Self intro / Linkedin
I've worked for Hitachi as an HR since I graduated from university and led several global projects, such as PMI in a M&A in the UK, establishing a joint venture in Saudi Arabia, creating the employment and compensation scheme in Taiwan and Indonesia, and supporting the largest cross border M&A in the company’s history. In college, I studied abroad in the US for about a year and enjoyed learning business. Outside work, I love soccer and music, especially playing my guitar, traveling abroad (as my wife does) and cooking (though she doesn’t).
http://linkedin.com/in/hiroyuki-sera


Tell me about your decision to study abroad in the US for college - it seems like a key turning point?
I wanted to achieve something I would be proud of during college. One day I went to New York with my friend. I was overwhelmed to see diverse communities and vibrant energy in every corner of Manhattan, so I was determined to go to the US again to challenge myself and grow more by joining an official study abroad program.


Why did you join Hitachi?
Through the international experiences in the US during college, I started thinking that I wanted to work for a global company to expose myself to the international businesses and that I really felt proud of being Japanese, seeing a lot of made-in-Japan products there. So, I applied for Japanese manufacturing companies expanding their businesses globally and luckily I got an offer from Hitachi.


When did you start thinking about the MBA?
When I’ve accomplished several global projects for around 6-7 years, I felt I couldn’t be satisfied anymore and wanted to challenge myself more. So, I considered options and found the MBA as one of the best opportunities to change my career from an HR project lead to a business project manager.


You changed your plan and applied at a later date, can you tell me about that situation and how did getting experience on that project help you become a better candidate?
I passed the sponsorship selection at Hitachi and was supposed to apply in 2018. However, I was assigned to the biggest M&A project ever and decided to postpone the application because I felt committed and responsible to complete the project. Looking back, I think it was one of the best decisions I ever made in my life, as I overcame a lot of tough situations in the global contexts with world leading business and M&A experts and developed the negotiation skills, strategic thinking, global mindset, and grid, which made me a better candidate for top business schools that welcome those qualities.


You decided to apply for the 1 year vs. the 2 year program. Can you share your insights about why you thought that would be more suitable for you?
Having a clear objective was the key. When I reapplied for schools in 2020 with sponsorship from Hitachi, I was still clinging to the 2 year programs since I wanted to take time and study longer, though I knew it was difficult to be admitted to the top 2 years programs at my age of 34. But, one day I came across one article in some career advisor’s blog, which said, “Going to a grad school should not be a goal. Your goal must be beyond it.” and I was convinced. I started thinking about why I wanted an MBA and reached the conclusion that I still wanted to change my career to do business on my own. I wanted to “use an MBA" rather than just get “an MBA”, so growing fast and coming back to work early was my priority. I realized the MBA is a tool, not a goal, and one year is the best fit at this timing for me.


The score making was not easy for you and for many others, do you have any good tips for other applicants?
I analyzed myself and found the best way of studying for me. For example, I noticed I was really bad at sitting at my desk for a long time to concentrate (I rather like working and doing something). So, I measured how long I could concentrate and found a sweet spot, and set the timer and took a rest once my limit came. In addition, I realized if I had a sufficient block of time to concentrate, my score went up, so I made priorities on my work and chores and got as much time as possible for studying. The test skills and coaching from my mentor at a prep school helped me a lot, too. I believe the key is knowing and adapting yourself to the right way.


If you could go back and change one thing when you were 20 what would you do?
I would do external activities more. It’s not because I could write it down in my resume, but I could nurture my personality and become a more mature human. I just started getting executive coaching as a leadership program at MIT and learned that leadership is all about becoming a mature person, not only at a workplace but also at home with your family and any place with your friends. Eventually, admissions will look for those types of persons, seeing you as a person, not on your resume.


Your ideas for the essays seemed very creative, can you give any hints to applicants on how to write creative, personal and powerful essays?
I always try to think of the “points” first, and then connect those dots, which I learned a lot from Ed. When I read the questions in essays, I tried to understand admission’s intention (of course, with the help and instruction from Ed), and made a point of my essay like “spotting the destination in a map”. I also thought stories as supporting evidence like “items to level you up in a game”. Lastly, I wrote them down to connect those points and stories as if I was "drawing routes in the map to get all the items and reach the destination". In real processes, you should go back and forth, but this is my basic approach I’ve developed with Ed.


