Square One Prep | MBA Admissions Consultants

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

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

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

Each member of my admissions team helped me throughout this journey, but I want to especially thank Amalia! Amalia, it has been absolutely wonderful working with you as my lead admissions consultant. Your flexibility to take my calls and quick, but detailed responses gave me the confidence to create products to the best of my ability. I cannot thank you enough for (quite-literally) guiding my hand through this process.

The Square One Prep process is a proven admissions consulting practice that has the resources and team to support you as the applicant. But as the applicant, you must be able to be vulnerable, give your 110% into all of your required assignments, and put your full trust in your application team. This admissions consulting journey with Square One is a two-way street and it is proven with their 90+% success rate for their applicants.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kathryn and the SOP team truly provide the most thoughtful advising throughout every step of the application process. Even if you are working with a different consultant, Kathryn follows along and provides support and advice no matter what. SOP under Kathryn’s passionate and brilliant leadership is THE best way you can prepare yourself for MBA admissions.

I worked with Lara at SOP and her guidance and counseling not only helped me get into 2 M7 schools, but truly impacted my life outlook on my professional and personal development. Lara pushed me in all of the best ways as a writer and a thinker, she is an incredible advisor and person. I could not be more grateful for her guidance and cannot recommend SOP enough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Kathryn provided insightful feedback on five of my essays, improved my resume, and conducted a great HBS mock interview. She provides honest, constructive, and encouraging feedback that will help improve your application package. She also has numerous reference samples to assist with the formulation of your essays. Highly recommended!

My team at Square One Prep did a phenomenal job helping me navigate the MBA admissions process.

From the very beginning, I felt like I was receiving personalized and detailed feedback tailored to my own profile. I really appreciate all the time my team took to understand my goals and my interests – from the initial intro call with Kathryn, to the SOP assessment call with my advisor Kelsey, to the career narrative brainstorming I did with Horatiu.

The SOP process might initially seem time consuming, but I promise it is 100% worth it. Thanks to the countless hours my team spent working with me, I was able to write unique and engaging essays that not only conveyed my career goals, but also showcased my personality and my interests.

I couldn’t have asked for a better advisor than Kelsey. For each school, we’d have a kick-off call to brainstorm ideas for the essays. These brainstorming sessions felt easy and productive, due to all the time we had spent introspecting into my goals and my formative experiences. Kelsey was also super responsive throughout the whole process and gave me essay feedback in a timely manner, which allowed me to iterate quickly and try out many essay ideas.

The help from the team didn’t stop after I submitted the applications. Kelsey and Kathryn were very helpful in preparing me for the interviews. Interview prep also helped me realize the value in the career narrative writing process that I did earlier with Horatiu – during the interviews, I was able to explain my career goals and justify my thought process with clarity and confidence.

I have to give Kelsey a special shout-out for helping me prep for the HBS interview, based on her own HBS admissions experience. We did multiple rigorous mock interviews, and she gave me endless tips on the types of questions to be prepared for. I’m happy to say that all my interviews went well and resulted in acceptances!

I’ve already recommended Square One Prep to my friends interested in pursuing an MBA, and I’ll continue to do so in the future!

Certainly applying to business school is such an intense process. If I were in the same position starting my application process, I would blindly partner with Square1Prep again. You really need the right people by your side.

I knew that I had to work hard if I wanted to achieve my dream of getting accepted to a top MBA program. When I finally got the GMAT score I aimed for, I was only 2 months away of Round 2 deadlines. I didn’t know if I was competitive enough or what strategy I needed in order to maximize my chances of acceptance and scholarship. Partnering with Square1Prep was the best decision I took. Kathryn and her team really know the application process and have a very structured and easy to follow planning tool that allowed me to have realistic expectations of which and how many schools to apply. I ended up with a very ambitious but realistic plan to apply to 8 schools. I managed to do it! Not only did I put a lot of effort but also the team at Square1Prep, and Kathryn specially, were really out of their way to help me achieve that goal with incredible results.

Apart from that, I would say that they also helped me grow personally. Self awareness is key in the application but it is not directly proportional with the time you invest in it. Depth and right guidance is crucial. I think that starting with Robin, my consultant, to Horatiu, my career narrative expert, to Kathryn and Kelsey as my Leadership team, all of them were instrumental in making me believe in myself, my story and my ambitions. Their guidance delivered with honesty and kindness was crucial to allow me to really understand how I had evolved over my lifetime and how that was important to who I am as a person and my potential. I stopped feeling that my lack of extracurriculars made me a bad candidate. Instead, I focused on making all those unique things about myself shine and ended up with the most personal and powerful application.

I will be forever grateful with Kathryn and her team for their kindness, honesty and efficiency. They made my application process as easy as possible (though it’s very hard work), my application materials as impactful and competitive as they could get, and, finally, made me a more confident and self-aware person. Thanks team.

Kathryn and her team are great. They are super honest with you about you likelihood of acceptance and are willing to match your risk appetite. Highly recommend!

When I decided to apply to business school, I figured I would go through the motions, but I had very little confidence that I would actually be accepted. I was older than the typical consulting applicant, and I felt like my path to date was relatively unexceptional. I asked myself, “Why would a school — especially a top school like HBS, Wharton, or GSB — choose me?”

My journey and perspective changed when I found Square One Prep. From the very first introduction call, Square One encouraged me and believed in me…much more than I even did in myself. From there, my consultant, Amalia, helped me find stories to tell that were authentically me, and she consistently encouraged me to not discount my unique experiences. In addition, the transparency Square One provides helped me ground this belief in data from past applicants’ experiences.

The business school application process is daunting, but SquareOne guided me through it step-by-step, providing honest and helpful feedback and ensuring that I met all deadlines in a timely manner. The career narrative work in particular was a helpful exercise to think about my strengths, experiences, and future goals. Most importantly, Square One instilled a belief in me that changed the trajectory of my life, for which I will always be grateful. I am thrilled to be heading to HBS this fall and will continue to recommend Square One Prep and my consultant to anyone considering b-school!

I was initially introduced to Square One Prep by a friend. Right from our initial meeting, Kathryn’s professionalism and genuine interest in understanding my aspirations left a lasting impression. Though pursuing an MBA felt like a distant goal, my advisor Cristina’s encouragement propelled me to give it my all. From day one, both Cristina and Kathryn provided unwavering support, guiding me through each phase with precision. They ensured I stayed on target with my GRE score and helped me effectively articulate my personal and professional journey through the career narrative exercise, my essays and interactions with recommenders.

When doubts crept in, Cristina’s belief in my potential was a constant source of motivation. Crafting my essays was my favorite part of the process! Cristina helped me unearth important moments that shaped my identity and experiences. She expertly managed deadlines, even when I had a few hiccups with my GRE right before the submission deadlines! The team ensured I remained focused and accountable throughout.

