TLDR: Interviewed 5 admissions consultants. All of them (including square one prep) told me to focus on top 20 schools vs top 10. Ended up getting into MIT Sloan with Collin/Kathryn's help. (Out of applying to Sloan, Wharton, and HBS with them)

They were amazing to work with in many ways. Here are the ones that stood out the most:
1. The mix of working with the leadership team and my consultant worked out really well. The leadership team had the background of helping others through hundreds of applications, and my consultant was exceptionally well informed of my chosen industry.

2. Career Narrative discussion- Meet with your consultant, Kathryn, and the career guide to determine how to make your career path reasonable and easy to follow. They don't hold back any punches, neither should you expect them to.

3. Dedicated staff to keep everyone on task. Square One Prep never missed a deadline and also held me accountable. The chief of staff is very detail oriented.

Collin's knowledge of my industry was extremely helpful. He could understand my background better than any other consultant that I talked to, and it clearly showed when we started working on the essays.

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At first, I was really nervous about applying to a top MBA program as I had scored a good portion lower than the average GMAT scores at the programs I was considering. I also felt that writing was not my strong-suit as I hadn’t written an essay in over 6 years.
I reached out to several firms, but none of them came across as engaging and as frank as Kathryn. With Kathryn, she took her time (our first call went over by an hour!) to understand my story, my goals, and to read through my resume etc. She then made it clear that she believed that I have a solid shot at making it to my dream programs. I was absolutely relieved to hear that, given that Kathryn based her opinion on a much better understanding of who I was (compared to the other consultants I had called).
Kathryn then put me in touch with Kathleen, an awesome consultant experienced at helping people get accepted to dream schools. The process was tough, with many repeated drafts and blunt comments that hurt to hear (but were absolutely needed). It was actually at the peak of my frustration that everything clicked and my story and essays turned into their much improved near-final form. Through these frustrations, Kathleen was my rock; she kept me steady, re-assured me, and offered me advice all throughout. It meant so much to me that she was one text, email or call away at any point.
If you want honesty and hence a real shot of putting your best foot forward, but also the emotional support to navigate the frustrating application process, seriously look no further! Ultimately, I got into HBS, GSB, Sloan, and Haas! It’s a dream come true, and I can’t end this without a big thank you to Kathryn, Kathleen, and the team at S1P!
P.S. My final essays truly feel like a finished/perfected product, and I'm sure I would look back on them with much pride even years later.

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Square One Prep was the key that determined my success in the MBA application process. Going in, I felt very insecure about my application due to my average GMAT (680) and the highly competitive programs I wanted to apply to. Kathryn and Darcy were both supportive and demanding, a combination that led me to build confidence and work hard to craft the best application possible. They asked the right questions that led me to understand and effectively communicate my personal narrative. This was not only crucial for my MBA applications, but also for my personal growth. I felt that the time and resources I invested with Square One Prep were worth it beyond getting into my two dream schools. I came out of the process more certain about my values and convictions.

I highly recommend Square One Prep to anyone who wants to maximize their chances of getting into a top school. I got into stanford and Harvard and could not be happier. I heard from Square One Prep because 2 students I knew at GSB had hired them and had great results. Their track record is unbeatable.

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It was a wonderful experience working with Kathryn and Victor. SOP has helped me secured an offer from Wharton which I thought was not even possible at first, given my low GPA (4.01 out of 5).

I finished my GMAT in late June and spent the following two weeks looking for the right consultant. For due diligence, I have talked to representatives from 10+ firms, but none of them was as experienced, engaging and frank as Kathryn. Consultants from competing firms tend to give simplistic school suggestions based on my GMAT score, ethnicity and industry without looking at my resume. Kathryn, on contrast, patiently went through my profile with me and provided frank opinions on my strength and weakness. In spite of the 12-hour time zone difference between Singapore and the East Coast, Kathryn was exceptionally responsive and replied any emails within 30 min. If I still had any hesitation left at that moment, it was all gone after I talked to Victor, an amazing consultant with ample experience helping clients reach their dream schools. I signed up with SOP on that day.

