I was recommended SOP following a friend’s successful MBA applications the prior year. Working with Wilson and the Square One Prep team was by far the most valuable decision I made during my MBA application process. Wilson brings an exceptional level of insight into the application landscape and admissions process. I started my MBA journey with many ideas about what I wanted from an MBA, but Wilson and the broader SOP team were key to translating those priorities into a focused list of schools and a clear narrative of “Why MBA, Why Now” that connected back to my work experience.

Wilson was an incredible advisor throughout the process. Applying to seven schools felt overwhelming, but Wilson brought a level of organization, empathy, and constant support that made the process manageable (if not still a bit overwhelming). He helped break what felt like a massive undertaking into clear, achievable steps even for schools he was not directly advising me on. He was always willing to spend the time needed to talk through ideas, refine essays, or help me get unstuck. It genuinely felt like he understood my professional aspirations as well as I did; it speaks to how much he truly cares about getting the best outcomes for his counselees.

I cannot emphasize enough how integral Square One Prep was to my success. Their guidance, structure, and experience navigating the MBA process played a major role in helping me get into my dream programs. Looking back, I can’t imagine going through the application cycle without the SOP team and highly recommend them to anyone committed to pursuing an MBA.

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Working with Wilson has been an exceptional experience from start to finish. One of the most valuable aspects of collaborating with him is that he comes from the same domain, which makes a huge difference. It’s incredibly important to work with someone who truly understands your field — they bring perspectives, context, and insights that you simply wouldn’t think of on your own. Wilson consistently adds that extra dimension to every discussion.

His domain expertise reflects not just in what he delivers, but in how he approaches problems. He is proactive, detail-oriented, and able to anticipate challenges before they arise. Rather than just executing tasks, he contributes thoughtful ideas, suggests better approaches, and ensures that the final outcome is both effective and well-rounded.

Communication with Wilson is seamless — he is clear, responsive, and always open to feedback. What stands out most is his collaborative mindset; working with him never feels transactional, but instead like a true partnership where the end goal is always to achieve the best possible result.

Overall, if you’re looking to work with someone who brings genuine expertise, strong problem-solving skills, and a collaborative approach, Wilson is an excellent choice. I would highly recommend him.

It's a little on the expensive side, but they help you in all the ways you need.

Overall I say, Have a good profile and only then apply. They can only elevate something that already has value, but they really do it amazingly.

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I first heard about Square One Prep from a good friend of mine who had decided to use them for help pursuing an MBA. Initially I was hesitant, but from the first consultation call with Kathryn I knew that my concerns were unfounded and that I'd be putting my best self forward by working with them. Not only does Square One take the time to figure out how to form your best application; they first help determine if an MBA is the best path for you.

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

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

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

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

What set Square One apart was their intentional process and ability to go beyond the surface level. Wilson and team challenged my original application framework (Why MBA, SL/LT goals, my story) and opened my eyes to a level of detail that I was not keen to. Everything from the initial assessment, to the career narrative, to resume build, and essay work is truly top tier. It's a phenomenal process that enables you to put your best foot forward.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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I had a free consultation with Kathryn when I wanted to start my MBA journey. She was really candid about my profile which I really appreciated. I felt like I need the support for the application process and I'm glad I went ahead with SOP! The team is incredibly diligent, timely, and cares about the individual applicant. They pushed me to think about my unique story and present it in an articulate way.

I also had a great time working with Wilson who worked with me on a more daily basis. He is incredible patient and responsive to all my questions. I had a lot of brainstorm sessions and he pushed me think about all aspects of my story. If we faced challenges in my essays, Wilson wouldn't just accept the easy way out so we can finish. Both Kathryn and Wilson put a lot of care and effort in reviewing my work, ensuring that it was always the best. Pat was consistently following up with me to ensure I met all deadlines and would flag if I was close to missing any.

The hardest part of my process was the career narrative but Wendy pushed me to think about how I can lay out a vision for why I want to pursue business school.

If you're thinking about MBA apps, do the free consultation with Kathryn! This application process is stressful to begin with so it's nice to have the extra support!

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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!

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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. Their guidance helped me secure a scholarship despite my below-average GPA, and for that, I can’t thank them enough.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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