Bill Kooser

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.

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.

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.

I am deeply grateful to Bill for the exceptional guidance he provided throughout my MBA application journey. From the very beginning, Bill took the time to truly understand my background, my goals, and my unique story. He worked closely with me to help craft a narrative that was not only authentic but also clear, compelling, and aligned with the values of the programs I was applying to. His ability to help me articulate my experiences and aspirations in a succinct and meaningful way made all the difference in presenting my strongest self to the admissions committees.

Beyond this, Bill was incredibly responsive and reliable. No matter the time of day or the complexity of my questions, Bill was always available, offering thoughtful and thorough feedback that made me feel supported at every stage of the process.

Bill has also been an invaluable mentor throughout the entire application process. Beyond helping me prepare my applications, he provided thoughtful guidance as I practiced for interviews, and even after receiving acceptances, Bill continued to offer his expertise, helping me evaluate my options and make a well-informed decision about the next step in my journey.

Thanks to Bill’s expertise and dedication, I was able to submit applications that truly reflected who I am and why I am a strong fit for my target programs. I am immensely grateful for his partnership and highly recommend his services to anyone navigating the MBA application process.

I am thrilled to share my exceptional experience working with Bill during my MBA application process. Thanks to his guidance and support, I was accepted into every MBA program I applied to.

From the very beginning, Bill demonstrated a deep understanding of the intricacies of the MBA admissions process. He took the time to get to know me, my strengths, and my career aspirations, which allowed him to provide personalized advice that truly resonated with my goals. His expertise in crafting compelling narratives for my essays was invaluable. Bill’s insights helped me articulate my experiences and ambitions in a way that captured the attention of the admissions committees.

Bill’s dedication went beyond just reviewing my applications. He offered strategic advice on selecting the right programs, preparing for interviews, and even navigating the decision-making process once the offers started coming in. His encouragement and constructive feedback kept me motivated and confident throughout what could have been a very stressful period.

What sets Bill apart is his genuine commitment to his clients’ success. He was always available to answer my questions, no matter how trivial they seemed, and his positivity was infectious. Bill’s holistic approach not only strengthened my applications but also helped me grow personally and professionally.

I am immensely grateful to Bill for his unwavering support and expertise. His contributions were instrumental in achieving my MBA dreams, and I wholeheartedly recommend his services to anyone looking to succeed in their MBA journey.

I wanted to share my experience with Bill, who I felt gave me the best chance possible of being admitted to the programs I applied. For those exploring MBA consultants, I highly recommend working with Bill.

Bill excelled in aligning my story to my post-MBA objectives as well as the specifics of the programs I was applying. I really felt Bill went above and beyond by providing me with relevant research and resources at the programs that matched my interests.

His ability to tailor the application process to reflect my individual story and goals made a significant difference. Thanks to Bill, I approached the application process with confidence and a clearer vision of my career path. I also did a mock interview with Bill, which I felt significantly increased my confidence going into the actual interview.

For anyone in the midst of applying to MBA programs, I highly recommend Bill.

I enjoyed working with Bill, and he was nothing short of fantastic. He showed genuine interest from the beginning and took the time to get to know me. He was able to help me craft my story and succinctly tell it because he understood who I was and how I worked.

I’ve met with other consultants, and I won’t say they were terrible, but I will say they didn’t take the time to understand who I was, which made me feel like they were guessing when they made suggestions for my essays and interview practice. I never felt like that with Bill, and he helped me pinpoint areas I could improve on and areas that I should focus on.

I highly recommend Bill to anyone, especially if communicating your story is complicated. He’ll take the time to help you understand your why and how to express yourself effectively.

I had the privilege of working with Bill for my MBA applications, and I couldn’t be more pleased. Bill not only assisted me in crafting the three applications included in my package, but also went above and beyond by providing extensive support for additional schools I tackled independently. He scheduled as many calls as I needed and organized numerous mock interviews, even for the schools I worked on myself. The feedback I got throughout the process, from the initial calls to the interview notes, was also invaluable. He also helped navigate the scholarship negotiation process after I was admitted. Thanks to Bill’s dedication and expertise, I received offers from two schools, and received scholarship offers from both!

As for Fortuna as a whole, I could not have had a better experience. They have dedicated coaches to fix your resume and get multiple sets of eyes to go over your application. The portal they use, Podio, has so much information for applicants that it’s nearly impossible to go through all of it, and their blog posts on their website provide an additional layer of tips for all applicants.

I have no hesitation in recommending Bill and Fortuna for their outstanding commitment and invaluable assistance throughout the process. Hire them. You won’t be disappointed.

Bill was very helpful throughout the application process and always available to answer any questions. His insights were valuable and his edits really improved my application in my opinion.
Most importantly, he always gave me the freedom to express my own thoughts in the essays, thus ensuring that the application reflected my own thoughts and ideas.

