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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.

advice for consultants

Advice for Consultants Pursuing an MBA

Aug. 23rd, 2022 | by: Matt Symonds

Have you slogged long hours at the office to keep the boss happy and meet client deadlines? Pulled all-nighters in college to accumulate credits and maintain your dean’s list standing? Aced your job interviews and secured a spot at an A-list consulting firm? Distinguished yourself as a career wunderkind who’s risen to the senor ranks […]

MBA insight presentation

Spotlight on INSEAD: MBA Insights From Academic Dean Urs Peyer

Mar. 21st, 2022 | by: Matt Symonds

  Fortuna Co-Founder and Director Matt Symonds interviews Urs Peyer, Dean of Degree Programs at INSEAD, about the full-time MBA program. This candid interview, which takes place during the February 2022 CentreCourt MBA Festival, is full of insights for MBA hopefuls. Urs speaks to INSEAD’s core curriculum, its unique offerings and flexibility, the global reputation of the […]

man holding lightbulb

5 Tips to Show Leadership Potential in the MBA Application

Jan. 14th, 2022 | by: Matt Symonds

Are you applying to an elite business school this fall? If so, the most important thing you can start doing now is to cultivate your leadership potential. From Harvard to Haas, the MBA admissions office wants to better understand your leadership potential – how you have led a team project, mentored others, created positive impact, […]

MBA Essay advice and Tips

How to Answer Stanford GSB’s Essay: What Matters Most To You and Why?

Sep. 9th, 2021 | by: Matt Symonds

In opening its application for the 2020-2021 cycle, Stanford GSB demonstrated that its iconic essay question persists for well over a decade. Stanford’s “What matters most to you, and why?” query embodies the sentiment ‘simple but not easy.’ It demands a level of profound self-awareness and unapologetic authenticity that can overwhelm the most excellence-driven applicant in […]

Tips For MBA Recommendations: Does Prestige Matter and Mistakes to Avoid

Jun. 24th, 2021 | by: Matt Symonds

Would it help my MBA admissions chances if I secured a recommendation letter from the President of the United States? As hypothetical as it sounds, we fielded this question from a prospective candidate during the Obama administration. While it was a subject of much discussion among our coaches at Fortuna Admissions, ultimately, we advised against […]

apply for mba

10 Tips to Apply for a Specialized Masters in Business (MiM, Mfin, MSMS & more)

May. 5th, 2021 | by: Matt Symonds

Over the past few years, my Fortuna Admissions colleagues and I have witnessed a surge in interest for specialty masters degrees across a variety of business disciplines. On the heels of our CentreCourt Specialized Masters Event last month, I hosted a live conversation with Poets&Quants editor John A. Byrne alongside my Fortuna Admissions colleagues and […]

MBA GMAT Prep

How To Increase Your GMAT Score: Tips from Test Prep Experts

Apr. 26th, 2021 | by: Matt Symonds

Securing a competitive and well-balanced GMAT or GRE score is imperative for maximizing your chances of admissions success to the top MBA programs. Though MIT Sloan and Darden are among those that have introduced a test-optional policy, you’ll still need to nail a great score if your target list includes HBS, Stanford, Wharton, INSEAD, LBS, […]

mba applications

MBA Application Tips for Consultants, Engineers & Finance Candidates

Feb. 16th, 2021 | by: Matt Symonds

If you are in one of the three over-represented MBA applicant pools – candidates from finance, tech and consulting – how do you approach your MBA application strategy when the competition is more intense than ever? It’s the secret of admissions success: Your excellence is only your ticket to enter. Once you’re in the game, […]

Deferred MBA Program

Deferred Admission MBA For College Seniors: 3 Key Tips For A Standout Application

Jan. 19th, 2021 | by: Matt Symonds

Last month, Berkeley Haas announced a new option for any college senior to apply to for its fulltime MBA with a two- to five-year deferment. The Berkeley Haas Accelerated Access program (application deadlines April 5 and June 10) represents an expansion of Haas’s early admit program, which debuted last year for UC Berkeley students. “This […]

EV-2 Dates - CentreCourt MBA

CentreCourt MBA Festival is Essential Viewing

Oct. 1st, 2020 | by: Matt Symonds

This is your invitation to join the CentreCourt MBA Festival on October 6 & 7! CentreCourt brings together the Admissions Directors, Career Services Directors, and Deans from over 25 of the world’s top 35 business schools in a dynamic virtual format. Register now to secure your place. Whether you’re targeting a place next year and […]

fortuna panelists

LBS, INSEAD & HEC Paris: Inside the MBA Admissions Essay Masterclass 4

Aug. 22nd, 2020 | by: Matt Symonds

If you missed our MBA Admissions Essay Masterclass featuring London Business School, INSEAD & HEC Paris, not to worry! You can now access all the wisdom and advice from our conversation by viewing the webinar recording. You’ll come away with tangible advice and ideas for how to stand out in what is looking to be […]

fortuna mba masterclass

Booth, CBS, MIT Sloan & Kellogg: Inside the MBA Admissions Essay Masterclass 2

Aug. 13th, 2020 | by: Matt Symonds

If you missed our MBA Admissions Essay Masterclass featuring Kellogg, Chicago Booth, Columbia & MIT Sloan, not to worry! You can now access all the wisdom and advice from our conversation by viewing the webinar recording. You’ll come away with tangible advice and ideas for how to stand out in what is looking to be a […]

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