GMAT Club

Melissa Jones Reviews

Company: Fortuna Admissions

Melissa has successfully coached hundreds of candidates from around the world with their MBA applications to top business schools globally, including many acceptances to Columbia, Harvard, Wharton, Stern, and Yale. As one of Fortuna’s first coaches, for over a decade she has a stellar track record of helping MBA hopefuls gain admission to M7 and top 15 US schools, as well as prestigious European schools like INSEAD and LBS. Her success is rooted in a laser eye for talent and a deep understanding of what top business schools are seeking. Her expert support for Fortuna Admissions clients is rooted in her previous experience as Assistant Director for the MBA Program at INSEAD in France. During her tenure, she connected with thousands of applicants and advised them on the admissions process and their path to business school, traveling extensively and delivering countless presentations to candidates across many countries. Melissa was a member of the review committee responsible for selecting scholarship recipients, so she knows what it takes to make the cut. Melissa has also worked in marketing and communications for global brands such as Sony, InBev, and Xerox.

5.0 /5 Average Rating
Based on 65 reviews
February 19, 2026
hgntilbury

Joined: May 24, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Round 4 INSEAD Admit - Thank You Melissa

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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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February 07, 2026
eaquenemo

Joined: Feb 07, 2026

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Verified GMAT Focus score:
605 Q79 V83 DI78

Admitted to Top MBA program

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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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January 16, 2026
exnemo

Joined: Oct 02, 2025

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

INSEAD Admission Success (Single-School Application)

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Working with Melissa was an extremely positive experience. From day one, she was both refreshingly honest and genuinely encouraging, laying out a clear, practical framework for what I needed to think through and the concrete steps I needed to take throughout the application process.

Coming from a non-business background, I was especially grateful for how thoughtfully she helped me shape my story and bring coherence to the many different threads of my experience. She has a remarkable ability to identify what truly matters, ask the right questions, and help you articulate your narrative with clarity and confidence.

What could easily have been an overwhelming and stressful process felt, thanks to her guidance, surprisingly energising and even optimistic. I’m incredibly grateful for her insight, honesty, and steady encouragement, and I’m thrilled to say that with her support, I was accepted to INSEAD.

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January 07, 2026
tobyornottoby

Joined: Apr 22, 2021

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Admitted to Top MBA Program

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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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January 06, 2025
Nico4120

Joined: Jun 13, 2023

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Admitted to Top MBA program

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I was sceptical of admissions consulting services before reaching out to Fortuna. I could not have been more wrong. My experience working with Melissa was nothing short of incredible. Applying to an MBA is a stressful and time consuming process but working with Melissa made it feel easy. The communication was fluid and her feedback on essays, CV, etc was always succinct and helpful. She helped me navigate the application and interview process, which she knows by heart, and built up my confidence along the way. I could not have asked for a better experience – Melissa is genuinely a game changer.

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November 26, 2024
bschool2021

Joined: Apr 09, 2020

Posts: 56

Kudos: 16

Admitted to Top MBA program after Rejection Previous Year

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After getting a rejection from INSEAD, my dream school, I was determined to turn things around. That’s when I found Melissa, and it was the best decision I made. She immediately understood what I was striving for and helped me revamp my entire application with fresh perspective and strategy.

I just got my admit from INSEAD, and I couldn’t be happier!

Melissa has a rare talent for understanding your unique story and presenting it in the most compelling way. She pinpointed exactly what was missing from my previous application and helped me craft essays that truly reflected my journey, goals, and aspirations.

Her guidance and expertise gave me the confidence I needed throughout the process. If you’re looking for a consultant who is not only skilled but also genuinely invested in your success, I would recommend Melissa 1000%.

She’s more than a consultant—she’s a partner in your success story. Thank you, Melissa, for helping me achieve my dream.

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November 26, 2024
jamescampin

Joined: Nov 25, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Admitted into INSEAD

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Melissa and I started working together in May. For various personal reasons, it was important that I applied by the first INSEAD deadline (early October). Given that I had not yet practiced or taken a GMAT test yet, it was clear that this was going to be a challenge.

We kicked off with a detailed conversation about my motivations, goals, and achievements to date. For the next 5 months, Melissa laid out a clear plan and ensured that I met every deadline we set.

Melissa supported with essay writing, reference prompts, application form filling, and
she also introduced me to an excellent GMAT tutor (Stuart Park).

We went through 4 iterations of essays, 5 iterations of a CV and I took the GMAT test 4 times. Once I received an interview, we also conducted interview practice, which was really helpful.

Beyond providing expert advice, Melissa was incredibly supportive throughout and was excellent at prompting me and managing the process to ensure I hit the deadline I set.
If you are considering applying to INSEAD, I strongly recommend using Melissa to help you get there!

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November 15, 2024
illuminatiaf

Joined: Jul 20, 2020

Posts: 1

Kudos: 1

Verified GMAT Classic score:
750 Q48 V45

Admitted to Top MBA program

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I engaged with Melissa to finalise and fine-tune my applications to INSEAD, Columbia and LBS. As I was already very far in the process, I was more looking for fine-tuning and information from the admissions perspective on my essays, CV and shorter information fields.
I was very happy with the service that was provided and especially also with the speed and flexibility that the hourly consulting services provided. In total, I was able to specifically adapt my CV and essays with further, stronger information and practiced both video and regular interviews in the lead-up. While my personal return was perhaps slightly lower than it could have been due to the standard already being relatively high, I was very pleased with the standard of care, thoroughness and especially peace of mind I got through being able to talk the application through with an expert.

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September 03, 2024
EnergyConsultant

Joined: Sep 03, 2024

Posts: 0

Kudos: 0

Admitted to INSEAD

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I cannot recommend Melissa enough as an MBA coach. Her guidance was instrumental in helping me secure a spot at INSEAD. From our first meeting, Melissa demonstrated a deep understanding of the MBA admissions process and an uncanny ability to pinpoint exactly what makes a candidate stand out.

What sets Melissa apart is her personalized approach. She took the time to get to know me, my career goals, and my unique strengths and weaknesses. This allowed her to help me craft an application that was not only compelling but authentically represented who I am. Her feedback on my essays was invaluable, pushing me to refine my narrative until it was perfect.

Moreover, Melissa’s support went beyond just the application. She provided strategic advice for interviews, helping me feel confident and well-prepared. Her encouragement and constructive feedback made all the difference during this often stressful process.

If you are looking for a coach who genuinely cares about your success and knows how to help you get there, Melissa is the one.

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August 28, 2024
KLnation

Joined: Aug 12, 2024

Posts: 6

Kudos: 1

Admitted to INSEAD (Only MBA program I applied)

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I applied to INSEAD during round 3 and was thrilled to be accepted, thanks to Melissa Jones. She was incredibly skilled at helping me dig deep into my life to find powerful anecdotes for my essays. Like fitting together a jigsaw puzzle, Melissa expertly tied my stories to what the admissions team sought, resulting in compelling essays. Her deep knowledge of the INSEAD admissions process was invaluable, especially since it was the only MBA program I applied to. Melissa even went above and beyond by preparing me for my interview on a Sunday, ensuring I was fully confident and ready. If, like me, you have no clue where to start with your essays, trust Melissa to steer you in the right direction—she will exceed your expectations.

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