I am immensely grateful to Cristina and Kathryn for their instrumental role in shaping my application. Without their guidance, my journey wouldn’t have culminated in such a strong representation of my aspirations and achievements. I will no doubt recommend Square One Prep to anyone considering an MBA going forward!

I really enjoyed working with Amalia and SOP and the result was 100% success.
Amalia was especially successful at helping me dig dip into my inner motivations and strengths, and putting together a cohesive narrative that reflects my personal and professional story.
Questions like why am I really pursuing an MBA? What do I want to accomplish in the next 10 years? And, what matters most to me? Are DIFFICULT to answer.
SOP has a solid framework to tackle them and very expert advisors who truly devote their time and effort to make sure you get to the most honest answers.

My journey with Square One Prep was a game-changer. When I found myself in a frenzy of last-minute decisions in late July – no GMAT score, no clear career goals, and a misguided plan to apply to five schools for Round 1 – they brought in calm and clarity. They redirected my efforts towards Round 2, guiding me to define a clearer career ambition and the right list of schools for me.
Their attention to detail was unmatched. Every aspect of my application, down to the smallest detail and the daunting task of perfecting video essays, was meticulously reviewed. Their dedication ensured a final submission that filled me with confidence.
Yet, what truly sets Square One Prep apart is their empathy and support. Their founder, Kathryn, embodies this ethos, forming genuine connections with every student. They didn’t just advise me; they celebrated every success as if it were their own.
If you found yourself navigating the treacherous waters of business school applications, I highly recommend taking the leap with Square One Prep.

From the very first phone call with Kathryn, it was evident that she approached her job with a level of professionalism and dedication that truly set her apart. Her commitment to helping young professionals achieve their dreams of attending a top-tier MBA Program was palpable. As an applicant with a unique background and specific issues to address, I was understandably nervous about choosing the right team to work with. However, after meeting Kathryn and her team of advisors, I was reassured by their experience, intelligence, and organizational skills, which I knew would guide me through the rigorous application process.

Working closely with my advisor, Kelsey Wise, on my resume, scheduling, and essays, and collaborating with Wendy to refine my career narrative, I felt the authenticity behind their work and knew their support was genuine. Beyond their exceptional guidance, they also provided a built-in support system that proved invaluable in maintaining my mental health and inner confidence throughout this demanding process.

For anyone considering an MBA advisor, the number of options available can be overwhelming. However, I can confidently say that choosing Kathryn and the Square One Prep team is an investment well worth making. Not only will you receive outstanding value for your money, but you’ll also gain access to a support network that will not just make you a stronger applicant but also a better person by the end of your journey. When it comes to navigating the MBA application process, there is no one better equipped to guide you than Square One Prep.

Working with Square One Prep and specifically with Amalia was the best decision I made while applying for my MBA. My husband and I both used Square One to apply to our dream school of Stanford GSB and were both admitted to the Class of 2026. We genuinely believe working with Square One gave us the strongest chance of admission, and we are thrilled with the result.

From my very first conversation with Kathryn, I felt fully supported by Square One. After agreeing to work together, I had a few conversations with different SOP consultants and decided to work with Amalia because I believed our styles would work well together. I am 100% confident working with Amalia was the right choice for me. She is interesting and kind while simultaneously pushing her clients to create their best work. She is decisive in her resume and essay edits and helped me cut out extraneous details and better frame my stories. Working with Amalia took the stress out of the application process and made it genuinely fun. I knew she wouldn’t let me miss my timeline or submit sub-par work.

Something extremely useful and unique about the SOP process was the career narrative. Through nearly therapy-like sessions, Amalia and I talked through my life trajectory and future goals, eventually culminating in my presentation of my “career narrative” to Kathryn, Amalia, and Wendy. By writing out and presenting my career goals in granular detail, I gained clarity that helped immensely in my essays and interviews.

I can’t recommend Square One Prep and Amalia enough! They have been fantastic partners and ultimately helped my husband and I realize our dream of attending Stanford GSB together.

It was an absolute pleasure working with SquareOne for my MBA application. The advisors have all the expertise, experience and dedication to help with anything you need for the application process. The support and advisory also came beyond the application itself – besides getting your essays right on point for the admissions process, please also expect strong emotional support and a career narrative process that impacts beyond your application!

I spoke with almost a dozen consultants before landing on Square One. From the moment I spoke with Kathryn on our initial consultation call, I got the feeling that they were the most transparent organization and really had my best interests in mind. I didn’t feel like they were pushing me to buy more services than I needed like a lot of other companies. Additionally, Kathryn gave me the encouragement to pursue my dream schools on our call.

I ended up doing 3 schools comprehensively with Square One and the applications I built with them gave me a solid foundation and the confidence to build the rest of my schools. My results were exceptional given my background, the selectiveness of the programs I applied to, and the competitiveness of the 2023-2024 cycle – I interviewed at 9 out of 12 schools (which included almost all T10 programs) and have been accepted to 6 so far, including two full scholarships, and a few other programs are still pending and/or I’m still on the waitlist for. I’m extremely grateful and lucky to have work with Square One and I would highly recommend applicants to work with them. I could not have done all this by myself.

I am immensely grateful to Square One Prep for their invaluable guidance throughout my MBA application journey. Their expertise and personalized approach were pivotal in helping me define my goals and develop a compelling narrative that resonated with the admissions committees. Their unwavering support and attention to detail ensured that I presented the strongest possible version of myself. But more importantly, their encouragement and calming presence helped me maintain focus and composure during what can be an incredibly stressful process! Take a deep breath and relax! I highly recommend Square One Prep to anyone seeking comprehensive and effective guidance in the competitive MBA admissions journey.

Working with Kathryn, Alessandro (Consultant Advisor), Wendy and Cristina from Square One Prep has been instrumental and integral in earning admits to LBS, Oxford and Cambridge. Kathryn has been an amazing coach, expert consultant and awesome mentor throughout the entire process. She provided me with strategic guidance, incisive insights and comprehensive advice throughout each phase and facet of the MBA application process. I really appreciate Kathryn’s well-intentioned candour and advice on the MBA application process, including school selection, application work schedule, essay review, video essays edits and interview prep which had helped me put my best foot forward on each step of the process and calm my nerves! Kathryn had provided unparalleled admissions advice throughout the entire admissions process which have allowed me to craft the most impactful applications.

My advisor, Alessandro has been an amazing and exceptional mentor, expert coach and advisor throughout the entire application process – from initial onboarding / profile assessment, career narrative, formulation of post MBA goals, school selection, tailored application essays for each of the schools, filling of application forms and extensive interview and video-essay preparation. Alessandro is an expert coach and has provided me indispensable advice on school-specific application strategies, crafting of unique and compelling essays and guiding me through a highly introspective and holistic process to determine why MBA, why Now, and my post MBA career goals etc. Alessandro is an amazing guide, and provided invaluable school-specific feedback, coaching and edits to ensure that my essays holistically conveyed my voice / personality, unique experiences and authenticity. Alessandro had also provided unparalleled guidance and training on strategic interview strategies to ensure that my answers were well-structured, comprehensive and succinct to ensure that I had aced all my interviews with flying colours!

