Karla Cohen

As someone with an untraditional pre-mba background, I was looking for a consultant who could help me tell my story in a way that resonated with the admissions committee. Karla is that person! From day one, she spent hours with me to perfect my story. Karla dove deep into my childhood, work experience, extracurriculars, and the things that drive me. It was clear from our first meeting, that no other consultant was going to spend such significant time with me. Karla wants you to succeed, 100%.

Karla will also be your biggest cheerleader throughout this very stressful process. When I started my application, I was not 100% where to apply and not confident that I could get into the top schools. That changed when I met Karla! She made me confident that I could get into the school of my dreams and she was right! Throughout the highs and lows of interviews, Karla was there to pick me up, and to provide a keen insight into the process that I couldn’t have simply researched online.

If you are looking for a consultant who will never give up, and who will spend as much time with you as necessary to perfect your essays and applications, Karla is your person.

After casting a wide net of applications, I was fortunate to gain admission to 5/7 M7 schools and will be attending HBS this fall. Work with Karla, you will not regret it!!

Going into the MBA admission process, I was confident that I would be lost in a sea of candidates with similar backgrounds to mine. Early on, Karla inspired me to search for ways I was different. We spent countless hours talking through my childhood, college experiences, and career in order to craft a compelling story that helped me stand out.

I know that admissions are a crapshoot, but I was confident from the moment I submitted my applications that they were the highest quality they could have been, all thanks to Karla. She provided tips and tricks and challenged me to step out of my comfort zone. Additionally, she understands the nuance of what each school is solving for, which was incredibly helpful while working through several applications.

If you’re reaching for a dream school and are struggling to craft your story and what makes you unique, I couldn’t recommend Karla more. She’s the GOAT.

Karla was incredibly helpful from start-to-finish of my MBA application. With minimal lead time, she was able to 1) understand my story / candidacy, 2) assist in the structuring and polishing of compelling essays, and 3) provide expertise into the common pitfalls of the application process and the key opportunities to set yourself apart from the pack. Outside of this, she was a true pleasure to work with given the personal touch / care that she provides her clients. Her help was instrumental to my success in the process, and I would highly recommend her to anyone shooting for admission to their dream schools!

Karla was instrumental in helping me craft a succinct and convincing story for my applications. She helped me with all my applications and even assisted on a few extra ones out of the goodness of her heart. She truly cares about her clients at a personal level, and is great at getting people to share things about themselves. If you are stuck, and unable to think of an interesting topic for your essays, she is definitely the person for you!

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

Working with Karla was for sure the best decision I made during my MBA application. Despite contacting her only 10 days before the submission deadline, Karla made time to review multiple drafts of my application and generously extended an offer to help me with interview preparation. She went up and beyond to make sure that I was very well prepared for my dream school.
She was extremely helpful with interview prepping and would absolutely recommend doing mock interviews with her. Highly recommended also for her empathy and nice attitude – I felt at ease talking to her about my insecurities during the entire process.

Working with Karla was a real game changer for me. She is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to position candidates for the top MBA programs. I truly believe that her help made a great difference in the admission decision. She most especially understood how to position my candidacy for the school I was applying to. Karla spent countless hours on the phone with me in order to better understand my story and my goals. She truly cares about the success of her clients and this is the difference that makes the difference. You know from the start that she is on your team and will not let you down. Overall, she made me feel confident about my application. Finally, she was also of great help with my interview prep for HBS. I highly recommend her help to anyone who considers applying to a top MBA program.

If you are considering hiring an MBA consultant and reading this, don’t waste your time with anyone else. The headline says it all – Karla is unbeatable! She is deeply knowledgeable about each of the top MBA programs and brings an insider’s perspective to the application process. From essays to interview coaching, Karla is an incredible coach. She was unbelievably patient with me while we worked together preparing applications over a 3 month period, and she spent countless hours with me at all hours of the morning and night meticulously helping me package and communicate my experiences in a compelling manner. She is, without a doubt in my mind, a best-in-class consultant and I could not more highly recommend working with her! On top of her intense commitment to her clients, she is a wonderful human and someone I am glad to call my friend after working together so closely in preparing for applications and interviews.

Karla is absolutely fantastic to work with – there is no one better equipped to walk you through the entire admissions process, and at her level of depth. She was instrumental in my MBA application process. I will be attending Wharton in August thanks to her expert guidance and coaching.

I started my MBA application process late. I applied in round two (deadlines in Dec ’21/Jan ’22) when I hadn’t even taken the GMAT/GRE as of Nov ’21. I did not have much confidence in getting multiple applications done in time, let alone studying for entrance exams being 6+ years out of undergrad. But, Karla is a superhuman ridiculously invested in your success – so, together, we got it done.

