This course lays out the strategy and framework that I used to get into four top business schools. I went through a selection process and ended up applying to Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and London Business School. I was granted admission to Harvard, Wharton and London Business School and was wait-listed at Stanford, eventually being offered a seat there as well. I graduated from Harvard Business School in 2009.

I will walk you through my process, from selecting the business schools to distilling your vision and identity into a cohesive story, with major themes supported by your essays and letters of reference. A lot of people believe that you need to have a perfect background in order to get into a top business school, including perfect test scores. I disagree. Through my experience applying and getting into the top b-schools and through observing my classmates at Harvard, I can say that what matters most is how you convey your story and showcase your unique voice and talents. It's about orchestrating every single piece of your application to speak to and support that story.

In this course, I will explain the planning approach I took and walk you through putting together every part of your application. I will break down the timing and sequencing of each step, as well as highlight subtle components that most people ignore - for example, how to prep your recommenders. I will also provide the materials that I used and created when I went through my own applications. I did not use an admissions consultancy, neither did I spend much time on applicant forums. I did what worked for me and have since shared my knowledge and experience with friends who've asked for advice in how to think about the MBA applications process. I hope you find this course useful in your journey!

This course will cover:

* Preparing a timeline and setting deadlines

* School selection process

* Distilling your story, aka. your "manifesto"

* Arranging essay questions into common themes

* Using your manifesto to spin off individual school essays

* Using your manifesto to prep your recommenders

* Tips on interactions with the business schools

* Advice for interviews

* Advice for wait-lists

* Advice on the selection process

This course is NOT:

* A GMAT prep course

* A bag full of tricks about how to fool admissions officers. I don't believe in shortcuts.

* A guarantee that you will get into a top b-school. This course will give you a method of approach, but you need to do all the work yourself.