Status: First-time applicant
Pre-MBA industry: PhD/Research/Healthcare Process Analysis
Years of experience at time of matriculation: 2
GMAT/GRE score: 720
Undergraduate GPA: NA
Graduate GPA: 3.76/4.00
Admitted to: Darden, Fuqua
Scholarship(s): $15,000
I can still clearly recall the moment I received the call from Fuqua, telling me that I was cleared from the waitlist and accepted to their prestigious program. Ecstatic at the news, the first person I wanted to share this excitement with (after I called my parents and husband) was Kathryn, my consultant, mentor and friend from Square One Prep.
Working with Kathryn and Square One Prep on my MBA application process was one of the wisest decisions that I have ever made. As an international applicant whose native language is not English and as someone with nontraditional professional experience, given 5 of my 7 years of my experience was as a research associate while getting my PhD, I had hard times writing my resume and essays and preparing for interviews. I didn’t know what competitive material should look like. I didn’t know how to talk about myself effectively. I worried that I was aiming far too high, applying to top business schools in the world. But Kathryn reassured me I could do it – that I wasn’t aiming too high.
I felt extremely stressed when I found I was on the waitlist of Fuqua. Kathryn reminded me that I still had a shot – that as long as I continued to make strides in my life and conveyed those efforts to the admissions committee I could get an offer. So, while she helped me think of ways to improve my candidacy and was a constant source of motivation and ideas, she also I helped me prepare an application to another top school. I needed to cover my bases. Kathryn’s professional opinions, encouraging talks/emails, effective strategies and meticulous revision of my ideas and work helped me relieve my stress, boost my confidence and secure the offer. One week after getting into Fuqua I also got into the other program too!
During my application process, there were times when I felt very frustrated. I am not in a traditional b-school industry. I don’t know anyone with an MBA, so I would worry I was aiming too high. It was Kathryn’s firm and calm voice that brought me back on track, making me feel she’s not just my consultant, but my mentor and friend. I trusted her, and am so glad I did.
In addition, Kathryn is extremely hard-working. She has a very fast turnaround time of essay review and always replies my email within minutes, which is exceptional in the MBA consulting industry. I recommend Kathryn and her Square One Prep company without hesitation to anyone who wants to pursue an MBA degree in a top-tiered program.