When you hire Karla, you become part of a supercharged team guided by a deeply caring coach, confidante, cheerleader, and friend. Hearing my trepidation about how daunting it felt to start so late in the game, Karla assuaged my fears, firmly but kindly. We came up with a game plan and worked our way through the various deadlines and checklists for each application. Through multiple essays, drafts, and mock interviews, Karla made everything easier.

Writing this review post-acceptance, I can say that Karla is hands-down the consultant you need for your MBA application needs. The past few months have been a whirlwind that will change the trajectory of my life, and I am beyond excited to attend business school because of her.

From brainstorming what schools were the right fit for me, to help me decide which school was the best fit after acceptance, Karla was always there, a call or text away. She is able to navigate the intricacies of different applications (HBS, GSB, Wharton, Sloan, SOM, etc.) and efficiently maximize your content and essays for each application. Karla’s processes and check-ins had me well prepared for the madness and rush of application season.

As a person, Karla is overly caring, extremely kind, and empathetic. Among many of her superpowers, one is listening and asking deeply insightful questions, allowing you to connect deeply with her and have her draw out the personal side of applicants. This is so critical to the MBA application process. She gave me the confidence to write about topics that I initially thought were too personal to include on my application, while her editing skills and eye for prose are superb.

Karla has a gift for drawing out the best in people, and I am so grateful to her. Invest in yourself and work with Karla!

Working with Karla was a really great decision. She began our work together by having a personal discussion about my background, goals, and aspirations. This way, she was able to help me craft a true, personal, and unique application, not a cookie-cutter one. I was busy with my job throughout the process and she helped me manage the application process with lower stress. Her insider experience in the HBS admissions process made me confident in my application. Her essay feedback was so useful and helped me put my best foot forward – her attention to detail throughout the whole process helped me not miss anything. When I got the interview, our mock interview sessions were so useful and invaluable preparation for the real thing – we drilled questions and Karla greatly increased my confidence. Overall, working with Karla was a great decision and something I would highly recommend to others.

I worked with Karla based on a strong recommendation I received from a close friend and mentor. Karla bent over backward and went over the top at every step of the process, starting with our initial (extensive) introduction call before I had even committed to applying to b-school. During the application prep process, Karla made me feel comfortable sharing intimate details about my life that ultimately shaped my essays and overall tone of applications. Working with Karla was a life experience in and of itself that has made me rethink the way I approach both my personal and professional interactions and goals.

The background behind the title of this review revolves around a quick anecdote Karla shared about an interaction she had with her Uncle. For some reason, this really stuck with me. He said, “Whatever you do, do great work”, and that’s what Karla does.

I feel lucky to have been introduced to Karla and intend to stay in touch during business school and beyond!

I did not believe I had any chance of getting into an M7 whatsoever. Coming from a non-traditional background, getting an MBA wasn’t even part of my future planning until I was referred to Karla. She made me realize the value in the work that I had done, far more so than I was able to see myself and was detailed and thorough in her navigation of the admissions process. She knows the ins and outs of each school’s process, mission, values, and priorities to a degree that surpasses any other resource I’ve been able to see. Not only does she intimately understand the MBA application process, but she is also deeply compassionate and committed to the goal of elevating her clients to do good in the world. Working with Karla is so much more than a simple transaction – it is a truly cathartic experience that opens your eyes to what you can achieve, and how you can improve the world through your capabilities. She truly has the talent to bring out the best in people and ensure that the MBA admissions committees can see it too.

The prospect of applying to business school was not only daunting but also incredibly intimidating. Karla elevated my app to a level that I know I was not capable of bringing it to on my own. She made me feel completely supported throughout the entire process and helped me get a result I initially didn’t think was realistic (Wharton $$$). I highly recommend her to anyone considering applying to business school.

Karla is seriously amazing. I was really nervous going into the process about high-volume consultants but Karla was not at all like a few of my friend’s experiences. She was super responsive and probably worked on my application/story more than I did. Her network is amazing and everyone she put me in contact with gave her glowing reviews as well. There is really no other choice honestly, go with Karla!

As an engineer by trade, I had very little insight into the MBA admissions process so I was very fortunate to have found Karla through Fortuna Admissions. She not only had deep insight and knowledge of admissions and the different school’s expectations but she always went above and beyond to make sure that every inch of my authentic self was demonstrated in my applications. Initially, I never considered applying to HBS let alone being admitted! Building a strong application is no easy feat and I truly believe that Karla’s influence, drive, and support were the key factors for me to be admitted to HBS. I am truly thankful to have worked with her because she genuinely cares for her client’s success! I fully recommend her if you want to put your best foot forward in the application process.

Karla was an amazing consultant! I truly believe that she did everything she possibly could to put me in the best position to be competitive at all of my target schools.