You met the MIT admissions once before and made a good impression and I think that helped your candidacy. What are some hints on how to interact with admissions offices to make a strong first impression?
The admission process was matching yourself and schools. So, I not only studied myself, but also researched admission's needs and preferences by hearing from Ed, current students, and admissions themselves on YouTube (there are lots of videos thanks to pandemic). In my case, I met Rod Garcia of MIT and from my research I knew he liked the informal way of “Izakaya talk” to understand and sense a candidate's true personality. In addition, I tried to imagine what kind of situation he would be in at my interview, and I thought it was late at night and tiring for him after having several interviews, so I determined my strategy and thought my meeting with him should be fun and impressive with my passion for MIT. It worked. It was not like subordinating you to pretend as if you would be matched with a school, but like thinking how to get someone’s attention to date and marry.


What was the most valuable thing about the Edogijuku Services for your applications?
Objective and logical advice with the right points and information. You’ll lose sight because knowing yourself, learning schools, and matching those are intimidating and tough. So, his advice always lifted my face up and made me see things at a high level. Rich information was also strong to match myself with each school trait.


Do you have any other advice for future applicants?
I thought the MBA application was a solo sport and felt so lonely while doing, but looking back it was actually a team sport. I couldn’t stop sending emails to thank so many people who helped me, including Ed (of course, the first email!), teachers at a prep school, GMAT study group mates, current students, alumni, bosses, colleagues, business partners, friends, and my family, until midnight after being admitted. Then I realized I was not alone. So, my advice is take ownership of your MBA "project" and manage your “team” to reach your aim in your application path. It is not others to pave your way, but you to make your own way with teammates you choose on your responsibility. I guarantee Ed will be your great fellow in your team.

Self intro
Work at a trading company. 5 years in HR, and 7 years in Sales/Business Development.


You had the chance to go to work overseas in Africa or pursue an MBA and you decided to go to Africa. It seems like an important decision in your career, can you share some insights about it?
Working in global settings in Africa, ME, and Asia, I confirmed that working globally is one of the priorities in my career. Through business development, investment, and management, I realized the needs of having general skills so that I can add value in my company.


When did you start thinking about the MBA?
I started thinking about the MBA when I was 27. But later, I moved to other countries for new assignments. After coming back to Tokyo at the age of 33, I started studying for the TOEFL and GMAT.


You were in your 30s and decided to go to the 2 year vs. 1 year program. Why did you think that the 2 year program was more suitable for you?
The biggest difference is how long I can immerse myself in MBA life. I wanted to prioritize not only academic learning but also practice such as experiential learning, so I changed my target program from 1 year to 2 years.


You prioritized the US schools vs. EU schools, can you share why?
Since I have worked in ME, Africa, and Asia, I thought that studying and working in the U.S. will allow me to see a different world.


Wharton has a unique team based discussion. I think that you were really preparing well and very collaborative, do you have any insights to share about this process?
Practice is everything because a topic will be announced beforehand. I simulated how to react to others, how to propose ideas, how to conclude discussions.


You decided to apply in R1 and R2. Can you share your strategies about the schedule, school selection?
I decided to use R1 as practice. So I selected my target schools in R1, and put other schools in R2. This strategy was not bad because I could improve my essay in R2.


When developing your WHY MBA study plan and goal you started to shift more and more to clean, sustainable solutions. Can you share about this process to develop your goals?
I was simply interested in clean, sustainable solutions. In addition, I was working in the traditional industry. So I’m afraid that admission teams might think my industry would not grow in the future. Therefore, I tried to shift more from the traditional industry to the growing industry.


What did you think was the hardest part of the MBA application process?
Preparing essays is the hardest part for me. Deciding the core of the essay and customizing essays to schools require a lot of time and effort.


What was the most valuable thing about the Edogijuku Services for your applications?
The tips to promote myself in interviews, to understand the meanings/aims of essay’s questions, and to improve essays.


Do you have any other advice for future applicants?
Time management is the key. Try to make a sufficient score so that you can concentrate on essays and interviews.

Self intro / Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-kumakura-inomata-6a7a0a2a/


You pursued an advanced STEM degree, but shifted your career from academia to consulting/business. Can you share the reasons for this important decision in your career?
The direct reason was that while studying neuroscience and pharmacology in graduate school, I became aware of issues regarding motivation and R&D investment in organizations and wanted to learn more. I thought that besides working directly as a researcher, there might be other ways to contribute even in an indirect way. For me, moving to the business side was a good choice because it gave me a chance to broaden my horizons.


