Lara Avsar

I am passionate about storytelling, a skill I developed during my childhood in Alabama where details of everyday southern life are made exciting through descriptive words, poetic lyrics, and powerful prose. I apply my “way with the word” to help my Square One clients find their voice and curate their life experiences in ways that captivate admissions committees.

In my life, I have applied to only two schools (Barnard College and Harvard Business School); I credit my 100% acceptance rate to my time spent introspecting and asking myself the right questions to ensure well-crafted, compelling applications. These days I ask my clients the right questions with the aim to give them similar odds with programs. Far from perfect, I embrace vulnerability and help my clients feel immediately comfortable as I guide them in a supportive, but direct manner.

At Barnard, I was president of the student body and majored in Mathematics-Statistics and Middle Eastern Studies. My professional background is in management consulting and entrepreneurship. I was a non-traditional HBS student (I took a year off between my first and second year to start my own business!) and believe in the power of a non-linear career (and life) journey.

I live in Alabama and, on weekends, can be found watching movies with my wife and three cats. I also spend much of my free time mentoring young women (as witnessed in my TEDx | Let’s stop the half-truths we tell young girls).