Sharon Joyce

Senior Expert Coach

Fortuna Admissions

United States

Net Promoter Score: 9

Consultant Bio

With over 25 years of experience in admissions and student affairs, Sharon is a seasoned professional in higher education who has been lauded for her innovative approaches in streamlining interview processes at multiple institutions and her efforts to create inclusive communities in graduate education. At UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, she served as the Associate Director of Admissions for the full-time program MBA program, while also collaborating on the overall strategic plan for Haas admissions as a member of the Senior Management team. While at Carnegie Mellon’s Tepper School of Business, she contributed to the success of the MBA program in a role that encompassed admissions and career services.

Sharon received her BA from Chatham University and holds a doctoral degree in Administrative and Policy Studies in Higher Education from the University of Pittsburgh; her doctoral research was focused on first-generation college students and their rise into graduate programs.

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: United States

Email: info@fortunaadmissions.com

Website: https://fortunaadmissions.com/

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P&Q Consultant Reviews

  • Sharon Joyce - Highly Recommended
    3 weeks ago
    I worked with Sharon for 3 school applications - all T25 business schools. Sharon was phenomenal to work with over the summer all the way through R! fall application cycle. Sharon was always available to meet weekly over zoom, call, or text if needed. Sharon always came to our meeting's with an upbeat attitude and really made the long and sometimes overwhelming application process really simple. We went school by school working on one application at a time until completion. Sharon was always so excited as I submitted each application and moved on to the next one. I ended up receiving admission and scholarship funds to all three of my T25 school selections. Working with Sharon was a great experience and I wouldn't want to ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Sharon Is An Amazing Coach & Partner - Highly Recommend!
    1 month ago
    I worked w/ Sharon on a two school package - CBS J-Term and NYU Stern’s part-time (Langone). The bottom line is while I don't have credible comparison, I thoroughly enjoyed and found value in working with Sharon on my MBA applications. As an older re-applicant with a very low (we're talking <3.0) undergrad gpa, I knew I had the odds stacked against me, but Sharon was great at helping me look at any of these perceived weaknesses as strengths or complements to the strengths I brought to the table (domain expertise, leadership). What I really appreciate is that while 90% of the work is about true self-discovery, her vast experience in admissions and as a consultant use that last 10% to, put it bluntly, craft ...
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    Umber Kohli
    MBA Class of 2026 Admit
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  • MBA Success
    1 month ago
    Excited to share my experience working with Sharon Joyce from Fortuna Admissions as I get ready to embark on the exciting journey of pursuing my MBA at my top-choice T10 program. From the moment I decided to pursue an MBA, Sharon played a pivotal role in guiding me through every step of the challenging admissions process. Her commitment to excellence, responsiveness, and personalized approach truly set her apart. Sharon's ability to adapt to the evolving nature of my aspirations and preferences was invaluable, as the MBA application journey is rarely a linear path. Sharon's strength lies in her thoughtful and strategic insights. She really took the time to understand my story, aspirations, and experiences, something that is invaluable if you want to make a strong application. Her ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Sharon Joyce!!! - GSB Admit
    1 month ago
    I recently had the pleasure of working with Sharon Joyce through the two-school package for my applications to HBS (Round 2) and Stanford (Round 1). The outcome was beyond my expectations, securing interviews at both prestigious institutions and ultimately gaining admission to Stanford, my dream school. This achievement was, without a doubt, significantly bolstered by Sharon's exceptional coaching and support. From the outset, Sharon was a beacon of positivity and encouragement. Her approach was not just professional but also personal, making me feel supported and confident throughout the application process. Her insights and guidance were invaluable, especially in helping me to articulate my story in a way that was both authentic and compelling to the admissions committees. Sharon's commitment to excellence was evident in her timely and ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Best Of The Best
    2 months ago
    Sharon has been an amazing coach throughout the entire MBA application process. She is a pro at digging deep into your life to find those pivotal moments that helped transform you and then putting them into your essays and application narrative. As a military applicant, I had a very unique and unusual career/education path and she really helped me articulate my story clearly and concisely. She has a unique set of tools and resources to help you every step of the way, there wasn't a moment working with her that I felt unsure of my application. She has truly been a blessing and I couldn't recommend her enough. Thanks to Sharon I was accepted to 4 of my dream schools in the M7 and T10 ...
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    Class of 2026 Admit
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  • Sharon Was Amazing
    9 months ago
    Sharon was a true partner in my MBA journey. She gave her 100% and was committed throughout with me. Given her experience, I wasn't surprised at all about how organized she was - she made the entire process less intimidating and made me feel like I'm doing my best. She's great at getting back to me via text or email and she only wishes the best for you. I'd highly recommend Sharon for your MBA journey. She helped me get into Duke with scholarship which was my Top 3 preference.
    Ribhav Hora
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Loved Working With Sharon!
