183
Finance
General Mgmt
Sponsored
MIT-Sloan
SFMBA
School Enrolled: MIT Sloan Fellows
Background: 36 years old, finance, company-sponsored study abroad
When I was suddenly told, “You will be applying for an MBA next spring,” I was completely at a loss and did not even know which direction to take. Without Mr. Round’s warm yet highly professional support, it would have been impossible for me to reach the finish line. I would especially like to emphasize that Round One is the best possible choice for those who aim to balance demanding work responsibilities with MBA applications.
The MBA application process is extremely opaque, and even a rough list of required tasks includes test preparation such as TOEFL and GMAT, understanding each school’s programs, selecting target schools, writing school-specific essays, handling various application procedures, preparing for campus visits and interviews, and corresponding with admissions offices. Managing all of this in parallel places a considerable burden on applicants.
In such circumstances, if one aims to balance work and MBA applications, it is absolutely essential to complete the tasks that need to be done *at that moment* without missing any, while also flexibly adjusting priorities based on one’s situation. Handling this alone is by no means easy.
Especially for someone like me, who could only devote two to three hours on weekends outside of work, I can confidently say that without Mr. Round—who consistently encouraged me with warm words, calmly assessed my situation more objectively than I could myself, and provided precise guidance on what needed to be done—I would not have achieved my current result.
Below, I would like to highlight several key points that illustrate just how critical Round One’s support is for MBA applicants.
For MBA applicants, “how effectively one uses limited time” is critically important. Drawing on his many years of counseling experience, Mr. Round works backward from the application timeline to clearly indicate what actions are needed at each stage. I vividly remember feeling as though my field of vision suddenly opened on the day I first met Mr. Round, as the overall schedule and direction of preparation immediately became clear.
From determining an application portfolio and submission timing based on test scores, to essay preparation, careful review of application materials, communication with admissions offices, and even the overall timeline for studying abroad, Mr. Round provided guidance on virtually every aspect of the process.
In addition, thanks to Mr. Round’s career and warm personal character, I was introduced to current MBA students—many of whom were his former clients. It would not be an exaggeration to say that if I consulted Mr. Round, I could get answers to everything needed for studying abroad. Because this comprehensive support allows applicants to focus on test preparation, those aiming for top schools in particular stand to benefit greatly from Round One’s services.
Essays are unavoidable for MBA applicants, but generating ideas, structuring narratives, and writing in English all place a significant burden on candidates. Preparing essays while simultaneously managing work and test preparation in the fall is often one of the greatest hurdles in the application process.
In this regard, Mr. Round provided thorough support across the entire process. Not only did he perform major revisions on my drafts, but during especially busy periods when I could barely generate ideas, he would brainstorm with me during our weekly meetings, draft essays on the spot in line with each school’s character, and then send back near-perfect versions within one to two hours. I was genuinely moved by his level of professionalism.
While applying to multiple schools is often desirable from a fit perspective, it naturally increases the essay workload, requiring applicants to strike a balance. In my view, Round One uniquely enables applicants to achieve both high essay quality and a substantial number of applications at the same time.
For MBA applicants, interviews are the final hurdle. No matter how strong one’s scores or essays may be, a poor interview performance can undo everything. At the same time, it is unrealistic to prepare exhaustive answers for every possible question, as schools assess applicants’ personalities from many different angles.
Round One naturally provides interview training, and the questions used are all highly adaptable. In actual interviews, I encountered several curveball-style questions, but I was able to respond adequately using what I had practiced with Mr. Round.
I had assumed that interview training was difficult to review afterward, but Mr. Round would send me, on the same day, written summaries of the questions asked, my responses, his evaluations, points for improvement, and more effective expressions. It is difficult to overstate how helpful this was in organizing my thoughts just before interviews.
While Japanese applicants need a certain amount of interview practice, they rarely have enough time to prepare perfectly. Through Round One’s training, I was able to firmly grasp the common and critical points across schools and explain them appropriately, which I believe allowed me to successfully navigate multiple interviews.
For MBA applicants, the most important element is having a “running partner.” In many companies, only one or two employees apply for an MBA each year, and the preparation process is demanding and isolating. Many applicants must fight alone under significant pressure.
Some people liken MBA applications to a marathon, but for me, it felt like a blind marathon. When I first entered the MBA application process, I remember feeling utterly hopeless at the thought of battling through ten months without being able to see what lay ahead or knowing what I should be doing.
It was Mr. Round who ran alongside me during that time. For ten months, he stayed by my side, encouraged me, and guided me toward the finish line.
As many applicants have noted, Mr. Round’s personality is sincere, friendly, and highly professional. No matter how unprepared I was, he patiently moved forward with me; when results were good, he celebrated as if they were his own, and when results were disappointing, he offered strong encouragement and helped me think through the next steps. There is no doubt in my mind that Round One can become the best possible partner for anyone.
I strongly encourage all applicants to reach out to Round One at least once and openly share whatever concerns you may have right now. From that very day, a difficult yet extraordinary race will likely begin.
I sincerely wish you all the very best in your endeavors and continued success.
