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Number Of Expert Admissions Coaches: 42
Total Reviews: 1214 | 5 Star Reviews: 1213 | 4 Star Reviews: 1
Firm Website: https://fortunaadmissions.com/
Fortuna Admissions is a dream team of former admissions directors from the world’s top schools, bringing unparalleled insider expertise to MBA admissions consulting. Coaches at Fortuna have reviewed thousands of applications, shaped admissions policies and had the final say on who got in. Their deep industry insight, combined with a passion for coaching, helps candidates craft standout applications and maximize their chances at the world’s most competitive programs. Read Fortuna Admissions reviews below to see what clients have to say. All client reviews are real and verified by Poets&Quants.
I worked with Emma throughout my entire MBA application process, and I must say it was a true blessing that our paths crossed.
Emma was an essential part of my application journey. She was always honest about my chances with each school, giving me the freedom to decide whether to proceed with an application or not. Since I was unfamiliar with the process, I followed Emma’s advice—and the outcome was exceptional. Almost every school I applied to accepted me.
Emma contributed immensely throughout the journey. She provided invaluable support in preparing my application, taking the time to truly understand who I am, my background, and my aspirations. You can genuinely feel that Emma goes the extra mile to find that special something that helps admissions committees see why you are a perfect fit for their MBA program.
Beyond grades, test scores, and background, Emma was instrumental in helping me structure my story—my background and my goals for pursuing an MBA. Emma was also there during moments of doubt or when I felt less optimistic about my chances. As the application process moved forward, I realized that everything Emma said and advised was coming true, which gave me confidence.
I cannot thank Emma enough for helping me achieve this long-term goal of earning an MBA. She not only assisted in structuring my goals and background but also helped me gain confidence that extends far beyond the MBA application process.
Heidi is a superstar. I had spoken with 10+ consultants, and as a reapplicant, I was especially careful about who to work with. After not getting into the schools I hoped for the previous year working with a different consultant, I knew I needed someone effective but I was also mindful of cost at the same time.
A friend recommended Heidi, and I decided to work with her on an hourly basis. From the very beginning as she reviewed my old materials, she was sharp, identifying what worked and what didn’t. I have a somewhat unconventional career path, and she helped me come up with a few strong angles for how to frame my story. One of her biggest strengths is that she strikes the right balance between giving clear direction and still allowing your authentic voice to come through. That’s exactly what every good consultant should strive for!
She is a realist. She’ll push you until the essays are actually good, and she only stops when they’re ready. “Good enough” simply doesn’t exist in her vocabulary. The whole process was professional and efficient. No wasted time. Worth every penny.
Interview prep was equally effective. Heidi clearly knows the school-specific processes. So by the time I did my interviews, they felt like a breeze.
I came into the MBA process completely unsure on how to do anything and with very low confidence. After meeting with Maren, she helped me pull out the strengths in my application, refine my story, and provide answers on even little questions (i.e. guiding recommenders, describing activities/organizations). During interview prep, she was also extremely helpful with feedback and encouragement. Her faith and confidence in me really helped and I’m so happy to be going to GSB this fall.
From early in the process, Heidi knew exactly when to advise me to focus on other initiatives (like the GMAT) and when to push harder on applications. She struck a perfect balance between encouraging me to dig deeper to find the answers within myself and taking a more proactive approach to help craft my story. I applied to MIT, NYU, Stanford, and Kellogg, and was admitted to all but MIT (where I applied in Round 2 as an international student – something they generally recommend against). I am certain I wouldn’t have achieved these results without Heidi’s guidance.
I worked with Sharon Joyce through Fortuna Admissions and I truly cannot recommend her enough. She is as good as they come!!
From the very beginning, Sharon took a personal approach. She spent time getting to know me, my background, and what I actually wanted out of an MBA, which made a huge difference when it came to shaping my story. Nothing ever felt generic and every part of my application felt like it genuinely reflected me.
I worked with her using the hourly consulting option, which was a great fit for me. It gave me a lot of flexibility and allowed me to focus on different parts of the application as I needed, whether that was essays, overall positioning, or strategy. Each session felt efficient and high impact, and I still benefited from Fortuna’s deep admissions expertise and insider perspective.
She was responsive and candid throughout the entire process. I always appreciated how direct she was with feedback, which made everything feel much more manageable. Another huge plus was how supportive she was while I was studying for the GRE. She recommended great tutors and was consistently encouraging, which made a big difference in staying motivated.
The best part was that she actually called me after I was accepted, which just speaks to how genuine she is. She is so personal and truly just THE BEST!!!!
I was accepted to Berkeley Haas and I really do not think I could have gotten there without her. She helped me not only strengthen my application but also feel confident in how I was presenting myself.
Overall, I am incredibly grateful to have worked with her and would highly recommend her to anyone going through the MBA admissions process.