    9 months ago
    Sharon provided the professional perspective that allowed me to choose which details would shine in the application and how to position myself best in the admissions process. While I had some ideas on what admissions looked for, Sharon's deep understanding of the process guided my thought organizing process to align particular strengths to particular schools/essays for optimal cultural fit. I received help from Sharon in Round 1 and 2. I thought I could excel beyond results of Round 1, so requested additional help in Round 2. Sharon was very willing, energetic, and thoughtful in assisting me in reframing my profile to stand out to different schools. The biggest help on the essay was her attention to detail which saved me from awkward and unclear phrasing - ...
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    Ngoc Tu
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • A Winner From Start To Finish
    12 months ago
    Sharon Joyce is truly the best! Sharon takes the time in understanding your background and making yourself unique in the whole application process. Timelines and a structured process are in place to help keep candidates accountable so that the applications and letters of recommendation are submitted on time for the round submission. She helped a lot in brainstorming ideas and information to make my applications unique. Sharon thoroughly goes through each school and what differentiates each of them so that the best essays and applications are sent. She helped me immensely in combatting my low GPA and getting an acceptance to Duke Fuqua School of Business (with a merit scholarship). I highly recommend working with Sharon for your MBA applications as a lot of other people have; ...
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    Kevin Patel
    MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Cannot Go Wrong With Sharon!
    1 year ago
    Sharon is the best partner you can have on your MBA application journey. I opted for a 2 school comprehensive package, working with her on my R1 applications. With her guidance and support, I was admitted to Berkeley Haas (with a scholarship)! Sharon played an integral role each step of the way – especially at the beginning, holding multiple brainstorming sessions (and incorporating insights from specialized tools like CliftonStrengths) to help me craft my larger narrative. Committing that initial time and effort paid dividends down the road, making subsequent essay writing (and interview prep) much more straightforward. This was even more so the case because she helped organize the entire process into bite-sized tasks with clear timelines on my calendar, so I can focus on each ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Working With Sharon Joyce!
    1 year ago
    I could not recommend working with Sharon Joyce more highly! I purchased a 1-school package and then added on hourly essay reviews as needed. With Sharon’s support, I was admitted to Wharton, CBS, Dartmouth Tuck (with scholarship), Yale SOM (with scholarship), Duke Fuqua (with scholarship), UVA Darden (with scholarship), and NYU Stern (with scholarship). Sharon helped me with the lift of applying to 8 schools R1. In addition to helping me get acceptances at 7/8 of these schools, Sharon made me feel supported throughout the entire admissions process. I was particularly impressed with how she took the time to get to know me as a person outside of my career journey alone. It meant a lot to me that she remembered what I shared and ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Organized, Encouraging & Dependable - Sharon Makes Apps A Breeze!
    1 year ago
    Working with Sharon made applying for B-School an absolute breeze. I knew that this would be a big task to take on, on top of a busy work schedule. I was also applying to a good amount of reach schools - so I knew I wanted to do the process right! Sharon made it so easy - I knew what I needed to complete each week and breaking down the process into these bite-sized pieces made the process much more manageable. Sharon helped me with the monumental task of applying to 5 schools R1. We had a few brainstorming sessions, then jumped into essay drafting and revising. It felt easy to get my ideas down and refine them after we had the brainstorming sessions and ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Sharon Is A Dream MBA Coach!!
    1 year ago
    Sharon was an absolute joy to work with and I highly recommend her services to anyone looking for an MBA Coach! From day one, it was abundantly clear that I was in great hands with Sharon. She is an expert on every part of the process and relieved any stress I had about applications. Sharon worked with me to narrow my list of target schools, refine my personal story, articulate my goals, review my essays, prepare for interviews, and everything in between. I cannot emphasize enough the personal touch that Sharon brings to this experience. Every detail in every application is accounted for and reviewed in depth. My goal during the application process was to receive a scholarship to relieve the financial burden. With Sharon's ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Sharon Is AMAZING!
    1 year ago
    Sharon is the best coach that I can ever ask for! I believe that I would not have gotten into the schools that I applied to (Haas/Anderson) if weren't for her. It’s been a pleasure working with her. Sharon is thorough, down to earth, and very knowledgeable. She made herself available constantly, answering all my questions and addressing my concerns. She set the timeline and developed a plan so we could have everything done before the application deadline, easing the stress throughout this process. I really appreciate that she took her time to understand my background/stories and helped me incorporate those into my essays. Sharon went above and beyond, helping me to know the real me and highlighting the areas that would make me stand ...
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    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Empathetic & Encouraging
    2 years ago
    After talking to three other MBA consultants I chose Sharon because a friend had recently taken her help and she seemed most empathetic to my situation. She was realistic and encouraging, something which some other consultants did not possess. Being a male Indian software engineer, I was told my chances of getting into Haas to their EW MBA program are slim (this in spite of the fact that I scored 163 in EA and other strong credentials). Sharon helped me structure my essay and also performed the duty of a therapist to keep my spirits up. Additionally, her coaching was paramount when it came to the video interview. I strongly recommend Sharon to anyone and esp. people from a similar background as me.
