Customer Reviews

The MBA Jungle B-School Survival Guide

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I got turned on to Jungle Media Group through my sister's subscription to JD Jungle magazine. I looked through the MBA Jungle website, and was really excited when I got this book. This book contains little to no new content not offered in the magazine or on the website. Some of the sections are taken directly from the website (probably vice versa actually). It's not to say that the information itself is not useful (although it is presented a little simplistically), but it feels very stale. So if you are a regular reader of MBA jungle or MBAJungle.com save your money.

I found this book interesting, but it seemed to me that it would be most useful to a Harvard/Stanford/etc MBA. I go to a business school that is not a top school, and I found that much of what was said just didn't apply to me. In fact, after reading this book you might be scared away from b-school, even though many schools do not employ the pressure cooker tactics of some of the more prestigious ones. I would recommend reading the book, but remember that little advice can hold true for every program.

I picked this book up at a discount book store for cheap and read it. Here are my thoughts:

1.) There's a section about getting in. Mostly irrelevant, but maybe helpful for the motivated undergrad. I already got accepted to Buffalo upon buying this book. They very clearly weigh out what scores/experience is important when applying.
2.) The breakdown of what goes on in B-school and why you should apply and generally what to expect is accurate.
3.) The description of classes, Thursday night lectures, groupwork and scheduling is described perfectly. Maybe in 2001 they were ahead of the game because now, in 2009, they're RIGHT ON. Groupwork horror stories from the book have predicted events that friends of mine are experiencing right now constantly.
4.) The interviewing/networking tips are somewhat common sense, but there are some good stories and a few unique tips. Remember that MBA students are skeptics (much like JD students) and will not trust a tip/hint/suggestion unless there's a good story or example to back it up. This book provides these examples.

It's funny, this book is the perfect handbook for the newly accepted B-school student...and it was written about 9 years ago. There really is no need for a new edition!


****UPDATE****
I just graduated, and while I still stand behind much of my review, it could benefit from a good update. Unfortunately I looked at the MBA jungle website and it looks like they're not doing many updates. Shame. I still recommend this for an incoming or applying student, but once you land your first internship, this book loses its usefulness.

Several friends recommended this to me in recent months, so I picked up a copy. The authors laid out a concise, smart and sensible framework for approaching the whole process of B school admissions. After reading this I felt more confident about maximizing my success in the application process for B school and telling my story in the most effective way. Thanks!

I originally picked up the book out of curiosity since I had already gotten my MBA, then I found myself wishing I had it when I was going through my program. Sure, doing well in the classroom is really important, but this book goes the extra step and gives excellent advice on how to make your mark outside the classroom. There is definitely a method to the madness that you go through in b-school, and this book makes it all too easy. It will save you a lot of wishful thinking once you graduate. Two years go by extremely fast and I really think that this guide will show you how to make the most of your MBA. For example, it will show you how to be proactive...so start out by getting this book right now!

I found this text to be quite helpful, specifically, toward deciding if B-school is right for me, whether full-time/part-time is the way to go, and whether I should set my sights on a top-tier program or feel satisfied with a middle-tier school. Additionally, there's a ton of info that would be helpful for those in the first few months of the MBA program.

If you're still deciding whether or not an MBA is right for you, this book will be a great resourse in helping you decide.

MBA Jungle doesn't attempt to mimic the broad-listing program guides such as Peterson's. Nor does this book try to match up against some of the popular exam prep guides like the Princeton Review. What the MBA Jungle does present itself as is a neatly-packaged, comprehensive survival guide for the MBA student. Information and topics invaluable to the business school student are gathered in one succinct, well-rounded first timers guide to what is the Jungle of modern day business schools that you're bound to confront.

Providing imperative guidance on issues and decisions that you'll encounter upon embarking on a graduate business education such as school selection, degree options, admissions factors, curriculum & specialization choices, as well as interviewing skills and job search advice are all presented in this unique handbook. Even student life and wardrobe tips are included. In addition to the facts and advice, MBA Jungle adds some light-hearted comedic tales about those who have made their way through this Jungle before. Knowledge from top b-school graduates and professors put forward in a well-organized, concise read makes this the most unprecedented, comprehensive read available about business school life.

I was very disappointed in this book. I did not find it helpful in gaining any genuine insights about the MBA experience. I found it lacking in depth on any particular subject. Perhaps the author attempted to cover too many topics and so none of them were covered well.

I originally picked up the book out of curiosity since I had already gotten my MBA, then I found myself wishing I had it when I was going through my program. Sure, doing well in the classroom is really important, but this book goes the extra step and gives excellent advice on how to make your mark outside the classroom. There is definitely a method to the madness that you go through in b-school, and this book makes it all too easy. It will save you a lot of wishful thinking once you graduate. Two years go by extremely fast and I really think that this guide will show you how to make the most of your MBA. For example, it will show you how to be proactive...so start out by getting this book right now!

I returned the book after a few days. For a better resource on B-school try ABC for Getting the Admissions Edge.

fyi - The reviews for the MBA Jungle book were obviously written by MBA Jungle themselves in my opinion. They sound fake.