Square One Prep | MBA Admissions Consultants

Amalia was phenomenal throughout every stage of my MBA admissions process, and I cannot recommend her highly enough. She was incredibly responsive, thoughtful, and detail-oriented, always turning around feedback quickly while still providing deeply strategic and personalized guidance. What I appreciated most was her ability to push me beyond surface-level answers and help me uncover the most authentic and compelling parts of my story. She played a huge role in helping me bring out my best in my essays and overall narrative. She was also a steady, encouraging presence during an otherwise stressful process, and I always felt like she was genuinely invested in my success.

Thanks in part to her guidance and support, I was fortunate to be admitted to Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton, and I’m incredibly grateful to have had her in my corner throughout the journey!!

I had a team of 4, compared to working just with 1 adviser. There was Kathryn (the founder, who is chop chop I loveeeeeeee), Lara (my main adviser, my school alum, all in all FIRE!), Pat (overall coordinator, so so encouraging), and Wendy (the lovely career adviser who went through the career narrative process together for months).

From the start to finish (even after I got multiple offers), the team (especially Kathryn! she honestly responds within hours if not minutes, I can’t help but wonder how is her sleep hahaha) got me through the thick and thin. First, I had such a short timeline to prep – only half-decided to apply in June (yes 3 months before R1 deadline). Second, I was legit ready to say in my apps that I need to go now because my work visa is expiring and I need to remain in the U.S. Third, everything, and I’m talking about everything, went wrong with my GMAT preparation (which had nothing to do with SOP). In fact, because of Kathryn and Lara’s sage advice, I didn’t go completely stressed out over GMAT and was able to secure a 99th percentile 1st time attempt with 3 months of prep. Yes!

On Lara, I COULD NOT have asked for a better adviser. We clicked instantaneously. Honestly a word of advice is choosing your admissions consultant team wisely. I am beyond grateful to have found her through SOP. She saw something in me I truly had no idea existed prior to going through this application process. She told me on Day 1 that success (in terms of admission results) is a byproduct of my journey, and that is in fact so so true. From 0 clue what I was gonna write about, to wow crafting a truly impactful and coherent story showcasing who I truly am from birth to now, Lara did some black magic.
Additionally, Lara is a great mentor. When I was slacking, Lara was the gentle hand ushering me forward. When I was really frustrated by things beyond anyone’s control, Lara kept me in her thoughts and checked in consistently to see how I was doing. Honestly, in the past 10+ months we worked together, I knew I could always count on Lara for some sage advice. And I genuinely know that she understood who I am at my core so well.

On Kathryn, I am equally so so grateful to have had her on my team. Initially I was shock that she dedicated more than 2 hours listening to my life story. Who does that?! Then, I got scared (but also glad) when she was chasing me to talk to all her advisers hahaha. Honestly she took matters to heart – I joke with my parents and friends that she cares more about my own application journey than myself. And it’s true! Without her advising me to start writing application essays while prepping for GMAT, and without the whole team at SOP with me, I could not imagine churning out the most robust application essays for 7 MBA programs. Kathryn is also kind and honest, which are qualities truly rare in the MBA admissions industry where people pray on applicants’ fear. SOP is nothing like that.

I feel also fortunate that I’ve also encountered some of the most incredible people in this trade/the world. I could see on every single day while working with Kathryn, Lara, Pat, and Wendy that they love what they do. I’d do it all over again if time traveling back to last summer!

Working with Kathryn was the best investment I have ever made. I can say unequivocally that I would not have been admitted to Stanford GSB without her support, and that she also played a critical role in my other school admits to Wharton, MIT Sloan and Chicago Booth.

Kathryn is the very best in the business. Her knowledge of the MBA admissions process is second to none, and her advice was consistently sharp, thoughtful, and exactly what I needed at each stage of the journey. I came into the process with a long and complex personal background story, and Kathryn was exceptional at probing in exactly the right places, quickly identifying the details that mattered most, and helping me shape them into essays that were both authentic and MBA-appropriate.

In addition to her expertise, Kathryn was available day and night to help me navigate any issue, whether big or small. Her level of commitment was extraordinary – I would find it very hard to believe that the time Kathryn invests in supporting her clients is matched by any other MBA admissions firm. Throughout an intense process, she made me feel fully supported from start to finish.

The wider Square One Prep team also provided outstanding support throughout the process. The career narrative coaching with Wendy was particularly fundamental to my successful admits and will also help me be intentional during the MBA program itself. The support I received was comprehensive and highly personalized.

I recommend Kathryn and the Square One Prep team without reservation.

I had a fantastic experience working with Square One Prep this past admission cycle. I was fairly uncertain at the beginning of the cycle that I was a good candidate for top MBA programs and whether I wanted to commit to the applications, but Kathryn and her team gave me the confidence and structure that ultimately led to receiving offers from all 8 schools I applied to, several of which with full tuition scholarships.

The process started off with a Career Narrative deep dive with Horatiu, which was an excellent way to reflect on what makes you unique as an applicant and how to emphasize that throughout your school essays. Horatiu was professional and insightful, all while consistently driving for deeper and deeper reasoning. By the end of the process, I had tremendous clarity on my motivations and future.

As I moved into individual school applications, Kelsey’s positive energy and consistent probing created a great, trusting environment that enabled me to produce high quality essays that embodied my career narrative and gave deep insight into who I am as a person. Kathryn, Pat, and Kelsey held me accountable to a good rate of progress where I never felt rushed but consistently had to work hard to meet deadlines for all 8 of my schools.

Lastly, I had a great interview prep experience prep with Kelsey. She gave a me a solid framework of preparation that focused heavily on introspection and conciseness, which was exactly what I needed to nail my HBS interview with confidence.

I’d love to work with this team all over again and couldn’t recommend them any more highly!

Working with Square One Prep was easily one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process. The process can be nuanced, daunting, and unforgiving, but my first conversation with Kathryn immediately put me at ease.

What stood out to me early on was how genuinely invested the team was in my success (beyond just the MBA application). It never felt transactional. I always had the sense that they truly cared not just about the outcome, but about helping me put forward something that actually reflected who I am.

Lara, in particular, made a huge difference. She was incredibly encouraging, but also wasn’t afraid to give me tough, honest feedback when I needed it. I spoke to many consulting firms, but I felt a natural click with this team from the start. Lara pushed me to be sharper, more introspective, and more precise in how I told my story.

The broader team kept me accountable and on track throughout. There’s a lot of ambiguity and second-guessing in this process, and they consistently cut through that noise. I always knew what I needed to be doing and why. I am so happy I went through this process with them!

If you’re reading this, you still have time. I met with a managing director at another consultancy (one of the big ones) and she told me I wasn’t HSW material. Well, as a HBS class of 2028 admit, I have bad news for her…

SquareOnePrep believed in me, supported me, and turned me into the professional I am today. It’s expensive, but it’s absolutely worth every penny. Kathryn Lucas and Lara Avsar are the Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen of MBA consulting, and if they’re in your corner, you’re winning multiple championships. At first, I did have doubts, but I have no regrets. SquareOnePrep is world-class service with a world-class team.