I had a phenomenal time working with Bill Kooser and Fortuna Admissions. I’m a transitioning military officer who started the application process with very little idea of where I wanted to go, much less how to put together a strong application. Bill was extremely patient in helping me realize what I wanted to achieve with an MBA and which programs were best suited to what I needed. The profound introspection that Fortuna preaches and Bill reinforced helped me hone an application that got me into my dream school with a scholarship! I can’t recommend Fortuna and Bill highly enough. Incredible and transformative experience!

I am thrilled to provide a positive feedback for Bill Kooser as an MBA consultant from Fortuna. Bill has been an absolute gem in helping me get into Kellogg’s MBA program, and I couldn’t have done it without him.

Bill’s editing and writing skills are truly exceptional. He helped me hone my essays and personal statements, and his feedback was always insightful, clear, and to the point. His communication style was warm, friendly, and approachable, making it easy for me to share my thoughts and ideas with him.

What truly sets Bill apart is his personal care and attention to detail. He invested the time and energy to get to know me on a personal level, and his understanding of my background and experiences allowed him to tailor his approach and advice to my unique needs and goals.

Bill’s knowledge of the admission process was truly impressive. He guided me through every step of the process, from selecting schools to preparing for interviews. He showed great patience in answering my questions, addressing my concerns, and providing me with helpful resources and tips.

Throughout my time working with Bill, he always demonstrated the utmost professionalism and efficiency. He was always prompt, organized, and responsive to my needs, and he always delivered on his promises. I felt confident knowing that I had him on my side as I navigated the challenging MBA admission process.

In summary, I cannot recommend Bill Kooser enough as an MBA consultant. His knowledgeable insights make him an exceptional consultant and a true asset to any student seeking to gain admission to a top MBA program. Thank you, Bill, for everything!

Bill provided director feedback for my Round 2 applications to Stanford GSB and Chicago Booth, and his input and advice were critical to my admission to both schools. Bill’s deep knowledge of the application process, especially that of Chicago Booth, helped me craft an application narrative that highlighted my key strengths and attributes yet remained true to my professional and personal experiences. Furthermore, his keen eye for detail ensured that each sentence of my essays and short answers was impactful and that not a single word or character was wasted.

Thanks, Bill!

Bill was so professional when he coached me to chase my EMBA application. It’s highly efficient under the former gatekeeper of a top business school like Bill, preventing me from endlessly guessing what the adcom wants to know from me and focusing on the truly mattered aspects. Bill always responded to my email within 24 hours and was always prepared to call when I need one. He also had a mock interview with me. I couldn’t get the offer from Wharton without Bill’s help. He will be your best partner on your way to the application.

Words can not express my gratitude for Bill’s guidance and encouragement during my EMBA application to Booth and Wharton. I found Bill’s advice and perspectives extremely valuable as I progressed through the application process. He helped give me more confidence and I’m sure anyone who applies to these programs for the first time. I was able to receive offers from both of the above programs I applied to.

Bill worked with me for a few months and helped get me into my dream school. I cannot recommend Bill enough and really enjoyed working with him.

In particular, Bill has an extensive background in the Admissions industry which allows him to understand the MBA application process incredibly well and speak from a point of experience rather than assumption. Past that, he did a great job of challenging me to elevate my essays and reason for applying while also keeping me upbeat through the process and remaining supportive.

Thanks for all your help, Bill!

I had an excellent experience with Bill. He was incredibly supportive and always there for me when I needed him most during this application journey! There were many times when I wanted to give up due to work pressures, but he kept motivating me to go through with my application. We built an excellent rapport that he could give any advice by phone or email and be there for support when needed! I am genuinely grateful that I got a chance to work with Bill and would highly recommend him to anyone who wants to give executive education a shot.

Bill just helped me a lot in the application.
I am a young professionals on Finance and Real Estate, who is not on Executive level (Just manager grade). Every consultant that I have call with, told me that, nah, you should go to Duke/Insead or some other schools. You got no chance to get into Chicago Booth, blah bla bla.
But Bill gave me confidence, he is the ONLY consultant that affirmed my potential and thinks that I can be admitted to Booth.
Not only that, he gave me constructive advice. You can schedule any time for call from him, and he will help you shape your story, make your personality stand out, tell you how to be fit into Booth and give your prompt feedback.
He was the Associate Dean of Booth, so basically he knows everything that Booth wants.
There’s too much to say about Bill, I admire and thank him so much.
If it’s not him, I could not be admitted to Chicago Booth Executive MBA with my profile (GPA<3.2, age only 31, and managerial grade only).
If your dream school is Booth, just don't hesitate.
Bill Kooser is the BEST choice, and that's not even close.

