38
Energy
Engineering/R&D
Sponsored
Texas-McCombs
MBA
I believe that the reason I was able to gain admission to a top-30 university despite having a GMAT score in the low 600s was the support I received from Round One. After my company-sponsored assignment was approved, I began my application preparation around February, met Mr. Round in March, and thus began a year-long admissions journey. Coming from a regional area and being unable to travel frequently to Tokyo, the convenience of being able to complete everything online—and Round One’s strong reputation for quality—were the two main reasons I chose Round One. Ultimately, however, Mr. Round’s personal character and the sense of fit I felt when meeting him in person were what truly solidified my decision. Looking back, I believe this choice was the right one.
The greatest obstacle in my application process was my low test scores. My TOEFL score stubbornly refused to surpass 100, and I repeatedly sent emails to Mr. Round saying, “I didn’t make it again.” Each time, he reassured me with a simple but powerful response: “It’s okay.” From September onward, I began tackling the GMAT and essay writing in parallel, and I struggled daily under the triple burden of TOEFL, GMAT, and essays. I believe the main reason I was able to endure this threefold challenge was that, thanks to Mr. Round’s support, I was able to proceed with essay preparation efficiently.
In the end, my TOEFL score barely exceeded 100 in October and did not improve further before I submitted my applications. As for the GMAT, my score remained stuck in the low 600s. Given that my company required admission to a top-30 school, this became an extremely difficult battle. Despite such weak scores, I was somehow able to gain admission to a top-30 program, and I believe this was largely due to my essays and interviews. Mr. Round’s approach to essay development was both efficient and fast, yet he was able to draw out my true essence. I also relied heavily on him for interview preparation, working through it repeatedly. I believe that these joint, side-by-side efforts ultimately made it possible to overcome the significant handicap of low test scores. I am now filled with gratitude.
I do not think anyone believes that MBA admissions are determined 100% by GMAT scores alone, but they are undeniably an important factor. That said, for top-30 schools, I believe there is still a real possibility of compensating for lower GMAT scores through strong essays and interviews. For those who are under intense pressure—such as being in a “no second attempt” situation and absolutely needing admission to a top-30 program—I strongly recommend choosing Round One. Of course, for those who are able to further improve elements such as GMAT scores on their own, Mr. Round will be able to help make admission to even higher-ranked schools possible.
The MBA application process is emotionally demanding, and I believe it is essential to have a partner who will consistently encourage you along the way. For those who choose Round One, I strongly recommend reaching out to Mr. Round whenever you experience test setbacks or feel on the verge of giving up. He will surely offer warm words of encouragement and, together with you, think through how best to move forward.