    Ambarish Karole
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2025 Admit
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  • A Very Insightful Experience
    2 years ago
    I happened to connect with Sharon through Fortuna Admissions. Sharon has been extremely insightful while reviewing my credentials and my life story. She gave my application a unique perspective and a highly personal touch. The best part of working with Sharon was that she is very detail-oriented and laid stress on the impact every single word would have on my application. She has a lot of experience consulting and helped highlight aspects that could bring out the best in my profile, increasing the admission chances. She pushed me at times to delve deeper into my life experiences and think from an alternate perspective, bringing out more examples to aid my application. I, without a doubt, highly recommend her for the MBA admission process!
    Class of 2025 Admit
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  • Best MBA Coach!!
    2 years ago
    I cannot express enough how fortunate I was to consult with Sharon as I navigated the MBA application process. Sharon has a vast wealth of knowledge and experience to leverage, and her insights were always incredibly helpful whether it was regarding my essays, letters of rec, or resume. In addition, Sharon was wonderful in terms of flexibility and ability to help me build out a plan of attack for my applications. Further, Sharon really took her time in getting to know me and my goals so that she could help craft the best application and what school would be the right fit for me. By the end of the whole process, I got into both of my target schools (Anderson and Haas)! I truly don't ...
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    Andrew Kleam
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • An Invaluable MBA Application Partner
    2 years ago
    I cannot say enough good things about Sharon and the Fortuna team. She has an awesome wealth of knowledge about the process and did a fantastic job articulating what each school individually was looking for at every step of my applications. What really stood out to me about Sharon is the time and effort she dedicated to getting to know me on a personal level, which made the whole process feel really personalized and genuine to me and my goals, values, and strengths. She (and the whole Fortuna team) went above and beyond - whether it was bringing in different experts from Fortuna to give me feedback or spending 2.5 hours on a Friday night to talk through an essay, she really pushed me to ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • A Life Saver
    2 years ago
    I made a good decision to work with Sharon to apply to 6 universities (Admitted on 4/6). She cared so much about my applications and she set a good rhythm and weekly meetings to ensure that we are on track. I recommend her to work with especially if you plan to apply to Wharton, Sloan, and Hass where she has shown strong experience in those schools' applications. Also, she is a wonderful person that turns zoom calls into friendly and enjoyable conversations.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Sharon Joyce Is Fantastic
    2 years ago
    Sharon Joyce is an excellent coach. I believe I would not have even had the number of interviews I received if not for her guidance, let alone acceptance at CMU Tepper and Alliance Manchester Business School. She listens very well and provides informed and accurate advice. What impressed me the most was that she took the time to get to know me as a person and incorporate that information into her guidance during essay writing and interview prep. Sharon did what I'd expect most coaches to do: - review my essays, LinkedIn profile, and resume - set a clear timeline for each step in the process - help with interview preparations BUT it was the extra steps that she took that make her such a good coach. She ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Highly Recommend Sharon Joyce From Fortuna!!
    2 years ago
    Sharon is an excellent coach. Without her guidance, I would not get into Berkeley Haas. I am grateful for her guidance during my application process. She is very friendly, easy to communicate with, and has excellent leadership qualities. She spent a significant amount of time with me on Zoom, phone, or email. In addition, she reviewed my application diligently in each section, like supplementary information, resume, essays, and interview. Some of the actions that she took that made a difference in my application: - She listened to my stories and reviewed my resume, LinkedIn profile, and draft essays. - She provided strategy action steps with a specific timeline - Her approach provided accountability for me to stick with the timeline. After learning about my life experience, Sharon guided me ...
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    Abdus Sattar
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A Fantastic Partnership
    2 years ago
    I had the absolute pleasure of working with Sharon Joyce during the Fall 2022 R2 application cycle, during which I was accepted to A. my top choice, top-tier MBA program, and B. every program to which I applied. As a dual-degree applicant from a non-traditional background, I knew I had to dive a bit deeper to understand how admissions committees think, and go about the process of building a diverse class. Our time working together has left me with a far deeper understanding of the MBA admissions process than I will make any attempt to retain now that the application cycle is, thankfully, over. Sharon was punctual, responsive, and supportive, but more important than any of this, she had a genuine desire to build a collaborative ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • The ever-supportive rockstar 'Sharon'
    2 years ago
    This is Sourya Mukherjee from India. I worked with Sharon my MBA applications to a few schools this year. I had a great experience and have received offers from the Kellogg MBAi program, and full-time MBA programs at Haas, Ross and Tepper. It was great working with Sharon. I felt that her understanding of what the schools are looking for was extremely thorough. This was escpecially relevant for my reapplicant essays to Haas, Kellogg and the MBAi essay at Kellogg. We started out by doing an online evaluation that helped me identify my key strengths, which formed the foundation for a lot of my essays. We then worked on strategies on how to highlight growth and development in reapplicant essays. The process was very smooth and Sharon ...
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    Sourya Mukherjee
    MBA Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Sharon Is Awesome!
