Testimonials for Vince (listed by school name)
Chicago GSB
Coming soon
Columbia
CBS MBA '10: Vince is an unbeatable counselor who can provide the best customized service for clients based on his exceptional insight and vast experience with Top B-schools. I believe it was impossible to get admitted without him, considering my busy work and below-average test scores. He provided me with flexible and attentive support beyond any large "yobikou" (prep. school). Moreover, his practical advice and powerful brainstorming helped me clarify my essay topics efficiently. At times, he seemed to think about my application far more seriously than me, which inspired me to work harder to maximize my potential to get where I am today.
Carnegie Mellon
Tepper MBA '07: Vince is an outstanding admissions counselor for MBA applicants. I was his client in 2004-2005 and got accepted by three top B-schools, including Tepper. He is dedicated to understand his clients and gives thoughtful advice customized for each applicant. Vince actually understood everything about me from my professional job to my hobbies and family. The counseling sessions with him also made me realize myself. The combination of my deeper self-awareness and his keen insights into the MBA admission processes brought me successful results. Vince is definitely the counselor who can bring you to your destination.
Vinceは本当に素晴らしいMBA受験のカウンセラです。私は2004年から2005年にかけてお世話になり、Tepperを含めて3つのトップ校に合格しました。彼は真摯になって受験者を理解することに努め、各受験者に応じた的確なアドバイスをくれます。実際に、Vinceは私の仕事から趣味や家族まですべてを理解した上でカウンセリングをしてくれました。このような彼とのカウンセリングを通じて、私自身を改めて理解することが出来ました。自分自身を深く理解し、さらに彼のMBA受験に関する鋭い洞察と分析があったからこそ、合格という嬉しい結果に至ったと信じています。是非Vinceさんのカウンセリングを受けてみて下さい。
Duke
Fuqua MBA '09: What I appreciated most about working with Vince was that he completely understood the MBA application gauntlet, but more than that, he also took the time to understand my specific needs. With honest criticisms such as, "…it just isn't impressive," Vince knew it was imperative that I be reminded to push myself outside of my comfort zone to achieve my full potential. He also gave me support when I just needed a friend to lean on for advice. Even though I was on the other side of the world and we worked together entirely via Skype and e-mail, Vince's ability to help me shape my application to be the best that it could be did not waver.
Vince proved how well he knew me and how well he knew the MBA landscape when he suggested a path I had never even considered. During one of our many conversations Vince suggested that I investigate the Duke MBA program because he thought it would be a good fit for me. I soon learned that Duke offered exactly what I was looking for in an MBA, so I decided to follow Vince’s advice and apply.
As a result of working with Vince I was fortunate enough to have to choose where to pursue my MBA. I can never thank Vince enough for the success he helped me achieve through the application process and for pointing me toward what I now know is the perfect MBA program for me!
Harvard
HBS MBA '09: The two greatest aspects of Vince and his counseling are his capabilities to push the client to his/her best potential and his abilities to listen and cheer for the best results. My first confident essay draft was so easily referred to by Vince as “a mess”. This pure shock hit me hard to realize that he was not there to help and support me no matter what, but was there for me to convince him (later myself and the admissions) that I could make it into business schools. The difficulty of business school preparation is fundamentally changing the mindset to think deep in who you are and what makes you valuable to an admit, and Vince was capable to push me each time I tried to slack off the process. Not to mention that without him convincing me, I would have not applied to Harvard Business School/third round, where I am now today.
Also, business school prep move forward by multiple waves. I could not always execute what I had promised Vince the week before whether it was due to work, or emotional fluctuations. Within each one hour counseling session, I sometimes spent the time just talking with Vince about what was going on in my life in general. This helped me through the tough times and kept me from completely falling apart. Vince is truly a great listener and the best cheerleader I had during my prep period.
