Fortuna Admissions | MBA Admissions Consultants

Working with Melissa was an amazing experience. She assisted me in every part of the application process, helping me finding more about myself, making me feel more confident and changing the perspective I had about myself. Overall, it would be impossible for me to prepare on my own an application like the one I ended up submitting. The only resemblance between the original documents I wrote and the ones I submitted is the white background paper… She was tireless in getting the best of each sentence, trying to get the most of the story I was telling. Melissa kept pushing me to go deeper in every detail, which allowed me to write unique essays that truly reflected who I am. And it wasn’t just the writing. After preparing my interview with Melissa, the real interview with the admissions team felt like I was doing it for the second time. Melissa’s help was absolutely decisive for the success of my application to IESE!
Melissa was kind and patient, but at the same time she never allowed me to go out of focus, making it the perfect balance. At the end of this journey, Melissa is not ‘just’ the coach who helped me writing all the documents I needed. She is a person from whom I seek real advice and I whose opinion I completely trust. My application process has just ended and I already miss my meetings with her…

I would highly recommend Karla to support you on your MBA journey – not only does she have incredible insights but she is also amazingly supportive and motivating which helped me get through the process. She really cares about her clients and will do whatever she can to ensure your application is the best it can be.

Catherine was a pivotal resource in my applications to both Darden and Fuqua for their EMBA programs. She diligently worked with me on all aspects of my application, most importantly helped me to extract my core values and goals and translate that into my applications in a way that resonated. I would not have been able to do it without her and would highly recommend her to any applicant for any MBA program formats. Thank you Catherine!

Melissa was truly amazing and I would not have been offered places at INSEAD and Columbia without her. She knows both admissions processes inside out. She gave very clear steers on the type of qualities are both looking for and massively helped me get into the right frame of mind for each interview. When I first came to her I had an extremely low GMAT score – minus 500 – but she never gave up on me and actually introduced me to Stuart Park who helped me achieve my desired GRE (I switched) score. If you’re applying to do an MBA I could not recommend her highly enough!

Michael was an awesome coach to work with. During our first discussion, Michael quickly picked up on the story I was trying to tell: that of an engineer who could also effectively work with people. That sharp insight made me feel confident that Michael could help me shape that narrative in my essays. Michael provided critical frameworks for how to think about the origins of each school’s essays and what those origins meant about how the school chooses its applicants. During interview prep Michael was highly knowledgeable about the questions an interviewer was likely to ask and he provided feedback during our mock interview that made me feel ready. While I can only speak to the application process for CBS and NYU Stern, I’d highly recommend Michael to coach anyone applying to those two schools.

I was accepted into a T14 law school and was debating whether or not to apply to the joint degree program with the business school (a top-ranked school.) I contacted Karen three weeks before the deadline, debating whether or not it would be feasible for me to apply. I had somewhat of a nontraditional background and was unsure I’d get in, especially because the transfer program is highly competitive. However, within three weeks, Karen completely revamped my application. On an extremely tight schedule, we went through various rounds of edits. She made my resume business school-friendly, edited my essays to highlight the ways in which my skills could be applied to a business setting, and coached me on my interview. Karen was extremely detail-oriented, working through every single aspect of the application and helping me to craft a cohesive and compelling narrative that stayed true to myself while also signaling certain requirements to the admissions committee. I would not have gotten into the program without Karen’s help, and am so glad I reached out to her! I’m indebted!

Last year, I got into a law school with a strong business school program, and I knew that the endeavor would be 10x as valuable if I could win a spot in the small class of transfers into the JD-MBA program. I contacted Karen almost immediately after my acceptance, and we started right away working on a plan to get me into the JD-MBA program. The process included insightful brainstorming sessions, countless back-and-forth edits, resume construction, insightful interview prep, and invaluable moral support. Karen is not just a consultant, but a thought leader with vision who has her finger on the pulse of current B-School trends. The entire application was seamless, and I actually ended up learning a lot about myself in the process. Thanks to Karen, not only did I get into a top-3 B-School program, but I also developed a sharper sense of who I am and what my goals are. Thank you, Karen! Wishing you all the best!

Julie played a pivotal role in my successful admission to 5 M7 MBA programs and I wholeheartedly recommend her to anyone seeking not only a consultant but a mentor and a guiding force throughout the challenging MBA application journey!

What truly sets Julie apart is her unwavering commitment, profound insights and candid guidance. She led me from a muddled set of ideas to a clear, focused career vision. Julie masterfully helped me define my narrative, weaving the diverse threads of my life into compelling essays tailored for each program. Julie’s relentless support covered everything from crafting my applications, engaging recommenders, preparing for interviews, and even navigating waitlist strategies. Her honesty, encouragement, and expert insights were invaluable, while her optimistic and supportive personality made the process a true joy.

