Melissa Jones

Senior Expert Coach

Fortuna Admissions

Canada

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

One of Fortuna’s first coaches, Melissa previously worked as Assistant Director for the MBA Program at INSEAD in France. Melissa travelled extensively and connected with countless applicants, delivering over 100 live and virtual presentations advising candidates on the INSEAD admissions process and elevated the quality of recruiting at the school. She was also a member of the review committee responsible for selecting scholarship recipients.

In addition to her admissions career, Melissa has worked in marketing and communications for global brands such as Sony, InBev, and Xerox. An extraordinarily successful coach, she has a sharp eye for talent and a detailed understanding of what business schools are looking for. Melissa is a global citizen – she has lived in five countries, conducted business in 34, and traveled to 45. She has also founded an organization called Syrian Welcome Dinners, which connects Syrian newcomers in Toronto with local established families. Melissa has an undergraduate business degree from Dalhousie University in Canada and has completed the Management Acceleration Program (MAP) at INSEAD.

Company Information

Fortuna-Admissions-Logo

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

Goal development. Candidacy positioning. Interview coaching. Designed to guide you carefully through the entire application process, our MBA packages draw on our team’s industry expertise as former Directors and Associate Directors of Admissions at the world’s best business schools. For the highest impact, we recommend our Comprehensive Package or Premium Package Upgrade services.

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)

You will work with a dedicated Expert Coach throughout the entire process, with input from our resume specialist and a mid-point review of your entire application by another of our Expert Coaches. 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 business school.