Like many others, I interviewed many consultants/firms and knew that Karla was the correct fit immediately. Karla went above and beyond – she put in the extra hours and effort (even beyond the hours, terms, etc. that are in the formal agreement). I believe that she is truly differentiated from other consultants because of her passion for her job and her true interest in getting to know you. She was able to answer any type of question about all of my schools – very informed! She was a great coach as well. As an applicant from a background that is not so differentiated and in a saturated pool (white, male, finance), I was a bit reluctant to give myself much of a chance at the top schools. Karla instilled confidence in me and helped me to stand out amongst similar applicants. Without her, there is no way I would have received a full-tuition scholarship. She is very positive and always willing to help. I would recommend her to anyone and have already recommended her to a few friends.

I highly recommend you chose Karla as your consultant.

Working with Karla was the best decision I made in pursuing assistance with my MBA applications. She went up and beyond to make sure that I was very well prepared for each school.

One of the things that made my decision to work with Karla easy, is the fact that she was interested in knowing me the person, not the applicant, which led me to open up about my background and my life decisions from childhood which I used as a foundation for my story.

TLDR: Working with Karla is a no-brainer – reach out to her early to secure your spot!

Karla is incredible. Without her, I am certain that I would not have produced an application of such quality and depth.

From the first meeting, Karla immediately sets herself apart with her candor and warmth. She takes the time to thoroughly understand your background and goals and provides an honest assessment of your competitiveness for the programs you seek.

Once you start working with her, it’s clear that she knows exactly what the adcoms are looking for. Her personable nature puts you at ease, and she’s an expert at asking you the right questions to help pull meaningful and unique anecdotes out of you – the type that forms the basis for essays that can set you apart.

Her interview prep is top-notch as well — overall, she provides support end to end on the application and is always just a text away for any questions you have.

Overall, she takes your application personally, as if it were her own, and is a terrific partner to help you put your best foot forward. Work with Karla, you won’t regret it.

I found Karla through a recommendation from a friend who got into HBS. I had a total of less than five months, from STARTING to study for the GMAT to FINISHING a few full MBA school applications. Without Karla’s knowledge and help, I would have been extremely overwhelmed, lost, and quite honestly, probably not have made it through the entire process.

Karla is extremely knowledgeable about the different school programs. She has extensive knowledge on what each program is looking out for in their candidates. In addition, she sees you for who you are and recognizes your strengths without you even realizing your own strengths at times – Karla helps you to build the best and most truthful version of yourself. What’s even more amazing about Karla is that she goes out of her way, above and beyond to support her clients in every possible way. She was extremely helpful in many different aspects throughout the application processes and even after the results are out. I would have been SO lost without Karla’s guidance and help. Thank you, Karla!!!

Karla is fantastic. From our very first phone call, I knew I wanted to work with Karla (actually to be honest from our first email!). While a lot of consultants I talked with tried to package and shape me into a standard profile, Karla saw me for who I was, and was genuinely excited about my candidacy (even when other consultants told me I had no chance because of my low GPA). Karla drew out my unique story, and at the same time helped me craft an application that was 100% truly me. Cannot recommend her enough!!!

Totally agree with others who left reviews on this page -“Karla is as good as it gets” is a fantastic way to describe the experience of working with her. What I also want to highlight is that she doesn’t simply provide technical guidance with her deep expertise in MBA programs; moreover, she presents her authentic self to you and offers genuine mental support throughout the long and sometimes stressful journey of the application process.

I found Karla after I was invited to interview for the Harvard MS/MBA program. At the time, I was excited, but honestly scared because I simply felt unprepared and didn’t know what to expect. When I signed up for coaching with Karla, she broke it up into different sessions, prep (informing me in detail of what an HBS interview is like and what they are looking for), several follow-up mock interviews with a variety of questions, to equip me with all I needed for the interview process. During each session, she makes sure to genuinely acknowledge my strengths and improvements, making me feel warm, supported, and confident. In terms of room for improvements, she provides wonderful feedback on how to frame arguments differently and effectively, how to use the Mckinsey way to summarize and present, how to develop depth, etc. What I loved the most is that each time she’d leave small homework assignments, which are essentially points/questions to consider, which allowed me to explore, investigate and compile more information to enrich my arguments. I simply saw my own progress after each session with her.

What’s even more amazing about Karla is that she goes above and beyond to support her candidate in every possible way. I was not only truly amazed by how she deeply understands the intricate differences between different b-schools – their values and culture, but also mind-blown by how quickly she can get me on board, through concise summaries and facts, to capture key factors of successful interviews. When I admitted how stressed I felt when I had to do two interviews within the same week, she said “I know you got this. You are ready.” It meant a lot to me!

I sincerely wanted to credit a lot of my success with the HBS MS/MBA program and Wharton MBA to Karla. Looking back, I truly wish I had started off the application process with Karla instead of soloing up to the point of the interview. There is simply abundant evidence that under her guidance I could have learned so much more ahead of time for my other applications，and, in many cases, the learnings are not limited to the application, but to future study/work If you ever apply for b-schools, and ever wonder whether or who you should work with a coach, hire Karla!

