After a career of 7+ years. I decided to pursue an MBA on a whim, with only 4 months left to get a competitive GMAT score and submit a competitive application to a top MBA program. With no room for “what-ifs” and “maybes”, my friends suggested that I engage an MBA Admissions consultancy. Square One Prep was the clear choice after my free consultation with Kathryn because of her experience, warm personality and commitment to answering all questions without ever looking at the clock. After a few introductory calls, I picked Kathleen as my advisor to guide me through the process.

As my decision to pursue an MBA was made on a whim, the struggle to fully crystallize my long-term goals felt insurmountable. Fortunately, I had Wendy who set a very high bar and didn’t settle for a run-of-the-mill narrative template. My thought process and ideas were critiqued until I backed up every assumption with industry research and data. Eight drafts later, I not only had a strong logical career plan, but also improved awareness of myself and my target industry.

Such exacting requirements are Square One Prep’s trademark and were placed throughout the process, be it crafting the resume, shortlisting schools, or writing application essays. I’ll admit that there were times it felt disheartening to have my best drafts critiqued and sent back with comments. But Kathleen’s encouraging presence and commitment helped me persevere. Always available to talk, she even accommodated many last-minute requests, despite conflicts with her personal commitments and ensured that I stayed on schedule throughout the process.

And of course, everything occurred under the watchful gaze of Kathryn who never settled for even at-par and kept pushing until every deliverable met her exceptionally demanding standards. All in all, I can confidently say that without this grueling journey, I’d never have received admission offers from both INSEAD and HEC Paris.

Square One Prep is an onerous experience for sure. I However, if you desire to build outstanding applications and secure offers to top schools, while also growing as an individual, Square One Prep is a no-brainer. My only piece of advice: start early to make the most of Square One Prep’s amazing team!

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Strengths:

Professional, experienced, personal, easy to communicate with

Would make the product better:

n/a

I was referred to SOP by a friend’s sister who had an amazing and successful experience with them. My intro call with Kathryn took much longer than 30mins. She listened to my story, asked thoughtful questions, and gave me a lot of encouragement. I also chatted with 2 other top consultancies but the conversations were short and disappointing. I went with SOP because I feel valued and heard - they are not just here to do business, but to really help you achieve your dreams. I ended up not applying that year, but Kathryn still occasionally checked in on me.

My whole team at SOP - Kathryn, Allison, Horatiu, Kelsey, have been super supportive since day one. They were very responsive despite time zone challenges. They were extremely honest when I needed them to be. I felt like we were a well-oiled print machine, constantly churning out amazing ideas and stories. They kept me on my toes, gave me an extra boost when I was feeling stuck or unmotivated, and helped me push through every challenge along the way. Looking back, I had so much fun writing the apps with them. I didn't feel exhausted but mentally stimulated. I also learned more about myself and really understood what shaped me and what I want.

Besides my team, the resources at SOP is also top-notch. They have so many sample essays and interview materials. The online portal is also managed well that all you need to do is to focus on your tasks, whether it is essay or letter of recommendation or prepping interviews. Although it is not a cheap service, but it is so worth it in my opinion.

My results were beyond expectations. I applied to 5 schools, secured 4 interviews, and received 3 offers (HBS, Sloan, CBS). I could’ve never done this without SOP. Thank you all :)

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Strengths:

Structured timeline
Rigorous process
Wilson"s expertise
Team-based approach
Human touch

From the very first interaction, I could tell Square One Prep was different. During my initial free consultation, Kathryn took the time to really get to know me. Her questions were straightforward yet introspective, creating a relationship of trust that set the foundation for our collaboration. This initial conversation gave me the confidence that SOP would not just tell me what to write but help me craft my story into a compelling narrative. After deciding to move forward with SOP, I interviewed with three advisors and chose to work with Wilson, who was an incredible match.
The structured timeline SOP provided was a game changer. From Day 1, my Team Lead, Kelsey, set up a detailed calendar outlining every milestone, task, and deliverable for each school. This clear roadmap kept me organized and accountable. Whenever Wilson and I fell behind on a milestone, Kelsey followed up promptly, ensuring we stayed on track and submitted all materials on time—a critical factor in managing multiple applications.
SOP’s process is rigorous yet seamless. Wilson and I began by thoroughly assessing my profile, identifying my strengths, weaknesses, and unique qualities. Then, I worked with Wendy on crafting a clear, ambitious, and achievable career narrative. Only after these foundational steps did we dive into the application essays. This structured approach saved significant time and allowed us to focus on quality rather than rushing through each component.
Wilson’s expertise made all the difference. His thoughtful insights pushed my essays to a level I didn’t think was possible. From brainstorming to editing, Wilson helped me articulate my ideas clearly and persuasively. His unwavering commitment to excellence gave me confidence as I moved through each step of the process.
What stood out most was the team-based approach. Every deliverable was reviewed by both Wilson and Kelsey, providing me with diverse perspectives that improved the final product. This collaborative effort ensured every aspect of my application was polished to perfection.
The human touch SOP brought to the process was invaluable. Applying to MBA programs can be lonely, but having the SOP team by my side made all the difference. Their genuine support allowed me to share my struggles and emotions freely, which was incredibly reassuring during stressful moments.
The results speak for themselves. Thanks to SOP, I was admitted to Columbia Business School (65% scholarship), MIT Sloan (50%), Booth (40%), and Haas. I couldn’t be more grateful for their guidance and support.