Spoke with several consultants from a few firms before deciding to go with Bill. He was very helpful throughout the entire process by being very honest and transparent with me across my application. Bill was readily available whenever I need his advice or insight. He was quick to respond and review my essays/documents. Very well-rounded consultant. Highly recommend.

I had an awesome experience with Bill. He was incredibly supportive and always there for me when I needed him most during this application journey! There were many times when his words of encouragement helped give me the confidence to go forward.

He has a very wise perspective from his experience at Booth and can give you advice that will really suit your needs. I trust him 100%

By the time I finished my application journey, it felt like Bill had become more of a father figure to me. We had built up such an awesome rapport that by phone or email he could give any advice necessary and be there for support when needed! I am truly grateful that I got a chance to work with him and have a lifelong mentor/guide in my life.

If your application package is flawless and you just want a consultant’s review of your work, I would say you probably will be okay with or without a consultant. But if you need a true thinker and strategist, I would strongly recommend him.

Before I talked with Bill, I had already spoken with a few consultants and started my preparation. Back then I was not sure which one (MBA vs EMBA) suits me better/gives me a better chance to get in. I also think my application package has some flaws. I specifically wanted to find a true thinker to leverage my shining points and counter my weakness.

During this preparation journey working with a few consultants, I observed that:

1. Some consultants would oversell themselves by saying how confident they believe in your case, but avoid your challenging questions to solve problems.

2. Some consultants make a living via their “formula” hence they try to put you into it to boost your success rate. However, that framework might not be who you are. When you give your opinion on this strategy, some consultants are not able to coordinate outside of their “formula.”

I like working with Bill for a few reasons:

1. He is very flexible. Whenever you need him he is there for you.

2. He is able to listen to you for who you are and how you want to present yourself. He supports you in the direction you need.

3. He is able to think through some complex situations during the journey and gives very good suggestions accordingly. I found this intelligence is greatly indicated in his career success. I also read a few articles about him published on websites in China.

4. He is patient. When there are disagreements in a conversation, he is able to still think from your ground and solve your problems. He gives the right amount of support you need.

5. He understands the value of an MBA admission consultant is to help you achieve your goal. He works towards this goal to best serve you.

In the end, I got into the school I wanted the most, with Bill’s help. I didn’t get into the schools I less wanted and apparently, I didn’t hire Bill for those schools either. I think this result is also a true reflection of his value to my journey.

I hope this review can save you some money that I wasted on mine.

I had the pleasure to have worked with Bill on my application, and I just want to say his help was essential in landing myself a dream school offer from CBS. Bill leveraged his expertise in admission to bring my stories alive after spending hours understanding my background and where I am headed to. In particular, because the most critical element in my application was my personal story, and I had a hard time integrating it into my career goal sensibly, Bill dug deep from my background and connected dots for me, which is eyeopening in both drafting essays and making me look at life from a fresh perspective. Thanks to Bill, I am now ready to take the next challenge in a different country.

PS: communication with Bill is extremely effective (his turnaround time is unbelievable) and enjoyable – I really looked forward to hearing from him =)

Bill helped me get into 2 out of the M7 schools. He was very patient with me and helped me work through a lot of the problems I had. I am very happy with the results.

Before I talk about Bill I want to touch on why Fortuna is fantastic. I looked into a few admissions consultancies before settling on Fortuna. There simply isn’t another admissions consultancy out there with more depth and breadth of MBA admissions knowledge than Fortuna. I had the pleasure of working with Bill for the most part, but I truly felt like I had the full support of the entire Fortuna team.

As for Bill specifically, his extensive experience and background in MBA admissions clearly come through when you speak with him. There is probably no question or concern you have that he doesn’t have the answer to, but in case he doesn’t, you can tap into Fortuna’s team of consultants who are equally as knowledgeable as Bill.

Bill nails every aspect of what you’d expect from a top-notch consultant. He is very flexible, always available, and replies promptly and thoroughly to any question you may have no matter how simple they may be. He takes a very personal approach to you and allows your own story and personality to shine. He’ll make sure you’re on track, while also making sure you stay sane through the entire process. I was admitted to Wharton and Columbia during a tough application cycle and I’m sure that was in no small part due to Bill’s support. I can confidently recommend Bill to any MBA applicant without reservations.

Bill helped me prepare everything for my applications. From Strategy, School Selection, Essays, Interview Prep… I had an amazing experience with him. All of our meetings were right to the point and he provided decades of experience to all of his suggestions and feedback. His leadership roles at Booth give him an unparalleled perspective to help students succeed and gain admission to their dream schools. Putting his competence aside, Bill also replied promptly to all of my questions/essay drafts and had an excellent professional demeanor during our interactions. I would recommend Bill to any candidate that is serious about breaking into the M7 schools and is not afraid to hear and do what is needed to succeed.