Fortuna Admissions | MBA Admissions Consultants

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.

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!

Catherine is an incredible MBA coach, and I truly could not have asked for a better experience. She takes the time to patiently listen to her clients’ stories and genuinely get to know them. Catherine provided me with thoughtful, constructive feedback on my essays and helped me develop compelling narratives using anecdotes from my personal life that I hadn’t realized could be so impactful.

Having her review my documents, essays, and written communications was extremely reassuring. I always knew she would give everything a thorough review and offer insightful comments and edits when needed. She guided me through every step of the MBA application process and made what could have been an overwhelming experience feel manageable and well-organized. She was also consistently quick to respond to emails, which was especially valuable when working under tight deadlines.

Overall, I had a wonderful experience working with Catherine, and I would highly recommend her to anyone seeking MBA counseling. Thank you Catherine for all your help!

Michel was wildly kind, incredibly thoughtful and an incredibly competent, prepared consultant. She never made me feel like I had too much work on my plate and was so encouraging throughout the entire process. Similarly with every meeting she had a bug smile on her face and truly cared about me as a person. Similarly her experience working on Wharton admissions is invaluable.

Emma was the only reason someone like me, with a below-average GMAT score, received offers from Columbia, INSEAD, LBS, and IESE. A friend recommended Emma to me, as she had helped him gain admission to top business schools in Europe, so I had high expectations. However, Emma overwhelmingly exceeded them. From the first call, she was positive, supportive, and attentive. As someone with a below-average score applying to top schools in Europe and M7 schools in the US, I was very nervous about my chances. Emma consistently focused on highlighting the strengths of my profile.

Her attention to detail, quick responses, and calm demeanour made a huge difference to my experience. Her ability to take what I had written on the page and help craft a cohesive, powerful story is truly remarkable. Most valuable of all was her insight into how admissions committees think when reviewing applications—this was incredibly helpful when shaping my narrative and essays. She helped me realise there is far more to an application than a GMAT score.

As mentioned, because of my below-average GMAT, I was hesitant to even apply to Columbia and didn’t think I would get an interview. To have received a direct admit offer is entirely down to Emma—she is absolutely incredible. Admissions consultants can be expensive, but Emma is 100% worth it. She is extremely dedicated and makes every client feel genuinely valued. I always looked forward to our calls because she is such a kind, genuine person, and I fully intend to stay in touch long after my admissions journey.

In conclusion, like the hundreds of other glowing reviews of Emma, I want to echo that she really is a miracle worker—and, in my view, the best MBA consultant in the world.

I had a fantastic experience working with Michel Belden from Fortuna! She served as my dedicated advisor over the past 6 months and was instrumental in me getting admitted to 4 out of the 5 M7 schools that I applied to. I am strongly of the opinion that I would not have seen this level of success without her!

We worked together through the entire admissions process including: crafting my career vision/why MBA story, tailoring my resume to business schools, preparing my recommenders for their letters, writing my essays and short answer questions, and preparing for interviews. Michel was truly amazing in all aspects of the process! In particular I thought she was very helpful in crafting my MBA story and revising my essays. During our conversations, she was incredibly effective at asking me the right questions to uncover stories from my past that highlighted my best qualities and ensured my strengths really shined in my applications. She also has an uncanny ability make edits to an essay and bring it from 700 words down to 400 words without losing the overall meaning of the content.

Michel was a fantastic person to work with. She was supportive and available throughout the entire process. I could not be happier to have worked with her. I would recommend her to anyone who is trying to get into a top business school – I promise you that it is worth it!

I chose Heidi based on strong recommendations from people I know, and she exceeded my expectations from the very beginning. With an unpredictable work schedule, I needed to complete much of the preparation early, and she was incredibly flexible and responsive—diving straight into life story reflection, career positioning, resume work, and essays.

Coming from a traditional background, I was concerned about differentiation, but Heidi helped me identify and articulate unique aspects of my profile through extracurriculars, career goals, and storytelling. Her ability to synthesize ideas and uncover a clear narrative during brainstorming sessions was invaluable. Her feedback is candid, sharp, and highly effective, and the final essays reflected a level of clarity and polish I wouldn’t have achieved on my own.

