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Heidi Hillis Reviews

Company: Fortuna Admissions

Heidi Hillis graduated from the Stanford Graduate School of Business in 1998, where she was the student chair of the Global Management Program (GMP) and helped craft the first Global Management Immersion Experience (GMIX) to China in 1997. For several years she served as an alumni interviewer for the Stanford GSB.

Heidi’s 24-year career in business has taken her across the globe, helping her to develop a truly international perspective on the value of a business education.  She has worked as a director of micro-finance for a nonprofit in Russia, a amanagement consultant for McKinsey & Co. in London, a senior product manager for a European e-commerce company, and a finance director for a major South American telecom. Most recently she helped launch an industrial minerals company in southern Chile.

In the course of her career Heidi has created several business internship programs and has interviewed hundreds of job applicants. In addition to the MBA she holds an MA (1991) and BA (1990) from Stanford University.


5.0 /5 Average Rating
Based on 56 reviews
September 03, 2024
Mba2026aaa

Joined: Sep 03, 2024

Posts: 0

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Highly recommend Heidi

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TLDR: Got into both GSB and HBS, and I couldn’t have done it without Heidi.

As an international student with a unique background, I knew I had solid experiences but struggled with how to present my story. Heidi was a game-changer. She took the time to really listen, helping me focus on the most important parts of my personal and professional journey.

When it came time for interview prep, she was invaluable—insisting we do a mock interview and offering insights that made a huge difference.

The MBA application process is filled with uncertainty, but Heidi helped guide me through it all, keeping my stress in check every step of the way.

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June 26, 2024
AbAcAd

Joined: Jul 31, 2023

Posts: 0

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Heidi is amazing!

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Heidi is amazing. I did a lot of research/free calls with admission consultants before Heidi was gracious enough to take me on as a client even through I was a late-starter in the application process. Heidi worked with me to accelerate my preparation. She helped me brainstorm ideas around how I should build my story that would resonate better with the schools where I applied. She also provided me with candid and constructive feedback on my resume, many essays, and other parts of the application. Although we were on completely different timezones, she was available whenever I needed help or wanted to schedule a call outside of her working hours. I believe Heidi played a big part of my acceptance to one of HSW.

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May 19, 2024
indian_techie

Joined: Oct 27, 2022

Posts: 6

Kudos: 2

Just Amazing! Best Of The Best Anyone Could Ask For!

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I reached out to Heidi Hillis for HBS, Stanford, and MIT applications, which I knew was a tall ask coming for an overrepresented candidate like me. My experience with Heidi over the last 6months was nothing short of excellent. Her expertise in understanding my profile and listing out strengths to highlight and weaknesses to address set the ball rolling. Particularly, her ability to take everything from my long journey and help me build an effective narrative was astounding. Her guidance helped me focus my energy on things that matter and cut through the clutter of information available online.

On top of all things, her deep insights into all the schools especially GSB and HBS, and their values proved to be very valuable in working through the long and challenging application where every single word makes a lot of difference. On a personal level, she was very flexible and always available to help me out when I was stuck at any point by getting on a call and over email.

Finally, on the decision date, got admits from HBS and GSB, and I cannot even begin to express my gratitude towards Heidi and Fortuna for helping this dream become a reality.

Thank you, Heidi and Karen, again for your guidance and partnership this past year!

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May 09, 2024
morerunnnnn

Joined: May 09, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Thank you Heidi! (MIT Sloan, CBS)

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I highly recommend working with Heidi! I began working with her in the summer of 2023 while aiming for applications to five schools in Round 1, which was relatively late in the process. Despite the timing, Heidi proved her expertise and was pivotal in refining my narrative and offering extremely valuable insights. Prior to working with her, I lacked clarity on my career goals. However, Heidi guided me in defining my vision, a benefit not only for the MBA admissions journey but also for my future career.

Heidi's responsiveness is exceptional. Despite being in different time zones—I was in Europe for several months and then back in the U.S.—she consistently replied to my questions and returned drafts within a day, providing thorough reviews and feedback. She really ensures that you receive the dedicated attention you require!!

MIT Sloan has always been my dream school, and I am thrilled to be attending this fall. Heidi's guidance was crucial in achieving this milestone!

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April 29, 2024
900000dddddd

Joined: May 14, 2021

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Highly recommended (HBS, Wharton admit)

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I went into this process wanting to ensure that I put my best foot forward, and Heidi was the best consultant to work with to make sure that happened. She was super available and turned around edits very quickly, often times even in the same day. We spent many hours together talking through what I wanted to communicate in my essays and refining and revising. She also pressure tested my career vision and helped me craft a story that was authentic and appealing for admissions. We also spent a lot of time working on prep packets for my recommenders to ensure those letters turned out well, which I think made a huge difference.

I always trusted that Heidi was being honest with me on if something was working or not. By the time we got to submitting the applications, I felt super confident that it was the best that I could produce, no matter what the final results were. I purchased the 3 school package, but the learnings I got from working with Heidi helped me with the two other schools I applied for as well. The interview prep was also essential, particularly Fortuna's mock group interviews for Wharton.

I would highly recommend working with Heidi, as she is an expert in helping you shape your application for success. I felt very supported in this process knowing that I had her in my corner for advice on every single step. It gave me peace of mind to know that what I was submitting had Heidi's stamp of approval, which saved me a lot of time and headache in this long process. I ended up being accepted to 4 out of 5 schools I applied for and will attend HBS this fall!

