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 school, make sure to get guidance not just from someone who can craft your story, but from someone who can help you understand yourself better - Melissa is that person.

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

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

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

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Overall experience with Fortuna Admission team was great and would definitely recommend using their services if you need help with shaping your story!
First, I had a meeting with Matt Symonds, who lifted my hopes and tried to highlight the features of my story that business schools would love. This was ~45 minutes call which helped me take a different perspective on my profile and reflection! (Also, it is free)
Once I committed to Fortuna, I started working with Emma on my MiM application. She was very responsive and very helpful whenever I needed her. I would never be able to pull through that process without her help.
The specific features I liked about Emma:
- First we met up to get to know each other and discuss the essay topics and short answer questions. Emma is a great listener and at the same time she challenges your ideas to make sure you express yourself in the best possible way.
- Once I got into writing the essays, Emma did an amazing job! She corrected the grammar, flow, and the overall message of the essays. Emma has a really great understanding of what the b-schools are looking for in your essays! I was actually surprised by the amount of help I received, since the MiM package is only 4 hours - Emma definitely spent more than that on my application!
- After I got an interview invite, I purchased an additional hour to do a mock interview. Emma asked me basically the same questions I was asked during my actual interview and provided me with great feedback. She took notes of everything I said and once we were done she went through each of the questions providing me with weak and strong points of my answers.

To summarize, I doubt I would be able to do it on my own (especially that I started my application 2.5/3 weeks before the deadline!). Emma structured my approach to the application and provided me with great feedback on everything I did. I would definitely recommend Emma and Fortuna if you are looking into MiM programs or b-schools in general!
My best investment of 2020!

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I had an immensely positive experience with Jessica! From the beginning, Jessica was warm and understanding. She helped me draw out my impact through several iterations of my resume. When we began brainstorming essays, Jessica pointed to specific things I wrote in the strategy questionnaire as well as information she gleaned from our conversations that she found resonant. Through the editing process, Jessica helped ensure that my voice and personality came through clearly, whilst one of the directors, Bill Kooser, provided very pragmatic feedback. She provided very actionable constructive comments when preparing for the video essays and interviews. When it came time for my Kellogg interview, she reached out to Willie Kotas, another amazing coach who is a Kellogg alum and has had extensive experience as alumni interviewer. Willie's feedback proved instrumental in helping me perform well on the interview!

Overall, Jessica consistently made herself available to answer any questions I had and was extremely great at managing my anxieties! If you want someone who cares about you as a person and who will help you communicate that to the adcoms, Jessica is the perfect consultant! Thank you Jessica!

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I was an optimistic applicant, but having grown up in the Dominican Republic and very much isolated from the MBA culture and peer applicants, I did not grasp the level of detail top programs asked of applicants. Willie helped me choose my target schools, craft my story and highlight the parts of my profile that would stand out in my applications while mitigating aspects that were weaker. I ultimately received admits from my two top choices, one of them a member of the M7. I will be forever thankful for his patience and thoughtful advice. In my experience as a genuine outsider, I can't recommend Willie's services enough and I am certain I wouldn't have been able to navigate the application process as successfully as I did without his help.

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I came into the R1 process fairly well-versed with my deadlines and needs. I knew I wanted an MBA consultant so that I could have a 'project manager' of sorts who could not only provide essay advice but also keep me on track and help me balance 5 applications.

I interviewed multiple companies and decided to go with Fortuna because the initial call with Matt did not feel rushed or sales-ey. I subsequently chose to work with Bill because of his decades of experience in Admissions - a great decision that proved its worth along the way. Fortuna offered what they thought would be the best package and arrangement for me, and never tried to push additional schools or services.

