Thinking about Stacy Blackman? Here's how The Deferred MBA compares.
The one-coach alternative for undergrads applying HBS 2+2, GSB Deferred, or Wharton Moelis.
How they compare, side by side.
Source for Stacy Blackman pricing: stacyblackman.com/comprehensive-services/ (live, April 2026).
| Stacy Blackman | The Deferred MBA | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | All-In Package: $7,300 (1-school), $11,500 (3-school), $14,750 (5-school), $18,500 (8-school). | $199 one-time Playbook. $4,000 Junior Program for the full cycle. |
| Product shape | Consultant-matched multi-school packages, plus hourly services. | Lifetime content library plus optional direct coaching. |
| Audience | Every MBA applicant. | Deferred MBA only. 15 programs. |
| Who coaches you | One consultant from a large roster, matched after your intake call. Former admissions officers from HBS, GSB, and Haas on staff. | Oba. Every session. |
| Proof | 25 years in market. Ranked #1 by Poets&Quants, MBA Insight, and Clear Admit. | 100% M7 last cycle. 5.0 on Leland. 120K+ community. 300+ students through the HeadStart Fellowship. Stanford, Wharton, and Columbia admits. |
| Free content | Free advising session. Personal branding guide ($29.99 value). B-Schooled podcast. Sample essays and interview transcripts. | Readiness Quiz. 11-module Playbook preview. Free guides library. |
| Deferred-specific product | Dedicated deferred page and a college-seniors page. No published deferred-specific package or price. | Every module written for deferred applicants. |
When Stacy Blackman is the right pick
25 years in the market is real. If you want the longest track record in the category, a large consultant roster with more scheduling flexibility, and a content vault of sample essays and interview transcripts, they have been building this for longer than most of their competitors have existed. If you want a former admissions officer from one of your target schools (they have ex-HBS adcom Andrea, who helped launch the 2+2 Program, on staff), that is a specific reason to choose them over a peer-coach setup.
When The Deferred MBA is the right pick
If you want to know exactly who is coaching you before you commit, The Deferred MBA is one named coach, every session. Stacy Blackman’s model matches you to a consultant from their roster after your intake call, and you do not pick ahead of time.
If you want published pricing up front, it is on this site. The Playbook is $199. The Junior Program is $4,000 for the full cycle from now through interviews. No “schedule a call to learn pricing.”
If you are applying deferred and you would rather pay a coach who specializes in it than a generalist who serves the whole MBA market, this site is deferred-only.
Or, if you are ready to work together directly, book a free 15-min call.
I’m Oba. I got into Stanford GSB’s deferred program without a banking or consulting background. Last cycle, 100% of the students I coached got into their target programs, from wide-ranging backgrounds and test scores. The Deferred MBA is built from what actually works.
Real feedback. Real admits.
“I worked with Oba for both career coaching and my Stanford GSB app. He helped me get my BCG offer, then coached me through my whole MBA application. His advice on how to frame my story made a huge difference. Oba has this skill where he helps you look at your experiences in a new way and explain them so they actually connect. I wouldn’t be at Stanford without him.”
“Oba’s coaching was key for my CBS deferred admit. He helped me build a story that actually made sense, coached my recommenders on what to focus on, and showed me how to tell my story better. Having his support through the whole process gave me the confidence I needed to get in.”
“Oba basically walked me through everything. We spent a lot of time figuring out what my actual story was, what was worth writing about and what wasn't. He drilled me on mock interviews too, gave helpful feedback. I got into Stanford GSB. Honestly don't think I get in without him.”