Square One Prep (SOP) was recommended to me by a friend from undergrad who is currently attending Wharton. As I decided on applying to MBAs rather late in the cycle (late July), I
decided on the spot to work with the founder Kathryn and her team after my free consultation with SOP, and I could not be happier with the results. While SOP's pricing is on the higher end, I feel it is justified by their personal attention to me and general attention to detail. The principal consultant I was paired with, David, is not only helpful but also accommodating on times to meet and speak despite his full-time work commitment. Meanwhile, Kathryn's input when I finalize
something has often offered a fresh perspective and therefore is valuable. I also really appreciated the SOP team's quick response time (less than 24 hours and usually much quicker
than that). With the structured approach from crafting my narrative, brainstorming application materials including essays, and managing my day-to-day to-do list, SOP did their best to enable me to present my best self and make the application low stress. Thanks to the SOP team's help, I was able to secure admission to two M7 programs, including my dream program (where I now attend). I would wholeheartedly recommend SOP to everyone (and in fact I have been - to a few friends who are
also pondering an MBA).

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Strengths:

- Detailed and structured planning
- Positive attitude
- Availability

Would make the product better:

NA

Square One has been instrumental in guiding my efforts to succeed in my MBA applications. My initial calls with other consultants had been demoralizing because their teams disregarded any chance of me getting into my dream programs because I did not fit their ideal candidate profiles
and so they kept asking me to only aim for lower tier schools. With SOP, the first thing I noticed was the care they took into understanding the needs and capabilities of the candidate. Kathryn spent much more than the 30 minutes intro call and was very reassuring and helped me believe in my own chances of getting into the programs that I really wanted to be a part of, as well as charting a plan of action for the schools I should target. I subsequently began work with my dedicated consulting team of Amalia, my main advisor. Kelsey, a partnership manager who helped me with scheduling my application efforts on seven schools, and Wendy, my career narrative expert. 
Amalia was an excellent advisor, continually providing me with immediate and pertinent feedback on my essays, application and any doubts I had throughout the process. She helped ensure that my personality came through in my work while suggesting ways I could improve its brevity. Together with Wendy, we first solidified my career pathway from a distant dream goal to one that gave me clarity on how to achieve said dream through concrete career moves. This
foundation not only helped with the direction my essays would take but also in being more picky with my schools to ones that would serve these goals well. Kelsey continually kept ensuring I was on track to finish all my applications which was an ordeal with 7 concurrent applications. 
I received admissions to both Haas, Yale SoM and Fuqua (with scholarship) and am thoroughly satisfied with this outcome. I would strongly recommend this team to anyone anxious about their MBA journey.

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Strengths:

Collin Brady was outstanding to work with throughout the Kellogg EMBA application process. He took the time to understand my professional background and goals, which meant his feedback wasn't generic — it was targeted and strategic. His essay editing was sharp; he pushed me to tighten my narrative and highlight the right experiences without over-polishing my voice out of the writing. He was equally strong on LOR guidance, helping my recommenders frame their letters in a way that reinforced my overall candidacy. Interview prep was thorough and gave me real confidence going in. Collin and Kathryn also kept the whole process organized and on schedule, which matters a lot when you're balancing a demanding full-time role.

Would make the product better:

Nothing. It was an extremely well managed experience and wouldn't have changed anything about it.

I worked with Collin Brady at Square One Prep for my Kellogg Executive MBA application and would recommend the experience without hesitation. Collin brought a strong combination of strategic thinking, detailed editing, and genuine investment in my candidacy. He helped me craft essays that felt authentic while clearly articulating my "why Kellogg" and "why now" story. Beyond essays, his guidance on letters of recommendation and interview preparation was equally valuable — he approached each element as part of a cohesive application strategy rather than treating them as isolated tasks. The process never felt stressful, which I credit to Collin's responsiveness and organization. For anyone considering an EMBA application alongside a full-time career, having a consultant who respects your time and pushes your thinking is invaluable. Square One Prep delivered exactly that.

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Strengths:

- Support from a well-structured team
- Specialists in career / personal / professional development
- Extremely relevant and responsive feedback
- Constant support throughout (even moments of "tough love" were much appreciated)

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

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

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Would make the product better:

Listen to them, when they say what's actually risky whats not, They are genuinely telling you the truth

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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When I began thinking about my post-military career, I contacted a recent HBS grad about pursuing business school. He recommended I immediately research Square One Prep and call Kathryn, as SOP was instrumental in his success. After a 2-hour call with Kathryn, I was sold on working with Square One Prep, and it was a game-changer in my MBA application journey.
From the very first call, Kathryn took the time to understand my unique background and thoughtfully paired me with the best team to support my goals. Her dedication to each individual applicant and her expertise were evident in every conversation, and her personalized approach gave me confidence in the stressful process. The team we chose was nothing short of exceptional.
Anna, my advisor, was a constant source of motivation and reassurance. Her deep knowledge and easy-going nature made the process feel both manageable and enjoyable. Horatiu helped me refine my goals and craft a compelling story that aligned perfectly with my passions. Kelsey
and Pat ensured I stayed on track and met every milestone. Together, they created a structured, collaborative environment where I felt supported and confident throughout the process. If I ever had a question (and I had plenty), Anna and the team were always just an email or call away.
I’m thrilled to share that I was admitted to the Tepper School of Business, and I couldn’t have done it without the incredible team at SOP. If you’re serious about your MBA aspirations, I highly recommend reaching out to Kathryn and her team, you won’t find a more dedicated and capable group to guide you through the process!

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Strengths:

Hands on experience, very well thought out program, with you through ups and downs, fast turnaround time, great team, patient, do not use AI

Would make the product better:

N/A - Premium Price for Premium Product

I had a wonderful experience working with Kathryn and Horatiu through my MBA application process. I engaged just prior to the Round 1 deadline after feeling unsatisfied with the status of my application. I worked with the team over the fall to ensure that there was no doubt I was putting my best foot forward for Round 2. The result: HBS and Stanford Dual Admit. I could not have done it without them.

Kathryn helped bring structure to my timeline and harmonized the story I told the admissions team across my resume, essays and interviews. While we baked in flexibility, she adapted as work obligations occasionally derailed progress. The Square One process is notably unique, and is structured to ensure you think through, and explain your goals in concrete terms. My biggest piece of advice is to trust the SOP process, as the value will become clear as you move through each step.

Upon reflection, working with Kathryn helped me identify my own weaknesses: Mainly that (i) I tend to be a flowery writer and (ii) I can be long-winded with a bias towards overexplaining. Kathryn helped me course-correct at each step in the way, bringing the most impactful details to the forefront of my narrative. Through the process of guided introspection, she helped me see what made me unique as a candidate and encouraged me to lean into it. The results speak for themselves!

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Strengths:

Great team, transparency, attention to detail, and above all, great care for their customers.

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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Strengths:

Personalized & Tailored Approach
Comprehensive Support
Holistic Coaching
Confidence Building

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

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Strengths:

1. Personalized
2. Structured and strategic
3. Highly experienced and knowledgeable team

Would make the product better:

While SOP provided me very helpful interview prep even for the schools I did not directly work with them for, a few more mock drills would've taken the pressure off and helped me be more confident (and consistent) during interviews.

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

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