I got in touch with Karla based on the incredibly strong recommendations of a couple friends, including one who was a successful reapplicant (this year was my second time applying after getting into Wharton with a little bit of scholarship last year). From our first call, I could tell she would be a great fit for me – she is incredibly enthusiastic and personable and is truly in your corner. Having spoken and worked with multiple admissions consultants, I was consistently blown away by Karla’s deep knowledge of the admissions process (especially at top schools like Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton) – she knows exactly what they’re looking for and how to best position yourself. I found Karla to be much more forward-thinking and creative than other consultants; she really helped me refine my narrative and craft an application that was far superior to my first attempt. She is also just a pleasure to work with, extremely supportive, available, and caring.

Ultimately, I got into GSB as a reapplicant and was readmitted to Wharton with a full ride vs. ~25% scholarship in my first application. Couldn’t be happier to have worked with Karla and would recommend her to anyone.

Working with Karla Cohen was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Before diving into my story, if you’re reading this and you’re on the fence about choosing Karla: she is relentlessly hardworking, exceptionally knowledgable, and outright brilliant.

I interviewed several consultants before speaking with Karla, but after our first call, I knew immediately that she could offer the expertise I was looking for. What I didn’t know was that I was also hiring a skilled empath and de facto psychologist to guide me through a very stressful process.

Karla has unparalleled, deep knowledge about every school that we discussed. Her network is similarly without equal: if I wanted to speak to a member or alumni of School X, Karla had several that she could introduce me to. She made a process that was previously opaque and frustrating perfectly transparent.

For about 8 months, I probably spoke with Karla at least once per day–she was both coach and psychologist. Karla provided expert advice on applications, prepped me for interviews, and debriefed me after each step. Karla knows me as well as any friend I have, which is a testament to how much she cares and how deep she’s able to get in terms of understanding who you are as a person and applicant.

I ultimately got into my dream school, and am currently attending Yale SOM full time. I cannot recommend Karla highly enough, thank you, Karla!

Karla is amazing. I worked with Karla on two of my M7 interviews (one of which was for my dream school, HBS), and just absolutely loved her. I felt so embraced and like she really wanted to do anything she could to help me succeed in my interviews and follow-ups.

She spent several hours prepping me (even going beyond the agreed upon session time), debriefed with me after my interviews, and helped me write my thank you notes.

Karla is so knowledgeable about the MBA programs – not only the programs themselves, but also the interviewers, processes, and common formats. Anytime I didn’t feel fully satisfied with an answer, she patiently helped me dig deeper and explore alternatives until we found one I was comfortable with. Through that, she helped me fine tune my story, incorporating more confidence into my answers.

After my interviews, she was one of my first calls – we debriefed over my answers and analyzed if there was any recovery I had to do. After that, she would help me iterate on my thank you emails/reflections as much as I needed. Again, in anything we did together, she went so above and beyond. She was genuinely invested in my success and her support and belief meant the world to me. She would even connect me to other applicants/admits who were in my industry and who would be interesting for me to speak with given our common backgrounds and interests.

I got into my dream school, and Karla was certainly a big component of that! I couldn’t recommend her highly enough!

Where can I start? The experience working with Karla speaks for itself: I got an acceptance from two schools I applied to – GSB and HBS (MS/MBA program that’s even more selective).

When I first started looking, I did my thorough research and spoke with a number of other consultants (mbaMission, gatehouse admissions, etc). Those were great companies, but not right for me for various reasons. Some, for example, have very strict rules and policies. They don’t schedule weekly meetings, they won’t review any PDFs — totally inappropriate to what I was looking for.

Karla was fabulous from the beginning. She immediately understood why I was applying only to two top schools, she wasn’t pushing or suggesting I even apply to other programs. In fact, I had more doubts in me than she ever did. That was extremely important because applying to schools (taking GMAT, paying consulting fees, not sleeping over nightmares and self-doubts) are all high opportunity cost, so it was essential that I go through this journey with someone who is there to help and support.

What did I like the most about working with Karla?
1. She knows, she knows the schools, the processes, people behind admissions so well.
2. She is very flexible – PDF? Sure! Google Docs? Why not!
I appreciate it so much!
3. Karla had so many examples of other successful applicants – it was incredible to see who ultimately got accepted.
4. We had weekly meetings – I can’t imagine how Karla fits that into her schedule but those were the times when I appreciated Karla even more.
5. We did multiple interview practice sessions and I truly understood what was important for HBS adcom.
… I can go on and on!

In all, I am absolutely thankful to Karla for working with me & making my dreams come true!

My story is a very interesting one.
I was working with a different consultant from a different company before I got to work with Karla. Here’s how the story unfolded; I was invited to interview with HBS, unfortunately, my consultant was not responding for some reason.

It’s a good thing my friend had worked with Karla, she introduced me to Karla. Lucky for me, Karla was able to help me with my HBS interview prep and the post-interview reflection.

