services
- MBA Admissions Consulting (Comprehensive School Packages) Full-service admissions consulting providing start-to-finish guidance on all elements of the MBA application process including strategy, career planning, school selection, resume editing, recommendation letter guidance, essay strategy, application form guidance, admissions officer review, and interview preparation. Available as multi-school packages (2-6 schools) for individual MBA applicants.
- Hourly Admissions Consulting Flexible hourly consulting service allowing MBA applicants to purchase blocks of consulting hours (3 to 20 hours) to target specific application areas such as school selection, resume coaching, essay brainstorming, recommenders, and application forms.
- Essay Prep™ Editing Service Professional MBA essay editing service providing editorial advice on structure, ideas, clarity, style, and grammar while preserving the applicant's distinctive voice. Available in tiered word-count pricing with 3-day or 1-day rush turnaround.
- Resume Editing Service Professional MBA resume editing service improving structure, messaging, and clarity while preserving the applicant's profile and voice. Offered at standard 3-day ($399) and rush 1-day ($599) turnaround.
- MBA Application Review (Former Admissions Officer Review) Veteran former MBA admissions officers review and critique a complete application package (resume, essays, application forms), returning a written report on strengths, weaknesses, and specific improvement recommendations within 3 business days.
- MBA Admissions Interview Preparation Mock interview (30 min) plus coaching session (30 min), combined with access to a three-part video course on MBA admissions interviews. Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton mock interviews priced at a premium due to additional preparation required.
- MBA Applicant Readiness Assessment Profile evaluation combining a written analysis by a former admissions officer across four competitive dimensions (Academic Preparedness, Career Progress, Leadership Impact, Diversity Factors), a 30-minute coaching call, a 12-month premium subscription to MBA Prep School Digital, and a copy of the "How to Apply for an MBA" eBook.
- Prepare to Apply Program Four 1-hour coaching sessions plus a kickoff call spread across the months before applications begin. Covers school research, application strategy, career planning, and leadership portfolio building. Includes 12-month MBA Prep School Digital access and the eBook.
- How to Apply for an MBA eBook 200+ page digital eBook co-authored by the firm's founders covering all elements of the MBA application process, including the MBA Prep Steps™ program. Available as a digital download for immediate delivery.
Quantifiable outcome
- 7 in 8 clients (87.5%+) accepted to one of their top-choice schools each application season
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use MBA Prep School
Customer profileNamed customers14 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MBA Prep School technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
MBA Prep School partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
MBA Prep School competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Accepted (Accepted.com): Accepted is one of the longest-running graduate admissions consulting firms (founded 1994), offering MBA admissions consulting, essay/resume editing, and interview coaching. It is a direct peer sharing MBA Prep School's target customer and service mix across top-school MBA applicants.
- mbaMission: mbaMission is a prominent MBA admissions consulting firm providing comprehensive consulting packages, application review, and essay editing services to applicants targeting top business schools. It competes directly with MBA Prep School for high-end MBA admissions consulting engagements.
- Stacy Blackman Consulting: Stacy Blackman Consulting is one of the most established MBA admissions consulting firms in the U.S., offering comprehensive school packages, hourly consulting, essay editing, and interview prep — a service structure nearly identical to MBA Prep School's. Operating since 2001, it targets the same top-tier MBA applicant segment.
- Personal MBA Coach: Personal MBA Coach is a boutique 1-on-1 MBA admissions consulting firm whose dedicated-coach model and top-tier focus directly mirrors MBA Prep School's boutique positioning and premium service structure.
- Stratus Admissions Counseling: Stratus Admissions Counseling is a high-end graduate admissions consultancy spanning MBA, law, medical, and college admissions, founded by former admissions professionals. Its boutique, admissions-officer-led approach to MBA applicants is highly comparable to MBA Prep School.
- Fortuna Admissions: Fortuna Admissions is a boutique MBA admissions consulting firm founded by a former Wharton admissions officer, offering comprehensive packages and hourly engagements. Its boutique, former-admissions-officer-led model closely mirrors MBA Prep School's positioning.
Broad incumbents
- PrepScholar: PrepScholar is a larger-scale digital test prep and admissions platform covering SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, and broader admissions services. While not a boutique, its GMAT/GRE prep and broader admissions offerings overlap with the MBA Prep School Digital platform and admissions market.
- Manhattan Prep: Manhattan Prep is a large, established test-prep and admissions company offering GMAT/GRE prep and MBA admissions consulting across the business school applicant market — a broader portfolio than MBA Prep School but overlapping significantly in MBA admissions services.
Others
- AIGAC (Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants): AIGAC is the professional body governing graduate admissions consultants globally, of which MBA Prep School co-founder Chris Aitken serves as president. As an industry organization it is not a direct competitor but operates as an ecosystem-level association shaping category standards and credibility.
- GMAT Club: GMAT Club is the largest GMAT-prep online community, hosting forums, practice tests, and an MBA admissions consulting marketplace that connects MBA applicants with consultants including MBA Prep School. It functions as a discovery channel and indirect pipeline for high-intent MBA applicants.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
MBA Prep School social profiles
Digital presenceMBA Prep School financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MBA Prep School leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles4 records
MBA Prep School funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MBA Prep School M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MBA Prep School
What does MBA Prep School do?
MBA Prep School provides one-on-one admissions consulting services to MBA applicants targeting top-tier business schools. Its offerings include comprehensive school packages (covering strategy, essays, resume, recommendations, application forms, and interview prep), hourly consulting, essay and resume editing, application reviews by former admissions officers, mock interviews, and an admissions predictor assessment. These services are supported by the proprietary MBA Prep Steps™ methodology, the MBA Prep School Digital video platform, and the "How to Apply for an MBA" eBook.
Is MBA Prep School a public or private company?
MBA Prep School is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MBA Prep School founded?
MBA Prep School was founded in 2009. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is MBA Prep School based?
MBA Prep School is headquartered in Los Angeles, United States, in the North America region.
How does MBA Prep School make money?
Nine revenue lines are on record. Comprehensive Admissions Consulting (School Packages) is the primary driver. The others are hourly Admissions Consulting, essay Editing (Essay Prep™), resume Editing, MBA Application Review (Former Admissions Officer Review), MBA Admissions Interview Preparation, MBA Applicant Readiness Assessment, prepare to Apply Program and how to Apply for an MBA eBook.
Who are MBA Prep School's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Accepted (Accepted.com), mbaMission, Stacy Blackman Consulting, Personal MBA Coach, Stratus Admissions Counseling and Fortuna Admissions. Broad incumbents are PrepScholar and Manhattan Prep. Others are AIGAC (Association of International Graduate Admissions Consultants) and GMAT Club.
Does MBA Prep School have an API?
No public API is recorded for MBA Prep School.
What industry is MBA Prep School in?
MBA Prep School's product category is MBA Admissions Consulting. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDANAEAD, Graduate & Professional School Admissions Counseling (MBA/MD/JD/MS), with a secondary code of EDANABAB, Graduate & Professional School Admissions Exams (GRE/GMAT/LSAT/MCAT) Prep. Its NAICS code is 611691 and its SIC code is 8200.