198
Gen. Trading
Finance
Self-funded
Columbia
MBA
This fall, I will be enrolling at Columbia Business School. Winning the opportunity to pursue an MBA life in the great metropolis of New York—something I never imagined when I first began the application process—was only possible thanks to Mr. Round. I am truly grateful.
It is often said that choosing the right MBA admissions counselor is critical to the application process, yet for self-funded applicants, it is by no means an easy decision. I completely understand this, as I struggled with it myself. Below, I would like to share what I found particularly valuable about Mr. Round’s counseling, in the hope that it may be helpful to others.
Mr. Round has worked with Japanese applicants for more than 25 years and has a deep understanding of Japanese culture, Japan’s unique industry structures, and what Japanese applicants seek from a counselor. In addition to online sessions, his careful and thoughtful email communication allowed me to proceed through the application process with confidence and peace of mind.
Having access to objective advice on which schools to apply to and how many schools to target (available through the Strategic Guidance Service) was extremely helpful. In addition, Mr. Round is more than willing to support applicants who aspire to aim high, so I strongly recommend being honest and open about your ambitions during counseling sessions.
When you sign up for essay counseling, you can decide with Mr. Round on a weekly time slot for your sessions. Preferences may differ from person to person, but for me, having a session once a week provided excellent pace-making and allowed me to balance test preparation with essay writing. I believe this service is particularly well suited for those who want to build a solid essay framework early on.
Essay advice goes beyond grammar checks and includes guidance on developing your own personal narrative, which is invaluable. Essays also directly connect to interviews, and I believe that how deeply a counselor engages in this process is one of the most important factors when choosing a counselor.
Being introduced to alumni from my target schools is another major strength of Mr. Round, built through his many years of experience as a counselor. I was introduced to exceptionally kind alumni, which allowed me to discuss post-MBA careers in depth. I was also introduced to other MBA graduates, further deepening my understanding of the schools. I am grateful to say that I am still in touch with them today.
At one point, I encountered a serious issue where my EA score could not be confirmed online, leaving me unable to send it to schools. With deadlines approaching, I was overwhelmed with anxiety about what would happen if my score could not be submitted. Thanks to Mr. Round’s calm and level-headed advice, I was able to negotiate with both the test center and the schools and ultimately resolve the issue. I would rather not relive how mentally cornered I felt at the time… I strongly recommend checking regularly whether your scores are in a deliverable state.
Various minor issues can arise throughout the application process, and in such moments, Mr. Round’s composed guidance is extremely reassuring.
I believe that the MBA application period is not only about gaining admission, but also a time to organize how you want to live the rest of your life. I encourage you to get in touch with Mr. Round and consider choosing him as a trusted partner to support you through the application journey.
And please be sure to visit the Columbia Business School website as well. We look forward to seeing you!
