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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.

Duke Fuqua

Duke Fuqua “25 Random Things About You” Essay Example

Oct. 10th, 2024 | by: Catherine Tuttle

“Team Fuqua” may seem like a tagline or gimmicky motto, but that’s far from the truth. Duke Fuqua’s Duke Fuqua’s mission is to transform its students into leaders who are equipped to inspire organizations in a way that enhances the bottom line and makes a positive impact on the world. Admissions is looking to create […]

berkeley haas mba

How to Ace the Berkeley Haas Interview Questions

Oct. 7th, 2024 | by: Sharon Joyce

With an acceptance rate of less than 20% at Berkeley Haas, receiving an interview invitation is a significant milestone for any candidate hoping to secure a spot at this top MBA program. As a former Associate Director of Admissions at Berkeley Haas and as an admissions coach with Fortuna Admissions for the past seven years, […]

Columbia business school

The Columbia MBA Interview: What to Expect and How to Prepare

Oct. 1st, 2024 | by: Melissa Jones

The Columbia Business School MBA interview is a pivotal step in the admissions process, and if you get to this point, first congratulate yourself – the school’s admissions committee clearly see you as a viable candidate! By thoroughly preparing and presenting a well-rounded, authentic self, you can significantly enhance your chances of making a positive […]

LBS Application Video Interview Questions Tips and Strategy

LBS Application Video Interview Questions: Tips and Strategy

Sep. 29th, 2024 | by: Melissa Jones

London Business School (LBS) interviews are conducted by alumni, so the Admissions Committee doesn’t always get the opportunity to meet candidates in person. As part of the London Business School MBA application process, candidates invited to interview are therefore asked to submit two short video entries to support their candidacy. Submitted via the Kira platform, […]

Michael Marsland, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University

Yale SOM MBA Essay: Tips & Strategy

Sep. 24th, 2024 | by: Caroline Diarte Edwards

Yale SOM’s MBA application includes several innovative features, including a behavioral assessment, a personal assessment, pre-interview questions, and behaviorally anchored recommender forms. These elements combine for an effective and efficient package, helping applicants and the admissions team focus on what matters most while boosting the predictive power of the application. The Yale SOM Essay You […]

Mastering the Kellogg Video Essay Questions

Mastering the Kellogg Video Essay Questions

Sep. 24th, 2024 | by: Melissa Jones

Increasingly, MBA programs are encouraging or requiring candidates to submit videos online shortly after submitting their application, and Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management is among them. Among other benefits, these video essays help schools see the real you and gauge how you present yourself without much preparation.  The Northwestern MBA video essay is really […]

How to Prepare for Yale SOM’s Video Questions

Sep. 6th, 2024 | by: Melissa Jones

As part of Yale School of Management’s application process, candidates are required to submit video entries on top of completing the application and essay questions.  As Senior Expert Coach at Fortuna Admissions, working with countless Yale SOM applicants over the past 12 years, I see the videos as an excellent opportunity to bring your application […]

Rotman MBA Essays: How to Ace the Spike Factor Question

How to Tackle the Rotman MBA Essay “Spike Factor” Question

Aug. 13th, 2024 | by: Melissa Jones

When you are applying to an MBA program, it’s crucial to stand out from the crowd. Business schools seek diverse and dynamic cohorts, so they ask candidates to showcase their distinctive qualities and potential contributions to the community. Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto takes this a step further with its “spike […]

UCLA Anderson Essay Strategy

UCLA Anderson Essay Strategy

Aug. 5th, 2024 | by: Peter Johnson

UCLA Anderson seeks candidates who reflect the school’s core values: to “share success, think fearlessly, and drive change.” That’s why crafting each UCLA Anderson essay is an introspective journey. The school has moved away from its unusual single essay format and now asks applicants the opportunity to share information through three short prompts. Essay 3 […]

Deferred MBA Entry

How to Craft IE’s MBA Personal Essay – Express Yourself

Jul. 3rd, 2024 | by: Melissa Jones

IE’s International MBA application asks you to “express yourself” in a single personal essay. IE states that this essay is a way for them to understand who you are, not just as a student but also as a person, and to help them grasp the value that you could add to their program. The assignment […]

MIT sloan MBA

MIT Sloan MBA Strategy: How to Tackle the Application

Jun. 27th, 2024 | by: Tsahala David

MIT Sloan just released deadlines for its 2024–25 admissions cycle, with an additional video essay added to the application components. MIT Sloan’s MBA application exemplifies the institution’s ethos of boundary-breaking innovation. The process omits several of the typical elements of an M7 application. The school doesn’t require you to write a “Why MIT” essay, nor […]

harvard mba essays

HBS Essays: What is Harvard Looking For?

Jun. 26th, 2024 | by: Karla Cohen

Harvard Business School has released new essay questions for the 2024-25 season, the biggest change by HBS admissions in a decade. The school has ditched its longstanding wide-open prompt with a generous limit of 900 words in favor of a series of three much shorter essays. As a Fortuna Admissions coach and former Associate Director at HBS, […]

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