Jonathan turned into a friend immediately allowing his playfulness and genuine interest in my story to almost eclipse how brilliantly smart he is. The combination of hyper competent coach and wickedly personable friend is extremely hard to come by. Jonathan truly understood what I was looking for and helped me articulate it in a way that I could not. Perhaps the most valuable way he helped me was by introducing me to friends in his network that could speak precisely to the experiences I needed to listen to. With Jonathan, you don’t just get his wisdom but he brings the wisdom of his entire network to be your coach. Jonathan helped me from the start of the MBA application through to considering the offers I received; and no doubt, if he is willing I will be leaning on his guidance and friendship for years to come.
Working with Sharon was one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process.
I started out unsure about how to even begin the MBA application process, and Sharon reviewed my story and background and helped me understand where to begin—and more importantly, helped me believe in myself. That shift in confidence made a huge difference throughout the process.
She was incredibly knowledgeable about the MBA landscape, and it really showed. On the rare occasions she didn’t have an answer right away, she tapped into the broader Fortuna team—who clearly know the top programs inside and out—to make sure I always got thoughtful, informed guidance.
Sharon was also extremely available and responsive. Whether it was a big strategic question or something small, she was always there to talk things through, which made a stressful process feel much more manageable.
Her biggest impact was helping me shape a clear, authentic story that tied my background, goals, and each school together in a compelling way. And when it came to interviews, her preparation and feedback gave me a huge confidence boost.
I ended up getting into my dream school plus three others, and I genuinely don’t think I would have had the same outcome without her. I can’t recommend Sharon highly enough.
Michel was incredibly kind, thoughtful and thorough in her feedback. She helped me navigate every aspect of my application and made herself available and reliable. She was without a doubt invaluable in my journey and a driving force behind my acceptances.
I could not recommend her enough – with Michel and Fortuna, you are 10000% in safe hands.
Bill Kooser is an amazing coach. With his help, I was accepted to every EMBA program I applied to: MIT Sloan, Wharton, and Chicago Booth. I also received fellowships from Wharton and Booth that exceeded the cost of his services.
This was my second time applying to EMBA programs. The first time, I did not even receive an interview. Bill took the time to understand my goals and what I was looking for, and together we built a thoughtful strategy around which schools to target. We started with my resume, and after his initial review, he brought in a colleague who is Fortuna Admissions’ resume expert. Having that second set of eyes gave me confidence that my resume was clear, easy to understand, and impactful.
Next, we worked through my essay responses. Bill’s way of thinking is very aligned with how admissions committees think. He guided me on structure and provided thoughtful edits. He always asked the right questions, helping me get to the heart of the issue and communicate it as clearly as possible. He was also extremely responsive to edits and typically turned them around in under 24 hours.
Whenever I needed to talk something through, Bill was always available. I remember one time we spoke while he was at the airport, and he still made sure he had time for the conversation. I really appreciated that level of attentiveness and support.
After I submitted my applications and began receiving interview invitations, Bill helped me prepare for each school with mock interviews. His feedback was instrumental. I realized I needed to completely change how I structured my responses, and he helped me build a much stronger framework. We then refreshed and practiced before each interview.
Bill also supported me through the final decision-making process when I chose to attend Wharton. Hiring Bill was one of the best decisions I made. His expertise, insight, attentiveness, and responsiveness made the entire EMBA application process feel much more manageable. I would recommend him without hesitation. I had an amazing experience.
Working with Sharon was honestly one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application process. I can’t recommend her enough. I went into this whole thing feeling pretty intimidated and unsure of how my background would come across. From the start, Sharon really believed in me and made me feel confident that my story actually stood out. That shift in mindset was huge for me. She was also just incredibly present throughout the entire process. Always available to hop on a call, talk things through, or answer random questions. She’d even check in on me without me asking, which meant a lot during such a stressful time. Where she really made the biggest impact was helping me shape my story in a way that actually made sense and felt authentic. Coming from a more non-traditional background, she helped me clearly tie together my experience, what I was excited about in each program, and where I want to go long-term. She didn’t try to “fit” me into a mold, instead she leaned into what made me different and helped me make that a strength. She also helped me a ton with interview prep. We did mock interviews together and she gave super thoughtful, direct feedback that made me feel way more confident going into the real thing. On top of that, she just really knows the MBA and admissions world. Her insights were so helpful, and you can tell she genuinely cares about the people she works with. She’s kind and easy to talk to, but also honest and direct when you need, which I really appreciated. I ended up getting into most of the programs I applied to, and Sharon played a huge role in that. I’m super grateful for her and couldn’t recommend her more.
Heidi cuts through all the BS, tells you and prepares your for exactly what you need to do, and then pressure tests you on the mock so your prepared for the worst!!! And boy was I prepared!!! Thank you Heidi!!! There’s a reason why shes a GSB legend!!!
Eight months ago, an M7 admit felt like a long shot. Today, I’m heading to Chicago Booth, and working with Silpa Sarma at Fortuna was a meaningful part of that journey. From the outset, Silpa brought a level of strategic clarity that helped me think through school selection with genuine rigor. She helped me feel confident about Booth not just as a reach but as a realistic and well-reasoned target given my profile. That reframe alone changed how I approached the entire process. Where she really added value was in the details: tightening my resume, shaping my letters of recommendation, and most critically helping me build a narrative that was honest, confident, and contextually strong. The essays and overall positioning came together because of her frameworks and feedback, but also because she pushed me to do the hard thinking myself. That balance between guidance and ownership is what I appreciated most. If you’re on the fence about working with a consultant, I’d say this: the right one helps you present the best version of yourself clearly enough that the admissions committee can see what you already know. Silpa did that for me.
