I had the pleasure and privilege to work with Heidi for my applications to 6 top MBA programs in the US, and ultimately got accepted by 4 schools. As an applicant of South Asian origin working in finance, my two biggest concerns were presenting a differentiated enough story amongst what tends to be one of the most competitive pools in the application process + being able to put my best foot forward given the demanding nature of each application and the limited time I had with my job to focus on the application process.

Heidi made the process incredibly seamless. I found her to be a great listener, where she gave me the freedom to craft my own story, while constantly challenging me on bits that needed more work / clarification. Once we developed the general narrative, Heidi had specific, pointed feedback on how to modify the story for each school, thereby allowing me to put my best foot forward and obviously typifying her differentiated understanding on what different schools are looking for. The application process is ultimately a game of margins, and I felt that Heidi's knowledge and expertise brought an additional element of specificity to my applications which I could have never achieved on my own.

Heidi was also extremely methodical in her approach and we did a lot of legwork around putting different aspects of my personality, interests, past experiences etc. into tangible narratives, prior to starting the essay writing process. The impact of all of this work was that by the time I had finished writing my applications, not only had I internalized my "business school story" fully, but also fully internalized the dozens of other things that then came handy when the interviews started rolling in a few months. I cannot stress enough how easy it made the interview process, where I did not feel the need to do dozens of mocks or anything, because the fundamentals of my story were so clearly laid out owing to the work I did with Heidi. This is a testament to Heidi's experience and vision as a coach, where the path from application inception to interview is fully clear in her mind, and the work she makes you put in the beginning goes a long way in the application cycle.

The other standout quality for me was Heidi's incredible work ethic and how available she made herself to make the process easier for me. Turnaround time for every single draft was almost always less than 24 hours, and if for some reason there was a conflict on her side, the communication around it was super clear and significantly well in advance. Furthermore, Heidi's calendar was always open to schedule a call to discuss literally anything, brainstorm ideas etc. There were never any limitations on phone/video calls - she was always there. Going into the application process this was the type of unbarred access and support I had hoped to receive, and Heidi simply over-delivered on this aspect.

Five stars all the way for Heidi. The business school application process is an incredible commitment on so many fronts, and Heidi could not have been a better mentor and coach to not only make the process seamless but incredibly rewarding in itself.

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I honestly cannot recommend Fortuna enough! I interviewed with 3 different consulting companies prior to deciding on Fortuna. They don't pressure you into working with someone but instead are extremely active in helping you set up coach interviews and finding your best match. They don't give you any advice until they've fully understood your background, whereas I've encountered judgmental consultants at other firms. The team at Fortuna was extremely helpful and would leverage each other's expertise to help me craft the best application. Each of my applications/essays/school choices received attention from ~3 directors/consultants.

Cassandra was amazing since our very first call! I reached out to her in mid-July with zero progress on my applications, and we submitted all my applications by October. From the very beginning, she was very honest in providing feedback and the realistic programs to apply to. From there, she recognized my strengths and made sure my applications really highlighted them. I most valued her ability to help me craft a compelling story and her WRITING SKILLS (!), something that I knew I needed help with. I received offers from HEC Paris (with scholarship!) and Cambridge Judge.

The entire process was surprisingly enjoyable, all thanks to Cassandra!

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When I started my MBA process, I had already worked in admissions consulting myself for 4+ years, albeit at the undergrad level. Even though I was very familiar with personal essay-writing, interview prep, etc., Heidi *still* added tremendous value to my MBA applications.

First, I was applying from a “non-traditional” business background, and Heidi was instrumental in helping me capture and articulate my experiences in a clear, concise way that would make sense to an admissions reader. Also, with thought-provoking questions and comments, Heidi guided me to develop a coherent and compelling application “narrative” that connected my past experiences with concrete post-MBA goals. At first, I signed on with Fortuna to do a one-school package. But I quickly realized how helpful Heidi was and began adding on more hours, more interview prep, etc. Ultimately, I was very proud of the applications I submitted, and I can’t imagine having achieved such high-quality without Heidi’s advice and expertise.

In terms of working style, Heidi is reliable and attentive. She checked in on my progress regularly, responded to my questions in a timely manner, and always turned around essay edits within a day or two (even faster, as we got close to deadlines). On several occasions, she sent me articles/online events that she thought I might be interested in given my career goals. In such a fundamentally stressful process, working with someone as reliable and thoughtful as Heidi went a long way in helping me (mostly) preserve my sanity!

So, my best advice to you: work with Heidi, and get a multi-school package from the get-go. If you’re anything like me, you’ll find yourself wanting Heidi’s sage input on as many application materials as possible.

(Lastly, including this info because I know some people look for it as they read reviews: I was admitted to several top 10 programs, including Wharton and Kellogg.)

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Karen was fantastic- from the initial kick off call, she helped me craft my overall story. I didn't initially have clarity on my post-MBA goals, but with her consultation, I was able to pull together a clear narrative. Had I done it all by myself, I would've second guessed a lot of the content in my essays. She'll never do the work for you, but once you put pen to paper, she is incredibly helpful. The editing process was very simple and straightforward thanks to her help. I would send her my revisions at night and have her new edits early in the morning. She always made herself available, be it for a one-off question or for a more in-depth session. I was ultimately accepted to my first choice school and I couldn't have done it without her help!

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What can I say in this review that hasn't already been said by the plethora of success stories on this page?

Karen is absolutely amazing - from day one, I felt that she believed in me, and my ability to get into a top M7 program.

While other highly ranked consultants I had previously spoken with told me to increase my GMAT score to compensate for my demographic, Karen believed in the uniqueness of my story, and gave her full dedication to helping me to bring it to life!