Interview preparation was equally strong, with thoughtful, application-specific questions that closely aligned with what I encountered in real interviews. I was fortunate to have a very successful application cycle and highly recommend Heidi to anyone navigating the MBA application process.

Going into the MBA application process, I initially felt that I lacked a unique story and often worried about my chances of being admitted to a top program. Sharon helped me uncover and articulate a clear, compelling narrative tailored to each school. She was always available to answer questions, provided thoughtful feedback at every stage, and gave me the confidence to approach interviews fully prepared and self-assured.

While it’s impossible to know what the outcome would have been without her guidance, I genuinely believe it would not have been nearly as strong. I was accepted to every program I applied to, received multiple scholarship offers, and ultimately earned admission to my dream school. I cannot recommend Sharon highly enough.

I worked with Heidi for R1 applications and she was instrumental in helping me receive admissions admission to all 5 M7 MBA programs I applied to (HBS, Wharton, MIT Sloan, Kellogg and Booth) including over $400K in scholarships. Her services absolutely paid for themselves and more! I really struggle with writing and essays and she helped take my ideas, trim them down to shorter versions and provided valuable insights on my experiences from an outsiders perspective. Additionally, she accurately predicted many of the questions my HBS interviewers asked and correctly advised me to highlight the activities / experiences she thought were the most unique / interesting. During this process, Heidi was very responsive, supportive and a true thought partner for me in all aspects of the process over multiple months (including my upcoming decision!). I am very grateful for my time working with her on my applications!

Silpa is an incredible asset to have in your toolkit for navigating the b-school application process. She’s professional, friendly, incredibly efficient, responsive, and thinks deeply and critically about how to help you make your narrative shine through in your application.

I purchased an hourly package (10 hours) for ad hoc support wherever I felt I needed it in different parts of my applications. I especially appreciated how mindful Silpa was of my time and budget, in that she was very efficient with our meeting time and her review of materials, and she helped me prioritize how to use her support so I could get the most value from the package (I’ve heard of other admissions consultants that are much less considerate and quick to push clients to re-up and purchase additional hours, and I did not have that issue working with Fortuna). I also really appreciated that Silpa promptly answered the countless one-off questions I had that inevitably arise when completing the many fields in each application’s portal.

Also, while tools like AI and ChatGPT can certainly help you to an extent with organizing your thoughts, I think there is value in working with a trusted human advisor who can help ensure your authentic voice shines through and offer credible coaching based on their nuanced understanding of the MBA. My advice would be to not expect any admissions consultant to do the work for you, but rather plan to do 80-90% of the work yourself: research schools and your industry, articulate your narrative and goals, draft a few potential topics for each of your essay prompts. Then, if you’re able to make the investment, work with someone like Silpa to help bring you that final 10% – to pressure-test your written materials from an outside perspective, prep for interviews, and provide some emotional support and reassurance during what can be a demanding and high-stakes journey.

Thank you Silpa & the Fortuna team!

I am so glad that Fortuna introduced me to Maren when I first reached out for a consultation. After talking to various admissions consultants, I ultimately decided to go with Maren over one from an established competitor for a couple reasons:

1) GSB is my dream school. Maren’s experience working in the GSB admissions office and familiarity with the PE candidate pool is incredibly valuable
2) I wanted to be able to spend as much time as needed working with my consultant. I appreciated that Maren only has <10 clients a season vs. close to ~20 for the other consultant I was considering
3) Her authenticity stood out to me during our initial consultation. These calls can feel pretty salesy, but I could tell that Maren was genuinely interested in getting to know me and making sure that I find a consultant that's the best fit for me even if it's not her (hence, she introduced me to 2 of her colleagues)

We worked on my apps from mid June to end of August for R1. I worked hard, but Maren probably worked even harder! I appreciated how Maren was able to match my pace and how quickly and thoroughly Maren would go through my drafts. We probably had at least 2 turns of essays every week. I strongly believe that all the hours we spent refining my story was what allowed me to create a compelling narrative that's true to myself.