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Strengths:

- Clear and constant communication
- Flexibility
- Resume and Essay Help
- Interview Prep
- Career Narrative Help

Would make the product better:

Nothing on SQP's end - but want to reiterate how important it is for the applicant to "buy-in" and fully immerge to this program.

Prior to speaking with Kathryn on my initial consultation, I constantly compared myself and my application to other phenomenal applicants and truthfully thought I would not have a chance to get into any business school. Due to my subpar academic background, I relied heavily on my military experience, but did not know how to properly express my career in my resume or in my essays. After speaking to Kathryn, I had a sense of confidence going into my MBA application journey and decided to trust in Kathryn and her team's ability to help me achieve my dream to attend an MBA program.

Each member of my admissions team helped me throughout this journey and I wanted to thank them individually:
Horatiu, thank you for opening my eyes to new career fields and sectors that I previously was unaware of. The career narrative experience started with my belief that all military officers end up in consulting, but I'm grateful to be guided towards a field that better fits who I am as an individual.
Kelsey, thank you for being the final bless off on all of my products. Without your expertise and knowledge in admissions, I would still be stuck believing that I was not a strong candidate for any MBA program.
Last, but not least, thank you to Amalia! Amalia, it has been absolutely wonderful working with you as my lead admissions consultant. Your flexibility to take my calls and quick, but detailed responses gave me the confidence to create products to the best of my ability. I cannot thank you enough for (quite-literally) guiding my hand through this process.
The Square One Prep process is a proven admissions consulting practice that has the resources and team to support you as the applicant. But as the applicant, you must be able to be vulnerable, give your 110% into all of your required assignments, and put your full trust in your application team. This admissions consulting journey with Square One is a two-way street and it is proven with their 90+% success rate for their applicants.

I was shocked to have received acceptance letters from three schools, and I am extremely proud to say that I will be matriculating to the Wharton School this summer. I am confident that I would not be in this same position without Square One Prep and their admissions consulting experience. Once again, thank you all so much for helping me achieve my dream!

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Working with Kathryn, Amalia, Wendy and Kelsey has been invaluable towards getting into the schools that I did. Despite having less than average GMAT score and less than average years of work experience, I was able to build a really strong application thanks to the SOP team. Throughout this process, they not only helped me strengthen my brand but also challenged me to set realistic goals/aims in my essays which had been crucial to explaining to the adcoms why I wanted an MBA now. Most importantly, the way they were able to tie my story together by taking into account my background, unique circumstance and previous experiences to make me stand out as a candidate is what enabled me to overcome my less desirable stats. to achieve the outcomes that I did. Specifically, I really appreciated the time and effort they put into my application from the 1-hr initial consultation that Kathryn had with me from the very beginning to the quick responses that I would receive for many of my very detailed questions throughout this entire process.

I would highly recommend working with the SOP team to anyone looking to pursue an MBA, specifically at schools that you may believe are out of reach for you!

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Kathryn changed my life, and I am so grateful for her guidance! I did a discovery call with her in 2021 even though I couldn’t afford her firm. I’d read that she gives amazing, honest consults. So I wanted to take advantage of the 30 minutes she offers. She didn’t spend 30 minutes with me. She spent almost two hours. She encouraged me to wait and apply later since it was the last round and I didn’t have a test score yet. But I was eager to try now. Her team offered to work with me at an extreme discount, understanding that I was financially supporting my parents and 5 younger siblings. We built a strong application, but I couldn’t get my test score where I needed it (not even close). I applied anyway in the last round. I was rejected. I then worked on getting a much stronger test score and reapplied last year – again the last round as I managed to get a decent test score, but too late for R2 – this time Kathryn and her team worked with me for free – yea, free. I got waitlisted.

Kathryn then worked with me directly for R1 and while she didn’t work with me for free, she gave me a generous discount. I applied to fulltime programs this time instead of part-time. All in Texas as I want to stay close to my family.

From the very beginning in 2021, Kathryn and her team was not only motivating and honest but also amazing human beings who genuinely cared about my success. They took the time to understand my story, background, stats, and potential, helping me identify where I would be the best fit. I especially appreciated how deeply she pushed me to think about my career narrative, challenging me to reflect and articulate my goals with clarity.

When I worked with Kathryn directly this time around, I realized why she owns a company, Shea unique ability to connect with you on a deeper level, ensuring your voice and vision shine throughout your application. With my latest application Kathryn guided me step by step from refining my resume and crafting thoughtful essays to securing impactful letters of recommendation and preparing for interviews. Through this process, I not only grew more self-aware but also discovered insights about myself that I never realized before. Kathryn’s patience and responsiveness kept me on track. She never let me lose sight of my potential, constantly cheering me on while providing constructive feedback. Her approach is rigorous yet incredibly supportive, and it felt like she was as invested in my success as I was.

