Average Rating: 
Rating:  - Old Info.
This book has some good suggestions, but how valid are they? The book was printed in 1996 and the writer hasn't bothered to revise it! The choice of schools reviewed is outdated - some are not even top rated now, and this section on the programs of B schools in the USA and abroad takes up the bulk of the book. It is useless data. You cannot rely on the information given about requirements, courses, etc. of each school because it most likely has changed a lot since 1996. In summary I suggest: Buy it USED.
Rating: - Read it, but be realistic
I am actually a professor at one of the top MBA programs in the country. My students tell me it is getting harder and harder to get into the best programs. That's especially true just now that the economy is bad - everyone decides to drop out of the economy for a couple of years, at the same time. Our applications are up 40-50%.So yes, you could use some advice, and some of Montauk's is OK. But you should remember that NO book can change some basic facts about you: your GPA. Your work experience. Your basic intelligence. If you do not score well on EVERY one of these, you will probably not end up in what the book calls a "top" program. Don't let that get you down - there are a lot of great programs out there. Instead of obsessing about whether you will get into Wharton (or whatever), obsess about learning more about LOTS of program, to find the one where you will FIT the best. This book does not really offer you any help in the way of describing the pluses and minuses of the various programs, so don't make this the first MBA admissions book you get. That said, I found some useful pointers in this book, particularly when it comes to recommendations. Pick your recommendation writers wisely (make sure they know how to write!), and PREP them. Remind them what makes you special, send them a resume, etc. I write a dozen or more letters a year. The students who give me more information about themselves make it easy for me to help them stand out. Give yourself enough time to take the GMATs more than once in case you are not happy the first set of results. And (this one is mine, not Montauks) don't be in a hurry to do it this year if you don't have to. If you will be able to tell a better story about your work experience 12 months from now, wait to apply. Stronger work experience = stronger chance of getting in. So to summarize - this book is OK but a book with detailed info about programs would be better. Concentrate on finding the right program for you instead of getting up high in the Business Week rankings. Pay attention to your recommendation letters. Maybe you won't have to read the book now that you've read the review ;-). Good luck!
Rating: - Excellent, but you should be aware of brutal competition
This guidebook on how to approach all aspects of the MBA application process is very helpful, and I strongly recommend it. However, one must be realistic when applying to the top MBA programs, and this aspect needs to be emphasized more. Interested in studying finance, I was fortunate enough to get into one of my top choices (Univ. of Chicago), but failed to get into a number of other programs that are equally or less competitive. This surprised me since I have substantial international work experience with excellent grades and a high GMAT score, and I devoted a great deal of time and effort to my essays. I know that my letters of recommendation were also very strong. Because of the sheer volume of highly qualified applicants, even if you follow all of the recommendations in this book, you may not get in. Unless you have a 3.7+ GPA and a 730+ GMAT and incredible work experience, I would recommend that you apply to more schools than Montauk suggests: go for at least 8 if you can manage it.Also, some of the overly detailed recommendations by Montauk are questionable. For example, when you dress for the evaluative interview, he says that your shirt should be professionally cleaned, pressed, and starched. That's a bit over-the-top. If I'm going to be evaluated negatively for wearing a self-ironed shirt, then the interviewer and the school can go to hell. Let's get real. Nevertheless, most of the recommendations are insightful and helpful. If you are applying to a top MBA program, good luck! It's an exhausting process, but hopefully you will be rewarded in the end with an acceptance letter. If so, I know you will agree that it's definitely worth the effort!
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