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PHASE 1: STRATEGY & CAREER VISION

 

Clarity & Direction

Build the roadmap to the life you want—and the foundation for everything that follows.

For professionals with 3–8 years of experience who know they want more, but aren't sure if that's an MBA, a pivot, a promotion, or something else entirely.

After 5 weeks, you'll have a clear 10-year vision, proof of your leadership impact, and a data-backed decision on your next move—whether that's an MBA or another path.

Phase 1

Support for every step of the Application Process

Improve your score

GMAT Tutoring

Both group and one-on-one classes to improve your GMAT score. With a more relationship-based approach to teaching, we tailor our services to your specific needs.

Pick the right schools

School Selection

We understand the ideal student profile of top admissions committees, and we use this expertise to help you strategically select the most competitive and attainable programs for your skillset.

Write great essays

Essay Editing

We provide significant editorial feedback on your essays, empowering you to frame your professional narrative in an exciting way that will stand out.

 

 

Feel confident in interviews

Interview Preperation

After several rounds of our intensive mock-interview program, you will be prepared to answer difficult questions while also letting your personality shine.

The Problem (And Why It Matters)

You're stuck in three places at once:

You're chasing
credentials, not clarity.

You think you want an MBA, but you're not sure why—or if it's even the right move.

Your accomplishments
feel scattered.

You've done good work, but it doesn't feel differentiated or compelling when you try to articulate it.

You're about to invest
years and $200K+.

Without knowing if it closes the gap between where you are and where you want to be.

The stakes:

Make the wrong call now, and you waste time, money, and momentum.
Make the right call with clarity, and every decision that follows becomes easier—from GMAT prep to school selection to essays to interviews.

 

After This Phase, You Will…

Know your 2035 vision

Not vague aspirations, but a detailed roadmap of your target role, industry, lifestyle, and impact.

Have 7 quantified STARL stories

Your biggest leadership moments documented and ready to use in MBA essays, interviews, promotions, or pivots.

Understand your gaps

A clear skills assessment across 7 leadership dimensions showing what you've proven and what you need to build.

Make a data-backed decision

MBA vs. promotion vs. pivot vs. entrepreneurship—evaluated with ROI modeling and strategic clarity.

Walk away with reusable assets

If you pursue on MBA, everything you build here becomes your application foundation. If you don't, you still have your vision, stories, and roadmap.

 

What's Included: 5 Sessions Over 5 Weeks

We work backward from your ideal future to map the path forward.

Step 1

Vision

Define your 10-year roadmap: target role, industry, compensation, location, lifestyle, and impact. You'll create a detailed "day in the life" narrative for 2035 and identify your non-negotiables vs. nice-to-haves.

Step 2

Story & Proof

Extract and quantify your leadership impact. You'll document 7 STARL stories (Situation, Task, Action, Result, Lesson) and build a Metric Bank across financial, operational, leadership, and innovation impact.

Step 3

Gap Analysis

Assess your current capabilities across 7 key dimensions (leadership, teamwork, problem-solving, cultural understanding, etc.) and map what's missing to reach your 2035 vision.

Step 4

Path Evaluation

Compare your options: MBA, internal promotion, career pivot, entrepreneurship, or executive education. If MBA makes sense, we build your school selection portfolio. If not, we map alternative paths with ROI modeling.

Step 5

Action Plan

Finalize your strategic roadmap with concrete next steps, timelines, and accountability markers. You leave with a Strategic Action Map and a complete resource library.

How we accelerate the process: AI-powered pre-work before each session compresses 6 months of analysis into 5 weeks of strategic clarity. You arrive prepared; sessions become high-impact strategy time.

 

Real client

Case study: Carlos

Product Manager • 6 years • MBA applicant

"I went from confusion to clarity in 5 weeks. The program didn't just help me decide on business school—it gave me a roadmap for the next decade. And when I started writing essays, I wasn't staring at a blank page—I had everything I needed already documented—my 2035 vision, 7 STARL stories, and a short list of target schools."

PHASE 1 DELIVERABLES

Vision

2035 roadmap

Proof

7 STARL stories

Decision

10-year ROI model + target schools

 

Why This Matters Beyond MBA
Most MBA consultants only care if you apply. We care about
whether you make the right decision for your life.
 
IF YOU DO AN MBA
Essays → Applications
Your vision becomes your "Why MBA?" essays. Your stories become your leadership examples. Your gap analysis becomes your positioning. Your school research becomes your "Why this school?" narrative. Nothing is wasted.
 
IF YOU DON'T DO AN MBA
Vision → Career Growth
You still have your 10-year vision, quantified proof portfolio, skills analysis, and strategic roadmap—valuable for promotions, job searches, pivots, or entrepreneurship.
The clarity alone is worth the investment.

 

Invest in your
MBA future
Make your MBA application process clearer,
stronger, and faster — and apply your full
Investment toward The Merchant Partnership.

Continue with us to turn your initial investment
into significant savings for your MBA journey.
INVESTMENT
$1,250–$1,750
Standalone
 
Strategy & Career Vision – Clarity & Direction
 
Full credit toward The Merchant Partnership
if you continue with
MBA admissions support.
Book a Free Strategy Call

 

FAQ
Can I do this while working full-time?
Yes. Sessions are 1 hour each, and AI-powered pre-work is designed to be efficient (2–3 hours per week).
What if I decide not to do an MBA?
Perfect. That's a successful outcome. You'll still have your 10-year vision, quantified stories, skills assessment, and decision framework—all valuable for promotions, pivots, or entrepreneurship.
Does this credit toward full admissions support?
Yes. Your full investment credits toward The Merchant Partnership if you decide to continue with us for MBA admissions.
What if I'm not ready to start applications this year?
Even better. Starting early means you can address skill gaps, build leadership experiences, and position yourself strategically. The assets you build now serve you for years.
Is this only for people considering MBA?
No. While many clients use this to decide on MBA, others use it to evaluate promotions, industry switches, or entrepreneurship. It's about clarity on your next decade, not just one degree.