With Julie’s assistance, I gained admission to Booth, Kellogg (both with full-ride scholarships), Wharton, Columbia and LBS. Despite my strong candidacy, I firmly believe I wouldn’t have achieved this result without Julie’s guidance. If you have the opportunity to work with her, do not hesitate – it’s a decision that undoubtedly shaped my future.

I wholeheartedly recommend Julie for her mentorship and the Fortuna team for their outstanding support in my MBA application process. I am immensely grateful for their role in my journey to success!

Caroline’s intuition and advice is unmatched. She guided me through the application for INSEAD and taught me to own the process with the school. She is very pragmatic about expectations and helped clear all my doubts regarding what was okay and not when interacting with the school.

Nicola was such a fantastic resource to help with my application to get into INSEAD. She helped me put together a program for my application and studies, and through her guidance, I was able to present my best self to the admissions committee.

I am an applicant in the final round of the MBA application process. Among the various consultants available, I chose Melissa. I made this choice because she responds promptly and has a very organized approach to structuring my essay. She meticulously reviewed my life and work experiences and provided tailored advice for the schools I wanted to apply to. She also understood the potential weaknesses in my experiences and helped me address them in the optional essay, allowing the admissions team to better understand who I am through my application documents. The essay was completed in just about two weeks, which put my mind at ease for other application matters.

During the interview process, Melissa also shared some interview tips to help me prepare with confidence. I am genuinely thrilled to have successfully applied to my dream school in the final round, and I am very grateful for seeking Melissa’s assistance from the beginning.

Alterrell was critical in taking my MBA essays to the next level. While I knew why I wanted to go to business school, Alterrell helped me translate my experience and thoughts into a cohesive narrative. He not only edited he also pushed me to see my essays through the eyes of an admissions department, which ultimately helped me land at my dream school: Stanford GSB.

Alterrell will ask the right questions and provide the critical feedback to ensure your application reflects depth, drive, and the personal touch needed to stand out from other applicants.

I feel truly fortunate that I got to work with Emma on my application because she is an extraordinary admissions consultant and I can say without any doubt that I couldn’t have done it without her expertise! She has an outstanding work ethic and consistently went above and beyond what I expected of her, in terms of both time and effort. I’m so glad I trusted my instincts and chose her as my consultant because not only did I get accepted but I received a scholarship as well on the only program I applied to – LBS Sloan.

Emma is a true expert at this. She knows exactly what should and shouldn’t go into your application to make it stand out. She is sharp and crisp and knows how to cut the fluff. Not only did she help make my application so much more cohesive but she was there to support and guide me through my extended waiting period even after I had submitted my application. During moments when I felt discouraged, she helped ease my nerves. Just knowing that I had her on my side on my journey made me feel so reassured.

Her support was so much more than just transactional, she really wanted me to succeed and she put in extra effort to that end. I’d say you’re really lucky if you get to work with her on your applications.

Julie did an amazing job helping me perfect all my applications. I got accepted to my dream school, and I have Julie to thank for it. She guided me throughout the entire process. She helped show me the way forward, from brainstorming my initial thoughts to interview prep. She helped me refine my essays and focus each of my applications on what would work best at each school. Her deep knowledge of each program, and the depth of expertise at Fortuna as a whole, allowed me to expertly tailor each of my applications in ways I never could have by myself. I cannot recommend Julie and the whole Fortuna team enough.

I came to Julie without a clear understanding of the application process and a jumble of ideas and thoughts on what I wanted to say in my essays and do in my career. She helped organize my thoughts, which not only helped my application but also helped me look inwards and recognize what my goals / capabilities are in my career. She has a great personality (eternal optimist) and makes you feel accepted and supported throughout the process. I felt like she was in the trenches with me as I was going through my application.
It was a great working with her. Her contributions added a lot of value, and I think the value of the service was well-worth the cost. I was admitted into Booth and Wharton EMBA programs.

If you’re aiming for a top MBA program like HBS, Malvina is the coach you’ve been searching for. Her structured, project-based approach turned the daunting application process into a seamless journey.

Storytelling : Malvina doesn’t just scratch the surface; she mines your experiences to craft compelling narratives that capture your uniqueness.

Project-Based Approach: We ran the whole process like a smooth project. Scheduled touchpoints, offline reviews, and flexibility made the endeavor fit effortlessly into my busy lifestyle and time difference.

Collaborative: Your voice amplified by Malvina’s guidance creates a compelling application. She adds the polish without losing the essence.

Interview & Post-Reflection: Malvina’s coaching in these areas was a game-changer. Her tips and rehearsals made me confident and articulate, turning the interview and post-reflection into strong pillars of my successful application.

Positivity and Support: The MBA application journey is an emotional one, but Malvina’s consistent positivity and encouragement kept me focused and optimistic.

In summary, Malvina is more than just an MBA coach; she’s your strategic partner in this important life milestone. A heartfelt thank you for her invaluable role in my HBS admission!

