Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 650.0711
EAN: 9781402212130
Feature: ISBN13: 9781402212130
ISBN: 1402212135
Label: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Languages: Array
Manufacturer: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 336
Publication Date: 2008-07-01
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Studio: Sourcebooks, Inc.

• ISBN13: 9781402212130
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.

Top MBA programs reject more than 80 percent of the applicants.

When trying to beat the tough business school competition, how do you know what will get you fast-tracked to the "yes" pile (or the dreaded "no" pile)?

No insider is better suited to set you on the right track than Chioma Isiadinso, a former Harvard Business School MBA Admissions Board Member and the founder of Expartus, an admissions consulting firm specializing in helping candidates get into the top MBA programs. The Best Business Schools' Admissions Secrets is the ultimate collection of insider advice, direct from one of the country's toughest admissions boardrooms.

Centered around the concept of branding yourself, Isiadinso covers all the essential topics you need to master to stay ahead, including:

• Understanding the admissions criteria
• Essay essentials
• Resumes and professional records
• How to nail the interview
• Critical mistakes to avoid
• And much more

No other business school admissions advice guide can claim this level of authority. The Best Business Schools' Admissions Secrets is sure to give you the edge you need to shine in the eyes of admissions boards everywhere.

(20080815)

Customer Rating:
Summary: Read this book if applying to B-School
Comment: Anyone even thinking about applying to business school should read this book. Ms. Isiadinso provides first-hand knowledge of how application committees view applicants and great advice on putting together a cohesive application.

Just as importantly, the book helps you define who you are--not just for your application, but so that you have a clear picture and can learn to project that same picture to others. After reading this book, without question you'll be more prepared to start a business school application (and more likely to get in after crafting a quality application based on the advice in this book), but if you complete all of the recommended exercises you'll also be much closer to finding yourself.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: The one!
Comment: I went to the book store and piled all of the business school books up high. I have been through just about all of them and this was clearly the best one. It takes a big-picture approach to the admissions process, and helps you understand that you are creating a brand for yourself. Everything must fit within a cohesive story. That idea is a simple one. Figuring out what that story is - who you are - is not so simple. Chioma does a wonderful job of helping you think through the story of yourself. Highly recommended.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Read two years before applying to MBA programs
Comment: This is a very sound book focused on the admissions to the top 8 MBA programs. The only regret I have with this book is that I wish I had read it earlier.

The author provides deep insights into how each applicant is evaluated. MBA admissions in the top business schools is not all about GMAT and GPA.

In order to be admitted to the top 5 business schools in particular, one needs to show tremendous leadership and other WOW factors. One needs to foster good relationships with potential MBA recommenders. And don't forget the arduous preparation for GMAT.

Unfortunately, one can't just build a MBA WOW factor in few months. It may take years to build extracurricular credentials and leadership experience that an MBA program would find compelling and credible (it is too late to join the Peace Corp 3 months before the application).

This would be an ideal book to read for those who just finished their undergraduate program and would like to attend an MBA program in a few years. It will provide quite helpful tips on how to prepare for the grueling and challenging MBA admissions process in a top school. DO NOT think high GMAT and GPA will guarantee you admission into a top MBA program (although they will surely help).

To summarize the book, one needs to build a compelling personal brand and allow other parts of the application,interview, and recommendation confirm that brand. DO NOT write boring and trite essays that will put admission officers to sleep. Make your essays interesting and compelling with a touch of humor. The book also outlines a list of things an MBA applicant should never do in the essays, interviews, and recommendations.

Other suggestions from the book:
1)Valid reasons why you would want an MBA (money and intellectual challenge should not be emphasized).
2)Choosing between Fulltime, partime, executive, and accelerated MBA programs. (They are NOT the same).
3)Writing proper and effective Essays (Writing boring essays that do not foster strong personal brand is a sin).
4)Choosing and prepping the recommenders.
5)International student challenges (visa, obtaining financial aid, language barrier etc).
6)Financial Aid
7)How to handle interviews, open houses, and information sessions. Note, you WILL be evaluated in all 3, so be nice and professional to everyone.

My main disappointment with the book is that the author provides deep insights into only top 8 MBA programs. Clearly, most of the suggestions are focused on the admissions to top 8 programs. The school I am targetting, which is a top 12 MBA program, was not dealt in any level of depth.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Good book
Comment: I like the tips in this book. It shows you a step by step approach from an insiders perspective. Though I'm still in the application process, I believe that this book has well equipped me to face any admissions board. Good job Chioma!

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Customer Rating:
Summary: A must read before you submit your MBA application
Comment: I reluctantly read this book at the urging of a friend and I am glad that I did. This book provides excellent insight to the admission process and covers everything from writing memorable essays, to how to select the right person to write your recommendation letter, to navigating the interview process. I hired Expartus, the author's admission consulting company, for additional help and was pleased. I highly recommend that this book be read and the tools applied before submitting an MBA admission packet.

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