Best book on getting into a top MBA program interested, getting, someone, advice, really

Penny-wenny

Can anyone recommend a really good book for someone interested in getting into a top MBA program. Maybe containing advice and such. Thanks!

bpdulog

Wendy Wrote:
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> slave Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > numi Wrote:
> >
> --------------------------------------------------
>
> > -----
> > > Made it into a top 3 b-school last
> > > year and the rest, as they say, is history.
> >
> >
> > Douche.
>
>
> Disagree. The fact that numi was admitted to
> H/S/W is key information.
>
> When you are applying to business school, everyone
> you know will offer their advice. Unfortunately,
> much of this advice will be idiotic.
>
> If are fortunate enough to know someone that has
> actually been admitted to a top program, then
> that's the guy you want to listen to.


That's basically right, and numi's a smart guy, but remember that people don't always know what it was that got them accepted or rejected. All they really know is that they got in and perhaps some guesses about what worked.

But there are two things that one can get from people who got in.

1) People who got in often have a flavor of the "culture" of the school. A lot of the decision is as much about "fit with what we do" as it is about raw talent. In fact, in schools where there is tons of talent in the applicant pool, admissions officers are often more concerned with shaping the culture of the school (albeit with people that have made the talent cut). They are looking for a the balance between "fit with the culture" and "diversity within the culture." You want to fit in with the types of stuff the school is known for. On the other hand, top schools really do want a diversity of student perspectives so that they don't produce cookie-cutter graduates.

2) Sometimes, it is useful to know people who get in *despite* things that sound like strikes against them, like a low GPA or GMAT, or something like that. There is extra information there about what it is that can overcome these issues, and that's a hint about what admissions officers value.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Thursday, July 28, 2011 at 01:38PM by bchadwick.

bodhisattva

any book but "ahead of the curve". that book will just get you really excited about hbs and then when you are dinged you will feel like crap. not speaking from experience (yes i am)

OmarAdnan

slave Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> numi Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Made it into a top 3 b-school last
> > year and the rest, as they say, is history.
>
>
> Douche.


Disagree. The fact that numi was admitted to H/S/W is key information.

When you are applying to business school, everyone you know will offer their advice. Unfortunately, much of this advice will be idiotic.

If are fortunate enough to know someone that has actually been admitted to a top program, then that's the guy you want to listen to.

ryanlb

don't have a book in mind, but the best advices I can give is trying to think why the school (out of the huge pool of extremely talented applicants) should choose you then tailor the application accordingly. The admission staff reads tons of life stories a week, so they smell anything artificial, glossy without substance right away.
What do you add to the class discussion because of your life experience, background? Top MBA programs value diversity. High GMAT scores, perfect GPA are dime a dozen in this segment so it would only draw a yawn from the admission office before they jump quickly to the next applicant. You need to show that the program is (a bit) richer in its experience because of its admission of you.

Having said so, don't jump overboard.
This is what the dean of admission told us when she welcomed the new class on the first day: A couple years ago, a student came to her depressed. He wanted to know why she admitted him. He said: I was so impressed of my school mates. They all have done great things. Look at me. I am so boring. I have not done anything as remotely interesting as them. The dean looked straight at him in the eyes and told him: 'My friend, this is exactly what diversity is!".

The point is you don't have to have done great thing but show that you have sth uniquely valuable to offer and be true yourself.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Sunday, July 24, 2011 at 12:02AM by elcfa.

laurab

I agree, it was a bit douchey and perhaps not necessary. But my point is that people shouldn't be overwhelmed by the litany of available b-school application literature, because it can be overwhelming. The Montauk book is the one I used and the best that I've seen for general purposes. I know many of my classmates used it as well. I would recommend that as a starting point. There's no "silver bullet" but that book is as good as any about breaking down the application process.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at Saturday, July 23, 2011 at 11:36PM by numi.

canadiananalyst

As others have mentioned, I'd buy the Montauk book. Most other books give you a similar message and b-school applications are such a grind that you really need to stay focused and minimize all the other distractions. I bought a bunch of books but ended up only using the Montauk book regularly, and that was more than I really needed. The most useful aspects of the book are essay advice anyway. Made it into a top 3 b-school last year and the rest, as they say, is history.

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Contact me for resume/cover letter review, interview prep, or career advisory services
numi.advisory@gmail.com

anothercfainnyc

here are two that are pretty useful:

how to get into the top mba programs by richard montauk

your mba game plan by omar bouknight and scott shrum

LBriscoe

I wrote a strategy guide for MBA admissions and I'm selling copies on Ebay for 20 bucks. Let me know if you're interested and I'll sign the copy I send to you.

bolligerallstar

Beatthegmat.com