In your career, you decided to prioritize the healthcare business. Why do you have such a strong passion for healthcare consulting?
At first, it is based on my personal experience that my father is a medical doctor and professor who continues research. So, healthcare is the closest thing to me in my childhood. Furthermore, I believe that the medical and healthcare service area is not only of great importance in our daily lives, but also in the scientific and social progress of all humankind. A lot of people and money are invested in this area, and everyone wants to see progress. It is my lifework to think about progress in the healthcare field.


It is challenging to continue your career as a working mother. Can you share your decision and some of the keys to your success so far?
When I had my children, the number of role models of working mothers was very limited. I think there are many role models now.
The important thing to remember is that every "working mother" has a different lifestyle, work-life balance, and family situation. I think those who want to continue working at the same time as mothers should not only look for role models but also sort out the appropriate balance b/w work and family.
For me, the key to success is to set priorities and do PDCA. Avoid boiling the ocean and think realistically. If you, as a working mother, have more to do than those around you, you must give up something. In addition, if you do not design your style in one day, you can pursue trial and error with other people’s help.


When did you decide to apply to the MBA program?
Just 3 months before the application (September in 2021).


What was the hardest part of the application for you?
Time limitation. I don’t have enough time, so when I started preparing, I decided only to take IELTS and GMAT 1-2 times (actually I took only once for both). I was going to be happy if I got accepted. As a result, I was able to receive an offer from MIT and USC, which I think was a matter of luck. I know that everyone who applies to the MBA is busy with work/ family matters, so I think it would be better to organize in your mind how much time you want to devote to the MBA exam, how far you want to go, why, and what you can discard.


What did you prioritize when selecting an MBA program?
-Full-time oversea programs allow me to bring my family. (the most important thing for me)
-Allow Executive Assessment.
-Allow my career (having 10-15 yrs. of experience. I received an answer that my career was too short from several executive courses)
I found only 2-3 MBA programs under these criteria. Under these conditions, I wanted to go to a school that would fit my interest as much as possible. As a result, MIT offers the option of taking classes outside of the MBA, has a good balance of hard skills such as data analytics and soft skills such as leadership, and the SFMBA course has matured classmates with over 10 years of experience, making it the perfect school and program for me.


How did Edogijuku help you prepare a successful application?
Ed helped me throughout my application process. I learned not only the technical stuff of essays but also what to get out of taking the MBA application and what the university expects from us, all from conversations with Ed. This was helpful also in keeping our motivation high. I am very grateful for this!


If you could go back to 20 years old and make one change, what would it be?
I would have challenged myself earlier for the opportunity to learn and work abroad. It has been more than 10 years since I thought I was "ready."


What advice would you give to applicants?
Please plan well what MBA you want, what you can sacrifice for it and what you can give up alternatively. Have no regrets about your application journey.

Self Intro/Linkedin
My name is Kohei Hasegawa, one of the emergency physicians / scientists at Mass General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts. I am a native of Yokohama and came to Boston 14 years ago for emergency medicine residency training. While my original plan was to go back to Japan after the training, somehow, I’m still here. Life is full of uncertainties, which I embrace.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kohei-hasegawa-md-phd/


You have an interesting global career. How did your passion for emergency care lead you to success overseas?
I just followed my inner voice, did what I love, and tried to think out of the box. The apparent “success” was merely a given label. When I worked hard and pushed myself, people helped me. I must admit that I’ve been extremely lucky and that my career may not have reproducibility.

So far, you have developed a successful career as a medical doctor. When did you start thinking about the MBA or was it something that was always on your mind even before you started your career?
I had no plan at all. To be honest, as with many people in academia, I had little respect for the industry and did think that MBA was for people who chase money. I was premature.
During my tenure at Harvard I have published 250 papers, advanced science, and got many funding (and awards). While some may say that it is a good career as a scientist, last year, I recognized that my science would not help a single patient if I stay in this silo. Now, I needed to change.


How would you use your business studies in your career?
My next focus is the translation of our scientific discoveries into patients' lives. This journey won’t be easy because there are many barriers to doing so. The vast majority of scientific discoveries in academia fall in "the valley of death". I need to know how to work with many external partners, including the industry. I want to learn the basics of business administration and gain experience in working with people from different backgrounds.


What did you prioritize when selecting the EMBA program?
MITs’ culture (innovation, application, and craziness), strength (e.g., biomedical research), and location (I’m local). I chose the EMBA because it's part-time and the classmates are mature/experienced. So, MIT EMBA was the only program I applied to.


