Great Application Essays for Business School

by Paul Bodine

There are 250,000 business school applicants each year. This book provides annotated versions of sample essays so applicants can see how effective writing evolves. It includes exclusive insights from... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0071452990
• ISBN13: 9780071452991
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Companies
• Length: 179 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.9" x 8.3"

Customer Reviews

Just Accepted

I got started on my essays very late in the game after having spent the majority of my time taking (and retaking) the GMAT. As a result I was considering blowing $2,000 on an admissions consultant and essay service... Then I found this book. Most of the other books are full of *other* people's essays. This one will walk you through creating *your* essays and uses the examples as a teaching aid rather than just compiling essays that worked (not useful to me). To make a long story short, this book helped me construct my key essays including finding your story for constructing the basic 'why mba,' creating a 'packet' for recommenders that is specific and reinforces your story with credibility, and, especially for me, putting the *optional* essay to good use. I was especially concerned about the optional essay because of a sub-par gpa. This past year I applied to 5 schools, am yet to get my first 'ding,' and have a scholarship offer from a top 10 school. I like the fact that the book is relatively short/focused (not inches thick), annotates the sample essays, and uses real feedback from adcom readers. This is essentially the same service I was about to spend a lot of money on.

Excellent!

My essays were awful before I got this book. I was basically extrapolating my resume into essay form, which didn't make for a very persuasive or compelling story. But this book really helped me write a solid "goals" essay, which is the most important essay. Mr. Bodine shows you how to tie your conclusion into your introduction, for a nice snappy finish. He gets you to focus on "why's" in your life, not the "what's". And he really helps with the structure of the essay, which was the most challenging part for me. Bottom line: This book is really a must-have if you're applying to business school. Many of my buddies and coworkers are applying now, and I'm almost reluctant to recommend this book to them because I know how much it will help them (and thus make it harder for me to get in!)

Great Book . Covers a Wide Range of B-school Essays.

Great Career-Goals Essay Section.Does not have school specific data though. Can be very well complemented by 'Proven Strategies for Top Business schools ' Good comments on all the essays . The essays are much better than those in montauk -'which covers only super -great profiles'. Do Buy this book , and use it before you draft your first essay!.

Great advice, excellent analysis of the sample essays

This is by far the best B-schools application guides on the market. Paul has done a fabulous job of providing great tips for writing application essays. His "inline" analysis of sample essays helps you analyze your essays critically. The best part about this book is the process that the author walks you to through to help you think about "your stories" and how do you best present them. His second chapter on "goals essays" is worth alone the price of the book. I only wish this book was published earlier. Highly recommended.

Well written, valuable resource for assisting in the admissions process.

This book was very important during my graduate school admissions process. With excellent real-world examples and insightful writing on what it takes to get into some of the best business schools in the nation, I was very impressed. With help from this book, I was admitted to my first choice school!