Working with Kathryn, Alessandro and Wendy has been incredible, as they provided me with critical insights and feedback to substantially strengthen my essay drafts, including personalisation, elicitation of my voice, structure and advice on focal areas of the essays. Through the highly extensive career narrative module led by Wendy, I was able to introspectively brainstorm and research on my post MBA industry and goals. Kathryn, Alessandro and Wendy had fleshed out the cogency of my post MBA goals and ensured that I crafted realistic goals which were achievable and substantiated with industry context / trends (given my profile). Through SOP’s guidance on the career narrative module, I was able to craft a powerful post MBA goal narrative which had immensely strengthened my applications.

I am extremely fortunate and lucky to have come across SOP when searching for MBA consultants. SOP also provides highly tailored and bespoke advice specific to my profile. SOP’s advice had helped me to direct my focus on areas in the application process which are pivotal to admission. Kathryn, Alessandro, Wendy and the team were also highly responsive to my numerous questions throughout the application process.

I had a phenomenal and outstanding experience working with SOP. The SOP team are true experts in every area of the MBA admissions process. I highly recommend working with SOP on the MBA application process – an expert consultant, partner and guide for admissions to your choice MBA programs!

I can’t thank you enough, Kathryn, Alessandro, Wendy and Cristina!

Working with SOP has been very gratifying and useful in my MBA applications journey. From reviewing who to select as my mentor, selecting which programs were the best fit for me has been tremendous. It was an all around approach into building my applications, from crafting and formulating my story and motives to pursue an MBA. Amalia my mentor was great with supporting me with all my essays and doubts regarding my applications. Thankfully I got several acceptances and I truly believe it has been because of the mentorship I received from the SOP team.

Kathryn, Kathleen, Wendy and team have been phenomenal in supporting me through my MBA journey. I still remember my first call with Kathryn back in 2020 when I was first exploring pursuing an MBA – it has been an extremely fulfilling journey from then to today, having received 2 MBA admits from my dream schools. Throughout this process, Kathleen, my first point of contact, ensured I was comfortable with the pace of my applications. Kathleen and Wendy pushed me to think critically about my post-MBA goals. The team helped me bring out extremely unique aspects within my application that I would not have otherwise been able to do on my own. Lastly, the team always went above and beyond to support me during this process – be it early morning/late night calls, quick turnaround for review of essays, reviewing additional elements beyond essays or moral support every time I questioned my own abilities. Even now that I’ve secured my admit, Kathryn has been extremely graceful in guiding me as I decide between schools. All in all, you can’t go wrong with Square One Prep! 😊

Happy to report that I have been accepted to the MBA programs at Oxford SBS, Cambridge Judge, and INSEAD! I got rejected by LBS – which Kathryn let me know was the school that I was least likely to obtain acceptance for ahead of time. She’s a pro!

Kathryn was referred to me by a Haas MBA grad who attributed a significant amount of secured scholarship to Kathryn’s insights. I’m so glad she was!

I couldn’t have had as competitive of an application without them! Their direction and timely guidance was super valuable, all with the attention and care of a close confident.

I am so thankful that I chose to work with SOP!

From the first minutes on the free consultation, I knew that Kathryn was 100% passionate about supporting applicants achieve their goals.

A couple of my friends had previously collaborated with Kathryn and successfully gained admission to their dream colleges. Their glowing recommendations led me to engage with her for my own applications. From our initial conversation onwards, it was clear that Kathryn’s expertise was invaluable. She guided me through the entire application journey. Initially intending to apply to two schools, I later decided to pursue a third option. Despite this last-minute addition, Kathryn and her team ensured that we met all deadlines promptly. Working closely with Horatiu, my career narrative expert, and Wilson, my advisor, was an absolute pleasure. Thanks to Kathryn and Wilson’s dedicated support, I secured admission to all three schools I applied to. The process was not just about gaining acceptance but also about reflecting on my career journey and appreciating my progress. Kathryn and her team transformed what could have been a stressful experience into a fulfilling and exciting opportunity. Without their expertise and guidance, this achievement would not have been possible.

I used Square One prep’s premium and hourly service for my Master’s in Real Estate program application. I am very satisfied and impressed with the results.

I am a very skeptical person when it comes to these types of services, feeling as if they just direct you down a path that you could find by just doing research online. In fact, I don’t think I would have ever used a service if my colleague didn’t recommend me the one that he (Accepted to Stern) was using. He told me that he interviewed MBA mission, Menlo and Square 1 prep. I did the same.
I sent emails requesting to learn more about MBA mission, Menlo and Square 1 prep’s services around the same time that day. Kathryn Lucas responded the same day to set up a one and one call. To me, a fast response time is not really impressive but to have the founder reach out and set up a call her self really showed me a level of care, leadership, and attention that I would later deeply appreciate.

Our call was good and humbling. I have done a lot of research myself on these programs and academic intent and credentials needed. I briefed Kathryn about myself, why I wanted to get a Masters in RE, and where I stood in the application/preparation process. She asked some easy questions to get the juices flowing but she soon started digging deeper, making me question if my application story was convincing, well – researched, and “big picture” enough. It was evident my application at that moment in time had many cracks. I am unsure if it was due to Kathryn’s extensive experience as a MBA admission advisor or in real estate development, but I immediately knew, despite all my research and prep, that my application just won’t be enough for the top Masters in Real estate programs in the US. The call was very personable, direct, and unapologetic. I liked it.

My calls with Menlo and MBA mission were overall good (given that they are successful firms), but lacked that personal touch and care. I knew that my situation of applying to a Master’s in Real Estate program was unique and wouldn’t not fully form into any cookie cutter MBA plan. My application would have to be tailored towards to real estate.
I decided to go with Square One, premium service.

I was given the option to choose my advisor and to interview them. At the time I began using Square One, most of the of the senior advisors were fully booked for round 1 MBA applications. I appreciate how Square One does small batches but I was nervous. I was looking for someone who had real estate experience, time, and energy for my application.

I ended up choosing Cristina Castellano, a senior advisor and partnership manager. To me, her background was the strongest. I enjoyed interviewing her and talking about real estate with out having to use too many layman terms. A concern of mine was her responsibilities as Square One Prep’s partnership manager. I was afraid that her partnership manager duties as well as other work may impede on the level of attention and care she would give my unique application. This was not the case at all.

After many calls to nail my story, purpose, data points and career progression down (thank you Horatiu Stefan! ), Cristina and I got to work on my essays. In hindsight, I feel a little bad for the amount of work I put Cristina through. I am most definitely not a concise person when it comes to writing, believing that every detail matters and nor am I the most eloquent. Instead of writing essay drafts, I wrote dissertations. Cristina was great at compressing my mountains of ramble into purposeful diamonds. In other words, we vibed.