Heidi helped me immensely to refine my story, my why MBA, and career vision. She had a regular pace of asking probing questions that helped me think through so much more about my career, experience and self. We spent a lot of time on the first application, and it was so apparent with the next applications that all of that work paid off. Obviously the process was stressful, but I always felt confident that I was making the best choices and putting together the best application I was capable of. Heidi bent over backwards to make sure I felt as confident as possible submitting every application and going into every interview. I ended up getting into my second choice, and was just accepted off the waitlist to my top choice! I cannot recommend working with Heidi enough!
Jonathan doesn’t just help you get in. He helps you understand why you belong there, and that’s a different thing entirely.
I came to Jonathan with a single goal: Emory. He respected that, but within the first call, he had already expanded my thinking in ways I hadn’t considered. He built me a full spreadsheet with schools filtered by geography, GMAT waiver eligibility, consortium membership, and investment banking placement rates, before I even asked for it. That level of preparation told me everything about how he operates.
Beyond strategy, Jonathan opened doors I didn’t know existed. He introduced me to consortium funding paths, TOIGO, diversity weekends, and scholarship programs that weren’t on my radar. More importantly, he connected me directly with current students at my target schools, people I could actually talk to. That kind of access is rare, and he gave it freely.
What I’ll remember most is that Jonathan showed up for me during one of the hardest weeks of his life. He had just lost his father, 10 days from diagnosis to passing, and he still came to our call prepared, focused, and genuinely invested in my success. That’s not professionalism. That’s character.
I ultimately chose a different path, and that decision had nothing to do with Jonathan and everything to do with where life took me. He challenged my thinking at every turn and treated me like someone worth betting on.
If you’re serious about this process, work with Jonathan.
Working with Sharon throughout my MBA application journey was one of the best decisions I made. With her guidance, I was admitted to my top-choice program (T10), and I truly don’t think I would have gotten there without her support. Beyond the outcome itself, the entire process felt incredibly valuable because of how much clarity and confidence I gained along the way.
One of Sharon’s biggest strengths is her ability to help you connect the dots between your past experiences and future goals. She challenged me to think more deeply about my story and pushed me to articulate a clear, cohesive vision that I wouldn’t have been able to develop on my own. Her feedback on essays was thoughtful and detail-oriented – she didn’t just edit, but helped refine how I communicated my experiences in a way that genuinely resonated.
Her interview preparation was another standout. The mock interviews felt realistic and helped me walk into the video interview recording portion feeling prepared, confident, and polished.
What I appreciated most was how personalized and supportive her approach felt. Sharon is incredibly personable, super responsive, and truly meets you where you are – whether you’re still figuring out your story or refining the final details. She took the time to understand me – my background, my goals, and what makes my story unique – and helped me bring that to life authentically. I never felt like I was being fit into a template.
I would highly recommend Sharon to anyone looking for a partner who is genuinely invested in your success and will elevate every part of your application!
I’m so happy with my decision to work with Catherine. Not only did I feel like we were a good match because she is so attentive and patient but she is also extremely dedicated to ensuring that you put together a strong application. She got to know me and my story, and I really felt like that created a strong basis for our work together. She was timely and efficient when we were working on drafting and revising my essays and gave thoughtful feedback rather than doing the work for me. I’m so grateful to Catherine for supporting me throughout the process and even happier that I received acceptances to schools I’m really excited about!
After going 0-for-8 in last year’s Master’s application cycle, I was disheartened. Working with Heidi changed everything. She pinpointed the weaknesses in my previous materials and, more importantly, made me believe in myself again.
Her process had me dive deep into my professional and personal achievements and distill them into compelling short stories. From the resulting 20-page document, she pushed me even deeper to articulate my moonshots and blind spots. Working with Heidi was like holding up an AI-powered mirror to myself – her inquisitive, iterative process helped me gain clarity and a deeper sense of purpose. Even her smallest edits reflected her vast experience and were genuine game changers.
This year, I was accepted to 8 programs, including Harvard, UPenn, Duke, and CMU, with merit scholarships. I’m incredibly grateful I had the chance to work with her.
If anyone is considering applying to business school, they need to work with Michael Malone. I was a reapplicant and was lost on how to change my application and put my best foot foward. Even though I signed up for hourly services, Michael went above and beyond and provided a level of care that showed that he was truly in it to help me. He took me under his wing and revamped my essays and overall application, helped me address any concerns and gaps I felt I still had, and supported me outside of our hourly sessions. I was fortunately enough to get admitted to my #1 school and I don’t know if I could’ve done it without him.
