Rating: 
Summary: Not that good
Review: I had really high hopes for the book based on the reviews (and the price).If you are totally lost as to applying to business school, this is probably a good book for the example essays. Most of the school analysis is obvious and the essays aren't that great (I've seen ones of similar quality at various online sources). This year, with admission to the high-end schools dependent on original high-quality essays, most competitive people don't need this book. You'll find everything useful in the school-specific research that you do and the general interview/recommendation/essay information available online. I also found it erratic in tone, due to different authors for each school. This would be a really good book if it was broke down by application stage instead of school and maintained the school-specific information (and added "quirky" outliers from tier-2 schools). As it is, I read less than 1/3 of the book thoroughly (since 2/3 of the schools I wasn't applying to). This misses valuable content when it comes to "the interview" or "the recommendation" when the broad spectrum of information is relevant (especially for non-listed schools). This book fills a niche with its honest, direct voice from people who have recently gone through the process. Amazing potential, marginal current execution.
Rating: 
Summary: Outstanding book that got me into my dream MBA!
Review: I have bought about 6 books on MBA preparation, attended an intensive GMAT test prep. center, taken private tuition for my essays, asked friends who got into Harvard, Berkeley and Wharton for their advice... but the bottom line is, the most helpful advice has come from "Getting the MBA Admissions Edge". This book is worth every cent as it really gives you faith in yourself that you can make it. It helps you understand and play upon your strengths and weaknesses. One part in particular is just dynamite - for each school (Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford, MIT, NYU...) they analyze typical essay questions (what the school wants to get out of the question, what the do's and the don't's are, sample essays from admitted candidates..). You've even got interviews with each of the Director of Admissions as well as insider views from successful candidates of each school reviewed. Basically it feels like you have access to the "mysterious black box" of the admissions process: it gives you the motivation (even if you have not scored 750+ at GMAT) and resolution you need to get you home and dry... and eventually you receive this letter that tells you that you have been admitted to your dream MBA!"
Rating:
Summary: Accepted to Wharton thanks to your book
Review: I just want to thank you for the information on your site and in your book, Getting the MBA Admissions Edge, as they have helped me got into Wharton.
Rating:
Summary: A real must
Review: I must admit I needed a helping hand with my application. The Essays, GMAT, letters of recommendation... sometimes seems like an endless process where you never know if youre wasting your time since you have no guarantee of being accepted (especially at schools where it's getting ridiculously competitive). this book has guided me through the whole process. First, the book gives you the confidence you need to keep faith. It outlines loads of testimonials of successul candidates (harvard, MIT, Berkeley, Columbia, kellogg...). When you read their stories, you feel that they were like you: people who had accomplished some stuff but obviously had doubts and weaknesses. Then, the game is how you present yourself and how you write succesful essays. The key is that you should adapt your essays to the various school profiles. The authors have done an outstanding work on the top schools. There are about 50 pages per school outlining the differences between all the schools. If you want to be admitted to Stanford, you obviously don't say the same thing in your essays as if you want to be admitted to Columbia. The great thing about this book is that you get insider information. The other books I bought are just too general, stuff like "smile on the day of your interview"....this is more specific. You read this book, and the profiles of the schools you want to apply to, and you feel that the game is easier than you thought.
Rating:
Summary: Get into a top MBA program
Review: I really liked this book. It tells you specifically what the top programs are looking for and helps you formulate your application to be as good as possible.
Rating:
Summary: Essential purchase
Review: I was admitted to Harvard, Columbia and Chicago and a lot of it is probably due to this book. Decided to write a quick review just in case it can help you in the MBA battlefield! This book is very comprehensive and takes a while to wade through all the info - good stuff though. (V good interviews with Admissions directors , a stack of example essays - but don't copy them - everyone seems to be using this book! also, a really good bit on the secrets of "how to market yourself to be the 'one'". A lot of people on campus said they went with this one.
Rating:
Summary: Best book for B-school applications
Review: I was recommended Getting the MBA Admissions Edge by a friend who has just been admitted to Columbia, Chicago and Wharton. He had been working on his application for weeks, and swore by the advice that he got from this book. I can see why - it's very well presented, makes you ask yourself the right questions about your motivation, and what sets you apart from the other candidates, and dissects the essay questions with great strategies and insights. It's also right up to date, so you know that you're applying with the latest application dossiers in mind. Given the amount of advice you pick up, I regret not working from this book sooner. There's an explanation of the ideal timing for school, with an example from the Stanford rounds of admission, and you understand why it's best to apply in the first 2 rounds. Definitely worth it.
Rating:
Summary: Most detailed book on top b-schools
Review: I was recommended this book by three different people, all of whom are current MBA students (2 at HBS, 1 at Columbia). They described it as the most relevant and insightful review of the top business schools, with an excellent approach to the admissions process. Though there are plenty of sample essays (some of which are reassuringly simple), the key message seems to be to know the schools to which you are applying, and there is far more information about the structure and personality of the MBA programs than I have found anywhere else. I strongly recommend this book to anyone thinking about doing an MBA.
Rating:
Summary: The most useful book you can get.
Review: If you are hesitating about which schools to apply or if you have decided that you want to get into one MBA in particular (for me, it was Stanford and MIT), this book is a MUST buy. It will save you a lot of time since it will help you to make the right choices and will increase your chances of being admitted. This book has helped me throughout the entire process, from choosing the right school to getting admitted to the school of my choice. The essay section is really helpful since the authors make an in-depth analysis of about 100 essays from successful candidates. You should make sure that you are admitted to the best school possible since your salary upon graduation will be different according to the school. There is about $40,000 difference (salary upon graduation) between the upper-crust schools and schools which are just "good". Go for the best you can!
Rating:
Summary: My personal favorite MBA reference book.
Review: It covers Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, Chicago, Columbia, Berkeley, NYU, and INSEAD, but the strategies can be generalized to all schools. Does a great job of providing excellent insider information on each University, as well as providing strategies to each.
Others to look at:
1. ABC of Getting the MBA Admissions Edge: My personal favorite. It covers Harvard, Stanford, Wharton, Kellogg, MIT, Chicago, Columbia, Berkeley, NYU, and INSEAD, but the strategies can be generalized to all schools.
2. Your MBA Game Plan: Great overall resource! Has information about Top-30 Schools and general information about App Strategy, GMAT, Essays, and Letter of Recs.
3. How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs: Very good Resource. The most comprehensive list of old essays.
4. Business Week Best Business Schools: In-Depth info on Top-30 Schools. Good reference to get the 411 on each school.
5. WSJ Top Business School: Good reference to what recruiters think of each school.
6. USNew's America's Best Graduate Schools: In my opinion the most comprehensive/accurate rankings (BW, WSJ, FT, Forbes) on the market.
|
