Starting my admission journey next week, aiming top US BS. I have read a lot of information on this website, but to be on the safe side, I also decided to get some books from professionals and insiders:

Secrets to Getting into Business School: 100 Proven Admissions Strategies to Get You Accepted at the MBA Program of Your Dreams - Brandon Royal, 2010

MBA Admissions Strategy: From Profile Building to Essay Writing - Avi Gordon, 2005

The Best Business Schools' Admissions Secrets: A Former Harvard Business School Admissions Board Member Reveals the Insider Keys to Getting In - Chioma Isiadinso, 2008

How To Get Into the Top MBA Programs, 4th Edition - J.D., Richard Montauk, 2007

Your MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies for Getting into the Top Business Schools - Omari Bouknight, 2007

65 Successful Harvard Business School Application Essays, Second Edition: With Analysis by the Staff of The Harbus, the Harvard Business School Newspaper - The Harbus, 2009


Is the list too long, if I am applying for the first round this fall (first deadline 1st of October)? Anything that should be excluded from the list? Any recommendations?

Well, I was tempted to get all of those because they are so inexpensive, just over 100 dollars for all of them. And I also have read reviews for these books, and each one gets the "must-have" reviews. Montauk is classsic, I just don't want to miss anything that all the others know. Harvard insider is also quite tempting. Brandon Royal was published a couple of months ago, might add some current day touch. Gordon and Bouknight, I guess, might be skipped really, however I've seen recommendations to use these together with Montauk, as they complement each other.

Thanks for advice. Finally I got 4 books: Harvard essays, Montauk, and 2 cheaper guides with really excellent recommendations by readers, one by ex-Harvard admissions board member and another one which promises a different approach. I have cut the total price by two, but was suprised by really unfavorable exchange rate.

I second what ariel said. I didn't buy Montauk because it was relatively expensive, but skimmed over parts of it as reference in the book store. I purchased and used game plan throughout the process. I also bought the book by the ex-HBS adcom, but found myself referring to game plan more often. I skimmed the bodine essay book at the store, and it looked good, but I was so late in the process that I wouldn't have time to digest it all before doing my apps. I'd recommend game plan + bodine essays for future applicants.
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Thanks for a great list! I wasn't aware of such a list besides Montauk!

I believe I've posted this somewhere on this forum, but I found this to be a super helpful to provide to those writing recommendations - and if you end up having to write one for yourself.

Those books are all helpful to get you started. One warning though - lots of applicants read those books and you can fall into a trap of writing essays that sound just like everyone else's. Use these as a guide, but stay true to your style and to yourself (not trying to sound cliche). As has already been noted, there is no secret to getting in. You've got to tell a compelling story about yourself using your entire application.

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The best book I've ever read is MBA Admissions Strategy by Avi Gordon. I'm only disappointed that I didn't write this book myself because it is so good. It doesn't give you essay examples per se but does help you strategize and structure your essays.

Leah Derus
fxmbaconsulting . com

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