When I began my MBA application journey targeting the M7 schools as a Southeast Asian candidate with a non-traditional background, I knew it was important to work with an admissions consultant who would truly understand my perspective and personal story. From my very first conversation with Rachel, I knew she was the right person for the journey. Among all the consultants I spoke with, she was the only one who genuinely believed I had what it takes to be admitted to HSW and gave me the confidence that I could reach that goal. I immediately felt both comfortable and assured working with her.
At the same time, Rachel challenged me in the best possible way. She was relentless in asking the difficult “why” questions. Those conversations pushed me to think more deeply about my motivations, reflect on the experiences that shaped me, and articulate the values and aspirations behind my goals. Through this process, Rachel helped me connect the dots across my life and transform them into authentic and compelling narratives for my applications. Without her guidance, I don’t think I would have been able to present the strongest and most genuine version of myself. She helped surface strengths, reflections, and insights that I likely would not have been able to identify or express on my own.
For anyone considering applying to M7, especially international folks from non-traditional backgrounds who may feel uncertain about how to position themselves, I would strongly recommend working with Rachel. Her ability to draw out your story, challenge your thinking, and help you present it with clarity and authenticity makes her an exceptional partner in the MBA application journey.
Working with Melissa was one of the most important decisions I made during my MBA journey, and I truly believe I would not be at INSEAD today without her guidance. I came into the process feeling quite uncertain. Coming from an event production background, I didn’t have the typical quantitative profile many applicants bring. On top of that, I struggled with the GMAT due to performance anxiety, which made the entire process feel even more daunting before it had even begun. Melissa was there every step of the way. She took the time to deeply understand my story, my motivations, and the experiences that shaped my career. Through that process, she helped me craft a narrative that was both authentic and compelling while highlighting strengths and perspectives I had initially underestimated or overlooked entirely. She challenged me to think more deeply about my experiences, pushed me to present the strongest version of my story, and gave me the confidence to believe that my unconventional background could actually be an asset rather than a liability. Her insight into the admissions process was invaluable throughout. I’m incredibly grateful for her guidance and would wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone navigating the MBA application journey.
From the start, it was clear that Jon didn’t just care about the consulting as a gig. He cared about my outcomes as a human. He gave me clear, actionable, and thoughtful advice, and my essays were materially improved as a result. He was generous with his time, and always made himself available, even on short notice. Jon really did pay attention to what I wanted, and who I was, and how I could translate that into my application.
Emma was an absolute god send for my MBA application process. She was organized, calm and extremely responsive for each step. Emma will support you in whatever decisions you are making, but also balances pushing back and nudging you in the right direction when you need that. She was always available to talk through things when I was freaking out and was also on top of keeping me on track throughout the process. Applying to multiple schools is extremely hard and I would not be able to do it without her and rest of Fortuna’s support. I got into my top m7 schools (Kellogg, Booth, Sloan) with large scholarships even though my test scores were not as high. I would highly recommend working with Emma, as the price of the service comes back multi-fold once you get into the school of your dreams.
After meeting with several admissions consultants, I clicked with Silpa and decided to book a 10 hour package with her on my R1 apps. From day 1, she was direct with me about the strengths and weaknesses in my untraditional background, as well as what application components I could complete on my own vs. collaborating with a consultant.
Well AI tools helped me get the ball rolling, having a former ad com member provide her unique perspective on the more sensitive parts of my application was truly invaluable. I ended up adding more hours throughout the process and appreciated Silpa’s commitment to not wasting any of our time together. No matter how much help you think you need crafting your application, I highly recommend working with Silpa before hitting submit.
Melissa was invaluable in my successful application to INSEAD. Leveraging her expert insider knowledge of the admissions process, she gave insightful, tailored advice on how to tell my story in the most clear and compelling way. Far from pushing me towards a boilerplate application, she helped me craft essays that were unique and connected my experiences to INSEAD’s distinct admissions criteria.
When it came to INSEAD interviews, Melissa – aided by Fortuna’s excellent preparation materials – was equally helpful.
Melissa also helped me complete, in little more than a week, my Kellogg application which was also successful.
I highly recommend her to prospective MBA candidates.
Silpa was wonderful! I worked with Silpa only for a few hours during my application process and even that limited time made a meaningful difference. She reviewed my resume, helped refine my overall story, and provided clear, actionable feedback on one set of essays that gave me strong direction moving forward. Our sessions were focused and efficient, and she was thoughtful about helping me get the most value from the time purchased. Her guidance helped me sharpen my narrative and confidently articulate my goals. I was ultimately accepted to MIT and Columbia, waitlisted at HBS, and interviewed in total at 4 of the 5 M7 schools I applied to. I’d highly recommend her to anyone looking for strategic and practical support.
I worked with Emma on my Columbia Business School and London Business School Global EMBA application, and she played an important role in how I approached the process.
She was a true partner throughout the process and helped me think more clearly about my story and long-term direction. Our conversations were less about polishing essays and more about stepping back to connect different parts of my career and experiences into a narrative that felt both authentic and intentional, especially given how much the process required bringing together diverse experiences into a clear and coherent story.