Vinceをカウンセラーとして起用して良かった点は、私の魅力を最大限に引き出してくれた事と、私の話をいつも聞いてくれ、励ましてくれた点です。彼の所に最初に持っていったエッセイは自信作であった割には「it’s a mess」とコメントされ、沈没でした。駄作であったとしても、よいものに直してくれるであろうと気楽に構えていたのですが、ビジネススクール合格はそんなに簡単ではありません。まずは、Vinceを乗り越えなければ合格にたどり着かないのだなと、その時強く思いました。ビジネススクール受験の辛さは今までのマインドセットを変え、自分の経験と将来像を深く考え、いかにビジネススクールに進学する事が自分にとって重要なのかを合理的に追求していく事ですが、ちょっと手を抜くたびにVinceが後ろから押してくれていました。HBSへ3rdでも出したほうがよいと、彼にしつこく説得してくれなければ私は今日HBSで勉強をする事ができなかったでしょう。
ビジネススクール受験はよく言わる通りに、マラソンであり、幾度も山や谷を経験します。Vinceに約束したことさえも実施できない週が続く事もめずらしくありません。そんな時に彼はセッションの時間の中で、私の悩みを辛抱強く聞き、励まし、エッセイカウンセラー以上のアドバイスを下さいました。この時間がなければ機能低下はもちろんの事、受験もあきらめていたかもしれません。Vinceは人の話を聞いてくれますし、一緒になって受験をがんばってくれます。
INSEAD
MBA '08: Vince is my comrade, my box of wisdom, my gas pedal and my set of breaks. He is focused on bringing out all your potential and fighting the battle with you. Vince doesn't just give you advice. He will reject your essays. He will tell your stories are not appealing. He will say everything that he needs to say. This is only because he knows that the essay has to be about you and he believes that you can create your own unique outstanding essay. He won't write your essay for you, which is the easy way, because he knows that it won't work.
When I was rushing my essay to meet the last intake of INSEAD, he made time for me. He introduced Skype so that we could talk when I was overseas, and tried to make everything possible happen. But just when I was about to submit the essay, he told me not to. He told me the essay was not enough to pass INSEAD, especially the final intake. I was shocked to hear this. I was even frustrated. We discussed why it was not possible. Considering my GMAT score, essay, and background, he said that I was "average". It wasn't appealing enough for INSEAD to choose me when most of the seats were filled.
He was able to make such an important decision knowing that I had spent days and nights just so that I can submit the essay in time. I am truly thankful for his strong suggestion that stopped me from making a terrible mistake and for his courage to do so in such a tense situation.
ヴィンスは、自分にとって単なるカウンセラーではなく、戦友であり、知恵の源であり、アクセルでもブレーキでもありました。
ヴィンスは個人の能力を最大限引き出すことに注力し、エッセーを書くという課題に対して共に戦ってくれます。単に助言をするだけではありません。エッセーに駄目出しをしたり、エッセーの内容が面白くないとはっきり言います。これは、書いたエッセーが本人を本当に表現している必要があり、各個人が光るエッセーを書けると信じているからです。きっと代わりに書けば簡単なんだろうが、それをしないのは、そんな小手先の勝負では勝てないことを知っているからです。
僕がINSEADの最後の締め切りに間に合わせるために、急いでエッセーを書いていた時、ヴィンスは忙しいなかで時間をつくってくれました。僕が出張で時間をつくれないと知ると、Skypeというサービスを紹介してまで、なんとか僕を助けようとしてくれました。しかし、エッセーを提出する直前に、提出を止められました。それはそのエッセーがINSEAD、特に最後の締め切りで合格するにはレベルが低かったからです。心血を注いでこれまで準備してきた僕はびっくりし、怒りさえおぼえました。なぜ無理という判断になるのかを長い時間議論しました。GMATの点数、僕の前職を考慮すると僕は応募者の中では「平均」だという評価でした。ほとんどの席が埋まっている中で、INSEADが僕を選ぶにはあと少し足りないということでした。
1ヶ月半も昼夜を惜しまずエッセーを磨き続けていた、あの緊迫した状況のなかで重要な判断を冷静にしたヴィンスには今でも感謝しています。締め切りを目指して共に戦ってきただけに、ヴィンスにとっても辛かったと思われるその判断をしたヴィンスの勇気に敬意を表したいです。
NYU
Stern MBA '09: I would not be here at NYU Stern today without Vince’s professional advice and enthusiasm. I often misunderstood what I was really asked in essays. He always pointed to it. I often lost what’s my strength to write in essays and speak in interviews. He always carefully listened to me to bring out it. My essay work was often stuck. He always gave me a hint. I was often disappointed by my low test scores and notices of waiting list. He always cheered me. I often felt insecure as to whether I could get admitted from the top business school. He always believed it.
Northwestern
Kellogg MBA '10: Without Vince's support, I could have never made this accomplishment. I, once again, would like to appreciate his warm, sincere, but sometimes rigorous, and patient support for last six months. Vince, thank you very much!
I feel that there are two major strengths in Vince's counseling. First, he thoroughly listens to clients and draws clients' stories and opinions. Second, his ability to understand clients' opinions from very limited sources information and keywords. I also feel that he is a well-balanced counselor; affable and hard-edged. When quality and contents of an essay is not sufficient, he is very honest and says "boring", "lack of uniqueness" and "not deep enough". But he does not just yell out, but rather he analyzes and explains why and how they are not sufficient. Then finally he gives sincere advice and some recommendations to improve.
