GMAT Club

Melissa Jones Reviews

Company: Fortuna Admissions

Melissa has successfully coached hundreds of candidates from around the world with their MBA applications to top business schools globally, including many acceptances to Columbia, Harvard, Wharton, Stern, and Yale. As one of Fortuna’s first coaches, for over a decade she has a stellar track record of helping MBA hopefuls gain admission to M7 and top 15 US schools, as well as prestigious European schools like INSEAD and LBS. Her success is rooted in a laser eye for talent and a deep understanding of what top business schools are seeking. Her expert support for Fortuna Admissions clients is rooted in her previous experience as Assistant Director for the MBA Program at INSEAD in France. During her tenure, she connected with thousands of applicants and advised them on the admissions process and their path to business school, traveling extensively and delivering countless presentations to candidates across many countries. Melissa was a member of the review committee responsible for selecting scholarship recipients, so she knows what it takes to make the cut. Melissa has also worked in marketing and communications for global brands such as Sony, InBev, and Xerox.

5.0 /5 Average Rating
Based on 57 reviews
December 13, 2019
Pangolin

Joined: Dec 14, 2018

Posts: 19

Kudos: 15

Verified GMAT Classic score:
710 Q47 V41

Excellent & successful experience with Melissa Jones (INSEAD)

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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 organised 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 INSEAD specific insights and Fortuna material crafted specifically for INSEAD applicants as well. In the end I was accepted to my dream school and am very thankful for Melissa's support on my journey.

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October 03, 2019
ms4788

Joined: May 02, 2019

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
640 Q40 V38

Accepted into Top European MBA because of Fortuna!

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I really cannot say enough about my experience with Fortuna and with Melissa specifically, as my top school I was targeting was INSEAD. My first consultation with Matt was great, he gave me realistic and insightful feedback about all of the schools I was targeting and how my profile fit from a first glance. After getting started with Melissa, she was amazing at helping brainstorm about the best way to structure my story, which parts to highlight, where I needed to take action to round out or polish, and gave me clear feedback through multiple rounds of C.V. and essays. She also pulled in other members of the Fortuna team who gave additional detailed feedback and comments, further pushing me to improve and polish the different parts of my application. The work I did with Melissa and Fortuna also prepared me for applications to my other target schools and made me feel confident in interviews because I had done the hardworking and soul-searching and was clear on my motivation, my future career path, and confident in how to convey this. I really can't say enough about my experience because I wouldn't have been accepted into a top MBA program without their professionalism and attention to detail. Anyone debating whether to hire a consultant or if they should spend the money, I highly recommend Fortuna!

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September 21, 2019
EmiDibe

Joined: Sep 21, 2018

Posts: 1

Kudos: 1

Verified GMAT Classic score:
730 Q49 V40

Brought The Best Out of Me, Maintaining My Authenticity

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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.

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June 10, 2019
wstahlke4

Joined: May 17, 2019

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
570 Q39 V29

Five Star Fortuna!!!

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I worked with Melissa Jones at Fortuna who was perfect in every way. I purchased several services (Resume Review, Interview Prep and an 8 hour consulting pack). Melissa was thoughtful and efficient with my time and provided valuable feedback to help me properly apply to my two top schools. The level of detail was sufficient to properly guide my application, but not get bogged down in details. She helped me craft my story in a great way. Overall, she was responsive, worked on weekends when it was essential and genuinely cared about my candidacy. I cannot recommend her enough! She is a consummate professional and great at her job.

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May 12, 2019
amdb11

Joined: Sep 10, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Self-reported Score:
720 Q50 V37

Detailed & Personal Service

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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 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 were 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.

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February 28, 2019
Jonathanoon93

Joined: Nov 17, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Highly recommend Melissa and the Fortuna Team!

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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 through the key steps of the application and always making the next step clear.
She was able to help me make my application shine -highlighting parts of my experience I had not considered and really ensuring a coherent and holistic application.

When busy and applying to multiple challenging process - having someone that knows the process was crucial to reducing the stress and ensuring I was able to submit on time and with a strong application.

The results: offers from all schools I applied to - with full scholarships for my top two preferences.

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February 25, 2019
jalajshah11

Joined: Jul 09, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
710 Q47 V40

Best in business for INSEAD

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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 she is very keen on keeping the application as authentic as possible. She was always available and usually came back with her edits/recommendations latest by next working day. Melissa had probably the best insight into the admissions process from her previous experience at INSEAD and that was not only helpful for the application but also in understanding and connecting with the school.

As an Indian male working in tech consulting, I was in the most competitive pool of applicants and don’t think would’ve gotten in without Melissa’s help. The tool that Fortuna uses for submissions, communication, resources etc. is also commendable. It has a world of knowledge hosted there.

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February 13, 2019
kkev

Joined: Aug 02, 2014

Posts: 3

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
680 Q44 V39

The Best for Top Canadian MBA programs

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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 the best out of me and appeal to adcoms. With her honest feedback and encouragement, I overcame my fear of interviews.

I got admitted into my dream school with a hefty scholarship. Thanks Melissa and Fortuna!!

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December 02, 2018
Enim

Joined: Dec 02, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Classic score:
730 Q47 V42

Over and Above Experience

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I was hesitant to pay the hefty price tag for the full package with Fortuna, but they have delivered over and above what I expected.

I was lucky to work with Melissa Jones who 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 result. I also got admitted into my dream school!

I could not have asked for a better coach.

She genuinely cared, was very insightful and knowledgeable, and showed diligent attention to the slightest detail.

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July 14, 2018
Rei

Joined: Apr 26, 2018

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Super Coach

REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]

Yes, as mentioned in previous reviews, Melissa 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 result. I also got admitted into my dream school!

I could not have asked for a better coach.

She genuinely cared, was very insightful and knowledgeable, and showed diligent attention to the slightest detail.

Melissa, it was wonderful to work with you. Thank you so much!

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