Karen Hamou

Senior Expert Coach

Fortuna Admissions

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

Karen, a Columbia Business School grad, brings deep consulting and retail industry knowledge and extensive international business experience to the Fortuna team.

After graduating from Columbia, Karen joined Deloitte Consulting’s Strategy and Operations practice where she worked on a range of retail projects. While at the firm, she served as Deloitte’s on-campus recruiting representative at CBS, guiding over 130 CBS students through their consulting recruiting process. She also participated in a firm initiative advising junior consultants as they applied to MBA programs.

Most recently, Karen became a retail entrepreneur, founding the ecommerce brand Matron Saint. Karen holds a BS in Civil Engineering from Columbia University, where she also minored in Economics and Spanish. Prior to business school she was a Retail Buyer at Abercrombie & Fitch and Casual Male Retail Group. Karen’s international business experience spans the US, Israel, India, Argentina, China and more. She speaks English, Spanish and Hebrew.

Company Information

Fortuna Admissions possesses unique insider knowledge of how admissions committees work, because we have been the gatekeepers in the admissions offices of top business schools. Our entire team comprises of former business school professionals from top-tier institutions including Wharton, INSEAD, Harvard Business School, Stanford GSB, London Business School, Chicago Booth, NYU Stern, Duke Fuqua, IE Business School, and UC Berkeley Haas.

We have personally reviewed tens of thousands of applications from candidates all over the world. We have also shaped admissions policy, devised the application processes, and had the final say on who got in. We know the inside track – what goes on behind the closed doors of admissions committees, how your candidacy will stand up versus the competition, and how you can best maximize your chances of gaining a coveted place in a top MBA program.

Our experience and passion for coaching gives you a level of MBA admissions insight that you won’t find anywhere else. And with our passion for coaching, we can help you bring out the best in yourself so you truly shine in your application and interviews.

Menu of Services and Associated Costs

One-School Package: $5,900 (Expert coach) $6,900 (director / senior expert coach)
Two-School Package: $7,900 (Expert coach) $9,200 (director / senior expert coach)
Three-School Package: $9,750 (Expert coach) $11,350 (director / senior expert coach)
Four-School Package: $11,450 (Expert coach) $13,350 (director / senior expert coach)
Five-School Package: $13,000 (Expert coach) $15,200 (director / senior expert coach)

Fortuna Admissions offers two packages: Comprehensive School Packages (CSP) & Premium School Packages (PSP).

The Comprehensive and Premium School Package services both include:
Goal Development
Target School List
Application Strategy
School Interaction Strategy
Recommender Strategy
Essay Editing
Resume Review
Biodata/Application Forms Review
Interview Coaching
Decision Management

Comprehensive School Package (CSP): You will work with a dedicated expert coach throughout the entire process, from goal development right through to interview coaching and decision management, with input from our resume specialists and a mid-point review of your entire application by one of our former admissions directors. Our Fortuna coaches have held senior positions at the world’s best MBA programs and are uniquely qualified to help you maximize your chances of gaining a coveted place in a top MBA program.
Premium School Package (PSP): In addition to working with an expert coach, the Premium School Package includes tailored guidance by one of our former admissions directors at critical stages of the application process.

Special Package Rates:

One-School Package: $5,150 (CSP) / add $1,400 (PSP)
Two-School Package: $6,950 (CSP) / add $1,800 (PSP)
Three-School Package: $8,650 (CSP) / add $2,200 (PSP)
Four-School Package: $10,250 (CSP) / add $2,600 (PSP)
Five-School Package: $11,750 (CSP) / add $3,000 (PSP)

Other Services: We also offer other “á la carte” options such as: Early Stage MBA Planning, MBA Resume Review, Admissions Directors’ Evaluation, MBA Interview Prep, MBA Waitlist Strategy, Rejected MBA Application Strategy, and Hourly Consulting.

Please visit our website for more information and pricing.

