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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From my very first interactions with Fortuna and Bill Kooser, I was impressed by the professionalism and unique perspective he brought to the MBA admissions process. I already had a strong network of friends—many of whom had attended or were currently attending nearly all of the M7 schools I was applying to (including my older brother)—and I was initially on the fence whether I even needed additional support. However, after one conversation with Bill, it became clear that he would add significant value to my application.
Bill's strategic guidance across every aspect of the application process was incredibly helpful, but the two areas where I feel he had the greatest impact were essay development and interview preparation. While I felt that my early essay drafts and mock interviews were solid, Bill’s thoughtful insights and targeted feedback helped elevate my materials substantially. His advice enabled me to refine my narrative and deliver a much more polished and compelling version of my story—one that I simply don’t believe I could have achieved on my own.
Even during the hectic Round 2 deadline period, Bill was impressively responsive and provided quick, thoughtful turnarounds on reviews, as well as being available to talk through questions and strategy whenever needed.
In the end, I applied to six schools (Wharton, Sloan, Kellogg, CBS, Booth, and Yale SOM), received interview invitations from all six, and was ultimately accepted to Booth, CBS, and Yale SOM. I found working with Bill to be incredibly valuable and even fun at times in an otherwise stressful application process. I would enthusiastically recommend him to anyone navigating the MBA admissions process—even those who already feel confident in their understanding. I feel his guidance truly made a difference in my outcome.

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Strengths:

This product is perfect for someone who is short on time like I was.

Would make the product better:

Absolutely nothing, everything was fabulous.

After an initial call with Matt, one of the founders of Fortuna, I was absolutely sold on working with their team. His sharp wit and sense of humor instantly put me at ease, and his insights gave me complete confidence in Fortuna’s approach. From there, working with Emma exceeded every expectation.

I can’t imagine going through the MBA application process without Emma by my side. She was more than a consultant—she was a coach, a sounding board, and a true partner in the journey. Thanks to her, I was admitted to a top 10 program, and I can confidently say I wouldn’t have gotten there without her.

What sets Emma apart is how deeply she invests in her clients. From our first conversation, she made it a point to truly understand me—not just my resume or goals, but the “why” behind them. That foundation helped us craft an application that felt not only compelling, but deeply personal and authentic.

Emma has a rare gift for balancing encouragement with direct, honest feedback. She pushed me to dig deeper when answers felt too surface-level and didn’t hesitate to ask the tough questions that made my essays stronger. And her attention to detail is unmatched—she wasn’t just focused on the big-picture story; she was right there in the trenches with me, reworking transitions, polishing phrasing, and making sure every word counted.

One of the moments that really stood out: Emma made time for me even while she was on holiday. That level of commitment is extraordinary. Even on weekends, she’d get back to me within a couple of hours, which made it possible to iterate quickly and keep momentum when deadlines were tight.

She’s fast, thoughtful, and endlessly supportive. Working with Emma made the entire experience not only manageable, but genuinely meaningful. If you’re lucky enough to work with her, take it—you’ll be in the best hands possible.

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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.

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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.

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