When I got the call from GSB, they asked me who I wanted to share the news with first. The first person that came into my mind was Maren. That's how much I appreciated Maren, and I just knew that she would be elated for me.

I worked with Emma for my applications to two top programs: one in the U.S. and one in Europe. I was accepted to both. I also received a scholarship, which I’m genuinely grateful for.

I come from a pretty untraditional background, and what I loved most about Emma is that she gets it right away. She’s there with the help, she’s extremely present throughout the process, and she tells you the things you need to hear. She doesn’t sugarcoat it. She is clear and direct which makes a huge difference.

The biggest value for me was how she helped me cut the unnecessary parts and give the schools the essence of who I am and what I’m trying to do. Every touchpoint I had with Emma was also efficient: every step in the workflow felt necessary, nothing wasted. I honestly don’t know how she does it, but she’s incredibly consistent and somehow still gets back to you in lightning time.

She’s an expert with both U.S. and European schools, and beyond that, she was just so easy to work with. I adored working with Emma. She’s sharp, supportive and truly invested. If you want someone who will be honest, strategic, and super efficient (and who will help you bring out the strongest version of your story), I can’t recommend her enough.

Working with Bill during my MBA application process was a wonderful experience. He takes the time to dive deeply into your application and understands what makes you a unique applicant. He is flexible, hard-working, kind, and a world-class expert on MBA admissions. He will elevate your application to new heights and help you gain admission to your dream school.

Starting the B-school application process had me quickly fraught with stress from having been told many stories: ‘You don’t have enough experience’, ‘you’re too late in the cycle’, ‘you come from a non-business background and you will have to do business courses and certifications to even be considered’, and the worst, ‘You need to re-attempt GMAT’.
After speaking to many consultants, I was put in touch with Emma by a friend whom she had gotten into HEC Paris and from the first call itself, I knew that Emma was the answer to my B-school admissions worries.
Coming from a legal background and with only 3 years of experience in my pocket, I was full of self-doubt and haphazard thoughts on what schools wanted and what I had to offer. Worst of all, I was not clear on what my short term goals post MBA were . In all of this anxiety, Emma was an exceptional source of confidence, knowledge, guidance and encouragement. She was honest about my weaknesses but also showed me the way to improve. She took time and effort to help me really frame why I wanted to do an MBA, connected me with the right people and gave my whole profile the narrative that it had needed and deserved. But what really touched my heart was how she made me realize that I had been undervaluing and underplaying my strengths and achievements. She stood by me even when family and friends failed to and by the end of the process I came to see her as my ‘Guru’ and not just a consultant.
She is the warmest soul you will come across and coupled with the depth of her knowledge and industry insights, she is your answer to navigating this life altering and strenuous journey called ‘I’m applying to B-Schools’.
It was solely through her counsel that I was able to convert all the four schools I applied to, including my dream school, INSEAD! (Being a round 4 extension Indian applicant!!)
Obviously, I’ve already warned Emma to keep her party fits ready, because since she summoned me to France like some MBA-school admissions fairy, she’s now contractually obligated to go partying with me. It’s in the terms & conditions, I checked 😀

Throughout a complicated and emotionally taxing application process, Sharon was there for me every step of the way. She is exceptionally knowledgable and gave me the confidence that every edit we made to my application materials was something that would move the needle positively in my favor. Maybe even more importantly, she was there to listen and calm my anxiety when things got stressful. Now, I’m attending a T15 school and find myself with opportunities I couldn’t have imagined 12 months ago. Hire Sharon, listen to everything she has to say, and you will achieve whatever your goals are when it comes to pursuing your MBA.

I worked with Jonathan for my 2+2 Deferred MBA admissions. He was extremely diligent and proactive with his mentorship and helped me craft an excellent narrative for my applications. We have stayed in touch even after the admission cycle, and I feel very fortunate that I got to know him.