Scott embodies all of the characteristics one should look for in an admissions consultant; knowledgeable, direct, and a great listener. During my admissions cycle he guided me on every aspect of the application process from helping me guide my recommenders, to tailored application essays based on the core values of each program, and how to approach programs that have accepted me when I had competing scholarship offers.

I was able to put my best overall application together with his guidance and when the results came in I was accepted to 3 of the 4 schools that I applied to. His support did not stop there, he assisted me in the decision making process while being able to compare the ranking of schools along with the scholarship amount awarded.

Pressed with time and applying with a slightly below average GMAT score, I knew that I had to get as much help as I could to make it into my dream schools.

As I started my search for a consultant, I was offered to meet with a few consultants to find a right fit and as soon as I met with Melissa, I knew instantly that she was the perfect fit for me. In our first conversation, she was very easy to speak with and dedicated her valuable time to listen to everything I had so say. Never rushed me to close a call and was always attentive when I was sharing about my personal background and my goals. She was very kind and it felt very natural to open up about myself, which was very important in my application process because all of these things ended being part of my application.

As we started my applications, she was extremely hands on, always giving me valuable feedback on where I could make some edits or providing me with ideas on what are my strengths based on all of the previous conversations we had (this is where having someone I felt I could open up to was extremely important). Our brainstorming sessions were extremely encouraging and she rightly pointed out what I should highlight in my applications, giving the confidence that I needed.

After a long process, I was finally admitted to UCLA Anderson, USC Marshall (with scholarship), and London Business School, where I will be attending!

I believe that I would not have made it to my dream schools without Melissa’s help. I’d definitely recommend her to anyone who is looking for a consultant to achieve their MBA dreams.

After a long and intensive research process on MBA admissions consulting spiraled into a multi-month state of analysis paralysis, I found Scott. Little did I know at the time, I had found a partner in the MBA application process who would help shape both my applications and my actual MBA experience.

To get the basics out of the way, Scott nails the day-to-day interaction necessary for a successful application process. He answers emails promptly, his infectious smile is audible on the phone, and his knowledge of the admissions process is top-notch.

My work experience put me squarely into the category of “generic straight white private equity bro,” or so I thought. Scott gave me the confidence to emphasize those parts of my application that were unique. While I am, in fact, basic, Scott helped me see that it isn’t particularly generic to have ridden over 500 SoulCycle classes— resulting in an essay that (in various forms) was a lynchpin of my profile at every school I applied to. Scott allowed my voice to come through in applications, which ultimately allowed me to matriculate at the program best suited to my (many) quirks.

I was admitted to Booth, Kellogg, and Wharton, and I matriculated at Wharton with a partial fellowship. Going three-for-three on my target schools was obviously an amazing outcome, but what really stuck with me was Scott’s enthusiasm and incredibly positive attitude. His demeanor and his advice through the application process gave me the confidence to push myself out of my comfort zone repeatedly throughout my MBA.

Choosing a consultant is a seemingly low-leverage decision—surely writing advice and knowledge of the admissions process must be commoditized. For the folks at Wharton who had 4.0s from Stanford, I’m sure that was true. Finding a consultant who can help you see the positives in yourself, and who can give you the confidence to express them in an interview setting, is an incredibly high-leverage decision. I’m just fortunate to have found exactly that with Scott.

I realized I wanted to get an MBA around March 2023 – very close to the end of the admission cycle. In finding Karen, she was one of the few people I talked to who believed in me rather than encouraging me to wait until next year. She was willing to help me this late and she committed so much time helping me brainstorm essays, guiding me through all the steps, and of course being very punctual and timely with her edits. Going in, I felt overwhelmed with how I’d craft a great story given I had just been laid off but Karen eased those concerns in a way that added to my career arc. Karen is awesome at extracting every single detail in your story in a thoughtful way and then shaping them into a narrative that works.

Although it didn’t work out with the two schools I originally applied to in R3, she quickly helped me devise a strategy to take advantage of the next round’s J-term cycle. With a little tweaking in my application and intensive interview prep that Karen provided, I was able to earn admission into a top MBA program.

I would 100% recommend Karen to any applicant who wants to go to his/her dream school. She is invested in your success from Day 1, understands every aspect of the process and can provide valuable tips/tricks, and most importantly guides you into becoming the best version of yourself.

I had a great experience with Taniel, who helped me get admitted to my #1 target school!

Taniel provided highly valuable support throughout the entire MBA application process.

In the beginning, he invested his time upfront to make sure he understood my background and personal history. This enabled him to help me unpack my story, and craft the narrative around my MBA essay.

As part of the process, he provided strategic advice around recommender selection, and the key ‘selling points’ he thought I needed to highlight as part of my application.

He was also incredibly helpful in terms of helping me prepare for my interview. I walked away from our mock interview session with much more clarity on what and how I should try to communicate in response to potential interview questions.

