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Joined: 11 May 2010
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Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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 04 Jun 2010, 04:05
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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?
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Joined: 23 Oct 2009
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Schools: Wharton!!! Stern Columbia HBS
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 06:06
I used the Montauk book as a way to get a better understanding of the process from start to finish, and then again to help me prep for interviews, but I honestly didn't look at it much throughout the writing process. I found the 65 Successful HBS Application Essays really useful--similar to a book I used for undergrad. Useful for all schools, not HBS, because it gives you an idea of different ways you can tackle essays creatively. Totally your preference, but using *all* of these books you listed might be overkill--you might be better served only buying 2 or 3 and saving the other money for your applications or GMAT. But again, that's up to you  Good luck.
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 06:21
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.
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Joined: 09 Dec 2008
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Schools: Kellogg Class of 2011
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 06:38
The Montauk is a great reference, although I think there may be a newer edition, and the HBS essays book can be helpful to give you a sense of how people write essays. The admissions strategies book is probably going to have a lot of overlap with Montauk, but there may be some other helpful info. I'd cut out the "secrets" books - there's really nothing that's in those books that you won't find in Montauk or by asking the adcom directly. Business schools don't really make a secret of what they're looking for, and between adcom and current students there's really no shortage of free resources to find that information out.
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 07:31
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.
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Joined: 12 Nov 2008
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 11:56
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I like Montauk's book for reference more than anything. One of the most useful books I found (and I've read or skimmed over pretty much all the books on your list) is the one by Paul Bodine
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 12:02
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ariel wrote: I like Montauk's book for reference more than anything. One of the most useful books I found (and I've read or skimmed over pretty much all the books on your list) is the one by Paul BodineI 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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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 12:08
Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the Game Plan, boogs. That's another good one, agreed.
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 16:04
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Thanks for a great list! I wasn't aware of such a list besides Montauk!
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 18:38
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Just a hint about expenses - I found all of those books at my local library.  I started with the ex-Harvard admissions guide, definitely taken with a grain of salt. I found the best advice was a) be honest, with yourself and with adcom; and b) right here at gmatclub.
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 19:28
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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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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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04 Jun 2010, 21:36
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I have Montauk,Bodine and Harvard essays books.Anyone in Atlanta can pick them up from me for free.pm me if interested.
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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16 Jul 2014, 06:08
Hello from the GMAT Club MBAbot!
Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).
Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.
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Admission Consultant
Joined: 17 Apr 2013
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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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16 Jul 2014, 15:41
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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Re: Admission strategy books [#permalink]
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25 Jul 2014, 02:46
If you guys are interested in admissions/essay books one site that I've used a couple of times is called EssayScoop. You can search them on google and find them pretty easily. It's like essay books but in a website format. They have some cool essays you can probably check out for examples. I think it's still fairly new though but a couple of my friends have used it and found it helpful.
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Re: Admission strategy books
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25 Jul 2014, 02:46
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