Location: Canada

Email: info@fortunaadmissions.com

Website: http://www.fortunaadmissions.com

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Admitted To INSEAD
    1 month ago
    I worked exclusively with Melissa on my INSEAD application, which was the only school I applied to. She was very knowledgeable about the process and what the school was looking for. She expertly pulled together the ingredients from all parts of my life and put them together for the best possible application. She responded quickly to all questions, and worked efficiently on email and Zoom. She was also a rigorous practice interviewer which prepared me well for the real thing. This work culminated in an offer. Couldn't recommend her highly enough!
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Admitted To UCLA & INSEAD!
    2 months ago
    I recently had the pleasure of working with Melissa as my admissions consultant, and I am beyond impressed with the exceptional service and guidance I received throughout the entire process. From our first interaction to the moment I received my acceptance letters, Melissa demonstrated an unparalleled level of expertise, professionalism, and dedication. Her in-depth knowledge of the admissions landscape, seamless and efficient communication/feedback, a genuine passion for my story truly sets her apart. Right from the beginning, she invested time in getting to know me – my academic background, professional experiences, aspirations, and unique qualities. This personalized attention was evident in the meticulously crafted application strategy tailored to highlight my strengths and address potential weaknesses. I always felt supported and confident in the guidance I ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Admitted To Both CBS & INSEAD
    4 months ago
    Melissa was truly amazing and I would not have been offered places at INSEAD and Columbia without her. She knows both admissions processes inside out. She gave very clear steers on the type of qualities are both looking for and massively helped me get into the right frame of mind for each interview. When I first came to her I had an extremely low GMAT score - minus 500 - but she never gave up on me and actually introduced me to Stuart Park who helped me achieve my desired GRE (I switched) score. If you're applying to do an MBA I could not recommend her highly enough!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admitted To Top MBA Program In Final Round
    5 months ago
    I am an applicant in the final round of the MBA application process. Among the various consultants available, I chose Melissa. I made this choice because she responds promptly and has a very organized approach to structuring my essay. She meticulously reviewed my life and work experiences and provided tailored advice for the schools I wanted to apply to. She also understood the potential weaknesses in my experiences and helped me address them in the optional essay, allowing the admissions team to better understand who I am through my application documents. The essay was completed in just about two weeks, which put my mind at ease for other application matters. During the interview process, Melissa also shared some interview tips to help me prepare with confidence. ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Great Consultant - But Consulting Only Helps So Much
    10 months ago
    Stats / Outcomes: 710 GMAT (lower quant score, higher verbal), 154 EA, Overrepresented Background. Accepted to Yale, NYU, and Georgetown (with some $). Interviewed at CBS and Duke, and currently waitlisted at Duke. Melissa was an excellent consultant. She was very patient and a good listener as we refined my story together. She also offered great insight into what schools look for. Together we were able to delve into my backstory and goals and connect the dots into a thoughtful narrative. As far as consultants go, I think Melissa is an amazing one! That said, I do want to temper expectations on how far a consultant can bring you. They are great at being a thought partner to sound ideas out and offer very valuable insight ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Admitted To TOP MBA Program
    1 year ago
    Melissa is so experienced in the application process. Working with her saved me a lot of time and made me much less worried during the MBA application process. Her knowledge helped me to find the best approach to present my stories. I recommend Melissa to anyone interested in applying for top MBA programs.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Admitted To Top US MBA Program
    1 year ago
    I can't imagine going through the MBA admissions process without Melissa Jones at Fortuna. Melissa’s positivity and clear understanding of the process from the initial consultation made working with her one of my easiest decisions. Coming from a nontraditional background, with a low test score, and an unclear idea of post-MBA industry/goals, I never thought I would have a chance of getting into multiple US top schools, let alone my dream school (Columbia). Melissa supported me through the entire process, from helping me determine a school list and establish a clear post-MBA vision to cheering me on through multiple poor test attempts. Melissa is incredibly mindful of deadlines and her diligence is exactly what I needed to stay on track with all aspects of each ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Admitted To A Top MBA Program
    2 years ago
    Working with Melissa was an absolute pleasure. We were super efficient in communicating across time zones and she really took the time to understand my profile and helped me to craft my application optimally. Melissa's help was highly valuable and constructive and working with her really helped me to get past the difficulty of articulating myself in the application itself. Melissa's support was continuous and her wisdom of the process is clear to see, so having her there was a big part of my admissions journey, ultimately closing with admission to my first choice MBA program!
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Admitted To Top MBA Program
    2 years ago
    I had a great experience with Fortuna Admissions, especially with Melissa Jones. I had applied to schools a year earlier and did not get in anywhere. I was struggling to find the best way to present myself in my essays, which parts of my experiences to include, which to leave out, etc. I decided to try again and do it with some help. In the very early stages of my work with Melissa, she sat down with me and took the time to hear my life story and talk about my goals so that she could help me “sell” myself better and build a more compelling narrative for the admissions committees. She also reviewed my previous applications to get a sense of why it hadn’t ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admitted To Wharton & CBS
    2 years ago