 

Ready for Clarity?
Stop guessing about the next decade of your life.
Start with a 30-minute consultation.
Book a Free Strategy Call
Or email us at contact@merchantadmissions.com with questions.

 

Why Merchant?

What Makes Us Different

We go beyond the application to prepare you for the career that follows. Our approach is designed for depth, not just editing.

Life Vision—Not Just Rankings

Most start by asking "Which MBA?". We start by asking "What kind of life do you want?". Then we work backward to map the career path that gets you there.

Proven, Structured Process

Our 4-step method takes you from confusion to clarity: Strategy & Vision → School Selection → Story → Interviews & Scholarships.

Identity Work—Not Just Editing

Before writing a single word, we help you understand who you are. Your values, strengths, and defining moments become the foundation of your application.

Partner Before, During & After

We don't disappear when you get accepted. You join a community of 450+ alumni building careers globally—and that network becomes yours.

 

WHY MERCHANT

What Makes Us Different?

We go beyond the application to prepare you for the career that follows.

We Start with Your Life Vision—Not MBA Rankings

Most people start by asking "Which MBA?" We start by asking "What kind of life do you want in 10 years?" Then we work backward to map the career path, post-MBA goals, and program that will actually get you there. When you're clear on where you're going, everything else becomes easier.

We Use a Proven, Structured Process

Our 4-step method takes you from confusion to clarity: → Strategy & Vision: Define your goals and build your story → School Selection & Research: Find programs that align with your vision → Story, CV & Recommendations: Create a compelling, cohesive narrative → Interviews & Scholarships: Win the offer and maximize funding

We Do Identity Work—Not Just Essay Editing

Before we write a single word, we help you understand who you are: your values, your strengths, the moments that shaped you, and what makes you different. That self-awareness becomes the foundation of your entire application—and it's what admissions committees are really looking for.

We're Your Partner—Before, During, and After Admission

We don't disappear when you get your acceptance letter. We help you prepare for the MBA experience, navigate recruiting, and make career decisions years after you graduate. You join a community of 450+ alumni building careers across the world—and that network becomes yours.

Who We Work With

Three profiles that capture 90% of our clients.

THE ACHIEVING STRATEGIST

CONSULTANTS, FINANCE, TECH

Seeking leadership roles
Data-driven mindset
Proven track record

 

THE TRANSFORMATION

Elevates impact to scale for executive-level influence.

THE CAREER SWITCHER 

OPS, MARKETING, HR, NGOS

Leveraging transferable skills
Reinventing professional identity
Navigating new industries

 

THE TRANSFORMATION

Builds confidence and clarity to launch a new professional path.

HIGH-POTENTIAL UNDERDOG 

NONTRADITIONAL BACKGROUND

Diverse perspectives
Resilience and grit
Untapped potential

 

THE TRANSFORMATION

Unlocks opportunities and defies expectations for rapid growth.

We Don't Let You Do This Alone

Structure, accountability, and partnership through every step—from your first callto life after graduation.

What truly sets Merchant apart is the level of structure, accountability, and support. Even when I felt stuck or wanted to give up, I knew someone was looking out for me, pushing me forward with a clear plan.

Chicago Booth

Jorge V. 🇲🇽

Booth MBA '26

Going through the MBA process with Merchant forced me to slow down and ask myself the right questions about my story, my values, and what I really want long-term. It wasn’t just about getting into an M7—it gave me a clearer framework for decisions I’ll be making for the rest of my career.

HBS LOGO

Santiago G. 🇲🇽

Harvard MBA '26

I had plenty of accomplishments but no real narrative. Merchant’s Strategy & Career Vision framework helped me connect the dots so clearly that every part of my application felt aligned—essays, interviews, and ultimately my decisions. When the results came in and every school I applied to said yes, I didn’t just feel admitted to Harvard; I felt like I finally understood why I belonged there.

HBS LOGO

Emilio D. 🇲🇽

Harvard MBA '27

Merchant wasn’t just an admissions service—they were there at every step, challenging me, supporting me, and helping me think beyond the application. By the time I chose between Kellogg and MIT, I wasn’t just picking a school; I was making a well-grounded decision about my life and career.

Kellogg School of Management

Mark L. 🇦🇷

Kellogg MBA '25

    From Latin America to the World's Best Programs

    We've helped our clients earn admission to the most selective programs on the planet.

    European Leadership

    • London Business School
    • INSEAD
    • IESE Business School
    • HEC Paris
    • IE Business School
    • Oxford Saïd
    • Cambridge Judge
    • IMD
    • ESADE
    • SDA
    • Bocconi

     

     U.S. Strategic Excellence

    • Harvard Business School
    • MIT Sloan
    • Wharton
    • Columbia
    • Yale SOM
    • Tuck
    • NYU Stern
    • Cornell Johnson
    • Chicago Booth
    • Kellogg
    • Michigan Ross
    • Carnegie Mellon Tepper
    • Duke Fuqua
    • UVA Darden
    • UNC Kenan-Flagler
    • UT Austin McCombs 
    • Rice Jones
    • Stanford GSB
    • Berkeley Haas
    • UCLA Anderson
    Our alumni don't just attend these schools—they're building careers and lives in the cities that matter to them. This is the Merchant community. When you work with us, this network becomes yours.

    Not Sure Where to Start?

    In 45 minutes, we'll help you get clarity on your vision, your goals, and whether the MBA is the right next step. 

    No sales pitch. No pressure. Just honest guidance from someone who's been there.