Overall Taniel’s help went a long way in making me feel supported throughout the application process. I’d highly recommend his services.

Scott’s guidance was critical to my MBA application process. More than anything, Scott was able to push me to put my best and most complete self on display for my candidacy. His approach to resume enhancement creates active, impactful takeaways for AdCom reviewers to evaluate. His essay review and dissection is top notch, owing to his formal writing training and prior work in admissions. Scott always made himself available to me for scheduling and it was clear that he prioritized our sessions through his turnaround times and preparedness. I believe that my work with Scott made the difference in receiving scholarship offers, and I would recommend working with him to achieve similar outcomes.

I worked with Matt on my Round 3 application to the Stanford GSB, MIT Sloan and the Wharton School. I was a non-traditional applicant with a government background, applying a bit later in my career than the average – and had previously received some less than enthusiastic advice from consultants encouraging me to consider safety schools or delay applying. This made sense on the face of it: the odds are very low for those schools as a R3 applicant, and they didn’t want to set me (or themselves) up for failure. But Matt took a totally different tack: I felt he took a real interest in me as a person, understood my goals and rationale, and went beyond the stats to see the strength in my application. He totally understood the reasoning behind going for it in R3, put himself on the line to tell me what he honestly thought, and provided me the vital encouragement to keep going. Close to the deadline, he was available over the weekend to iterate my essays and review the final elements of my application. I felt that his advice was always helpful – and crucially, helped to bring out my authentic voice, not just what adcoms want to hear. Matt’s advice and encouragement were crucial to getting me over the line and securing offers from all 3 schools. Thank you Matt – you’re a good man and a pleasure to work with!

Prior to attending business school, I had the privilege of working with Scott Brownlee and I cannot express enough how instrumental he was in transforming what could have been a disastrous MBA application journey into an empowering and uplifting success. From our first interaction, Scott’s dedication, expertise, and genuine support were evident, making him an invaluable consultant throughout the entire process.

Crafting and articulating a compelling narrative is crucial for MBA applications, and Scott helped me excel in this area. He helped me thoroughly explain my why MBA, why now and why whichever school to which I was applying. With his attention to detail and astute guidance, he helped me delve deep into my personal and professional experiences, allowing me to uncover the essence of my journey and articulate it with authenticity.

Scott’s belief in my potential played a crucial role in my MBA application process! Despite my GRE scores falling below the average for my target schools, Scott instilled in me the confidence and assurance that success was within reach. He meticulously analyzed my app profile, identified my strengths, and helped me highlight them throughout my application.

With all of that said, definitely book with Scott!

Sharon was a true partner in my MBA journey. She gave her 100% and was committed throughout with me. Given her experience, I wasn’t surprised at all about how organized she was – she made the entire process less intimidating and made me feel like I’m doing my best. She’s great at getting back to me via text or email and she only wishes the best for you. I’d highly recommend Sharon for your MBA journey. She helped me get into Duke with scholarship which was my Top 3 preference.

Sharon provided the professional perspective that allowed me to choose which details would shine in the application and how to position myself best in the admissions process. While I had some ideas on what admissions looked for, Sharon’s deep understanding of the process guided my thought organizing process to align particular strengths to particular schools/essays for optimal cultural fit.
I received help from Sharon in Round 1 and 2. I thought I could excel beyond results of Round 1, so requested additional help in Round 2. Sharon was very willing, energetic, and thoughtful in assisting me in reframing my profile to stand out to different schools. The biggest help on the essay was her attention to detail which saved me from awkward and unclear phrasing – my biggest weakness in writing process.
I got accepted to Yale SOM and Northwestern Kellogg, both with scholarships.

I explored a bunch of admissions consultants (inc one bad experience with another) before ending up with Fortuna and a phenomenal team of Rebecca Fogg and Rachel Erickson Hee. With their help I was admitted into HBS, GSB and Berkeley Haas and ended up choosing HBS.

What made the difference was the belief they had in me and my story – they set my sights much higher than I initially had.

I mean it when I say Rebecca and Rachel were totally instrumental to me getting places at both schools. I nearly didn’t apply to either – non trad background and solid but not great GRE. It was Rebecca that gave me the confidence to do so. We spent a tonne of time getting my story sorted out – it’s a painful process – but when we got there she was incredibly adept at pulling out the right elements and aligning these with the characteristics of the school. There’s no way I would’ve been able to write the essays I did without her guidance. She was always dependable and responsive. I had a load of calls, (some panicked) email correspondence, mock interviews etc. and she was excellent with providing constructive feedback (that ultimately made the difference in my HBS interview).

I wavered over the decision to work with a consultant given the cost. But can honestly say that without Rebecca, Rachel and Fortuna I would not have been admitted into HBS. I couldn’t recommend them enough!

I explored a bunch of admissions consultants (inc one bad experience with another) before ending up with Fortuna and a phenomenal team of Rebecca Fogg and Rachel Erickson Hee. With their help I was admitted into HBS, GSB and Berkeley Haas and ended up choosing HBS.