    I had a great time working with Melissa for the past few months as we navigated the business school application process. I was really worried at first because my GPA was much lower than the school averages, and I knew my GMAT score was not going to be high (I'm a horrible test taker). Melissa stayed calm the whole time and really helped me highlight my strengths in the essays and through the rest of the application. She stayed very calm and was extremely supportive. I appreciate her immense knowledge of the process, guidance and support, and clear communication. Melissa's extremely knowledgeable about the process and can help you fight for your best chance! I highly recommend her. I had a much lower GPA and test ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Admitted To Top MBA Program
    2 years ago
    Melissa is one of the best consultants out there. She has immense knowledge of the process and her guidance is more introspective than anything. I worked with her right from the beginning and she was happy to hear my ideas, guide me on them, and then let me take my own course of action. She was always a very calming presence in the whole admissions process I couldn't have done this without her support. Trust her and you are home.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Admitted To Top MBA Program
    2 years ago
    Melissa is the best admission consultant you can work with! Working with her has been an incredible experience and far beyond my expectations. She was able to help me achieve my goals of getting accepted to my dream b-school with a low GMAT score and GPA. Melissa was extremely quick and efficient in giving me invaluable insights and helpful advice to make my profile stand out. She knows exactly what MBA AOs are looking for, and she is an incredibly supportive person to have guide you along the MBA application journey. I cannot recommend Melissa highly enough; I honestly could not have done it without Melissa’s support!
    Class of 2013 Admit
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  • Worth It!
    3 years ago
    Happy to say Melissa helped me get into my dream school - INSEAD! I was looking for admissions consultants to give me peace of mind throughout the typically stressful application process. Fortuna, and in particular working with Melissa, was a clear choice due to her INSEAD expertise. She gave me confidence throughout, helped bring out the best in me, and even went the extra mile in connecting me with alumni to ask questions. I will say that Fortuna is very structured in their counseling style, with the majority of communications over email / Podio and three 1:1 calls. I was totally ok with this due to my busy schedule. If this is your style too, I highly recommend Melissa!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Melissa!
    3 years ago
    I worked with Melissa on applying to INSEAD, as I considered her (and Fortuna) to be the INSEAD experts during my MBA consultant search. With Melissa's help, I got into INSEAD despite a relatively low GPA (3.27/4.0) and lower than average GMAT (700 vs 706 INSEAD average). Melissa was very positive and always made time to talk when I needed advice from start to finish. She had great resume edits and pushed me on self-reflection for essay topics. On the essays themselves, she gave honest and direct feedback while still sounding motivating and encouraging. Super responsive as well - I could consistently count on a response well within 24 hours. Melissa also looped in Caroline (former Director of Ad. at INSEAD) from Fortuna to offer ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Melissa Is Amazing - Couldn't Recommend Her More!
    3 years ago
    I highly, highly recommend working with Melissa - I had an amazing experience working with her and couldn't have asked for more. Melissa brings a fantastic attitude, invaluable insight and great prior experience. Throughout our time working together, she was always incredibly responsive, and happy to work around my schedule no matter how much of an imposition. She had a really great eye for detail, and an impressive way of helping me to open up about some very tough moments in my personal journey - but in a very sensitive, understanding and powerful way.  Above all, she is also just an incredibly friendly and positive person, and an absolute joy to work with. I couldn't recommend Melissa more, and I know you won't look back after taking her ...
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    Class of 2021 Rejected
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  • Amazing Experience Of Working With Melissa!
    3 years ago
    Amazing experience of working with Melissa and an admit from my top choice school! I had applied for MBA previously and was rejected. I am 32 so on the higher side for FT MBA, have already been in a leadership role at a big automotive firm for a few years and was transitioning into running my own startup full-time. However, I just had this itch for wanting an FT MBA and decided a month or two before the deadlines last year that I wanted to give it a shot again. MBA has been a lifelong dream for me and I just had to pursue an MBA. Before I go down the memory lane, thanks to Melissa and her hard work I have received admit to a ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Inspiring Mentor - Admitted To Top US & European Schools
    3 years ago
    When I started thinking about Business School, I knew having the right coach would be essential. Coming from an engineering background and having non-traditional goals post-MBA, I needed someone who could highlight specific traits in my application and help me craft my story. Due diligence and research led to countless calls with consultants, but I never found the right fit - until I talked to Melissa. From our very first engagement, Melissa prompted me in ways that made me reflect more and understand myself better - a reflection that ultimately led to acceptance offers from Top US and European schools. Despite an extremely competitive application cycle, Melissa’s continual support, approachable character, and candor feedback kept me motivated, engaged, and on-point. If you’re set on business ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Admitted to Dream MBA Program
    3 years ago
    Melissa and the Fortuna Team were instrumental in helping me achieve acceptance to my dream MBA program, CBS. Melissa provided fantastic support throughout the application process, helping with identifying the key themes I wanted to highlight across the application, starting with crafting my story through the essays, resume support and tailoring, and excellent guidance that was really beneficial to navigating the sometimes opaque MBA admissions process. I would highly recommend Melissa and team to any prospective MBA applicant.
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Admitted to Top 3 MBA Program - Dream School
    3 years ago
    Melissa is, without a doubt, a rockstar of the admissions consultants out there, and I have nothing but excellent words to say about my experience working with her. In only a week, Melissa turned my CV and Essays upside down. She was extremely focused and committed to polishing every detail of my application in such a short time. She always believed in the potential of my candidacy from the very beginning and was always supportive. Even after our official guidance ended, she stuck by my side, guiding me and never letting me go until she knew I got in my dream school. And even at that moment, she was there to celebrate the conquer with side me. I reflected on my strengths and weaknesses in a way ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Admitted To A Top 5 MBA - My Dream School!!
