A great resource for anyone looking to apply to b-school!

books:


	• Great Application Essays for Business School Paul Bodine McGraw-Hill, 2005 - 160 pages average customer review:based on 15 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

Great Tool

I used this in conjunction with the Princeton Review Book. They both had things I liked that were different from the other.

Must have for any B-school applicant

This book is a mandatory guide for any B-school applicant.

The author, Paul, addresses each of the major questions that business schools ask. For each prompt, Paul organizes his thoughts in a structured manner and gives recommendations on "what to do" as well as "what not to do."

Sample essays are provided and include notes to show how certain aspects strengthen the applicant's essay and how everything in the essay supports the answer to the original question.

Before you apply to B-school, use this book as your guide!

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Unrealistic essays

Almost all of the essays are WAY over the word count & page limit required. What he's telling you to include can NOT be included in 500 words or even 1000 in some cases. For example, the sample letter of recommendation is 7 pages long. No one is going to write you a 7 page letter.

A great resource for anyone looking to apply to b-school!

A real page turner! This book reads like a mystery novel, you can't put it down because you want to find out what's next! Bodine provides valuable insight into the mentality of admissions committees, guiding the reader on how to market oneself effectively, and how to create a compelling profile that differentiates you from the sea of applicants. I particularly enjoy the process of "data mining" my life -- part of which involves reflecting on my work experience and linking past achievements to future goals. This book made me realize that most people focus only on the GMAT, but B-schools are still looking for individuals, not scores. A compelling essay that connects with the admissions officer will go a long way in setting you apart and significantly improving your chances of getting in. A must-read for anyone looking to get accepted by a top school. And as another reviewer pointed out, a real steal at $12.

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Great ideas, impractical execution

Of the essay books, this does rank among the best in most categories. The advice is well thought out and gives you not only samples of prose but things to consider from the school's point of view. Items like word choice and essay style are also considered in detail.

As one of the other reviewers mentioned, most essays are unfortunately rediculous in length. If the essays could be infinite in length (as they are for basically only one top-25 school I can think of), these essays and the detail provided in them would be dead on. Once you begin writing however, you will realize that some of the detailed advice given and the rubrics to follow will quickly consume the 1-2 page limit and you'll need to start over and refine or completely rewrite. Use the essays for guidelines but be careful of all the prosaic fluff that the author recommends you put into your essay to create good "stories", sometimes using several double spaced pages just to set up a backstory in an essay-useless when you have only 2 pages to answer 3 subquestions!

The author spends alot of time saying, "Do X" and then within the same few pages or within the book will say, "Be careful of X," constraining you into an impossible writing situation. He will also do the opposite where he will scare you into the need to write too much by saying things like, "Make sure you talk about this aspect of your career. But don't forget this. And don't forget this. Oh yeah, and don't forget..." Again, if you have the common sense to get into business school, this book should be an inspirational outline more than the be-all-end-all of essay writing. The author should take care to give more examples of shorter essays which most top 25 schools want.

My advice: If you are looking to study multiple books, put this one on your list. If you are looking for one really great book, this may not be it (though I strongly advise you against using only one book.)

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reviews: page 1, 2, 3

Expert guidance to help you write the essay that gets you accepted by the best business schools

If you're applying to a business school these days, you need more than good grades, high GMAT scores, and an impressive resume. You need to write attention-grabbing essays that express your individuality, identify your goals, and play up your talents and strengths.

Written by a renowned admissions consultant who has helped applicants get accepted into the nation's top schools, this all-in-one guide will show you what today's top-level admissions offices are looking for. Filled with clear guidelines, insider tips, and winning samples, it will lead you through every step of the application essay process. You'll learn how to organize and structure your writing, avoid common pitfalls, and market yourself like a pro. The book includes:

The 8 most common essay questions--and how to answer them 22 actual essays by successful applicants to top schools Interactive exercises and self-quizes to guide you in the right direction Self-marketing strategies to highlight your individual talents Candid insights from admissions officers at top-ranked business schools

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