What made the difference was the belief they had in me and my story – they set my sights much higher than I initially had.

I mean it when I say Rebecca and Rachel were totally instrumental to me getting places at both schools. I nearly didn’t apply to either – non trad background and solid but not great GRE. It was Rebecca that gave me the confidence to do so. We spent a tonne of time getting my story sorted out – it’s a painful process – but when we got there she was incredibly adept at pulling out the right elements and aligning these with the characteristics of the school. There’s no way I would’ve been able to write the essays I did without her guidance. She was always dependable and responsive. I had a load of calls, (some panicked) email correspondence, mock interviews etc. and she was excellent with providing constructive feedback (that ultimately made the difference in my HBS interview).

I wavered over the decision to work with a consultant given the cost. But can honestly say that without Rebecca, Rachel and Fortuna I would not have been admitted into HBS. I couldn’t recommend them enough!

I was so lucky to be able to work with Melissa Joelson. I had a difficult timeline for my applications and she worked with me to make sure we could achieve what I needed to in a short window. When reviewing my essays, Melissa was amazing at asking the right questions and prompting me in different ways to think about how to further flesh out my thoughts or to get to the heart of what I was trying to communicate. She never tried to change my voice or vision, but rather to help me present it in a more effective way. She showed so much kindness, compassion, and support along the way. I really felt like she was invested in my success and not just in the application process. Thank you, Melissa!

Heidi helped me a lot through the MBA application process. She started with picking the schools, then helped me explore my motivation and storyline for my application profile. She has a deep understanding of the multiple schools of my target. She was always very quick with responses and her feedbacks were so on point. I truly appreciate her and would love to introduce her to anyone who wants to apply for MBA programs.

I was fortunate to work with Emma on submitting a strong R3 application for LBS. Given my older age, I was determined to apply in R3 and did not want to wait for another year. Although I was late in my application prep, Emma was very supportive and encouraging throughout the entire process. Emma has a real insider’s view of LBS and knows exactly what the school is looking for in applicants, which was extremely helpful in submitting a strong application in R3. Emma was always quick to provide feedback and insights in relation to all aspects and stages of my application. I was admitted in R3 to LBS as an international student and I can’t recommend Emma enough! Thanks, Emma!

I am thrilled to express my deepest gratitude for Taniel who played a pivotal role in my admission to Wharton.

From our very first interaction, it was evident that my consultant possessed a remarkable understanding of the intricacies of the MBA admissions process. He took out time to understand me, my strengths and what I bring to the table and instilled in me a newfound confidence throughout the entire process.

What truly sets Taniel apart was his unwavering commitment to my success. I reached out to him very late for the application – but he was always available and very prompt in going through numerous drafts of my application during the Christmas holidays. He had a meticulous eye for detail and he truly helped me bring out my voice in the best possible way

He also helped me through the interview process for Wharton and his feedback on the mock TBDs was extremely useful on the final day and helped me put in my best effort forward.

Thank you Taniel for all your help! Eternally grateful – really couldn’t have done it without you!

Emma has been monumental in the success of my applications – admits from Kellogg, Tuck (40K scholarship), Fuqua (80K scholarship) and LBS. Due to being late in the application process, high cost of admissions consulting and a general lack of direction, I was quite overwhelmed till even a few weeks before the application deadlines. Emma proved to be a knight in shining armor who brought that much needed direction with her expertise in the process which is otherwise a black box. She was so diligent and methodical in reviewing the essays and storyline. Even with the time crunch and last minute notices, she was able to take something raw and help make it into a strong story. From essays to job description to video essays, the perfectionist in her sharpened every aspect of the application to make it holistically attractive to the Admission committee.

But her expertise aside, what set her apart from most consultants was her investment in me beyond a transactional relationship. Her genuine concern and warmth was so crucial in getting through a process which is otherwise very daunting.

I would say I couldn’t have found a better consultant to go on this journey with because she cuts across the transactional relationship between a client and consultant, while bringing such depth of knowledge and understanding of the process that one can’t help but feel safe and reassured.

I worked with Silpa to apply last-minute to part-time MBA programs. I only selected programs that were ranked within the top 5 and had less than one month to complete my application from start to finish for each school. Silpa was absolutely wonderful in taking me through the process. She challenged me to think about my goals, my experiences, and my strengths, and took the lead on putting together a strong application that granted me acceptances to both of my top choices. She was very responsive and very quick / diligent in her reviews. Every material that passed through Silpa’s hands was made better. I felt that she really understood my experiences and my goals and was able to support me in putting together an application that aligned with my vision and with who I am as a working professional. Most importantly, Silpa has been both realistic and supportive through this entire process. She has always given me candid, real advice that has given me clarity when I am struggling to make a decision. She also had the utmost faith that I would get into my programs, which gave me the confidence to present myself in the best possible light. I have always struggled to “sell myself” and with Silpa’s help, I felt that I was able to show these schools that I am a strong candidate. If you’re unsure about whether to get an MBA coach, I would strongly recommend that you do it because it’s an investment that you won’t regret!