If you’re reading this, you still have time. I met with a managing director at another consultancy (one of the big ones), and she told me I wasn’t HSW material. Well, as a HBS class of 2028 admit, I have bad news for her…

SquareOnePrep believed in me, supported me, and turned me into the professional I am today. It’s expensive, but it’s absolutely worth every penny. Lara Avsar is the Nick Saban of MBA consulting, and if she’s in your corner, you’re winning a national championship. At first, I did have doubts, but I have no regrets. SquareOnePrep is world-class service with a world-class team.

If I had to describe my experience working with Square One Prep, I would simply say it was “Excellence.” As an international student, the MBA application process can feel overwhelming and unfamiliar. Square One Prep made it structured, organized, and manageable in a way that suited my working style. Even through the highs and lows of the process, they maintained engagement, pushed me when necessary, and remained fully committed to helping me achieve my goals. I genuinely believe they played a vital role in helping me secure my spot at Columbia Business School. I can attest to the great team that Kathryn has created.
From the very beginning, what stood out most to me was their transparency and honesty. During my initial consultation with Kathryn, she took the time to genuinely understand my background, goals, and perspective as an international applicant navigating the U.S. MBA process for the first time. What I appreciated most was that she didn’t tell me what I wanted to hear; she told me what I needed to hear. Her candid assessment of my chances at top programs provided me with a clear, realistic starting point and ultimately convinced me to work with Square One Prep. From there, the process felt highly structured and purposeful.

Working with Horatiu on my career narrative was a pivotal moment. He helped me organize ideas and define the purpose behind my applications, “what story I was telling and why it mattered”. This clarity made everything that followed more focused and effective.

Pat also played a crucial role in keeping everything on track. His consistent follow-ups, attention to deadlines, and willingness to step in when needed ensured I was always progressing and aligned with the plan.

But above all, I want to highlight the work I did with Kelsey. We spent countless hours refining essays, reviewing details, and elevating every aspect of my application. Her dedication, patience, and attention to detail are truly exceptional. I often joked she was a “wizard” when it came to admissions. She has an incredible ability to break things down, show exactly what schools are looking for, and guide you in presenting your story authentically and distinctly. What sets her apart isn’t just her expertise but her honesty and precision in the work we deliver. She never sugarcoated feedback and constantly pushed me to improve while ensuring every word, idea, and angle of my application served a purpose. She helped elevate my resume, all essays, and ultimately, but most importantly, how I saw myself as a candidate. There are not enough words to show my gratitude for her work.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Square One Prep. They truly are a firm like no other, just as they state. Kathryn, Kelsey, Horatiu, and Pat are an exceptional team whose professionalism, honesty, and dedication to their clients truly set them apart

When I started my MBA application process, I had consultations with other very famous online firms, but it wasn’t until a friend (who is also at HBS) recommended SOP that I found the right fit. From my free consultation with Kathryn, I immediately felt a huge difference; unlike other companies, everything here felt much more personal and tailored. This gave me the confidence I needed because I knew that reaching HBS required a level of detail that could bring every nuance of my life, career, and personality to light. SOP has a dedicated team for every stage of the application, and working with Kathryn was incredible. Her feedback was extremely constructive, but she went far beyond just the application itself.
She advised me with her point of view through professional decisions that could have impacted my candidacy, truly caring about making the pre-MBA experience smoother, more transformative, and less stressful. Even regardless of being admitted to HBS, Sloan, and Tuck, I feel my experience with SOP helped me evolve and prepared me for the challenges ahead. I started this journey thinking HBS was a very long shot, but SOP gave me the confidence to own my story and face my interviews like a champ!! I highly recommend them to anyone aiming for the top.

The team at SOP (especially Allison who I worked most closely with) did an excellent job of understanding my profile, carving out my unique story and helping me stand out among other applicants. They have a deep understanding of what each school’s adcom looks for in candidates, bringing a dimension to my application that I would have completely missed if I had tackled the process myself. SOP helped me tremendously by structuring my approach and timeline for the entire admission process, from application deadlines to interviews and even a waitlist strategy that was instrumental in helping me land an offer from my target school.

Lara at Square One Prep is a dream! I can’t recommend her enough! When I was working with Lara, I told every person that would listen to me how amazing she was. She pushed me, held me accountable, worked late nights with me, made me feel like my story was worth listening to, and just truly made me a better writer. She is so skilled in what she does and I truly enjoyed all of our calls and work together. By the end of our work, I absolutely felt like a better writer and could articulate more interesting stories and moments about my career and life to date. Lara made my small stories, memories, and moments stand out and helped me connect them to the essay themes. This is something I never thought possible! Before working with Lara as I thought about business school I was concerned I wasn’t interesting enough and that my stories were not worth sharing. She made me feel heard and I successfully went 3-for-3 at HBS, Kellogg, and Booth! Lara changed my life, and I have no doubt she is capable of changing everyones too!!

Going into the MBA application process, I had a ton of doubts. With my GPA on the lower side (14/20), I honestly didn’t know if I stood a real chance at a top program. Choosing Square One Prep – and specifically picking Vi Mai as my advisor –was hands down the best decision I could’ve made.

From day one, SOP’s incredibly structured approach gave me so much peace of mind. Instead of just jumping blindly into essays, we spent the first few weeks doing some serious heavy lifting. Working with Vi, Horatiu (Career Narrative Advisor) and Kelsey Kephart (my Team Lead) to completely overhaul my resume and map out my actual career goals was incredible. They helped me connect the dots in my professional background to find a cohesive, powerful narrative that I never would have seen on my own. Getting that intense clarity upfront gave me a clear roadmap for all of my applications.

But working with Vi was the real game-changer. She didn’t just help me find my best stories, she showed me how to actually make them compelling. More importantly, she kept me grounded and out of my own head. Balancing the applications with a crazy, travel-heavy work schedule wasn’t easy, but Vi’s proactive approach kept everything on track. She was incredibly responsive, making sure I hit every single deadline no matter what time zone I was in. When it came time for interviews, her prep work was also absolutely key in making sure I felt confident. I truly felt like I had a partner who was just as invested in my success as I was.

In the end, the outcome honestly couldn’t have been better. Not only did I get into Harvard, but I get to go alongside my partner – who also worked with Square One Prep! It still feels completely surreal. I’m so incredibly grateful to Vi and the entire team for their passion and professionalism.

I enthusiastically recommend Square One Prep. Being from Latin America, hiring an admissions consultant was a huge financial commitment for me. It was a tough choice, but looking at my final outcomes, I can confidently say it was 100% worth it. I honestly don’t think I would have achieved these results without their help.

Going into this, I had so many doubts. I worried that my software engineering background was overrepresented, that I was getting too old for an MBA (33 when I start school), or that I was simply aiming way too high. The team at SOP helped me see my actual potential and shared past success cases that completely shifted my mindset and gave me the confidence to go for it.

What makes their service stand out is how structured the whole process is. They don’t just rush into writing essays; they take the time to really get to know you first. They pushed me to dig deep into my motivations, my background, my past decisions, and my relationships, and they helped me build my career narrative from the ground up. I also loved that the process involves different people from their team stepping in at various stages to provide additional support and fresh eyes on your work. They see you as a whole person and dare you to keep exploring yourself, which ultimately makes the stories you tell the adcoms so much stronger.

Of course, the MBA journey has its bumps. I actually got rejected by a program we applied to early on. But honestly, I didn’t even get discouraged. I was so confident in the process and the quality of the work we were putting in that I knew rejection was just a normal part of the game. That patience paid off—I ended up with several offers from schools across different tiers, secured scholarships, and most importantly, got into my absolute dream program!