The resume building, Letter of Recommendations, and all the other things you need in your application were done very well. Rather than go into those details, I think its important to highlight the responsiveness I had with my senior advisor and Square One Prep. Kathryn and Horatio were always an earshot away. I knew that I could just promptly call or text Cristina to set up meetings or answer some of my questions or even calm me down I encountered application website issues. Horatio really helped me dive deep into “Why Real Estate” and directly/indirectly helped me think critically on what I want to do and who I want to be. Isn’t that crazy? One of life’s big questions answered. Horatio also went out of his way to do research on Masters in Real estate paths into private equity as well as find some real estate data points for me. Kathryn provided great feedback on final products and even gave me some reviews “on the house” for my hourly service package.

I feel really confident about my application and look forward to my other school decisions. Having already gotten into one of the top programs, I already feel very content. Even if I don’t get into the other schools, I know it will not be because of me or my application but something I cannot control. In combination with the career path and purpose that Square One prep helped me internalize and my own hustle and grit, I know that I can succeed at any school and with any firm.

In real estate, we are all about “value-add” practices. I wholly heartily believe that choosing Square One Prep as you admissions consultant will be the best thing you ever did.

After a recommendation from a friend, I sought out SOP to help me find the best way to share my story in my applications. SOP far exceeded my expectations. Working with Kathryn and Horatiu to build my career narrative and goals was critical to my essays and interviews. The career narrative not only helped my applications but will be valuable in shaping my priorities as I start school this fall.

Kathryn went above and beyond with her time and attention to hear my story and answer all question that came her way. She spent countless hours reviewing, providing feedback, and hopping on numerous calls. I can’t stress enough how valuable and thoughtful Kathryn’s expertise was to my applications and the entire process.

Kathryn is deeply empathetic and pushes you to introspect to get to the root of your story. At the same time, she gives straightforward and honest guidance to bring your applications to the next level. Through our conversations, Kathryn parsed out the multifaceted parts of my story (in ways I didn’t even realize!) and uncovered the unique experiences I brought to the table. This level of detail and understanding only comes through the significant amount of time Kathryn devotes to getting to know you.

This ultimately culminated in building a multidimensional and cohesive story in my applications that attracted top programs and a scholarship! I am incredibly grateful for Kathryn’s expert guidance, and I could not have done it without her!

Words can’t truly express how grateful I am to Kathryn, Anna-Lali Tsilidou (my advisor) & the rest of the SOP team. Applying to top MBA programs is tough work. It doesn’t only require great grades/extracurriculars/experience but also persistence, belief, and teamwork. That’s why SOP was the clear choice for me. After speaking with countless business school consultants (including titans of industry), nothing rivaled that hour-long conversation with Kathryn. She was honest, sincere, and extremely easy to talk to! Coupled with the well-structured and team-oriented approach at SOP, I immediately decided to partner with them.

SOP went above and beyond in helping me ace the key aspects of the application including developing a career narrative, brainstorming & building essays, strategizing test prep, and preparing for interviews. Equally important, I always had a strong, supportive team behind me that I could rely on and trust. That was very critical for me, especially during tough times. Without the SOP’s team support, counsel, and tough love, it would have been much harder to continue pushing further and ultimately secure offers from top MBA programs. I truly felt that the SOP team was deeply invested in my success. That’s what makes them unique – they were not only great advisors but also true partners.

And lastly, I can’t conclude without speaking about my advisor, hero, and friend Anna-Lali Tsilidou! Not being dramatic but deciding to work with Anna was one of my best life decisions! We immediately connected from our first meeting; working with her was a joy, she made an otherwise daunting process – applying to business school – extremely fun! Together, we’ve built a series of business school applications that I’m extremely proud of – it was a very rewarding experience.

I speak highly of Kathryn, Anna & SOP not only because they helped me achieve one of my life goals but also because I want the same success for my colleagues, friends, and anyone thinking about applying to business schools

I don’t often write reviews, but today I am delighted to share my positive experience with Square One Prep as a successful Kellogg and INSEAD admit, crowned with a cherry-on-top scholarship award. My journey with SOP began a year before embarking my MBA applications. In fact, it all started with a recommendation from a close friend who had also secured admission to Kellogg with Kathryn’s guidance.

In our first meeting, I shared with Kathryn my aspirations and the early stage of my MBA application process, set for the following year. Despite the early stage, I sought candid feedback on my profile for the upcoming applications. Our intro discussion covered school choices, work experience, and my GMAT score. Immediately, I sensed that Kathryn was genuinely interested in my project rather than merely pushing me to sign up for her consulting services. Kathryn not only encouraged me to retake the GMAT to improve my chances but also provided follow-up support, even recommending a GMAT tutor – impressive considering I wasn’t yet an official client.

My decision to work with SOP was solidified, and a year later I signed up for the Premium-Need Based package, partnering with Amalia. Amalia’s availability, essay edits, and transparent communication stood out. Even when additional time was required, she informed me promptly, and throughout her edits I noticed a commitment to providing thoughtful and well-crafted feedback. I also worked with Horatiu to craft a robust career plan that would serve as the cornerstone of my applications. Horatiu was flexible in scheduling meetings at my convenience and shared thought-provoking ideas to build a career narrative that was aligned with my life goals. During my presentation of the career plan draft to Kathryn, her candid feedback was clear—she wasn’t convinced. While this feedback was initially challenging to absorb, it prompted a collaborative effort with Horatiu to refine and develop a more compelling career plan. Looking back, I recognize that Kathryn’s honesty was in my best interest, even though it meant hearing something I wasn’t eager to accept at the moment.

As admission interviews approached, Amalia went above and beyond, organizing practice interviews and offering suggestions on creating engaging conversations with the admissions committee. As a persistent client, I requested multiple interview preps, and Amalia navigated the fine line between preparation and sounding rehearsed. Her inclusion of curveball questions proved invaluable, making the actual interviews feel like a breeze.

The most important lessons from my experience with SOP lies in the authenticity, transparency, and occasional vulnerability required in crafting compelling MBA applications. This process demands introspection and dedication from both the applicant and the consultant. It is a process that is time consuming, not straightforward, and your consultant must be genuinely interested in you. I feel that SOP has that advantage, and Kathryn’s passion about this is notable from miles away. If I had to repeat MBA applications a million times, I would do it with SOP with my eyes closed.

I was in a tough spot with work and wanted to get an MBA to pivot my career. I interviewed with many other well-known consulting firms, but was blown away by Kathryn’s attentiveness and interest in my narrative from the get-go. Crafting my application narrative required a number of iterations since my background was complicated, but the team was incredibly patient and supportive. The large bank of work from previous students was a huge help, since I could see what worked for other students that were accepted into top programs. In the end, I was admitted into programs I thought were a long shot thanks to the team at SOP. I highly recommend their services to anyone 100% committed to getting an MBA!

