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Product Fortuna Comprehensive School Package
Consultant Michel Belden
Strengths:
Great end-to-end advisory process
Would make the product better:
Nothing - Fortuna and Michel were great
I’m very grateful for Michel, who served as my advisor through the MBA application process over the past six months. She was key to my success in getting admitted to four of my dream schools (out of six) within the M7—something I didn’t think was possible from the outset. From our very first meeting, it was clear that Michel brought not only deep expertise in the admissions process, especially given her time working in admissions, but also an incredible sense of empathy and strategic insight.
Her expertise shone through throughout every step through thorough every step of the process, from giving me guidance on how to select schools, to helping polish my resume, to the essay writing process, and finally the interviewing. In addition to great strategic coaching, she was able to give great insights from both a larger admissions lens and an individual school-specific level. Michel never applies a cookie-cutter approach; every brainstorming session, essay draft, and mock interview was tailored specifically to who I am, what I hoped to achieve, and my authentic style of written and verbal expression.
In particular, Michel was incredibly helpful in providing feedback for essays. She was a consummate professional, always responding in a timely manner with clear, actionable feedback. In addition, I really appreciated that she struck the right balance between encouraging me to write my own authentic story and challenging me to dig deeper to clarify my motivations and sharpen my story. A good example is a comment on an essay for the school I’m now about to attend, where she pushed me to strengthen my ending by “showing” how I grew from the experience, rather than “telling.” While I was responsible for identifying the right anecdote to tie the essay together, I never would have reached this level of detail had I not had her feedback, and this could have been the difference needed to get into this top school.
I had a similar personalized experience with her interview coaching. This was especially important with the rush of interviews I was fortunate to get invited to. As the interview style differs amongst the top schools, she was able to streamline my process preparing and get me focused and confident to perform my best. In particular, her experience working at Wharton, which is unlike all other interview styles, was a moment that reflected her years of expertise on the admissions side.
While it can be intimidating going into the admissions process and picking a coach, now on the other side, I can confidently say that I’m so thankful I chose Michel. Her top coaching helped me unlock my very best potential and I cannot recommend her enough as your MBA admissions advisor!
Product Fortuna Hourly Consulting Services
Consultant Emma Bond
Strengths:
Emma was an absolutely fantastic coach. As an applicant for the Stanford MSx program with a less conventional background (Science PhD), I needed a coach who could make my story ressonate with the admissions committee in the best way possible and Emma's support was vital for my admission into the Stanford MSx programme.
We worked under tight deadlines, and Emma's guidance on which steps to prioritize were very helpful. Moreover, the instructions to my referees were excellent. Emma is a brillian communicator and her feedback on my essays really helped position my story for success.
I strongly recommend Emma as a coach. Her proactiveness, positive energy (she really helped raise my confidence levels), structured and organized approach, were vital for my sucesss. Her flexbility comes through not only in terms of the candidate background, but also in terms of geography, as she can help applicants to both European and American schools.
Would make the product better:
Nothing that I can think of.
Emma was an absolutely fantastic coach. As an applicant for the Stanford MSx program with a less conventional background (Science PhD), I needed a coach who could make my story ressonate with the admissions committee in the best way possible and Emma's support was vital for my admission into the Stanford MSx programme.
We worked under tight deadlines, and Emma's guidance on which steps to prioritize were very helpful. Moreover, the instructions to my referees were excellent. Emma is a brillian communicator and her feedback on my essays really helped position my story for success.
I strongly recommend Emma as a coach. Her proactiveness, positive energy (she really helped raise my confidence levels), structured and organized approach, were vital for my sucesss. Her flexbility comes through not only in terms of the candidate background, but also in terms of geography, as she can help applicants to both European and American schools.
Product Fortuna Comprehensive School Package
Consultant Peter Johnson
Strengths:
Extensive experience as a former admissions.
Dedicated and proactive,
Lots of good research and materials
Working with Peter from Fortuna Admissions has been an excellent experience. As an international candidate, bridging the information gap was crucial for me, and Peter’s background provided a wealth of insights from the other side of the table.
He is consistently on top of things, providing detailed, thoughtful feedback that is actionable and clear. Despite the challenges of managing time zone differences, Pete was incredibly accommodating, often working over weekends to make sure our sessions were productive.
Beyond his expertise, Peter’s encouragement and positivity were a huge support throughout the nerve-wracking application process. His genuine care made those stressful waiting days far more manageable.
I would highly recommend Peter to anyone seeking an experienced, supportive, and exceptionally dedicated MBA coach.
Product Fortuna Hourly Consulting Services
Consultant Heidi Hillis
My process was a little atypical. For those of you starting later in the cycle out there – I began my applications in earnest with two weeks to go before R2 deadlines. Despite juggling full-package clients, Heidi was very accomodating of my last-minute hourly request and came in clutch with rapid turnarounds on succinct and loaded feedback (the best kind) – I think I wrote 4 drafts of one school’s essays in as many days.
Greatest value-add: I consider myself a pretty good writer, but striking the narrative balance between the deeply personal and the professional is something very few people can manage on a short, high-pressure timeline. Heidi has that Spidey-sense and communicates it clearly.
I put my best foot forward because of Heidi. Highly recommend.
REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by school email address [?]