Given the circumstances last year, the journey for a 2021 applicant was not always straightforward or predictable - a few short weeks after we started working together, offices went remote and our entire company had to pivot its business model and ways of working. When certain milestones had to be pushed back, Karen was always flexible and made herself available to provide feedback whenever I needed her. Throughout the time we worked together, I felt that Karen was highly knowledgable, patient, empathetic, and fully committed to making this application process a success. Throughout the twists and turns of 2020, Karen was there to support me every step of the way!

I was so thrilled when I got the interview invite, and Karen worked with me on a very accelerated timeline to get me ready for the final interview.

I was so thrilled to get accepted to my school of choice and to be admitted into an M7 MBA program.

I can't imagine a better consultant to work with, and would wholeheartedly recommend Karen Hamou to anyone!

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Coming into the MBA application process I had virtually no idea what to expect. I was quickly overwhelmed by the amount of information out there, so I made the decision to work with a consultant. Karen was one of the first consultants that I spoke with, but even after speaking with over ten others, I definitely felt the most comfortable with her. Deciding to work with Karen turned out to be one of the best decisions that I’ve made.

Karen has been there every step of the way, frequently going above and beyond to help me with every aspect of the application process. Karen’s insights and suggestions for my essays and overall narrative have been extremely helpful, as she’s really worked with me to craft a fluid and convincing story. Her feedback is extremely thorough and detailed, but she also never fails to view each individual piece of the application in the context of the broader picture. Beyond her help with the essays, Karen has been there to answer every question that I’ve had, no matter how trivial. I cannot emphasize enough how quickly she responds to my questions, and how amazing her overall work ethic is. Karen has been an incredibly effective guide throughout this stressful time, and has offered reassuring, but honest, advice each step of the way.

Karen is exceedingly organized, very personable and friendly, and great at crafting compelling stories. I cannot recommend her highly enough, as with her guidance and support I’ve been admitted to two of my top choices. I don’t know what it’s like to work with other consultants, but I can’t imagine finding a better one than Karen!

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Working with Malvina has been a fantastic experience. I was a reapplicant (rejected without interview), coming from an over-represented background to being accepted into a top-tier program. She spent countless hours reviewing my essays and application questions and guided me as I doubted each answer. When I struggled to figure out what I am trying to convey, she helped me understand the nuances of the questions I am answering and how to best differentiate myself. During my interviews, she worked tirelessly to conduct mock interviews (and she was tough!) so that I am well-prepared for any question that I tackle. I would highly recommend her.

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When I started thinking about Business School, I knew having the right coach would be essential. Coming from an engineering background and having non-traditional goals post-MBA, I needed someone who could highlight specific traits in my application and help me craft my story. Due diligence and research led to countless calls with consultants, but I never found the right fit - until I talked to Melissa.

From our very first engagement, Melissa prompted me in ways that made me reflect more and understand myself better - a reflection that ultimately led to acceptance offers from Top US and European schools. Despite an extremely competitive application cycle, Melissa’s continual support, approachable character and candor feedback kept me motivated, engaged and on-point.

If you’re set on business school, make sure to get guidance not just from someone who can craft your story, but from someone who can help you understand yourself better - Melissa is that person.

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Before I talk about Bill I want to touch on why Fortuna is fantastic. I looked into a few admissions consultancies before settling on Fortuna. There simply isn't another admissions consultancy out there with more depth and breadth of MBA admissions knowledge than Fortuna. I had the pleasure of working with Bill for the most part, but I truly felt like I had the full support of the entire Fortuna team.

As for Bill specifically, his extensive experience and background in MBA admissions clearly come through when you speak with him. There is probably no question or concern you have that he doesn’t have the answer to, but in case he doesn’t, you can tap into Fortuna’s team of consultants who are equally as knowledgeable as Bill.

Bill nails every aspect of what you'd expect from a top-notch consultant. He is very flexible, always available, and replies promptly and thoroughly to any question you may have no matter how simple they may be. He takes a very personal approach to you and allows your own story and personality to shine. He'll make sure you're on track, while also making sure you stay sane through the entire process. I was admitted to Wharton and Columbia during a tough application cycle and I'm sure that was in no small part due to Bill's support. I can confidently recommend Bill to any MBA applicant without reservations.

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Overall experience with Fortuna Admission team was great and would definitely recommend using their services if you need help with shaping your story!
First, I had a meeting with Matt Symonds, who lifted my hopes and tried to highlight the features of my story that business schools would love. This was ~45 minutes call which helped me take a different perspective on my profile and reflection! (Also, it is free)
Once I committed to Fortuna, I started working with Emma on my MiM application. She was very responsive and very helpful whenever I needed her. I would never be able to pull through that process without her help.
The specific features I liked about Emma:
- First we met up to get to know each other and discuss the essay topics and short answer questions. Emma is a great listener and at the same time she challenges your ideas to make sure you express yourself in the best possible way.
- Once I got into writing the essays, Emma did an amazing job! She corrected the grammar, flow, and the overall message of the essays. Emma has a really great understanding of what the b-schools are looking for in your essays! I was actually surprised by the amount of help I received, since the MiM package is only 4 hours - Emma definitely spent more than that on my application!
- After I got an interview invite, I purchased an additional hour to do a mock interview. Emma asked me basically the same questions I was asked during my actual interview and provided me with great feedback. She took notes of everything I said and once we were done she went through each of the questions providing me with weak and strong points of my answers.

To summarize, I doubt I would be able to do it on my own (especially that I started my application 2.5/3 weeks before the deadline!). Emma structured my approach to the application and provided me with great feedback on everything I did. I would definitely recommend Emma and Fortuna if you are looking into MiM programs or b-schools in general!
My best investment of 2020!

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