In initial phase of our counseling, we first brainstormed my past events (Background/Accomplishments） and my thoughts for the future (Goals） thoroughly but the process was not just fun chatting. As we conducted communication at sessions, output documents, which are usable as components for many schools' essay questions, were completed step by step. Vince not only understood my past events (Background/Accomplishments） and my future thoughts (Goals） in fact basis, but also he understood my humanity and character. Without Vince's support my essays would have been"general" essays without thoughts from my heart.
Because I have tendency to put difficult and time consuming tasks aside, Vince's periodic counseling sessions, held twice a week (either by Face-to-Face at Vince's office or by Skype) was the right speed. I had to create fair amount of output between sessions or otherwise the next session would be meaningless. Because Vince corresponds level and/or amount of my output for the next session, I was able to keep myself highly motivated.
With confidence I strongly recommend Vince's counseling. Applying to a top MBA program is indeed a long and harsh process, but if you chose to walk along the process with him, I firmly believe that you will always feel an excitement and the sense of accomplishment and then ultimately you will be satisfied with a successful result.
Kellogg MBA '10: Vinceの支援なくして合格はあり得なかったと強く感じています。この約半年間優しく、温かく、時に厳しく、時に辛抱強く私の出願プロセスを支えてくださったことを改めて感謝します。本当にありがとうございました。
Vince のカウンセリングスタイルで特に優れた点は２つあると感じています。まずはじめに、クライアントの話を徹底的に聞きだす姿勢を常に持っている事。次にクライアントが伝えた限られた情報やキーワードを的確につかみその内容を理解する点です。またVinceは優しさと厳しさを兼ね揃えた非常にバランス感覚優れたカウンセラーだと思います。エッセーの質や内容が悪いときは正直に「つまらない」「オリジナリティがない」「深堀が足りない」等をはっきり伝えます。しかしそれは一方的に言い放つような形ではなくクライアントがなぜそう書いたのか、何を伝えたいのかを彼なりに分析をしたうえで、彼なりの真摯なアドバイスとして伝えてくれる形です。
カウンセリングを始めた当初はエッセーを書くというよりは自分の過去（Background/Accomplishments）と未来（Goals）を徹底的にブレインストーミングするというスタイルでしたが、単なる「おしゃべり」に終始することなく、セッションを進めるごとに各校のエッセーに活用できる形のアウトプットが徐々に出来上がっていきました。ブラインストーミングを通じVinceは表面的な点だけでなく、自分の過去（Background/Accomplishments）と未来（Goals）に加え人間性や性格をも理解したうえで、エッセーを組み立ててプロセスを進めてくました。もしVinceが支援をしてくれいなかったら、私のエッセーは深堀が足りない、オリジナリティがない、「ハート」がないエッセーになってしまったと思います。
Vinceとのカウンセリングセッションは非常にスピード感があり、面倒なことや難しいことを後回しにする性格を持っている自分にとって必ず週2回セッション（VinceのオフィスでのFace to FaceまたはSkype）を行うことは非常に効果的でした。次のセッションまでにある程度の分量とレベルをもった自分のアウトプットを出さないとセッションの意味が全くなくなってしまうのです。こちらの要求度高ければ高いほど、インプットが多ければ多いほど、Vinceはそのレベルに応じて対応してくれるので、私はモチベーションを常に高く保つことができました。
MBA受験をこれから検討されている方にVinceのカウンセリング自信を持ってお勧めします。長く厳しい出願プロセスですが、Vinceと一緒進めば常に達成感、そしてワクワク感をもって取り組むことができ、最終的には満足行く結果が待っていると信じています。
Kellogg MBA ’08: Vince was an expert in objectively analyzing and identifying parts of the essays where it was vague or confusing to someone who would have little knowledge of me. Considering how little time an MBA administrator may have looking through my essay, Vince was truly helpful in crystallizing my ideas and assisting me in creating comprehensive essays. I also enjoyed his amiable personality and I always had a lot of fun during my counseling sessions.
客観的にエッセイを読んでどの点が不明瞭で解り難いかを的確に探すことがビンスは長けてました。MBAアドミッションの人たちが限られた時間の中で自分のエッセイを評価することを考えると不明瞭な点を具体化し、エッセイを解りやすくするビンスの改善案は非常に助けになりました。また、性格も親しみ易かったので気を楽にしてカウンセリングに臨めたことも満足しています。
Stanford
GSB MBA '06: Most MBA applicants are looking for admissions counselors with deep knowledge and experience. Of course, those issues are important but what mattered most to me when I was looking for my "partner" was trust. I needed to confirm that we could work together as a team to struggle together for half a year and win at the end. I was so lucky to get acquainted with Vince in my MBA preparation and now I truly believe that without him, I would not have received an admission offer from Stanford GSB. Many thanks!
