151
Finance
Banking-Inv.
Sponsored
USC-Marshall
MBA
I struggled with test preparation and was ultimately forced to apply with relatively low scores and at a later stage in the admissions cycle. Combined with the pressure of being a company-sponsored applicant, it was an extremely difficult battle. However, in the end, I was fortunate enough to be admitted to multiple business schools, ranging from those ranked around the top 10 to those in the 30s. I am deeply grateful to Steve, as this outcome would not have been possible without his warm and steady support. I would like to share my experience below in the hope that it may be of some help to others.
To repeat what may sound self-deprecating, my test scores were more than 90 points below the average of every school I applied to. As a result, the role of essays in passing the initial screening was far more critical for me than for many other applicants. With that as a preface:
Steve did not try to radically rewrite my ideas by telling me “do this” or “do that,” for better or worse. I have heard that in this industry there are ghostwriters or counselors who heavily “polish” applications, but in my case, Steve almost never altered the substance or structure of what I had written. Instead, he focused on how my message could be delivered more effectively—pointing out where information was insufficient or unclear from the reader’s perspective, and refining the English accordingly. Beyond language, Steve also helped carefully polish my rough, unrefined ideas into something clear and compelling.
On the other hand, he rarely gave formulaic advice such as “write it this way and you’ll get in,” nor did he ever scold me with comments like “there’s no way this essay would pass,” which I have often seen mentioned in reviews of other well-known counselors. Because of this, I sometimes wondered honestly whether my essays were really good enough or competitive (especially since I knew others who were doing deep dives with counselors using structured frameworks). However, when I decided to trust Steve, I already had a clear understanding of his style from people I knew, so I chose to move forward with confidence. In the end, I passed the document screening at top schools, and I believe it was the right choice for me.
The feedback reports Steve provides after interview training sessions are extremely high in quality and proved invaluable. Rather than relying solely on verbal advice, he meticulously documents what was effective and what was not, making it easy to review and reflect afterward.
In addition, one area where Steve is particularly meticulous is in preparing “killer questions.” Spending time to carefully develop these questions was highly effective in clearly conveying my level of interest during interviews. At times, he even helped with background research, and working together to craft questions that truly resonated was an enjoyable process.
Interviews, which represent the final stage of the application process, are inevitably nerve-racking. At this stage, Steve’s calm and reassuring manner was especially dependable. Anyone who meets him will understand—his personality naturally puts anxious applicants at ease. I was also very grateful that he flexibly adjusted the training schedule right before interviews that I absolutely wanted to secure.
Looking back on my application journey now, there are things I could have done better, but I have no regrets. Being able to finish the process with a sense of satisfaction is also thanks to Steve. I have heard stories from fellow low-score applicants who experienced counselors acting without integrity because of their scores, but Steve was never like that. What I received from him was encouragement—consistently. Because of that, even without the comfort of strong scores, I was able to approach my essays positively and walk into interviews with confidence.
I want to emphasize that producing high-quality essays and interview performances requires a strong relationship of trust with one’s counselor during the preparation stage. This is because the process demands deep self-reflection and a willingness to lay oneself bare, and the influence of the partner who accompanies you through that journey is far from insignificant. I sincerely hope that all applicants are fortunate enough to find a great counselor and achieve outstanding success in their applications.