A business school application is an ordeal that tests even the strongest nerve, not to mention when the school is Wharton. To enhance my application, I had no choice but to acknowledge the many weaknesses of my draft essays and their lack of considerations– a bitter pill to swallow. Repeated edition and blunt comments sometimes led to self-doubts or even frustration. But Victor could always help me navigate through the emotions and improve my essays bit by bit until they have reached perfection. It meant a lot to me. I have referred 3 of my friends to SOP even before I hear back from the school, because I know that I can trust SOP.

Finally, a big thanks to Kathryn, Victor and others from the firm for helping me bring my dream into reality!

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At first I was really nervous about getting into any MBA program – although I considered my overall GMAT score to be okay, I thought my background was not unique and good enough to get admitted. I am not a top athlete, don’t work in a bulge bracket bank or attended an undergrad program at a top university. I was aiming for business schools that had average GMAT scores 20-30 points below my score, just to make sure I’ll get admitted.

All of this changed, when I talked to Kathryn for the first time. Unlike the other admission advisories, she saw that my background was much stronger than I thought and she told me to stop playing safe and aim much higher. She convinced me that I was capable of doing better although it honestly took me some time to think the same way. But I had a great feeling after our call and soon decided to work with SOP. One of the reasons for my decision was the track record of SOP – why would she try to convince me to apply at much higher ranked schools, if that could mess up the numbers. This is the kind of transparency you need to evaluate the services of an admission consultant!

I worked with Ryan as my day-to-day advisor and he was just great! He is a really nice guy, responded immediately whenever I had a question and worked hard so we could meet the tight schedule. He always encouraged me to give my best and I’m very thankful I had him on my team.

Kathryn and Ryan both pushed me to create a strong narrative and write outstanding essays. They helped me a lot with the brainstorming for essay topics and were really candid if they liked the topics or not, but they were also very supportive to keep me going – and trust me, the MBA application process is not an easy ride, so you better have a great team to support you!

Looking back on this journey, I don’t regret a single decision, from choosing SOP as my advisor to the target universities. Even if other admission consultants will offer lower rates or discounts, don’t fall for that and hire the best from the best – it’s really worth it.

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Initially I wanted to DIY my application to b-schools, but after an entire month wasted in brainstorming essays with no clue, I decided to use some professional help and my friend introduced me to SOP. The first ever call I had with SOP was with Kathryn, an amazing lady who spoke nothing but the blunt truth about my profile, my strengths and potential weaknesses. After the initial call, there was one thing that I was certain: the application process would be less daunting if I worked with SOP.

It was not an outright commitment at the beginning, as I was comparing SOP with another agency. Though I leaned towards SOP, I did not feel as much chemistry as I expected with the two advisors I scheduled free calls with. I spoke to Kathryn honestly about this, and she was fully supportive to let me speak with a third advisor, Lee. After my call with Lee, everything felt right and I signed up for SOP right away.

Lee was another truly amazing lady. I had the best application process I could ever hoped for together with Lee - though with frustration and setback at times, but more importantly with encouragement and care from Lee at each step along the way. She was always on top of my needs, correcting every version of my essays with great details, and making sure that each of those corrections did not divert from my original meaning, but instead empowered the overall delivery of my story. She was highly professional, friendly approachable and also showed great empathy. When I think of what kind of person I wanted to be after MBA, I hope I could be just like Lee.

As happy as I am to have received an offer from my dream school, I would like to give my most sincere thanks to the entire SOP team. The victory today would not have been possible without you guys, and I wish all of you a Merry Christmas, and may you continue the good work to help more young people achieve their dreams!

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At first I wanted to go with another company because the costs were slightly less, but I am glad I didn’t! I am 2/2 on admissions right now and still waiting to hear back on 2 more. What makes Square One Prep unique is that you are not only getting your main admission’s consultant, in my case Jeannice, but also you are getting Kathryn and her team. The team exceded my expectations on all accounts. The most rewarding part for me was the career planning call. In the call you will be with main consultant, Kathryn and a career planning coach and everyone will give input and challenge any points you make on your post MBA plans to make sure they are bulletproof. At the end of every call they will give you points to research and solidify on. If they feel you are not ready for the next steep they will set up another call, I had four calls.


