I have bought about 6 books on MBA preparation, attended an intensive GMAT test prep. center, taken private tuition for my essays, asked friends who got into Harvard, Berkeley and Wharton for their advice... but the bottom line is, the most helpful advice has come from "Getting the MBA Admissions Edge". This book is worth every cent as it really gives you faith in yourself that you can make it. It helps you understand and play upon your strengths and weaknesses. One part in particular is just dynamite - for each school (Harvard, Berkeley, Stanford, MIT, NYU...) they analyze typical essay questions (what the school wants to get out of the question, what the do's and the don't's are, sample essays from admitted candidates..). You've even got interviews with each of the Director of Admissions as well as insider views from successful candidates of each school reviewed. Basically it feels like you have access to the "mysterious black box" of the admissions process: it gives you the motivation (even if you have not scored 750+ at GMAT) and resolution you need to get you home and dry... and eventually you receive this letter that tells you that you have been admitted to your dream MBA!"