    2 years ago
    Despite stats below the medians at every school, I applied to, with Sharon's help I was accepted to 1 M7 and 2 T10s! Sharon was incredibly easy for me to talk to, and was available through all forms of communication throughout our time working together (and in the leadup to deadlines almost 24/7). As a non-traditional applicant, I was worried about the process and Sharon made it easy for me to understand exactly what I needed to work on to put my best foot forward. She was very specific and nuanced about her edits and advice, and I feel like without her touch I would not have been even close to successful. Also as someone who leaves things to deadlines a little too often, her ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Excellent Experience With Sharon
    2 years ago
    Sharon truly goes above and beyond for her clients. I worked with Sharon throughout the Round 1 application cycle (2022 start class) and could not have picked a coach more in tune with my needs. I purchased the 3-school package from Fortuna (includes resume review, essay crafting, and interview preparation). I knew early on in my journey that I wanted to hire a coach to help me to navigate the process, brainstorm essay ideas, and stay on top of my deadlines. However, I had no idea how much introspection the essay portion would require. This is where Sharon's services became invaluable. She has such a knack for extracting and uncovering nuggets from her clients' lives to build a strong foundation for their essays then crafting ...
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    Class of 2024 N/A
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  • Sharon Joyce Is The MVP Of M7 Applications!
    2 years ago
    Sharon Joyce is the best MBA consultant. Fact Check: TRUE. If you want to win, put Sharon in!! I can't say enough great things about Sharon Joyce. She is the reason I was accepted to M7 schools among others. She is thorough, available, encouraging and also precise in her coaching. Sharon has an incredible systematic method that got me brainstorming and got my MBA narrative flowing. She also set out a timeline that enabled my resume, essays, LORs, portal, and additional information to be completed well before the application deadline which eased the stress inherent in the application process. With Sharon, you will have your best self placed in front of the Adcom and you'll also work with one of the most gracious, kind, and ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Sharon Joyce - What A Joy!
    2 years ago
    I worked with Sharon Joyce as a re-applicant in the 2022 season applying to three schools within T10! Despite it being my second time applying, she was thoughtful in her approach, provided critical feedback on my applications and essays that took it from a B- to an A+! In addition to her amazing guidance, she also is a wonderful person who cares about you and keeps your stress level low during a physically and mentally draining process. I couldn't recommend Sharon enough!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Amazing & Thorough!
    2 years ago
    Sharon helped me through my application process while I was traveling for work! She was amazing! I got into every school I applied to, including HBS and Sloan!
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Sharon Joyce - Superstar Admissions Consultant
    2 years ago
    I worked with Sharon during Round 1 applications for the current cycle (2022 start). I bought the 3-school package from Fortuna which meant that I had support all the way from refining my resume to essay editing and interview prep. I targeted 2 M7 schools and 1 T10 school and got into 2 of them, including my top choice (1 with a significant scholarship; waiting for the scholarship decision from the other). Based on my experience, Sharon was amazing to work with and one of the main reasons I got in! I was paired with Sharon on the recommendation of my contact at Fortuna and never actually spoke to her before we started working together. From the get-go, her working style resonated with me and I ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Sharon Joyce – Your Admissions Secret Weapon
    3 years ago
    Why did I seek admissions advising? Early in my business school application journey, I spoke with MBA colleagues and friends to understand what lessons could be learned from those who had already walked the path. The resounding advice: do not underestimate or neglect the non-GMAT components of the application. I would be remiss not to reinforce that same message for anyone embarking on their admissions journey. My success and acceptance to a top program can be attributed to taking that advice to heart and putting it into action by Partnering with Sharon Joyce and Fortuna. If you are serious about your application and you want the best in the business, this is it. Why Fortuna? • Scalable offerings – Fortuna offers both hourly billing and comprehensive packages. My coach ...
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    Jacob Bergman
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • The Best MBA Coach!
    3 years ago
    I was fortunate enough to work with Sharon as I navigated the MBA application process. I worked with her during Round 2 of this past cycle (2020 – 2021). From the start, I decided to apply to five of the “Top 10” MBA programs in the US. With her help, I was able to get interviews at three of them getting accepted into my target school! Sharon’s support and honest feedback allowed me to portray my uniqueness in my essay and through the rest of my application. Additionally, because of my experience in admissions, I was able to tailor my applications to each of the schools I targeted. Some of the major actions Sharon took for my success were the following: - She reviewed my profile and ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Excellent Experience With Sharon!
    3 years ago
    My experience with Sharon was excellent! I struggled with confidence regarding my MBA profile; although I have a strong GMAT and high GPA, going into the process, I had very poor work experience (0 promotions, long layoff periods, no brand name companies, and low salaries), non-existent extracurriculars, and I am a male ORM. I viewed myself as pretty unremarkable, with nothing unique to write about and that showed in my essays. During R1, I got 0 interviews from any of the 6 T15 schools where I applied. Working with Sharon, I was able to use her suggestions to pinpoint what my essays were lacking. Through her guidance, I discovered that things in my past, that I viewed as unremarkable, could be leveraged into storytelling that would ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Incredible Support Through The Process
    3 years ago
    I highly recommend working with Sharon; not only did I enjoy the process, but I felt very cared for and supported. First, Sharon's experience was evident from the very beginning. I targeted Haas, and after talking with some other advisors, she stroke me as someone who really understood the school and program and had experience in distilling my story. Additionally, when you work with Sharon, you will get access to the Clifton Strengths assessment, which is a very valuable resource to identify new insights that can help you shape your story. Sharon's experience as part of the admissions team was very helpful in bringing a clear perspective of what would be ignored and how best to highlight important pieces of my story. I struggled a ...