As a mid-career professional pursuing a globally oriented leadership path, I appreciated how structured and thoughtful she was while still respecting the realities of a demanding role and personal commitments. She maintained a high bar without ever making the work feel forced.
Even for the interview, she helped pressure-test how I communicated my motivations and leadership goals in a clear and grounded way.
I was fortunate to receive admission to the Columbia–London Business School Global EMBA, and I do believe Emma played a meaningful role in that outcome. Just as importantly, the process itself was deeply reflective and helped me articulate my long-term direction with much greater conviction.
I would strongly recommend Emma to experienced candidates, particularly those with international or non-traditional paths, who want someone to challenge their thinking while keeping their voice intact.
Considered and decided to apply for a dream MBA program with less than 3 months to my R2 deadline. Between balancing my business, GMAT preparations from scratch, and my essays, Melissa and the team from Fortuna have been amazing in helping me organize my thoughts, highlight my strengths, and put my mind at ease so I could present my best self. Melissa even went beyond the contracted time to ensure my essays were polished and even provided support for my interviews.
I worked with Melissa for interview preparation as part of my INSEAD application, and I am very grateful for her support during this important stage.
What stood out immediately was her sincerity and professionalism. Melissa was thoughtful, encouraging, and exceptionally easy to work with, creating a space where I felt both comfortable and well-supported.
While she affirmed that I was well prepared, her reassurance gave me a great deal of confidence going into the interviews. She was also highly responsive whenever I reached out with questions, offering clear perspectives on the key messages to convey while always encouraging authenticity.
I’m delighted to share that I was admitted to INSEAD, and I genuinely appreciate the role Melissa played in helping me approach the interviews with clarity and confidence.
Melissa is not only knowledgeable, but also genuinely invested in the people she works with. I would warmly recommend her to anyone seeking insightful and supportive interview guidance.
I chose Heidi based on strong recommendations on Poets&Quants and GMATClub, and working with her exceeded my expectations. Coming from a nontraditional background that does not fit a standard MBA archetype, I was unsure how to position my experience, career goals, and personal story without sounding unfocused. Heidi helped me build a coherent application strategy that framed my background as an asset rather than a liability.
I was only able to afford hourly services, but Heidi made extremely effective use of our time. What stood out most was her ability to listen and synthesize. She challenged vague thinking, sharpened my narrative, and acted as a true thought partner on career positioning, essays, and interview preparation, materially improving both my clarity and confidence.
I ultimately received interviews at Wharton and Tuck, and an offer of admission to Kellogg with an $80K scholarship. I would strongly recommend Heidi to anyone seeking an admissions consultant, especially candidates with nontraditional backgrounds or unconventional personal narratives.
Melissa helped me get into INSEAD through what was honestly a pretty intense R2 application process – essays, LOR briefs, GRE drama, the lot. What stands out most is how she balanced being genuinely supportive whilst being honest and direct. When I wanted to share half-finished thoughts she’d say “I’d prefer to receive when it’s complete.” That kind of honest feedback is rare and exactly what you need when you’re deep in the weeds.
We got on really well had a great working relationship which made the whole process feel less like a transaction and more like being with invested in you who genuinely cared about the outcome. I came in with no idea how any of this worked – what parts of my story to bring forward, how to structure recommendations, what actually matters to admissions committees. Melissa helped me figure out which experiences to highlight and how to position them. After my third GRE attempt left me questioning whether to even apply, her response was perfect: “There is a 0% chance you will get in if you don’t apply.”
I loved working with her and highly recommend!
I can’t say enough positive things about Michel and my experience working with her/Fortuna. When I approached Michel, I lacked so many things that were critical for a strong business school application – my why, stories for essays & interviews, etc. Not only was she instrumental in helping with my own self-identification as to why I wanted to go back to b-school and which one would be the best decision, but she also continuously kept me on track from a deadline perspective.
Michel constantly made herself available, instilled confidence in me when I needed it most, and cared enough to get to know me on a personal level so that we could craft the best application together. She made herself available every time a deadline approached, even if that meant working over the weekend to help review another turn of essays.
If you’re considering an applications consultant and/or company, Michel and Fortuna are definitely the right decision. As someone who had a negative experience paying for GMAT/GRE tutors and wondering if these types of services were worth it, I can confidently say Michel was the difference in me going 5/6 on acceptances with multiple merit scholarships. Above all else, she’s a joy to work with and made the entire application process fun and exciting – I’m so grateful to have had her on my team.
I worked with Sharon throughout my MBA application process and was admitted to three M7 programs (two with full rides!) and one additional T10 program. These results were incredibly exciting, and I certainly owe this success to working with Sharon. The investment paid off immensely, not just through the scholarships, but in helping me develop a clear vision and compelling essays that allowed me to stand out.
Sharon really pushed me to articulate a career vision that tied together my background and goals in a way I hadn’t been able to do on my own. Her essay feedback went way beyond basic edits, she has an eye for catching nuances and phrasing issues that made a real difference in how I come across to admissions committees. The mock interviews were also incredibly helpful and gave me the confidence I needed going into the real thing.
