Status: First-time applicant
Pre-MBA industry: Professional Sports/Military
Years of experience at time of matriculation: 6
GMAT/GRE score: 321 (V:162 Q:159)
Undergraduate GPA: 3.09/4.00
Admitted to: Columbia, HBS, Tuck, Wharton
Scholarship(s): $150,000
Service Type: Premium
When I started my MBA application journey I was a mess. I questioned my strength as an applicant and created a list of schools I’d apply to based on what I considered “safe”. This list didn’t include the schools I dreamed of attending. Then I took the free consultation with Square One Prep (SOP).
On that pivotal phone call, Kathryn convinced me to slow down. While I fixated on my weaknesses (GPA, Test Scores, etc), Kathryn instead took stock of my entire background and identified strengths I’d overlooked. With her encouragement we agreed to team up, but only if I agreed not to settle for anything less than my dream list of schools. Kathryn didn’t allow me to sell myself short.
I’d like to specifically recognize the Career Narrative that SOP helps applicants develop. When I was first instructed by Kathryn to commit time towards researching my dream job, company, sector, and calling I was confused. None of my MBA applications asked explicitly for detailed Career Narratives- this was an “extra” assignment. Was this the best use of my time?
I couldn’t have been more mistaken. The Career Narrative SOP helped me develop has paid countless dividends. Not only did it fuel my essays, but the knowledge I gained researching my Career Narrative also armed me for interviews, and further it has helped me secure a Pre-MBA internship. This “extra” assignment has given me a confident vision of what my future can be.
I implore anyone like me, who might be stuck thinking about weaknesses, to take the SOP consultation. See what it’s like to have someone take a genuine interest in your story holistically and encourage you to push further. Craft your own Career Narrative and step into your future with a thoughtful plan. I hope others sign up with SOP, create their own list of dream schools, and get accepted to each one as I have.