As someone from a non-traditional background applying to top MBA programs, I am confident that working with Square One Prep (S1P) has been integral to my Round 1 application success. I first connected with Kathryn approximately 8-9 months prior to the R1 deadlines. We had several phone calls in the lead-up to my decision to commit to S1P. During these calls, she was incredibly transparent and encouraging, dedicating a significant amount of time and effort.
After speaking with a few consultants at S1P, I committed to the program and chose Kelsey as my consultant, about 3.5 months before the R1 deadlines. I decided to work with Kelsey because of her energy and dedication to my success. Working with her was truly incredible; she was my champion, sounding board, and editor all rolled into one.
The process of completing the applications with S1P was very structured, which helped me avoid feeling stressed or overwhelmed. It was an essential support system, and I could not have completed eight strong applications for R1 without S1P’s assistance.

I worked with Square One for my reapplication and they completely changed the way I built the application. Their strategic and thorough process helped me understand the application holistically, and they ultimately ensured that my applications showed the best version of myself. The whole team at SOP was extremely diligent and they demonstrated that they cared for my application, while always being sincere and managing my expectations. Through a lot of hard work, sleepless nights, and lengthy calls, I ultimately was admitted and am attending the Wharton MBA. I couldn’t be more excited and grateful for the work we put in!

Initially, I hesitated to sign on the services of an admission consulting firm for my round 1 MBA applications. However, with over 10 months of collaboration with Square One Prep and the firm’s incredible leader, Kathryn Lucas, I am beyond happy that I did! Currently serving on Active Duty in the military and transitioning to the civilian sector in the next year, my journey will commence at Wharton in August 2024 – in case anyone is wondering about the results! I also secured admissions from Columbia, Tuck, Yale SOM, and NYU Stern.
Square One Prep, along with their remarkable team of advisors such as Kelsey Wise, Kelsey Kephart, and Wendy Bagdi-Durrua, truly brought out the very best in my application through extensive hours of reflection, conversations, and guidance derived from their immense professional and life experience. There are no “time limits” or “work hours” with Square One Prep; they are there every step of the way. Not to mention, my advisor, Kelsey Wise, spent hours on the phone between her busy consulting job, preparing me for interviews as they unfolded, random essay questions, and fielded all my questions and concerns as I went through the application process. Kelsey Wise truly is an insightful, patient, and warming spirit throughout the entirety of the long, nerve-wracking period.
Square One Prep’s team adeptly managed the approach to denials, the dreaded wait list, and the decision-making process for accepting offers whenever the need arose. For military members seeking to transition to the civilian sector through an MBA, Square One Prep will help maximize the content of your application by authentically highlighting the best in YOU. This goes for really any profession as well! Initially uncomfortable with the notion of “bragging” about myself in an application, Square One Prep showed me how to represent myself professionally and appropriately as I managed my transition from active duty to an MBA program.
Overall, Square One Prep holds a special place in my heart for diligently assisting during such a crucial time in my life. Lastly, I not only learned about navigating the MBA application process, but I also gained friendships with an amazing crew of people who are successful in all walks of life. I wholeheartedly recommend Square One Prep; good luck, and I assure you that choosing to work with their team will be a decision you won’t regret!

I still remember the time when I was researching Admissions Consultants and read a bunch of reviews on GMATClub and other MBA related websites of various companies. In the end, I decided to go with Square One Prep as a close friend of mine had worked with SOP and only had positive things to say. I am glad I took his advice!

SOP are really methodical and thorough when it comes to building applications. Following a structured approach that helped manage timelines effectively, they went the extra mile to ensure that every component of my applications is crafted to perfection.The ideation and brainstorming sessions helped lay a solid foundation for my overall career narrative and essays. The team helped me craft compelling stories and really differentiate myself.

Throughout the process, they were super responsive and always available to address any concerns. With their support, I felt the utmost confidence submitting applications and performing in interviews.

I couldn’t be happier with my results as I got my first choice university! I’m extremely grateful for this partnership and would highly recommend their services!

As an Indian applicant with just 1 year of work ex at the time of application, I knew that my chances of getting into my dream business school were abysmal. After talking to many consultants who echoed my doubts and recommended me not to apply at the time, I had almost convinced myself to defer my plans. I vividly remember the night when I, dejected after one more disappointing call, stumbled upon Square One Prep through reviews on GMAT Club and decided to schedule this one last call to assess my chances – and I am so glad that I did!

Kathryn, in the first screening call, understood my ambitions and goals (rather than straight away writing them off as unrealistic as some other consultants had) and gave me the confidence to give it a shot, while being frank and objective about my chances given my less work ex. Kathryn’s confidence in my profile and SOP team’s vast experience were the primary reasons why I decided to work with SOP on my applications.

My experience working with SOP has been wonderful. My team, consisting of Kathryn, Kathleen, Cristina, and Horatiu, helped me present my story in the best possible way. The career narrative work with Horatiu helped me flesh out my goals in a logical manner which was not only helpful while writing essays, but in hindsight, played a crucial role in my interviews also. Kathleen, my advisor, was a huge support during the entire process. She was very approachable and always a text away, happy to answer all my big and small doubts. She nudged me in right directions and helped me highlight my best self through my essays and resume to bring together a well-rounded application. Her targeted feedback during mock interviews was pretty valuable too. She is highly experienced, has valuable insights, and is a great person to have by your side during this stressful process – I can’t thank her enough. Cristina, my partnership manager, was very responsive and always ready to answer all of my questions. Kathryn’s final reviews of all my essays and videos, and her interview advice added significant value.

Through the entire process, I appreciate how SOP emphasized on authenticity – be it in my career vision, personal essays, resume, or interview prep, my team made sure that I let my authentic voice, candor, and vulnerability come through.

Had I not talked to Kathryn, I might have not even applied, and now I have an admit from my dream B-school – Chicago Booth, that too with a $40k scholarship. This would not have been possible without SOP’s help and I am so glad I got in touch with them! I highly recommend all prospective B-School applicants to reach out to SOP.

I can’t believe that at first I was skeptical whether I should hire an MBA advisor. I thought my 760 GMAT “got me covered”. Still, that’s what people did and I didn’t want to risk it, so I spoke with 4 advisors, two local, two American. The Brazilian advisors didn’t click well with me. One of the Americans I spoke with treated me like I was trying to get a table on a Friday night at a busy New York restaurant. Then I spoke with Kathryn. 15 minutes in I was thinking “is my time up?”. I told her I had an unusual background and that explaining it would take a while. She said “there is no rush”. I didn’t think I should use that story in my MBA apps. After a nearly 2h long chat, she convinced me I absolutely had to tell that story. I knew I had to pick SOP.

