Testimonial Detail

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064

March 30, 2017
Client from: United States
Status: First-time applicant
Pre-MBA industry: Real Estate Development
Years of experience at time of matriculation: 5
GMAT/GRE score: 720
Undergraduate GPA: 3.35/4.00
Admitted to: Kenan-Flagler

After bombing my first GMAT, I took a two year hiatus from even thinking about applying to any MBA programs. Over the course of those two years, Square One Prep stayed in contact with me, encouraging and motivating me to study and sit for the GMAT again. Once I got a score I felt confident with, we hit the ground running.

I didn’t realize what a time commitment applying would be and am so glad I made the choice to work with Square One Prep. Kathryn was there 100% of the way and available 24/7 for any of my neurotic concerns/questions. There are so many aspects to the MBA application process – it is incredibly daunting. However, working with Kathryn gave me confidence that is required to navigate and succeed in the process.

Besides her ridiculously quick response times to email, what I really appreciated about Kathryn was her tough love approach. She doesn’t sugar coat anything and will be brutally honest with you. Without her guidance and support, I would most likely be applying again as a re-applicant.

If you saw the difference between my first drafts – my resume or essays – you would be amazed by the transformation they went through. My resume work with Kathryn was particularly tough because I really had to learn how to express my experiences in a more sophisticated, strategic manner that would be easy for someone who isn’t in my industry to understand. Just on that effort alone Kathryn spent countless hours helping me build that capability. First she listened to me talk about my work, then she helped me think about my work in a more strategic manner, then she helped me little by little translate my experiences onto the page in my resume. I actually became better at my job because I developed the ability to talk more effectively. That skill then enabled me to write stronger essays. And by the time I got to my interviews I was more than ready to speak with confidence about my career. I was more than ready to talk about any part of my life because Kathryn had really helped me embrace my life, and without going into detail that is saying a lot because there had been things from my past that were very personal but profound in my life. I’d never thought sharing such personal experiences would be appropriate to do in a b-school application, but Kathryn made me comfortable sharing and helped me see how adcoms could see value in what I worried would have a negative stigma.

Not only am I thankful for all her help during the application process, but also for motivating me when I had thought an MBA was only a pipe dream, let alone an MBA from a top program. Once you start to work with Square One Prep, you will realize what a solid investment it really is and how much time and effort she puts into it.

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