43
Energy
Finance
Sponsored
Dartmouth-Tuck
MBA
It would be no exaggeration to say that my admission to my first-choice school, the Tuck School of Business, was thanks to Mr. Round. I had already achieved my target TOEFL score by July, leaving only the GMAT. However, despite aiming to secure a GMAT score by November, my score simply would not improve. This began to affect my essay writing and interview preparation, causing all of my plans to unravel and pushing me to the brink of failure in the MBA application process.
Everything started with my fourth GMAT attempt on November 28, when I failed to achieve a satisfactory score. I had intended this to be my final attempt, but on the very day of the exam my wife went into labor. After rushing back and forth between the hospital and the GMAT test center, I was able to be present for the birth, but my mental and physical condition was understandably poor. As a result, I scored a disappointing 630 on the GMAT.
At that point, I considered lowering my target schools and consulted Mr. Round. Instead, he firmly admonished me, saying, “An MBA application is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Lowering your goals is easy, but it’s still too early to give up.” Thanks to his words, I was able to stay focused on my original ambitions. Mr. Round was always my strongest supporter—not only an outstanding essay counselor, but also a comprehensive advisor who supported my entire MBA journey through goal setting, time management, and encouragement during moments of emotional hardship, drawing on his extensive experience.
I believe the reason I was able to score 730 on the GMAT on January 4 was that Mr. Round provided precise and efficient guidance on essay development, which allowed me to devote much more time to GMAT preparation. What was truly remarkable about his essay counseling was that after my January 4 GMAT, when I decided to add two additional target schools, he helped me complete the full essay packages for both schools in just two days. Normally, this would take two weeks to a month. That it was possible in only two days was due to Mr. Round’s small-client model, which allows him to flexibly allocate time to each individual. During that period, I was pulling all-nighters myself, but Mr. Round worked at such an intense pace that I honestly could not tell when he slept.
By January, I had submitted applications to around twelve schools and thought I might finally catch my breath. However, interviews—originally expected to begin around February—started in late January. I had done no interview preparation at all and was thrown into a panic. Even then, Mr. Round reassured me, saying, “You’ve been living through a roller-coaster of days, and I’ve been right there with you—so I won’t be surprised no matter what you ask next.” As a result, we completed interview preparation—normally a one-month process—in just one week. During that week, we conducted mock interviews late at night on weekdays, and detailed reports would arrive by morning, repeating this cycle for three consecutive days. Thanks to this preparation, every question I encountered in my interviews fell within my expectations, allowing me to perform smoothly and confidently.
Mr. Round’s track record of sincere, dedicated support is undeniable, with many former clients gaining admission to top schools. I believe the ability to leverage this network is another major strength of Round One. When I consulted him about campus visits, he almost always introduced me to alumni. Because he has sent so many students to top programs, he possesses deep insight into each program’s culture, preferences, and tendencies. Utilizing this network can provide a significant advantage in the MBA application process. In addition, even after admission, regular alumni gatherings are held, offering continued opportunities to build valuable networks.
In closing, I would like to take this opportunity to express my heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Round, who encouraged me when I was discouraged, supported me in every possible way, and fought alongside me until the very end. For anyone struggling to choose an essay counselor, I strongly recommend speaking with Mr. Round at least once. I can guarantee that he will listen with genuine care and commitment.