Before you sign with SOP, you get to chat to three advisors, to pick the one you like the most (if you’re not going with Kathryn). First chat went well, but it didn’t click. Second chat, same thing. Then comes Anna (Tsilidou). I’ll summarize my experience working with Anna with this: the effort she put into my app was as if she was applying herself. And all the team behind SOP made me realize (in a positive way) how little I was prepared to write those essays and how many blunders I would have committed if left on my own.

I was incentivized by Kathryn and Anna to aim higher in my applications and applied to schools I hadn’t thought of at the beginning. The MBA application process is not only brutal but also highly unpredictable. I’m still in disbelief that I got a 75% scholarship from my top school, Columbia. This was the dream result for me, and I got it. I am honestly not sure this could have happened had I picked someone else. It was worth every cent.

Kathryn is an awesome admissions counselor and person. She was so easy to work with.

I wanted to apply to only one of the top schools. Kathryn had worked with my wife to help her get into a top program and before that had helped her brother also get into a top school. So I was confident in her skill as an awesome counselor. I didn’t know she’d be such an awesome person, so easy to talk to and trust.

Kathryn helped me prepare everything and was there whenever I needed her. I told her that I am not a strong writer. She was incredible at listening to me and then taking my words and helping me write work that perfectly captured my intent. This was really hard work for me, but she made me feel at ease, even though I was just applying to one school.

When I got in, after telling my wife, Kathryn was the first person I told. I strongly recommend Kathryn to anyone trying to get into a top program. Kathryn holds you accountable. You will be glad because you learn more about yourself that way and that helps a lot when you’re in your interview and even, for me, at my work. I’ve become more confident and clear about my goals.

Dreams do come true, and, in this journey, I am so grateful to Kathryn and the entire team which includes Wilson Yeung (my advisor), Horatiu Stefan, and Cristina Castellano for assisting me to get into my dream school!

What I love about SOP –

1. Each one of them is so committed and they will be there to push you to get the best out of you (trust me, the process is demanding as it urges you to think through so many aspects which you might have not thought of before, but the results are sweet!!), to guide you, and support you with pragmatic solutions.

2. I like the structured approach which starts initially with a pre-assessment call to diagnose the strengths and areas to improve, followed by the preparation of a strong career narrative (which does require efforts in terms of research and analysis to clearly outline the drivers that led to the goals and to depict a clear and thoughtful career progression that aligns the goals), CV, and college-specific essays that truly reflect my stories!

3. I am so thankful to Wilson for being so flexible and guiding me throughout the application process. He went above and beyond to motivate me and cheer me on throughout the process.

4. You never feel rushed and there is nothing like “in the interest of time” to cut short on the process as everyone just focuses on the quality.

I strongly recommend Kathryn and her team to anyone who is on the journey of preparing for MBA college applications.

Since the day of signing up with Squareone Prep, I received tremendous support and guidance from Kathryn, Amalia, Cristina, and Wendy. The team ensured that I reached all milestones in the application process even though I started working with them very late in R2. Kathryn has set an amazingly streamlined process in place for all applicants to follow since Day-1. She and Amalia were extremely organized, and they were very dedicated in understanding my background prior to kicking off the work on the applications.

SOP team ensured that I built a very thorough long-term and short-term plan post-MBA via its Career Narrative lead by Wendy. I went to them with a very bleak/blurry vision, but after multiple discussions, the team guided me in building a very strong post-MBA plan. I really do not think I could have the vision without undergoing this process with the SOP team. Incredible execution by the SOP team, special thanks to Wendy – she is the expert!

Post career-narrative sessions, Amalia helped me pick the right stories to be incorporated into the essays. Amalia is super friendly, and she was always willing to hop on a call and listen without worrying about time. This is where SOP’s dedication in understanding my journey was super helpful. She was extremely emphatic while listening to some of the delicate aspects of my past and helped me to carefully draft my narratives. Amalia was also great at utilizing the time difference between our locations to our advantage and we managed to build the essays for both GSB and HBS within 3 weeks. While Amalia’s expertise added in simplify the back and forth in polishing the essays, the quality of feedback provided by Kathryn on the final version of the essays was just priceless. She was very open and honest about how she felt about certain aspects of my essays. She ensured that the best of me is reflected even when we were all working together tirelessly during the last couple of days prior to the deadlines. I absolutely loved her insights and her turnaround time!

Cristina was super supportive in ensuring that I adhere to the timelines set and she worked closely with Amalia and me to ensure all deliverables are ready on time. To add further, the dynamic schedule on SOP portal was absolutely useful even before I signed up with SOP. Prior to signing up with SOP, Kathryn demonstrated how to use this schedule and it helped me to always track my progress for the various schools I planned to apply. In fact, it also helped me to pick schools wisely in interest of time available then.

The team was always available to answer all my questions throughout the process. As a bonus later on, Amalia helped me navigate through my interviews smoothly too. She performed multiple mock-interviews for both GSB and HBS and did not stop until I was 100% ready. After each mock- interview, Amalia drafted detailed feedback and ensured that I improved after each mock. Even in times when I was feely low about my interview prep, she boosted me and went out of her way to bring back my confidence levels. She genuinely cared for my success, and I owe my performance in interviews totally to her.

I feel absolutely great and lucky to have had SOP’s back during this vital process. I would definitely recommend SOP especially for applications to the top B-schools such as HSW. Super grateful for all the guidance from SOP team! Thank you, once again.

I began my MBA application process frantic and stressed, with impending deadlines adding to the anxiety. Countless questions swirled in my mind: as a nontraditional applicant, how could I effectively convey my experience and aspirations? Which schools should I target? What aspects should my recommenders focus on? I knew I had one shot to get it right, and the whole ordeal seemed overwhelming. Exacerbating matters was that I had started work with one consulting firm, but realized they were not the right fit for me; I did not feel like a priority to them. Then I joined forces with Square One Prep.

Right from the start, the SOP team impressed me with their seamless process and remarkable responsiveness and expertise. Kathryn, Darcy, Cristina and Wendy worked closely with me, ensuring I stayed on track with timelines and nailed down all aspects of the application. They provided unwavering support every step of the way. Our journey kicked off with a comprehensive examination of my career narrative through multiple conversations and extensive self-reflection. This groundwork laid the foundation for the subsequent essays and established a solid framework for the entire process.

Following this, the essays were a breeze – I was astounded by how quickly drafts were returned and accompanied with insightful feedback. The team was always available to answer any questions, no matter how small. Within a matter of weeks, I completed eight high-quality applications. Beyond the logistical support, what truly stood out was the genuine care the team had for my success. There is no doubt that navigating through this process can be incredibly stressful but having SOP on my side truly made all the difference. When I finally hit that submit button, I felt a sense of confidence. Ultimately, I was amazed by the generous scholarship offers I received. It was beyond my wildest dreams to receive an almost full ride scholarship to one of my preferred programs, but thanks to the unwavering support of SOP, this remarkable outcome became a reality. I wholeheartedly recommend Square One Prep to anyone seeking comprehensive support and exceptional guidance throughout the MBA application process!