    3 years ago
    Melissa is undoubtedly the best admissions consultant out there and I have nothing but A+++ words to say about my experience working with Melissa and the entire Fortuna team. Hire her now!! From the start, Melissa invested a lot of time to get to know me, to understand my grad school goals, and to learn about all of my past work/life experiences so that we could shape the best narrative possible for my application. Throughout the entire process (from initial calls to essay prep to mock interviews), Melissa was extremely thorough, always had my best interest in mind, was very responsive, and provided honest and direct feedback, all while making you feel confident, supported, and motivated. Melissa truly wants you to succeed as much as you ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Melissa Is The Best Admissions Consultant In The Market - Admitted to Top MBA program
    3 years ago
    If you’ve come across Melissa through your due diligence, then you’ll have likely already read that she is one of the best admissions consultants in the market. If you haven’t done much due diligence yet, then let me tell you why I think Melissa IS the best admissions consultant in the market: I was very thorough in my initial search of consultants, turning over every rock under the admissions consultant sun. I decided to move forward with Melissa for a few reasons. First, she offered the richest insights into the schools I was targeting, as they related to my profile and interests. Second, she provided me with a clear picture of what it would take for me to be in a good position to gain ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Melissa is an INSEAD Expert!!
    4 years ago
    I'm ELATED to be admitted to my dream school INSEAD. And, I owe it to Melissa and the Fortuna Team. Though I had a strong GMAT score and competitive work experience, I did have weaknesses in my profile that I was concerned about. Before approaching Melissa, I was struggling to piece together my story. Melissa was very helpful and candid in helping me figure out what made me unique (not easy to do for an Indian Male Engineer). Above all, she is an extremely good listener! In fact, I had ignored a hobby of mine as irrelevant to the application, but she was able to turn it into a key strength. She peacefully takes the time to understand YOU and your story. I really appreciated ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Admitted to Top MBA/Top 5 Program or School
    4 years ago
    My experience with Melissa was excellent, from our initial consultation to my last email sent prior to receiving my university acceptance letter. Melissa was fully invested during the entire process, always making herself available when required. Melissa and the Fortuna team helped shape my application in ways I would never have considered. I can honestly say that Melissa and her team played a material role in my application process. A GMAT score is a material component to an MBA application but telling your story in an effective manner is even more important - Fortuna was instrumental to that process. I would highly recommend Melissa to anyone looking for help with their application.
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Want A Painless Application Experience & A Successful Result? Work With Melissa!
    4 years ago
    I can't thank Melissa enough to make my dream of going to INSEAD come true! Working with Melissa is extremely insightful, inspiring, yet painless because she brings years of experiences, top-notch expertise, and absolutely amazing work ethic and professionalism. First, Melissa listens. You may think that you just have a great conversation with a friend, but after the conversation, she can strategically turn your talking points into suggested key themes for the essays that fit into schools' selection criteria seamlessly. Second, Melissa can quickly understand your strengths and weaknesses and customize her way of working with you accordingly. With limited word counts for the application, she knows clearly what stories can show your best qualities, what stories to cut/or how to make them more concise. ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Admitted into INSEAD
    4 years ago
    Melissa is very helpful and made sure to guide on every aspect of my application to form a coherent narrative. She was also quite encouraging throughout the process, which made the application journey a very smooth experience!
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Melissa - Bestest for INSEAD
    4 years ago
    My MBA journey started with a free consultation call for many international MBA consultants. Being an Indian male engineer with an avg GMAT score, none of the consultants made me feel confident that I could make it to my dream school INSEAD. To many of them, INSEAD was not within reach and I was recommended to have a package for 4-5 schools. And then I had a call with Matt from Fortuna. We had an hour discussion and within minutes, he highlighted the skills that I have to secure a place in Fontainebleau. He was so confident in my profile and was so optimistic towards my dream, not for a second he made me feel that INSEAD was not in reach. That confidence I got ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Great Experience Working With Melissa
    4 years ago
    I have an extremely busy workload and was apprehensive about the process of applying to a top EMBA program. From the beginning till the end, Melissa provided the sort of steady guidance that I needed to get across the finishing line. In addition to being thoughtful, responsive and encouraging, she was extremely patient with all the (internal) deadlines that I kept missing! She understood my strengths and worked with me to bring them out in my resume and essays. More than anything, she gave me the confidence to stay focused and keep going. In the end, I was admitted to a top global EMBA program with a scholarship. I cannot recommend Melissa highly enough.
    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Melissa Jones - ABSOLUTELY EMPOWERING!!!!
    4 years ago
    At first, I reached out to Stacy Blackman consulting for a free consult. My test scores were borderline, and I didn’t come from a traditional background or company that produces many MBAs to top b-schools. I specifically asked the consultant about one top-5 program, in particular, hoping they could help “handicap” my odds at acceptance. Sadly, I was told point-blank I’d be better off looking at tier 2 schools. That experience left me feeling dejected, questioning whether I even had a shot at my dream school… Enter Fortuna! My initial discussion with Matt Symonds was slated to take an hour but we ended up chatting for around two! He assured me that not only did I have a shot, but that I was a strong ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Thanks to Melissa, I’ve Been Admitted to a Global Top 10 MBA Program
