Essays: To Hire or Not to Hire a Consultant ?

One of the questions that comes to the mind of many applicants when they have started the Application process or when they are done with the GMAT is whether to hire or not to hire a consultant.
The answer really depends on each individual's case.

To Hire: The consultants have got lots of experience and they can give your essays a good form using the key words and formats. But, when you hire a consultant don't ask him to write the essays. Write your essays atleast in bullet point format and show it to them and ask them to check the structure and presentation. You need to shell out considerable amount to get this done through a good consultant. Remember..Never copy someone's essay and modify that to suit you. It will not reflect a fresh story.

NOT To Hire: I have not hired a consultant or for that matter even have not read any book for essays. I have gone through the internet and have seen some of the essays for structure. May be not hiring a consultant has cost me dearly as you can see I have got 8 rejects out of 9 applications. But, I have applied to the top schools and it really did not hurt that much to get a reject because I am fighting for the cream. One of the other drawbacks of not having a consultant is you may not get good reviewers for essays. This is the case with me. None of my friends have gone through this process or not much aware of this essay process and so I am not able to get good reviewers for the essays. Reviewers are very important to check grammar, structure and content rationality and relevance.
Finally, The one best thing of not hiring a consultant and doing your essays and getting into a school boosts your confidence. I am confident now on my skills to plan and execute the herculean task of Applying and getting into a B-school.

So, just evaluate yourself and see if you require a consultant. If you would like to hire one, speak to some of the people who have done that and take their advice. If you are not hiring a consultant here are some of the resources that may come to your help.

1. Essay Edge- Sample essays..As told not copy them..They are public and lack the freshness.

2. How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs by Richard Montauk - I have not read this, but another blogger told that she has gone through this and its very nice. Again, don't copy anything, but use them for reference and style.

3. MBA Game Plan- Sample Essays..Good resources of samples..Go through them.

Finally, Know yourself and start writing the essays well more than 2 months in advance. The first application will take more time as you have to write the content for first time.
From the second application onwards you can use the content from the first application. But for the Why school? answer write really something you spoke to current students, faculty and came to know and not that Its great school for consulting.