知識と経験こそ、多くのアプリカントがアドミッションカウンセラーに対して期待していることだと思いますが、私の場合は、それ以上に重視したことは、「そのカウンセラーと、しっかりとした信頼関係を築くことができるか」ということ。半年にも及ぶアプリケーションの準備期間を一緒に戦っていくわけですから、お互いの信頼なしでは、それを乗り切ることは出来ません。その意味では、自分の場合はVinceに出会えて本当にラッキーでしたし、彼がいなければ、自分が Stanford GSBに合格することもなかったでしょう。いろいろと、ありがとう！
UC Berkeley
Haas MBA '09: Vince was the best guide for writing strong essays by giving advice in terms of viewpoints such as "Does this essay answer to the question with accuracy?", "Does this person or experience seem attractive and beneficial to the school?", and "Is the essay specific and easy to understand even for those who are not very familiar with your industry or field?". He was a moderate and sincere person with his impressive engaging smile and tons of his cutest son's pictures on the wallpaper of his PC. Most importantly, he never forgot that his core role was to give discerning advice and constructive feedback during the session. His counseling service based on seasoned experience and well-balanced perspective will definitely help you solidify your essays.
Vinceは、「このエッセイが的確に質問に答えているか？」、「この人物や経験が学校にとって魅力的であり有益なものに映るか？」、「エッセイが具体的であり、また専門外の人にとっても分かりやすいものか？」といった観点に立ったアドバイスをくれることにより、より強力なエッセイを書くための最高のガイドでした。彼はいつもは穏やかで誠実な人柄で、愛嬌のある笑顔とPCの画面いっぱいのかわいい彼の息子の写真が印象的ですが、カウンセリングセッションでは常に深い洞察に基づいたアドバイスと建設的なフィードバックをしてくれました。豊富な経験とバランスのとれた視点に基づく彼のカウンセリングは、エッセイを強固なものにするために必ずや役立つものになると思います。
UCLA
Anderson MBA '09: Vince was a true counselor and a coach. I would go into his session feeling worried, lost and not even sure what I wanted to say in my essay. Vince always dug deep, found some logic in my scattered thoughts and shed light to how I can strike a balance between ambitious goals and a realistic consistency in my essay. He never forgot a pat in the back too. His words of encouragement, “hang in there-you can do it!” helped me believe in myself and hang tough in the hardest moments.
Anderson MBA '08: It is my honor to write testimonial for Vince Ricci, surely one of the best consultants in the world…. especially for Japanese. I worked for three months with him writing essays, and got admission from one of my dream school, UCLA Anderson.
Even now, I sometimes happen to read my first draft for the application --- honestly, if I were a consultant, one word will come up to my mind: “hopeless”. Vince, you are the man. You are the magician who knows the secret to how to boost the worst essay in the world to MBA level.
I think Vince is one of the rare consultants who shares the actual point of view of actual MBA admissions staff. His advice is always clear and he point outs problems efficiently. At the time I was working with him, I had no idea whether he was right or not, but as far as I see the schools I was admitted, it seems he was 100% right. I got admission from the schools with the application that he gave me “A” or at least “A-“and got dinged from the schools he gave me under “B” s.
Another point and reason I highly recommend Vince as an advisor is that he never gives you simplified answers. He just leads you to think, and come up to your own thoughts and words. He is an expert at coaching and pushing people….. I even didn’t realize I was redoing the whole essay for Anderson for 100 times (may be little less than this). It was wonderful explore going deep into my mind with such an experienced guide.