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    Laura Munoz
    MBA Class of 2023 Waitlist
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  • The Absolute BEST!
    3 years ago
    Sharon was the absolute BEST to work with as an admissions consultant! She was able to help me achieve my goals of getting interview invites from 3 of the 3 top-25 schools that I applied to (and acceptance letters from 2 of 3) in Round 2 of the 2020-2021 admissions cycle, arguably the most competitive cycle ever. All of this while under a serious time-constraint and with my relatively low test scores/GPA! She was quick, efficient, fair with timing, and gave helpful advice throughout the process. It was always a pleasure to speak with her, as she had the ideal personality of someone you spend hours working with! I would recommend Sharon to anybody looking for an admissions consultant.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Strongly Recommend Sharon For Anyone Looking For An MBA Consultant
    3 years ago
    I attribute my success to Sharon! With her guidance, I was thankful to be in the enviable position of choosing between offers from two top programs, one of which was my “dream school” in the 2020-2021 application cycle, which proved to be a very competitive year. The efforts Sharon put forth were numerous: phone call/video chats to brainstorm, multiple iterations for each essay until we were both satisfied, many email exchanges (200+, I counted!) to discuss how to polish each element in my application package to differentiate myself, mock interviews with comprehensive comments and notes ranging from behavioral interviewing techniques to etiquette. As an Expert Coach, Sharon has in-depth knowledge of the end-to-end MBA application process, from brainstorming long/short term career goals, through presenting impressive ...
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    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Exceptional
    3 years ago
    I would recommend Sharon Joyce to anyone and everyone, full-time and part-time. I got into my top school, Indiana Kelley, and I could not be happier. First and foremost, she has a unique perspective, which I valued throughout this process and became abundantly clear during our first conversation. It was also abundantly clear after having conversations with quite several other MBA consulting firms. And, she can bring out unique talking points in essays, such as personal life experiences, and ensure that they fit well with the overall essay. I applied to four of the top online programs and got into three. If any of my friends were applying to MBA programs, I would recommend her in a heartbeat.
    Adhithya Ravishankar
    Online MBA Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Sharon Is The Best!
    3 years ago
    Sharon is an amazing consultant. Right from our first call she was supportive and easy to talk to. She has great intuition for what works in an essay and has extensive experience in the workings of admission committees in different schools. She was efficient and smart and helped me finish essays for 3 schools and practice for interviews with just the basic hourly package. Thanks to her I got accepted to a top 10 part-time MBA program with a scholarship! I highly recommend Sharon as an MBA coach.
    Class of 2024 Admit
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  • Above & Beyond!
    3 years ago
    This application process has been an inspirational journey of self-reflection that made me truly think about who I was, who I am, and who I want to be. When I first had my first free consultation, I was lost. I did not know where I wanted to apply and which school suits me best. Matt showed a great deal of knowledge about the schools and quickly understood what I was looking for, and hence matched me with Sharon. Sharon was not only an admission coach but also an emotional support system. She fostered an environment of trust, honesty, respect, and above all, faith! From our first preparation meeting, it was evident that she spent proper time in my strategy document and made sure she knew everything ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Highly Recommended MBA Coach
    3 years ago
    I worked with Sharon on my HAAS EWMBA application through Fortuna using their hourly services package. Sharon's nuanced understanding of what the Ad com looks for in a candidate was extremely useful. She was very good at identifying my strengths and did an excellent job of crafting an application strategy around them. Her attention to detail is extremely impressive and she is very easy to work with. We connected a month before the deadline and her focused work helped me complete my application with a week left. I highly recommend Sharon as an MBA coach.
    Dushyanth C
    Part-Time MBA Class of 2024 Applicant
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  • Hourly Service
    3 years ago
    I was connected with Sharon with less than a month before my applications were due and she helped me push to the finish line! She helped me mainly with my essays, pushing me to really consider what my point was and how to use the word count to my advantage. Her response time was incredible and she worked efficiently to make the best use of her time. I have no doubt that working with her helped in my admission acceptance. I HIGHLY recommend working with her and will always be grateful for the value she provided to me.
    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Amazing Experience
    3 years ago
    Sharon was a joy to work with! Not only is she professional, she is also personable and fun. She truly tailors her services to your needs and encourages you to think introspectively as you navigate your interview prep, your essays, etc. Life will continue after the MBA and I have no doubt that Sharon's advice will serve me well long after I graduate.
