Consulting Process
School Selection
Choosing the right schools is a critical first step in the admissions process. Based on your profile, stats, and background, we help identify the programs that best align with your career goals, industry focus, and personal aspirations. We also provide tailored guidance on admissions strategy—helping you navigate each school's unique characteristics, strengths, and what they look for in a candidate.
Essays
Essays are one of the most critical and challenging parts of the college / MBA application process. With thousands of candidates submitting similar applications, your essays are your opportunity to stand out and make a lasting impression on the admissions committee.
Many candidates face two common challenges:
1) They have never taken the time to deeply reflect on their experiences to uncover what truly makes them unique.
2) They struggle to frame their stories in a compelling way, often sounding generic or failing to capture the admissions committee’s attention.
At ASCENT, we help you discover and articulate your most compelling personal and professional experiences. It’s not just about what you’ve done, but how you’ve grown, what you’ve learned, and who you are as an individual. Our strength lies in crafting essays that are authentic, engaging, and strategically positioned to resonate with admissions committees.
Recommendation Letters
Strong recommendation letters provide an objective and credible evaluation of your candidacy. It’s not about the recommender’s title or seniority, but their ability to offer meaningful insights into your professional accomplishments and character. We guide you in selecting the right recommenders and provide strategic advice to ensure their letters highlight your strengths effectively. A well-written, specific, and genuine recommendation always carries more weight than generic praise.
Video Essays
More schools are incorporating video essays—whether through recorded prompts or live Kira interviews—to assess your personality, communication skills, and English proficiency. While video essay content is similar to written essays, delivery is equally important.
We help you refine:
1) Content: Structuring answers that are clear, engaging, and impactful.
2) Delivery: Building confidence, charisma, and natural connection with the camera.
3) English Proficiency: Improving grammar, expressions, pronunciation, and tone.
A common mistake is appearing as if you’re reading from a script—this is a critical mistake, and difficult to fix. ASCENT will coach you to sound natural and persuasive.
Interviews
The interview is a crucial component of the admissions process. It evaluates your communication skills, professional presence, and for many international candidates—including Koreans—serves as an informal English assessment.
Similar to video responses, we help clients craft compelling, personal answers for every potential interview question, improve presentation, refine English proficiency, and sound engaging and authentic rather than rehearsed. Mastering all four aspects is essential for a successful interview.
Resume
Your resume is more than a list of responsibilities—it’s a reflection of your professional impact, leadership potential, and career trajectory. At ASCENT, we help you frame your experiences to highlight your key achievements and growth. Even the same job can appear vastly different depending on how it’s presented—we ensure your resume leaves a strong and lasting impression.