Admission strategy books

Question

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?

LB20 · Answer

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.

Cielo · Answer

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.

Jerz · Answer

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.

Cielo · Answer

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.

ariel · Answer

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

boogs · Answer

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.

ariel · Answer

Oh yeah, I completely forgot about the Game Plan, boogs. That's another good one, agreed.

futurestrategist · Answer

Thanks for a great list! I wasn't aware of such a list besides Montauk!

conmisdosmanos · Answer

Just a hint about expenses - I found all of those books at my local library. :wink:

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.

peaceyall · Answer

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.

Class2012 · Answer

I have Montauk,Bodine and Harvard essays books.Anyone in Atlanta can pick them up from me for free.pm me if interested.

fxMBAconsulting · Answer

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

Leah Derus
fxmbaconsulting . com

JCSanders · Answer

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.

MBAbot · Answer

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