Rating: 
Summary: Old Info.
Review: This book has some good suggestions, but how valid are they? The book was printed in 1996 and the writer hasn't bothered to revise it! The choice of schools reviewed is outdated - some are not even top rated now, and this section on the programs of B schools in the USA and abroad takes up the bulk of the book. It is useless data. You cannot rely on the information given about requirements, courses, etc. of each school because it most likely has changed a lot since 1996. In summary I suggest: Buy it USED.
Rating: 
Summary: The best of the best!
Review: This is the book that the top admissions consultants all recommend to their clients. I personally used it to get into one of the top MBA programs in the country. All you need to get into b-school are: #1) A good GMAT review book
#2) B-school review book (Businessweek puts out a yearly review that is quite good)
#3) A good admissions consultant.
#4) This book! You will finish this book with a very good understanding of what B-school admissions are all about.
Rating: 
Summary: How to WASTE your money
Review: This is amongst the least helpful books I have read. A lot of pages explain things which everyone already knows - like if you do not have a high GPA, high GMAT etc., apply to multiple schools. A lot of material is easily available on the Internet with very little effort. SAVE YOUR MONEY and look up on the NET instead.
Rating:
Summary: Misleading waste of money
Review: My Mom taught me to always find something good in everything so here goes. Montauk did an excellent job of using 453 pages to say nothing of relevance. He also did a good job of using the cover to build hype. Now here's the skinny so you don't have to continue reading between the lines. This book is a voluminous pile of garbage. There is nothing in here that you can't easily find on the businessweek.com or usnews.com or businessschooladmission.com or other such website.
Rating:
Summary: Waste of money
Review: There is nothing in this book that is going to help you. It just goes on and on and on with very common sense things that you already know or would know if you did even the smallest amount of research on the Internet.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the investment
Review: While I was applying to graduate degree programs in human resources management, Montauk's book was still incredibly helpful and packed with incisive insight about the whole grad school admissions process. His discussion about positioning strategy was particularly helpful. In fact, I got accepted to all four programs including Cornell, which is ranked #1. My academic performance was mediocre but his advice helped offset that with other parts of my application.
Rating:
Summary: Big Time Rip ...
Review: This book is pathetic. I used it with no success. Let me share some reasoning with you. First of all, the author is NOT an MBA and has never worked on an admissions committee. He spends half the book thinking about what things he THINKS they look for. This book is referred to as a "bible" because it's as long as one. Montauk is right on many common sense points. If he feels the need to explain why he's right, he could give just 2 or 3 reasons instead of 20 or 30. (Hence, the ridiculous length.) I'm now using an admissions consultant who gave me advice on why I was rejected and what to correct this coming fall. My consultant is an MBA with admissions committee experience. I believe I'll have better luck this time around!
Rating:
Summary: Waste of Money
Review: Save your money, this blowhard claims to have all the answers. He has no insight that you won't have yourself. Keep true to yourself and follow your own creative direction. This so called expert is only making a career out of peddling bad advice.
Rating:
Summary: This book became my Bible
Review: When I first started, I knew that I wanted to go to Business School - but I didn't have a clue as to where to begin. This book became my Bible when applying - at each step of the way, it seemed to have the right things to do for the situation. Get this book, read it 10 times, and follow the steps it outlines. I know of no better way to prepare for Business School.
Rating: 
Summary: Comprehensive, But Fear Inspiring
Review: An excellent and comprehensive look at the admission process, but a person could drive themselves crazy by using it as their Bible. The one area this book could improve upon is its ability to keep the reader positive about his or her chances. Applying to MBA programs is not fun, but getting the most out of this book requires the reader to have a good perspective on what is absolutely necessary in the process. It sets the bar VERY high. Some of the information is outdated, and the book should simply refer to other more current publications for assessing one's chances of getting into a school based on one's academic profile. Other than that, very useful. It was my guide, and I expect good results.
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