17
Gen. Trading
Mktg/Sales
Self-funded
NWN-Kellogg
MBA
To those considering Mr. Round’s counseling services
I will be enrolling in the MBA program at the Kellogg School of Management starting in September 2005. There is no question that my admission to Kellogg and several other schools regarded as top programs—despite having only average test scores—was made possible through my co-work with Mr. Round.
There is already an abundance of information available in the form of admissions success stories, and Mr. Round’s track record speaks for itself. Therefore, rather than repeating those points, I would like to focus on explaining why Mr. Round’s services were so effective in helping me survive and succeed in the highly competitive business school admissions process.
If I were asked to describe, in a single phrase, what differentiates Mr. Round’s counseling services from others, I would say: “a counseling service where you are free to be demanding.” The biggest reason for this, in my view, is that Mr. Round was like an older brother—someone with whom I could talk openly about anything. From conversations with others who used different services, I often sensed frustration stemming from counselor-led processes in which applicants felt unable to fully express their thoughts. In Mr. Round’s case, his calm personality combined with his uncompromising commitment to professional service made it possible to create application materials that both sides could truly be satisfied with. (Although not directly related to application content, I should also note that my conversations and email exchanges with Mr. Round during the busiest periods were indispensable for my emotional stability.)
To be more specific, for example, when I was working on one essay, I would often present ideas for the next essay during our session. If Mr. Round—thinking from the Admissions Committee’s perspective—felt that a topic was not compelling, he would unhesitatingly tell me to change it. Moreover, after some time, he would follow up with emails offering concrete images or suggestions for alternative approaches. In this sense, he was not merely a critic, but someone who truly thought alongside me from my perspective. I typically submitted drafts that exceeded the word limit, reviewed Mr. Round’s revised and condensed versions, and if I was not satisfied, I felt free to discuss the content with him until we reached a result that fully reflected my intent. By managing this entire process while keeping the overall timeline in mind, Mr. Round enabled us to produce essays efficiently and to my full satisfaction.
Another major strength of Mr. Round’s service is that he personally oversees the entire process consistently—from essays to application forms, recommender selection, and interviews. With some services, different people handle different components depending on the school, but Mr. Round’s approach avoids the inefficiencies that arise when responsibilities are fragmented—such as repeatedly explaining one’s background or previously written essays. Business school applications are, above all, a race against time, and this consistency becomes especially valuable during peak periods.
Interview preparation, in particular, was extremely helpful for me, as my only prior opportunities to speak English had been at work. Mr. Round’s interview sessions have several distinguishing features. First, they go beyond simple conversational practice to cover details of nonverbal communication when interacting with foreigners, including basics such as how to shake hands. Second, because each mock interview is conducted with a specific school in mind, we were able to thoroughly study, through repeated simulations, how to respond in a manner aligned with each school’s culture, as well as what questions to ask the interviewer—a point whose importance I fully realized during actual interviews. Finally, although it may seem like a minor detail, receiving a detailed written analysis of each mock interview after the session was extremely helpful in clarifying areas for improvement and tracking my progress. Because I always asked Mr. Round to conduct school-specific interview sessions before interviews at key schools, I was able to approach each interview with confidence.
In closing, MBA admissions are often described as an information war, and I truly believe this is accurate. Mr. Round has sent numerous Japanese applicants to top schools through many years of counseling, and I am convinced that leveraging the insights gained from that track record allows applicants to navigate the MBA admissions process far more efficiently. The MBA application journey is not a simple exam process and can be demanding in many ways, but it is also a potential turning point in one’s life. I encourage all of you to persevere and give it your best.