I could not recommend Anna and Square One more. I am so grateful for all their incredible work with me, especially under my time constraints given I didn’t reach out until December and needed to apply by the beginning of January! I didn’t have a proper strategy and I wasn’t aware of how much was needed to put together a strong application, I just needed a scholarship from USC or UCLA! Horatiu helped me define my story and gave my whole application a focus which I relied upon throughout the entire application process. Anna was an absolute pleasure to work, so experienced and personable, and Kathryn’s incredible expert opinion was always available. 

As a result, we put four applications together in one month. I received a full scholarship to Emory with a USD 30,000 stipend and a 60% scholarship to my first choice school, USC. 

They all bent over backwards to help me make this happen and keep me on track. I am so incredibly grateful for the whole team and I am so excited to start the next chapter of my life in July!

Kathryn and her team were invested in my success and throughout my journey, they went beyond their roles as mere consultants, assuming the roles of career and life coaches. Rather than writing the application for the applicant, they assist in bringing out authentic stories in the applicant’s own voice and are candid in their feedback. Their guidance and support played a pivotal role in refining my professional vision, gaining clarity on my motivations for pursuing an MBA, and understanding the unique attributes of the schools I wished to apply to. They tirelessly motivated me to perfect my essays, offering unwavering support during the demanding final weeks leading up to the deadlines. Overall, my experience was exceptional, and I would highly recommend their services to anyone. Even after admission has been granted, Kathryn personally remains available to address my needs deciding between the options I had.

I first started my MBA application journey in October 2022 and decided to use admission consulting services. The hardest decision was to choose what company’s services I would use. Of course, my instinct told me to look at the most reviewed companies in GMAT Club. After trying free consultation services from the top 5 most reviewed admission consulting services, one company stood out: Square One Prep (S1P).

When you book a free 30-minute consultation, your expectation should be low: you could probably meet with a client rep, with an engagement manager, or, if you’re lucky, with the company’s founder, but you will feel rushed since it’s only 30 minutes. But with Square One Prep, you meet Kathryn. Yes, she is the founder of S1P, but to only say you meet the founder is not the best way to put it. You meet Kathryn, period. After that, you will feel that your time with Kathryn should not be free.

When you meet Kathryn, you should not worry about the 30 minutes. If she believes she can help you, she will invest her time in you by delving deep into your stories to find your genuine aspiration in seeking MBA. Then, she will recommend you the best of her squad of advisors to work with you and let you meet with each of her recommended advisors for a 20-minute intro call. In my experience with S1P, I talked with Kathryn for more than one hour and did three 20-minute intro calls with three different advisors before choosing Wilson. These all proceeded before I made a single penny of transactions—you see, they invest in you before they even begin.

Your advisor—mine is Wilson—will then assess your MBA candidacy, and Kathryn will provide you with her recommendation of business schools that suit your profile. But, as you might already read in other reviews, Kathryn will not talk you out of the school of your choice. She will give you a well-informed risk level for each school you plan to apply to. I chose INSEAD and Haas, and, given my profile, Kathryn gave these schools a “Super Reach” risk level, just one level below “Out of Reach”. Such a risk level means that I will have a tough time and might need some luck to get into these schools. But even after that assessment, Kathryn and Wilson continued to help me to get to the school of my choice when I decided to take the risk.

After you decide on the schools of your choice, you begin to work on the school’s application with S1P and therefore start a deep, soul-searching experience. Wilson tirelessly helped me dig deep into my course of life and career to help me find meaningful stories for the essays. Horatiu helped me build upon my work experience a narrative of my future career that was convincingly impactful. And finally, Kathryn gave her final touch and approval while she oversaw all the other S1P clients’ essays, ensuring that my application was unique among others and would catch Adcom’s attention.

From where I come from, the cost of admission consulting services is very expensive. But If I were to repeat my MBA application, I would—again and again—choose S1P to help me. The cost seems to set me back just a little, given S1P’s excellent guidance and the usefulness of the content material they build for me. Other than applying to INSEAD and Haas, I use the S1P-built essay content to apply to not only four other schools but also several scholarship programs—of course, with few modifications.

It feels almost irrelevant to discuss which schools you want to apply to or get into with the S1P’s help because I believe S1P will work hard to help you as if all the schools you apply to were top, hard-to-get-into schools. Frankly, though, I never expected to get admitted to the schools I worked with S1P since Kathryn labeled these schools “Super Reach” for me. But in the end, I got admitted to INSEAD from the waitlist, an unthinkable reality for me had I not worked with S1P.

After the MBA application journey, I realized that what is special about S1P is that Kathryn runs the company with her heart and soul. Sometimes I wonder how this world would be if every business were run with Kathryn’s principles. Please look at her replies here on the GMAT Club admission consulting review page, her bio on the S1P website, and her profile on LinkedIn. When reading those, you might only see words. But when working with S1P, you’ll see that Kathryn did not just write words.

Overall, if I’m allowed to give you an analogy, the entire MBA application journey with S1P is akin to creating a movie where Kathryn is the executive producer, Horatiu is the screenplay writer, Wilson is the director, and you, the applicant, are the starring, debuting actor. S1P will shoot a movie for each school of your choice and will work as hard as they can to make you–the actor–look great. Kathryn says, “Our focus isn’t client volume or revenue; it’s you,” Indeed, she means it: it’s you, the actor, that matters.