How did Edogijuku help you prepare for a successful interview?
Ed gave me a lot of information on MIT Sloan (including the one from his previous EMBA applicants), which helped me prepare for and expect what would be asked. And the general strategy—stemming from your themes—was essential.


If you could go back to 20 years old and make one change, what would it be?
Nothing much. Perhaps, I should have taken more risks, failed more, and embraced them. This lesson remains true at my age.


What advice would you give to future applicants?
My advice is -- listen to Ed. :)

Self Intro/Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/koyo-moriya


You decided to pursue a master’s degree in a technical field. Can you share how that decision influenced your career?
I studied design engineering under the guidance of my French professor with students from six countries. Specifically, I researched how virtual/augmented reality could improve user experience. From my research, I learned that I need to do more, not just invent new technology per se but also design good user experiences to transform technology into a meaningful impact on people and society. I also learned the importance of creating an inclusive environment for innovative ideas. Those experiences became the foundation of my passion for using technology to improve people's lives and include more professionals to tackle complex issues in my professional career.


Why did you decide to join your company?
Based on my grandfather's words, who loved to drive with me, and my internship at a Japanese personal mobility startup for wheelchair users, I decided to improve the safety of cars and deliver the fun to move for all. Considering EVs and connected cars trends, it seemed to be the best idea to join the automotive department of one of the largest Japanese electronic conglomerates, Panasonic.


You grew up in Japan, how did you develop your international experiences and make use of them in the application?
In addition to my master’s degree research project with talented international students, I was selected as one of the members of a government-funded design thinking workshop in India. In India, I found that social issues involving older adults are a common problem in every aging society worldwide. I shared these vivid lessons in my application process to tell a story about how I cultivated my determination to tackle social issues of an aging society in the world and improve the well-being of the elderly.


You are the first person from your company to be sponsored to go to the MBA, can you talk about that opportunity?
Just one year before I applied to MBA programs, Panasonic had decided to transit to a holding system by splitting it into several subsidiaries, each of which started to have more responsibility and authority for its management. I considered it a chance to propose a corporate MBA sponsorship program because my company has urgent reasons to cultivate a next-generation management leader. Of course, I was struggling to reach a consensus mainly because of their unique perspective on their talent development, but I finally got on the same page.
Ultimately, I strongly felt that they are now trying to modernize and globalize themselves in every aspect. They sincerely hope I accelerate my growth at HBS as a leader who can lead breakthrough changes in a traditional and legacy organization like Panasonic and beyond.


It can be challenging to develop your goal, can you explain how you developed your future vision?
First, I created a lifeline chart to discover turning points in my life and my values that could be the foundation of my future vision. Also, I talked with many MBA students and alumni to brush up on my career aspiration from different viewpoints. Apart from that, initiating a project with a Japanese startup to solve the problem that matters the most to me also helped me figure out gaps between my current standpoint and my career goal. Through analyzing and learning from various kinds of past successful essays which I read at one of the Edogijyuku’s seminars, I could finally express my future vision in my own words.

When did you start to get interested in the MBA program?
When I joined an educational entrepreneurship program that aimed to create startups based on the results of academic research as a graduate student, I confirmed that I needed to acquire the ability and expertise like an MBA to transform those technologies into business. After joining Panasonic, my experiences commercializing security technology as the first subscription-based business in my company taught me the necessity of seeing a particular industry trend as an opportunity to design suitable business models and build strategic alliances to implement technology into society in a sustainable way. That made me realize more that I need to hone my leadership/ability to bring a positive impact on the automotive industry, where we are now involving different kinds of technologies and players we have never collaborated with before.


What was the hardest part of the application for you?
Time management. I struggled to balance myself between score-making, writing essays, communicating with my company, and so forth. However, thanks to Ed’s advice, I could prioritize what I had to do from moment to moment under pressure.


What did you prioritize when selecting an MBA program?
When I applied to MBA programs, I figured out what I’d like to learn at a business school; leadership across industries, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and CEO perspective, and thus which are attractive schools for me. In addition, I interacted with students and alumni who finally convinced me that HBS is the best place to pursue my career aspiration.


How did Edogijuku help you prepare a successful application?
Ed always helped me figure out essential parts of my applications. His “inside-out” style fitted well with me. For example, he organized events where fellow admits and I analyzed and learned from various styles of past essays. Also, during interview preparation, he always asked me questions like “what are your edges?” or “where will you raise your hand in the MBA classroom?” Those were valuable to prioritize and narrow down my strengths or unique perspectives, especially for a fast-paced HBS interview. Since he taught me many valuable things which apply to my coming MBA journey and beyond, for me, he is not just a counselor but mentor and made me enjoy my application process as the self-discovery process and opportunity to hone my strength and leadership.


