I came into this process as a non-traditional candidate with a background that didn't fit the typical MBA mold. My biggest challenge wasn't my experience, it was my confidence and knowing how to tell my own story in a way that would resonate with top programs. Working with Silpa changed that completely.
Silpa guided me through every step of applying to 10 schools, and I received offers from 9 of them: Columbia, Chicago Booth, Darden, Fuqua, Haas, Cornell Johnson, Ross, Tuck, and Yale SOM. Across those admits, I received substantial scholarship offers, including a full ride. Those results speak for themselves, but what I want to highlight is how she got me there. From the very beginning, she took the time to understand my background at a granular level, drawing out themes and strengths I genuinely could not see in myself. She helped me craft each piece of my application with care and intentionality, making sure my voice came through in every essay, recommendation brief, and personal statement.
What I appreciated most was how available and present she was throughout the entire process. I had so many questions, so much anxiety, and so many moments of self-doubt, and Silpa was there for all of it. She was warm, patient, and endlessly encouraging without ever being unrealistic. She fielded my questions no matter how small, turned around feedback quickly, and always made me feel like my success genuinely mattered to her.
For anyone coming from a non-traditional background who isn't sure their story is compelling enough, Silpa is exactly who you need. She will find the gold in your narrative and help you present it with confidence. I cannot recommend her highly enough.

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Strengths:

The hourly consulting format worked really well for me because of the flexibility it offered. I was able to focus on exactly what I needed at each stage of the process, which made every session feel efficient and high impact. Even in a limited amount of time, I still benefited from Fortuna’s deep admissions expertise and insider perspective, which was incredibly valuable.

Would make the product better:

One area for improvement would be providing a bit more upfront guidance on how to best allocate hours across different parts of the application, especially for applicants going through the process for the first time.

I worked with Sharon Joyce through Fortuna Admissions and I truly cannot recommend her enough!!!!! She is as good as they come!!!

From the very beginning, Sharon took a really personal approach. She spent time getting to know me, my background, and what I actually wanted out of an MBA, which made a huge difference when it came to shaping my story. Nothing ever felt generic and every part of my application felt like it genuinely reflected me. She was extremely thoughtful.

She was also responsive and candid throughout the entire process. I always appreciated how direct she was with feedback, whether it was on essays, positioning, or overall strategy. It made the process feel a lot less overwhelming knowing I could trust her to be honest and thoughtful in her guidance.

Another huge plus was how supportive she was while I was studying for the GRE. She recommended great tutors and was consistently encouraging during that part of the process, which honestly made a big difference in staying motivated.

With Sharon’s guidance, I was accepted to Berkeley Haas and I really do not think I could have gotten there without her. She helped me not only strengthen my application but also feel confident in how I was presenting myself.

Overall, I am incredibly grateful to have worked with her and would highly recommend her to anyone going through the MBA admissions process.

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Strengths:

- Narrative clarity
- Structured approach
- Thoughtful questioning
- Direct, actionable feedback

I worked with Emma on my Global EMBA (GEMBA) application and found her to be a very effective and pragmatic advisor.

One of the most valuable aspects of working with her was how she helped organize and sharpen my overall story. My background spans different roles and contexts, and she was instrumental in helping me connect those pieces into something that came across clearly and cohesively.

Her support went beyond essay edits. She consistently asked the right questions and pushed me to think more clearly about how I articulated my goals, while ensuring the final application felt natural and well-positioned.

For interviews, the prep sessions were focused and practical, and she helped me communicate my motivations and leadership narrative in a much clearer way.

I was admitted to the Columbia–London Business School Global EMBA, and her guidance definitely contributed to that outcome.

I would recommend Emma to applicants who value clarity, honest feedback, and a structured approach to navigating the process.

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If anyone is considering applying to business school, they need to work with Michael Malone. I was a reapplicant and was lost on how to change my application and put my best foot foward. Even though I signed up for hourly services, Michael went above and beyond and provided a level of care that showed that he was truly in it to help me. He took me under his wing and revamped my essays and overall application, helped me address any concerns and gaps I felt I still had, and supported me outside of our hourly sessions. I was fortunately enough to get admitted to my #1 M7 school and I don't know if I could've done it without him.

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Strengths:

Expert, insider knowledge of the MBA admissions process, and insightful advice on producing the best application possible.

Melissa was invaluable in my successful application to INSEAD. Leveraging her expert insider knowledge of the admissions process, she gave insightful, tailored advice on how to tell my story in the most clear and compelling way. Far from pushing me towards a boilerplate application, she helped me craft essays that were unique and connected my experiences to INSEAD's distinct admissions criteria.

