With regard to application preparation, each consultation made it very clear what needed to be accomplished next, and the process was extremely efficient. At times, I felt uneasy when feedback on my drafts was brief, but in some cases I was advised to rewrite an essay entirely using a different idea, which showed that each piece was being evaluated objectively on its merits. In my case, after brainstorming with Steve, I personally wrote the first draft of every application document in English. I believe that the process of writing while thinking through ideas helped organize my thoughts and expand my English vocabulary. Since interviews often include questions related to essay content, I personally feel that writing one’s own application materials increases the likelihood of being able to respond quickly and naturally during interviews.

Regarding interview preparation, during the on-campus interviews, I was asked several questions very similar to those Steve had individually prepared for me in advance, which allowed me to proceed without panic. (Unless someone is extremely disciplined in preparing on their own, I would recommend starting interview preparation early, as soon as applications are submitted.)

For English communication with universities—such as inquiry emails to admissions, thank-you emails after information sessions, and thank-you emails to interviewers—drafts were always reviewed within one day. This allowed me to communicate proactively with schools with confidence. In my case, after emailing admissions with follow-up questions from an information session, I was introduced to a professor in the relevant field. During the on-campus interview, I incorporated this interaction into my motivation story, which made a positive impression on the interviewers.