You were taking initiative to manage the line group among various applicants. How was that helpful for the process and can you recommend how people network and the value of networking?
The LINE group was composed of about 70 fellow applicants mainly living and working in Japan but some of them outside of Japan, such as in neighboring Asian countries, Africa, and the US. As I followed one of my values, ONE TEAM, I encouraged them to help each other by sharing useful information for the application process and organizing mock interviews. Working with the brightest applicants from diverse backgrounds and industries gave me a chance to review and brush up on my essay and interview strategy from multiple angles and made me understand myself more deeply. I would recommend connecting with and diving into diverse groups of people and there to act as the role you would like to become during/after MBA even before MBA. I think that’s an effective way to find the best and most authentic version of yourself.


If you could go back to 20 years old and make one change, what would it be?
I strongly felt that understanding Japanese corporate culture and history was part of the foundation for my past achievements. From now on, understanding the culture and history behind people’s values and personalities will be an integral part of my future success as a global corporate citizen aspiring to tackle one of the most challenging social issues around the globe. From this standpoint, it would be great if I could have spent my academic life exposed to the realities of life in different cities with diverse cultures in my 20s.


What advice would you give to applicants?
Think about balance between your application's professional and personal aspects. In my case, I shared a story through my application process in which I learned the spirit from my hobby, Ikebana (transitional Japanese flower arrangement), that is the foundation of my collaborative leadership style to work with different kinds of people in diverse environments and to overcome complex challenges.

Self intro / Linkedin
Hi, I’m Kyohei. I was born and raised in Tokyo, went to college in the US, and worked for both a traditional Japanese company and a startup company. I'm going to pursue a dual degree in the joint MBA/MPCS (Masters Program in Computer Science) program at University of Chicago, starting in fall 2021. Aside from work, I am passionate about fashion and surfing.


Tell me about your decision to study abroad in the US for college - it seems like a key turning point?
As a teenager, I was passionate about music, fashion, etc originating in the West. Thus, I wanted to explore the world outside Japan, especially the US. It was a big turning point for my life in a rather unexpected way; I started to see Japan more positively.


Why did you join a traditional Japanese company?
When I lived in the US, I started to see more positive sides of Japan. Thus, I sought to leverage my international background and help Japanese firms flourish in overseas markets.


You changed your career and joined an interesting company - can you tell me about that important decision in your career?
Though I was happy to start my career and build my foundation at a traditional Japanese company, I came to feel cramped working in a workplace where there's a lot of preparation of material only to report, seniority-based evaluation, and strict hierarchy. I sought an environment where I would be encouraged to make my own decisions and direct contribution to the growth of a company.


When did you get interested in an MBA?
I thought about it from time to time but started considering it seriously in fall 2019 when I led a project which involved a variety of stakeholders and could manage it very well. I realized that an MBA would be a great opportunity to develop myself as a leader and achieve my long term goals.


You are not sponsored so how did you develop your career goal?
I contemplated my career goals first and then found an MBA a way to achieve the goals.


Who did you select for your letter of recommendation letter writers and why?
I selected my direct supervisor and former supervisor as my recommenders because I worked with them closely, and they knew me very well.


After you were admitted, you won the special fellowship - can you share the details about it?
I have been really fortunate to participate in a fellowship which not only aids me financially but also gives me an opportunity to work closely with a professor and a few other fellows to develop my leadership skills.


If you could go back and change one thing when you were 20 what would you do?
I would not change a thing but advise my 20 year-old self to be open and seek new opportunities, find what interests you, and work hard on it.


What was the most valuable about the Edogijuku Services?
Among various elements such as high quality and speed of work, I'd like to highlight that Ed focuses on each applicant's strengths and lets them shine in their MBA applications. During his consultation, I started to see my career more positively and could build confidence in my MBA application. I believe he is truly passionate about helping applicants pursue and achieve their own career goal.


Do you have any other advice for future applicants?
Be open to opportunities. Honestly, I did not think about pursuing an MBA two years ago. However, as I looked into it, I found that it's achievable and it could be a great opportunity to achieve my goals in the long run. If you find an MBA a good opportunity for you, work hard and make it a reality! Also, when you do research on an MBA, don't hesitate to reach out to current MBA students or alumni for their insight and advice.

