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

Chioma Isiadinso (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 1, 2008

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.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"gives insider knowledge into what the members of the admissions board look for in an application (and a candidate)...Excellent resources for MBA candidates" - BusinessWeek.com

About the Author

Chioma Isiadinso was an Assistant Director of Admissions and a Member of the Admissions Board at Harvard Business School. Prior to working at Harvard, she was Director of Admissions at Carnegie Mellon University School of Public Policy and Management. She lives in New York.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 336 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks (July 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402212135
• ISBN-13: 978-1402212130
• Product Dimensions: 5.5 x 0.9 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #206,554 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #12 in Books > Business & Investing > Job Hunting & Careers > Business School Guides

More About the Author

I am passionate about the impact of personal branding on the admissions process because I have seen first-hand how more more compelling an application is when it tells the story of an applicant, when it engages the board member in such a way that he/she is excited about getting to know the candidate. I know all of this because I have over 10 years of admissions experience, including previously serving on Harvard Business School's admissions board and also as a former admissions director at Carnegie Mellon University School of Public Policy and Management.

Today, I am the CEO of EXPARTUS (www.expartus.com), an admissions consulting and personal branding company with clients from over 35 countries.

In addition to my leadership responsibilities at EXPARTUS, I am an international speaker on the subject of education and admissions and have presented to organizations like the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), JP Morgan, and Banc of America. I am the author of "The Best Business Schools' Admissions Secrets" and provide interviews to the Financial Times, the New York Times, CSNBC, and BusinessWeek.com.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Must-Have Book for Bschool Applications!! April 24, 2009

By T. Shih

Format:Paperback

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!

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Read two years before applying to MBA programs September 20, 2009

By Jaewoo Kim TOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

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 to 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.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best if not the best MBA admissions book. August 7, 2008

By M. L. Dabo

Format:Paperback

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.