Melissa has helped me with perfecting my essays and being more focused/targeted in my admissions. With her guidance I got an interview to 4/5 colleges I applied to and cleared the interview for all of these. She was extremely professional and provided targeted inputs to help me be a strong applicant

Karen was an absolute rockstar to work with throughout what is undoubtedly a challenging process. From the very beginning, her approach stood out from the other consultants I met with prior to going with her. While others focused on why I might not get in, Karen immediately emphasized my strengths and why I would. She listened carefully to my story, helped me brainstorm, and was always collaborative and responsive. What I found most helpful was talking through my thoughts live with her—she was great at helping me distill all my ideas into a clear, actionable narrative that I could then take away and build out on my own. That combination of positivity, structure, and support made the process much more manageable. Throughout the process, I could count on Karen to be a true thought partner who was always on my side, and in the end, the results speak for themselves, with admits to both HBS and Wharton.

I was connected to Alterrell through my primary consultant at Fortuna, as he came highly recommended for his HBS expertise. Although we haven’t met in person, Alterrell went above and beyond in reviewing my HBS essay drafts and providing invaluable feedback. His thoughtful comments pushed me to reflect more deeply, ultimately leading me to change my narrative. With my consultant’s guidance, I’m now very happy with how the essays turned out — they feel far more coherent and compelling. I’d highly recommend Alterrell to anyone looking to strengthen their MBA application essays.

Tatiana’s support throughout the admissions process was truly exceptional.

I genuinely don’t think I would have made it into one of the world’s top MBA programs without her guidance. What stood out most was the time and care she dedicated – not just to steer me in the right direction, but to help me uncover and tell my story in a way that felt authentic and impactful.

Even though we only worked for a limited amount of time, her sharp insights and continuous support helped produce a strong application that led to a great outcome.

Thank you so much for everything, Tatiana – couldn’t have done it without you!

I worked with Melissa during my MBA admissions journey, and her support made a meaningful difference. With her international background and strong understanding of my profile, she quickly recognised my strengths and helped me present them with clarity. She also offered thoughtful strategies to address areas for improvement, while encouraging me to apply to reach schools with confidence in my goals and story.

Melissa made herself available at key moments, including over the holiday season, and her timely feedback was especially valuable. When it came to interview preparation, her guidance was even more impactful. She helped me find the right balance between staying authentic and presenting myself with focus, allowing me to come across as confident and genuine without sounding rehearsed.

I’m grateful for her guidance and truly believe my outcomes at T10 and T15 programmes in the US would not have been possible without her support.

Jonathan and I connected after I was waitlisted at Tuck. His guidance played a key role in helping me handle the uncertainty of the waitlist process. He worked with me on crafting updates to the admissions committee that were thoughtful, well timed, and impactful. Jonathan offered more than just strategic advice. He became a mentor who understood my goals, challenged my thinking, and helped me stay focused. I am genuinely grateful for his support and would recommend him to anyone seeking clarity and confidence on their MBA admissions path.

Taniel helped me gain admission to 4 M7 deferred enrollment programs and to Yale as a Silver Scholar!
I would absolutely recommend working with Taniel. He was incredibly clear-eyed and decisive when it came to the entire application process and what was needed from me to succeed. He was particularly useful in sharpening my narrative and helping me convincingly articulate each “why MBA” question.
His methods helped me to reach further into my past than I would have ever thought to in order to identify powerful anecdotes that were relative to the complete telling of my story.
In addition, while I consider myself a strong writer already, Taniel’s command of the English language was invaluable in taking my essays to the next level with only minor edits.
As the cherry on top, Taniel was really easy and fun to work with. He was kind and clearly took steps to understand the nuances of my story. He was organized and highly responsive. Communication with Taniel throughout the process never felt difficult and he was always willing to help me when and where I felt I needed it most.
I am beyond happy with my outcomes with Taniel. Even without the acceptances I received, I would likely choose to work with Taniel again because I believe he gave my application its best possible chance.