Self Intro/Linkedin
I'm Koichiro Kondo, Chief Data Scientist working for Dentsu. My ambition is to transform Dentsu into a data-driven but human-centric company. Please see my bio on Linkedin for further detail.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/koichiro-kondo-3aa68141/


You had a unique experience going away to study in high school. I think that these turning points are important and how was that meaningful for you?
Yes, it was extremely important. This experience to follow my adventurous spirit, to jump out of my comfort zone and to live independently from my parents really built my lifelong values. After this experience, I equipped myself with a fearless mindset against a new environment and new culture.


Why did you decide to join your company?
The main reasons are people and culture. Dentsu has a lot of rock star employees with excellent communication skill sets and venturous mindsets. However, the advertising business itself faced a turning point, so I assumed that young employees have more opportunities to work for a big project. My assumption was correct.


You grew up in a very traditional Japanese environment and joined a traditional Japanese company, but the company has pursued many global challenges and in your career you could live and work abroad, how was that challenge? Why was it meaningful for your career?
I moved into the UK in 2016 with just two small Boston bags. Literally, I didn't have anything including a friend and a reputation based on my past achievements when I arrived in London. However, this tough circumstance reminded me of the importance of building my capability and reputation from scratch. Also, I made a lot of life-long friends and mentors from different cultures in this period.


Technology has been disrupting many industries. How did you adapt to learning about data and data science and how has that been meaningful for your career?
Catching up with cutting-edge technologies is an endless effort. Through this career path, I can become aware of my limitless curiosity as one of my strengths because many have already given up catching up with this trend. As an expert in the data field, the trend in the next 10 years will be how to control AI and how to harmonize humans and AI.
I believe I and Dentsu can contribute to this field significantly.


When did you start to get interested in the MBA program?
In 2019, the fourth year in the UK, I felt I needed to pivot my career to a more managerial position to maximize my impact on Dentsu.


What was the hardest part of the application for you?
Essay. I had not written such a long and sophisticated essay. It seems to be an endless effort as well.


What did you prioritize when selecting an MBA program?
Firstly, I prioritize the length of the period over other elements because of my company sponsorship regulation. Secondly, I really wanted to go to the US school because I had already lived in the UK.


How did Edogijuku help you prepare a successful application?
Ed knows a typical pitfall that Japanese students struggle with and gives us a totally new perspective and angle to see our careers. The way to deliver a message to Westerners was really helpful.


If you could go back to 20 years old and make one change, what would it be?
I would be more enthusiastic to study English and travel to foreign countries!


What advice would you give to applicants?
Be yourself, but learn from others' advice. Don't hesitate to change yourself as well.

Self intro / Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/taiki-nagamatsu-920845130


Originally you were considering an MBA. Also an MBA from a European school. You decided to pursue a non-MBA program so can you tell me more about this decision because there are many programs and why do you think that this program was the right one for you and your career?
There were mainly three keys for why I chose the HBS Program for Leadership Development, a fast-track alternative to the executive MBA.

1. To gain confidence with absolute experience to make me think that “I can compete with global talents”.

My strongest purpose was that I wanted to gain confidence by interacting with global top elites. The confidence stemming from the unparalleled experience will surely be a robust core value to pursue my future career at any stage.

2. To envision my career by acquiring decision making skill, global perspectives, and cross functional leadership.

My vision is to make Japan a more competitive country in the global field through my career. Therefore, I desired to learn the necessary factors I still lack in a global, competitive environment.

3. To minimize the impact for my family

Though MBA initially seemed the best way to pursue, life events, especially having two children, made it difficult for me to attend a 2 year full-time program.

With the above consideration, eventually I started to think about a 1-year European MBA. Later, I realized that the above purposes can be achieved with part time courses such as Executive MBA, which are even more non-restrictive. Finally, I decided to apply to HBS PLD without sponsorship.


Your career seems to be going well, how will the study at Harvard help your future career?
I believe that the HBS PLD enables me to become a global talent and bring more positive impact on my organization/business. In addition, the students are more senior than usual MBA courses, so the course might give more pragmatic views which can lead to huge business.


A lot of people have trouble showing the people they are working with why they have to study abroad and they struggle to find the people to write the letters of recommendations -can you give some advice?
My purpose was to gain confidence and related factors as a global talent so that I can boost my company’s business and globalize Japan. To show that simply to my manager, I prepared powerpoint slides, set a meeting, and explained how this application might have a positive impact on the company. As a result, he did not hesitate at all to write an LOR and wrote a very good one.
If you are struggling with asking help from your manager, I recommend that you be clear and concise about the reason why the manager needs to support you.


