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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.

MBA Rankings: How to Use Them Without Being Misled

Apr. 30th, 2025 | by: Matt Symonds

Each year, as MBA admissions season heats up, a familiar flurry of headlines appears: Wharton claims the #1 spot, Stanford tumbles, Haas breaks into the top 10. From U.S. News and Financial Times to Bloomberg and QS, MBA rankings are everywhere – clickable, quotable, and often confusing. It’s easy to assume rankings can shortcut your […]

GMAT vs. GRE: What’s the Difference?

Apr. 7th, 2025 | by: Matt Symonds

One of the first—and most strategic—decisions you’ll make on your MBA journey is whether to take the GMAT or the GRE. Both are accepted by nearly every top business school, but they differ in structure, content, and emphasis. Choosing the test that plays to your strengths can give your application a powerful edge. We hear […]

Round 3 MBA Deadlines

Round 3 MBA Deadlines: Strategic Opportunities for Late Candidates

Jan. 29th, 2025 | by: Matt Symonds

Navigating the MBA admissions process can feel daunting, especially as the Round 3 deadlines approach. This is typically your last chance to get into business school this year. At this point, business schools have already interviewed and admitted a lot of great candidates. So is it still worth applying? While it’s true that this round […]

Stanford GSB essays

Stanford GSB Essays: Tips & Strategy on Writing What Matters Most

Jul. 31st, 2024 | by: Matt Symonds

The Stanford GSB essays continue to present a formidable exercise in self-awareness. The Stanford GSB application esssays include two required questions and two optional short-answer questions. From these questions, the GSB wants to understand why we do the things we do, why we make certain choices in life, and the opportunities and challenges we face. […]

MBA Round 3 Deadlines and Advice to Get In

Mar. 1st, 2024 | by: Matt Symonds

You’ve decided the time is right to go earn your MBA – but it’s nearly spring and late in the admissions cycle. Deadlines for Round 3 (or even Round 4 at the international schools) are coming up (you can check at our MBA application deadlines page here.)  At this point, business schools have already interviewed […]

How to Get a Perfect GMAT Score

How to Get a Perfect GMAT Score

Feb. 8th, 2024 | by: Matt Symonds

Achieving a perfect 805 score on the GMAT Focus Edition is a lofty goal. While it might seem like an impossible feat, test experts I’ve talked to assure me that landing a perfect GMAT score is indeed within reach. Will getting the highest possible score on the GMAT score significantly boost your MBA application? Not […]

MBA Sponsorship: The Business School’s Perspective

Dec. 7th, 2023 | by: Matt Symonds

Getting an MBA is one of the most rewarding investments you can make in yourself. It pays off in expanded career opportunities and enormous personal growth – and often a nice salary bump.  But before you can reap all these benefits, you must first find a way to cover the hefty costs of an MBA, […]

What to Do After Your MBA Interview

Nov. 2nd, 2023 | by: Matt Symonds

You scored that coveted invitation from your preferred business school and just finished an interview for admission to their MBA program. Now that you’ve been interviewed, what’s next? As former admissions directors who have interviewed many candidates over the years, we recommend taking a few important steps at this stage. Send thanks Be sure to […]

Making Sense of the Latest MBA Rankings

Apr. 27th, 2023 | by: Matt Symonds

After announcing an unprecedented weeklong delay to respond to feedback and re-run the numbers, US News & World Report released its 2023-24 MBA rankings April 25. The results showed some surprises and major swings, somewhat scrambling the top 10 schools with others further down the list rising or falling by 30 places or more.  Stanford […]

5 Strategies for MBA Admissions Success

Feb. 9th, 2023 | by: Matt Symonds

Applying for the MBA represents more than the next step in your career, but the opportunity to pause amid the velocity of your fast-paced life and enter a meaningful process of self-discovery. It’s an invitation to really think about where you want to see yourself five to 10 years, what matters most to you, and […]

logo montage of business schools attending the CentreCourt MBA Festival in Oct. 2022 co-hosted by Fortuna Admissions

Decline in MBA Applications Is A Rare Opportunity for B-School Candidates

Oct. 4th, 2022 | by: Matt Symonds

Four months ago I wrote an article for Forbes predicting a sharp downturn in MBA applications, and why now might be your best chance in a generation to get an elite MBA and secure your place at one of the world’s leading business schools. Since then, HBS has confirmed a 15.4% decline in MBA applications […]

Fortuna's 3 founders in conversation

Fortuna Admissions Celebrates 10 Years of MBA Consulting

Oct. 3rd, 2022 | by: Matt Symonds

Ten years ago, we set out to create a dream team of former MBA Admissions Directors from the world’s top business schools. Looking back on our 10-year anniversary, Fortuna’s trio of founders affirm that our DNA hasn’t changed: our goal continues to be to provide inside-track expertise to candidates and leverage the insights of those […]

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