Vince Ricciという素晴らしいコンサルタントの推薦文を書かせてもらえる機会を頂き、光栄です。彼には３ヶ月間、エッセイ作成に付き合ってもらい、最終的には私のドリームスクールの一つであったUCLA Andersonからの合格を勝ち取ることが出来ました。今になって、一番初めに書いたエッセイのドラフトを読んで思うことは「もし私がコンサルタントだったら、どう指導すれば良いか途方に暮れるだろうなあ」ということです。VinceはそんなどうしようもないエッセイをMBAに合格可能なレベルにまで引き上げてくれた恩人です。
Vinceをお勧めする理由はいくつかありますが、先ず第一には、彼がアドミッションの目線を持った数少ないコンサルタントの一人であるということでしょう。彼のアドバイスはいつも明確で、私のエッセイの問題点を的確に指摘してくれました。当時は、正直「こいつ、本当に信じて大丈夫なんだろうか」と半信半疑だったのですが、合格した学校、不合格だった学校を見る限り、信用して良かったんだな、と後になって分かりました。彼が「A」あるいは「A-」と及第点をくれたエッセイを送った学校からは全て合格を貰い、「B」といまいち、という評価を受けたエッセイの学校はことごとく不合格だったのです。。。。
Vinceをアドバイザーとして推薦する理由としてもう一つ挙げられる点があります。若干矛盾するかもしれませんが、彼は、エッセイの内容、書き方について決して答えを教えてくれません。自分で考え、自分の言葉でエッセイを書くことを非常に重視します。Vinceは、人を炊きつけ、やる気にさせる達人なのでしょう。Andersonのエッセイを書いていたときには何十回も書き直していることに気付かない程でした。Vinceとの作業は、自分について深く洞察する素晴らしい経験だったと今でも思います。
長々と書きましたが、カウンセラーとしてのVinceは私も自信を持ってお勧めできます。そして彼にカウンセリングを頼もうと思われるのでしたら、是非、彼と出来るだけ親しくなってみてください。Vinceはカウンセリングの相手のことを知れば知るほど、より良いアドバイスをすることが出来る、そんなスタイルのカウンセラーです。そうすれば、きっと納得する結果が得られるでしょう。後悔は絶対しません。私も保証します。
Virginia
Darden MBA '08: Vince helped me create an effective and outstanding essay. I think that his greatest strength is the ability to find out what you really want to say in the essay. Although it sounds easy, I often struggled to clarify my opinion and ideas and got lost where I am heading in my essay. Because Vince always tried to analyze and understand me from a professional and personal point of view, most of his comments were significant and valuable for me. He gave me a lot of insights and constructive feedback based on the conversation we had.
Also, I like his personality. I was looking for a counselor who I could enjoy talking and working with rather than who would just do his or her job. Because I would spend a plenty of time preparing an essay with a counselor, this criteria was important for me. Writing an essay with a counselor who I could talk everything with and also who enjoyed listening to my story allowed me to be even more creative than it would otherwise. I personally think that creativity is one of the most significant features in writing an essay for MBA. Vince will definitely create the friendly environment and maximize your potential in that sense.
Wharton
WG '09: Vince was the best guy I met in my application processes. He is always rigorous and supportive. Best of all, he provides order-made counseling for each client. In my case, he bridged the gap between my subjective view and the objective perceptions from MBA admission officers.
Actually, my first draft was horrible. He tried to find my core message and helped me to make the main idea visible and vivid. After that first draft, he was always besides me.
I know it was a hard process because my background was entertainment. It was challenging to persuade MBA admissions with only my uniqueness. He explored the latest news related to my industry and challenged me every time with those perspectives. Through this comprehensive process, I could deepen my essay highlighting both uniqueness and solid business aspects.
Finally, I got four interview offers out of five top schools I applied to. Vince not only guided me to get admitted but also granted me the opportunity to build my analytical foundation, which I am now developing at Wharton.
WG '08: I would describe Vince not as a counselor, certainly not as an editor, but as the best partner in preparing the application materials. One of his strengths lies in his ability to suggest creative ideas. Whenever I had trouble coming up with ideas in writing essays, he always helped me by suggesting several different approaches to essay questions, with deep understanding of his clients and an objective view about how each approach would be interpreted by admissions officers. Also, his advice greatly improved my essay in tone, clarity and conciseness. Finally, it was really fun to work with him. During the busiest days before deadlines, I would meet him once a week. Though the process of writing and re-writing essays was arduous, I enjoyed meeting him and discussing with him. Relaxed but very stimulating discussion with him always gave me new ideas and motivation to improve my essays further.
Vinceは、単なるカウンセラー、いわんやエッセイエディターなどではなく、MBAアプリケーション準備におけるベストパートナーだと思います。彼の強みの一つは、クリエイティブなアイディアを提案する能力です。私がエッセイを書く上でアイディアに困ったとき、彼はいつもいくつかのアプローチを提案してくれました。彼の提案はクライアントである私自身に関する深い理解と、アドミッションオフィサーにはどう映るか、という客観的な視点に基づく、適切かつ示唆に富むものばかりでした。また、彼のアドバイスにより、エッセイのトーンや明瞭さ、簡潔さを大幅に改善することができました。最後に、彼のアドバイスを受けながらアプリケーション準備を進めていく過程はとても楽しいものでした。最も忙しい時期には週に1度Vinceに会っていたのですが、彼とのディスカッションはリラックスしつつも刺激に富む有意義な時間で、エッセイの質をより高めようという意欲とアイディアをいつも与えてくれました。