Michel has been extremely helpful in my MBA admissions process. I entered this cycle as a deferred MBA applicant, which I knew wouldn't be easy, and I was able to get into Stanford and Wharton with Michel's help!

To begin, she broke down how I should approach the process of applying to difficult MBA programs. From helping me ideate different essay topics to conducting mock interviews, she was willing to go above and beyond in order to ensure that I felt prepared and confident in every single aspect of my application. She displayed a unique ability to help me see the bigger picture and develop a roadmap, and I felt that this was essential when I was writing my essays and preparing for interviews. Having bought the comprehensive package, another thing about Michel that I really appreciated was that she did not try to rush me through the process or set a limit to the number of hours I could ask for her help. In the heat of the essay writing period, she was willing to meet with me multiple times a week to go over numerous revisions and essay versions, which I felt was something incredibly unique about Michel and Fortuna. Having that immediate access to advice and analysis on my application was critical to my success at Stanford and Wharton. I highly recommend Michel and Fortuna to anyone beginning the MBA application process!

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First off, Fortuna knows its chops and is truly the best in the business. Karla is amazing.
I was a re-applicant who had worked with someone else previously and not even sure whether business school would still make sense for me. Whereas other consultants told me that I likely didn’t have a shot at some of the places I had earlier applied to, Karla had a completely different and refreshing take. She believed in me from our first introductory call. She is so insightful and knowledgeable about what top schools are looking for, something that was instantly evident to me while talking to her, and helped me present my story in the most compelling way. She worked tirelessly with me on all aspects of my candidacy from the essays to the interviews, beyond what I could imagine from any other consultant! She was my biggest cheerleader, advisor, and trusted friend through the whole process, encouraging me whenever I had any doubts and helping rein in my little worries :)
She also brought in Judith specifically to help review my materials including for Wharton and Judith was similarly a delight to work with, going above and beyond!
With their help, I got accepted to 4 top schools (M7) and even received scholarships. I am so very grateful to Karla for her support and believe that her guidance made THE difference this time around. I honestly can’t recommend her enough!!!

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I bought the comprehensive package for one school - INSEAD, and I chose Nonie Mackie as my consultant. Finally, it turned out that this is the best decision I've ever made during the application journey.

Just from the first Skype call with Nonie (the free version consultation), I realized that she's the person who can help me, not just because that, as the Former Assitant Director in the INSEAD MBA Program, she is very knowledgeable about INSEAD culture and taste of admission committee.

Before the call, I researched several other admissions consulting firms and scheduled virtual meetings with their consultants. I've had no feeling that there is one consultant like Nonie who cares about YOU, not the business. It proved in the 2nd conversation with her. She read carefully about my Strategic Questionnaire and knew me better than myself. She could identify my strengths where I didn't see but where the admissions officers may want. The most important thing is that Nonie followed what inside a person and she wanted to know me and dig up unique experiences and hidden values from myself.

Nonie is very patient and humble, with much experience in INSEAD and with her previous clients. I am not a native English speaker, and I always shared my concerns and left the most difficult decisions with her. She would be very patient to ask each question timely. She even replied to me sometimes during the holiday because I started preparing in a tight timeline (please prepare in advance and give you enough time). Throughout the whole journey, Nonie guided me step by step.

I had a low GMAT score, therefore, to me, essays would be kind of game-changers. When Nonie and I worked on my essay edits, I believe that she spent a lot of time thinking strategically and thoroughly. As you know, there are many questions in the INSEAD MBA application. But, for each question, after several times fourth-and-back tweaks and edits, Nonie turned my essays into something! Because Nonie followed my experience and strengths, all the essays are shining and enjoyable to read for me. I worked full-time and had long working hours. By choosing Nonie and Fortuna, I saved time to finally achieve my goal. For example, for other various deliverables, such as resume, online application, recommenders, Nonie also consistently supported me.

About my interview preparation, Nonie’s assistance during the video interview and alumni interview process were very helpful. Such high-quality mock interviews gave me confidence for the actual interviews.

Overall, I very much appreciate Nonie’s endless help and support during my MBA application process. I got admitted to INSEAD MBA and would highly recommend Nonie for candidates chasing their dreams.