I worked with Heidi on my MBA applications, and she helped me get into my top choice school. I’m so grateful for her advice and guidance. She has a very deep understanding of the process and how to create the strongest possible application, and this helped take much of the anxiety out of the process for me. I was able to approach my application and my story with much more confidence because Heidi took the time to understand me/my interests and help me solidify the themes I wanted to highlight. Heidi provided thoughtful guidance every step of the way (and helped me identify where my application could stand out). She was was able to be constructive and provide feedback while always being supportive and helping me believe in myself. I highly recommend working with Heidi!

When I began the MBA application process, I spoke with 8 different advisors. Ultimately, I felt Silpa was the best choice for my consultant & I am happy I chose her. She has the full package – an impressive background, is articulate and goal-oriented, and has a calming, encouraging personality. I’m fortunate to have worked with her for almost a year between Round 1 & 2.

She took an overwhelming process with many parts (career vision, LOR, essays, etc.) and made it easy for me to go step-by-step until I finished 3 applications. She kept me on schedule and provided meaningful advice on how to showcase myself in the best possible light. Because of her help, I’ll be starting at Wharton this summer! I would definitely recommend her as a consultant.

To state upfront: Rachel is an incredible coach and I highly recommend working with her, to any aspiring MBA applicant. Before getting an admissions consultant, I was overwhelmed by the whole application process and found myself procrastinating and thinking in a very linear fashion. Ever since our first meeting, Rachel helped paint a picture of what the end-to-end process would look like, and we put forward a plan that I could hold myself to account. That said, she was flexible if some things items were slightly delayed, especially if communicated in advance. She invested the time upfront to get to know me and my motivations which really helped when we brainstormed stories for the essays. Some specific characteristics that made my experience with Rachel exceptional:

Practicality – she is very straightforward and clear in communication. It helped to know upfront what the strengths and weaknesses were in my application and obtain suggestions from her on how to best highlight my strengths (in my main essays), and alleviate my weaknesses (leveraging additional/ optional essays that the school provided)

Responsiveness – she was very responsive and always willing to help. Especially in the (rather stressful) lead up to application submission deadlines. I always felt that I had someone on my team

Thoroughness – she is extremely thorough but does so in an efficient way. Rachel is very good at calling out when elements/ ideas are out of place and asked provoking questions which helped me to reframe the next attempt. She also helped a great deal when it came to interview prep

Going the extra mile – there are countless somewhat “little” things which made my experience with Rachel all the more memorable. For instance, calling me after my GRE (2nd attempt) to see how it went, helping me navigate the challenging waitlist process, and in general displaying an incredible amount of genuineness and empathy during the ups and downs of the process

I had a lovely experience with Rachel, and fully recommend working with her. She has most definitely played a large part in me achieving my goal of doing an MBA at one of my top choice schools!

I would HIGHLY recommend Heidi! She is truly experienced and super easy to talk to and work with. I first met Heidi 2 years ago when I first considered applying to MBAs but later decided not to. Heidi was very understanding and said we can pick up whenever I’m ready to apply again. I started to work with Heidi again this year and she helped me get into LBS! What I appreciated most in working with her was that beyond the applications themselves, her worksheets and processes helped me reflect on my skills and what I want to do. Throughout the process, Heidi was extremely responsive – always there to answer my questions and help me improve my writings. She really hears what I’m saying and helps me frame my stories in the best way. I truly enjoyed working with her and I would highly recommend her to any MBA applicants.

With a GMAT score below my target schools’ averages, I knew that taking the extra step to work with an MBA consultant was crucial to put my best foot forward. Karen was willing to take on my somewhat risky approach to business school applications: applying to only two M7 schools, with no safety school, all in R2. Karen worked with me meticulously on all aspects of my applications, and instilled confidence in my candidacy. Her resume critiques and essay advice led to two compelling applications. I truly believe that her essay topic choices and edits were the deciding factors for the schools I applied to, and without her consultation I would’ve had a lesser likelihood to be accepted to both Kellogg and Booth.

Karen was always available to chat and sent timely responses for any offline questions. I would recommend her to anyone seeking the advice of an MBA consultant because I genuinely think she is the best at what she does.

Stats / Outcomes: 710 GMAT (lower quant score, higher verbal), 154 EA, Overrepresented Background. Accepted to Yale, NYU, and Georgetown (with some $). Interviewed at CBS and Duke, and currently waitlisted at Duke.

Melissa was an excellent consultant. She was very patient and a good listener as we refined my story together. She also offered great insight into what schools look for. Together we were able to delve into my backstory and goals and connect the dots into a thoughtful narrative.