Location: United States

Email: info@fortunaadmissions.com

Website: http://www.fortunaadmissions.com

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Karen Will Bring Out The Best In You
    1 month ago
    Working with Karen was a transformative and critically important experience during the grueling MBA application process. Her deep expertise and extensive knowledge of business school and application strategies were evident from the start. Karen has an incredible eye for spotting the common threads in someone’s story that make them unique. Her years of experience helping craft a story that highlights the best in each applicant is evident. She has a natural talent for supporting and encouraging the people she works with throughout the process. Karen not only provided me with the tools and insights to understand what schools are looking for but also helped me tell a coherent and compelling story that connected the dots in my life. Her encouraging, gentle accountability kept me on ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
    All reviews are independently verified by Poets&Quants staff.
  • Absolutely Amazing & Down To Earth
    1 month ago
    I started working with Karen 4 months prior to R1 applications and she was able to guide me through 8 applications! Her ability to help craft a unique story for each school based on my life experiences and goals is second to none. Prior to this process I was unclear how my experience would showcase my strengths but Karen was able to listen to my story an help my pull out the meaningful information. With her help I was accepted into multiple M7 schools including a scholarship that I would never have thought possible before. She encouraged me to set my sights high and not settle for less than I deserve. She made me feel comfortable writing about myself, something I was not good at ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Absolutely exceptional!
    1 month ago
    Working with Karen was an utterly amazing and rewarding experience – it exceeded expectations in every aspect! I had an incredible time working with her. As a non-traditional applicant, Karen was incredibly insightful in figuring out how to ‘translate’ my experiences to the business world to create a stand-out application. She is a talented story-teller and strategist, helping weave together various aspects of your profile and her work ethic is second-to-none. What I appreciated most was how encouraging, honest and straightforward she was throughout the process, especially during stressful times! She challenges you to think differently and to be open-minded, acting not just as an MBA consultant but also as a career coach, mentor and advocate. Her warm and easy-going nature puts you at ease ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Early Professional Admitted To CBS
    2 months ago
    I started working with Karen about 7-8 months before applying. Fortuna's comprehensive coaching process was amazing. After filling a detailed form with a lot of information about my personal life and career, Karen was able to put together my applicant story. She made me realise things about my life that I had never put together! We worked on various write ups and she gave me incredible advice to approach the conversations with my managers in order to get the best possible recommendation from them. For each of the four schools we worked on together, she gave me school specific advice. The applicant story for HBS, CBS, WBS and Booth was unique each time. Expect perfection. I believe we reached about 15 versions for some of ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Truly Wonderful! H/S/W + Other M7 Admit (With $$$$)
    2 months ago
    Karen was wonderful not just as an admissions consultant, but as a life coach and cheerleader. Choosing Karen was the single best decision I could have made in my application process, and I would not hesitate to work with her again. With Karen’s help, I got into two of H/S/W and many other M7 programs with full or nearly full scholarships (including my top choice!). I can’t recommend her highly enough! Karen was an invaluable voice as I navigated the process and helped piece together how to best let my authentic self come through in the different elements of the application. She was exceptionally supportive, bright, and thoughtful in strategically helping me emphasize my strengths, and knew just when we needed to shift directions or ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • HBS Admit // Thanks To Karen!
    2 months ago
    Interestingly enough, I found Karen originally because my brother had worked with her when he applied / was admitted into his target M7 business school two years ago. After working with her myself this past year, I can confirm she was the best consultant / life coach I could have asked for. With her help, I was admitted R1 into HBS, Wharton and waitlisted at GSB—a result that I truly did not believe I would achieve as I had concerns about my GMAT score, competition from others in my field, etc. From taking the time to really get to know my own individual voice and story to providing me sage advice on selection of recommenders to retaking the GMAT or not, Karen made what is ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Perfect Jumpstart To My MBA
    2 months ago
    Karen was amazing through the whole process and while she did help me gain admission to an M7 school she also helped prepare for a lot of aspects after business school. Extremely reliable and excellent communicator even amongst major life changes. I’ve already recommended Karen to my friend applying next year.
    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Karen Hamou Is The Best!
    2 months ago
    Karen truly exceeded my expectations, and I cannot express enough how grateful I am for the outstanding support and guidance I received from Karen during my MBA application process. I do not believe I would have been able to get my multi-school admittances without her! Karen is truly an expert regarding the MBA admission landscape as she helped me craft a competitive application with my non-traditional background and experience. Karen’s attention to detail, innovative way of thinking, honesty, and thoughtfulness sets her apart. She truly wants the best for her clients! I wholeheartedly recommend Karen to anyone seeking assistance with their MBA application journey - you won't regret it. Thank you again!
    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Karen Is Amazing! (Wharton, CBS Admit, Scholarship At CBS)
    2 months ago
    One of my coworkers worked with Karen and recommended her to me. I feel incredibly lucky that I had the sense to take the recommendation and begin working with Karen. My job is time consuming and I only have limited time outside of work to spend on my application, and Karen’s guidance made it possible for me to work on my applications efficiently, while helping me represent myself as well as possible in the applications process. From the start, Karen was an incredible source of knowledge in the applications process. She analyzed my resume and my background and suggested ways that I could take my disparate experiences and mold them into a cohesive and logical story. We worked together on revamping my resume to make it ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Stanford GSB Success- Most Talented Storyteller & Coach!
    3 months ago
    Karen spent hours with me discussing my story and how to weave all the pieces together. She found ways to help me bring in seemingly disparate experiences I'd had under umbrella themes that gave me fodder for my essays, long and short. Ideating and working with Karen made the daunting process enjoyable, which I never thought I'd be able to say! We spent time getting to know each other and connecting which allowed Karen to help me tell my story and give me honest feedback when I needed it. Karen is so genuine, talented, and brilliant at what she does. I have told all of my friends to use Karen's services when they apply for MBAs, PhDs, and JDs in the future, and I hope ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Karen Hamou - Worth Every Penny
    3 months ago
    One of my friends had used Karen the year before I started my MBA apps, and recommended her to me. Looking back, taking that recommendation and hiring Karen was the single best choice I made through the entire MBA application process. A few key points about my experience with Karen: 1.) Karen is extremely skilled at helping you craft your story. I was unsure that my story would be particularly compelling to the admissions committee, and didn't know how to approach my essays. Karen took time to really get to know me and understand my background, and helped me write a story that was logical, memorable, and a great presentation of who I really am. I started out feeling like ...
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    Noah Beatty
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Working With Karen Was A Life-Changing Decision
    3 months ago
    When I had my initial consultation with Karen, the last thing I expected her to say was that the thought I was a strong candidate for an M7 MBA. Through our conversations, she was able to find turning points in my life - things I never thought would ever be interesting to an MBA admissions committee - and together we were able to weave them into a story that combined my background, my passions and my work to provide a complete image of me as a candidate. A great follow-on effect of working with Karen is that while I was waiting for admit decisions I became a more attractive candidate in the job market as well thanks to having a more refined pitch. In the end, I ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • JD/MBA Success!
    4 months ago
    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 ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2026 Applicant
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  • MBA Consultant, Life Coach Extraordinaire
    5 months ago
    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 ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Karen Is Awesome!
    8 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • 100% Acceptance Rate
    10 months ago
    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 ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Incredibly Helpful
    11 months ago
    I connected with Karen with limited time (~1 month) before application due dates, and it was amazing how helpful she proved to be. In no time she was invested in me and my applications and helped reconstruct resumes and essays that best told my story. I'm thankful she made time to help me with the applications, and I would recommend her to anyone going through any and all steps of application the process. The value she brings is proven - helping me get into my M7 school.