    4 years ago
    Deeply knowledgeable on the business school admissions process, Melissa provided me with some very detailed and constructive feedback on how to best showcase my professional accomplishments in my essays & resume, and stand-out to the admissions committee. She also helped structure my essays to highlight my key personal achievements and put forth a well-balanced view of my personality; ultimately helping me make it to the interview shortlist. Subsequently, she also provided me with a lot of resources and guidance on how best to prepare for the interview, and present myself on the day. Extremely professional in her work, Melissa was always quick to get back with her reviews without compromising on the quality of her inputs, yet being very friendly and extremely approachable at ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Melissa Pushes You to be the Best Version of Yourself!
    4 years ago
    I was anxious about writing essays and interviewing for the top-tier school that I targeted. Melissa helped me tailor my essays to tell a compelling story that demonstrated why I was a great fit for the school. Despite heavily marking up my early drafts, Melissa was always positive and encouraging. Knowing that she truly believed in me gave me the confidence to continue pushing until I had the best possible application. Melissa also provided great feedback on my essays that helped me present my best self to the admissions committee. I also did a mock Skype interview with Melissa, which was extremely helpful in building my confidence and interviewing skills. Her questions were also very predictive of the questions I faced in my actual interview. ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • HIGHLY RECOMMEND MELISSA!
    4 years ago
    Melissa is an incredible expert! I was very lucky to be coached by Melissa! Throughout the entire process, not only the essays and the resume, her expertise, her continuous support, and encouragement were crucial. She was able to stand out all the key points of my background to shine my application and to get me admitted in my dream school - top us MBA program. She is always relevant and very perfectionist. Beyond the final result, the experience with Melissa was also unique because it allowed me to know myself better. All of these thanks to Melissa.Thank you very much Melissa for your terrific job!  
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Great experience with Melissa
    4 years ago
    I was nervous about applying the top-tier school I was targeting with the experience I had, but Melissa helped me tailor my resume and essays to articulate why my experience was a fit for the school. Through speaking with her about my experience, she helped pinpoint certain things I should include in my resume and essays, and also helped me identify the best examples to use in my essays so that my responses were relevant and professional. I had paid for I think 3 hours of services and still had ~20 minutes left over after resume and essay editing, so we used it to do a mock Skype interview, which was super helpful in practicing and knowing what types of questions to expect. I was ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend - Invaluable Support!
    4 years ago
    I highly recommend working with Melissa Jones. I feel fortunate to have benefited from Melissa’s expertise, guidance, and encouragement. I was recently admitted to my top choice of a top-tier business school and Melissa’s support was critical to me achieving my long-term goal. Melissa is the ultimate professional and will provide you with invaluable support as you navigate the often daunting business school admissions process. Melissa’s objective perspective on my application and ideas about areas for improvement were helpful as it provided me with a clear idea about what I needed to work toward. Melissa was also extremely patient, as she reviewed and provided feedback on multiple iterations of my application. She was always so encouraging and I appreciated her honesty. As well, Melissa, along with the ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Excellent & Successful Experience with Melissa Jones (INSEAD)
    4 years ago
    Working with Fortuna was a great experience overall. My first Skype call with Matt went for 1.5 hours and we walked a lot about my background and the potential coaches he thought would be a good fit. I had my first discussion with one of the Fortuna coaches but didn't really feel any connection with them. After I provided feedback to Matt, he organized another discussion with Melissa. (All of this before I had paid anything!) I had an excellent experience working with Melissa. She helped me identify the strongest aspects of my personal story and craft a coherent, concise and strong application. She always responded promptly to my communications and worked within my own timelines. I only applied for INSEAD and Melissa shared with me ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Excellent!
    4 years ago
    Melissa has done an excellent job helping me crafting perfect essays and CV, which led to admission to two top European BS. She was also very helpful in fast reviewing my works with tight deadlines. I have really enjoyed working with her, and I would definitely recommend her!
    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Can't Say Enough Positive Things About My Experience With Melissa & Fortuna!
    4 years ago
    I really enjoyed working with Fortuna in general, and with Melissa as my coach. My first phone conversation with Matt was extremely insightful and he gave me a very realistic view of how my profile would fit with each of my target schools and which areas of my profile were great fits and which areas I would need to make sure to polish. My top school was INSEAD and working with Melissa, who had previously worked with the school in Admissions, was really great. She knew so much about what the school was looking for and helped me shape my personal story and organize and portray my accomplishments in the way that would make my profile most appealing to the school. Melissa and the Fortuna ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Highly Recommended
    5 years ago
    When I decided to apply to INSEAD, I knew that I would need expert guidance for the application journey. I reached out to a handful of admissions consultants, but Fortuna Admissions stood out for me because of its ‘dream team’ of former admissions directors from top business schools, especially from those outside the US. Who would be better placed to offer MBA admissions advice than the MBA admissions gatekeepers themselves? After reaching out to Fortuna, I was subsequently paired with Melissa and during our first call, she thoroughly reviewed and analyzed my profile, providing a fair assessment of my strengths and weaknesses from an admissions director perspective. She then helped to develop an overall application strategy that would not only highlight my strengths but also ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Brought The Best Out of Me, Maintaining My Authenticity
