Messages from Mr. Round

The MBA application process begins with test preparation, followed by essays and interviews. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses at each stage. I believe that results can change significantly depending on whether you are able to view difficult periods as simply part of the journey toward your goal. In my case, my TOEFL score improvement lagged behind schedule, and my first GMAT attempt ended in a disastrous result. By mid-September, I was completely exhausted. However, Mr. Round continued to send me positive messages at all times, and that encouragement became the driving force that allowed me to persevere until the very end.

In particular, I do not think I would have been able to continue studying without the message I received from Mr. Round after my first GMAT attempt. Based on my personal experience, I found the following three points helpful for the GMAT: (1) it is possible to achieve a high score in Math even without answering every question correctly, (2) developing a strong (or preferred) section in Verbal (SC, CR, or RC), and (3) recognizing that CR and RC tend to have a relatively greater impact on the Verbal score. By keeping these points in mind, I was fortunately able to achieve an application-ready score on my second attempt. Many applicants will face periods when test scores do not improve as hoped. As I mentioned earlier, this is a difficult phase that everyone goes through, so I encourage you to stay positive and keep pushing forward.

Essays and Interview Training

Once you achieve satisfactory test scores, continuing essay development and interview training with Mr. Round and Ms. Round can significantly increase your chances of admission to top schools. I worked with Ms. Round on my essays, and her balance of rigor and warmth exceeded even her strong reputation. The volume of weekly assignments was substantial, but Ms. Round reviewed my work at an astonishing speed and provided extensive feedback in return. While I would not want to relive the MBA application period itself, the time spent crafting my essays was extremely fulfilling. In addition, the interview training provided clear and precise feedback on what questions to expect and how to respond in a way that resonates with interviewers. The overall quality of these services was exceptionally high.

Round One’s services are certainly not inexpensive. However, I genuinely feel that I received support well beyond the amount I paid.