Judith Silverman Hodara

Judith co-founded Fortuna in 2012 and has a distinguished career spanning over 35 years in admissions. Prior to starting Fortuna, she held senior admissions roles at the University of Pennsylvania, at both undergraduate and graduate level, including at the Wharton School. At UPenn, Judith led admissions committees, admitted thousands of candidates, and traveled across Asia, Europe, and the Middle East to recruit top global talent.

MIT Sloan Application

MIT Sloan Application: Strategy & Tips for 2025-26

The MIT Sloan MBA application requires a 300-word cover letter, a one-minute video introduction, a 250-word short essay about your background, and an organizational chart.  Success in the MIT Sloan application isn’t about perfection. It’s about authenticity, intention, and alignment with Sloan’s mission and values. The admissions committee is looking for candidates who take initiative,

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Wharton MBA Essays: Strategy and Tips for 2025-26

The Wharton MBA essay questions include two short‑answer prompts about your career goals, as well as a longer essay focused on how you’ll add value to the community. The short‑form questions ask you to articulate, first, your immediate post‑MBA goal and then your expected path three to five years out – and how those steps

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How Are Colleges Using AI in the Admissions Process?

Colleges are increasingly using AI to streamline admissions processes, from automating outreach and reviewing essays to predicting applicant yield and spotting AI-generated content. Understanding how AI is integrated can help applicants prepare stronger, more authentic submissions. 1. Predictive Analytics for Admissions Decisions Colleges use AI to predict a crucial factor: your likelihood of enrolling if

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Round 1, Round 2 or Round 3? What MBA Applicants Need to Know

When it comes to applying to business school, timing is everything—but not in the way many people think. At Fortuna Admissions, we’re often asked, “Should I apply in Round 1 to maximize my chances?” Or, “Is Round 3 ever worth considering?” The truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. While the admissions calendar is clearly defined, your personal readiness, goals,

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Wharton Team Based Discussion (TBD) Tips and Strategy

The Wharton MBA interview is distinctive among the M7 interview landscape for its virtual Team Based Discussion. This dynamic, relational experience is about much more than delivering a strong pitch. Wharton’s admission committee wants to observe how you approach a challenge, present yourself, cohesively work towards solutions in a small group context and think on your

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HBS Deferred MBA: Top Tips for the 2+2 Essays

Application season for deferred entry programs is heating up, with deadlines coming up in April. Business-bound college and master’s degree students applying for Harvard Business School’’s 2+2 program are no doubt working on their essays, and that’s no small task.   The 2024 application essays for the 2+2 program offer some options and cover a lot

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