104
Consulting
Consulting
Sponsored
CMU-Tepper
MBA
School Enrolled: Tepper School of Business
Other Admitted Schools: Cambridge, Texas, Babson
Thanks to Mr. Round’s calm and level-headed counseling, I was able to gain admission to Tepper, which I had regarded as my top choice from the very beginning of my MBA journey.
When I first decided to pursue an MBA, I had zero overseas experience, had never taken the TOEFL, and had only a TOEIC score of 600—clearly placing me at a disadvantage in terms of English ability compared with other applicants. From that point onward, Mr. Round and I worked together closely, step by step, over the course of an entire year toward my target business schools. The fact that I was able to gain admission to my target school starting from a position with no scores, no knowledge, and no preparation is unquestionably thanks to Mr. Round. I could never have achieved this on my own. I heard various reviews about other counselors as well, but I believe that the quality of a counselor ultimately depends on individual fit and values. Looking back on the process, I personally feel that the strengths of Mr. Round’s counseling can be summarized in the following three points.
My counselor was Mr. Round. I was introduced to him by a colleague at my company, and I decided on the spot to work with him based on the feeling I had when I first met him in Tokyo. The reason was simple: even with my imperfect English, he listened carefully and attentively. He always listens to my opinions, takes the time to fully understand them, and then offers calm, thoughtful advice. Some counselors tend to dominate the conversation by forcefully pushing their own opinions and advice, but what attracted me most to Mr. Round was that he truly listens—making him an ideal discussion partner.
This counseling style proved to be especially effective during the essay-writing process. I am very particular about my essays, and until I was fully satisfied, I repeatedly asked Mr. Round questions such as, “Wouldn’t it be better to write it this way?” or “What do you think about adding this new angle?” I believe I rewrote my essays dozens of times. Even so, Mr. Round always grasped the intent behind my questions and revised the essays without a single complaint, ultimately shaping them into outstanding final products.
Essay counselors are professionals, and I imagine that some may dislike being asked to repeatedly revise an essay they have already polished based on mutually agreed-upon ideas. However, Mr. Round revised my essays again and again, until we reached a result I was fully satisfied with. I believe this is possible precisely because of his “listening-first” counseling style.
Mr. Round is not only an essay counselor, but also an excellent project manager. His management covers the following areas:
Overall MBA application schedule management
His essay counseling sessions are conducted on a fixed weekly schedule. While irregular sessions may seem more flexible, having regular sessions clarifies weekly tasks and deadlines, ensuring steady progress without procrastination. If progress falls behind, Mr. Round proactively advises adjustments such as, “We should add an extra hour next week,” based on the current situation. Thanks to his management skills, I never once had to pull an all-nighter or feel overwhelmed.
Application portfolio management
Mr. Round managed several application portfolio scenarios for me—typically around three patterns. Taking my admission probability at each stage into account, he created and maintained well-balanced portfolios ranging from ambitious to conservative options. Managing multiple scenarios on one’s own would be extremely difficult, but having him continuously update school information as a manager saved me a great deal of time.
Moreover, he does not advise schools based solely on rankings. Taking into account my career background, aspirations, and essay content, he offered guidance such as, “This school would be the best fit for you.” For example, when I once asked whether I should apply to a higher-ranked school, he candidly advised, “That school is very finance-oriented, so it probably wouldn’t be a good fit for you.” He also cautioned that, especially for sponsored candidates, prioritizing program content over rankings would be more beneficial for long-term career development. In an industry where high rankings are often equated with good counseling, I found this advice both honest and convincing.
Management of application milestones
One particularly helpful feature of Round One is the bi-monthly online newsletter, which summarizes current application-related topics and strategies. Each issue outlines what applicants should focus on in the current and following months, making it an excellent tool for tracking milestones and ensuring nothing is overlooked. Even information that cannot be fully covered in individual counseling sessions is thoughtfully shared with all clients through this broader communication.
For every school I applied to, I was introduced to alumni or current students through the Round One network. While I don’t know exactly how many alumni and students are part of this network, Mr. Round always connected me with the most appropriate individuals. Typically, applicants seek introductions through official Japanese alumni associations, but being introduced through the Round One network created an immediate sense of camaraderie. As fellow members of the same community, alumni were more willing to take time for one-on-one conversations and provide generous support. I truly believe the bonds within the Round One community are strong, and that this community exists within nearly every business school. I now look forward to contributing to future Round One applicants myself as an alumnus.
In closing, there are many essay counselors in the MBA market who are highly professional and boast impressive track records. Among them, the challenge lies in finding the counselor who is the right fit for you. I was fortunate to meet a partner whom I truly believe was the best fit for me, and I am fully satisfied with my application results. In addition to Stephen, Emma also worked with me on essays for two schools, and she is likewise an exceptional counselor. Knowing that I can continue to seek guidance from the Round One team not only during the application process but also after admission and graduation, as my career progresses, gives me tremendous peace of mind. I sincerely hope you, too, will find a trustworthy partner you can work with for a lifetime.