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Karen Will Unlock Your Story & Your Dream MBA
    12 months ago
    I held below median scores for both my GMAT and GPA and felt the very best schools were out of reach... with Karen's help, she helped me crack interviews with all of the top business schools and admission to my dream program, Harvard Business School! The MBA application looked how I imagine Mt. Everest would from Basecamp: daunting and formidable. On day 1 with Karen in my corner, these fears evaporated overnight; I knew we were going to produce an application that reflected the very best version of myself. She is an expert coach and extremely knowledgeable about every nuance of admissions. Karen was an incredible sounding board for my ideas and provided invaluable feedback on my essays. During times of frustration, Karen was always ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Beyond Expectations!
    12 months ago
    Working with Karen was an amazing experience. She was very insightful with her guidance and was always very helpful with her reviews and feedback. I had intended to pay for a few hours of high-level reviews, but after the first set of reviews, I knew I needed to get her insights on all of my applications. She helped present the best version of my story in the clearest term to all my schools. My confidence in applying to the schools dramatically improved by the time I was submitting my final applications given the level of guidance I had received from her. She was recommended to me by a friend that studied at Booth, I have been admitted to 2 M7 schools so far, including my ...
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    Mubashir Ekungba
    MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Therapist & Coach In One
    12 months ago
    Karen made the application process as seamless as possible. I couldn't be more impressed with the assistance and support she provided throughout the process. Whatever concerns I had, she was always available to answer my questions (almost immediately) and gave me the necessary guidance to navigate through the stress of the application process. What stood out most about Karen was her professionalism and humanity. Sometimes I felt she was my therapist and coach in one. Whether it was reviewing documents or addressing last-minute changes, or having honest conversations about how to put my best foot forward, I loved having her on my team. Karen also brought a personal element to the table that helped me tell my authentic story and isolate what drove me to ...
    Read the full review
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • The Best MBA Consultant For Anyone From Any Background!
    12 months ago
    As a non-traditional applicant enthusiastic about pursuing an MBA degree at a top business school, I did not know to approach the goal and what my odds were like. During my research stage looking for an MBA consultant, I was told by one agency that I would not have any chances at any M7 schools, and even S16 schools are most likely impossible for me, for my background had nothing to do with business, I was on the older side of typical MBA candidates and was from one of the most competitive pools, and my GRE test score that did not reach 330 was way too low, etc. Fortunately, I then reached out to Karen, who was referred to me ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience
    12 months ago
    If I could give Karen 6 stars, I would. She was amazing each step of the way and gave insights into the application process that never would have crossed my mind. Her help started months before I even began my application and has continued even after I was accepted. Whether it was touching up my resume in May, helping me with the networking process in June, or guiding me through interview prep in August, she was always there making sure I was as prepared as I could be. What stood out to me the most is that she is so easily able to find what makes you the most unique candidate you can be and does not let go of that, making sure any program knows ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Karen - Intelligence & Experience Really Shines Through
    12 months ago
    Karen has got to be one of the best at what she does. I've worked with Karen for 5 years from my initial set of MBA applications to reapplications and admission to my top program - LBS. Karen has this unique ability to find a little detail in your background or your initial questionnaire and create a very compelling personal and professional thread from that. For me, that was the hardest thing to do. We all have accomplishments, high test scores, strong recs, etc., but what makes you as an individual unique? Karen helped me surmise this and create a strong candidacy. My initial set of applications resulted in 3 waitlists which as you can imagine was very frustrating. Karen provided guidance on engaging with the ...
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    Munir Tawfique
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Karen Drew The Best Out Of Me!
    12 months ago
    I worked with Karen on my applications to business school in 2022, and she was an amazing resource. I truly could not have had the same results in this process without her. She guided me, and helped me to stay level-headed through the very stressful parts of this process. She also was instrumental in helping me to refine my story and my "brand" for my essays, resume, and interviews. I would not have been as sharp and articulate without her. I would recommend Karen to anyone who is applying to business school because I am sure that their results will benefit from having her on their team.
    Class of 2025 Applicant
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  • Karen Brought Out My Best Self!
    1 year ago
    Karen was so incredibly helpful throughout the entire application process. From day one, helping me reflect on my past experiences, identify what was most meaningful to me, and then honestly look at what I wanted to do with my career, she asked the questions that empowered me to define a vision for my life and craft the story for business school. She was also able to see with clarity where my most unique and significant achievements and experiences were, not only enabling me to highlight those aspects of me but bolstering my confidence as I embarked on the daunting application process. She was also instrumental in allowing my voice to shine through in my essays so that my personality came through and my stories were ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Warm, Empathetic, Sharp, Strategic
    1 year ago
    I interviewed 6+ consultants before deciding on Karen. Unlike multiple other individuals I spoke with, Karen was supportive and encouraging from day 1. Other consultants tried to make me feel like a candidate who had a very uncertain path to my dream school. Karen was encouraging and optimistic, but still honest about the unpredictability of M7 admissions, even for candidates with strong stats and backgrounds. When we began working together, Karen up-leveled each and every part of my application. From the resume to my recommender briefs, to my essays, Karen consistently pushed me to be not just good, but excellent. She was available whenever I needed her and went above and beyond for me; I really felt that she was invested in my success and ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Karen Is Fantastic
    1 year ago
    I had an amazing time working with Karen, she is incredibly knowledgeable about the entire application process and is great at finding what makes the candidate unique and finding the best strategy to amplify these details. It's tough to say what was the biggest benefit of working with Karen, as she does so many things well. I felt like she walked me through the entire process and really helped me to perform the self-reflection needed to put forth a strong application. I would highly recommend anyone going through the MBA application process consider working with Karen.
    Ryan Hannegan
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Karen Worth Every Penny
    2 years ago
    I can't say much beyond what's already been said on this review board. Karen is absolutely the best in the business. Even before I got the positive news on admittance, I knew the value of what I was getting from our sessions and her input in the actual application deliverables. No doubt having a cohesive and unique story across your application is critical to your getting admitted, and I think a prior reviewer said it best in that Karen spends so much time understanding who you are, what your story is, and how she can help refine the telling of that story so that it resonates with admissions. Even more true, she challenges you on your profile and encourages you to have an open mind about ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Karen Is The Absolute Best
    2 years ago
    Karen was the absolute best. She helped me cultivate a unique and compelling story for who I am and how I can contribute to each school's application. She was always responsive and available for all my questions, and I could tell that she genuinely cared about my applications. With Karen's help, I was admitted to the six schools I applied to with merit scholarships from four of the six. If you are looking for someone to help guide you through this rigorous process and get the results you desire, you should work with Karen.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Karen Far Exceeded My Expectations!
    2 years ago
    I can’t recommend Karen highly enough. I give my experience with her an A+. She is warm and down to earth. Her passion for helping me was so clearly evident every time we had a session together. Perhaps Karen’s greatest strength is that she makes you think about your story from every angle and helps you craft the best version of yourself. I went into this process thinking I knew how I would respond to each school’s essay prompts, but Karen challenged me to take it multiple levels deeper - something that is essential to having the story stick and having admissions remember you. I got into four of the six schools I applied to, and I can confidently say I wouldn’t have had this ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • H/S/W + Other M7 Admit Thanks To Karen!!!
    2 years ago