What I appreciated most was how personalized her approach felt. She took the time to understand my specific situation and helped me tell my story authentically rather than fitting me into a template. If you’re looking for an admissions consultant who will genuinely improve your applications and outcomes, I can’t recommend Sharon enough.
I worked with Sharon Joyce during a challenging re-application cycle after being denied the previous year, and she was an absolute game-changer. As an ex-military re-applicant, I was worried about my competitiveness, but Sharon provided a refreshingly candid assessment of my profile and applications—never sugarcoating, but always constructive and realistic. Sharon was genuinely nice, fun to work with, and brought deep industry knowledge that added real value. The proof is in the outcome: I got into and will be attending an M7 school this fall! If you’re reapplying, especially with a non-traditional background like military experience, I can’t recommend her enough. She knows what top programs look for and how to position unique stories effectively. Thank you for the guidance and belief—truly grateful!
I am thrilled to share that I have been accepted to Stanford GSB this year. When I started the process, I honestly didn’t think I needed a consultant. However, I soon realized I needed a partner who truly understood the nuances of the process. Before finding Maren, I spoke with over 15 consultants, but the experience was deeply discouraging. Most offered blurry, non-committal advice like “it depends,” or suggested I should lower my expectations and consider safety programs. Many insisted they would need significantly more detailed information before giving even a vague direction, leaving me more uncertain and anxious than before.
Everything changed during my first call with Maren. She was the only person who demystified the process, sharing exactly how admissions decisions are made, the key criteria for success, and providing strategic clarity for every section of the application.
What truly sets Maren apart is her ability to combine strategic precision with deep empathy. Because of her warm and welcoming nature, I felt comfortable sharing very personal stories that I had previously kept to myself. This allowed me to craft an application that was 100% authentic.
Navigating a career path in a complex industry and a niche environment, I was initially worried about how to deliver my story. Maren’s intelligence is remarkable. She grasped the complex nuances of my industry almost intuitively. She was incredibly directive, helping me identify the right “puzzle pieces” from my experience and guiding me on how to weave them into a cohesive, powerful narrative.
Our weekly calls were the highlight of my process. I always ended them with clear answers and a renewed sense of confidence. Beyond the technicalities of the application, Maren helped me understand myself on a deeper level. Even after receiving the interview invite, her support was unparalleled. She helped select my talking points and connected me with her peers at Fortuna to ensure I was perfectly prepared for the GSB interview.
I can’t thank Maren enough for her warmth, her unmatched expertise as a former admissions officer, and her genuine mentorship. I truly miss our collaboration. For anyone, there is no better coach to walk you through this journey than Maren.
Emma was enthusiastically recommended to me by a former client who was accepted to every school he applied to, and I’m happy to say my experience mirrored that success. I was accepted to both schools I applied to, INSEAD and LBS, with scholarships from each.
Emma brings a calm, warm presence paired with sharp insight into what each school is truly looking for. More importantly, her empathy and specific guidance made the entire process feel clear-visioned and genuinely value-add, especially as I balanced applications alongside a demanding full-time role in finance.
I spoke with a handful of admissions consultants, and almost all of them sounded like sales pitches. To be honest, I was very much “M7 or bust”, yet several tried to push me toward lower-tier programs as safety options.
My first conversation with Jonathan felt completely different. He spoke to me like a friend and showed a genuine interest in my stories, values, and long-term aspirations. I still remember that what was supposed to be a 30-minute call turned into an hour-long conversation, and we didn’t even talk about schools. By the end of that first meeting, I knew with certainty that Jonathan was the person I wanted to work with.
Working with Jonathan was a fun and tremendous experience. He was my No.1 supporter as we narrowed my focus to four top programs, with no safety schools, and an invaluable resource throughout the entire process. He consistently went above and beyond by tapping into his own network to help me craft the strongest possible application. From school visit planning and alumni outreach to resume building and mock interviews, I learned so much from him. Most importantly, I became more confident at every step of the journey.
In the end, I was admitted to one program, but it was my dream school. Looking back, it worked out exactly as it was meant to. The work I did with Jonathan across all applications brought out the best in me and prepared me perfectly for my top choice.
I was once skeptical about the value an admissions consultant could add. Now, I’m incredibly grateful that I met Jonathan, not just for my MBA journey, but for a lifelong mentor and friend. If you’re like me and want to give your best possible shot with expert guidance, do yourself a favor and give Jonathan a call.
Working with Heidi Hillis was one of the best decisions I made during the MBA application process. From the very first conversation, it was clear that she genuinely cared about me as a person, not just as an applicant.
Heidi is an exceptional listener. She took the time to deeply understand my background, my values, and where I wanted to go, and then helped me translate that into applications that felt honest and grounded. She challenged me when needed, pushed me to be clearer and more reflective, and consistently gave feedback that made my writing and thinking stronger. I never felt rushed, boxed into a template, or steered toward someone else’s version of success.
What truly sets Heidi apart is the trust she builds. Throughout the process, she was a steady and calming presence, part admissions consultant, part career coach, and part sounding board. She inspired real confidence in me, both in my applications and in myself, and helped me show up authentically in a high-stakes process.