When it came to INSEAD interviews, Melissa - aided by Fortuna's excellent preparation materials - was equally helpful.

Melissa also helped me complete, in little more than a week, my Kellogg application which was also successful.

I highly recommend her to prospective MBA candidates.

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Strengths:

Clear, strategic guidance delivered efficiently. Even with a small hourly package, I received highly actionable feedback on my resume, story, and essays that helped sharpen my positioning and clarify my narrative. The sessions were focused and high-value, with thoughtful coaching that empowered me to do the work myself while benefiting from an experienced outside perspective.

Would make the product better:

The only area for improvement would be a bit more upfront alignment on how time is allocated across different parts of the process (e.g., resume vs. essays vs. strategy), especially when working within a limited hourly package. Clear expectations on time spent per area would make it even easier to prioritize and maximize value.

I worked with Silpa only for a few hours during my application process and even that limited time made a meaningful difference. She reviewed my resume, helped refine my overall story, and provided clear, actionable feedback on one set of essays that gave me strong direction moving forward. Our sessions were focused and efficient, and she was thoughtful about helping me get the most value from the time purchased. Her guidance helped me sharpen my narrative and confidently articulate my goals. I was ultimately accepted to MIT and Columbia, waitlisted at HBS, and interviewed in total at 4 of the 5 M7 schools I applied to. I’d highly recommend her to anyone looking for strategic and practical support.

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Melissa and Matt were exceptional at helping me introspect and highlighting my strengths that got me admitted into a top MBA program despite mediocre uni grades and GMAT scores. Between balancing my business, reviewing for my GMAT, and my applications, their advice put me at ease and set me up for success. The process was smooth and they exceeded my expectations. They weren't hard-selling their product, and made sure I got great value. Melissa in particular went beyond our contractual time to ensure my essays were polished. I think their greatest strength is the deep experience they bring which informs their insights. I felt like they really wanted me to succeed and guided me to that place.

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Strengths:

Expertise in approaching applications, insights into how admissions reviews applications and how to frame your story accordingly

I was looking for someone to help plug the gaps in my INSEAD application and ensure that my submission was as spotless as possible, and Melissa proved to be the ideal person. I contacted her months before the application start date, and we got to work early on. From the CV and recommender briefs to the many reflective essays, she was there to put my worries at ease, support and build on my ideas, and give me confidence and conviction in my own writing. She approached our work with great attention to detail, clear feedback, and honest assessments. Her expertise allowed me to showcase my strengths in the best light while also addressing my weaknesses effectively. Ultimately, I was admitted to INSEAD, in large part because of Melissa—someone I would highly recommend to anyone who wants to leave no stone unturned when applying to their target schools.

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Working with Emma was one of the best decisions I made during my application journey. With her guidance, I received admits from London Business School, INSEAD, and HEC Paris, and I genuinely could not have done this without her.

Emma is an outstanding essay reviewer and editor. She has a very sharp sense of what each school is truly looking for and knows how to help you bring that out in your story without it ever feeling forced or artificial. What really sets her apart, though, is how kind, empathetic, and encouraging she is throughout the entire process.

On a personal level, I am naturally quite shy and had almost no experience writing reflective essays. Fortuna’s process is extremely well structured, starting with a detailed questionnaire that helps you slow down, self-reflect, and ease into the storytelling mindset. That structure made the whole process feel manageable instead of overwhelming. Emma’s guidance was crucial at every stage, from early brainstorming to final edits, and she helped me grow more confident along the way.

When I was invited for alumni interviews, I was very anxious. The mock interviews with Emma and other members of the Fortuna team became my main source of confidence and helped me get into the right mindset. The actual interviews felt very similar to the mocks, which made me feel comfortable and prepared. What I valued most in my sessions with Emma was how she helped me structure my thoughts clearly while making sure my authenticity always came through.

She was always patient, thoughtful, and supportive, especially during moments of doubt or stress. If you are looking for the very best support for your application journey, this is absolutely worth the investment. I cannot recommend Emma enough.

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Strengths:

Subject matter expertise, relevant professional experience, helpful in keeping me accountable through the admissions process

Would make the product better:

N/A

Throughout a complicated and emotionally taxing application process, Sharon was there for me every step of the way. She is exceptionally knowledgable and gave me the confidence that every edit we made to my application materials was something that would move the needle positively in my favor. Maybe even more importantly, she was there to listen and calm my anxiety when things got stressful. Now, I'm attending a T15 school and find myself with opportunities I couldn't have imagined 12 months ago. Hire Sharon, listen to everything she has to say, and you will achieve whatever your goals are when it comes to pursuing your MBA.

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