TAAG Approach
Tell a Story Only You Can Tell
Application essays are stories about you. The goal is for you to tell a story, and to tell a story that only you can tell. What does that mean? It doesn’t mean thinking of a topic or “hook” that makes you unique; admission officers have seen the full range of personal backgrounds. Thoughtfully sharing your personal reflections about your life experiences – even those experiences that may seem mundane on the surface – is what brings a personal and individualized touch to your story.
Most business schools encourage this process of self-reflection because your effectiveness as a leader and as a manager is principally shaped by your core values and attitudes.
We encourage, guide, and inspire candidates to convey their stories in an honest, compelling way to admission committees.
Value Proposition
With 60+ collective years of admission experience, 44 years at Stanford University, TAAG advisors have done it all in the world of admission, having traveled the world to recruit the best and brightest MBA candidates and made final admission decisions on tens of thousands of MBA applications. We draw from this professional perspective when advising MBA clients.
TAAG’s value proposition enables clients to “walk in the shoes” of an admission officer by sharing our professional expertise, good judgment, and insights that have been finely tuned because of our extensive admission experience.
We take candidates through a rigorous self-assessment, using a curriculum-based approach focused on the “7 Key Priorities” © of MBA admission, so they can accurately identify, articulate, and clarify their experiences, strengths, talents, values, and aspirations.
Using our proprietary materials and frameworks, we provide road maps for managing the entire admission process. Applicants find this process of self-discovery — with experienced guidance and coaching — enables them to confidently and honestly “tell their story,” which leads to a more effective application.
Integrity of the Process
We will neither write nor rewrite essays and letters of recommendation, as we expect that our advising sessions will equip applicants with the necessary tools to write effective and compelling essays without direct assistance from others. Furthermore, we may terminate our working relationship with clients should there be a misalignment of expectations or any other factors that may impede an open dialogue, exchange of information, or positive working relationship.
Finally, because we know that the admission process is more of an art than a science, and respecting the fact that the final decision is in the hands of the institutions’ admission committees, we cannot guarantee a positive outcome at any of the schools to which a candidate applies.
The Admission Advisory Group adheres to the principles of good practice of the Independent Educational Consultants Association, the American Institute of Certified Educational Planners, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and the Graduate Management Admission Council.
We, as members of The Admission Advisory Group, respect the integrity of the admission process and abide by the ethic that candidates must do their own work.
Are you seeking admission to competitive MBA programs?
The Admission Advisory Group can help you manage the admission process and prepare for your future.