    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Hourly Service Review
    4 years ago
    I highly recommend Sharon due to her ability to help me be more introspective in my essays and to find the right story/voice in my materials. I didn’t have a strong understanding of what business schools are looking for and Sharon was able to help fill that gap. With her phenomenal knowledge of the schools on my list, she helped me understand how my unique background aligned with the mission of the schools I was targeting and how to bring those stories out in my application essays and while on interviews. Please note I am an engineer by training, so not a storyteller by nature! Her continuous encouragement and positivity bolstered my confidence during the MBA application process and her prompt replies to ...
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    Zhengwei Zhang
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • A Top Notch Experience
    4 years ago
    I had an exceptional experience working with Sharon Joyce and I highly recommend her as an admissions consultant. Sharon and I began our work together in early 2020 with only months to go before the April submission deadline and a single Top-10 MBA program in my sights. Her deep knowledge about process and timing paid dividends from the start - within days of our first meeting she had prepared an action plan that made our ambitious goal seem not just achievable but downright reasonable. As we executed on said plan, Sharon’s feedback was always thoughtful, well-informed, and refreshingly direct. She identified my strengths and weaknesses as a candidate and knew precisely how to showcase the former and “buttress” the latter, all while making authenticity a top priority. ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Mentor I Really Needed
    4 years ago
    I worked with Sharon on my Fall 2020 MBA applications and I highly recommend her. Since the beginning of my journey to enroll in a top program, I was very anxious about the process due to my lower undergraduate GPA. Sharon not only guided me through the process by developing a systematic plan of action, but she also helped me gain confidence in my chances for admission. Looking back, the best decision I made for applying to b-school was partnering with Sharon - I couldn’t have done it without her help and support in the process. She was less of a consultant and more of a mentor to me - to not only guide me towards efficient ways of networking and crafting ...
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    Anshul Panwar
    MBA Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Never Use Another Consultant for ESP!
    4 years ago
    I first worked with Sharon during the summer of 2019 and she helped me massively overcome hurdles I faced in the application process. Working with Sharon on the "early-stage planning" MBA process aided me tremendously in strategizing my weaknesses and strengths in applying for full-time programs. Sharon's expertise with top programs, Clifton Strengths, and her ability to give sound and cogent advice make her a great consultant to work with! Since working with her I've proudly applied to several top MBA programs (full-time) with confidence and am currently awaiting final decisions. If your certain you want to pursue an MBA however need help in the planning and strategizing piece I cannot recommend working with another consultant but Sharon!
    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • Fortuna & ESP Package with Sharon Review
    4 years ago
    Working with Sharon and Fortuna has been an incredible experience. Through a friend’s recommendation, I reached out to Sharon to learn more about her experience and Fortuna. Specifically, I was curious on how I fared against other applicants and to discuss my chances of admission considering my background, undergraduate experience and career. Sharon recommended doing the Early Stage Planning (ESP) package to have a clear path ahead to gain admissions to a top MBA program and to focus on bolstering my overall profile. This is where Sharon’s analysis and experience in the field truly shined. After completing a simple questionnaire detailing information about my past, as well as future goals, and a CliftonStrengths assessment (she is a certified coach for this), Sharon and I reviewed my ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Sharon's Great at Weaving a Narrative Together
    4 years ago
    Working with Sharon has been a really positive experience. She asked good questions during our first trial consultation, got a sense for my professional and leadership experiences, and clearly articulated how she could help me with the application. The school I was applying to really values a candidate's journey and aspects of their candidacy beyond academic performance. And Sharon really helped me best represent my leadership experiences and accomplishments. She also knows, having worked with many clients on applications to multiple B-schools, how best to tell one's story, and which aspects to prioritize shining the light on. I had many leadership experiences in my past, but choosing the right ones and how to articulate their value and impact in the best possible way, was something that ...
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    Class of 2023 Admit
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  • Consulting with Sharon is a Must!
    4 years ago
    I highly recommend working with Sharon on MBA applications, interviews, strategy, etc. When I decided to purchase an hourly consulting package, I was expecting help with overall strategy and a few essay prompts. In the short time Sharon and I spent together, she helped me with my overall strategy, every single essay (for 5 schools!), and short answer questions. She even proofread 2 applications before I hit submit. Sharon was extremely conscious of my time and was transparent about how the hours were spent. She made the stressful process of business school applications more manageable and enjoyable. Even more than that, I felt that she genuinely understood me and sincerely brought the best of me forward in every part of the application. I was invited to ...
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    Laura Dyer
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • I Expected A Top 25 Not A HSW!!!
    4 years ago
    Who am I? I am a military pilot with a good GPA from a state school and an average GRE score for my target programs. My success: 2019-2020 application cycle, applying R2, I had done zero work on my applications or essays and had roughly 45 days until the R2 deadlines. Sharon was instrumental in my ability to complete applications to 7 Top 10 MBA programs within 45 days— I was working full time. I received 6 admits, 1 waitlist, and ultimately accepted an offer to attend Wharton w/$. How she helped: 1) Identifying the characteristics, each school was looking for and the underlying questions each essay was asking. 2) Selecting my best story to tackle each question. 3) She changed my writing style from procedural to ...