    Coming into this process, I was semi-skeptical about using a consultant but upon my consultation with Karen, I distinctively felt she believed in me as a person and was going to be in my corner throughout this experience. She was sharp, thoughtful, and masterful at piecing together the many vignettes of one's life into a beautiful canvas. When a personal family emergency arose, Karen was deeply empathetic and acted as a trusted advisor who reassured me of my situation, and we strategized for the Round 2 timeline. Every time we spoke live or exchanged emails, it was clear that Karen puts a ton of thought into my applications, coming in with recommendations and ideas to strengthen the materials. Our efforts proved successful when I got ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Zero Regrets
    2 years ago
    Karen was tremendous to work with—I could not be happier with my decision to partner with her. I truly believe each of us has a special story to tell, and Karen’s guidance in connecting the dots between past, present, and future took my applications to the next level. Additionally, Karen was extremely professional, caring, and honest, making me feel comfortable from the very beginning. In the end, I applied in R3 (she was transparent regarding the challenges I’d face) and received offers from two M7s. If you have the opportunity to work with Karen, do not pass it up!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Exceptionally Smart & Supportive Coach
    2 years ago
    I first found Karen through P&Q reviews, and there's no question that she exceeded the high expectations that were set for her - so I wanted to add yet another positive review. Being a non-traditional candidate, I felt that Karen was critical in helping me position my experience and story. I also don't have professional mentors who pursued their MBA, so Karen's advice, expertise, and perspective was invaluable - I would be lost without her! With Karen's help, I was admitted to Wharton (with merit), Kellogg (with merit), and CBS. I also really appreciate that Karen is an excellent writer/editor. She provided suggestions for reducing my word count many times and has a great eye for storytelling. This was something I didn't think about much ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Karen Is Incredible!!
    2 years ago
    I would absolutely recommend Karen to anyone undertaking the MBA admissions process. She was an incredible partner throughout the process from start to finish. She is strategic, sharp, highly organized, and is exceptional at storytelling. She worked tirelessly with me for many months to craft a storyline that protected my own voice. She created an extremely structured and organized timeline to break down the process, making it feel much more manageable and less daunting. Working with her exceeded my expectations in so many ways - if it weren't for her, I truly do not believe I would have been accepted to my dream school (Tuck). Thank you, Karen!!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Karen Is Amazing! M7: 2 Admits (With $$ & $$$$) And 1WL!!!
    2 years ago
    Best decision ever. Karen genuinely cares about who you are as a person rather than just as an MBA applicant. This is the X factor that makes Karen so great! She guided me through a lot of introspection, which helped me articulate my life story in an authentic way. Also, her positivity and willingness to help you out in any way (even offered to provide feedback on a school that we weren't working on together) really comes in clutch when you are going through the MBA application process because you feel like you always have someone in your corner. Also, Karen truly is a professional. She responds to your questions quickly and provides feedback on your work in less than 12 hours. Any feedback that she ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Awesome Coach! Absolutely Recommend Her!
    3 years ago
    I worked with Karen for almost a year for the 2021 intake application cycle. I would absolutely like to recommend her to MBA aspirants as she is great at what she does and is extremely supportive during the entire application process. I started talking to Karen long before my GRE - she helped me understand what schools should I aim for, what is the score that would help me get there, and motivated me constantly throughout the stressful GRE process. Over our numerous strategy calls, she was very patient and quick in understanding my journey and why I made certain decisions - she was very quick to understand several technicalities and nuances in my journey and would help distill my experiences and achievements into a structure ...
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    Rushabh Bhatia
    MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Stop Your Search, Karen Is The Best Coach Out There
    3 years ago
    Although Karen typically works with students exclusively focused on MBA programs, she helped me get admitted to my top choice specialized MS program at Columbia University. Karen listens & works with you to accomplish your goals. She helped me completely revamp my resume, strategically craft my story for interviews and other networking calls, and lastly create an impactful personal statement that got me an admit and the large financial package at another program. She is extremely reliable and has an incredibly quick turnaround time for all of your application materials. Without a doubt I recommend her services & can’t wait to share her services with the rest of my friends and family! If you are looking for an MBA coach, Karen is that person. Thank ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Interview Invites At H+S+W; Admits At S+W (W/ ~$100K Merit-Based Scholarship At W)
    3 years ago
    Karen is such a fantastic coach - I cannot recommend her highly enough!! See below for key reasons why Karen is so fantastic. If you have the chance to work her, do not hesitate!! 1. Consistently shares the WHY (teaches you how to think - not what to think): a. When I first spoke to Karen, I was on the fence about applying in the 2020-2021 cycle. She recommended that I apply now but I was still skeptical. It was the WHY (the context) she shared that ultimately led me to apply earlier than I originally had in mind. b. When it came to writing my essays, she stopped me in my tracks when my initial idea was not up ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Interested In MY story
    3 years ago
    While going through my early consultations with various consultants, Karen stood out to me because right off the bat in our phone call I felt like she was interested in MY story and how we could work on making it the most appealing to admissions. Many other consultations made me feel like they were just checking the box going through the conversation. Ultimately, I ended up working with Karen and another consultant from Fortuna, with Karen overseeing the progress. I found her insight on our strategy calls very insightful and she helped me really find the parts of my application that made me stand out.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Non-Traditional App Admit (CBS)
    3 years ago
    From the start, Karen was candid about addressing the challenging aspects of my application, including laying out a plan for how we would overcome these obstacles during the process. Her keen insight about what would be required to make a strong application and to be competitive was reassuring and boosted my confidence throughout an enormously competitive year (COVID cycle). Talking with her felt like speaking with a person who lived, breathed, and dreamed about the application process and understood what the adcom would be looking for in a student. I initially connected with Karen during the late summer of 2020, while vetting various MBA consulting agencies. (Fortunately, I was paired with her during my free Fortuna evaluation, only a few weeks before she was named one ...
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    Stefan Johnson
    MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Is An Amazing Coach!
    3 years ago
    I can't say enough great things about Karen! She was incredible to work with, and provided everything you could want in a coach, and much much more. She was always there for me every step of the way and provided a wealth of experience and insight as I was progressing through the process. She is an incredibly dedicated, capable, knowledgable, and empathetic person to work with. I was thrilled to get admitted to an M7 school, and Karen's insight and expertise took away the stress and made it a very enjoyable, reflective, and rewarding experience. If you're aspiring to gain admission into a top MBA program, I can't imagine anything better than having Karen in your corner :)
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen's Services Pay For Themselves
    3 years ago
    I knew that I'd want to maximize my chances with my application to business school, so using a consultant was always my plan. But I had not expected the level of attentiveness, insight and open-mindedness that Karen would provide, and her methods helped me earn a massive scholarship at an M7 school. I credit Karen for not making assumptions about what her clients need from her nor what they should focus on in their applications. She takes the time to deeply understand your perspective and your story so that you can create the best application for you.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Goes Above and Beyond!
    3 years ago
    If I could back in time, I would have met Karen sooner! Coming out of an unsuccessful MBA application year, I decided to seek out help. I signed up for numerous introductory sessions with MBA consultants, but Karen stood out from the rest! From the start, Karen was proactive, attentive, and thoughtful. She took the time to understand my background and helped me put my best foot forward for my essays, resume, and interview prep. Most importantly, I never felt misguided or pushed, and because of this, Karen was someone I could trust. There's so much more I want to say, but ultimately, Karen was a joy to work with, and I am happy to announce that I will be attending Wharton (my top ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Do Yourself A Favor And Work With Karen! (HBS And Sloan Admit)
    3 years ago
    I do not think I would have gotten into both Harvard Business School and MIT Sloan without Karen's help. I was very hesitant to use a consultant service and came to Karen very late in the process. I was fairly confident about the strength of my story and credentials but Karen truly took me to the next level as an applicant. From essays to resumes, every part of my application was elevated by Karen's sharp and strategic reviews. Even her mock interview was incredibly rigorous and effective for my preparation. Whether you need tactical help to get you over the edge or a full application roadmap, I strongly encourage you to work with Karen. She has an endless wealth of knowledge about the MBA ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Karen Was Amazing (Wharton And CBS Admit)
