68
Technology
Mktg/Sales
Self-funded
IMD
MBA
I first learned about Round One through the blog of an MBA student. That said, my own career path—formerly a florist, and now working as a locally hired sales professional—was far removed from the conventional “MBA careers” such as consulting or finance. I still vividly remember my nervous first conversation with Mr. Round, conducted from a hotel during a business trip, wondering what a highly regarded counselor like him would say about “a career like mine.”
From that very first meeting onward, both Mr. Round and Ms. Round were never negative or skeptical. On the contrary, their attitude consistently conveyed a genuine sense of “stay positive!” Had Mr. Round not recognized and valued my rich international experience at that moment, I doubt I would have even taken the first step toward pursuing an MBA.
The major strengths of Round One are as follows:
As described above, I was sincerely encouraged at every stage. They never made me feel, “If I say this, I’ll be criticized.” Rather than offering empty flattery, they helped transform my anxiety into a small but real sense of confidence. I believe this is critically important when building, step by step, through the many stages of test preparation, essays, and interviews.
Round One’s work is highly professional. Because I applied only to IMD, I devoted an enormous amount of energy to my essays. Whenever I felt dissatisfied, I would go into painstaking detail about the background and submit revised drafts—probably to an annoying degree. Yet they never showed the slightest displeasure. Instead, they faithfully captured my intent and refined my writing into polished, high-quality essays that still felt entirely “in my own words.” Their work was truly impressive.
Although essay counseling was the core service, Mr. Round’s deep industry knowledge also proved invaluable when I struggled with GMAT preparation. His advice ultimately led to a breakthrough. The fact that I could receive precise and insightful guidance on even the smallest questions was an enormous help.
There are many counseling styles, and preferences vary by individual. In my case—living overseas and frequently traveling for work—flexibility and smooth online communication were absolutely essential. I was never left waiting for email responses, nor was I unnecessarily tied up in counseling sessions. That I was able to complete lengthy essays and complex applications within the required timeframe was undoubtedly thanks to their flexibility and efficiency.
In the end, despite my unconventional career background, I was able to gain admission to IMD, one of Europe’s top business schools. I can say with confidence that this outcome was guided by the good fortune of having met counselors like them. Finding the right people to work with—this, I believe, is one of the most important elements of the MBA application process.
