Status: First-time applicant
Pre-MBA industry: Investment Analysis/Private Equity
Years of experience at time of matriculation: 6
GMAT/GRE score: 750 (V:40 Q:51)
Undergraduate GPA: 4.04/4.30
Admitted to: Columbia, Wharton
Scholarship(s): $60,000
Service Type: Premium Need-based
I started preparing for an MBA application in September 2021, which was a month away from Columbia’s ED deadline. I knew I was on a tight schedule and therefore selecting the right advisor would be crucial. While I was doing the initial consultation calls among a few consultancies, Kathryn and the Square One Team immediately stood out. My initial call with Kathryn lasted more than one hour and she showed that she truly cared about me when she really tried to understand my story and my goals and shared her insights and experience. I was impressed by their multi-layer process which meant that I’d have expert opinion throughout every single step of my application, and their commitment to the applicant as there was no cap on hours of help that you could get from the team.
After deciding to work with Square One, I was able to talk to three senior advisors before I decided to partner with Kathleen, a decision I couldn’t be happier with. Not only was she experienced and knowledgeable about what the schools are looking for, she was also very responsive and was able to jump on a call within a few hours’ notice. She really tried to know me as a person, and helped bring out my best self and curate a story that was both strong and authentic to me. She also provided invaluable advice on recommender selection and managing their timeline.
I was super stressed in meeting Columbia’s deadline, but the Square One Team made sure that I stayed on top of my deadline (sometimes by doing multiple turns of essays a day) and provided emotional support to help me manage stress. I wouldn’t have been admitted to Columbia without their help and I couldn’t thank the entire Square One Team more!
I would definitely recommend partnering with Square One to make your dream come true!