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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.

FortunaAdmissions.com, MIT Stern, INSEAD, Kellogg, MBA video questions, acing your video interview, MBA video component

How to Ace Your MBA Video Questions

Nov. 16th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

The video statement isn’t only a challenge – it’s a valuable opportunity to bring your application to life. More business schools are adopting a video component in their applications than ever before. This year, the MIT video statement went from optional to mandatory, and last year Rotman, Yale and INSEAD adopted the practice. While programs have different […]

european business schools

Why European Business Schools Should Seize The Day

Nov. 10th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

  European MBA programs are on a roll. The oft-debated ‘Trump effect’, and concerns about stricter US immigration policy, combined with a growing appetite for the shorter one-year course length preferred by many European MBA programs has rocketed demand over the last year. GMAC Stats The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC)’s annual Prospective Students Survey […]

CentreCourt MBA Matt Symonds

What MBA Admissions Really Want: From Stanford GSB, Booth, Tuck & More

Oct. 30th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

Admissions Directors from Chicago Booth, Stanford GSB, INSEAD and other top programs get candid about your spike factor, unicorns and top qualities they’re looking for in MBA candidates. “I don’t want unicorns,” says Kristen Moss, Stanford GSB Assistant Dean and Director of MBA Admissions. “Leadership doesn’t come from a socio-economic status, it doesn’t come from […]

American MBA

US SCHOOLS DOMINATE ECONOMIST 2017 RANKINGS, KELLOGG CROWNED #1

Oct. 26th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

The Economist has a reputation for being the most volatile of the MBA rankings, and its global 2017 full time MBA ranking released today is no exception, with 27 schools that moved up or down by double digits. The headline? Total, complete and utter domination by the US schools. This is likely driven by the […]

INSEAD Blue Ocean Shift

Blue Ocean Shift – How to Seize New Growth and Inspire Confidence

Oct. 13th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

Why INSEAD professors and bestselling authors say the best way to beat the competition is to stop trying to beat the competition. Image: Renée Mauborgne and W. Chan Kim, authors of Blue Ocean Strategy In creating new market spaces, why do some companies succeed while others fail? It’s a question that’s studied in business school […]

Quick tips for MBA

MBA Class of 2020: Your 100-Hour Application Strategy

Jul. 14th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

  By Matt Symonds, Director, Fortuna Admissions The world’s top business programs have announced MBA admissions deadlines for the Class of 2020 (and if that isn’t futuristic-sounding…). This year, Stanford led the dance, confirming Sept 19, 2017 to be its Round 1 deadline. Wharton’s is the same as GSB, and HBS released a September 6 […]

CentreCourt MBA

MBA Fair Dos And Don’ts: Stories & Strategy from Former MBA Insiders

Jun. 30th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

I was escorted out of my first-ever MBA fair for unruly behavior. It was at a GMAC event in Paris nearly 25 years ago, where organizers didn’t approve of us talking with on-site business schools about the fledgling franchise that we had started – Kaplan Test Prep. Regrouping on the sidewalk on a cold January […]

Typical MBA Application

How to Turn Your Typical MBA Profile into a Stand-out Application

Jun. 21st, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

You distinguished yourself as a professional wunderkind, rising to the senior ranks at your company in your early 20s. Clocked long hours at work to keep the boss happy and meet client deadlines. Pulled all-nighters in college amid competing commitments to keep your dean’s list standing. Aced your interviews and accepted an enviable position with a world-class […]

Yale University Sheffiield Scientific School Building New Haven Connecticut

New! INSEAD to weight the IR section of GMAT

May. 27th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

Over the last five years, INSEAD and other programs have accumulated a strong body of data on IR scores from candidates and students, and how it correlates with academic performance. Now, INSEAD is placing greater emphasis upon IR score.

Stanford GSB Essay

Stanford GSB’s Iconic MBA Essay: Why it Still Matters

May. 23rd, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

Whether you’re weighing the career path that is right for you or applying to GSB, making time to consider this essay question, “What matters most to you, and why?”, can offer invaluable insight about your values, identity and life purpose.

Customize your MBA application

Five common scenarios in the wake of MBA decisions, and what to do next

May. 11th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

It’s the sunset of MBA Admissions season, bringing joy to some and frustration or disappointment to others. For many it’s the most nerve-wracking time of the admissions cycle, signaling their final shot at securing a spot this year. What’s your story? Perhaps you won a great scholarship – but not from your dream school. Maybe […]

Rankings USA 2014 MBA

Why now is a good time to apply for an International MBA

Mar. 26th, 2017 | by: Matt Symonds

Once you know an MBA is right for you, it’s understandable to want to be there as soon as possible. So where does this put you? While the window has closed to apply for fall entry to most top US schools, if you still want to apply to now, consider the international b-school options.

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