From my very first interactions with Bill I was impressed by the professionalism and unique perspective he brought to the MBA admissions process. I already had a strong network of friends—many of whom had attended or were currently attending nearly all of the M7 schools I was applying to (including my older brother)—and I was initially on the fence whether I even needed additional support. However, after one conversation with Bill, it became clear that he would add significant value to my application.
Bill’s strategic guidance across every aspect of the application process was incredibly helpful, but the two areas where I feel he had the greatest impact were essay development and interview preparation. While I felt that my early essay drafts and mock interviews were solid, Bill’s thoughtful insights and targeted feedback helped elevate my materials substantially. His advice enabled me to refine my narrative and deliver a much more polished and compelling version of my story—one that I simply don’t believe I could have achieved on my own.
Even during the hectic Round 2 deadline period, Bill was impressively responsive and provided quick, thoughtful turnarounds on reviews, as well as being available to talk through questions and strategy whenever needed.
In the end, I applied to six schools (Wharton, Sloan, Kellogg, CBS, Booth, and Yale SOM), received interview invitations from all six, and was ultimately accepted to Booth, CBS, and Yale SOM. I found working with Bill to be incredibly valuable and even fun at times in an otherwise stressful application process. I would enthusiastically recommend him to anyone navigating the MBA admissions process—even those who already feel confident in their understanding. I feel his guidance truly made a difference in my outcome.

Working with Bill Kooser was a game-changer in my MBA application process. He helped me clarify my story, challenge my career goals, and lean into the unique strengths of my nontraditional background. Bill never focused solely on stats. He saw the full picture and helped me present my most authentic self. He was always there when I needed guidance or support. With his help, I was accepted into UCLA Anderson’s FEMBA program. I’m incredibly grateful and highly recommend him to anyone looking for a thoughtful, strategic partner.

Working with Catherine was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application journey. She brought incredible insight, warmth, and structure to every step of the process, helping me tell my story in a way that felt both authentic and compelling. Her support was thoughtful, strategic, and always encouraging—I genuinely looked forward to our calls. Thanks to her guidance, I was accepted to my top-choice program, and I couldn’t be more grateful. I can’t recommend her highly enough!

Working with Sharon as my MBA admissions consultant was a transformative experience that led to acceptances at my top-choice MBA programs. Sharon brings a rare combination of deep admissions expertise and a nuanced understanding of competitive applicant profiles, especially those from management consulting and other high-performing backgrounds. She knew exactly how to help me stand out in a highly competitive pool, offering strategic guidance at every step—from identifying compelling storylines to polishing essays and preparing for interviews. Her ability to help me clarify and articulate my authentic narrative made a significant impact, not only on my applications but also on how I think about my long-term career goals.

What truly sets Sharon apart is her incredibly warm, supportive, and personable approach. From our very first conversation, I felt like I had a trusted teammate by my side—someone who genuinely cared about my success and well-being. Sharon makes herself continuously available, whether by Zoom, phone, or text, and her responsiveness and encouragement created a sense of calm and confidence throughout the process. She consistently went above and beyond, not just offering professional insight, but also emotional support and motivation during what can be an intense and stressful experience.

Sharon’s strength lies not only in her knowledge of MBA programs, but in the meaningful relationships she builds with her clients. She takes the time to truly understand who you are and what drives you, and she uses that insight to help you present your most authentic self. What’s more, Sharon leverages her impressive network to connect you with past clients at top business schools, giving you the chance to have real, candid conversations with current students. These connections gave me a deeper understanding of each program’s culture and student experience—information that proved invaluable when making my final decisions.

In every way, Sharon exceeded my expectations. Her expertise, dedication, and personal investment in her clients make her an extraordinary advisor and partner. She helped me grow not only as an applicant, but also as a professional and person. I can say with complete confidence that working with Sharon was one of the best decisions I made in my MBA journey, and I recommend her to anyone navigating this process.

Working with Scott was one of the best decisions I made during my MBA application journey. From the very beginning, he brought honesty and clarity to the process, helping me reflect on my achievements in a way I hadn’t before. Scott has a remarkable ability to bring out your authentic voice, and through thought-provoking questions and careful listening, he helped me connect the dots between different parts of my story.

He was there every step of the way, from fine-tuning my resume to making sure I finalized my applications well ahead of the deadlines. His structured approach gave me the space to think deeply while staying on track, and his feedback was always insightful and grounded.

What I appreciated most was how easy he was to work with. Scott creates a safe, collaborative environment where your experiences are heard and elevated. I truly owe a lot to him, and I would absolutely recommend Scott to anyone aspiring to get into a top MBA program.

