50
Finance
Banking-Inv.
Sponsored
MIT-Sloan
MBA
Admitted school: MIT Sloan School of Management
Other admitted schools: Haas, Tuck, Fuqua, Anderson
GPA: 3.4
TOEFL: iBT 106 (R29 L27 S23 W27)
GMAT: 680 (Q50 V32 AWA 5.0)
Background: Finance (4 years)
Overseas experience: One year as an exchange student in the Netherlands
I received offers of admission from multiple top U.S. MBA programs and ultimately decided to enroll at MIT Sloan. Despite not reaching my ideal test scores, I was able to make up for this through my essays and interviews—and this was possible only because of Round One’s strong support.
Five areas of satisfaction with choosing Round One
From the time I signed the contract in April 2009 until I began writing essays in September, I was in the Strategic Guidance phase with Mr. Round. During this period, we communicated primarily by email on topics ranging from TOEFL/GMAT preparation to the construction of my application portfolio. For TOEFL, I was introduced to a specialist speaking instructor, and for GMAT, to one of Japan’s leading experts in sentence correction, both of which contributed to improving my test scores. During Golden Week, I visited schools on the U.S. West Coast and in the Midwest. At that time, I received advice on how to interact with admissions offices, the importance of speaking with as many students as possible to generate essay ideas, and even reminders such as not forgetting to collect business cards.
Regarding my application portfolio, I sometimes received tough feedback, but I accepted it sincerely as realistic advice from someone who understands how difficult admission truly is. When I casually labeled certain schools as “safety schools” without fully understanding the realities, Mr. Round firmly corrected me—saying, “No one has ever called these schools ‘safety schools’!” (Even though this was over email and Mr. Round is usually very mild-mannered, I definitely felt I was being scolded.) This made me realize how seriously he was thinking about my future, and I committed myself to building a genuinely risk-balanced portfolio. Based on my TOEFL/GMAT scores, past results, and the trends of that year’s admissions cycle, Mr. Round also advised me precisely on which application rounds to target. Even after essay writing began, he continued to support me by advising on changes to my school list, comparing offers, and introducing Round One alumni—helping me greatly in making my final enrollment decision.
Essays are the most important element of MBA admissions, and I believe this is where Round One’s strengths are maximized. My assigned counselor was Ms. Round. Her work was fast, her English revisions flawless, her attention to detail meticulous, and her understanding of each school’s unique character deeply professional. The essay process began with brainstorming ideas for each question and aligning on direction, content, and structure. While idea generation itself was my responsibility, Ms. Round acted like a skilled navigator—ensuring before I began writing that I was not heading in the wrong direction and that I had selected topics appropriate to each question. I emailed my essay drafts to Ms. Round, and she reviewed them for two hours per week—sometimes up to two sessions of three hours per week—despite peak-season demands. Her feedback went far beyond surface-level editing, often including substantive suggestions for content changes. She also reviewed formatting in great detail, resulting in essays that were not only strong in substance but also aligned with Western expectations. Through this process, I was invited to interview by all nine schools to which I applied.
Interviews will fail without practice, and becoming comfortable enough to answer as intended requires repetition. Some may worry that online interview training is insufficient—but although I initially considered using a Tokyo-based counselor for interviews, I ended up fully satisfied with Round One’s training and never felt the need to switch. Round One offers both real-time feedback interview sessions and mock interviews followed by detailed written evaluation reports. In the early stages, being able to reread interview reports was extremely valuable for reflection. I recorded all Skype sessions and repeatedly listened to them during my commute.
Because interview invitations sometimes arrive just one week before the interview, I prepared in advance—reviewing core topics such as Why MBA, Why This School, Why Now, and Career Goals for each school, as well as preparing effective “killer questions.” Beyond verbal content, interviews also evaluate overall presence—demeanor, attire, grooming, and gestures. Round One addresses this through an online introductory presentation prior to interview training, effectively compensating for the lack of in-person interaction. I trained with both Ms. Round and Mr. Round. Whenever possible, I practiced with Ms. Round when expecting a female interviewer, and with Mr. Round when expecting a male interviewer. Round One’s interview training is particularly effective for interviews with native admissions officers and current students. Thanks to this preparation, I was able to pass every interview—including MIT’s very demanding behavioral interview—and ultimately gain admission.
Beyond the core services, what made me especially glad I chose Round One was their scheduling flexibility and fast email communication. While preparing applications alongside a full-time job, unexpected overtime or business trips sometimes made it impossible to submit drafts as planned. Compared with large prep schools, Round One’s ability to reschedule was a major advantage. During the intense December–January deadline period, I faced a flood of essay writing and application submissions. Even then, if requested in advance, they accommodated extended sessions or increased frequency to twice per week, allowing me to apply to seven schools in Round Two alone. Emails sent at night were often answered by the next morning, and always within two days. Urgent matters were prioritized, which helped me meet critical deadlines without panic.
I benefited from the Round One network on two occasions. The first was a networking event held in Japan during Mr. Round’s summer visit, where Round One alumni who had completed MBA programs gathered in a standing reception. It was a rare and valuable opportunity to hear firsthand insights and advice from graduates of various schools. The second was when deciding my final school. While choosing between MIT Sloan and UC Berkeley Haas, I consulted Mr. Round, who introduced me to current students. Although the communication was via email, receiving candid, firsthand perspectives was instrumental in my decision to enroll at MIT Sloan.
In closing, there are countless reasons to recommend Round One—but in truth, I chose them simply after meeting Mr. Round once in Tokyo, before fully understanding all these benefits. The decisive factor was his character. For those who are unsure, I believe meeting him in person is well worth it. I sincerely hope that you will find the right partner to walk alongside you through the long and challenging MBA application journey.