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    Eric Z.
    MBA Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Sharon Is The Best Consultant Out There - She Is Amazing!!!
    4 years ago
    I have worked with Sharon from start to finish on a number of applications and I can safely say that it was the best decision I made. I was admitted to Yale SOM, UCLA Anderson, NYU Stern, USC Marshall and other schools on my list and I could not have done it without her excellent guidance and help during the admissions process. She knows the business school application process and different programs really well and thoroughly cares about her clients. She dedicated an incredible amount of time getting to know me (including discussing my strengths after a CliftonStrengths assessment) brainstorming my professional goals, gave detailed feedback on my resume, all my essays (including many drafts) and all parts of the written application and worked extensively ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • So Grateful To Have Found Sharon!
    4 years ago
    I am so grateful that I found Sharon early on in this process. Fortuna gave me a candid assessment of my chances at my target schools and then paired me with Sharon based on the schools I was applying to. From the first phone call, I knew I'd found a good match and that she GOT me, and we proceeded with hourly consulting after that. I appreciated that in every essay, short answer, interview prep session, etc., she helped me show myself to my full potential, rather than trying to make me out to be something different than I am. She's organized, caring, funny, savvy, and will be your ultimate cheerleader during this process. She's also efficient and would never waste your time or money, ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Strongly Recommend Sharon!!
    4 years ago
    I bought the 3 school package with Sharon Joyce and it was the best investment I made in preparation for the business school admission process! I strongly recommend working with Sharon as an admissions consultant. In June/July 2019, I interviewed multiple admissions consultancies and I'm telling you right now, stop what you're doing, stop talking to anyone else, pick up the phone and call Sharon!! By the end of our first call together I already knew Sharon was different and that I was in incredible hands. She had this remarkably wide, expansive view of the world and my place in it, yet also picked up on little (most would think innocuous) details in my stories that would go on to play major roles in our future brainstorming sessions/my ...
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    Class of 2022 Admit
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  • Sharon is Outstanding
    4 years ago
    I worked with Sharon on three sets of essays. She is candid and provides excellent feedback, and has an excellent ability to bring to life the ideas I had. She turned around feedback very quickly and was always available to reach during the weeks I worked with her. She was able to help me bring my essays to a whole new level through her in-depth understanding of the process and her thoughtful feedback. Sharon is outstanding and I would certainly recommend her to others who could use her help!
    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • Hourly Consulting - SO worth it!
    4 years ago
    I was on the fence about whether to work with a consultant for my MBA applications and finally made a decision to go for it just 3 weeks before my Round 1 deadlines. Working with Sharon was such a great experience and I am so glad I made the decision to do it. I was thrilled to hear that got into MIT Sloan which was one of my top choices!! Sharon is incredibly perceptive and did a great job at getting up to speed on what I was thinking. I had already done quite a bit of the prep work at getting applications ready so really appreciated her honest take on how many hours would be helpful and what type of support might be the ...
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    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • Hourly Service With Sharon - 100% Worth It!!
    4 years ago
    The first thing I'll say is that I only worked with Sharon for 2 hours, so the fact that I'm writing a review is a testament to how amazing I found Sharon to be and how valuable I found her services. I purchased the 2-hour hourly service package through Fortuna 3 days before the deadline for one of my schools (top 10). Given the tight timeline, Matt (the founder) immediately connected me with Sharon, and we got the ball rolling right away. I originally only wanted an admissions consultant to review one of my three essays that I felt the most uncertain about - expecting maybe a couple of recommendations on content and a few word choice edits. However, Sharon went above and beyond. She reviewed all ...
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    Class of 2022 Applicant
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  • Sharon Is The BEST!!
    5 years ago
    Simply put, Sharon is awesome and she really knows how to navigate the MBA application process successfully and with the least amount of stress (trust me, this part is so important)! Her continuous guidance and support played a decisive role in my acceptance to Haas, Kellogg and Fuqua FT MBA programs and I am so grateful to Sharon for helping me realize my dream. I approached Fortuna admissions about 6 weeks before my first deadline and I was immediately paired with Sharon. I was worried that we may not have enough time to complete all of my applications, but Sharon instantly put me at ease by clearly outlining our timeline and strategy for each individual application. At this point, it is worth mentioning that I worked ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Sharon Is The best! Supportive, Kind, Sharp
    5 years ago
    I chose to work with Sharon Joyce at Fortuna Admissions because after our initial informational conversation, I could tell right away that Sharon was the perfect combination of kind, sharp, supportive and realistic that I was looking for. She ended up being all of these things and more, and even sprinkled in a great amount of humor and needed sarcasm that brought some joy to the process. We spoke on the phone at least once a week for several months during the process, and outside of these phone calls, Sharon was incredibly responsive over text and email, dedicating a lot of her time to help me prep or edit my work. I came into the application process with a good idea of "Why an MBA" and "Why ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • A Great Experience With Great Results
    5 years ago
    When I was researching into the application process I came across Fortuna Admissions. Initially I discovered them from online searches, however an old friend of mine was a former client and confirmed they were a great service. I was paired with Sharon and it was a great fit. We started just before Summer with a goal of first round applications being completed by the start of September. I am very busy with my career so having a strong supporting team to help organize my application efforts was a tremendous help. I work best with goals and schedules. Sharon quickly adapted to my working preferences and helped me set goals and dates to accomplish various tasks. At the end of every session I would have my "take aways" ...