    3 years ago
    When I decided to apply to Wharton, Columbia, and Chicago Booth, I thought getting into any of these programs would be next to impossible for someone with my background. Now, after working with Karen for my Round 1 admissions-class of 2023-I have offers from both Wharton and Columbia in what was the most competitive app cycle in years. I still can’t believe it. Throughout the application process, Karen was phenomenal and supportive, especially because I didn’t believe in my own candidacy. She did. Karen sharpened my resume, drew out my personal history and stories and had me tell them as clearly as possible in my essays. More, her understanding of what it takes to get into these top programs gave me a significant edge. This manifested ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Thank You Karen!!
    3 years ago
    It was an absolute pleasure working with Karen and the Fortuna Admissions team on my MBA applications. I had a phenomenal experience with the 3-school package and would highly recommend it to any prospective applicant. Throughout the application process, Karen took the time to get to know me on a personal and professional level. She was very invested in my success from the get-go, taking the time to understand why I wanted to attend business school and to help me select appropriate reach and target programs. She always responded in a timely manner and consistently found ways to improve my candidacy. Karen was a tremendous help during every stage of the application process. She helped me refine the content and format of my resume, prepare my ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Is Amazing!!
    3 years ago
    Karen was able to take my unique background and story and help craft it into a great narrative. She was extremely responsive and helpful, and went the extra mile to work with my schedule. She is extremely organized and would typically get me thorough feedback within a day. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend her to anyone applying for an MBA; she was worth every penny. I got into my top choice (HSW) and had other options as well among the M7.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience Working With Karen!
    3 years ago
    Coming into the MBA application process I had virtually no idea what to expect. I was quickly overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, so I made the decision to work with a consultant. Karen was one of the first consultants that I spoke with, but even after speaking with over ten others, I definitely felt the most comfortable with her. Deciding to work with Karen turned out to be one of the best decisions that I’ve made. Karen has been there every step of the way, frequently going above and beyond to help me with every aspect of the application process. Karen’s insights and suggestions for my essays and overall narrative have been extremely helpful, as she’s really worked with me to craft ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Amazing!
    3 years ago
    Karen was a phenomenal ally to have throughout the application process. I connected with Karen relatively late (approx. 4 weeks before submission), after I had my story down and prelim essays already drafted. However, I am so glad I reached out to Fortuna and Karen. My writing was very clinical and Karen’s insight/thoughts really helped me pull out my personality and inner voice to put onto the page. I think this really was the differentiating factor that helped my story pop. Karen was great to work with. Even during the busy holiday season, she was able to get back to me with feedback or answer any questions often within a day. After I got the interview invite, Karen helped me prep with a mock interview and ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Insightful, Positive & Responsive - Karen Stands Out Among The Rest
    3 years ago
    When I started my bschool application journey, I interviewed several consultants. Karen was the last one I interviewed, and she really stood out because she was so responsive in her communications (I was considering applying in the extended COVID round, and she and I had some long back and forths over email to figure out if it was the right move - before I had even signed with her!). My main concern was that perhaps she was TOO nice. The other consultants tended to emphasize the weaknesses in my application (well, your quant score is only in the x percentile, so you should probably consider retaking after signing up for my GMAT tutorial service.....). Karen was positive from the getgo and told me straight up that ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Is AMAZING!
    3 years ago
    In early 2020, I spent weeks doing consultations with a handful of various consultants. Once I met Karen the decision was simple (the consultation was exponentially better than the others) and my experience could not have been any better. Karen was awesome to work with! Whether it was jumping on countless Zoom calls to answer questions, helping me craft a unique strategy around each school I applied to, or staying patient with me as I kept iterating on my essays, Karen was extremely helpful throughout (also, as mentioned in the other comments, Karen’s response time is off the charts). On paper I felt I would be competitive at most programs, but I wasn’t optimistic on my chances to get into any of the M7. Every ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Hamou & Fortuna Are Incredible!
    3 years ago
    When I started my MBA application journey, I wasn't even considering to apply to the schools I ended up applying to, as I didn't think I had a shot. However, when I met with Karen for the free 30 min consultation, she gave me so much confidence that I decided to include multiple M7 schools in my list. I spoke with other firms for free consultations and right away it was clear to me that Karen was the right choice. For the next 7 months I've been working with her, Karen has been nothing but incredible. She is always available, always knows what to say and how to answer your questions, is a huge cheerleader and most importantly, and my favorite thing about working with ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Hamou Is A Must-Use For CBS!
    3 years ago
    I was initially hesitant to use a consulting service given the financial commitment, but now as an M7 admit I can confidently say that it was worth every penny! I chose Fortuna for hourly services after having an initial consultation with Karen that was head and shoulders above the consultation that I had with another firm. While I ended up being paired with a different consultant (shoutout to Jenifer Raver - who was fantastic in her own right), Karen still made herself available when I needed guidance and treated me as if I was one of her direct clients. As a Columbia alum, she has a deep knowledge of the program and was an integral part of helping me tailor my materials to CBS. This is ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Hamou for President
    3 years ago
    It's difficult to put into words how incredible Karen is. There are so many things that I could say about her that come to mind - intelligent, strategic, thoughtful, organized, focused etc. But what stood out the most during the MBA application process was her unwavering belief in me. I came into the process unsure of my chances - I had a strange background with a number of career jumps that I thought would be my downfall. And I was very vocal about my doubts, often poking holes constantly in my story and background. But throughout my anxiety and despair, Karen was steadfast in her belief that my story was strong and that I was worthy of admission to the school of my dreams. Her ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Karen Hamou - Fortuna - Great Experience
    3 years ago
    I was directed to Fortuna by a friend who had used Karen, had a great experience, and is now at CBS. My experience with Karen could not have been better. I'm the first one in my family to go to business school, and while I had a lot of friends who went through the application process, I had no one trusted resource I could rely on to work me through the process and create a clear storyline while protecting my own voice. Deciding to move forward with a consultant was more valuable than I could have realized, she helped me navigate the decisions around the application process and timeline as factors quickly changed with the onset of covid. She also helped work ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • The Best! (CBS Admit)
    3 years ago
    I came to Karen late in the game, and can't overstate how helpful she was! Karen was SO responsive, understanding, enthusiastic, and gave great, candid advice. Her advice regarding my optional essay, emails to the AD, and GMAT v. EA made all the difference. Not to mention that she reviewed all my material and provided advice in fewer hours than I would have estimated. Would 11/10 recommend choosing Karen over any other consultant!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Awesome!
    3 years ago
    Karen is the reason I ended up choosing Fortuna. They were the last consulting company I talked with and when I talked to Karen I instantly knew who I wanted to work with. I did not have the strongest profile going in and Karen was refreshingly honest about my chances at the schools I was applying to and gave me some solid advice on how to improve my look. The biggest factor was there was no sales pitch and no "no worries" that I've heard from others. Karen was then my supervising consultant and she did the first and final reviews on all my applications and her insight was invaluable.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Karen
    3 years ago
    My journey is slightly different as it took over a year for me from the first day I contacted Fortuna. It was late into the admission process in 2019 (Round 2 deadline was approaching) and I had not taken my GMAT at the time. I reached out to Fortuna anyway and Matt scheduled an initial introductory call to learn about my background. I decided to go with Fortuna and was then paired with Karen as one of my choices was CBS. Nevertheless I did not get the GMAT score I wanted (it was December) and decided to delay my application until June this year (2020). Right from day one Karen has been fantastic and very friendly. Karen was incredibly timely in her response and the whole ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • I Wasn't Even Sure About Applying - Now I'm At CBS
