On average, our process includes: 2 months of profiling, research and shortlisting programs; 2 months to refine documents and practice interviews; and 2 months for final checks and submission. We remain accessible after submission as well for status updates. With diligent preparation, high-quality applications can be delivered within this 6–9-month timeframe.

While the overall admission guidance process entails similar core elements for both undergraduate and graduate programs, there are some key distinctions that counselors must account for based on the degree level. The timelines tend to differ significantly, with undergraduate applications usually having earlier deadlines between November to January, compared to graduate programs deadlines that typically span December to March. Additionally, standardized test requirements and recommendation structures may vary, as graduate admissions commonly mandate GRE/GMAT scores and 2-3 letters of recommendation from professors or managers.

Our counselors have extensive academic and professional backgrounds that ideally prepare them to provide specialized admission guidance.

Academically, all counselors hold a minimum of master’s degrees from top-ranked international universities, and many have PhD qualifications as well.  In terms of work experience, counselors have 5-10+ years in college admissions support with many formerly working at reputed universities.

Counsellors at Maria Consultancy work closely with each client throughout the career guidance process. They gain a thorough understanding of the client’s profile, strengths, accomplishments, and future goals. This enables them to write well-informed and impactful references.

While the core of our admission guidance involves in-depth counseling from Monday to Friday, we do accommodate some weekend availability as well to allow for flexibility in our client’s schedules.

Initial consultations and follow-up discussions regarding urgent queries can potentially be scheduled on Saturdays and Sundays upon request. This offers a backup option for those unable to take time off during the regular work week.

In order to help clients stay organized and on track throughout the multi-step admission guidance process, we provide customizable timeline and checklist templates. The timelines are standard one-page overviews that lay out the major milestones and activities to be completed within specific time periods leading up to application deadlines. For example, tasks like program research, test registration, and draft document writing are typically allocated 6-9 months in advance. Meanwhile, finalizing materials, interviews, and submission occur within the subsequent 3–6-month period.