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April 18, 2024
oregonducks

Joined: May 11, 2015

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Heidi helped me complete an application marathon

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Heidi lent her guidance, support, feedback, direction, and redirection throughout what ended up being a 2.5-year-long application process. She supported me on my applications to HBS, the Stanford GSB, and Harvard Kennedy School. While I was not admitted to these programs (I am 34 and had below-average test scores and grades), I can enthusiastically affirm that Heidi helped me put my best foot forward in my applications.

Heidi provided specific feedback that drove the repeated rewriting of my essays and kept me on track from a timing standpoint, helping to minimize stress. She was consistently kind, thoughtful, and encouraging.

While Heidi did not partner with me on preparing my application to MIT Sloan, she did support me during the interview process, delivering crucial input on my interview essays and providing feedback that I believe helped secure my admission to MIT Sloan.

Given her dedication and compassion, I wholeheartedly recommend you choose to work with Heidi as your admissions coach. She is an invaluable partner in the often-daunting marathon that is applying to graduate school.

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April 18, 2024
Aziz_33

Joined: Apr 18, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Greatest Coach ever

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I had the pleasure of working with Heidi Hills as my MBA application coach, and I cannot recommend her services highly enough. With her guidance, I successfully gained admission to prestigious business schools such as Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, Saïd Business School at Oxford, and Cornell University's Johnson Graduate School of Management.

Heidi's approach is meticulously tailored and highly effective. She not only assisted me in finding the right GRE coaching—which significantly improved my scores—but also played a crucial role in refining my application essays and CV. Her insights into storytelling transformed my applications, allowing me to present a compelling narrative that truly stood out. she is very responsive and even during her leave time.

Thanks to Heidi's dedication and expertise, I felt prepared and confident throughout the application process. Her deep understanding of the intricacies of business school admissions and her commitment to her clients' success are truly unparalleled. If you are looking for a coach who will invest in your success and guide you to achieving your goals, Heidi Hills is the best choice.

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April 17, 2024
vvindu

Joined: Apr 17, 2024

Posts: 0

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Verified GMAT Classic score:
730 Q45 V45 (Online)

In Heidi I trust

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Best in the world? Let's get the obvious out of the way, with Heidi's unparalleled knowledge of the MBA application process and her ability to draw out your full story, you'll undoubtedly get into the school(s) of your dreams (from a Wharton & CBS admit).

With Heidi as your coach, what you're really getting is a life coach who will guide you through perhaps one of the toughest years of your life. Through your journey applying, there will be unexpected things that creep up, making you doubt your candidacy and if it's worth applying to business school, especially if you're juggling 10 other priorities. However, Heidi always made sure I kept true to my goals and dreams. It was with her nudges that helped me endure taking the GMAT until I reached my goal score. As somewhat of a perfectionist, she probably saved me 100s of hours pouring over every detail in my essays by giving me the confidence that I was putting my best foot forward. I will also be carrying her wisdom forward as I'll be enacting the career vision she helped clarify. This is why I'm convinced that while automated MBA application platforms may demystify the process a bit, that's not where the true value of having a world-class coach comes from.

The best athletes in the world are usually trained by the best coaches in the world. If you're lucky enough to work with Heidi, she's your MBA equivalent.

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January 20, 2024
mbernard08

Joined: Jan 20, 2024

Posts: 0

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Navy Veteran - HBS, Wharton, MIT Sloan Admit

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I am beyond grateful for the exceptional support and guidance provided by Heidi during my MBA admissions journey. Her dedication and expertise played a pivotal role in securing admission offers from Harvard Business School, Wharton, and MIT Sloan, all while navigating the challenge of a below-average GRE score.

Heidi demonstrated unparalleled commitment from our first consultation to the final application submission. Her deep understanding of MBA admissions intricacies, coupled with a meticulous eye for detail, elevated the quality of my applications. She worked tirelessly on refining my essays, ensuring they effectively conveyed my unique story and aspirations.

What truly sets Heidi apart is her ability to tailor her guidance to my individual strengths and challenges. Despite my below-average GRE score, she strategically highlighted other aspects of my profile that showcased my potential for success in the MBA programs. Her insights into the preferences of each school's admissions committee were not only accurate but crucial in securing my acceptance letters.

One unique aspect of my experience was Heidi's flexibility in working from Australia. As a new parent juggling a demanding job, her willingness to accommodate evening consultations made the process accessible and convenient for me. This thoughtful consideration of my schedule enabled me to receive valuable guidance during times that suited my commitments, ultimately contributing to the success of my applications.

I wholeheartedly recommend Heidi to anyone pursuing an MBA. Her commitment to excellence, personalized approach, and proven track record make her an exceptional partner in achieving academic and professional goals. I am immensely grateful for her role in helping me secure admission to three top business schools and eagerly anticipate thriving in this new chapter of my academic and professional journey.

Thank you, Heidi for being the catalyst for my success!

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June 05, 2023
arstudent

Joined: Apr 14, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Heidi is a fantastic coach!

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I worked with Heidi on my MBA applications, and she helped me get into my top choice school. I'm so grateful for her advice and guidance. She has a very deep understanding of the process and how to create the strongest possible application, and this helped take much of the anxiety out of the process for me. I was able to approach my application and my story with much more confidence because Heidi took the time to understand me/my interests and help me solidify the themes I wanted to highlight. Heidi provided thoughtful guidance every step of the way (and helped me identify where my application could stand out). She was was able to be constructive and provide feedback while always being supportive and helping me believe in myself. I highly recommend working with Heidi!

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