    3 years ago
    If you are looking to apply to business school, nobody will be more helpful than Karen. I was discouraged about applying since I am a non-traditional candidate, but after my first meeting with Karen, she assured me that it was in my best interest to apply. From helpful information on the GMAT, resume, and essay help, along with interview preparation, I felt like I was in the best hands from start to finish. I was incredibly surprised when I got my acceptance letter, but in hindsight, I should not have been since Karen was so confident and knowledgeable about the process. I am not sure I would even be going to business school had I not met with Karen (I was iffy about applying given ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Karen's the Absolute Best!!!
    4 years ago
    Fortuna was the last company I wanted to check out before I made my final decision. Karen was the person I talked to. A few minutes into our conversation, I knew my decision. I decided to apply for business schools at the very last minute. I had less than a month to get everything together. Karen was the person who made me believe that it was not only possible, but also exciting and very much worth fighting for. Karen was always there for me. Whenever I had a question (big or small) or a bit of a panic attack, she would always respond or jump on a call as soon as she possibly could. She's superbly organized and calm, which helped a lot during this stressful ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • The Amazing Karen Hamou
    4 years ago
    My highest recommendation goes to Karen Hamou! To put it simply, her incomparable support and enormous help made it possible for me to gain admission to the most selective MBA program in the world! As an international student, I was very stressed by the interview process, especially that English was not my native language. Though I have done many interviews in the past, I was not sure how to address the MBA interview and how to communicate effectively. Adding more stress to the matter, I had only three weeks to prepare, while I was working 16 hours a day, since the moment I was invited for the interview. Luckily, I had my secret weapon - Karen. Karen did not waste any time, and Immediately we started working ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Extremely Helpful! (Columbia & Wharton Admit)
    4 years ago
    I worked with Karen to help me prep for my Columbia and Wharton interviews and she was extremely helpful. Wharton - Karen had put together a mock TBD group where she watched how I interacted with the other applicants in the group setting and gave me candid feedback on my performance. This feedback was very useful and I was able to utilize it during my actual TBD. Karen also was very helpful in prepping me for the 1x1 Wharton interview. We did a mock interview and then I worked with her to refine what I would say and how to best answer any questions I would be asked. Columbia - Karen played an integral role in prepping me for the Columbia interview. Given that she ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Absolutely Amazing!
    4 years ago
    I spoke with 5 consultants prior to working with Karen. Some discouraged me from applying given I was applying round 3 to top schools. I considered not applying to school, but when I spoke with Karen my attitude immediately changed. We clicked instantly and she truly had my back and supported me. Karen was able to work with me under tight time constraints and helped me organize and turn around 4 applications to schools. I was admitted to 3/4 including my top choice. Karen truly was amazing to work with and even if I didn't get into the school she was worth it because she helped me reflect and create a narrative on who I am and what I am looking for in life.
    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Karen Will Help You Get In
    4 years ago
    I worked with Karen to prep for both my Wharton and CBS interviews and found her to be both extremely knowledgeable about the admissions process and incredibly easy to work with. Karen especially played a key role helping me prepare for the TBD exercise that Wharton requires. Under Karen's guidance I was admitted to both Wharton and CBS and I believe that she played an integral role in making that happen. Cannot recommend her enough.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Beyond Amazing, Should Have Reached Out Sooner!
    4 years ago
    I reached out to Fortuna way too late. I had applied and been rejected by basically all of my top schools and I was prepping for reapplication the following year. I had a consultation with Karen and in less than 5 minutes knew she was exactly what I needed. She very obviously cares about her clients and wants you to succeed. Karen re-instilled my confidence and told me I should apply to the extended deadline. I would not have been able to get an application together in that short amount of time without her and it was far better than any of the previous applications I had submitted. She was attentive, very quick to respond, and obviously a true expert. Without a doubt I would ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Karen is amazing!!
    4 years ago
    Karen helped me throughout the whole process and particularly to tell my personal story in a way that I could have never done by myself. Her work and comments are extremely professional and helpful. She is a great asset and her skills are incredibly valuable if you wish to attend a top business school. I strongly recommend her without any hesitation. She is the best.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • More Than A Coach
    4 years ago
    Whether you are absolutely confident about your application and target school(s) or you need an entire review of your thought process and application strategy, I wholeheartedly recommend you consult Karen. She will help you improve regardless of your starting point. I came into my talks with Karen late in the process (our first conversation took place three weeks before deadline) and I was stressed about untangling, structure and combining all the different components of my background coherently and on time. Karen helped me do precisely that and made sure I had well-rounded application for all my target schools. While a graduate of CBS, Karen really is an expert on all top programs and all components of the application. She is sharp, observant, organized, and exceptionally ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Karen Got Me Into My Dream School!!
    4 years ago
    Karen was amazing from the very beginning. She got to know me, helped me realize my strengths and quirks, and set out a schedule for me to make my application as strong as possible. She was extremely fast to reply to all my requests and many edits. She supported me the whole way through and made some vital changes to my application that gave me an edge. She was kind, thoughtful, and insightful. I have never worked with such a good college counselor.
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Karen is Fantastic!! Highly Recommend
    4 years ago
    I am an international student and I worked with Karen Hamou on an hourly basis for my R3 applications to an M7 school and a few Top 15 schools. I reached out to Fortuna because I had worked with a consultant from another company in R2 and I was disappointed with their service and my results. In contrast, Karen and Fortuna provided a very high quality of service and they were invested in my success from day 1. In addition to helping me navigate the uncertainties associated with Covid-19 and produce high-quality applications to my R3 schools, Karen also helped me strategize my waitlist approach for some of my R2 schools (i.e. test retakes, sending updates). Karen helped me structure my essays, coach my recommenders and ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Karen is The Best!
    4 years ago
    From my first interaction with Fortuna, I knew it was the right choice! I had the first consultation with Matt Symonds and I can't tell enough good things about him. I was rather conservative with my school choices, but he encouraged me to apply to the schools I wouldn't have had the guts to go for otherwise. He went above and beyond to even get a second opinion about my profile from one of the directors, just to build up my confidence and motivate for a higher GMAT score. Unfortunately, from my first interaction with Fortuna, in 3 years' time, I had to postpone my MBA plans twice. Yet, when I decided to finally try my chances, we restarted the conversation as if it was ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Karen Is Incredible!
    4 years ago
    I contacted a few companies when I started my MBA journey and almost all of them told me my dream schools were not a likely possibility. Fortuna was the only exception; they believed in me from the very start! Karen took the time to really understand me, my background, and my ideal career trajectory. Since I obtained my ideal GMAT score in late November, she helped me streamline all 5 of my applications to M7 schools in only one month. She worked around the clock nonstop and was always available when I needed her. She ultimately became the mentor and cheerleader I needed during this frustrating process. Out of 5 applications, I received 4 interviews. She worked with me prior to every single interview, helping ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Thank You, Karen!!
    4 years ago
    I couldn't be more thankful for Karen's support throughout this entire process. From our first phone call, I was confident she was an expert in the MBA admissions strategy and every component - from application essays to navigating the waitlist strategy. Karen gave great - and timely - feedback and helped keep my anxiety at bay during the entire process. Couldn't have done it without her!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Karen Is Your Champion!!!
    4 years ago
    Karen brings three key things to the table: 1. stellar organizational skills, 2. deep experience in crafting compelling stories, and 3. sustained and personable support (and trust me you will need a lot of it) My background was not the easiest to work with: management consultant with an undergraduate degree in business and a below-average GMAT. To add to this, I was also only looking at top schools. Over the course of several months, Karen challenged me, again and again, to go deeper into my stories to find the relevant examples that would bring my story to life. I received candid feedback in a timely manner and could always count on Karen's extremely fast turnaround time for essays. Above all, I particularly enjoyed how involved Karen was. ...
