I came to Kelsey with a below-average test score and a range of experiences and strengths that I wasn’t sure how to connect into a clear, compelling application. I also considered myself a strong writer, but I didn’t realize how generic and businesslike my initial story sounded.

Kelsey helped me work through every part of the process: shaping my personal narrative, identifying the experiences I should emphasize, approaching recommenders, positioning my test score, communicating with admissions, and preparing for interviews.

The biggest improvement was in how I told my story. Kelsey taught me to look at my application from an admissions committee’s perspective while still keeping it true to who I am. She helped me bring out the more personal and human parts of my experiences, which made my application feel much more complete and authentic.

Her experience on the admissions side gives her an unusually sharp understanding of how applications are evaluated, but her approach never felt formulaic. Her advice was highly personalized, and she was consistently thoughtful, caring, and willing to understand the person behind the application.

I was admitted to Columbia Business School’s J-Term program, and Kelsey’s guidance made a meaningful difference throughout the process. I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone applying to business school.

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If you are considering using a consultant for the MBA application process, you should absolutely choose Kelsey! When I first started exploring who I wanted to work with, many people only asked about my stats and wrote me off, saying that my GPA was too low (< 3.0 GPA), my test scores weren't strong enough (665 GMAT), or that my target school list was unrealistic (which truthfully might have been). But when I met with Kelsey, she took the time to really understand who I was outside of my stats and believed that I had a real chance to get into a good program. Working with her has been a delight, from helping me develop my goals and understand what I wanted from an MBA program, reworking my resume to show the value that I could bring, reviewing essays countless times to ensure that I told my unique story in a clear way, and simulating interviews so that I could go into the room with confidence and poise. Kelsey was there for me every step of the way, always in my corner ready to help and support me no matter what. Even when I had my moments of doubt or lacked clarity, she was there to listen to me and provide the outside perspective that I really needed to hear.

She's a great partner to have through this journey because she'll give you all the support you need and more. What started as a near impossibility for me, she made a reality. The acceptances and scholarships that I received from UC Berkeley Haas, Cornell Johnson, UCLA Anderson, and UW Foster is nothing short of a miracle, and it was only through her that I was able to accomplish that. I'll always recommend Kelsey to anyone who's going through the application process.

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Engaging Kelsey was hands down the best decision I made during the application process - I would not have been able to achieve the results I got without her counsel and deep knowledge of how schools evaluate candidates. I applied to CBS Kellogg and Darden and was admitted to all three! She has a robust process that is designed to bring out the best qualities in candidates - she uncovered strengths and angles I would never have known to highlight or even recognize. Her thoughtful pre-work enables you to craft the most attractive admission story possible. You will also never wait more than a handful of hours for feedback.

She’s extremely good at what she does and I will be a lifelong referral for her when any friends, family members or colleagues are evaluating business school. 10/10!

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I found Kelsey around the middle of August last year through a friend who recommended her. At the time, I had only been seriously considering applying to business school for about a week. I knew I was determined to apply in Round 2, but I had absolutely no idea how to navigate the process. Looking back, I can confidently say that without Kelsey’s help, there is no chance I would have successfully applied to seven schools within the timeline I was targeting.

When I first spoke with Kelsey, I had just signed up for a Manhattan Prep GMAT course with about 15 other students. As an aside, that course was probably the worst investment I made during the entire process. Every person in that class intended to apply in Round 2, but of the five students who completed the course, I was the only one who successfully applied and was admitted to business school that year. I can honestly attribute that outcome to Kelsey.

As a former varsity student-athlete, I never went through the traditional college application process, so I had little understanding of what applying to schools actually entailed. During our first conversation, Kelsey was refreshingly honest. She made it clear that what I wanted to accomplish would be extremely difficult and that success would require significant sacrifices and commitment on my part. She did not try to "sell" me on anything (in fact, she emphasized from day one that this would be a true partnership).

At first, that honesty intimidated me and probably even discouraged me a little. But in hindsight, it was exactly the push I needed. At that point in August, I had no standardized test preparation or experience and virtually no understanding of the application process. Kelsey advised me to focus exclusively on test prep for the next few weeks and said she would check back in once I had made progress. Importantly, she intentionally held off on charging me for services because she wanted to make sure I could first achieve the scores necessary to realistically apply on time. Even while we paused formally working together, she continued checking in and making sure I stayed on track.

By mid-September, Kelsey and I set an ambitious goal: applying to seven schools on4 T-15 and six M7 programs. Rather than locking into a large package upfront, we decided to evaluate my progress as we went before committing to more. Somehow, by the final days before the R2 deadline, we achieved exactly what we had set out to do.

As a former athlete who has worked with many high-performance coaches, I can confidently say there are very few people who master the art of coaching (and client services) the way Kelsey does. She does not sugarcoat anything. She is incredibly fair, honest, and effective (both in how she bills her time and in how she improves every aspect of an application). Throughout the process, Kelsey was there for me on both the best and worst days. There were moments when I genuinely did not think I could keep going or believed I would never make it to the finish line. Every single time, Kelsey pushed me forward.