YES, I got into HBS. Karla was one of the reasons I got into HBS (literally). She’s very experienced, and she gives personalized and tailored advice based on your application.

Working with Karla is the best decision I’ve made this year, if not in my life. If you want to get into top MBAs, then you want Karla. Work with her, Trust her acumen, Follow her guidance, and You Will Shine.

Karla has the unique combination that I couldn’t find in any others after a thorough due diligence and numerous intro calls with other consultants/agencies: Karla 1) is personally invested into your MBA applications AND your future; 2) has incredibly insightful and critical insider tips and knowledge about M7’s applications; and 3) can offer comprehensive advice THROUGHOUT the process (from paper application to interviews).

I truly believe Karla is the deal maker. Karla WANTS to know you, identifies what sets you apart and helps articulate such in your own authentic way, all of which are so important for top MBA applications. She will be your “mirror” and will help you find yourself through deep self-reflection. I learned so much about myself by working with her, a huge bonus for me besides amazing admission results (GSB and other M7’s)

What’s more, I’m not only blown away by her expertise, but also impressed by her personality: she is my life coach and I consider her a member of my extended family. Now, looking back, working with Karla is the easiest decision one can make if one is serious about MBA applications, so do this before others!

I had several exploratory calls with 5-star reviewed consultants from multiple top-tier admissions firms. Nobody came close to Karla’s level. She has an incredible ability to connect with people and build trust. Her unique approach made it possible for me to open up and be my authentic self with her. All of which are essential components of a great application to a top business school. She told me that we will create a portrait of myself through the application, and that each component of the application is going to be part of that portrait until the adcom can see the full picture. And boy did she mean it!

It wasn’t only that she enabled me to tell my authentic story to the school, but more importantly, she enabled me, for the first time in my life, to articulate my story for myself. A precious milestone regardless of the outcome of the application.

I was a reapplicant to Stanford GSB, and this clearly shows the value that Karla brought to my application. She made my dream come true! Karla is the absolute best admissions consultant and a fabulous human being. I am grateful for having met her.

Karla was absolutely everything anyone could ever ask for in an admissions consultant. She’s extremely unique in the sense that she’s able to personally connect with her clients on a very intimate level. I found this to be one of her best traits. This relationship allowed us to work together seamlessly and have a healthy feedback loop. I felt comfortable and safe explaining to her my life failures, successes, and everything else in between. Combining this with her sharp mind about everything business school limited my stress and instilled confidence that I was in the best of hands. Karla genuinely cares about her clients and truly loves her job. I consider Karla both my admissions consultant and a friend. I would recommend absolutely anybody to her and strongly suggest you pick her!

Hiring Karla as my consultant was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. With Karla’s help, I was able to get into both the GSB and HBS. While searching for a consultant, I spoke with many individuals across a number of different firms, and no one believed in me the way Karla did. Everyone advised me to wait another year before applying because the 2020 – 2021 application cycle was expected to be the most competitive to date, and my hobbies and interests were relatively new. However, Karla saw something in me that no one else did and was able to help me develop a story that wove my past experiences into my present interests and future goals. She helped boost my confidence and made me feel like I really had a shot at one of the two top schools. Before meeting her, I doubted that I would even get into one, let alone both, of the two schools I ultimately applied to.

To give you some context, I knew absolutely nothing about the business school application process when I decided to apply. I knew that I needed a consultant who was high-touch and who could guide me throughout the entire process. Karla was that person for me. Not only did she make sure that I met deadlines and knew exactly what deliverables were required, she provided encouragement and helped calm my nerves.

I loved working with Karla because she was always responsive and put her clients first. She always worked late into the night to get me comments on essay drafts as soon as possible. Even though she had many other clients, she always made me feel like I was her top priority. Any time I texted her, she always responded within 15 – 20 minutes, and she always made herself available for a Zoom call or phone call whenever I needed a pep talk (one time, we had a call at midnight because that was the only time I was available, and I was in crisis mode).

Honestly, before working with Karla, I was skeptical of business school consultants. I was worried that I would be put into a mold and that my story would be massaged into something that the schools would want to see rather than the story that I wanted to tell. Karla, however, was able to elevate my story by working with me to draw out forgotten memories and make connections that I would never have made on my own. She did not write my story for me – rather, by serving as a sounding board, she enabled me to write the best possible story that I could have written by myself. At all stages throughout the process, she encouraged me to be my most authentic self and assured me that the schools would appreciate me for who I was. As someone with high social anxiety, I needed this type of reassurance.

More than a consultant, Karla has become a life coach and a friend. She has helped me develop personally throughout this incredibly reflective application process, and I plan to stay in touch with her throughout my business school journey and beyond. She has amazing and interesting perspectives on life, and she is one of the first people I would text if I needed any professional advice.

