Rating: 
Summary: Awesome!
Review: Awesome book that really helped a lot. He helps you lay out a clear strategy for understanding how an admissions reader is likely to view you, how to think about the application process holistically, specific ways to differentiate yourself from others applying, and concrete steps to understanding what exactly to do for the recommendation.he really emphasizes a strategic, comprehensive approach to applying. He offers specific examples in each aspect (ie. here's what a good recommendation looks like, here's a bad one), what a successful essay looks like (unique & personal, not impressive and professional), and includes advice from admissions counselors at top schools that were extremely helpful (tell a story, and tell a story only you can tell). The book does not give reviews of schools themselves and their differences, so you may need to buy another book and/or do additional research, but bang for your buck this is far and away the best book on getting into top programs out there (i read 6 of them).
Rating: 
Summary: old information
Review: Found the information and tips to be outdated for the current situation
Rating:
Summary: This is a very good book - true to it's title
Review: I found this book very helpful in preparing my applications to business school, from thinking through the application process to positioning my approach to potential recommenders. Sections are divided appropriately, and plenty of examples are given to assist in the important essay process. This was a great investment - very worthwhile.
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Summary: Provocative...
Review: I think this book is excellent for someone who has a lot to say, but may need help eloquently expressing who he or she is. This book also helps you give focus to your essays. Well worth the money!
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Summary: How to Get into the Top MBA Programs
Review: When preparing my application package to several business schools, I bought several books on the matter. Richard Montauk's one was apparently the best one, because: 1. Material covers every step of preparing your documents: positioning, essay writing, interviews, recommendations. 2. Many useful examples of essays are included into the book. 3. Everything is described in 'easy language'. It helped me to be accepted on one of the Europe's top programs. I recommend people that intend to apply to a business school to buy the book.
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Summary: The Best MBA Admissions Book Available
Review: I read this book to kickstart my essay portion of my application. After reading the first hundred or so pages, I put the book down, began writing my essays. After reading my essays, I began to cry as they were such personal masterpieces. I owe it all to Richard Montauk and his admissions book............ ps Accepted at 4 top tens (suck it up)
Rating:
Summary: This is a "must-read" for all MBA applicants
Review: "How to Get into the the Top MBA Programs" is undoubtedly the most valuable source for solid, comprehensive, and (most importantly) proven advice for MBA applicants. I can speak first hand of this book's value : I was admitted into 7 schools, including my top two choices (Wharton and Harvard). Furthermore, I am from a non-traditional background. I also purchased other books on the market that paled in comparison to the breadth and insight of the information that Montauk provides. I also talked to many soon-to-be MBA students at Wharton's and HBS's Admit Weekends who also used this book throughout the application process. If you are even contemplating applying to a top MBA program, buy the book, read it, study it, and then apply the strategies and suggestions that Montauk proposes. The bottom line is this : if you have not read this book and your application is being positioned against other equal (or even less than equal) applications of people that have read this book, you are at a significant disadvantage. This guide is simply second to none.
Rating: 
Summary: Good advice - however, not much news!
Review: This book is a good introduction for those who are deciding whether they need an MBA. If you are more or less certain about your goals, type of MBA program you need, etc. - I would not recommend this one. After reading most of the chapters I understood that there was nothing that I could not have figured out myself - how to behave at an interview? what are my strenghts compared to others? how to advertise yourself in personal statement? It's no rocket science (especially if you hold some other graduate degree already..)
Rating:
Summary: Ultimate Toolkit for the Journey
Review: After scouring the web as well as print material, Richard Montauk's "How to Get Into the Top MBA Programs" is far and away the best resource available on the topic. The book lays out a comprehensive battle plan to maximize your admissions odds. Packed full of tips, approaches and strategies, it's the ultimate toolkit for the journey. Montauk has clearly done his homework. He includes plentiful quotes from top admissions directors on various aspects of the process. The book offers in-depth guidance on everything from selecting the right schools, to the all-important task of personal "packaging," to how to make the most out of the business school experience once you're in. Among the features I found most useful were the matrix of applicants and their essays organized by pre-MBA job, undergraduate education, schools applying, and special issues such as overcoming a low GMAT score, weak quantitative background, the need to stand out in the applicant pool etc. I especially appreciated Montauk's specific recommendation of texts to bone-up on accounting, economics and finance in the spirit of "hitting the ground running." Some have commented that this book is dated, but from my research it's still the definitive work on winning the admissions game for top B-schools. For those serious about the quest to enter an elite program, Montauk's work is a must have.
Rating: 
Summary: Average book
Review: I bought "how to get into top MBA" before applying to HBS, Wharton, Columbia, Kellogg and Dartmouth. THis book did help me a bit but it lacks some key information. I wish that it features more focus and insights about the very schools I was applying to. Application is very competitive..so this kind of information are crucial to "make or break". I have heard that application have jumped 35% this year at HBS!!
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