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INSEAD
MBA
I believe that without Round One’s support, I would not have been able to gain admission to INSEAD, one of my first-choice schools.
When deciding on a counselor with whom I would go through the MBA application process, I considered several options. However, after a series of discussions with Steve, I chose Round One without hesitation.
The main reasons were: (1) the personal appeal of Steve (and Emma, who later handled my essay counseling), (2) their deep understanding of each applicant’s individual circumstances and the ability to provide solutions tailored to those circumstances, and (3) the flexibility of support made possible by keeping class sizes to a manageable scale. Now that I have completed the MBA application process, I am convinced that this was the right decision.
In particular, regarding point (3), they sincerely accommodated my requests—for example, by extending the length of individual essay counseling sessions or increasing the number of appointments as needed (of course, this also increased my own workload, so it was demanding in its own way). The fact that counseling is primarily conducted via Skype further enhances this flexibility.
Broadly speaking, Round One’s services can be categorized into three areas: (1) Strategic Guidance, (2) Essay Counseling, and (3) Interview Training. I was highly satisfied with all three.
I received support on overall MBA application strategy, including setting target timelines for completing TOEFL and GMAT score preparation, creating an application portfolio that took into account application timing, and selecting recommenders.
Steve consistently offered words of encouragement when I felt discouraged by my slow progress on test scores, and he also proposed an application portfolio that took into account my situation, including restrictions imposed by my employer on eligible schools.
In addition, I am extremely grateful to Steve for providing comprehensive support throughout the enrollment process, ranging from advice on scheduling campus visits, introductions to current students, and even reviewing documents for my French visa application.
While it is easy to focus primarily on test scores, essays are one of the most important elements in securing admission—often more important than scores themselves—and I believe they are an area where applicants should seek reliable advice.
Round One’s essay counseling begins with résumé development, moves on to clarifying career goals, and then proceeds to writing essays for each school. Emma’s speed and quality in counseling were truly remarkable.
She carefully guided me on how to approach each school’s essays, and even when I requested counseling on a large volume of essay drafts, in most cases she was able to complete revisions within a single appointment, while polishing my message into language that expressed my intent accurately and effectively.
The fact that I received interview invitations from more than half of my target schools (including INSEAD and U.S. top-10 schools) is, I believe, a testament to the high quality of this counseling. Although essay writing itself was demanding, Emma’s friendly manner made it possible to approach the process with enjoyment.
Interviews are as important as essays and require thorough preparation.
Round One offers three types of interview training: Type A (mock interview plus detailed, file-based feedback), Type B (mock interview with verbal feedback after each question), and Type C (development of “Killer Questions” for interviewers). All three were effective in preparing for interviews.
Type A
After a 30-minute mock interview that closely mirrors the real thing, you receive file-based feedback within 24 hours. This feedback is outstanding, detailing not only the strengths and weaknesses of my responses, but also providing concrete advice on how to answer more effectively.
I used this training a total of four times (twice specifically for INSEAD), and by repeatedly practicing while addressing the weaknesses identified in the feedback, I was able to approach the actual interviews in a relaxed manner.
Type B
In this format, you receive feedback after each individual question before moving on to the next. Because this allows you to cover many questions in a short period of time, I found it particularly effective as an advanced stage of preparation after building a foundation through Type A training and self-study based on its feedback.
I primarily used Type B training with Steve and Emma to prepare for HBS (unfortunately, I was rejected after the interview). I vividly remember that, during the session immediately before the HBS interview, both of them warmly encouraged me, saying, “You’ve worked this hard—go in with confidence and enjoy it.” That moment clearly stands out as one when I felt truly glad that I had chosen Round One.
Type C
Type C training focuses on preparing questions to ask interviewers. Developing multiple effective questions—so-called “Killer Questions”—that can impress interviewers is not easy or efficient for an applicant to do alone. Through Type C training, I developed five questions specifically for INSEAD. This process deepened my understanding of the school, and the questions themselves could be customized for other schools as well, so I believe it is beneficial to take this training at an early stage.
I am confident that Round One’s capabilities as counselors are as outstanding as their reputation and track record suggest. Steve and Emma are not only warm and positive individuals, but also true professionals who fully rise to meet the efforts of their applicants. Building a relationship of trust with them—as a client and as a friend—has become an invaluable asset in my life, alongside my admission to INSEAD.
In closing, I sincerely wish Round One continued success, and I wish every applicant reading this the very best in their own application journeys.