The confidence that Karla has helped me build through this process is something that I will have with me for the rest of my life. For others who are planning to apply to business school – especially if you are applying to one of the top two programs – hiring Karla is a MUST. Her experience working in admissions for both Stanford and Harvard is invaluable, and her personability makes her service so worth it (since you are basically getting an admissions consultant, therapist, and friend all in one). I would recommend hiring Karla without any hesitation, and I genuinely believe that she is the best consultant that you can find.

Finally, if you need someone who can help you navigate the waitlist process, Karla is your person. I was initially waitlisted at HBS, and Karla helped me navigate every step of that grueling process and ultimately helped me get in. There is probably no one out there who is as knowledgeable about the waitlist process as Karla is.

Karla was extremely insightful and supportive. It’s amazing how well she managed to inspire confidence and helped me push through the tough process. She also has great attention to detail and patiently helped me get every minute aspect of my application right. She was very generous with time and adjusted her schedule to match my timezone requirements. Super glad it worked with her for my applications.

Karla is the best consultant ever! I was a re-applicant who had worked with someone else previously and not even sure whether business school would still make sense for me. Whereas other consultants told me that I likely didn’t have a shot at some of the places I had earlier applied to, Karla had a completely different and refreshing take. She believed in me from our first introductory call. She is so insightful and knowledgeable about what top schools are looking for (stemming from her direct experiences), something that was instantly evident to me while talking to her, and helped me present my story in the most compelling way. She worked tirelessly with me on all aspects of my candidacy from the essays to the interviews, beyond what I could imagine from any other consultant! She was my biggest cheerleader, advisor, and trusted friend through the whole process, encouraging me whenever I had any doubts and helping rein in my little worries 🙂 With her help, I got accepted to 4 top schools (M7) and even received scholarships. I am so very grateful to her for her support and believe that her guidance made THE difference this time around. I honestly can’t recommend her enough!!!

Karla was an amazing source of support and knowledge as I was navigating my HBS interview. She helped me understand how to prepare and think through my experiences so that I could share my story in the most impactful way. She was also incredibly generous with her time and someone I felt I could trust. Her insights were always on point (especially because of her past experience with HBS) and I went into the interview day fully prepared and relaxed. Would 100% recommend working with Karla!

Simply put, Karla helped me turn my dream of attending Harvard Business School into a reality. She supported every step of the process and provided crucial information and resources to help me put my best foot forward as an international applicant. I cannot imagine having gone through this process without her, and she is a wonderful person to work with. If you are serious about attending a top MBA program, my recommendation is to surround yourself with the best people to make it happen. I’m lucky to have found Karla.

When I had a consultation call with Karla, I knew that I wanted to work with her. The level of depth in which she explored every aspect of my story made me confident that we could write a compelling essay and profile together. Through the process, I had a lot of doubts and questions, and Karla was able to address all of them. She truly was a life coach, cheerleader, admissions consultant all in one!

Working with Karla, I gained confidence in my story and purpose for wanting to pursue an MBA. I received interviews at all schools I applied to and was ultimately accepted to HBS and Wharton (with a fellowship)! Karla was an amazing resource, and I highly recommend her services.

Karla is an absolute pleasure to work with! She has a consistently upbeat personality and is incredibly empathetic. Karla has experience working at HBS / GSB / INSEAD admissions, which gives her unique insight into the application process at these schools. If you engage Karla as a consultant, she goes above and beyond in getting to know you and helping you weave an authentic and compelling narrative. Her guidance and editing throughout the essay writing process and her direct knowledge of the interviewers are particularly helpful. I’m very grateful for Karla’s support throughout the application process and am confident I would not have pulled it off without her. I highly recommend her to any aspiring MBA student, especially those considering HBS.

Karla was instrumental in helping me navigate (and quite frankly, calm me down) throughout the HBS waitlist process. She helped me put my best foot forward and eventually convert into an admit.

As I was going through the process, I wanted to find a consultant who would take the time to fundamentally understand my story and application rather than treat the process as a business transaction. Karla met and significantly surpassed all of my expectations! She really put in the time and effort to understand my application and as a result, was able to offer great insights and coaching advice along the way. Where Karla really shined for me, however, was during the interview process. Because Karla took the time to really understand me and get to know me on a personal level, she was able to help me draw out the key pieces of my story and guide me on how to best approach the interview. She identified where I had weaknesses and helped me strengthen them, which was a critical component to my interview. Finally, because HBS was my target school, Karla was able to draw on her extensive experience at HBS and offer unique insights that other consultants simply could not have. If you are looking for a consultant who truly takes the time to dive into your application, understand your story, and be as available and helpful as possible for all of your application needs, questions and concerns – look no further!! I promise you won’t be disappointed!