As far as consultants go, I think Melissa is an amazing one! That said, I do want to temper expectations on how far a consultant can bring you. They are great at being a thought partner to sound ideas out and offer very valuable insight into what programs are looking for (Melissa did a great job at this and it really helped me shape my story to emphasize the right parts). However, you still have to put in the leg work to shape your story and sometimes be proactive in following up with them on key questions. It’s a wonderful accelerator, but a big part of it is still dependent on how much you put in. (For example, I found it very helpful refining my story further by talking to friends rather than just with a consultant).

Melissa is kind, patient, insightful, and great at connecting you with other folks on her team when she thinks you would benefit from another perspective. She helped me connect with Matt to finalize my list of schools (a Fortuna pro who regularly interacts with all top 25 schools and gave incredibly helpful insight), and a couple admissions consultants who came from some of my target schools so that I could better understand the culture. She also convinced me to take a new test to make up for my lower GMAT quant score (something I truly never thought I would do because I hated tests so much, but that I am incredibly glad I did).

I wrote 5 total applications (Yale, CBS, Duke, NYU, Georgetown). I got Melissa’s help via the “all in” package on Columbia and NYU, and a couple hours of advice on my remaining 3 schools. Overall, I was accepted to Yale, accepted to NYU from the waitlist, and also accepted to Georgetown with some generous financial aid.

One piece of advice that I would give potential applicants is that an admissions consultant is a great help – but remember to keep pushing your own path forward in tandem. Keep going to admissions events (even after applying), connecting with alumni and students to understand culture, and be proactive in your own journey. I also supplemented some of Melissa and team’s advice by talking to very close friends about my story – they were able to share stories about my life / frames of reference that I never would have thought of as being relevant before.

I am very happy with my experience and would highly recommend Melissa, but I wanted to call out the disclaimers above because when I was first reading reviews like these, I remember getting somewhat of a wrong impression. As such, I wanted to share my lessons learned. Best of luck in the process – you got this!

Rachel was always focused on what was best for me. In our first couple of meetings, we began by exploring why I wanted to go to graduate school before even getting to the where or how. With her guidance, I ultimately decided that applying to less schools was a better fit for my circumstances despite the obvious incentives to apply to more. Her integrity made it easy to trust her, a trust that made the rest of the application process so much more comfortable because of its inherently personal nature. Rachel is also why I found my authentic voice during the application writing process itself. She was uncanny at helping me identify, highlight, and expand on the pieces of my journey and ambitions that are core to who I am. In our brainstorming sessions she listened intently and asked incisive questions that helped me uncover insights about myself that I had never considered. In the writing phase, she had an instinctive feel for which pieces of my writing were sincere and which were banal, and never hesitated to push me to promote the former and cull the latter to the tune of almost 40 drafts of one of my applications. From the macro broad themes of an essay to single word choices in a resume, she was a patient partner, never letting me compromise on sharing the most sincere version of myself. Even if I had not gotten into school, I was proud of the journey because I knew that we had left it all on the table. Fortunately, in large part because of her steadfast support, I was accepted into the Harvard Kennedy School’s and Harvard Business School’s joint MPP/MBA program.

During my journey before applying to the two top business schools I wanted to attend, I worked with 3 other consultants and firms until I found Emma with Fortuna and I can say she is the best by wolrds apart. I now feel I was cheated before, because of the amazing effort, advice and work she put into my applications. I can surely say that it is because of her that I got accepted into both programmes and will be at a top 5 MBA next year. Do not search for another consultant, Emma is the one you need.

During my MBA application process, I worked Heidi on my Stanford GSB essays as well as interview prep. I can unequivocally say it was a pleasure working with Heidi as she surpassed all my expectations with her knowledge and expertise. I was ultimately admitted to Stanford GSB!

For my essay, I had already iterated through many drafts and thought I was mostly done, but after speaking with Heidi, I realized I had a meaningful opportunity to bring in more authenticity into my storytelling I hadn’t thought of before. Given her intimate familiarity with Stanford GSB, she helped me reflect and bring out those missing pieces that I think ultimately tipped the admission scales in my favor.

For my interview prep, Heidi was incredibly thoughtful and prepared, asked probing questions and provided thorough feedback and advice. She went above and beyond to learn about me in order to be as effective in our meetings as possible.

If you’re applying to Stanford GSB, I 100% recommend you work with Heidi!!! There is no better expect on the school than her.

During my MBA application process, I had the absolute pleasure to work with Jenifer who truly surpassed all my expectations as a coach and mentor. Through her guidance, expertise, and unwavering support, I was admitted to HBS, Stanford GSB, and Wharton / Lauder. She has my unequivocal endorsement.

I worked with Jenifer through Fortuna’s comprehensive school packages. Ever since my first conversation with her, she showed complete investment in me and my story as someone from a lower income, diverse, immigrant background. She dedicated a lot of time and energy to get to know ME – understand my journey, character, and aspirations – outside of just the applications, which made me feel like I always had a trusted friend and supporter in my corner throughout the process.