Sharon and I collaborated during Round 2 of the 2024 cycle, and from start to finish, she was incredibly responsive, detail-oriented, and deeply committed to my success. Sharon pushed me to refine my story, helping me craft a compelling and authentic narrative that reflected my experiences and aspirations. What impressed me most was her ability to tailor her guidance across a diverse set of schools — I applied to both European and U.S. programs, and Sharon brought nuanced insight to each application. Her feedback was always thoughtful, constructive, and grounded in what each school genuinely looks for. Thanks in large part to her support, I was thrilled to be admitted to Columbia Business School. I truly couldn’t recommend Sharon enough – she’s a dedicated, strategic, and empathetic coach who brings out the best in her clients.

I worked with Sharon Joyce at Fortuna Admissions on my MBA applications, and I could not have asked for a better partner in the process. Sharon brought a thoughtful, strategic lens to my story, helping me craft compelling essays that truly reflected my values, experiences, and goals. Her feedback was always clear, actionable, and grounded in what admissions committees look for – she challenged me to dig deeper while always being encouraging and supportive. Sharon’s positive, focused attitude kept me motivated, especially during the more stressful moments of the process. Beyond just editing, she helped me shape a cohesive narrative across applications that resonated with each program. Thanks to her guidance, I was able to present my best self on paper and in interviews. I’m incredibly grateful for her support and would highly recommend her to anyone navigating the MBA admissions journey.

I was in the middle of my application process when I met Jon through Fortuna to get much-needed help on a major part of my application. From the first call itself, he’s been an amazing mentor and a true friend.

I was particularly confused about how to approach my post-MBA career narrative during my R1 applications. Jon helped me break down the stories and make clear connections, helping me figure out which stories made the most sense based on my background, interests, and expertise in order to craft a compelling narrative. He also helped me explore various career options from a 30,000 ft viewpoint to help me visualize my future fit with various career and life trajectories.

He also prepared me for the admissions interview with his highly tailored advice based on his thorough understanding of my past experiences (which he made a conscious effort to learn about). He knew based on my background exactly the elements I needed to include in my interview responses, which helped tremendously in my interviews with Booth, Tuck, Darden, Ross, Anderson, and McCombs.

Jon has been a great friend even after my applications were submitted. He roots for you both with his heart and his actions. He put me in touch with several alumni across schools to help me better understand the schools and to provide me with a chance to learn from the people who are already successful in a career I am planning to pursue myself. One of those connections was so happy with our conversations that when Jon suggested he write me a recommendation he wrote a very thoughtful letter of support to his MBA school for my candidacy.

With Jon by my side, I was able to get into Darden, Anderson, and McCombs with scholarships, along with getting waitlisted at Booth, CBS, Yale, Johnson, and Ross (which I didn’t pursue). I’m excited to join Darden this fall and I have Jon to thank for it.

I’m very fortunate to have met Jon. Even during some personal problems I went through during the application cycle, Jon took out the time to reach out and share his own personal experiences which helped me get through a difficult time. Whether through our shared love for pets or as a mentor, I hope to stay connected to Jon for decades to come.

I began my MBA application journey with a significantly higher work experience, an average GMAT score, and plenty of self-doubt – convinced that I might be “too old” for a full-time MBA.

That’s when Emma came in and that changed everything – helping me shift the narrative from being too afraid to even apply, to securing an admission at one of Europe’s leading business schools. Emma believed in me long before I believed in myself!

Emma’s coaching style is phenomenal! She always made time to brainstorm essay ideas or simply help calm my nerves. Her turnaround on reviews was impressively fast – even when traveling – and she has an incredible talent for trimming essays down to fit word counts, without ever compromising their essence (which is saying something, given I often submitted drafts twice the length!) Most importantly, Emma is relentless – she never settled until both of us were genuinely happy with a draft. And through it all, she remained incredibly patient, especially when I kept circling back to revise the same pieces.