There are a couple of areas for improvement. First is how they organize their past essay examples. Right now, everything is just dumped into a single folder by school. It makes it pretty hard to search for what you actually need or to easily highlight the ones that inspire you. A better-organized database would be a huge time-saver. Second, I think having all written work managed in a Google Drive would be much better. Currently, documents are sent back and forth via email, but using a shared drive would make collaborating on files and keeping track of version history so much easier.

Finally, a huge shoutout to my consultant, David Chan. Working with him on a daily basis was incredible. He is a true professional who figured me out at every single step. He knew exactly how to look at my experience and help me frame it to be as impactful as possible. We made an amazing team. I loved that he was always outspoken and direct—he never hesitated to tell me when something wasn’t working, but he was just as quick to praise a good idea. He gave great advice throughout the whole process and is a fantastic mock interviewer. Beyond the technical stuff, I felt like David genuinely cared about me getting into business school. He celebrated every interview invite and admission offer right alongside me. Choosing him was definitely the best choice.

Working with Amalia was one of the highlights of my experience with Square One Prep. She brought an incredible level of expertise, structure, and support to the process, and I truly enjoyed working with her. Amalia was thoughtful, honest, and very strategic in her feedback, constantly pushing me to think more deeply about my experiences and how to communicate them effectively. At the same time, she made sure the final work always reflected my own voice and story. Her guidance made the entire process feel much clearer and more manageable, and I’m incredibly grateful for the support she provided throughout the journey.

The SOP team is incredible, and I can’t recommend them enough. Kathryn, Kelsey, Horatiu, and Pat guided me through every step of the MBA application process and truly helped me put my best foot forward.

SOP tailored my application strategy with care, always putting me and my goals first. Kathryn was consistently available to talk through questions or concerns. Through challenges and moments of low confidence, the team supported me, never making me feel like a bother or an inadequate applicant. Horatiu helped me work through multiple career narratives until we landed on the right one, and when I felt overwhelmed, we adjusted my timeline by applying early only to Fuqua and shifting other schools to round 2. That decision paid off with an early Fuqua acceptance, saving me time and unnecessary applications, and letting me focus on even more aspirational schools for round 2. Pat was instrumental in keeping everything organized and holding me accountable.

Even with a not so ideal GRE score, Kathryn and Kelsey encouraged me to keep going. Kelsey created a judgment-free space for our work together, helping me put together an authentic application. She was more than an advisor—she was a true cheerleader and support system.

I can’t imagine going through this process without SOP. I’m so grateful to the entire team for helping me start my MBA journey.

I had an outstanding experience working with Square One Prep throughout my MBA application process. From start to finish, the guidance was thoughtful, strategic, and incredibly personalized.

The process is run by Kathryn Lucas, who has built an exceptional team and process. You can tell there’s a clear philosophy behind how they approach admissions, structured, honest, and focused on bringing out the strongest version of each applicant’s story.

My main advisor was Kelsey Wise, and I truly can’t say enough good things about her. She pushed me to think deeper, refine my narrative, and present my experiences in a way that felt authentic and compelling. She was responsive, detail-oriented, and always candid when something needed improvement. I never felt like I was getting generic advice, everything was tailored specifically to me and my goals.

The rest of the team was equally impressive. Whether it was essay reviews, interview prep, adhoc questions, every interaction felt high quality and intentional. They strike the perfect balance between being supportive and challenging you to elevate your application.

If you’re serious about putting together a polished, competitive MBA application and want advisors who are invested in your success, I highly recommend Square One Prep. Working with them was one of the best decisions I made during this process.

Square One Prep was an exceptional partner throughout my entire business school application journey. Amalia and Kathryn were deeply involved from the very beginning, helping me thoughtfully frame my experiences and interests and guiding me to define the lens through which I wanted to approach the application process. Horatiu helped me refine a career narrative that felt true to myself and resonated with schools.

They didn’t write my applications for me. Instead, they asked the right questions, pushed me to think deeply about the story I wanted to tell, and helped me iterate in a way that was both authentic and compelling, and something I could confidently speak to in interviews. Their support was truly comprehensive, spanning career positioning, essays, and interview preparation.

Amalia took the time to understand my working style and adapted seamlessly to it, while holding me to a high standard that consistently brought out my best work. With the Square One team’s support, I was admitted to every school I applied to (GSB, HBS, Wharton, and Columbia). I cannot recommend Square One highly enough.

I had an excellent experience working with Square One Prep and cannot imagine having gone through the MBA application process without them. I was fortunate to be admitted to my top choice, Stanford GSB, in Round 1, and I genuinely believe that outcome would not have been possible without the Square One team.

My experience with Square One was strong from the very beginning. When I first reached out to Kathryn, the founder, she responded almost immediately and mapped out a tailored, day-by-day, multi-month plan on Square One’s customized online portal (this was on our intro call, before I was even a client!) Her continued involvement until I received my acceptance added clarity and polish at key moments in the process.

While Kathryn was my first interaction at Square One, I had a full team supporting me, which was incredibly helpful and left nothing uncovered. Lara Avsar served as my primary advisor and led the day-to-day of my process, from resumes to essays to interview preparation. Additionally, Wendy focused on my career narrative development, Pat managed logistics and deadlines, and Kathryn provided strategic oversight and a second set of eyes throughout.

More specifically regarding Lara, she was absolutely exceptional, and I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone. She is extremely smart, creative, and genuinely kind, and she consistently challenged me to think more clearly and deeply about how I framed my experiences. This is critical to note – this was not a quick process, as Lara pushed me heavily by challenging assumptions, digging into details, and consequently helping to meaningfully elevate the quality of the narratives I was conveying throughout my application. This was possible for her to do because she, along with the other Square One advisors, take on only a handful of clients (no more than ~5-6) per application cycle. This was highly differentiated relative to what I saw from other advisors I had looked at, and it was what I believe drove a material amount of the value in working with Square One.

Overall, Square One is a unique, high-touch team, and I would strongly recommend them, and specifically Lara Avsar, to anyone serious about applying to competitive MBA programs!

I used SQ1 packages as well as their hourly services with Kathryn and Kelsey as my consultants and was able to get offers with significant scholarships from 8 out 9 schools (a combination of M7 + T15 schools) applied in Round 1 for the full-time MBA programs. I cannot express my gratitude enough for the whole team at SQ1 for their support and expertise during this strenuous process – they were patient, knowledgeable about the MBA application and admission processes, and above all, very dedicated mentors and cheer leaders. Truly an incredible experience working with them!

I worked closely with Kathryn Lucas on my applications. Right from a free consultation through to final admit, she and her team held the pen, translating my personality and achievements into a be spoke application that would be irresistible.

Aside the routine organized and disciplined approach, she brought a lot of thought leadership and sense of precision that only a few could. Her team was exceptionally supportive and patient and ensured that we did not miss timelines and targets. Kept spirits up when things didnt seem very encouraging and yet help the beacon of hope.

She and her team is fully supportive of every candidate and translates their strength and accomplishments into a perfect package that great schools cannot deny.