Once we had established a strong foundation, Jenifer amazed me yet again with her incredible talent for storytelling and coaching. She spent countless hours between R1 and R2 helping me reflect on all the pivotal moments and meaningful experiences in my life. Given her extensive coaching experience, Jenifer always knew the exact probing questions to ask to get me to reflect further and bring out truly authentic stories and ultimately helped me craft essays I was proud to submit. Her comments were always timely, thorough, and thoughtful, and made a meaningful difference in my writing process.

Jenifer is truly a one-of-a-kind coach, and her expertise, passion and dedication are unparalleled. I will always 100% recommend her to anyone going through the process.

Emma was fantastic to work with, she helped me with applications to multiple top business schools, and with her help I was fortunate enough to gain acceptances to all of them. She is incredibly knowledgeable of course, but also approachable, reassuring and patient. She is uniquely skilled at mitigating a lot of the stress and anxiety that is typically associated with the application process. She also does an outstanding job of helping to craft and convey your personal narrative which is invaluable for effective essay writing.

There was absolutely no friction in working with Emma as a North American applicant, she was extremely flexible and accommodative as well as highly responsive, particularly around key deadlines. She made a world of difference for my applications and I don’t believe I would have gained acceptances that I did without her help and guidance.

I worked with Rachel across 4 applications to schools in the M7 over the course of about a year. We worked very closely, whether it was the countless Zoom and phone calls, back and forth edits of essays, or working sessions where we pored over my resume and application. At every step of the application process, Rachel went above and beyond what you could expect from a consultant – she was thoughtful, direct, supportive, and challenged me to think introspectively in a way I candidly hadn’t before in my professional career. Rachel made sure that she had such a great understanding of my story and experiences that when it came to framing my overall package, she could guide me to do so in a way that was cohesive, poignant, and best captured what truly stood out about me in particular.

I think Rachel truly shined during my GSB application. I was hesitant to even apply, but Rachel insisted (for a variety of reasons, but notably the fit she saw between my personality and the GSB community). We worked tirelessly in a short timeframe to put together the application package I was most proud of. Especially in the “What Matters Most” essay, Rachel became a guiding light on how to strike the right balance between showcasing my personal characteristics and professional accomplishments.

Most importantly, Rachel is simply a fantastic person to work with – always responsive, very constructive, and never afraid to jump into the nitty gritty details with you. Especially during an emotionally draining and time consuming process, it brought me immense comfort knowing I had a coach that was willing to both strategize at a big picture but also wrestle with the verbiage of a sentence for 30 minutes at a time. I couldn’t see myself surviving this process without her!

It’s great to know that you can count on someone like Michael through the entire long application process. No matter how many drafts, reviews or calls need to happen he’ll be working by your side. He is very knowledgable and experienced and will work with you to present the best application possible. The tips and guidance with the essays, LORs, resume and interview prep were all fundamental in getting me accepted at CBS.

I started working with Catherine pretty late. About a month or so before R1 applications were due. I came from a non-MBA background and she really helped me bring my strengths to the forefront and highlight the diversity of my pre-MBA experiences. She had a lot of great insights on what the schools wanted and even reached out to other consultants within Fortuna for help in reviewing my application and essays when she thought that was necessary. I had initially planned to apply to only 2 schools and she recommended a school that I had not even considered because I thought it was out of my reach and I got in there! I am headed there this fall. She was always accessible. I remember facing a problem while submitting my first application and she immediately came on a call to help me sort out the problem. I would highly recommend Catherine to all applicants who are looking at getting their story straight so that it can reflect their experiences in the best way possible.

When I first decided to pursue an elite MBA program, I was truly skeptical of admissions coaches. I asked myself – Did they really make a difference? How much would their experience matter? Was their value worth their cost? After recently being admitted to my top-choice school off of the waitlist, I now know the answer to my questions. Without a doubt, Emma Bond was absolutely critical to my MBA application’s success.

I met Emma as one of three intro calls with coaches (via Fortuna), and her experience, honesty, and encouraging demeanor immediately set her above the pack. Notably, when facing the setbacks of the waitlist, it was Emma who encouraged me to re-take my standardized test and provide admissions updates for my application. I cannot recommend Emma highly enough!! She deserves 100/10 rating!!!

Jenifer is a spectacular coach, a true gem! Her guidance throughout my MBA application process was invaluable. With her seasoned expertise, she transformed a complex task into a smooth, manageable journey. She diligently helped refine my essays, highlighting my strengths and experiences. Her insightful advice was instrumental in my acceptance into UC Berkeley Haas. My success is undoubtedly intertwined with her dedicated mentorship. For anyone seeking a committed, knowledgeable, and inspirational guide, I highly recommend Jenifer. She doesn’t just coach – she empowers!