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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.

Is a Brand Name Company Essential to get into a top MBA program?

Jun. 10th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

As former directors of admissions, we know that having McKinsey, Boston Consulting Group, Goldman Sachs, or aspirational companies such as Google or Facebook on your resume is far from a guarantee of getting in to a top school. In fact applicants from traditional feeder companies likely face greater competition for a spot in the classroom […]

12 Steps on How to Apply to Business School – Step 7: MBA Application Essays ‒ Addressing The Most Common Questions

Jun. 9th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

Once you’ve spent the required time identifying your target schools’ admissions criteria, self-reflecting and identifying some of your key traits, and focusing on the personal narrative you want to depict in your applications, it’s time to dive into the essay questions. There are several themes that recur in the essay questions that business schools ask. […]

Applying to Business School when you’re 30+?

Jun. 3rd, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

Why does it seem like most top full-time MBA programs focus more on applicants in the 20 – 30 year old age range rather than those who are older? It’s not as if you’re too old to learn, and for many it’s not until later in their careers that they decide to focus of a […]

12 Steps on How to Apply to Business School – Step 6: MBA Application Essays ‒ Starting The Process

Jun. 1st, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

Tackling application essays for business school is a daunting task. They’re a critical part of your sales pitch. Your application may be read by a bleary-eyed administrator who’s already waded through hundreds of files that day ‒ with only yours keeping him from turning in for the night. So how do you grab his attention? […]

If you can’t score a 700+ GMAT, can you still get into a top 10 MBA school?

May. 29th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

Scoring a 700 on the GMAT today isn’t worth the same as it was 10 years ago. While achieving 700+ in 2003 would place you in the top 92% of test takers, the same score today means you’ve scored in the top 89%. This is due to the fact that applicants are investing more time […]

The 12 Steps On How To Apply To Business School Series – Step 5: Your CV/Resume And Application Data Form

May. 26th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

Certain business schools, such as Harvard, Wharton, and Tuck, have reduced the number of essays thus making your resume and biographical data a more critical part of the process. Often overlooked, or reduced to an uninspiring list of dates, places, and job titles, or qualifications, the resume is a critical component and overview to your […]

Part 2 – The Best Way to Focus your Application Efforts Before Round 1 MBA Deadlines

May. 20th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

The following blog is adapted from our article featured recently on Poets and Quants. Click here to read Part 1 of the adapted article. This is the second part of our adapted article, which focuses on tips to get ready to apply for Round 1 MBA deadlines. Weigh up your GMAT score. The GMAT can […]

The 12 Steps on How to Apply to Business School Series – Step 4: Your Academic Record – GMAT, GPA, and GRE

May. 19th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

An MBA emphasizes studying business and often the “M” in MBA, which stands for “Master’s”, is overlooked. Any self-respecting business school will want to ensure that you have the academic aptitude to handle a graduate degree. You’ll need to be skillful in math, critical reasoning/logic, and language. Therefore your academic results are important components of […]

The Best Way to Focus your Application Efforts Before Round 1 MBA Deadlines – Part 1

May. 15th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

The following blog is adapted from our article featured recently on Poets and Quants. In the last few days, top MBA programs including HBS, Stanford, Wharton, MIT Sloan, INSEAD and Columbia have announced their Round 1 deadlines for the upcoming year’s MBA applications. First up is HBS, with a September 9th deadline and other schools’ […]

The 12 Steps on How to Apply to Business School Series – Step 3: Self-reflection and how to position your MBA candidacy

May. 12th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

Whether you’re convinced that you want to do an MBA, or are just toying with the idea, we suggest that you spend a significant amount of time on self-reflection. Most business schools want to know more about you than just what’s written on your CV. They want to get a sense of what makes you […]

The 12 Steps on How to Apply to Business School Series – Step 2: Plan your Timing

Apr. 30th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

On average, leading business schools organize three or four rounds of admissions in the 12 months before matriculation (with the exception of Columbia Business School and a small handful of other schools who have rolling admissions and review applications as they’re received). Common sense suggests you should apply only when you’re ready, but let us […]

The 12 Steps on How to Apply to Business School Series – Step 1: Do Your Research

Apr. 20th, 2015 | by: Matt Symonds

Fortuna Admissions was asked by The Economist to write a multi-part series explaining how to improve your chance of getting into a top business school. Our experts from Wharton, INSEAD, Harvard Business School, London Business School, Chicago Booth, IE Business School, Kellogg, and UC Berkeley Haas have contributed to this series of articles. Below is an […]

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