I sincerely reveled at the experience of working collaboratively and would strongly suggest her involvements

The Square One process was seamless and truly a highly personalized experience. Working with Kathryn and Lara, my advisor, was incredible. I received admission to HBS, my top choice, and three other top schools I applied to, and I know this would not have been possible without their support.

My process began with an initial introductory phone call with Kathryn, followed by a very detailed call with Lara, where she asked thoughtful questions ranging from personal to professional. She genuinely cares about getting to know you. Square One’s process is unique in that they spend the first few weeks deeply fleshing out your career narrative and story. I had initially signed on with another advisor, and we immediately jumped into essays, which felt rushed. Square One understands that full alignment with your story creates the strongest application and ultimately leads to the most authentic interview. As a result of their process, my authenticity was able to truly shine.

Square One also stands out in how they guide you through every step. I had support from Kathryn whenever I had general questions about the business school process and support from Lara for anything related to my resume, essays, and interview preparation. They are intentional about not taking on too many applicants at once, which clearly shows in the level of attentiveness and care. Having worked with another advisor previously, the difference was immediately noticeable. My other advisor was clearly spread too thin.

Most importantly, Square One challenged me. Kathryn and Lara brought out the best in me and were honest when I needed to step up or make changes. That accountability was critical to my success. I received real time feedback and was able to improve my work daily, which directly led to my results. With their support, I was admitted to four top MBA programs, including Harvard, Columbia, Kellogg, and Booth, and received scholarships at some. I am incredibly grateful to Kathryn and Lara and would recommend Square One to anyone!

I had an excellent experience working with the Square One team! Kathryn was a wonderful guide, and I appreciated her honesty and candid advice throughout the process. Torey was a great advisor as well – he kept me on track, offered good guidance and we developed a really productive collaborative relationship. He took the time to get to know me on a deeper level, which became helpful when thinking through my goals and developing my essays.

Square One’s initial career narrative exercise was very helpful, as it really solidified my career goals and reasons for doing my MBA, and became the groundwork for both my essays and interview. I don’t know if either would be as refined if I hadn’t created the narrative beforehand. Torey was also great at keeping me on schedule and holding me accountable for completing work on time – with all that goes into business school applications, this was probably the most valuable part of working with Square One.

I’d definitely recommend Square One to anyone seeing help with their applications. I got into both the schools I applied to and couldn’t do it without them!

I started working with Lara a month and a half before the deadlines, while I was still due to write my GMAT.
Lara truly stands out,
– She brought out the best in me
– Held me to a high standard and made me produce work that I was proud of irrespective of the result. She did not give up when I was stubborn about inaccurate points, and work really hard alongside me even when I was being “difficult” in a traditional sense.
– Open to ideas, being challenged and taking risks together
– Mega helpful for interview prep, I did not use any external consultants for the interview
– Genuinely cares about long-term growth beyond applications. I became a better communicator and more reflective person in the process.
She’s amazing, I’d trust her on helping me on topics beyond college apps.

Kelsey worked as a sounding board to us, she is amazing as well!

Square One has a unique but very structured and thought through approach. By the time you end up writing the application you are well prepared for the interview.

Working with Square One Prep was instrumental for me to get into my dream MBA program. Cristina ensured I was able to convey my story in a polished and packaged manner by consistently pushing me to dig deeper when putting together my applications. Cristina was available at all times to brainstorm or bounce ideas off of. She, along with Horatiu, spent an incredible amount of time helping me think through how to best present myself and my ambitions in my application, and it paid off. The Square One Prep hands on approach was key, and I really appreciated the time everyone on the team put in, keeping me honest through the schedule, and time boxing the whole process. I’d recommend anyone who aspires to get into their dream MBA program to work with them.

At every step in the application process Wilson seemed to know how I was feeling before I did. There were constant check-ins to gauge how I was feeling, the progress I was making, and what next steps would best help me. His expertise was invaluable and presented in a way that was neither daunting nor discomforting. Plus, when my first choice school did not extend an offer to interview he immediately pivoted and helped me prepare for interviews with the other two schools I had applied to. 

Not only am I sure that working with Wilson resulted in submitting my strongest possible application, I question whether any application would have been submitted without his help, guidance, and structured support.

I was accepted to my dream schools (MIT and Columbia) solely due to Lara and the entire Square One Prep team!

I had an outstanding experience working with Square One Prep, and in particular with my advisor, Lara. I was very fortunate to receive multiple MBA admissions offers, including full scholarships from three M7 programs and several T10 schools. I truly believe I would not have achieved the same results without her guidance. Beyond the outcomes, the process itself was incredibly valuable and transformative.

Lara helped transform a highly technical, non-traditional, military background into a clear, compelling, and easily understood narrative. She consistently provided honest and actionable feedback, whether it was as simple as refining single word, or to restart an essay because she knew I could do better. We spent hours and hours talking through my life story to understand my “why MBA?” question, which made my essays stronger and more authentic.

What stood out most to me was how much Lara cared about me as a person, not just as an applicant. She wasn’t focused on simply “checking the box” for each part of the application process. She genuinely wanted to understand who I was, why I was pursuing an MBA, and what my life goals were. Having her as a sounding board as I worked out those questions myself made a (very overwhelming) process feel manageable.

That level of care and reflection translated directly into results – results that I wasn’t sure were possible before Square One. The clarity in my story and self-awareness of my goals that Lara helped me develop showed up not only in my written applications, but also in my interviews and overall confidence going into my MBA.

Lara is patient, supportive, incredibly sharp, and will always be in your corner. I would highly recommend working with her and Square One Prep to anyone looking for an admissions expert to help guide them through the MBA application process.

I had an outstanding experience working with Lara at Square One Prep, and I credit her as a major reason I finished the MBA admissions process with two M7 offers and over $300K in merit-based scholarships. Just as importantly, I walked away with an application and a personal story that I am genuinely proud of. This was something Lara emphasized early on as the true measure of success.

From the very beginning, Lara invested deeply in understanding who I am. She spent nearly four hours with me at the outset unpacking my background, motivations, values, and long-term goals. That upfront effort created a shared understanding that made the rest of our work highly efficient, collaborative, and intentional.

Lara’s greatest strength is strategic application and career narrative development. Coming from a highly quantitative background, I initially struggled to present myself holistically. Lara helped me balance analytical rigor with leadership, emotional intelligence, and personal motivation in a way that felt authentic and compelling. The narrative we built became the foundation not only for my essays, but also for my networking conversations and broader career clarity. She also leveraged her own personal and professional connections to help pressure-test and strengthen my story.

Equally impactful was Lara’s honesty and emotional intelligence. She consistently told me what I needed to hear, pushed back when necessary, and challenged my assumptions, while also providing steady emotional support throughout what can be an intense and vulnerable process. Regardless of outcomes, I feel I grew meaningfully both professionally and personally through this journey.

Working with Lara felt like a true partnership rather than a transactional service. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone serious about pursuing top MBA programs.

There is absolutely no way I could have achieved the results I did without Square One Prep’s help.

I started the MBA application process feeling overwhelmed by the number of essays and variables involved. I was also anxious about my non-traditional background and winding career path. Amalia immediately put me at ease and gave me immense confidence throughout the process. She was incredibly responsive, insightful, and supportive—helping me connect the disparate dots of my career and craft a story that was genuine to me on paper and in interviews.

Thank you, Amalia!