It is really hard to work full time and manage the time to prepare all the things that go into a winning application - can you tell how you managed your time to complete your application successfully?
I spent over 6 years in total preparing everything, from age 28 to 34. Therefore, I did not feel at each moment that I was rushed or that I lacked time. In other words, perhaps I was patient enough.
When I was 28, I started to study for the TOEFL and GMAT, and made scores in around 2 years (TOEFL 110 and GMAT 710).
After I made the scores, because of the many life events, I suspended my application for a while. When I turned 32, I started to prepare for the INSEAD MBA with the help of Ed, but finally decided not to apply.
Finally, when I was 33, I restarted to prepare for HBS PLD with the help of Ed again, exactly while I was taking the second paternity leave for 3.5 months. Using most of the time for taking care of my children, I spared 1~2 hours every day to prepare for applications, especially while the children were taking a nap and after they slept in the early night.


What was the hardest part of the process?
Unlike usual applicants, I spent a lot of time on each process, and thus time management for making scores or writing essays were not so big an issue. The most difficult part was to cope with anxiety that if I could not get into any of the schools, the effort I made may end up in vain. Because I use English in my daily work, I kept convincing myself to think that even if I do not get into a business school, the study will benefit my future career anyways.


What was the most valuable thing about the Edogijuku Services for your applications?
With so many “why” marks from Ed’s reply in the essays I drafted, I could dig deeply about the reason “why I want to study at business school”. This made me think thoroughly of the business person who I wanted to become in the future. From this, I felt that this service is not only about helping applicants be enrolled into prestigious schools, but also about making the applicants realize what they truly want to achieve in their future.
In addition, the advice from Ed was reliable ~ points that I should elaborate, expressions, length ~ and without the support, I am sure that I could not be admitted to HBS.


Do you have any other advice for future applicants?
Applying to business school is not an easy way. Through the processes, you might face various difficulties: scores, essays, time, money, family, work, and even the pandemic.
If you feel that the school you initially wanted to go to now seems not the right fit for some reasons, I recommend that you think differently and keep seeking for another possible way.
Unlike Japanese universities, global schools are far more diverse, and there are so many options. If you do not give up, you will find better paths which may potentially leverage and enrich your career.

Self Intro/Linkedin
Graduated from Kyoto University and entered a top trading company as a new hire. Transitioned to a career as a financial consultant at a global firm, which brought me to working in NYC.


You come from a domestic background, how did you foster your dream for your global career.
I visited 50 countries, which broadened my point of view.


Why did you join your first company?
My first company has a lot of alumni from my university. It was natural to me that I joined the company.


You decided to change your career and join another company, can you share your ideas about that decision.
That was my turning point since I was able to come to NYC because I joined another company. However, the transition was really tough and I don’t recommend it to my friends!


How did you get the opportunity to work in the US? Was that a difficult decision?
I voluntarily raised my hand for this position and was selected among many candidates. I wanted to work in the center of hte world economy and that was not a difficult decision for me.


Did working in the US motivate you to apply to the EMBA program? Did you feel getting an EMBA was necessary for your career?
Yes to the first question. I was interested in MBA in Japan for a long time, but I never actually started working on that. I think I didn’t have a real motivation for an MBA in Japan. After moving to NYC, I met some EMBA students in CBS and NYU, continuing their career. I thought it would be a great idea. Yes and no to the second question. For me, an EMBA is not only because of my career. I wanted to get great experience in a top US school and make international friends.


What was the hardest part of the application for you?
Score making for verbal. Japanese candidates are good at math and so am I. I didn’t have any difficulty in math, but verbal was really tough to me.


What did you prioritize when selecting an EMBA program?
I do not have a company sponsorship and really wanted to go to M7 since it is a huge investment. Given the location, Columbia was my 1st priority among M7.


How did Edogijuku help you prepare a successful application?
Since I was living outside of Japan, Edogijuku was such a great tool for me to collect information relevant to Japanese candidates.


If you could go back to 20 years old and make one change, what would it be?
I would definitely go to a top US graduate school soon after undergraduate in Japan.


What advice would you give to applicants?
I think assertiveness is really important in US schools. Currently I’ve been struggling with it as a student. Applicants could practice giving their opinion in English before schools start. That will help them to make an impact on the classes.