As someone who started the process rather late and had no clue where to start, I was looking for someone who was willing to dedicate the time but I was not expecting someone who would also put in the effort to getting to know me personally. Karla was the whole package and then some. From our first conversations, I could tell that she was very familiar with how to help her clients get to top schools. What sets Karla apart though, is her ability to connect with you on a personal level to draw out key pieces of your personal story and coach you to weave a cohesive narrative. I enjoyed working with her because she was patient, empathetic, but always focused on making sure that I was putting the best version of myself into the process. This didn’t start and stop at the application phase of the process, but she helped me think about my school selection all the way through the interview preparation. I got into 2 M7s and can confidently say I couldn’t have done it without her help. Go with Karla if you want someone who will spend the time to get to know you beyond your credentials in order to help build your story, you won’t be disappointed!

I worked with Karla on my application and admission to HBS, my target school. I chose Karla because she had direct experience working at HBS, which made her stand out against other consultants. What makes Karla distinctive is that on top of her experience, she has a great ability to tell the story and find the thread that draws through all your experiences. This talent along with her personable nature made the essay drafting experience top-notch. When it came to the interviews, her insight was extremely helpful; she was attuned to the process and even knew my interviewer, so our mock interviews made me feel well prepared. Overall, I would definitely recommend Karla!

Karla was a true joy to work with, I could not recommend her highly enough — she really knows her stuff. Karla is an amazing storyteller, she is able to help you connect the dots and put together an application package that is authentic and compelling. I could not have done this process without her – she was my confidant, advisor and life coach through this all.

As a nontraditional candidate (dance and English major, my first job was at a nonprofit arts organization), I was nervous about the MBA application process. I hoped that a consultant could help me find a balance of playing into my unique background while still presenting a clear picture of how I was equipped for the MBA. After speaking with a few different consulting firms who either glossed over my background or said it was a deficit to overcome, I was introduced to Fortuna and Karla, and it was basically love at the first 4-hour phone call.
Karla immediately made me feel confident that my background as an artist was a strength to be explored rather than a deviation to be explained. Over countless phone calls, we worked together to tell my story in a way that was true to my voice, my values, and my goals. Karla was an inexhaustible well of knowledge about the small details of how to engage with the admissions process and finesse my applications, but even more important was her sharp insight that helped me thread the needle from my childhood to my current role to my future plans.
The best part of working with Karla was actually how easy she is to talk to, allowing me to open up about my hopes and dreams and favorite quarantine TV binges. Our conversations were incredibly enjoyable, but our close relationship also helped us take my application to the next level. When I got into Stanford and HBS, Karla was the third person I called after my boyfriend and parents. I cannot recommend her enough.

After speaking with several consultants and not feeling like I “clicked” with any of them, I knew after the first conversation with Karla that she was the consultant I wanted to work with. Karla was the most amazing consultant, cheerleader, and life coach all wrapped into one!! I cannot thank her enough for all of her help throughout the process — working with Karla was such an enjoyable experience because she truly cares about her clients and will make sure they feel they have submitted their very best applications, no matter how much time investment is needed. Karla was incredibly accessible throughout the process, and spent weekends, early weekday mornings, and late weekday nights providing the guidance I needed. She truly wants the best for her clients. She is incredibly knowledgeable on what each specific school is looking for in potential candidates, and is able to tailor her insights depending on the school. I cannot recommend her enough! She made the MBA application process fun and enjoyable, and I am so grateful to have worked with her!

Karla is always enthusiastic and ready to help, bringing a ton of insight from her time in admissions. Offered very personalized tips and helped with both the self-reflection process and detailed editing process. Extremely helpful with interview prepping as well as drawing from her experience and doing mock interviews. Highly recommended if you are interested in HBS or other top programs.

Karla is an exceptional consultant to work with. Karla goes way beyond what is expected of an admissions consultant – her infectious personality and commitment to getting to know me put me at ease to be comfortable and vulnerable in my discussions with her, enabling a deep level of introspection throughout the essay writing process which I believe brought authenticity to my application. Karla worked tirelessly to support me and nothing was too much trouble. Any aspiring MBA student would be lucky to work with Karla. I’ll always be grateful to Karla and recommend her wholeheartedly. Reach out to her – you might be so lucky to work with her too!

Karla is FANTASTIC.

I was really worried about the business school environment with COVID increasing the number of applicants. I engaged Karla via Fortuna, and she somehow made time to support me on my application to Wharton— which I not only got an interview for but also an offer and scholarship support!!

Karla is brilliant, knows the ins and outs of b-school admissions, and is extremely skilled at eliciting your best stories to make you shine as a candidate on paper AND in the interview. (She’s also a complete sweetheart.)

If you’re serious about getting into an M7 school in this increasingly competitive environment, go for Karla’s hands down.

Also, if you’re considering applying internationally, her work at INSEAD is a wealth of knowledge to leverage when looking at European schools.

Overall, highly recommend!!