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    Samuel Ostler
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  • Definitely Recommended!
    5 years ago
    I enjoyed working with Fortuna from my first interaction with Matt. They provided loads of advice on the first intro call - far more than other consulting firms I spoke with - and sold me quickly. My consultant, Sharon, was personable and helpful throughout the process. It was tougher than usual because we lived in time zones 14 hours apart, but she regularly scheduled calls in her evenings because it was more convenient for me. I appreciated her pushing me to re-work my essays multiple times. Would recommend the services, particularly for school selection and keeping me on a steady schedule to get my applications in on time.
    Class of 2019 Admit
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  • Helpful, To-The-Point Advice & A Pleasure To Work With!
    5 years ago
    If you want someone who is going to give you efficient, no-BS advice and who is a genuine delight to work with, choose Sharon! With Sharon's help I was accepted in R1 to Ross, Anderson, and McCombs, with generous scholarships to each even with a low GMAT quant score! Sharon helped me with resume review, essay review, all of the questions and gut-checks I needed for communicating with the schools, interview prep, and ultimately school decision-making. Something I especially appreciated about Sharon was that I never felt like she was wasting my billed hours - she was incredibly efficient and honest if she thought I only needed 10 minutes to review/prep when we had scheduled 30, for example. She also was very flexible in terms ...
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    Class of 2021 Admit
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  • Great Interview Prep from Sharon Joyce
    6 years ago
    Thanks Sharon for prepping me for the interviews. I got admitted to UCLA Anderson, UC Berkely Hass, Yale SOM and MIT Sloan. Some of them offered almost full or half scholarship. When I contacted Sharon for interview preparation, the deadline was approaching and I have nearly zero knowledge about the interview. Thanks Sharon for the quick response and talking with me on such a short notice. I truly enjoyed the 2-hour conversation with Sharon. She was able to provide insightful feedback and suggestions during the conversation, and also answered my follow-up questions via email with great patience. She gave me a good start on my interview preparation by identifying my strengths and weaknesses.
    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • AMAZING experience with Sharon
    6 years ago
    I worked with Sharon during Round 2 of the 2017 – 2018 season and could not have had a better experience. I got a late start on applications and Sharon was crucial in not only getting my applications completed, but perfecting them before submission, helping to present the best and most honest version of me to admissions committees. Due to this time constraints and the difficulties inherent to the application process, I ultimately selected Sharon and Fortuna because they gave me an honest, no-BS perspective on my candidacy (as compared to other consultants I spoke with that were just happy to take my money), saving me time by helping me target my strengths and avoid schools that weren’t a good fit. I initially purchased a 3-school ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Sharon and Fortuna are the best!
    6 years ago
    It was only a week away from the deadline when I decided to retain an MBA admission consultant because I was struggling with the optional essay. I contacted several companies that provide MBA admission consulting service, and Fortuna was the only company that was able to meet my deadline. Sharon from Fortuna contacted me within 24 hours and worked with me over the weekend to review my admission package. Not only she provided great guidance on my optional essay, she also offered incredible insights on my other essays and the entire package. Since I had already spent more than one month writing my other three essays, I thought they cannot be any better until Sharon mentioned a few points. Looking back, I would have not ...
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    - Selina Liu
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  • Great Consultant!
    6 years ago
    I got admitted to my dream school, Kellogg at Northwestern University - HUGE THANKS to Sharon Joyce and her team. I have lower than average GMAT and GPA, and also was in the non-profit industry. Yes, I was on the weaker side of the candidates, and it wouldn't be possible to get an admission offer from Kellogg without her help. Sharon was BRILLIANT in positioning strategy and storytelling that were tailored to just myself as a unique MBA candidate. She helped me with whole application strategy, numerous essay drafts, recommenders selection, interview preparation, and follow-up plans. She also gave me very honest and critical feedback with the point of view admission office as a former Associate Director of Admission at Haas. Other things, such as quick turnaround and accessibility, were ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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  • Thank you, Sharon!
    6 years ago
    After an unpleasantly protracted experience with a New York based admissions consultant, finding Fortuna and, more importantly, teaming up with expert Fortuna coach, Sharon Joyce, was the ultimate windfall. Sharon helped me navigate the application process every step of the way with her unparalleled expertise and insight. She is a gifted editor who turns essays around with expedience. Whether by phone, email, or text, Sharon always makes herself available. Working with Sharon was a very refreshing experience; her witty sense of humor and encouraging coaching style are game changers. Sharon was the defining factor in my acceptance to the school of my choice. Without her unmitigated help and attention, I would have struggled to meet deadlines and achieve success in applying to top MBA programs. ...
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    Class of 2020 Admit
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