Self Intro/Linkedin
My name is Daizen Tanaka and I currently work for Google Japan where I lead product strategy for Google's digital marketing products such as Search Engine Advertising. Prior to this role, I was in sales for 3 and half years, mainly supporting small medium sized businesses to transform their marketing strategies.


You played a varsity sport in college and challenged yourself to go to the US. How did that turning point impact you?
Studying abroad in the US and playing a varsity sport in college (NCAA) was a truly life changing experience for me both academically and athletically. Unlike a college in Japan, that in the US requires a lot of commitment to classrooms including assignment, participation, presentation etc. and it was eye-opening to me. Since then I've been motivated by this culture and wanted to come back to the US. I was also impressed by student athletes who play varsity sports at a very competitive level, but also demonstrated excellent leadership and commitment academically.


You are not an engineer, but you decided to pursue a career in technology, how did you come to that decision?
Given that I come from a family business background, helping SMBs through technology has been one of my passion areas. I also found the unique culture (i.e. fast-changing, ambiguous) in the tech industry appealing and wanted to meet different types of people. Google seemed the best place among my choices but also very challenging in terms of the culture i.e.) I always need to apply to different roles/ positions, send resumes, do interviews, and make connections with hiring managers - so basically need to figure out how you want to build career trajectory and navigate yourself within Google even at an early stage of career.


When did you decide to apply to the MBA program or were you always planning to pursue an MBA?
I started thinking of MBA in the 3rd - 4th year at Google as I was surrounded by post MBA people (boss, colleagues) so it was natural for me to think of that as a future option.


What was the hardest part of the application for you?
Score-making was the hardest part in the whole process and I wish I could've switched from GMAT to GRE earlier, but now looking back, I believe essays were also equally important as score making too.


What did you prioritize when selecting an MBA program?
1) School curriculum 2) Ranking 3) Location 4) People/ Culture - Those are equally important, but in my case, school curriculum is the most decisive factor as I wanted to pursue my career in Product Management and Booth is one of the schools that offer the joint MBA/ CS program. This is an ideal program for me to gain both business management and product management (technical know-how) to become a Product Manager. Plus, you can finish the program within 2 years, the same as Full time 2Y MBA and will earn both master degrees. This will help to put us back in the workforce in the tech industry faster than a normal dual degree program.


How did Edogijuku help you prepare a successful application?
Edo always welcomes my ideas, discusses and then helps me brush them up. He never rejected the ideas or forced me in a certain rule/ format from the beginning whereas other counselors (I know) might sometimes do so. That's why I feel fit with his style, and he kindly shares examples of past applicants and steps in, speeding up the process when necessary. Edo also helps to connect other applicants through events so this is another competitive edge you can gain at Edo gijuku.


If you could go back to 20 years old and make one change, what would it be?
If I could go back to 20 years old I would have transferred to a school in the U.S or other countries. One year of study-abroad was fun but definitely not enough in terms of language and culture etc. I know MBA is also a transformational experience but if you want to gain exposure to a different culture/ environment, sooner is better in my opinion.


What advice would you give to applicants?
Preparing for the whole application process while working is very stressful but I learned a lot through this process and tried to enjoy every minimal learning/ failure. A few pieces of learning/ advice from my end; 1) Find your company/ other applicants: Preparing an application process alone is mentally tough. I was lucky to find my friend also doing MBA prep mid-way through and often shared information, essays and did mock interviews since then, and they became my motivator too. It'd be nice if you could try to talk to other applications and make friends at prep school or through Ed gijuku. 2) Try GRE: I know some applicants including myself did better on GRE than GMAT and I wish I could've switched it earlier to save my time. If you already take the test multiple times and don't feel fit for GMAT, I highly recommend trying the GRE. 3) Know how get in the mood/ motivated: MBA prep is a long marathon and there's always up and down (especially score-making process in my case :p) so set your expectation and know how to get refreshed and motivate yourself. I went to the sauna once a week and ate yakiniku after the test to re-set. It has become a lot easier to do campus visits now so I would do that too. 4) Be open-minded: I originally wanted to go to a different school but failed in the 1st round but then later came across Booth's dual degree program, which ultimately became my ideal choice with the wisdom of hindsight. You don't need to stick to one specific program and want to ensure you research enough for other great school programs/ curriculums that may fit you better. (I later realized that many people didn't even know about the dual degree programs and regretted not applying.)