    5 years ago
    I chose Fortuna because I felt like it has an unparalleled knowledge of European Business schools and I wasn't disappointed! Working with Melissa has been a pleasure: she was very available, responded fast and with customized suggestions. The thing I liked the best about her counsel is that the work that came out was very genuine and represented me 100%: pushing me gently, she brought out the best in me while keeping my authenticity. Without her assistance, I would have not been as strong a candidate (admitted to all the schools I applied to) so I would definitely recommend her to any applicant.
    Emanuela Dibenedetto
    MBA Class of 2020 Admit
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  • She Guided Me Through All These
    5 years ago
    It has been great to work with Melissa. Without her help, I would not get through all these troubles and get admitted by several great schools. She has provided insight and vision throughout the whole process--school list, essay, interview prep--with great patience and responsiveness. Her feedbacks are candid and direct, and she would guide you through the hard times. Beyond that, she would bring the Fortuna expert team to help you in every part of the process--it really feels like you have the whole team rooting for you. At the end of the day, I know that I gave everything I can during the application--thanks to Melissa. I would highly suggest working with Melissa: she would guild you through all--things expected and unexpected.
    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Accepted To A Top European B-school
    5 years ago
    I had the pleasure of working with Melissa Jones at Fortuna regarding one of my applications for a top European business school (think INSEAD/ LBS). From the get-go, I knew that working with Melissa was the right choice, given the extremely fast turnaround, time took to respond to my general inquiry and application-specific emails. In terms of content, her feedback was always spot on, detailed, and personal. I could tell that her approach was very customized to my story and that she really took time to understand my background, my motive, and personal strengths & weaknesses. Melissa and Fortuna definitely met my expectations and I recommend her wholeheartedly.
    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Accepted To My Dream Business School - Thanks To Melissa
    5 years ago
    Thanks to Melissa I got into my dream business school (Cambridge Judge) despite my low GMAT score, coming from a nontraditional background and having less than 1 week to draft my application to meet the deadline. It all started with one phone call with Matt Symonds. Fortunately, I was partnered up with Melissa as my coach and the rest is history. I had less than 1 week to draft essays, get my recommendation letters and draft my resume. Melissa was extremely understanding of the short timeline and supportive throughout the process. She was very responsive and quick in reviewing my essays and resume. When I got the interview invitation, I immediately signed with Melissa for interview prep. She was not only insightful about the interview ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend - Admitted With Max Scholarships
    5 years ago
    I had an introductory call with almost each and every one of the top admissions consulting firms for my MBA. After my initial introductory call with Matt - I was sure that Fortuna was the one with the best knowledge of the European schools (was looking specifically at French business schools) and "got" my story and would help me best present my application. Additionally, he was incredibly considerate of my budget and worked with me to create a package that would be just what I needed. I worked with Melissa for the application - and right from the get-go was Wow'ed by the level of professionalism and knowledge of the application process of both herself and Fortuna. Melissa was an incredibly helpful consultant and advisor, guiding me ...
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    Jonathan Oon
    MBA
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  • Best In Business - Accepted Into INSEAD
    5 years ago
    My conversation with Matt was the deciding factor for me. Unlike other consultants in the business, he did not give me generic/standard responses; instead gave me recommendations that were applicable to me. At that moment itself, I was convinced that I would want to work with Fortuna. INSEAD was my top choice and I'd taken the full package for INSEAD and Wharton. I started working with Melissa and from early on found myself catching up as she was always very prompt. Fortuna's strategy session & questionnaire is awesome. It is as introspective as it can be and sets one up quite nicely for the entire process. One thing that stands out about Melissa is that she is very keen on keeping the application as authentic ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Best Coach Ever!!
    5 years ago
    Melissa is the best coach I could ever have. She went above and beyond what I had expected. The full package is truly worth every penny. From the initial free consultation call with Matt, I was amazed by his comprehensive knowledge of MBA programs I wanted to apply. After talking with him, unlike other consulting firms, I was able to see strengths and weaknesses in my profile and felt more confident in my application. He put together a detailed action plan very quickly and connected me with Melissa. Melissa personally took the time to review all my data and all my drafts essays and CV. She was very responsive (within 24 hours) and insightful. Thanks to her, I was able to create killer applications that bring ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Exceeded Expectations
    5 years ago
    I had signed up for the Fortuna school package and was very fortunate to have Melissa as my coach. She certainly has unparalleled insight into the admissions process which is clear in her invaluable feedback on the essays. However, I believe that Melissa's true strength as a coach was her ability to get me through the self-doubt, writer's block and the numerous other obstacles that had almost caused me to give up on the application entirely. Melissa showed a balance of patience and persistent encouragement, intuitively knowing to send amazing motivational videos and mental hacks that helped me work through the things that were holding me back. With her support, I actually ended up enjoying the application process and was very proud of the final ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Highly Suggest! Great Experience
    6 years ago
