The Best Business Schools' Admissions Secrets: A Former Harvard Business School Admissions Board Member Reveals the Insider Keys to Getting In

By Chioma Isiadinso

Book Overview

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 criteriaEssay essentialsResumes and professional recordsHow to nail the interviewCritical mistakes to avoidAnd 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.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1402212135
• ISBN13: 9781402212130
• Release Date: July 2008
• Publisher: Sourcebooks
• Length: 336 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.5" x 8.5"

Customer Reviews

Must-Have Book for Bschool Applications!!

I have "The Best Business Schools Admissions Secrets" and successfully used its concepts religiously through the application process last year. The book's author Chioma helps one really identify and define one's 'brand' so that there is a consistent thread throughout one's application. The author helps you craft a great application from stories made up of choices you've made, extracurriculars you've taken a critical role in, relationships you build, to interesting situations you've experienced. She debunks myths and provides insight into the mysterious admissions office and what they are looking for (helping applicants identify strong personal stories of impact vs. stories that are unimpressive). Additionally, Chioma covers all aspects important to the process including resume, interviews, and recommenders which are crucial to supporting your candidacy. I got into 3 out of 4 of the schools I applied to and will be attending HBS next year. Thus, I highly recommend the book!

A MUST READ!

I think everyone who is seriously aspiring to apply to business school should read it. It is really insightful and helps a lot when preparing your application. It is worth every dime!

A must-have resource

After reading various MBA application books cover to cover, this book stands out immediately for its overall quality, methodical writing, and, most importantly, its specific insight. Montauk's book is still a great starting guide for providing a broad foundation. Montauk's and Bodine's books also give a variety of great sample essays. This book is more advanced, concise, and specific with insights that help demystify the application process from start to end. Its advice on branding is the best available, and the focal points for the essays and interview clarify key elements the applicant can control. This may become the most acclaimed book for the MBA application process. As another critic has said, it is one of the best if not the best book on this topic.

Amazing Insight

This book dispels most of the myths about Ivy League school's admission process. I gained amazing insights from this book as I prepared my application for Business School. Reading this book made me realize that GMAT scores only play a minor role in the admission process, it is about the complete package as an applicant. The author did a phenomenal job, talking about personal branding as an applicant. It is a must have for all business school applicants regardless of your institution of choice.

One of the best if not the best MBA admissions book.

Wow, this book is one of the best admissions book I've ever read. And I've read many including Montauk, Bodine, Cordon, etc.I will put it at the same level as Montauk's book if not better. The author goes straight to the point and doesn't bore you with unnecessary info. I love her idea of asking the prospective applicant to think about personal branding during the entire admissions process. [Extract] Chioma Isiadinso: "I focus The Best Business Schools' Admissions Secret on personal branding as it relates to the admissions process...The greatest mistake applicants to business schools make is that their applications lack a compelling brand. Most applicants pay way too much attention trying to "game" the system and figure out what the admissions boards want to hear instead of taking a step back to assess their own stories and to present them in an authentic, powerful way." I would recommend any Bschool applicant to at least go through the book before making his or her pitch to the admissions boards.