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    Alexandre Lin
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • KAREN IS TOTALLY AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!
    4 years ago
    3 months to the application deadlines, I was very confused and I wasn't clear about how to go about my applications. I was introduced to Fortuna and I scheduled a 30 mins free consultation call with Fortuna and I was matched with Karen Hamou. After the call, I was convinced I had to go with Fortuna. Working with Karen, especially was fantastic. She was interested in learning my motivations and story and as a result, she was able to help me structure my thoughts and appropriately convey them on paper. Also, her turnaround time was fantastic, typically reviewing my material within a day, even during the festive period. Within a space of 3 months, I was able to come up with my resume and application materials for 5 ...
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    Esosa Omozuyi
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Karen Is A Miracle Worker
    4 years ago
    I was recommended Karen by a friend, and I am so happy I was. I had big dreams to go to an M7, and only applied to three schools within that cohort. With a sub-par GMAT score and average GPA, I knew acceptances to these schools were likely a pipe dream and had major anxieties about taking on the process with such an uncertain outcome. That is when Karen came into the picture. Not only was she incredibly attentive - available any time of the day, any time of the week to review my essays, answer my questions or assuage my fears - but she was incredibly effective. Not long after I started working with her I started seeing the potential she saw. She helped me ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Great Mentor Along The Way
    4 years ago
    It has been truly a great journey working with Karen. I was pretty late into the application and only started working on the process with Karen since late October. In the two months of time, she helped me to better strategize and really optimized my chances in the round 2 application. Karen has great expertise not only in CBS but also in many other top programs. She has a clear sense of emphasis for most of the top programs and is very good at combining those focuses on the applicant's own experience/background. I would highly recommend Karen to anyone who is looking for a supportive and professional mentor for their MBA application process.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Incredibly Attentive & Supportive Consultant
    4 years ago
    I interviewed multiple companies and Fortuna stood out for their attention to detail, expansive view of the world, and succinctly getting to the heart of things. I have seen these same qualities in my every interaction with Karen, starting from our first conversation. Karen has been my cheerleader and supporter through every step of the application process, getting me essay edits back in less than 48 hours, answering all my emails, and helping me really refine the essence of my story and what I can bring to an MBA program. I really appreciated her flexibility in working around my schedule (we're in very different time zones) and in helping me think strategically when I encountered challenges in my personal life during the application process. For ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Constant Cheerleader Along the Way
    4 years ago
    Karen was great! I'd spoken with a few other consultants before going with Fortuna and Judith / Karen were by far the most patient, supportive, and genuine that I spoke with. Karen took the time to get to know me and the story I wanted to tell and helped me stay true to it throughout the process. She pulled the best material out of me and helped me package it properly for the applications/interviews. With her help, I applied to 4 schools in Round 1 and have happily been admitted to a great program with a very generous scholarship package. She also helped me strategize other schools to apply to in Round 2 in case Round 1 didn't work out, but I didn't need to ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Highly Recommended
    4 years ago
    Karen was amazing to work with. She was always very quick to give me feedback on my essays or other questions I had regarding my application, it felt as though she was as invested in the success of my applications as I was. I am going to end up going to the University of Chicago, but also was offered a full scholarship to NYU. Karen's assistance with everything definitely played an important part in the success of my applications, and I'm very glad to have worked with her. If you are considering working with Karen, think no more, she is the right choice!
    David Weissman
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Great Working with Karen
    4 years ago
    It has been a great experience working with Karen over the last several months. She really took the time to understand who I am - my goals, my stories, and how everything about me fit into an MBA application. In some instances, she proved she had learned who I am better than I knew, as she was able to help me get off the ground where I struggled for ideas. Karen was always very attentive to my application process. She was exceptionally timely in everything from responding to simple questions to returning a full set of essay or resume edits. She always made a great effort to fit our work into my schedule, rather than fitting into hers. And she always found time to help me ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Great experience working with Karen on Columbia application
    4 years ago
    Well a little background on me. My GMAT is below average for all the M7 schools and I was considering retaking the exam, infact I had started preparing. Also, as an international from Africa, I felt I needed to do more since the acceptance hasn't been so good (at least with people that I know that applied). So overall I probably have the most average background you can think of, I even had a lot of loopholes in my undergrad transcript. After Fortuna reached out to me and we scheduled a 30 minute call to discuss my career and life ambitions, I really felt they genuinely wanted to help and they even offered a discount to me (talk about putting your money where your mouth is). What ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Thank you so much Karen, for Wharton, CBS & Booth
    4 years ago
    At the outset, I had very high expectations because of all the great reviews about Karen and Fortuna. My high expectations were not just met, but were exceeded. Karen didn’t just help with essays, but she made every single part of the process advance as seamlessly and smoothly as possible – taking a lot of stress away – and ultimately allowing me to put my best foot forward. All throughout my time working with Karen, she really did care about me and worked very hard reviewing and helping me craft my material. She did so in a very timely, professional and caring way. Karen was not just my admissions consultant – instead, she was more like a sports coach – she sat in my corner and her ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Karen made the impossible
    4 years ago
    I had a very low GPA and was an older applicant than most. Before Karen, many consultants looked at my profile and said I at best had a shot at a school around the 20th-30th rank range. Karen helped me get admitted to CBS and also I received an interview invite from Wharton. Although I didn't get in with Wharton, being admitted to CBS has far exceeded my expectations. I am really glad that I worked with Karen and I couldn't be happier.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Karen is the Best!!
    4 years ago
    Six months ago, I had just taken the GMAT and decided to go all-in for Round 1 for the class of 2022. I figured I needed all of the help I could get and started to contact all of the consultants I could find. I spoke with probably a dozen, some said I’d get in, others said I wouldn’t. I got the same questions about my GMAT scores, what I wanted to do with my MBA and who would write my recommendations. It sounds cliché, but one was different, and that was Karen. She tried to understand me as a person and what led me to my current path. She made no promises about where I would get in or not get in, but she ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience Working With Karen at Fortuna
    4 years ago
    Like many of you reading this review, I went through the process of deciding whether or not I should engage a consultant and if so, which one I should choose out of a plethora of well-rated firms. Karen Hamou and the Fortuna team stood out to me through their willingness to strategize my MBA approach from the get-go and help position my candidacy as a non-traditional applicant. Over the course of the past few months that I have worked with Karen, she has helped me set GMAT targets, curate recommender briefs, revamp my resume, and refine my essays into stories that effectively communicated my experiences and accomplishments to the adcoms. Because I had little exposure to the business world, it was difficult for me to translate ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • I Got Into My Dream School!!!
    5 years ago
    Attending CBS has always been a dream of mine. Once I finished the GMAT, I knew what my MBA goals were, but found myself struggling to create a cohesive 'story'. I reached out to a few admissions consultants to see if I could get help. I decided to work with Karen Hamou at Fortuna. From our first call knew I had made the right decision. Not only was she extremely knowledgeable about the schools I was applying to but had the unique ability to take my muddled experiences, interests, goals, and dreams and help me create a coherent and captivating story. She truly has a gift for connecting the dots and seeing things from a holistic point of view. I chose the comprehensive school package and it ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Thank You, Karen!
    5 years ago
    After having completed the GMAT, TOEFL, getting recommenders on board, etc. I found myself at a huge roadblock at writing essays and completing the remaining content for my applications. Especially as someone foreign to US-style application, it was difficult for me to hit the right tone and narrow down my key selling points for the respective schools. After talking to some companies, I decided to get support from Fortuna Admissions as I felt they saw the person behind the application rather than just the numbers. I was lucky to have been put in touch with Karen as she cared for my success and always went the extra mile for me. Getting her on board immediately increase the pace that I was moving forward with and elevated the ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Karen!
