Status: First-time applicant
Pre-MBA industry: Strategy Consulting
Years of experience at time of matriculation: 3
GMAT/GRE/EA score: 555 (79V 74Q 79DI)
Undergraduate GPA: 24.2/30.0
Admitted to: IESE, LBS, Said
Scholarship(s): $85,000
Service Type: Premium Need-based
Working with SquareOne Admissions was truly one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application journey. When I decided to apply, I was going through a lot — juggling a demanding workload and navigating a family health situation — and honestly had little headspace to think clearly on my own. The SquareOne team provided the structure, guidance, and encouragement I needed to move forward and put together a strong application despite everything going on.
Kathryn and Kelsey were a constant source of support and motivation throughout the entire process. They consistently pushed me to submit the highest quality work possible, never letting me settle for “good enough.” They also emphasized the importance of achieving a strong GMAT score to maximize my chances of getting into my dream MBA program. Their encouragement kept me motivated during a sometimes frustrating preparation journey. Whenever I needed advice or reassurance, they were quick to make themselves available for a call or provide thoughtful, actionable feedback.
One of the biggest areas where SquareOne made a difference was helping me develop my career narrative. When I first started the process, I had very little clarity about what I wanted to pursue after my MBA. Horiatu was instrumental in guiding me through brainstorming sessions, challenging me to think bigger and helping me refine ideas that could turn into strong post-MBA goals. I genuinely appreciated the time he took to explore different directions with me until we found the one that felt authentic and exciting.
Finally, I have to give special thanks to my main advisor, Alessandro. He was easily the most helpful part of the entire process. His feedback on my essays, resume, and application materials was always timely, detailed, and actionable. He not only pointed out areas for improvement but also suggested clear and practical ways to elevate my story and strengthen my applications. Alessandro was incredibly patient and generous with his time, especially during the interview preparation phase. He conducted multiple mock interviews with me, helping me refine my answers, improve my delivery, and feel much more confident walking into the real interviews. His guidance made a huge difference.
Thanks to the incredible support of the SquareOne team, I was fortunate enough to secure offers from Said, IESE, and LBS, along with a €35K scholarship from IESE and a £40K scholarship from LBS. I am truly grateful for all their help and would highly recommend SquareOne to anyone embarking on the MBA journey.