Status: First-time applicant
Pre-MBA industry: Economic Research Analysis
Years of experience at time of matriculation: 3
GMAT/GRE score: 720 (V: 42 Q: 46)
Undergraduate GPA: 3.95/4.00
Admitted to: INSEAD, Kellogg 1-Year
Scholarship(s): $12,000
Service Type: Premium
I have news for all of you!
I got an offer from Kellogg today!! I want to take a moment to thank all of you: Amalia, Kathryn and Horatiu.
Amalia – Thank you for bringing out the best of me, for thinking outside the box on how to bring my stories and ideas alive (even when they weren’t that straightforward). Thank you for being so patient during all my follow-ups and requests to keep practicing for interviews. Gracias, gracias y gracias!
Kathryn – the passion and talent you have to guide applicants for business school is evident from miles away. Top-notch, I say that with confidence. Thank you for having that meeting with me early in 2022 when I shared my plans. Thank you for being candid when you thought my real estate career plan wasn’t fit to build an application.
Horatiu – You played a crucial role in building my confidence for my career goals and having the clarity I needed to build my applications. Thank you for being so patient when our first shot didn’t work out. Thank you for pushing me to get solid data and robust numbers to build my international business consulting career plan. Finally, thank you for being so flexible and meeting with me during my lunch breaks at work. It all paid off!
All in all, if I had to repeat this process a million times, I would do it with SOP with my eyes closed.Updated testimonial:
I don’t often write reviews, but today I am delighted to share my positive experience with Square One Prep as a successful Kellogg and INSEAD admit, crowned with a cherry-on-top scholarship award. My journey with SOP began a year before embarking my MBA applications. In fact, it all started with a recommendation from a close friend who had also secured admission to Kellogg with Kathryn’s guidance.
In our first meeting, I shared with Kathryn my aspirations and the early stage of my MBA application process, set for the following year. Despite the early stage, I sought candid feedback on my profile for the upcoming applications. Our intro discussion covered school choices, work experience, and my GMAT score. Immediately, I sensed that Kathryn was genuinely interested in my project rather than merely pushing me to sign up for her consulting services. Kathryn not only encouraged me to retake the GMAT to improve my chances but also provided follow-up support, even recommending a GMAT tutor – impressive considering I wasn’t yet an official client.
My decision to work with SOP was solidified, and a year later I signed up for the Premium-Need Based package, partnering with Amalia. Amalia’s availability, essay edits, and transparent communication stood out. Even when additional time was required, she informed me promptly, and throughout her edits I noticed a commitment to providing thoughtful and well-crafted feedback. I also worked with Horatiu to craft a robust career plan that would serve as the cornerstone of my applications. Horatiu was flexible in scheduling meetings at my convenience and shared thought-provoking ideas to build a career narrative that was aligned with my life goals. During my presentation of the career plan draft to Kathryn, her candid feedback was clear—she wasn’t convinced. While this feedback was initially challenging to absorb, it prompted a collaborative effort with Horatiu to refine and develop a more compelling career plan. Looking back, I recognize that Kathryn’s honesty was in my best interest, even though it meant hearing something I wasn’t eager to accept at the moment.
As admission interviews approached, Amalia went above and beyond, organizing practice interviews and offering suggestions on creating engaging conversations with the admissions committee. As a persistent client, I requested multiple interview preps, and Amalia navigated the fine line between preparation and sounding rehearsed. Her inclusion of curveball questions proved invaluable, making the actual interviews feel like a breeze.
The most important lessons from my experience with SOP lies in the authenticity, transparency, and occasional vulnerability required in crafting compelling MBA applications. This process demands introspection and dedication from both the applicant and the consultant. It is a process that is time consuming, not straightforward, and your consultant must be genuinely interested in you. I feel that SOP has that advantage, and Kathryn’s passion about this is notable from miles away. If I had to repeat MBA applications a million times, I would do it with SOP with my eyes closed.