35
Media/Entmt
General Mgmt
Self-funded
Illinois-U-C
MBA
I imagine that many of you are preparing for MBA applications from regional areas or from overseas, and a common feeling you likely share is that there are no good prep schools available outside major cities. I myself live in Nara Prefecture and struggled to find suitable prep schools. It takes about two hours just to get to Osaka, and even there, there are not many strong options. After searching desperately, I came across Round One. I believe that the reason I was able to receive offers of admission from multiple schools—despite not having particularly strong English test scores—was thanks to Round One.
When you look at the services offered by large prep schools, they often hold seminars explaining MBA application timelines and how to write essays. Because I had no fellow applicants around me, I struggled simply due to a lack of access to this basic information. At Round One, these kinds of seminars are provided via video. While there are some Tokyo-based prep schools that offer online services, they are fundamentally designed for people who live in Tokyo. Round One, where all services are completed entirely online, is an invaluable resource for those living outside major cities.
Once you register with Round One, the first step is to sign up for Strategic Guidance. This service was the most valuable for me. The reason is simple: you can ask about anything, as much as you need. To begin with, they help build an application strategy designed to maximize an applicant’s appeal (which was completely different from the Japanese university entrance exam system and quite eye-opening), as well as a portfolio of target schools. In my case, however, my GMAT and TOEFL scores did not improve as planned. Even so, I still had to move forward with essays, and my anxiety continued to grow. I emailed Mr. Round countless times, repeatedly revising my school portfolio. Whenever my anxiety led me to favor only schools that seemed “easy to get into,” he would encourage me by saying, “This school is too easy for you,” skillfully keeping me on track. There were also times during Skype interview training when I spoke directly with Mr. Round for over an hour after the session, receiving advice and support. MBA applications are filled with uncertainty and anxiety. Having a trustworthy advisor whom you can consult at any time can be a significant strength in getting through the process.
In closing, I have shared my impressions of using Round One primarily for the benefit of applicants living outside major cities. Preparing for MBA applications from a regional area—where there are no well-known prep schools, university information sessions are held in Tokyo and therefore inaccessible, and there are no fellow applicants nearby—can be extremely challenging. I encourage you to make effective use of services like Round One to successfully navigate the process.
