197
Technology
Product Mgmt
Sponsored
MIT-Sloan
MBA
Background: Telecommunications operator (6th year), company-sponsored, female returnee in her 20s (2.5 years in the U.S.)
Admitted Schools: MIT Sloan, Tepper, HEC, ESADE
Looking back, although the journey lasted only about one year, I believe that the reason I was able to overcome what was the most painful and demanding year of my life was thanks to Mr. Round. In particular, despite struggling to improve my GMAT score, his support was indispensable in enabling me to gain admission to my first-choice school, MIT. He respected my wishes to the fullest while providing precise advice on what was necessary to succeed, which allowed me to openly share my opinions, engage in thorough discussions, and ultimately submit essays that I was satisfied with to every school.
Because my background differed significantly from that of a typical Japanese applicant—being company-sponsored, from a technical background, a returnee, and female—I was extremely careful when choosing a counselor. However, with Mr. Round, I had no such concerns at all. He introduced me to past successful applicants with similar backgrounds and thoughtfully considered how best to present my background and aspirations. I believe this level of individualized support was only possible because of Mr. Round’s extensive experience in guiding many applicants to success. Rather than imposing his own assumptions or rules of thumb, he encouraged me to make choices—regarding both school selection and essay content—that I would not regret. Normally, aiming for MIT with a GPA of 3.3 and a GMAT score in the low 600s might be considered unrealistic, but because he did not discourage me and instead gave me a push forward, I was able to seize this opportunity.
As mentioned above, given the uniqueness of my background, there were few comparable success stories I could reference. After meeting with all potential counselors, I chose Mr. Round because he was willing to work with me to develop a realistic strategy without diminishing my motivation. He was particularly reliable—always responding promptly even during busy periods, and ensuring that I received the support I needed when I needed it, despite time zone differences. In addition, resources such as easy-to-use templates for résumés, clearly organized materials for school selection, and the R1 Gazette newsletter with timely guidance allowed me to approach MBA preparation with confidence, even as a first-time applicant. Being able to go through not only essays but also the detailed mini-essays and form entries together via screen sharing before submission was incredibly reassuring, especially since some questions involved concepts unfamiliar in Japan.
We met at the same time each week for two to three hours, and I was able to work through the process while enjoying relaxed and engaging conversations—even with family members I lived with. Writing essays every week sometimes felt daunting, but Mr. Round was understanding of my demanding job and always maintained a cheerful, humorous atmosphere, which helped me move forward with a positive mindset. He also crafted witty expressions that matched my personality, giving my essays a level of polish and naturalness that I could not have achieved on my own, and allowing me to communicate my message exactly as I intended. Even with my tendency to procrastinate, I was able to proceed at a manageable pace thanks to Mr. Round’s constant encouragement and positivity. If you have a bit of time before or after your sessions, I highly recommend chatting with him—you’ll hear some great stories. Personally, I found his story about crows the most entertaining (laugh).
I’ve written at length, but if you are currently unsure about which counselor to choose, I believe Mr. Round is someone you can trust with confidence. The quality of his support is extremely high and offers value well beyond the cost. He makes every possible effort to help turn even difficult goals into reality, and his presence was a vital source of support throughout what can be a very lonely application journey. Thank you very much!
