82
Gen. Trading
Mktg/Sales
Sponsored
USC-Marshall
IBEAR-MBA
Degree to be obtained: U.S. MBA (Class of 2014) *Marshall School of Business at USC
Work experience: Trading company → manufacturer → trading company (12 years total in sales)
Sponsorship: Self-funded at the time of application; changed to company-sponsored after admission
I first developed a vague interest in an MBA—more of an aspiration than a concrete plan—nearly ten years ago. At the time, however, the perceived hurdles felt too high, and I gave up without taking any action. Later, as I reflected more seriously on my future career and how to further enhance my personal value, I concluded that earning an MBA would be a highly beneficial option. Although I was relatively old for an MBA applicant (I was already 34 when I began preparing for the exams), I decided to take a bold step forward.
These exams were extremely challenging for me. When I first began studying, I assumed that “since I’m reasonably good at English, I’ll manage somehow,” but that turned out to be my biggest mistake. In the end, test scores became the bottleneck, and it took me three full years before I was finally able to apply. Since my scores are not something to boast about, I will refrain from giving specific study advice. That said, I strongly believe it is essential to “start early” and to “avoid spreading yourself too thin across too many prep schools or materials,” and instead focus intensively and consistently.
I spent the majority of my career working in sales at trading companies. Unlike manufacturers, where functions are highly segmented, sales professionals at trading companies are increasingly required to possess marketing and finance capabilities across their respective domains and to develop strategies on a business-by-business basis. I gradually came to feel this more strongly, and concluded that studying at a U.S. business school—at the forefront of strategic management—would be the ideal way to acquire these skills.
I first met Mr. Round in the summer of my second year of exam preparation. At that point, my test scores were still far from competitive, but I reached out to him knowing that he had previously worked as a counselor at a very well-known firm in Tokyo. Shortly afterward, I received an email saying, “I happen to be in Tokyo—would you like to meet?” (Mr. Round is normally based in Canada). That first meeting took place at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo. Beyond his strong physical presence—he must have been at least 10 cm taller than me—I was struck by his gentlemanly and highly intelligent demeanor. I remember thinking, “If I work with this person, maybe this could actually work.”
At a time when I had heard that some famous counselors screen clients strictly based on test scores or background, Mr. Round did not dismiss my MBA potential based on scores alone. Instead, he assessed my background and career aspirations holistically, and told me, “You are someone who deserves to pursue an MBA—let’s work together.” I still remember how reassured I felt hearing those words.
Mr. Round began by carefully listening to my academic background, professional experience, and career goals, and helped draw out experiences that could serve as strong material for my essays. Through repeated discussions via Skype and email, he guided me in shaping those ideas into compelling essays. Some applicants may feel uneasy about online counseling, but I would actually recommend it—especially for non-native English speakers. Whenever something was unclear, I could immediately clarify it via Skype or email, and I never felt that my intentions were misunderstood.
Each year, usually around summer to fall, Mr. Round organizes networking events in Tokyo for both past and current clients. I attended one while I was still an applicant, and found it extremely valuable to speak with many MBA holders directly. I also expect that continuing to participate in these gatherings will serve as a long-term networking opportunity among alumni.
I have not used any counselors other than Round One, and while my wish to attend business school was ultimately fulfilled, I cannot scientifically prove a direct causal relationship between Round One and my admission. Therefore, I would not irresponsibly insist that all applicants should choose Round One. That said, beyond his role as a counselor, I genuinely respect Mr. Round as a fellow business professional and as a person for his approach to work. I encourage all applicants not to blindly trust online reputations or rumors, but to personally reach out to several counselors and assess their fit for themselves. I sincerely hope that each of you will find the counselor who best matches you, and that your dreams and goals will become reality.