I cannot recommend Square One Prep enough. Square One Prep came to my attention after one of my close West Point friends was admitted to Wharton after leveraging Square One, and could not stop raving about his MBA application experience.

Given I had applied to business school in the past (R1 of 2022 cycle) and was not offered any interviews, I decided to take the intro call. What was supposed to be a 30 minute chat with Kathrine turned into an hour plus conversation full of value and transparency that left me energized to start the process.

First, I really appreciated that SOP offered a free 30+ minute consultation, as well as three 20 minute intro calls with advisors before making financial commitments. Additionally, what set Square One apart was their intentional process and ability to go beyond the surface level. They challenged my original application framework (Why MBA, SL/LT goals, my story) and opened my eyes to a level of detail that I was not keen to. Everything from the initial assessment, to the career narrative, to resume build, and essay work is truly top tier. It’s a phenomenal process that enables you to put your best foot forward. I also really enjoyed how they broke down this exceedingly complex and stressful process into a manageable roadmap that was easy to tackle systematically.

Regarding Wilson, I cannot recommend him enough! Wilson was truly an exceptional partner. He perfectly balanced challenging me to delve deeper with understanding and patience. His intentional approach allows him to grasp strategic goals while meticulously attending to tactical details. He

As a result of our work, I received interviews from Tepper, Tuck, Columbia and ultimately was admitted to Tepper and CBS.

I would especially recommend SOP to applicants to anyone, especially transitioning military members who want a coach that will push them to think deeper—not just write better.

Working with Wilson and the Square One Prep (SOP) team was an incredible experience. I came into the MBA application process feeling insecure about several aspects of my candidacy- my test scores, GPA, and work experience- and unsure how I would measure up against other applicants to top-20 programs.

What truly sets Wilson and SOP apart is their emphasis on seeing candidates as more than just numbers. Before charging for anything, they take the time to genuinely get to know you…why you want an MBA, your career and personal goals, and which schools make the most sense for your profile. This stood in contrast to other consulting firms that charge simply for an initial conversation.

SOP offers a deep bench of strong consultants, and with the help of Kathryn Lucas (Founder & CEO), who thoughtfully matched me with several potential advisors, I ultimately chose to work with Wilson after speaking with each of them.

What stood out most about Wilson was his consistently upbeat and positive attitude-which was invaluable during a stressful process-combined with his experience working with admissions committees and his impressive track record helping candidates build compelling applications for their dream schools.

As we began building my profile, Wilson and I met across several calls to refine my resume, clearly articulate my career goals, and strategically select my recommenders. From there, we moved into essays, working closely together on each one to fine-tune my story. With every step, my confidence in my candidacy continued to grow.

Beyond the core deliverables, Wilson and the broader SOP team consistently went above and beyond-responding quickly to emails and texts and answering every question I had along the way. Having access to trusted, expert guidance rather than turning to anonymous online forums made a huge difference.

Overall, if you’re looking for a truly comprehensive and supportive MBA admissions consulting experience, I can’t recommend Square One Prep and Wilson highly enough. I genuinely wouldn’t be in the position I’m in today without their support.

I had the pleasure of working directly with Kathryn as my advisor throughout the full-time MBA application process. While I was somewhat familiar with the application process, having independently applied to several 2+2 programs during college, I knew I needed to seek guidance from an experienced MBA consultant to help me get into my dream school.

Like many prospective applicants, I was initially overwhelmed by the options available. Working with a consultant is a significant investment, and I was mindful of the risks of working with someone who lacked experience, did not understand my background, or did not align with my working style. As such, I did countless consultation intro calls with consultants (independent and those part of a bigger organization) to narrow my options.

I walked away from my call with Kathryn feeling very positive, not only because she was quick to respond to my consultation request or that she was actively engaging and learning about me, but also because of her extensive experience working with clients across the spectrum and how she encouraged me to embrace my identity. I felt comfortable sharing personal aspects of my life with her, which added depth and authenticity to my essays. I also appreciated her firm’s unique, structured process, which provided clarity and peace of mind.

For example, their approach to helping me define my career vision and steps to get there, led by Horatiu, my career narrative expert, and Kathryn was particularly valuable, as the research I did to make my case and get their support enabled me to build a differentiated narrative that truly reflects what I want to do. It took hard work with work sessions and lots of homework, but was worth the effort.

To be clear, Kathryn will push you to work hard throughout your experience with her. I spent a lot of time and effort researching schools, brainstorming, and drafting essays – she was with me in the trenches every step of the way, even when I hit some unexpected challenges with my LORs. I especially appreciated Kathryn’s quick turnaround times even though I knew she was also running a firm. She always made herself available (even during weekends!) whenever I had questions or grew anxious about the application process.

In hindsight, as much as the goal was for me to get into my dream school (which I’m happy to share that I did), I also developed a deeper understanding of the school, my career goals, and how to maximize my MBA experience, thanks to Kathryn’s guidance. I’m very glad to have worked with Kathryn and her team throughout the MBA application process and would enthusiastically recommend her to everyone!

I wouldn’t have been able to have a successful MBA application process without the help of SOP; the carefully selected team truly invested in supporting and developing me to achieve my best. They are top-notch professionals who take their role seriously and truly care about you and your journey. From the moment I was recommended to SOP by a friend, I was amazed at the professionalism and expertise of the entire team, and knew working with them would be integral to my success in the process. From the initial introduction call with Kathryn to discuss their unique, highly effective process, to having the chance to meet several different coaches, their approach felt meaningful and impactful. After they helped me craft my resume, working with Horatiu opened my eyes to career possibilities while developing a career narrative. Kelsey was a constant source of inspiration and guidance available around the clock for any question. I received tailored guidance to approach my GRE/GMAT testing shortfalls, and help from Pat supported me in structuring a solid plan around my constant travels around the world for work. I really enjoyed the structure and guidance the program provided to ensure that I could effectively manage my full-time career while applying to 6 schools simultaneously all in Round 1, and was fortunate enough to receive acceptance offers to all 6 from among M10 programs, to include Stanford, Harvard, Wharton, and Booth. Even after acceptance, they helped me discuss my selection criteria, scholarships options, and how to make the best decision for myself and my family. You will be pushed to your utmost potential if you opt to utilize SOP’s services!

The team at SquareOne has really made my application process a very smooth one. I appreciate how they structured the various activities that need to be completed at different stages and kept me on top of timelines so that I could focus on crafting my materials. Huge shoutout to Kathryn for managing everything, Horatiu for leading the career narrative process, Kelsey for keeping my materials on track, and last not least, Liz for working with me side-by-side on every detail and keeping me positive. The team has been instrumental to my serving multiple offers with scholarships!

I worked directly with Kathryn and can’t recommend her enough!

She has 17+ years of experience and that totally reflects when you work with her. I got connected with her via a free review of my profile and she knew exactly what I am capable of. To help me build faith in choosing her, she also connected me with a few of her previous clients from my background.

She gave me a pretty honest review of my situation and advised me to reappear for GMAT. I took her word and my score improved drastically. While writing essays/building resumes – she has a strong work ethic and works really hard on you, gives realistic goals (in terms of timelines) to do your homework and is super active in communication.

2 moments that stood out for me were first when I went through a crisis in my personal life 4 weeks before R2 deadlines and second when I was anxious before one of my interviews. She was able to calm me down in both cases and got me through that phase. Later, when my partner needed some advice, she helped both of us as well. Beyond being a great MBA coach, she is an amazing human being!