I met Karla towards the end of my application process but felt we connected from our first conversation. Despite being close to deadlines and juggling numerous other applicants, Karla made time to review multiple drafts of my application and generously extended an offer of interview prep if I got to that point (she ultimately helped me prep for HSW interviews). Karla was a huge help in identifying my blind spots (if you are someone who struggles to brag about yourself, Karla is your person — she will help you do it in a way that still feels genuine and true to yourself). Her unique insight into interviewer profiles / their likes/dislikes is also very helpful. I am so grateful to Karla for her support through this massive endeavor. Thank you.

Karla was the comforting tab in the back throughout my -stressful- interview stage of the application process. She guided me through multiple sessions and was kind enough to provide extra time as well.

Her consultation sessions were so fruitful, empowering, relaxed and greatly beneficial, especially given her insider knowledge and experience.

Thank you Karla for pointing out my strengths and help me present myself from that angle, to eventually receive my admission letter from HBS!!

I had spoken to dozens of business school coaches before going with Karla, and I was really excited to work with her because she stood out to me for a few reasons. 1) She is incredibly knowledgeable about the entire application process, what different schools look for, and how to best position yourself both quantitatively and qualitatively. Her background as a prior adcom is really unique and advantageous here. 2) She really cares about her clients and goes above and beyond her stated responsibilities. She’s pulled late nights / early mornings to accommodate client schedules because she genuinely cares. 3) Her bubbly personality is contagious and you will love talking to her! 4) She was the only coach I spoke to who directed me to previous clients for references. Needless to say, all of her references were glowing! I think this really speaks to her dedication to clients and how she always does what’s best for them.

In summary, I highly recommend working with Karla. I don’t think I would have been able to do this without her!

I am headed to HSW in the fall, and without Karla, it would not have been possible. Karla was my number one resource during this entire process. Coming from a non-traditional background was intimidating, but Karla demystified the application process. Not only did she help me narrow down what to write about in each part of the application, she also helped me think intentionally about how to frame each experience so the schools would be getting as complete a picture of me as possible; when it came time for it, she also helped me select the stories for my interview. Her extensive experience in and deep knowledge of the admissions process means she knows exactly what the adcoms will be looking for in part of the application, from work experience to the personal essays to recommendations. However, while it is possible to find others who have similar experience in admissions, you will not find someone else who becomes so personally invested in your success – nor will you find yourself a bigger cheerleader. This process is long and hard, and there were many times I doubted myself and wanted to give up. Karla was always so encouraging, enthusiastic, and positive; you may lose faith in yourself, but she will have enough conviction in your success for the both of you.

I worked 1-1 with Karla for my MIT Sloan MBA application on what was a tight 2-week application deadline, and thanks to her amazing teamwork and turnaround time we were able to get my application in with a week to spare! Needless to say, we were successful and I am now a proud admit.

Karla has deep insight into the adcom’s processes, styles, and thinking, and she specifically knew exactly how to craft and tweak my generic application story to target MIT Sloan. Most importantly, she gave me the confidence to tell my story through the application and interview stages and I no longer felt like I was submitting my materials into a black hole with no feedback! I highly recommend her as a consultant.

When I was accepted to HBS, Karla was the first person I called.

I was fortunate to be able to work with her. Karla supported me on the business school front (demystifying the application process, interview practice, etc.)… she also enabled me to reflect deeply on my career goals.

Karla is an expert in her field and extremely knowledgeable. Better yet, she is also passionate, insightful, beyond supportive, and kind.

Adored by her clients and truly one of the best-kept secrets in the b-school world. I highly recommend Karla!

I worked closely with Karla on my MIT application.
It was a real pleasure to work with her as she is always enthusiastic and very efficient in her work. Her extensive experience in Admissions team of Top MBAs (M7 and INSEAD) is unvaluable as she really knows the specificites of each school and knows where to focus one’s efforts to build the best application.
One more thing that I loved about Karla is that she is very concerned about the success of her clients. The relationship that she builds with her applicants goes beyond the simple relationship applicant/coach. She is a friend. She is always available to answer questions and never hesitate to put in the extra work to ensure that you get into your dream school.
Thanks to her, I am now a proud MIT admit!

Working with Karla was great. When you first start, you fill out a massive questionnaire for Fortuna. Karla then goes beyond the questionnaire and interviews you to get background and depth so she has a complete picture. In doing so, she elucidated insights that formed the basis of my essays. Karla was very helpful in terms of bouncing ideas off of and helping to get my thoughts succinctly organized.

Karla was also helpful in terms of formulating strategy and giving me advice specific to my situation. Karla does a first-rate job on with all of the services she offers.

I had the pleasure of working with Karla for the interview portion of my application process. I had a wonderful experience despite being in another country and Karla´s flexibility made the coaching process really easygoing. Her help was key to my admission to my dream school, a top 5 program, as she provided unique insights and positive enthusiasm in going over and over my interview speech. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking to get into their dream school.

HBS admit. Glad I worked with Karla on this!