187
Energy
Engineering/R&D
Sponsored
Cambridge-Judge
MBA
School Enrolled: Cambridge Judge Business School
Other Admitted Schools: Oxford Saïd Business School, ESADE Business School
Background: 33 years old, infrastructure sector, company-sponsored at a Japanese firm
I first contacted Round One (R1) around April 2020 and signed a contract shortly thereafter. From that point through March 2021, I received extensive support across many areas and was ultimately admitted to my first-choice school, Cambridge Judge Business School (CJBS). I cannot express my gratitude enough. The initial reason I reached out was that many company-sponsored candidates at my firm had worked with R1, and in particular, a close senior colleague recommended it to me, saying, “R1 would be a good fit for you.” I have also heard stories from other applicants about mismatches with counselors, so I strongly hope that future applicants will understand R1’s unique “edge” and achieve the best possible outcomes together with R1.
If I were to summarize that edge in just three points, they would be as follows.
Above all, R1’s greatest edge is its professionalism. To ensure the quality of service provided to each client, R1 strictly limits the number of students it accepts. I have heard stories about other counselors who, after taking on too many clients, provided careless responses or concluded essay reviews with little more than a “good.” Such situations simply do not occur at R1. Counselors devote sufficient effort to each individual client and come thoroughly prepared to every meeting, delivering exceptionally high-quality support in both essay development and interview training.
Their responsiveness is also excellent. As long as applicants observe reasonable rules of conduct, they can expect prompt and accurate responses. This may not be fully appreciated until deadlines approach, but it becomes invaluable in the critical period just before submissions.
Another key edge is the breadth of R1’s coverage, which is likely grounded in many years of accumulated experience.
R1 provides support across the entire process, including application scheduling, school selection, essay writing, interview preparation, and submission itself. They also review emails sent to admissions offices. While I did not personally use it, they even offer essay support for scholarship applications. The reason I was able to complete the application process without becoming mentally overwhelmed was not simply because my test scores were strong (in fact, with a GMAT score of 660, they were far from comfortable), but because I was able to proceed in line with a carefully discussed and well-thought-out application strategy.
In interview preparation, the support for developing “killer questions” for interviewers (referred to as Type C training) was particularly outstanding. Since interviewers invariably ask, “Any questions?”, this preparation allowed me to have high-quality questions ready for that final opportunity to make an impression.
The final edge I would like to highlight is R1’s network. When I requested introductions to current CJBS students who were former R1 clients, R1 introduced me to two individuals. Speaking with them proved immensely helpful not only in preparing essays and interviews, but also later in understanding post-admission procedures and how to approach the period leading up to enrollment. What I gained through R1 went beyond mere application support.
In addition, R1’s deep understanding of Japanese clients can also be seen as an extension of this network-driven experience. With a strong grasp of Japanese characteristics, business customs, and economic trends, R1 helped me identify compelling strengths and career visions and translate them effectively into essay and interview narratives.
Based on these edges, I would wholeheartedly recommend R1 as an outstanding partner to many others. To be honest, the fees are not inexpensive. However, I am firmly convinced that R1 delivers value that far exceeds the cost.
Thank you very much.
