59
Technology
Product Mgmt
Self-funded
Chicago-Booth
EMBA
What determines success in EMBA admissions are the essays and the interviews. The reason I was able to achieve admission to an EMBA program despite having no experience living overseas is unquestionably Round One.
In Executive MBA programs aimed at mid-career professionals and managers, essays and interviews are emphasized far more than TOEFL or GMAT scores. This is a natural criterion, as EMBA programs seek candidates who are already active as global executives—or who can perform at that level immediately after completing the program—and therefore require deeper business experience, strong communication skills, and a skill set that enables meaningful learning alongside executives and executive candidates from around the world.
Round One’s essay counseling is both highly efficient and exceptionally value-added. Working with Ms. Round begins not only with clarifying why you are pursuing an EMBA and what your goals are afterward, but also with visualizing industry trends and challenges and establishing a shared understanding of them. In addition, for someone like me with a background in the high-tech industry, Ms. Round’s deep insights—drawn from her professional experience in the San Francisco Bay Area and her graduation from a top European MBA program—were instrumental in elevating the quality of my essays to the highest possible level. Essays completed through this process naturally reflect not only solid logic, but also a clear passion rooted in one’s fundamental sense of purpose and problem awareness.
The same can be said of Mr. Round’s strategic guidance. Based on his many years of experience supporting Japanese MBA applicants, he fully understands circumstances unique to Japanese candidates. At the same time, from the perspective of a native English speaker, he provides highly effective support and advice that addresses cultural differences that often arise.
Interview training was conducted with both Ms. Round and Mr. Round. What I would particularly like to emphasize is that, in addition to receiving candid and precise feedback from both of them, the training itself fosters growth and ultimately instills confidence. Especially in EMBA programs, where global management experience and potential are essential, absolute confidence during interviews—which are effectively a form of self-presentation—is indispensable. I remember a one hour interview training session with Mr. Round when I received especially careful and highly accurate advice. At the end, he concluded by saying, “You are very likely to receive favorable results from your interviews.” That moment filled me with confidence and became one of the key turning points leading to my admission—an unforgettable experience. I am certain that he provides advice tailored optimally to each individual.
Finally, I would like to touch on flexibility. Because I was self-funded, continued my regular work duties, and traveled frequently for business, determining how to proceed with counseling was a major concern. Thanks not only to the online nature of Round One’s services, but also to the dedicated support of both counselors, I was in fact able to receive extremely flexible accommodation. For example, my initial session with Mr. Round was conducted from Copenhagen, and my interview training with Ms. Round was conducted online from Munich.
To reiterate, essays and interviews are indispensable to success in EMBA admissions. In fact, my classmates include a diverse group of business experts from around the world. Many hold senior positions at blue-chip companies, and some are even CEOs or CFOs. In such an environment, it is essential not to exaggerate one’s experience or abilities, but rather to communicate them accurately and compellingly from a global perspective. With the tremendous support of both counselors, I was admitted to the University of Chicago EMBA program. If any part of this resonates with you or encourages you, I strongly recommend that you begin by contacting Round One.
