What does a typical engagement timeline look like?

A comprehensive engagement follows a defined sequence, moving from diagnosis to strategy to execution. It begins with a complimentary consultation call and proceeds through structured phases designed to build a coherent, evidence-based candidacy rather than a collection of isolated deliverables.

Following enrollment, clients start with a 90-minute strategic session with their assigned consultant. This conversation establishes the foundation for the entire engagement: reviewing the candidate’s background, clarifying competitive positioning, and mapping initial thinking against the Six Pillars™ framework. After the session, clients receive detailed guidance and begin work on three core materials—the Six Pillars™ Matrix, the Goals Worksheet, and a revised resume developed according to our specifications.

The central phase focuses on essay development and follows a disciplined outline-to-narrative process. Clients draft structured outlines for each target school, receive strategic critique, and then develop full narratives. Final drafts are refined at the sentence level by an experienced essay specialist. Schools are addressed sequentially, in order of deadline, with each round of work building on prior analysis. In parallel, clients develop recommendation strategy and, where appropriate, pursue campus visits, alumni outreach, and leadership positioning outside of work.

The final phase covers interview preparation and, if needed, waitlist strategy. For MBA candidates, engaging six to twelve months before the intended application round is optimal; similar lead times apply for law and medical school applicants. College candidates benefit most from starting in sophomore or junior year. Shorter timelines are workable, but they reduce flexibility and increase the importance of disciplined execution.