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As a non-traditional candidate coming from one of the over-represented background, I have the average work experience and went to the average school. I applied for the class of 2022 on my own and was rejected by all schools without interview. After deciding to reapply with the help of admission consultant, I did several 30min free consultations with different firms. Everyone, except for Fortuna, told me to forget about HBS/GSB. Then I started to work with Tatiana, who helped me getting the interview, then waitlist at Stanford, as well as the acceptances from Kellogg and INSEAD.

This is what helped me get to this point from where I started:

1. Developing my personal narrative. Tatiana spent several 1-hour sessions on the phone with me going through my life stories since childhood in detail. She was very patient, empathetic, and inquisitive. I became comfortable with her immediately. She has a very deep understanding of human psychology and was able understand my stories/points very quickly. This process by itself was quite therapeutic. She also took notes on everything while we speak and helped me connecting all the dots at the end.
2. Leveraging my non-traditional background. While I tried to fit my work experience into the mold of business, Tatiana helped me identifying elements that are unique and attractive to schools and then amplifying those elements in my application. This really helped me standing out from a crowded applicant pool. She understands what makes an applicant special to the admission committee and her unique perspective added tons of strength to my application.
3. Career coaching. When new career opportunities presented themselves during my application, I was able to discuss everything with Tatiana and get solid advices from her. Her experience of working in very diverse range of sectors/industries helped me identifying and prioritizing opportunities for my own career development and consequently, strengthening my application.

At the end of the process, I gained not only offers of admission, but also confidence and career advices that will help me in the long run. Throughout this journey, Tatiana was tremendously supportive and her expertise made me confident that I have put my best foot forward this time. I would recommend Tatiana with my full heart!

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My experience working with Sharon was nothing short of phenomenal. Coming into the game with a sub-par undergrad engineering GPA, I knew that I was at a massive advantage from the get-go.

Sharon was incredibly easy to talk to and dove straight into the application process with me starting from the very first minute of the initial session - not a single minute felt like a waste. Sharon was able to identify my strengths almost immediately, and was really able to help me bring out my own unique perspective and voice in my essays and overall application in a way that I wouldn't have been able to do by myself. The entire process would have definitely taken me easily at least 3 times as long if I had done everything alone. I was working on a time crunch, since I repeatedly took the GMAT, up until literally one week before R2 deadlines, leaving me with less than half a week to perfect the rest of my application. Sharon was able to help me craft together EVERYTHING for a Haas reapplication - resume, essays, interview prep, and overall application - within the unbelievable span of 3 days. She was readily available, always just a text/email away, and was extremely responsive, even on the weekends. I was finally admitted to Haas, a Top 10 program, and could not be happier, given my GPA handicap going into the process.

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Karen is such a fantastic coach - I cannot recommend her highly enough!! See below for key reasons why Karen is so fantastic. If you have the chance to work her, do not hesitate!!
1. Consistently shares the WHY (teaches you how to think - not what to think):
1. When I first spoke to Karen, I was on the fence about applying in the 2020-2021 cycle. She recommended that I apply now but I was still skeptical. It was the WHY (the context) she shared that ultimately led me to apply earlier than I originally had in mind.
2. When it came to writing my essays, she stopped me in my tracks when my initial idea was not up to par. She highlighted the ideas that had merit and pushed me to dig much deeper. There was about a month during which Karen continually challenged me to start from my scratch on my main story - when I finally came back with my final version, she confirmed that it was compelling and shared several ideas on how I could build on that theme across my application materials
2. Inspires you to go beyond your limits (takes your performance to the next level):
1. I had some pretty tough times with the GMAT. I was prepared to take it at one point but had to sideline it for months because of a religious commitment. When I took my first in-person test, I scored a bit below the score I wanted and I was crushed. When I IM’d and spoke with Karen, she provided an objective assessment of my score and also was a great sounding board as I thought of what I would do differently in my next attempt. I took the exam again two weeks later and got the score I needed to apply. I only knew that I didn’t need to take it a third time because of Karen’s advice. Karen reviewed my scores and confirmed that my GMAT + above-average GPA would not block me from receiving interviews at any of the HSW - she was right (received interview invites at all 3 in same round + major merit-based scholarship).
2. Lastly, she pushed me to sharpen my communication during interview prep. I went in thinking I was prepared and left with so many ways I could improve beyond what I viewed as “great”. She met with me several times to practice the interview types across HSW and other schools - that timely support made a huge difference.
3. Really cares about seeing you succeed (helps you manage through the highs and lows of the process)
1. Karen was optimistic and supportive throughout the process. I got on numerous calls with her over the nearly 12 months that we worked together. Not many folks knew I was applying to business school and I didn’t have the luxury of applying through a program like MLT, so it made all the difference to have something in my corner whom I could always contact