I cannot recommend Heidi highly enough. The experience was absolutely worth it, and I am deeply grateful for her guidance and support.
I am an international ORM reapplicant who was unsuccessful in gaining admission in the R2 cycle of the previous year. I was introduced to Jonathan as I was looking to reapply in R1 the subsequent year and worked with him to apply to 5 M7 programs.
I was unsure what I wanted to do post-MBA (which I suspect came through in my previous unsuccessful applications). With Jonathan’s guidance, I gained a clear direction for a career path that I was truly excited about, and that was unique to my lived experiences. This lent itself to an authentic and compelling story for my applications. His experience also came through during interview prep, which enabled me to feel confident in telling my story during these interviews. Despite the significant time difference, Jonathan always made himself available and was highly responsive throughout the process.
Jonathan’s guidance was instrumental in my success in securing 2 M7 admits (including 1 with a scholarship). I highly recommend working with him if you are looking to not only secure admission to a top MBA program but also do so with a clear career vision.
Melissa provided exceptional support for my INSEAD application. Over multiple rounds of essay review, she helped me transform my narrative — refining my Job Essays, Motivation Essays, and Activities section with detailed, strategic feedback. Her guidance went beyond surface edits. She pushed me to make my essays more personal, challenged me on positioning decisions, and helped me articulate my non-traditional background (launching a PE advisory firm) in a compelling way. She even went over our allocated hours because she “couldn’t stop.” When interview invitations came, Melissa’s mock interview prep was thorough and confidence-building. Result: Admitted to INSEAD. Highly recommend for anyone targeting top European programs.
I knew from the start that I needed a consultant to help with my MBA applications. The problem was that, with the number of consultants available, finding the right one seemed challenging. My first interaction with Emma cemented my decision to choose her to help with my applications. It was by far the best decision I made! Emma gave me the confidence and guidance I needed to excel in my application.
As an applicant from one of the most overrepresented pools, my story had to stand out and convince the adcoms that I deserved a spot in their programs. Emma helped me do just that. Her experience and skills are noteworthy, and my results prove it. I was admitted to every single program I applied to and was even offered a scholarship. Finally, Emma is a wonderful human being who will make you feel calm and confident every step of the way.
I was looking for someone to help plug the gaps in my INSEAD application and ensure that my submission was as spotless as possible, and Melissa proved to be the ideal person. I contacted her months before the application start date, and we got to work early on. From the CV and recommender briefs to the many reflective essays, she was there to put my worries at ease, support and build on my ideas, and give me confidence and conviction in my own writing. She approached our work with great attention to detail, clear feedback, and honest assessments. Her expertise allowed me to showcase my strengths in the best light while also addressing my weaknesses effectively. Ultimately, I was admitted to INSEAD, in large part because of Melissa—someone I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to leave no stone unturned when applying to their target schools.
After speaking with seven consultants, I decided to work with Heidi based on an instant connection around how to structure my application, as well as strong recommendations from coworkers.
As a candidate with a traditional background, I was looking for a way to stand out from my peers. Heidi helped me articulate my story in ways I had not previously considered. She is incredibly responsive and a true thought partner, taking the time to deeply discuss how best to present my candidacy, rather than focusing on surface-level grammar edits, which I heard from peers was common with other consultants.
Heidi’s interview preparation was also outstanding. The mock interviews she conducted were nearly identical to my actual interviews, which made the real experience feel much easier and as I was adequately prepared.
As an aside, I had previously applied to HBS and was rejected, and I genuinely believe Heidi was the difference-maker this time.
Working with Maren was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application process. Her strategic guidance and honest, thoughtful feedback helped me bring clarity and authenticity to my story. Beyond her expertise, what stood out most was how available and supportive she was, always willing to hop on a call or check in when I needed it most. I felt truly guided and cared for throughout the process. I’m incredibly grateful for her support!
Heidi’s support was instrumental to the success of my business school applications. Two things worth highlighting:
1. Heidi was incredibly dedicated to my personal story. She helped me uncover unique, impactful experiences that I would have overlooked on my own, bringing a level of depth to my essays that made them truly stand out. 2. Despite having gaps in my profile such as low GPA and average GMAT, Heidi never discouraged me from aiming for top-tier schools. Instead, she worked tirelessly to pivot the focus toward my strengths. I am deeply grateful for her belief in my potential and her relentless work ethic.
I chose Heidi based on glowing recommendations from peers who had gone through the process, and it has made all the difference! All in all, working with her throughout my MBA admissions process was an incredibly positive and transformative experience. She consistently went above and beyond to guide me, challenge me, and help me present the best version of myself.
Above all, Heidi encouraged me to dream big and have faith in my capabilities. During moments of self-doubt or when I considered completely changing course, she reminded me why I was excited about my goals in the first place. Her ability to keep me grounded and focused was invaluable.
Heidi also spent significant time helping me clarify my career vision. She provided a structured approach to researching roles and industries, which required me to think deeply about my passions and how they translate into tangible career paths. Her guidance on reaching out to alumni and building connections was a particularly helpful sequence that strengthened my understanding of potential opportunities.
