51
Consulting
Consulting
Self-funded
INSEAD
MBA
I learned about Round One through someone I met at INSEAD’s bi-monthly drinks who had studied abroad as part of a partner-sponsored arrangement. The main reasons I chose Round One were its flexible, non-package pricing structure (unlike many other schools), its proven track record of helping partners gain admission to INSEAD—which was particularly relevant since I was also aiming to study abroad with my partner—and the fact that Ms. Round herself is an INSEAD graduate.
I had planned to submit my application in June 2010, but I began counseling with Round One in July 2009. As I read the Round One Gazette sent each month, my sense that I had truly begun the MBA application journey grew stronger, and I was able to engage seriously with the process. Being able to consult early on about the timing of my GMAT exams and the start of essay counseling also helped me establish my own pace. Without Mr. Round’s support, I believe it would have been difficult to maintain that pace amid the many uncertainties of applying for the first time.
I completed the TOEFL and GMAT in February 2010 and began essay counseling in mid-February. Because INSEAD was my first-choice school, my counseling was handled by Ms. Round, who is an INSEAD alumna. By scheduling counseling sessions once a week, I was able to steadily progress with my essays even while being busy at work.
I believe Round One’s strength lies in their deep understanding of what truly matters in MBA essays. Rather than simply polishing essays into professional-sounding English, they provide a wide range of advice to help applicants craft essays with a strong narrative that clearly and effectively respond to what schools are seeking. There were many things I learned—and many points I became aware of—that I would not have noticed without their guidance. Their flexible scheduling and ability to work online were also extremely valuable to me, as I was involved in consulting projects with unpredictable hours. At first, I was concerned about whether communication would work smoothly across such distance, with them in Canada and me in Japan, but there were very few occasions when I did not receive a response to my emails within 24 hours.
During interview training, they not only provided detailed feedback, but also offered various ideas to help draw out my strengths more effectively. Mr. Round took time out of his busy schedule to conduct multiple interview training sessions with me. Having the opportunity to train with two different types of interviewers—Mr. Round and Ms. Round—proved extremely helpful, especially since my actual interview panel consisted of one woman and one man.
I applied only to INSEAD, and I believe that was possible because the strong support of both counselors gave me a great sense of reassurance. Their extensive experience, powerful network, and dedicated support gave me what I believe is the most important element in MBA applications: confidence. The network they have built is not only theirs—it also becomes an asset for their future clients—and I consider it extremely valuable. They are people I would like to stay in touch with long after the application process has ended.