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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 lot with testing, and Sharon was very, very supportive through the whole process emotionally and with resources for studying. I have heard horror stories of advisors who are very rude to candidates with low scores and even had some advisors I talked to initially say, "reach out again when you have a better score." I think a good advisor is someone who will help you tell your story and overcome the barriers you will face in the process: Sharon is that kind of advisor. From her mindful follow-ups and detailed plan of action, all our interactions were very positive. I know and truly feel she cared about my success.

I felt particularly supported through my interview processes. Sharon helped me prepare very thoroughly, going over each possible question in detail and until I felt comfortable sharing my story and bringing it to life beyond my texts.

I worked with Sharon on my Haas application, and the whole process was also extremely useful as I crafted additional applications. I am currently on the waitlist at Haas, but I already see this as a success considering my GMAT score, and I am certain our work together contributed to me getting into the waitlist.

I highly recommend Sharon particularly for those who, like myself, like to have a very structured plan and clear next steps and are looking to feel supported through and through in this journey.

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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 elements 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 stories, to conducting mock interviews. Sharon is a gifted coach who encouraged me to dig deep to find my strengths/areas for growth and then the guidance to articulate my “brand” concisely and professionally. Not once did we shortcut on any of the discovery process, which enabled me to bring out my best and most authentic self.

Sharon is timely, candid, thoughtful and provides direct feedback. Knowing that I'm from a tech background, she was conscientious in reminding me to avoid jargon and to avoid being too “in the weeds” on project details when conveying my stories. Beyond serving as a consultant, she was more of a mentor to me in the MBA application process -- she had an uncanny knack to immediately zero in on what I needed to improve and, most critically, the reasons behind those improvements.

Sharon made my application so much better and she even shaped my understanding of the MBA degree in a broader sense and what I should look to leverage in my studies to get the best return on my investment. We both had a great work rhythm and Sharon was always responsive to my emails with flexibility -- even on Thanksgiving eve! In each step of the way, I felt more comfortable and confident than ever with her coaching and mentoring.

In searching for an MBA Admissions firm, I talked to many consultants and they simply didn’t bring the same level of energy and enthusiasm Sharon displayed during our initial phone call. I signed up with Sharon thinking of her as a Coach and I am leaving the process thinking of her as a life-long friend. I give her my highest recommendation!

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I highly, highly recommend working with Melissa - I had an amazing experience working with her and couldn't have asked for more.

Melissa brings a fantastic attitude, invaluable insight and great prior experience. Throughout our time working together, she was always incredibly responsive, and happy to work around my schedule no matter how much of an imposition. She had a really great eye for detail, and an impressive way of helping me to open up about some very tough moments in my personal journey - but in a very sensitive, understanding and powerful way. 

Above all, she is also just an incredibly friendly and positive person, and an absolute joy to work with.

I couldn't recommend Melissa more, and I know you won't look back after taking her on!

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Working with Jenifer has been an amazing journey. I felt I could easily connect with her during our first initial call and I decided to work with her, and it has proven to be a great choice. She was more than just a coach, but also a mentor at the same time. She supported me at some of my personal decision and genuinely had my best interest at heart, and would look out for my wellbeing in this somewhat taxing journey of MBA application. I could always trust her to have my back as she would encourage me on my GMAT journey, reassure me during my application process. I felt supported and definitely not alone in this application journey.

Her turnaround on my essay edits was really fast and she would make sure the little details were captured right down to the last edit, all so under a tight timeline. She is dedicated and positive, always making sure I'm putting in the best version of myself in the application.

Thank you Jenifer for going through this important journey of my life with me.

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