Another advantage of going with SOP is their team: they have folks who were on various adcoms. Also, they have a solid portal with lots of data (resumes, essays etc.) of past successful applicants.

All in all, I am very happy that I went with Kathryn and would recommend her to everyone!

The MBA application process is a highly introspective journey, and SOP was there with me, guiding and supporting me all along the way. From school selection with Kathryn to preparing the career narrative with Wendy, SOP provides a highly structured and rigorous process that ultimately proves fruitful. Kathryn, on several occasions, provided me with a reality check, which kept me grounded and set expectations right. Wendy worked extensively on my Career narrative. She encouraged me to dig deeper, which enabled me to draft a well-thought-out career narrative. I cannot thank Cristina enough, my primary advisor! Cristina has been my mentor, advisor, and friend all along the journey, from resume building, LOR, applications, interview prep, to scholarships. She was patient and motivating during the vulnerable times and stern in times when I needed to pull up my socks. The Square One team brings immense experience, structure, and guidance. Working with SOP not only helped me actualise my dreams but also provided a lot of learning along the way. Would highly recommend SOP!

When I did a 1:1 free session with Kathryn, she took much more time than the allotted 30 minutes to understand my background and goals. She could sense that I lacked confidence about my candidacy and explained in great detail why she was encouraging me to apply. She even did a follow-up call with me when I had additional questions. To choose my advisor, I talked to three advisors. All were great, but I went with Cristina and am so grateful to her. I am not a strong writer, But Cristina was patient and strategic as she worked hard with me to craft my resume and essays. One of Cristina’s strengths was her ability is to listen to my personal narrative, ask the right questions, and help me to put relevant things in various parts of my applications. Horatiu, my career narrative expert, was also great. He helped me develop very clear goals/rationale for an executive education. It was hard work, but valuable well beyond the application as we worked together to build goals that pertain to what I really want to do. Kelsey Kephart was also helpful as a second set of eyes on the work Cristina and I worked to create. Having that gave me peace of mind. And finally, having Pat to ensure I stayed on track with all I had to do was surprisingly helpful. I didn’t understand how many facets there are to building an application. I relied on both my schedule in their portal that always anchored me logistically, and Pat, as a human touch to update my schedule when I’d have to take a few days off here and there due to unforeseen work and family commitments.

I am beyond thrilled that I’m taking this next big step with my education and career. I strongly recommend Square One.

My experience with Square One Prep was incredible. Before I started working with Square One, I felt an overwhelming sense of doubt about MBA applications. I didn’t think I had a compelling story to tell, and I worried that all of the effort would be for not. One of the first things Kathryn and Square One did for me was instill confidence. They believed in me, and I began to believe in myself.

Perhaps the most valuable aspect of Square One’s process is that they push you to really think about why you want an MBA. I did not know what my career goals were initially, but my work with Square One helped me to develop a real, genuine career narrative that allowed me to write more convincing essays and interview more confidently. I cannot wait until school starts, where I can actually pursue these goals – all of which were developed through my work with Square One.

Ultimately, Square One gave me the tools and confidence to get into a dream MBA program, and I am incredibly grateful.

After three painful rejections with previous consultants, I was hesitant to try again. Working with Kathryn completely transformed not just my applications, but my sense of self. As an Indian applicant working at a T-1 Venture Firm in the Bay Area applying to elite programs a third time, I was burned out. I needed someone who could energize me as well as help me find the authentic voice that had been missing from my previous attempts.

Kathryn flipped the script in one cycle: Harvard Business School + Stanford GSB admits and a 50 % tuition scholarship. I cannot recommend her enough! As I told her at the end of submitting my applications, the new sense of self and professional clarity were worth enough to me. The dual admit later on was just a cherry on top.

Many things set Kathryn apart from my prior consultants:

First, she has a rare balance of empathy and decisiveness. Rather than simply polishing my essays, Kathryn guided me through a process of self-discovery that clarified my personal narrative, professional direction, and unique value proposition. *She spent 8 hours getting to know me over the first 2 days*. I felt deeply heard, and challenged, by her. She asked me “Why?” until we unearthed two foundational personal stories I’d never have put on paper. Those moments became the spine of every essay and ended up being quoted back to me in my HBS interview and by the GSB Dean of Admissions on Admit Day. Compared to prior quick rejections, I was thrilled with this outcome.

Kathryn often reminded me what my prior apps, and most people miss: that admissions committees and alums are human. They want to _feel_ something when they read your work and sense that they are truly getting to know you (fun fact: we even included little personal, emotional tid-bits even in formal places like my resume). This is just something my prior apps were missing. The materials Kathryn and I created together moved even my parents to tears – capturing an authentic, graceful power in remarkably few words.

The end result: During my collaboration with Kathryn, I experienced a profound shift in confidence that friends, family, and professional colleagues noticed before I did.

Second, Kathryn makes surgical, candid edits and has a “pen-down” discipline. Every draft—resume, essays, even recommender packets—came back dripping with color-coded notes. Some tweaks, some brutal truth. Zero guesswork. When she felt I was over-working pieces, she stopped me. For example, because we completed our work well in advance of the deadlines, I kept unnecessarily re-working essays. I still recall making some 2 a.m. perfectionistic revisions and sending them to her, only to get an immediate reply: “Stop and realize it is time to trust what you have created: Submit tonight.”

Third, Kathryn went the extra mile at every stage. From those initial calls when I was on the fence about reapplying to working with me painstakingly and patiently on my application components ,” to coaching me for the interviews – three rounds that were tougher than the actual interviews. Her guidance was both comprehensive and precisely calibrated to my needs.

The results speak for themselves: admits to both Harvard and Stanford after previous rejections. But like I’ve said, the true value transcended admissions results. After trying two other consultants who charged $10K each, I am so glad I went with Square One Prep. I enjoyed their unique approach to first build a stronger me, transform how I look at myself in the mirror, and only then use the newfound clarity and confidence to write a winning application.

My experience with Square One was truly the reason for my application success. The daunting task of applying to multiple top 10 MBA programs while balancing career and life variables would’ve truly been impossible without the direct support and guidance from Kathryn and Wilson. I come from a non-traditional military background, professional sports, a low GPA from my undergrad, and a “fringe” GRE score. Square One was able to curate my personal story, pulling my unique background and strengths to the forefront of my applications. They truly gave me a shot in an extremely competitive application year. One thing that I especially appreciated was the candidness and transparency through the whole process. There was an obvious drop off in some of the areas of my application that made me a “risky” candidate relative to my target schools. I was open that I wanted to “shoot for the stars,” and Square One approached our partnership with that in mind.

I am happy to say that I got into one of my target schools and a top 10 program! I had to grind and got to see the “full MBA experience” first-hand: being rejected, waitlisted, and finally accepted, but I felt supported and ready for the challenge every step of the way! 10/10 would recommend utilizing these experts!

Let’s get the outcomes out of the way: SOP helped me achieve admission to both HBS and Wharton! From start to finish, it took less than one month!

I had two friends who both had successful outcomes refer me to Square One Prep but I was someone who thought I could navigate the process on my own. It was December 14, less than a month before Round 2 deadlines were due and I was still debating whether I even wanted to apply to business school. I had a few half-baked essays and knew I had not strongly communicated my narrative.