For me, this journey became much more than just submitting MBA applications, it was a transformative experience. Thanks to Kathryn and her team, I was admitted to top programs with scholarships! If you’re looking for someone who will challenge you, guide you, and help you achieve your MBA dreams, Kathryn and the Square One Prep team are unmatched. They will take care of you, hold you accountable, and ultimately set you up to win, not just with your applications – with life.

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I was referred to Kathryn and her team by a close friend who had a successful experience with their services, gaining admission to M7 schools. Working with my advisors—Noah, Horatiu, and Kelsey—truly elevated my candidacy. They went above and beyond to help me shape a compelling resume, essays, and career narrative that fully showcased my strengths. Their genuine investment in my success was evident in every aspect of the process. This thorough preparation paid off in my interviews, leading to admissions at both M7 schools I applied to, and a sizable scholarship at one. I couldn’t have achieved this without their guidance and highly recommend their services to anyone serious about pursuing an MBA!

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The SOP advising experience is truly incredible. From school selection to school acceptances, the team is there every single step of the way. The expertise is unmatched (look at their results page), but the attention to detail and empathy that accompanies the advising is what makes the experience so special. Kathryn, Lara, and Wendy truly changed my life by helping me construct a career trajectory and ID my professional and personal values that I will carry with me long past completing my MBA. I could not recommend working with them enough - it is the best decision you will make for your MBA journey.

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It's with great excitement that I write this long-awaited review for my admissions consultant team at Square One Prep. Having worked with around three consultants during my application process, I can confidently say that the team at Square One Prep is not only the best in the industry for application assistance, but also emotionally available during this crucial phase of your life. Their emotional support was a significant factor in making my application journey more manageable and less stressful.

From the very beginning, my team at Square One Prep (my cheerleader – Kathryn and my guru – Mary) was dedicated to helping me achieve my goal of getting into my dream school. They not only provided me with valuable insights and feedback on my essays and resume, but they also took the time to get to know me on a personal level. Their emotional support throughout the entire process was truly invaluable and made the stressful application journey much more bearable.

Anyone looking for a thorough process for their application journey (not just a process) should definitely choose Square One. From day 1, Kathryn's support was exceptional. She promptly replied to my email with genuine interest and patience. I must say, I contacted around 10 consultants who were not very encouraging about my profile. It's crucial that your consultants have faith in you at the beginning, as this translates into the review process.

Mary, my dedicated consultant and guru, was instrumental in my successful application process. Her involvement was so comprehensive that I can’t imagine navigating it without her. Despite my tendency to procrastinate, Mary's gentle encouragement and thoughtful guidance ensured that I thoroughly and comprehensively completed all of my applications. She was my guiding north star throughout, helping me secure multiple interview calls from my dream schools. Her support was invaluable in my acceptance to most of the schools I applied to, and now I'm in the process of deciding where to go.

I can confidently say that without Mary and Kathryn's guidance and encouragement, I would not have been accepted into my top schools. I am extremely grateful for their hard work and dedication, and I highly recommend Square One Prep to anyone in need of expert help with their applications.

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Navigating the MBA application process was incredibly daunting for me, as it is for many people. With lackluster scores, I knew I had to excel in other parts of my application, so I sought out a consultant to guide me. That's when I found SOP, and I couldn't be happier with my decision.

My first introduction call with Kathryn blew me away. What was supposed to be a 30-minute call turned into over an hour of Kathryn genuinely getting to know me and my story. I had spoken with other companies before making my decision, but Kathryn made me feel most respected and heard. Her prompt responses were a lifesaver during such a stressful time.

After deciding to go with SOP, I worked very closely with Wilson, who is equally just as fantastic. Our efficiency together was unmatched, with turnaround times usually within 24 hours, compared to the 48 hours offered by other companies. Wilson helped me drill into the "so-what" and "why" behind my storytelling, which significantly strengthened my narrative—something I couldn't have achieved without his guidance.

Wilson doesn't settle for mediocrity. He constantly pushes the boundaries and challenges you to write something that is authentically you. Through this process, I found myself digging deeper into my experiences and aspirations, leading to essays that were not only well-written but also a true reflection of my journey and goals.

I also can't forget to mention Horatiu, who was incredibly helpful with my career narrative, and Kelsey, who ensured I received timely feedback on my essays. Their collective expertise and dedication were instrumental in shaping my application.

I make myself more clear how supportive the entire team at SOP was. When I was waitlisted at schools, every team member hopped on a call with me to talk through the process and develop a plan on how to convert—spoiler alert... It worked! Their collective dedication and expertise turned my waitlist status into acceptance, and for that, I am beyond thankful.

Thanks to SOP, my application was not only stronger but also authentically reflective of who I am. I wholeheartedly recommend SOP to anyone embarking on their MBA journey—they truly are your champions along the way!!

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