Hi Alex,

I have read every single post of yours on this site and found scattered amongst your many replies pieces of great information --- stuff I haven't found anywhere else --- about the top programs. Many people, I am sure, would greatly appreciate a post here (or maybe on your blog) describing the top schools, from the insider's perspective. I realize you have blogged where you likened the programs to automobiles, but I was thinking something more along the lines of what the schools really covet (e.g. Stanford likes high GMATs, Sloan the liberal arts-minded engineers, etc.) and also the kind of student body each program tends to attract (e.g. HBS the blue-chips, Yale the bleeding-hearts -- I dunno). Political leanings of the student body? Darden is more conservative than Haas, presumably? Aspirations of the student body? HBS for the Gordon Gekkos, Kellogg for the [fill in the blank]? Maybe your outlook too (e.g. I have heard Duke and Cornell are trending downward whereas Yale and Haas are climbing). These kinds of tidbits would really be helpful to prospective applicants in forming views about the different programs so as to only make applications to programs they would actually enjoy attending. For example, Tuck emphasizes group-work but some people may hate it; one better know that before applying. Things like this.

(Now I realize it is hard to stereotype schools and everyone is aware there are always exceptions. But like tends to attract like. I think there are some broad brushstrokes you could paint here without offending anyone or sullying your name.)

Certainly you'd agree it behooves all of us to know as much as we possibly be can about a certain b-school before applying? The problem is that some of the most relevant information is not easily obtainable. There are many determinative characteristics that are not readily apparent from cruising the Internet or reading b-school admissions books. You appear to have the knowledge to make something like this really fly and I, for one, would find it incredibly interesting and helpful. The alternative to your providing this information would be for us to a) talk to alumni (many of whom would probably not call it like it is) and b) talk to adcoms (almost all of whom would not call it like it is, short of anonymity). Not very good alternatives. Yet, the renegade admissions consultant who doesn't mince words would be an ideal source for this information. I am not saying write a tome, but perhaps a pithy little paragraph of each of the top 16?

If a school is full of a bunch of introverted nerds, say so! (Many introverted nerds proudly identify with the nerd label anyways --- no stepping on toes here!) Your candor is surely largely responsible for your following. People love this stuff.

Sol

Well then...

Why don't you write a book with this kind information? Many of us don't need consulting services but would still like to know the real deal about the top programs.