Emma is an amazing human being, who has held space for me during this entire process. From marathon 5-hour calls to finalize essays, to quick check-ins that lifted my spirits before interviews, to helping me juggle work pressure and travel alongside applications – Emma was truly an all-in-one support system, and I couldn’t have done it with anyone but Emma! She was the first person I called when I got shortlisted for interviews and without a doubt, the very first person I called when I got accepted!

Lastly, beyond just the application, working with Emma has truly boosted my confidence and belief in myself. I think we’d both agree that alongside crafting a strong application, I’ve also grown as a person – and that makes this victory even more meaningful. None of this would have been possible without Emma’s steady optimism and calming presence throughout the journey!

I didn’t know where to start when I began the interview process, so I contacted Catherine via Fortuna. I interviewed for seven schools and got admitted to three programs. Catherine does a great job of coaching you to complete the standard questions, but she also ensures you provide enough detailed information for each question. Her schedule was highly flexible, and I could schedule a coaching session a day or two before my first interview. Catherine allowed me to demonstrate my military experience through the interview process, and I would not have chosen another coach.

Bill was more than just a consultant—he was a steady presence through one of the most intense periods of my life. He took the time to truly understand my story, not just edit my writing. He helped me find meaning in past experiences and turn them into essays that felt like me, but stronger. Even when timelines were tight or I was overwhelmed, he was calm, responsive, and always encouraging. He never treated my application like just another project—he cared. And that made all the difference. I’m deeply grateful for his support and would recommend him without hesitation to anyone looking for a thoughtful, strategic, and genuinely kind advisor.

When I first started reaching out to MBA consultants, most gave me the same response — I was too old (I’m 30), had a below-average GPA, a very low GMAT, and as an Indian male, the odds of getting into an M7 were slim to none. But then came Heidi. Instead of pointing out weaknesses, Heidi instantly recognized the strengths in my stories and experiences. Her approach was different: personal, honest, and insightful. She wasn’t interested in selling herself but genuinely cared about helping me.

Working with her was truly transformative. She had me write out over 30 short stories from my life — career moments, personal decisions, even things I’d forgotten I cared about. Then, she went story by story, asking the most unexpected questions: “How did you feel in that moment? What was driving you? Why did that matter to you?” Her questions weren’t just about fitting a mold — they pushed me to uncover what genuinely shaped me. From that sea of stories, she had an uncanny ability to spot the ones that truly mattered. It felt less like building an application and more like building a mirror — I came away with clarity not just about my story, but about myself.

Whenever self-doubt crept in, Heidi was there, motivating and believing in me when I struggled to believe in myself. Ultimately, I made it into Wharton — something that seemed impossible at first.

Working with Alterrell on my MBA essays was truly a game-changer. His feedback was insightful, strategic, and deeply personalized to my background and goals. Together, we refined my narrative, showcased my strengths, and crafted essays that were both cohesive and compelling. Alterrell brought clarity to the process and elevated every draft — I can’t recommend him highly enough!

From the moment I stumbled upon Karla’s profile online — including glowing reviews on Poets & Quants — something just clicked. Maybe it was instinct, maybe fate, but I knew she was the person I needed in my corner. We started working together late in the game — late November / early December — but somehow, through her magic, hustle, and heart, we made it happen.

Karla isn’t just a “consultant.” She became my coach, my teammate, my friend. We even had a slogan: #TeamMarla. She dug deep with me — into my story, values, and vulnerabilities. She helped me believe in myself, constantly reminding me: “Whether you think you can, or you think you can’t – you’re right.”

From day one, Karla decided I was getting in — and then she backed it up with strategy, edits, mock interviews, and relentless support. Even the small tips — things I initially brushed off — turned out to be game changers. She put in the hours — weekdays, weekends, over messages, on calls — whatever it took.

The process became an eye-opening journey of introspection. But more importantly, it was fun. It was real. We laughed, shared stories, and talked about life — not just applications.

If you’re thinking about applying to business school and want someone who will be your fiercest advocate, your sharpest strategist, and your biggest cheerleader — Karla is it. She’s not just extraordinary. She’s the real deal. She’ll believe in you before you even do.

I’m endlessly grateful for her — not just for the outcome, but for the journey we shared.