Another great thing is that everything I did got reviewed by Jeannice first and then once we thought it was ready it get’s send it off to Kathryn. I was impressed by how the content of the reviews, and Kathryn is not afraid to tell you to start over if she feels it’s not on the right path, something I really liked. It gave me a peace of mind knowing that when she says my essay is ready, it really is ready. The process was definitely a lot of work, but I learned a lot about myself thought the process. I am very glad I chose Square One Prep!

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I used Square One Prep on a seven school package (M7 - Stanford + Tuck). After an initial call with Kathryn, I was given the opportunity to "interview" 3 consultants to select from as my dedicated resource. I eventually selected Mary Winograd.

SOP was invaluable in developing my strongest candidacy. We spent hours over several calls hammering out my experiences, interests, and goals. The end product was a narrative which was consistently leaned on to develop my story and motivations for obtaining an MBA.

One thing I really valued about SOP is that they are not "yes men". They will challenge you, push you to think deeper, and call you out on things that will not pass muster. If you are looking for a "yes man", SOP is not the one for you. The entire MBA application process requires an incredible amount of self-reflection to really get at the root of who you are and what you want. As a result, feelings and egos may get stepped on, but it is never (ever!) with malice - they are trying to present you in the best possible light. The competition for a place in the most coveted business schools is fiercely competitive. I've never regretted my decision to go with SOP.

Kathryn and Mary are phenomenal and went above and beyond my expectations. I really can't put into words how much they helped me. Mary spent hours at a time reviewing my resume, essays, interview prep, etc. Inquiries via email or text were addressed within 24 hours (but usually within just a few hours). During my application process, I ran into obstacles with my recommendation letters. Mary was with me every step of the way offering guidance and emotional support.

The MBA application process is incredibly intimidating and challenging. SOP does a fantastic job at making this as smooth a process as possible, while challenging you to push deeper into your self-reflection. I can't imagine hiring another consultant to go through this journey.

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cannot thank Kathryn and her team enough for guiding me through the application process. Day in and day out, the team put forth 100% effort to help put me in the best possible position to succeed. Kathryn and my personal advisor, Rob, were not afraid to challenge me and always told me what I needed to hear, rather than what I wanted to hear. Their prompt reviews and valuable insights into my application were much appreciated, and their relentless pursuit of excellence did not go unnoticed.

Most importantly, the team produced results. Not only did I get into a great MBA program, I was accepted to my first choice, which is awesome. Initially, I was unsure whether using a consultant would be worth it, but looking back I'm very glad I did. Being accepted to a top MBA program was a huge step in my career, and the Square One team pushed me and made sure I put my absolute best effort into my application. I trusted the process, and I encourage anyone who is looking for an MBA to do the same.

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I started working with SquareOne Prep after I took my GMAT, a few months before R1 applications were due. The highly personalized nature of their process was what made it stand out from all the other consultants I talked to (Veritas, Stacy Blackman, ARINGO, VantagePoint, etc.)

I was paired with a consultant that was my primary point of contact, and my consultant was responsive pretty much 24/7. It felt like an actual partnership where we were working on these applications together. I brainstormed my career narrative with Kathryn, the founder of SquareOne, and my consultant. The fact that SquareOne publishes their track record made me feel reassured.

My big challenge was that my GPA was 2.7. They worked with me to help me tell my story, so that admissions committees would understand me and my application. I can’t emphasize this enough but the level of individualized attention and time they spent made me believe they were extremely vested in my success.

Be ready to commit time to working with SquareOne though. They were flexible with my demanding work schedule as well. I would get answers within a few hours to any email I sent.

Also we didn’t just do one or two drafts of my essays. Some essays went through 8 iterations. With SquareOne, it felt like my applications were truly top-notch. Beyond that, working with SquareOne was fun. I would definitely look forward to group calls and working with my consultant.

Another thing is that SquareOne covered every step of the process from the brainstorming essay phase to the interview phase. We spent almost 2 hours of preparation per interview.

I received admission to Fuqua GPA and I am waiting on decisions to other schools as well.

I have told my brother and close friend to use SquareOne, and I highly recommend SquareOne to anyone who wants a highly personalized MBA consultant that wants you to get in as much as you do.

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