Coming from a traditional consulting background, I worried about standing out. Heidi was instrumental in brainstorming ways to make my story unique and authentic. She pushed me to think creatively and tailor my narrative so that it reflected my individuality rather than blending into a common profile.
Finally, Heidi provided a clear roadmap for the entire application process. We began by focusing on Stanford, which made sense given my goals, and used that as a foundation before moving on to other schools. This structured approach kept me organized and ensured that each application built on the strengths of the previous one.
To anyone on the fence about working with a consultant, I could not recommend Heidi enough – her depth of expertise having been in the industry for so long (and on both sides), creativity, and unwavering support made a daunting process feel manageable and even exciting! Heidi has made all the difference, and I will miss our conversations!
I was fortunate to be admitted to both GSB and HBS in Round 1 (applied September 2025), and Maren was absolutely integral to that outcome. At a very basic level, she ensured I actually applied, but more importantly, she helped me find my voice and refused to let me settle for a mediocre draft.
I work in PE now and was staffed on an intense deal starting in July, which completely blew up our original application timeline. Without Maren’s guidance across our weekly check-ins, her proactive deadline reminders, and her near-instant, thoughtful feedback on drafts, I genuinely don’t think I would have had the bandwidth to manage both work and applications, let alone submit strong Round 1 essays.
What makes Maren uniquely excellent, beyond her organization and responsiveness, is her insistence on excellence paired with deep, nuanced knowledge of the schools. I only applied to HBS and GSB, and she tailored my applications specifically to what each school values. Two weeks before the GSB deadline, my essay still wasn’t great, but I was ready to submit it anyway. Maren kindly but firmly pushed me to do better, reviewed every draft I sent (14+ in those final weeks), and provided creative, highly personalized feedback and brainstorming ideas. She took the time early on to truly understand my story and voice, and that investment paid off. Same thing happened with my HBS essays. Across both applications, the final essays felt authentically me and were actually something I was genuinely proud of — Maren was integral to pushing us to get there.
Beyond all of that, Maren is a pleasure to work with: calm, organized, kind, and reassuring even when my drafts were very much works in progress at the eleventh hour.
Her excitement was real and contagious throughout the process, from hitting submit to celebrating my GSB and HBS admits, she cared as much as I did.
I can’t recommend her highly enough.
Working with Emma was one of the best decisions I made during my application journey. With her guidance, I received admits from London Business School, INSEAD, and HEC Paris, and I genuinely could not have done this without her.
Emma is an outstanding essay reviewer and editor. She has a very sharp sense of what each school is truly looking for and knows how to help you bring that out in your story without it ever feeling forced or artificial. What really sets her apart, though, is how kind, empathetic, and encouraging she is throughout the entire process.
On a personal level, I am naturally quite shy and had almost no experience writing reflective essays. Fortuna’s process is extremely well structured, starting with a detailed questionnaire that helps you slow down, self-reflect, and ease into the storytelling mindset. That structure made the whole process feel manageable instead of overwhelming. Emma’s guidance was crucial at every stage, from early brainstorming to final edits, and she helped me grow more confident along the way.
When I was invited for alumni interviews, I was very anxious. The mock interviews with Emma and other members of the Fortuna team became my main source of confidence and helped me get into the right mindset. The actual interviews felt very similar to the mocks, which made me feel comfortable and prepared. What I valued most in my sessions with Emma was how she helped me structure my thoughts clearly while making sure my authenticity always came through.
She was always patient, thoughtful, and supportive, especially during moments of doubt or stress. If you are looking for the very best support for your application journey, this is absolutely worth the investment. I cannot recommend Emma enough.
As someone from a non-traditional background with very little familiarity with the MBA application process, Emma’s support was essential in getting me admitted to Harvard! Although we were only working together on HBS, I can say with 100% confidence that her help with shaping my narrative and overall application strategy also helped me secure offers with scholarship from Wharton and Tuck.
From my first call with Emma, she employed the perfect balance of positivity and realism; she approached my non-traditional background as a strength and really took the time to understand my role, industry, and aspirations. Emma was always willing to brainstorm and bat around ideas, and wasn’t afraid to tell me if a component of my app seemed off-base. Overall, she was also just a joy to work with. I would highly recommend Emma to anyone who wants a supportive, organized, positive partner to help them target top U.S. programs!
I worked with Sharon during Round 1 of the 2025–2026 application cycle, and she was an exceptional partner throughout the process. She is incredibly detail-oriented, responsive, and proactive, consistently pushed me across every aspect of the application—from essays and overall strategy to interview preparation—while making herself readily available via email, text, and calls. Her feedback was always timely, thoughtful, and actionable, and her proactive guidance played a key role in helping me navigate the process with confidence. Beyond her expertise, Sharon’s warm and cheerful personality made the experience both supportive and motivating. I was admitted to four M7s and two T10s including HSW. I’m deeply grateful for her guidance and would not have been admitted to my top-choice program without her help. I highly highly recommend her services!
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