We settled on the schools and began the process with a detailed questionnaire and timeline with the expected tasks. I will re-iterate a point often made here: the consultants are there to guide and help, but you must put in the work. It was a tough few months, but having Bill by my side made things much easier. If you have the budget for a consultant, I recommend getting the Comprehensive Package, because I had tons of tiny questions along the way that Bill had no hesitation answering, because I had chosen that package. I actually bought the package for only 2 schools, but Bill didn't hesitate to help a little (within reason) with the other apps that I was attempting alone. He truly cares that you get into the school of your dreams, even if it isn't necessarily the one you're working with him on.

Bill is supportive yet candid, and is always available to answer your questions. He knows how Admissions officers think, and he grasps and remembers details of your story. Before starting the process, I had heard horror stories of consultants getting 'lazy' and attempting to wrap up essays within a couple of drafts. None of that with Bill - he never hesitated to read the smallest of changes, and always put up with my sometimes neurotic behavior. Most important of all, he wasn't just a creative writing coach - he helped me stay motivated through tough times and rejections (which I learned happen all the time).

Staying motivated worked, because I ended up getting into the school of my dreams! In an extremely competitive year where it sometimes felt like I was hitting a brick wall, things eventually worked out. I highly recommend working with Bill, no matter your background, because he has seen it all.

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I worked with Emma to apply to an early careers program at one of the top universities worldwide.Emma guided me and helped make the application process easy and simple. Without her I know that I would have been lost and confused. I loved working with her and her help has been instrumental to my acceptance at my dream school. I cannot thank her enough and really recommend her to anyone that is thinking of applying to a masters program. I convinced all my friends and family to apply through her.
I recommend her because she is very thorough and has a lot of knowledge on what the universities are looking for. She has a lot of experience and that experience is invaluable to anyone applying to a top university. She has helped me edit my Essays and CVs while not taking away my voice. She helped me enhance my application and for that I am very grateful. I also worked with her on interview prep and our mock trial was exactly like my interview. Her comments and suggestions made my interview go smoothly and helped me make a good impression.

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I recently received acceptance to my dream MBA program, CBS, and I would highly recommend Melissa and the Fortuna team for their help and support throughout the MBA admission process. Melissa brought an energetic, positive approach and really provided 360 degree support in helping me craft the story I wanted to present to the Admissions committee, essay guidance, mock interview support, helping to build and structure my resume, and give me the confidence I have the support of a professional who knows the MBA admissions process inside and out. I also want to highlight the instrumental guidance Melissa provided, which was instrumental in helping me navigate the sometimes opaque and nuanced admissions process. Thank you Melissa!

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When I first started looking at MBA programs, I didn't even consider applying to top schools as I didn't think I had a shot. I was originally looking to apply in round 3 2020 (last minute decision) and after the 30 min consultation with Karen, she gave me a lot of confidence about applying to top schools. That was really the sign for me (in addition to Karen's positive attitude) to chose Fortuna instead of the other firms I had a free consultation with. For the 7 months I've been working with Karen since then, I have had nothing but great experiences! She always has the right things to say, the right answers to my questions, she's always available and is the greatest cheerleader and supporter. From the beginning, Karen always made it a point to show me how much she believed in me and my chances of getting into the top schools I am applying to (even with a not so stellar GMAT or GPA). She knew that with my great professional background, lined-up recommenders and personal story, I could make a good compelling case for myself. She found the best way to tell my story, something I don't think I would have thought of or even would have know where to begin with without Karen. She also always made herself available any time I had a question, was nervous about something or felt down about my GMAT scores.

I would hands down recommend Karen to anyone looking for great guidance, support and encouragement throughout the MBA application process. I did the comprehensive school package, but since Karen is so immensely helpful, effective and efficient, I would say, get whatever package works best for you and I guarantee you'll be very happy you went with Karen.

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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 into 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 that I've never done before! Melissa's commitment, devotion, and care throughout the whole process were truly unique. Feeling the support of a person who is 8 hours away from me, always available to answer my e-mails, is something I will never forget.
Working with Melissa and Fortuna was the best decision that I made and was a key to turning my dream school into a reality. Thank you, Melissa!

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