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We offer a wealth of tips and strategies across a range of topics—from application advice on Harvard or INSEAD to acing the GMAT, writing essays, navigating MBA interviews and more.

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

May. 14th, 2025 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

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, […]

What is the FERPA Waiver?

What is the FERPA Waiver?

Dec. 31st, 2024 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

​​Applying to a top MBA program is no small feat. You’ve probably been pouring hours into your essays, fine-tuning your resume, and carefully choosing your recommenders. But there’s one small yet significant box on the application that often gets overlooked: the FERPA waiver. What is it, why does it matter to the MBA admissions process, […]

Wharton Team Based Discussion (TBD)

Wharton Team Based Discussion (TBD) Tips and Strategy

Oct. 28th, 2024 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

Invitations for the Wharton Team Based Discussion are out, and the 2024 prompt asks participants to design an Impact Community committed to meaningful global change. Now is the time to start preparing your pitch. The Wharton MBA interview is distinctive among the M7 interview landscape for its virtual Team Based Discussion. This dynamic, relational experience is […]

Wharton MBA essays

Wharton MBA Essays: Tips & Strategy

Jul. 31st, 2024 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

The two Wharton MBA essay questions are designed to let the admissions committee get to know you on a personal and professional level. First-time MBA applicants and re-applicants are required to complete both Wharton application essays. The Admissions Committee wants to get to know you on both a professional and personal level. We encourage you to […]

before you start MBA

5 Things to Do Before Starting Your MBA Program

Mar. 28th, 2024 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

How do you want to feel when your head hits the pillow after your first day as an MBA candidate on campus? Thrilled to enter a new chapter of your life surrounded by fascinating people and big ideas, while appropriately daunted by the scope of challenge you’ve undertaken? Or will your elation be dimmed a […]

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

Mar. 1st, 2024 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

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 […]

MBA Goals for 2024: 5 Things to Do Right Now

Jan. 3rd, 2024 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

As a new year arrives, it brings a fresh start —an opportunity to seize the day and transform your future. For many, it’s a time to make resolutions to change, grow, choose a new direction, and maybe even reinvent yourself. If your goal for 2024 is to apply to an MBA program, congratulations! This is […]

MBA interview prep with Fortuna Admissions

10 Tough MBA Interview Questions & How to Handle Them

Jan. 26th, 2023 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

What do you do when the MBA admissions interviewer asks you whether 3,599 is a prime number? (Besides trying not to break into a cold sweat.) Or, whether the government should apply tariffs based on a product’s environmental sustainability? Or how the pandemic has influenced the impact you’d like to make in your community? Now […]

BusinessCasual Podcast logo with Fortuna

How Business Schools Are Attracting Laid-Off Tech Workers

Dec. 8th, 2022 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

Kellogg Northwestern is waiving GMAT and GRE exams for unemployed tech workers, a bold MBA admissions move that’s received both praise and criticism. In this episode of the weekly BusinessCasual podcast, Fortuna’s Caroline Diarte Edwards with co-hosts John Byrne of Poets&Quants and ApplicantLab’s Maria Wich-Villa, discuss the motives and implications of Kellogg’s MBA admissions changes, and how […]

mba admission process

The Power of Giving Thanks in the MBA Admission Process

Nov. 21st, 2022 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

I still have the thank you note from the first student I admitted to Penn in 1990 (pictured here). It means a lot to me. Then, because it allowed me to see that I was someone that students could trust. And now, because it reminds me how powerful it is for the person across the […]

FortunaAdmissions.com

MBA Requirements: Advice for Non-traditional Applicants

Oct. 26th, 2022 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

My Fortuna Admissions colleague interviewed an MBA graduate named Paul Heslop, who serves as an Operations and Planning Chief for the United Nations. Among Paul’s bevy of unique distinctions is directing peacekeeping efforts in 17 countries, clearing thousands of unexploded mines and bombs, and defending multi-million-dollar budgets to the UN Security Council. Oh, and before […]

Fortuna Co-Founders Caroline Diarte Edwards & Matt Symonds with their first Fortuna banner

10 Years of MBA Admissions Success: Fortuna’s Origin Story

Oct. 18th, 2022 | by: Judith Silverman Hodara

Matt Symonds and I had known each other for about 10 years while I was at Wharton as a Senior Associate and then Acting Director of MBA Admissions, and he was the co-founder of QS and the World MBA Tour. Matt’s company would host events all over the world for prospective candidates to meet with […]

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