Meet the Team Behind Your Success
We are experts in taking the complexities out of the college admissions process.
Our team guides both students and parents through every step of the admissions journey, offering strategic advice, thoughtful mentorship, and steady support for key decisions and milestones. Our dedicated coaches and specialist advisors work together with families to make the process as smooth and empowering as possible, ensuring every student moves forward with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
Why Choose Fortuna?
We are more than college admissions consultants – we are trusted partners.
We provide thoughtful, expert guidance at every phase of the college admissions journey, balancing realistic strategy with honoring each student’s vision and strengths.
We know the inner workings of the admissions process.
Our consultants are deeply connected to the ever-evolving landscape of global higher education. As former admissions decision-makers, we offer insider insights and up-to-date strategies to help students stand out.
We bring a global perspective to your journey.
Our team’s international experience — studying, working, and living across countries and cultures — ensures sound, strategic advice for students pursuing opportunities both domestically and abroad
We offer tailored support, when and where you need it.
Whether you’re starting in 8th grade or refining applications in senior year, our personalized roadmaps adapt to each student’s journey. The Fortuna Admissions team includes specialists that support you on:
- College selection
- Application strategy
- Essay drafting and writing
- Interviewing strategy
- Personal profile development
- Linked-in and resume building
- Strategies for college visits
- Summer programs, gap year ideas and research opportunities
Our Team Approach to Your Success
When you partner with Fortuna, you don’t just work with one coach – you benefit from the collective expertise and insight of our entire team. Thanks to our collaborative approach, every student draws on the diverse experiences and institutional knowledge of a global network of admissions professionals. It’s a team effort designed to help each student not only get accepted, but to thrive at the college that fits them best.
Fortuna Coaches
Bob Alig
Director
Coach & Former UPenn Admissions Director
Corinne Kang
Senior Expert Coach
Former Senior Associate Admissions Director, UC Berkeley
Sharon Joyce
Senior Expert Coach
Former UC Berkeley Admissions Director
Lucas Jacob
Writing Specialist
Maren Savage
Senior Expert Coach
Former Admissions Reader at Stanford University, UC Berkeley, and Carnegie Mellon
Fortuna Founders
Judith Silverman Hodara
Former Head of Admissions at UPenn
Matt Symonds
Global Education Expert | Columnist for Forbes & The Economist
Caroline Diarte Edwards
Former Director of Admissions at INSEAD
Real Reviews From Real Clients
Students Love Working With Us
Clarity, Confidence, and Dream School Scholarship
“Catherine helped me articulate my story with clarity and confidence. Thanks to her, I’m heading to Yale with a scholarship.”
Yale Admit
Believed in Me When I Didn’t
“Judith, I can confidently say I couldn’t have done it without you. Your support and belief in me — even when I doubted myself — helped me get into Harvard.”
Harvard Admit
Set My Sights Even Higher!
“I couldn’t be more grateful to have worked with Judith. Her encouragement and sharp insights helped me gain admission to MIT — something I once thought was out of reach.”
MIT Admit
Best Advice. Best Results.
“Jonathan, thank you for always going the extra mile. Your advice on Dartmouth and NYU was spot on — and I’m thrilled to be admitted to both!”
Dartmouth Admit
Transformational Experience to Stanford Scholarship
“Bill’s guidance pushed me to dig deep and refine my story. The introspective work we did together was transformational — and helped me get into Stanford with a scholarship.”
Stanford Admit