Kathryn hopped on the phone with me on a Friday afternoon, walked me through the SOP process, and sent me a schedule on how we would make two schools work in less than 30 days. She was direct honest, and most importantly caring. By Saturday morning, Kathryn was my sounding board on whether I wanted to “hit the brakes on the process” or “pump the gas”. Kathryn wanted me to make this personal decision and there was no pressure on whether I pause or continue the MBA process. I decided SOP was for me on Saturday morning and by Saturday afternoon, Kathryn had me set up with intro calls with multiple advisors. This was on a SATURDAY. This was beyond anything I expected, Kathryn and her team truly go above and beyond. Any other company would say we’ll get back to you Monday, Kathryn and Lara got back to me in 10 minutes. They care about your experience in the process (not just the outcomes) and you truly feel that.

On Saturday evening (at 8 freaking PM!!), I had my first call with Lara Avsar who would change my life. Lara took the time to understand my story and my “why”. It wasn’t just let’s build an application, it was let’s know who you are, why you are who you are, and how you and the business school can fit together.

Lara was patient, caring, and helped me reflect on who I was as a person, and craft that story. She made time on the weekends, at night, and in the early mornings to make sure I was supported throughout the entire process. Her expertise in crafting vignettes and focus on storytelling was extremely impactful in my essays. I truly felt that Lara cared about me as a human being and that the application was a byproduct of the deep thought work we did together! I consider Lara someone who has changed my life and I’m extremely grateful for all of her time and support during this entire process. I do not doubt that Lara will be an advisor for life!

SOP overarching strategy was extremely effective and everything was perfectly planned thanks to Pat! Kathryn made herself available 24/7 to review the work and provide her expert guidance on where we were tracking and direction on strengths/weaknesses.

During this process, I also had the pleasure of working with Horatiu. Horatiu is
an expert at crafting a tangible career narrative and this is an element of the process that I think also sets SOP apart from the rest. Horatiu and team help you discover a career narrative that you’re passionate about and something that can be used well beyond business school.

Overall, I can confidently say I would not have achieved the outcomes without Square One Prep. More importantly than the outcomes, I know the SOP experience will pay dividends well into the future. I’m extremely grateful for Lara, Kathryn, and the entire Square One Prep team!

When I started my MBA application journey, I was honestly quite lost. I needed someone who could help outline the process, clarify my goals, and keep me honest along the way. Square One Prep did exactly that. From the very beginning, Kathryn, Kelsey, and Horatiu helped me dig into my background and experience to develop an amazing career narrative. Through this process, I learned how to vocalize my story and also develop bullet-proof “Why MBA” and “Post MBA Goals.” Their honest, clear-eyed feedback helped me build a strategy that actually reflected who I am, not what I thought schools wanted to hear.

I chose to work with Wilson as my day-to-day advisor, and I’m incredibly glad I did. He’s the kind of person who can absorb a messy brain-dump of ideas and pull out a coherent, compelling narrative. Throughout the process, he struck the perfect balance between pushing me to dig deeper and reminding me to take a breath when things felt overwhelming. I never felt like I was just another client on a checklist. Every call, every draft, every mock interview felt tailored and intentional.

The structure SOP brings along with support with deadlines, resources, and reminders kept me grounded during the rigorous and chaotic application process. I’m walking away not just with admits, but with a sharper understanding of what I bring to the table. I’d recommend Square One without hesitation.

Working with Kathryn from Square One Prep has been a life-changing experience for me. Not only because we worked extremely hard towards the goal of getting an offer from the best Business School in the world, Wharton, but also because the way in that Kathryn approaches the application process allowed me to discover so many things about myself that I wasn’t aware of, including; identifying and organizing my short, medium, and long term goals, developing a career narrative based on what I aspire to become one day, and discovering skills that I did not know I had. Her dedication is impressive, when I had a question, no matter the day or time, she was always there to steer me in the right direction and provide useful advice. Her familiarity with the application process (which can be overwhelming at times) made my process a lot friendlier and successful.

I 100% recommend her and Square One Prep if you are trying to secure an offer from the best graduate school programs in the world.

I knew the MBA application process was going to be challenging and I wanted extra support. SOP was diligent and made sure that I was able to tell my unique story.

I worked closely with Kathryn and Wilson, who were great at pushing me to put my best forward. For the day to day work, I chose to partner with Wilson who’s incredibly patient and strategic! He answered all my random texts and reassured me throughout the process. For essays and mock interviews, he gave constructive feedback that allowed me to refine my work in the best way possible. The team made sure I was able to meet all my deadlines in a timely manner.

They also didn’t persuade me to take the easy route and were very direct about my selection of schools. My personal advice is to not get caught up in the numbers and metrics for all schools. Yes they’re important but also believe in yourself and trust that you have a unique perspective to bring!

If you’re thinking about MBA apps, do the free consultation with Kathryn and talk to some of the advisors. This journey can be challenging but it’s nice to have the support!

Ten months ago, I knew almost nothing about the world of business school. Now, thanks to Square One Prep, I’m admitted to Michigan Ross with a $100k scholarship, Cornell Johnson with a $30k scholarship, and Tuck! Clearly my investment paid off, and I am so happy that an MBA is in my future.

I first spoke to Kathryn in June 2024, ahead of starting my Round 2 application process in October. At the time, I knew little about what to expect, what these schools looked for, or how to properly steer my career. Kathryn patiently walked me through Square One’s process, which I could tell would be both rigorous and thorough in solving the gaps in my knowledge, while taking a big load off my plate with prepping the materials. One of the first things that struck me was how quickly Kathryn and her team would respond to me, and how generous they were with their time when it came to answering my questions and reviewing my work.

I selected Square One’s premium tier, and after being onboarded, I worked with Kelsey, who I felt both understood me as a person and who had deep expertise in what business schools look for in their applicants. This made it easy for me to be forthright with her about anything that came to my mind and to trust her advice. Much of this was also thanks to a thorough assessment she did with me where she learned every detail of my undergraduate, extracurricular, and work experience. As we created my resume, my essays, and my application, I felt like she was my second brain. Her edits made sense, we were able to move the process along with each school efficiently, and I felt comfortable reaching out to her whenever I had a question. I especially appreciated how we were able to integrate my artistic background into my application materials, leveraging them as a strength. Our interview prep went just as smoothly given our rapport.

After creating each application component with Kelsey, Kathryn’s second layer of tweaks would give my materials an extra sparkle—ensuring that my strengths as a business school applicant stood out, even to someone just skimming through the materials. Occasionally Kathryn would send back an essay for rewrites, having me and Kelsey revisit the drawing board. But even this was something I ultimately appreciated because I could feel that the entire team was invested in giving me the strongest application possible.

What really brought it home was how I continued to feel both Kathryn and Kelsey’s investment even past the school acceptance stage. They helped me negotiate higher scholarships and they even met with me to discuss a waitlist strategy for two business schools that I am trying to convert into acceptances. They help review the monthly updates I am writing to those schools. I feel that this is well beyond what I might normally expect from an admissions consultancy, and I am deeply grateful for their dedication well past the time of my acceptance. I still feel like I have access to both of them, and am able to hear back about any questions very quickly.