    I can’t imagine what the application process would have been like without the Fortuna team. They made everything tangible, and much more enjoyable even from the first call. The entire process was an adventure in itself and helped me gain a better understanding of myself including my strengths and weaknesses as well as my goals. I worked with both Melissa Jones and Emma Bond- a great duo. They are both extremely professional and helpful, had great insights on the process, paid great attention to detail and knew how to position my profile in the best way possible. They went above and beyond to help me prepare for my interviews and always available for questions. I know I was successful with my applications because ...
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    Class of 2018 Admit
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  • Outstanding Experience! Accepted to LBS and INSEAD.
    6 years ago
    I can't even put into words how amazing Melissa was during my whole MBA application process. She guided me through every step and always gave me invaluable advice. Melissa got to know me very well, both from a professional and personal standpoint, so when I started thinking about what to include in the MBA essays she was really able to help me pinpoint the most compelling stories that really showcased my strengths. Melissa was always very responsive on email and available to help whenever I had a question. She is also extremely knowledgeable when it comes to the top MBA programs - especially INSEAD. I would highly recommend the comprehensive MBA package.
    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Insightful, actionable and personalized consulting ~ Highly Recommended
    6 years ago
    After conversing with Matt and Melissa, it was clear to me that Fortuna would meet me where I was (schools selected and story roughly drawn out) and take my ideas to the next level. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Melissa who is efficient and proactive and provides thoughtful guidance relevant to the programs. She demonstrated knowledge of the difference between programs and connected me to resources that eventually would help me make my decision. After working hard on the applications and interviews I was able to secure a spot at my top choice MBA program in Europe. Massive thanks to Matt and Melissa for being there throughout the process! Even if you have a strong sense of story and have zeroed onto your top choices, ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Excellent Experience - Beyond worth the investment
    6 years ago
    Melissa was a pleasure to work with from day one, and having her there to answer questions and provide feedback on my work was an invaluable "safety net" to have throughout the process. Fortuna was incredibly professional from the first evaluation call, to their comprehensive profile evaluation, all the way through essay and application stage. In the beginning, I was having trouble deciding which schools to apply to. Fortuna gave me very honest guidance and valuable insight (GMAT score minimums, etc.) that saved me countless hours of time by not applying to a school I would have had no chance of being accepted to. I also really appreciated their process in that Melissa reviewed my whole application and made sure it was perfect, then my ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Experience with Top Canadian MBA programs
    6 years ago
    After extensively looking for a consulting firm with the necessary experience to help me apply to the Top Canadian MBA programs, I finally decided to work with Fortuna Admissions. I worked with Melissa Jones, a consultant with solid experience helping students apply to the top business schools in Canada, and who demonstrated the necessary professionalism and attention to detail to submit the best possible applications. She used her expertise to guide me throughout the application process, from developing a compelling story that truly showcased my strengths, to helping me prepare for Skype interviews, asking relevant questions and providing feedback. Her responses were always very timely, which is a must-have in my opinion, especially when trying to meet school deadlines. There are many consultants that claim ...
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    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Best of the Best. I got into Sloan because of Melissa
    7 years ago
    I thoroughly enjoyed working with Fortuna team. Right from the first call to, the kick-off, to preparing my application with Melissa. She was extremely professional and informative; she knows her work. She spent a lot of time with me understanding about my journey in life and guided me to pick up the right stories. Melissa has a great attention to detail and was able to pick up the insights which even I didn't know about me. I found the whole process to be very reflective. I got accepted for MIT Sloan and I don't think I could have made it without Melissa.
    Class of 2018 Anonymous
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  • Extremely organised and thorough
    7 years ago
    I used Fortuna Admissions to help with the only school I was applying to last November. My experience was wonderful and Melissa provided help with areas I had not even considered. Melissa was compassionate to understand my unique situation and help me position my strengths to the best possible degree. In particular, I was very impressed with the approach Mellisa took to help me handle my recommendations. Pre-work in this regard help made the process pain free for my recommenders. I also had a lot of help during the interview process as I was able to do multiple mocks with Melissa over skype. I would definitely encourage anyone who is considering Fortuna to go ahead and take the plunge as the team really helped polish ...
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    - geetbawa@gmail.com
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  • Do not hesitate to go with the full package.
    7 years ago
    Life has not been the same since being accepted at INSEAD, and I don't want to imagine what it would have been like if I hadn't been accepted. Prior to applying, my goal to get accepted to INSEAD was clear and I did not intend on taking any chances in this process, so I went with Fortuna. The full package is a little bit on the pricier side, however keep in mind that the consulting team that you will be working with have in depth insider knowledge regarding the application process and will safely guide you past many easy traps along the way. The package also includes one on one preparation for interviews with your consultant, a full resume review, and a lot of cheering ...
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    Class of 2018 Anonymous
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  • Very useful consultation
    7 years ago
    I worked with Melissa at Fortuna Admissions for my successful application to INSEAD for the class of 17D. I had spent time developing my application and was unsure whether, in my case, a full admissions package was required. However I really wanted some feedback on my essay and my application in general. Fortuna's hourly consultations was just the solution I needed. Less than ten minutes into my first phone call with Melissa, I knew I had made the right call. She provided an excellent background on the INSEAD process and provided clear guidance on the elements of my profile that fitted well with the school. This allowed me to tweak a few essays and submit a finished application confident in the knowledge that someone of ...