    5 years ago
    Karen at Fortuna is an amazing consultant, and I could not have asked for a better person to help me with the overwhelming process of applying to business school. My situation was unique because my decision to work with a consultant came very late in the application process. Some consultants probably would have been turned off by me as a client in this respect, but Karen did not hesitate in taking me on. As we began working together, Karen was always very responsive to my emails; if I sent her a draft of an essay at night after work, she always provided comments by the next day. And when I received interview invitations from schools, she was proactive and available to help me prep at ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Haas & INSEAD Admit!
    5 years ago
    I would not have been accepted without Karen's help. When we first started working together on my applications, Karen really helped me clarify my career goals and craft a compelling, authentic personal story, and I landed multiple interviews. During interview preparation, Karen gave honest feedback and was exceptionally encouraging, and I went into every interview with a real shot. When I ended up getting amazing offers from top schools, Karen shared her perspective and allowed me to make the right decision. At every step of this journey, Karen offered me valuable insight and unwavering support. Overall, it was such a pleasure working with her. I would 100% recommend Karen to anyone who aims to join a top-tier MBA program.
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • CBS Admit!
    5 years ago
    I contacted Karen 36 hours before the merit-based deadline for Columbia Business School. I initially thought my application was strong but after getting it reviewed by one more person, they insisted that I contact Fortuna. Now typically, 36 hours is not enough time to edit 4 essays and a resume. However, Karen worked expeditiously to give me consistent feedback until we were comfortable with my admissions package. We made the deadline with much time to spare. The most impressive thing about the entire process is that Karen helped me enhance my content without changing the core of what I was trying to relay to the admissions committee. I don't know if this can ever be proven, but I can honestly say that the input Karen ...
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    Steven Nelson
    MBA Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Great Experience with Karen Hamou
    5 years ago
    Working with Karen was a fantastic experience overall! I had worked with other consultants prior to switching to Karen and her work was more thorough and customized. Not surprisingly, the results were better as well. Karen always responded to messages in a timely fashion and was happy to dig in to the details. In addition, I had several strategy questions regarding scholarships, waitlists, and small tweaks to important emails, all of which she answered right away without pinching pennies on a few minutes here and there. Perhaps most importantly, I felt like she sincerely cared about my goals and helping me tell an authentic story.
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Fantastic Experience With Karen
    5 years ago
    I had a fantastic experience working with Karen and ended up admitted to my top choice R2 school (M7). After working with a different consultant in R1 who did not give me good advice, I was skeptical about hiring another consultant, but Karen immediately demonstrated a thorough and personalized approach that made a huge impact on the strength of my applications. She started by having me fill out a template with my long-term and short-term career goals. She also reviewed by R1 applications and resume and gave me feedback on where I was not showcasing my strengths and experiences as strongly as I could have. She helped me craft a much stronger narrative, and gave clear and extremely helpful feedback on my draft essays. On ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Karen Hamou - Highly Recommend
    5 years ago
    Karen helped me with a comprehensive package, an interview, and a few essays for additional schools. She took hours to go over my goals and timeline and helped me prioritize essays, resume, etc. I highly, highly recommend her to anyone looking to get into a top 10 business school. I got interview invites to all 4 schools I applied to and was accepted at my first choice. She was very helpful with all of my questions throughout the process and takes the time to make sure you are ready for each step of the application.
    Admit
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  • Total Satisfaction - Highly Recommended!
    5 years ago
    I decided to work with an admissions consultant because I wanted to be fully informed about the admissions process, and I only wanted to go through it once. I worked with Karen and Fortuna for eight months in what I found to be a very personalized process. From the start, Karen helped me prioritize the correct activities, which gave me confidence knowing that I was making the best use of my time. I also really appreciated how responsive Karen was, particularly closer to deadlines: she answered my questions almost immediately, returned edited documents within only a few hours (and sometimes even overnight), and I could schedule calls with her within 24h and at my preferred times. I found this invaluable because I could create much ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • I Am Going To HBS Thanks To Karen
    5 years ago
    I was initially concerned after reading Karen’s profile that she may not be a good fit for me because she did not have an MBA from my dream school (HBS). However, I am beyond grateful that I had the privilege of working with Karen. Karen listens. She earned my trust by getting to know me and my application better or as well as I did. She would ponder on my resume, essay, story, and interviews in between sessions. She helped me solve problems with a fresh pair of eyes and perspective—giving me points to emphasize and prioritize in my resume, essays, application, and interviews. No platitudes or "cookie-cutter" feedback from Karen (like I got from other admissions consultants)--- feedback was incredibly preemptive and specific, which took ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Karen Is Amazing!
    5 years ago
    I worked with Karen on an application (and subsequent interview prep) to my #1 choice school and was very happy with the results. Yes, I was accepted, but I truly think that Karen helped me craft a “flawless” application – and I don’t think that my application materials would have been nearly as compelling without her help and I don’t know if I could have gotten in without Karen. I think that Karen really stood out in two areas: 1 – First was responsiveness. Business school applications are extremely stressful and it's rare to get everything done fully ahead of time. The last thing I would want is someone who takes half a day to get back to me. I was surprised how quickly Karen would respond ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Karen Is The Best!
    5 years ago
    Karen is amazing! If you’re looking for a knowledgeable and supportive partner (not just consultant) throughout this really stressful and emotionally raw process, look no further. The business school application process is such an intense journey and if you come from a nontraditional background (non-IB or consulting), it can feel very isolating and you often find yourself meandering through it. This is why finding the right consultant is one of the many key decisions you have to make. I’ve worked with a different consultant before (from one of the bigger companies) and I will emphatically say that the difference was night and day. I really felt that Karen cared about my journey from start to finish. If you have quick questions, she generally gets back to ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Can't recommend more
    5 years ago
    I worked with Karen the whole R1 season. We worked together on three things - resume, essay, and interview. Throughout the process, I was impressed by her responsiveness, trustworthiness, and flexibility. When I have questions, she usually will get me back with her answers in 4-5 hours, 60% of the times she would get me back within 1 hour. She makes me feel supported alongside. Karen is also experienced in coaching. I had my interview with CBS right 3 days after I got the invite. Karen did 2 mock interviews with me. In each of the session, she listened carefully my answers and would identify the inefficiencies in my communication style. The comment she gave me was right to the point and helped me structure my ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Excellent consulting helps me get into my dream school
    5 years ago
    Karen helped me on my application for five schools from essay building to mock interview. When I came to her, I had already drafted several versions but still feel I was not there. She really spent her time listening to my stories, analyzing my case and building up an application strategy for me. She immediately pointed out my strengths and weaknesses in my academic and working experience and crafted different strategies for different applications. She always has different perspectives and advice to my essay and other application materials to really bring my whole application to the next level. I truly appreciated her timely feedback on every version of my application. I was under extreme pressure when finishing application for five schools within a relatively short period ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Karen helped me get into my dream school!
    5 years ago
    I had spoken to a couple of other consultants before I spoke with Karen. Unlike the other consultants, Karen did not make me feel like my dream school was out of reach. She immediately told me what my weaknesses were and put forth a strategy on how to deal with them in the application process. I came to Karen later on in the application process, but never once did she make me feel stressed about my time crunch. She was EXTREMELY responsive all the way through till the end. At the start of my partnership with Karen, I had very little idea of what the “story” for my essays was going to be. After a long conversation on the phone, Karen helped me come up with a ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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