I also want to give a special thank you to Horatiu, who helped shape my career narrative and guided me on what to research to become a knowledgeable and credible candidate for the industry and function I hope to enter. His insights were essential not only for my goals essays but for my interviews as well.

Honestly, I can’t imagine an admissions consulting experience more comprehensive than the one I had with Square One. They helped with the whole journey, and then some. There should be no doubts in your mind. Working with Square One was one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Working with Square One Prep was a transformative experience, and my time with Anna was truly the highlight. As someone from outside the U.S., I was initially unsure how to present myself authentically to top schools. With Anna, I felt right at home. She listened carefully and helped me uncover the life experiences that best represented who I am and what I bring to the table.

Her feedback was always honest and purposeful. I often heard “You can do better” or “This essay needs to convey X—try again,” but it was always balanced with “YOU GO, GIRL!” moments that kept me motivated. Thanks to her guidance, my essays and résumé reflected a clear, authentic story.

Square One’s structured, multi-step process and team of experts were also invaluable. It’s not an easy process, but the results speak for themselves: I got into five M7 schools, with a $100K scholarship. Beyond the results, the experience gave me the confidence to tell my story and grow in the process.

I worked with the Square One Prep team on my round one applications and came away delighted at both the quality of service and result – admission to my top choice of HBS! The entire team felt highly invested in me and my success from the very first meeting I took with Kathryn when I was beginning to think through my process.

The first big differentiator of working with SOP was the level of personalization and genuine care I received from the team. Each consultant only takes on a few applicants per cycle, which leads to a high level of personal attention and responsiveness. I never waited more than 24 hours (more often it was sub-12) for an email response or for feedback on whatever we happened to be working on at the time. Moreover, the team pushes you to take the long and hard route (for everyone involved, including them) rather than signing off prematurely. They will truly push your application and thought process to the highest quality possible, even if it means jumping on more calls for them or starting an essay over entirely.

The second big differentiator of working with SOP was the team approach. Amalia, my primary advisor, brought an impressive level of empathy, creativity, and candor that helped draw out my unique experiences and express individuality in my application, which was a big priority for me coming from a traditional background. She was patient, highly committed, and most importantly, incredibly kind and pleasant to work with. Kathryn provided invaluable guidance at each step of the process and provided clear, direct, and thoughtful feedback that pushed every aspect of my application to a higher level. Wendy, the resident career narrative expert (a unique aspect of the SOP process) spent nearly a month helping me develop my career story and define short, medium, and long-term goals in a way that holds together with my past experiences and who I am. She was incredibly patient, and as time progresses, I continue to see the value of that workstream more and more and find the work incredibly important for anyone to do early in their career regardless of whether they’re applying to an MBA. Finally, Kelsey was fantastically organized and kept the entire process on track to submit in time for the round 1 deadline.

My overall experience with the team was 10/10. They followed through with everything they said they would do and helped me achieve a fantastic outcome. They pushed me harder and invested more time than I would’ve ever expected and ended up being worth every penny.

A few years ago, I had no idea about the MBA application process. I studied economics and spent five years working in government and at a multilateral development bank (MDB). I always assumed I would pursue a master’s in public policy or a PhD in economics. However, as I started working with private companies at my MDB, I realized an MBA was the better path for my goals.
Once I made that decision—after consulting mentors, colleagues, and doing some research—I felt overwhelmed by the many (almost endless!) steps in the application process. I also struggled to understand how my profile aligned with the schools I was targeting. That’s where Square One Prep came in.
From my first meeting with Kathryn, I felt more confident. She helped me see how my background could be positioned as a competitive profile for business schools. Choosing to work with SOP was one of the best decisions I made. Their structured, step-by-step approach not only guided me through the written application but also led to deep introspection, which proved highly valuable in my interviews.
One of the most impactful parts of the process was building my career narrative with Kathryn, my advisor Amalia, and Horatiu, a specialized career coach. The feedback I received during this stage continues to be valuable as I now shift my focus to recruiting.
I worked closely with Amalia, who was available whenever I had questions or needed feedback. We refined my essays and career narrative through multiple iterations until we were all confident in the final result. Without SOP’s support, I wouldn’t have achieved what I did: I was accepted to my dream school, Harvard Business School, as well as Columbia Business School.

Kathryn, Wilson and team are a dream team combining experience, empathy, and dedication to help me with telling my story in a way that resonates to the admissions committee… So much so that Wharton and other schools have accepted me! Kathryn was always direct (and kind) in her feedback, which I appreciate as she sees angles that we may have overlooked. Wilson is particularly patient and willing to listen to my story to understand how best to position it while retaining my voice – Important given my challenging personal circumstances at the time. Thank you very much team for your support and I highly recommend anyone to consider SquareOne!

As an international applicant with no prior knowledge of the business school application process, SOP was a guiding light throughout the journey. They helped me navigate the process step by step, setting deadlines and ensuring I was well-prepared in advance. From crafting my story to making mock interviews, SOP was deeply involved in every aspect, making the process seamless and manageable.
As a reapplicant, I experienced firsthand how Kathryn and her team are both flexible and understanding when it comes to package plans. They accommodate your needs in a way that reduces financial stress, allowing you to fully focus on your applications while receiving their unwavering support.
What stood out to me the most was their holistic approach to essays. It felt as if an entire team of experts was working alongside me, offering diverse perspectives and ensuring that every phase of the process was covered. This collaborative approach truly shined in the final product.
I’m incredibly grateful to have worked with SOP not just once, but twice. Wilson’s guidance helped me secure a scholarship despite my below-average GPA, and for that, I can’t thank him enough.

I had one-on-one meetings with six MBA admissions consultants, ranging from the largest firms to independent advisors. My circumstances were such that reapplication was not an option, so working with the right people was absolutely crucial. When I first met Kathryn, I knew she was the one. Our first meeting was a solid, candid discussion about me, my background, and my candidacy for my target programs. One quality of Kathryn that stood out was her straightforwardness.
Initially, I intended to work with SOP on just one school, and I even tried to upsell myself on working with more. However, Kathryn advised me to focus on crafting an application for a realistic school that offered better coverage than my other choices—and that’s the school I eventually got into.

At SOP, I worked with Kathryn, Wendy, and Cristina. Throughout my application journey, an entire team of highly knowledgeable and experienced consultants worked closely with me. I felt at peace knowing I was just an email or text message away from getting my questions answered or my doubts clarified. I was consistently encouraged to deliver my best on essay drafts, with endless iterations until they were perfect. Kathryn would go back and forth with me as many times as necessary to ensure the materials were flawless.

For example, when working on my CN presentation, my initial attempt didn’t come across as strong. Kathryn asked me to redo the groundwork and present it again after a few days. While this seemed frustrating, Kathryn wouldn’t let anything slide until the all application materials were perfect.

The SOP team, including my consultant Cristina, worked tirelessly through weekends and late nights to edit drafts and return them on time. I was incredibly lucky to work with Cristina, with whom I shared a great wavelength. She gave me the push I needed when I was slacking, while also ensuring that I consistently delivered high-quality work.

What sets SOP apart is that they encouraged me while keeping me on track to meet deadlines. I had their undivided attention and support for every single aspect of my MBA application process, including reviewing any written communication with schools.

Kathryn’s advice, suggestions, and recommendations were invaluable to my success