20
Gen. Trading
Ops/Logistics
Scholarship
UCLA-Anderson
MBA
Five years after first conceiving the idea, and one full year after formally committing to the process, my MBA application journey has finally come to an end.
In the end, I was fortunate enough to gain admission to multiple top schools that had initially seemed well beyond my reach, and I was able to decide on my destination. This outcome was, of course, the result of my own perseverance and sustained effort—but above all, it was made possible by the dedication and support of R1 (Mr. Round) and his services.
I decided to use R1 in February of last year, when I contacted them—well before beginning test score preparation—after being introduced by a senior colleague, with the intention of starting my MBA application process early.
Based on my experience with several counseling services, I believe that R1’s services stand out as exceptionally superior, and that the fact I was able to gain admission—with scholarships—to multiple Top 30 schools despite having a low GMAT score just slightly above 600 was due to the following strengths of R1.
This is the initial service provided at the outset. For applicants (other than reapplicants) who are starting the MBA process with little prior knowledge or experience, Strategic Guidance offers comprehensive advice covering timelines, required tasks, what to begin working on, school selection, recommender selection, and test score strategies. This service proves especially powerful in the middle and later stages of the application process.
This is because, at the beginning, nearly everyone inevitably focuses exclusively on TOEFL and GMAT score preparation—and understandably so. However, strategic engagement in extracurricular activities and professional responsibilities can become major selling points during the year-end and subsequent application season (applications and interviews), and R1 provides concrete guidance on these points at a very early stage.
In addition, all non-essay-related questions—including test preparation, application strategy, and even personal concerns—can be addressed within the scope of Strategic Guidance. This support is provided separately from essay counseling time. During peak periods, I received this supplementary support almost daily for test preparation, application tactics, and interview strategy, and Mr. Round responded carefully and thoughtfully to every question and concern I raised.
All communication is conducted via email (with the exception of interview training and the initial online consultation). This approach is extremely convenient and efficient. I have experience with face-to-face services, where miscommunication due to language limitations sometimes occurred, and where there was no written record to review later—even when I initially felt I had understood everything. Additionally, counselors who handle 20–30 clients per year may sometimes provide inconsistent advice from session to session.
With R1, all communication can be reviewed and referenced, eliminating unnecessary repetition or redundant reviews of past discussions. This consistency is a major strength.
Moreover, once core application elements—such as the overall application framework, short- and long-term goals, and “Why MBA” rationale—are solidified, these foundational ideas can be leveraged effectively, dramatically accelerating the pace of the application process in later stages. Because the work is conducted remotely via scheduled email exchanges, it becomes possible to submit applications to more schools while also eliminating wasted time spent traveling.
R1 provides guidance starting from test preparation (though it does not offer test prep classes themselves), including advice on test timing and target scores. They then tailor application strategies by carefully considering each client’s professional background and experience, offering precise and effective guidance on how to respond to each school’s essay questions (without ghostwriting or exaggerating ideas). Based on this guidance, applicants can prepare essay drafts in advance of scheduled appointments.
After submission, R1 continues to support clients through interview preparation, development of effective interview questions, and even strategies for handling waitlists (such as push letters or additional essays). Mr. Round treats each client as a product to be presented to schools—his customers—ensuring that those schools can confidently “purchase” the candidate. In other words, R1 provides support all the way through final admission decisions.
This is critically important, as some counselors provide little to no support after applications are submitted unless explicitly prompted. That said, Mr. Round is not proactive with passive clients. Rather, meaningful guidance is provided when clients clearly communicate their needs and requests, allowing him to advise effectively on how best to proceed.
Interview preparation—often underestimated by Japanese MBA applicants—is, in my view, one of R1’s most valuable services. One of the key reasons I was able to secure scholarship-supported admission to near-top schools with a GMAT score just over 600 was R1’s interview training.
This training was conducted primarily by Ms. Round rather than Mr. Round, as practicing mock interviews with someone other than the person I was accustomed to communicating with proved more effective. Half of each session was devoted to a realistic mock interview, while the other half involved the creation of a detailed evaluation sheet assessing every word I spoke. Separately, sessions with Mr. Round focused on developing strategic interview questions. Through this preparation, it became possible to overcome significant disadvantages—such as low test scores or a low undergraduate GPA—within a 30-minute interview, effectively reversing what would otherwise have been fatal weaknesses.
The above are the reasons I can confidently attest to the high quality of R1’s services. Each of these elements plays a crucial role in transforming highly capable—but otherwise difficult-to-differentiate—Japanese MBA applicants into truly distinctive candidates.