Even once we finally got slightly ahead of schedule, she continued pushing me to improve further, constantly refining my essays by strengthening stories, and helping elevate every detail of my application. Thanks to Kelsey’s organization, structure, and proven process, I was able to confidently hit submit on an extremely ambitious timeline without feeling completely overwhelmed at the finish line.

A few of the many ways Kelsey changed the trajectory of my application process include:

1. Helping me tell my story in a way that enabled me to genuinely standout from other applicants
2. Connecting me with significantly better test prep resources on an incredibly compressed timeline (eg raising my score drastically in only two weeks before Thanksgiving)
3. Turning around essay edits within hours, regardless of when I sent them
4. Keeping every aspect of the process on track, from essays, recommendation letters, video essays, standardized testing, and application logistics
5. Providing constant moral support via text/phone/email throughout the process
6. Coaching me honestly and directly, especially in areas where I needed to improve most

This list is far from exhaustive, but these are the aspects that stand out most as I reflect on the four months we worked together.

If you are considering going through the business school application process alone, I would strongly encourage you to think again. Working with Kelsey was one of the best investments I could have made. Not only did she dramatically increase my chances of admission, but she also helped me maximize the value of the entire process by positioning me for opportunities that once felt completely out of reach.

Finally, I’m incredibly grateful to share that I was accepted to Wharton, Booth, Columbia, and Stern, and I am currently waitlisted at Stanford GSB. When I started this process, those schools felt like distant dreams. Kelsey helped turn them into reality.

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Working with Kelsey was an exceptional experience from start to finish. She’s thoughtful, detail oriented and a master storyteller. Our initial brainstorming sessions were invaluable - they helped us align quickly and build a clear, compelling narrative for my applications!

We applied to 8 schools, and I received interview invites from all 8, along with admits from 6, including CBS, NYU Stern, LBS, and Yale, plus 2 waitlists! I was also fortunate to receive over $360K in scholarships. During my LBS application, we even pulled an all-nighter together, and Kelsey’s unwavering support helped me cross the finish line!

Kelsey helped me weave my story beautifully for all applications. Her sample resumes and essays, drawn from a wide variety of backgrounds, provided great context on how different candidates position themselves. She is incredibly responsive with feedback and edits, and her candid approach made the entire process more efficient and transparent.

If I had to do it all over again, I would 110% choose Kelsey! Would highly highly highly recommend working with Kelsey!

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I couldn’t have gone through the MBA application process without Kelsey. Coming from a non-traditional background, I didn’t have many peers or mentors who had gone through this process, and I wasn’t sure how to position my story in a way that would resonate with business schools.
We worked together across every aspect of the application through the comprehensive package - resume, extracurriculars, and essays. While I consider myself a strong storyteller, Kelsey brought a completely different lens. She knows exactly how to shape and frame experiences in a way that aligns with what top MBA programs are looking for.

The biggest improvement I saw was in how cohesive and intentional my story became. What initially felt like a collection of experiences turned into a clear, compelling narrative about who I am, what I’ve done, and where I’m going.

Ultimately, I was accepted to Columbia with a scholarship. Beyond the outcome, what I found most valuable about this process was how much it forced me to reflect deeply on my own journey and clarify what I want in the next phase of my career. That level of introspection is something I’ll carry with me far beyond the application process.

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When I started the MBA application process, I was overwhelmed and concerned about where I wanted to go and how I would get there. Kelsey was recommended to me by some close acquaintances and I decided to reach out in March 2025. She was patient and understanding of my goals and together we set reasonable expectations from the very beginning.

This year, I got accepted at places like LBS, Wharton, Columbia, and Booth and will be attending HBS in the fall! Kelsey was a crucial part of this journey and I highly recommend her to anyone looking to get organized and apply to any and all MBA programs. Thank you Kelsey!

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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

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Working with Kelsey was truly one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application journey. From the very beginning, her sincerity, depth of knowledge, and unwavering patience made all the difference. She guided me through every step — from brainstorming essay topics and refining my story to interview preparation and the exciting post-admittance stage — with exceptional insight and care.
What stood out most was Kelsey’s ability to both challenge and encourage me at every turn. She not only helped me put forth the strongest possible application, but also made me feel confident and grounded in my own narrative. The process felt seamless because she was right there, offering thoughtful feedback, steady support, and genuine belief in my potential.
I can honestly say that my MBA success and the confidence I carried throughout the process are a direct reflection of Kelsey’s guidance. She’s not just an outstanding coach — she’s a truly great human being who invests wholeheartedly in her clients’ goals. I cannot recommend her enough.

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Working with Kelsey felt like having an elite coach in your corner during a championship boxing match. From the opening rounds, she helped me define clear goals, assess my strengths and gaps, and build a strategy to compete at the highest level of MBA admissions. She knew when to push, when to recalibrate, and when to focus on fundamentals, from shaping essays and refining my narrative to intensive interview preparation. That interview prep paid off directly. After being admitted, I received feedback that my interview was one of the strongest they had conducted, which spoke directly to how thorough and effective her coaching was. As the process moved into the later rounds, Kelsey was equally valuable in helping me think through scholarship strategy and negotiation, ensuring I understood my leverage and options. At every stage, I felt supported, challenged, and confident knowing I had an elite coach fully invested in my success.

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