I am incredibly happy to have worked on my applications with Square One Prep. Thanks to them I am now headed to HBS in August. Every penny spent was worth it. Before I started my applications, I was quite exhausted from full-time work and GMAT prep, and I had doubts about the strength of my profile. I needed someone who could give me a reality check and clearly outline what needs to happen to put my best foot forward. Despite talking to several consultants, I was immediately drawn to SOP following my call with Kathryn because of her candidness, personal touch, and genuine interest in my background. My team consisted of Anna Tsilidou (primary advisor), Kathryn Lucas (senior leader), Cristina Castellano (project manager), and Horatiu Stefan (career narrative expert). I am forever thankful to every person on my team and I am particularly grateful that I worked with Anna as my primary advisor. She is a total superstar – confident, energetic, creative, and incredibly smart. I learned so much from her. She is extremely hard working and will demand absolute excellence from you. If you’re lucky enough to work with Anna, you’re in good hands (as long as you’re ready to work hard)!!
1) Personal support – this is technically not something you even pay for but the team does an outstanding job in supporting you personally. In my case, I was hesitant in my decision-making and lacked strong self-belief. But the team consistently encouraged me and gave me the confidence to push myself hard. In fact, I didn’t plan to apply to Harvard because I was pessimistic about the outcome. Luckily for me, the team (and especially Anna!!) convinced me that Harvard was absolutely worth a shot and I went for it. The second aspect of personal support is accountability and project management. The team treats the application process extremely seriously and recognizes that, in order to deliver a strong application, you must start early and work regularly. Cristina and Anna would regularly check in on my progress, communicate deadlines, and help resolve problems along the way. Expect to be reprimanded if you are not meeting key dates. The outcome matters to the team just as much as it does to you, so they ensure you stay on track.
2) Responsiveness – A+++ the team is a rockstar on this. Questions/concerns/general thoughts are answered or escalated quickly and immediately.
3) Application support – after all the work with SOP, everything from my resume to essays to interviewing abilities was of exceptional quality. As an engineer who had gotten used to technical writing, I was amazed at how much better my writing could be once Anna started pointing out flaws in sentence structure, word choice, meaning, redundancy, and so much more. My resume also got an amazing, much-needed transformation. Not only did I myself learn a lot but I also ended up putting together an incredibly strong application package. The results prove it: out of the 6 schools I applied to, I received 6 interview invites. The work didn’t stop at the interview stage; the team set me up for success there as well. Doing several mock interviews with Anna helped me hone in on my flaws and shake off the nerves before the big day. If you put in the work and trust the team’s guidance and expertise, you will finish incredibly proud of all your documents.
4) Career narrative – I didn’t have a clear vision of my business school goals, so doing this work early paid major dividends throughout the application process. The team makes you start thinking about your professional interests/ambitions and putting it all on paper. Each interest/ambition is then pressure-tested in the context of your background until you settle on one and then you continuously research and refine it until you eventually put it to the test with a detailed review from Kathryn. I’d even say that you overprepare on this aspect to the point that a question about your career goals will no longer seem intimidating, no matter if the question is in an essay or an interview. Horatiu was the perfect person to guide me on this because he is patient, thoughtful and knowledgeable.

If you’re looking for a team that is dedicated, structured, responsive, well-versed in business school applications, and heavily invested in your success, then you can’t go wrong with SOP. Best of luck!

Anna, along with the SOP team did a fantastic job in helping with my applications. I got into multiple schools and my top choice was a T15 school. Kathryn, the SOP founder is an extremely dedicated, honest, empathetic, and resourceful person who has decades of experience in helping students reach their potential. I realized it makes a huge difference to work with advisors who love their job and are truly working to help you put your best foot forward.

Kathryn is one of the best advisors – especially with her knowledge of B-Schools and what ticks in an application. You cannot go wrong working with Kathryn. Check out the other testimonials on how amazing Kathryn and her team are on advisory work, crafting the application, the thorough and structured process, the quick turn-arounds, the career-narrative process, and the top-class service overall. While this is exactly what all of us, as applicants, need, I also want to highlight how SOP genuinely supported me and in the process, changed my perspective of the whole application ordeal.

I still vividly remember making the choice to reach out to SOP with exactly 4.5 weeks to go for school deadlines. As is the amazing process at SOP, after my conversation with Kathryn, I spoke to 3 advisors to choose one that I would work with for the next few weeks. The process enabled me to work with Anna, a truly amazing human being, a fellow international applicant who was in my footsteps a few years ago. She has since become a great friend for life. The next 4-5 weeks of crafting applications to 5 schools went through like the best breeze there could be because mentally I never felt it was just ‘my’ B-school application. Anna spent countless hours – mornings and nights, and at times while she was on treks or on flights – helping me throughout the journey. I can write many pages about Anna’s work but the two things that stood out were how she equipped me with the tools and created agency, and how she was empathetic and had a strong grasp of my values. Many times, Anna would mention a couple of points below an essay prompt alluding to things she believed I could mention about my career/ life/ extracurriculars – have you ever seen an advisor like this?!

With SOP, I had an entire team to help me brainstorm, vet my drafts, and my ideas, ask deeper questions in each essay draft, and bring out the best side of me in my applications. Truly, to me, the application never felt like work. I’ve heard many applicants say that crafting the applications was a tougher task for them than taking up the standardized tests, but for me (with SOP by my side) it was the total opposite. I had taken the standardized tests multiple times, but after working on my applications with SOP and having conversed with Kathryn and Anna, every single day, I realized my perspective on the application and my test journey had changed – I had immense confidence in what I had to offer. I felt mentally stronger and calmer. I retook the test after submitting my application and fared way better than the previous few times. A huge relief! I asked for strategies on sharing updated scores and waitlist updates with schools – each time Kathryn and Anna were always by my side, helping me more than I could imagine. I am truly grateful to the SOP team for their work and their presence in my life. I could not have asked for better advisors. I have a lot of respect for the amazing work Kathryn does, the company she has built and the team she has hired – Having seen firsthand her commitment to her work, I’m almost certain she never sleeps 🙂

From the first call, Kathryn and the Square One team were so involved and committed to helping me meet my MBA goals. Wendy helped me find my direction, Cristina helped me keep on track, Kathryn was my sounding board and Anna (advisor) helped me craft my story. I really could not have done as well by myself and I’m so glad that I found this
team! Square One went above and beyond because they not only helped me with the application process but also helped me improve my self-confidence. Anna especially helped me with this, and I know that I gained a friend through the process. Thanks so much, team!

Before starting my MBA application journey, I basically had no idea what was involved in the application process, and now having gone through this process, I am 100% convinced that I would have not been successful without Square One Prep’s help. Kathryn, Darcy, and the entire team were right next to me on every step of the way. Their expertise and experience are truly next level. Not only did they guide me and help me, but they actually pushed me to create better applications. Additionally, the SOP portal/calendar is a phenomenal tool to help keep track of all the deliverables and forecast how to best allocate your time. The resources available to you are fantastic. If you are thinking about starting the MBA application, you *have* to do it with SOP.

As a white accountant coming from the banking industry with GRE scores that were not in the range that I wanted, I knew getting into a top business school would be competitive. I talked to three business school consultants, two of whom simply told me that my target schools would not be achievable with my scores and background. One of them said that they would not even partner with me because they did not think I would be a success. In addition, neither of those other consultants understood anything about how my GRE scores compared to those of students at my target schools. Luckily, I talked to Kathryn at Square One Prep. She was willing to spend an hour with me on our introductory call to address all my questions and concerns. She was the only consultant that understood how my GRE scores compared to those of students at my target schools, and she had the hard data to back it up. She was honest with me that the process of applying to my target schools would be hard work, but she instilled in me the confidence that I could succeed. She knew because she had worked with candidates like me and had also led those applicants to success. Kelsey, my personal consultant at Square One Prep, was immensely helpful throughout the process. She was patient yet responsive, and whenever I needed to work with her on something urgently, she always made the time to be able to discuss the issue at hand. She had a strong eye for detail and her creativity and perspective was immensely helpful in empowering me to craft my story so that I could convey it best in my applications. I ultimately was accepted to a top 10 school along with scholarships to two other top 25 schools. I could not be happier with my results, and I am looking forward to continuing my education to build my dream career!