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Turn Uncertainty Into Strategy
"Where should I apply?"
"What are my chances of getting in?"
Identify, prioritize, and confidently target the right set of MBA programs for your profile, your preferences, and your future goals— before you invest time, money, or emotional energy in the wrong places.
Learn how it works.
"It's not all about you. You are being evaluated as a potential member of a cohort."
One of the most respected names in graduate management education, featured in:
Why Applicants Start Here
Strategic School Selection can:
- Bring calm and confidence to an overwhelming process
- Focus your time on the right set of applications
- Create a smarter foundation for your application strategy
- Avoid months of second-guessing
You'll understand:
- Which schools are realistic
- Which are aspirational but strategic
- Which may look good on the surface— but aren't a good fit for your personal preferences
- How to align your strategy with your goals and profile
You’ll walk away with:
- A list of schools divided into three Confidence Tiers
- A clear rationale for each school's placement
- A personalized ranking based on your profile and preferences
"Barbara understood me as a person beyond the admissions criteria. As a result, she recommended schools to me that turned out to be a great fit but would've slipped through my radar otherwise."
What's Included in Your Strategic School Selection Package
Profile & Preference Review
- Barbara Coward will personally review your submitted documents
- Assess your academic, professional, and leadership profile
- Clarify career goals, constraints, and MBA preferences
- Identify strengths, gaps, and differentiators for admissions
Strategic Review
- Build a personalized school portfolio, segmented into three confidence tiers
- Assess where you're competitive, ambitious, and best positioned.
- Identify strong-fit and potentially overlooked programs
- Ensure balance between outcomes, ambition, and admit probability
One-Hour Advisory Session
- Live (Zoom) session, one-on-one with Barbara to review your school portfolio
- Direct answers to questions like "Is this a stretch?" and "Which applications should I prioritize?"
- Pressure-test scenarios and finalize your application strategy
- Leave with clarity and next steps
" Barbara made me realize the outstanding achievements that I was discounting. She encouraged me to apply to some schools that I loved but into which I did not feel like I could gain admission."
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Step 1: Book Your Strategic School SelectionRequest your advisory session. You'll receive a confirmation email with easy instructions and next steps.
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Step 2: Submit Your Materials
When you're ready, submit the profile information and school preferences requested in your confirmation email.
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Step 3: Get Expert AnalysisBarbara Coward will personally analyze your candidacy and preferences to develop a strategic framework to review with you.
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Step 4: Review Recommendations and StrategyJoin Barbara for a 60-minute one-on-one video advisory session to review the framework, discuss your options, and finalize your strategic porfolio of target schools.
.png?width=600&height=600&name=How%20it%20Works%20-%20Pre-Check%20(1).png "How it Works - Strategic Pre-Check for MBA Applications")
Package Price $495
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Profile & Preference Review
- Strategic Review
- 60-minute Advisory Session
- All items personally reviewed and analyzed in advance by Barbara Coward
- Additional time or optional follow-up sessions available at published rates
"My most valuable time and money ever spent—yes, in my entire life—was simply speaking to her on the phone and crafting a compelling personal narrative to use for my applications."
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a GMAT or GRE score before I can get started with this service?
No. While test scores are helpful if available, this engagement is designed to work even if you’re early and haven’t tested yet. Barbara evaluates your profile holistically and can discuss how testing may factor into your strategy.
How early is "too early" for this service?
If you’re thinking seriously about an MBA—even 2–3 years out—you’re not too early. In fact, this is often the ideal time to clarify direction and make smarter decisions.
Will this tell me which schools will most likely accept me?
No one can guarantee admissions outcomes. What Barbara provides is clear, informed guidance on where you are competitive, where you are stretching, and how schools are likely to view your profile. This is also far more strategic than a simple odds assessment. You’ll gain insight into why certain schools make sense for you and how fit, goals, and positioning affect admissions outcomes.
What happens after Strategic School Selection is completed?
Many clients use this clarity as a foundation for test planning, application timelines, or full-cycle admissions support—but there’s no obligation to continue.
What if I need more help afterward?
Easy. The package includes time for Barbara to pre-review your profile and preference documents, plus a 60-minute advisory session. If you need more help Barbara offers hourly rates and flexible packages that can be tailored to fit your needs and budget. Visit the Services and Pricing page on her website to see published rates and further details.
Is everything confidential?
Absolutely. Barbara does not share any materials submitted by her clients or the names of any clients without their permission.
Stop Guessing.
Start Building a Focused Targeting Strategy.
Reserve your Strategic School Selection package today—complete with your custom, three-tier target school portfolio, detailed rationale, and a 1:1 advisory session with Barbara Coward, author of It's Not About You: Insider Strategies for Elite MBA Applicants.
No commitment required beyond initial purchase. Fast turnaround available.
.png?width=400&height=400&name=Blue%20Laptop%20and%20Hourglass%20(2).png "Lock down your school strategy so you can focus on your applications")