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    Class of 2017 Anonymous
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  • Excellent experience!
    7 years ago
    I contacted Fortuna with a tight timescale to apply for R4, less than three weeks before the deadline. I talked first to Matt and it clicked quite well. He explained everything about the process and took way more time than the allotted 30 min free consultation (as opposed to other consultancies where I felt rushed), including acknowledging the shortcomings of my application and addressing my concerns with it. After our first conversation he proposed a custom hourly service plan which seemed very sensible to me, so I went ahead with it and started working with Melissa. Melissa took the time to go through all the data I provided and created a picture of me. During our phone and mail interactions we shaped that picture, with ...
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    Class of 2018 Anonymous
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  • Great coaching!
    7 years ago
    Working with Fortuna Admissions is probably the best decision I made during my MBA admission journey. I have a pretty competitive profile (Consultant / IT / Male / 30) and my GMAT was not stellar (680, well balanced) so I really needed someone to put my story in the best perspective as possible. Thanks to this collaboration I have been admitted to a top MBA! I had several free consultations with other competitors but I have to say that Fortuna made the difference since they took time to study my profile prior to our call and gave me meaningful advice even before we started working together. I chose the full package (essay + interview + scholarships support) and I was assigned to Melissa. She is ...
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    Class of 2019 Anonymous
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  • Got into INSEAD with a scholarship thanks to Melissa and Fortuna
    8 years ago
    Melissa was definitely the perfect consultant for my aspirations. Her help was truly invaluable and I couldn’t have put together such a great application without her help. The process of working with Melissa was delightful, she made me realize that I had a great story to tell and awesome ideas I could develop further to make my application more attractive. Melissa was very fast in replying to my e-mails and answering my questions; she also took time to get to know me and knew exactly which aspects I should highlight. Working with a former admissions officer is a great advantage. Melissa is a great person and she made the whole process much easier and enjoyable. With her and Matt I was able to see that ...
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    - marcosrg@gmail.com
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  • Got into INSEAD and LBS teaming up with Fortuna!
    8 years ago
    Hi All, I wanted to write about my experience working with Fortuna through the MBA application process. I had worked in the US for 3.5 years in management consulting and was now looking for a more diverse and global experience for my MBA; upon doing my research, I decided that I only wanted to apply to INSEAD, LBS, and Cambridge; three very diverse and competitive schools. Since INSEAD and LBS were my top picks, and given how competitive they are, I was definitely seeking help and guidance on how to go about the application process. It only takes one google search to realize that Fortuna is really at the forefront, especially when it comes to European schools. I still went ahead and did the 'free ...
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    - nankiwalia@gmail.com
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  • 100% Success Rate
    8 years ago
    As a film producer with a background in PR, I knew setting my sights on the top MBA programs in Europe was going to be a challenge. I had the literal fortune of finding Fortuna Admissions, and on the heels of a great initial conversation with Matt Symonds, I knew that Fortuna was the firm that would help me achieve my MBA aspirations. Once I spoke with my advisors Melissa and Caroline, I was certain I had made the right choice. They are the perfect combination of positive and realistic, warm yet demanding, and help you bring nothing less than your best self to the table. They were able to help me build a narrative that highlighted my unconventional skills and achievements in a way ...
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    - natrosasolarte@gmail.com
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  • Fortuna believed in me. Now, I'm going to INSEAD!
    8 years ago
    I decided to go with Fortuna after another consultant suggested that I set my goals lower than INSEAD. I wasn't going to pay someone a whack of money if she didn't have the same vision as me. My initial discussions with Melissa, Matt, and Caroline at Fortuna made me realize that I did have a great story – we just needed to frame it in the right way. I want to thank Fortuna for believing in me – because with Melissa's help, I was able to assemble a winning application package for INSEAD in less than 6 weeks. She took the time to get to know me, then highlighted the aspects of my profile that would be most attractive to the admissions committee. She leaves ...
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    Class of 2017 Admit
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  • The INSEAD and LBS Experts!
    8 years ago
    Emma and Melissa were key and instrumental in my successful applications to both INSEAD and LBS (and a few other schools across EU and US!). I always felt like I had their full attention when working on my essays and interview prep. Even after I received my offers they continued to guide me through my decision of school and things I should consider. I highly recommend Emma and Melissa not only for their expertise, but they are essentially providing a peace of mind as all Fortuna consultants have actual admissions experience in top b-schools. Great service and highly, highly recommended!
    - capulet7@gmail.com
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  • Fortuna Admissions : the dream team that helped me get into INSEAD and LBS !
    8 years ago
    It has been a pleasure to work with my coach Melissa Jones. Thanks to her and her encouragements, I was able to transform my essays into a winning application. No stone is left unturned from the school selection, CV review, data application form, the countless essay reviews, the interview preparation and the final decision. The access to Fortuna’s network of former admission directors and officers is invaluable when you have questions regarding other schools. I very enthusiastically recommend Melissa and Fortuna to any MBA applicant. I would not have made it without their support.
    Class of 2018 Admit
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