Product Fortuna Comprehensive School Package
Consultant Patty Keegan
Strengths:
Works great for someone who's looking for an in depth analysis and road mapping for a successful MBA application
Would make the product better:
N/A
As an applicant from an overrepresented background, I knew standing out was critical. Patty was instrumental in helping me craft an authentic and compelling narrative during my HBS and GSB applications, providing strategic insights that sharpened my story. Her guidance also played a key role in my successful Berkeley Haas application, where I was admitted. Patty’s deep understanding of the admissions process, personalized feedback, and ability to bring out my unique strengths made all the difference. I truly appreciate her support and highly recommend her to anyone looking for expert MBA admissions advice to maximize their chances of success.
Product Fortuna Comprehensive School Package
Consultant Peter Johnson
Strengths:
Very responsible coach with deep experience and great listening skills to elevate your story
Would make the product better:
N/A
I was quite stressed when I decided to apply for an MBA just one month before the round’s deadline. I needed a trusted advisor who could eliminate the guesswork in how to best represent myself—someone with both experience and my best interests at heart. I was very fortunate to meet Pete, who turned out to be exactly that and more, ultimately helping me gain admission to two of the three schools I applied to (Berkeley and UCLA).
Given my short timeline, Pete was an incredibly responsible and calming presence. He helped me set clear priorities and efficiently navigate school selection, recommender preparation, and the crafting of my essays and résumé—all without compromising thoroughness or attention to detail. I particularly appreciated his relentless effort in iterating on my essays and résumé. Every time I sent him materials for review, he didn’t just focus on the latest updates; he reread everything carefully to incorporate new perspectives and ensure consistency. His professionalism also kept me accountable, pushing me to submit only my best work throughout this intense process. Additionally, Pete proactively involved other consultants with specific expertise in certain schools or areas, providing invaluable additional feedback. I’m also incredibly grateful for his flexibility—he made himself available on weekends and holidays to promptly address my questions and requests as the deadline approached.
What pleasantly surprised me about working with Pete was his ability to listen deeply and work with my existing materials with both respect and expertise. Like many applicants, I found that my application stories became quite personal and vulnerable at times. Pete’s thoughtful approach made me feel comfortable sharing my experiences, and his deep admissions expertise helped me identify the stories that best represented me while staying true to myself.
By the end of my process with Pete, every word in my application felt like me—just at my very best. This became a grounding force throughout my application journey, helping me stay confident despite the overwhelming noise online about what schools are looking for. It also proved invaluable during interviews, where candidates and their stories truly come to life for schools.
Product Fortuna Comprehensive School Package
Consultant Emma Bond
Strengths:
Great platform for students, lots of good research, great set of consultants to offer views on resumes, interviews, essays.
Would make the product better:
NA
10/10 performance, I'm so glad I used Fortuna as my consultants. I connected with Fortuna at the start of my admission process and was nothing but impressed. I used Emma Bond, who was incredibly qualified in her understanding of schools in Europe, which was exactly the location I was targeting. Through her expertise, I was able to secure admission in all 3 top tier Europe MBA programs which I had applied to. Super impressed, and really really happy with the services provided by Fortuna as a whole. I would highly recommend that students look to Fortuna for consultancy services in the future. Consultancy is not cheap, but is worth it in the end.
REVIEWER IDENTITY VERIFIED by score report [?]
Product Fortuna Comprehensive School Package
Consultant Sharon Joyce
Strengths:
Very comprehensive
Would make the product better:
nothing
My consultant coach was absolutely amazing. Sharon provided me with invaluable advice and insights that I wouldn’t have fully grasped as a foreign applicant. She took the time to understand my background, strengths, and aspirations, helping me shape my thoughts and express them in a clear, compelling, and impactful way. Her expertise and personalized guidance significantly improved my application, making my story more cohesive and persuasive. I truly appreciated her attention to detail and strategic approach, which gave me greater confidence throughout the admissions process.
I highly recommend working with Fortuna and Sharon! Again, many thanks for everything. I learned a lot on myself throughout the process.
Product Fortuna Hourly Consulting Services
Consultant Melissa Kate Joelson
I had the privilege of working with Melissa as my MBA interview coach during my application process, and I am thrilled to share that, thanks to her exceptional guidance, I was accepted into INSEAD. Melissa's deep understanding of the admissions landscape, particularly her experience of working at INSEAD, provided invaluable insights that were instrumental in my success.
Her online coaching sessions were meticulously tailored to my personalities, helping me to articulate my experiences and aspirations effectively. Melissa's constructive feedback and strategic advice not only enhanced my interview skills but also boosted my confidence throughout the process. I wholeheartedly recommend Melissa to anyone seeking a dedicated and insightful MBA interview coach.
Product Fortuna Hourly Consulting Services
Consultant Judith Silverman Hodara
Judith Hodara goes above-and-beyond in her role as an MBA advisor. In our three hours together, she took the time to really understand my background and goals, and as she read my essays, she helped me draw out the most compelling ideas and stories I had shared. She is candid and quick to respond, which I really appreciated since I started my applications very late. More than anything, Judith authentically cares. After I was admitted to my dream school, Judith continued to provide valuable advice on next steps. Highly, highly recommend working with her or others on the Fortuna team.