Scott Shrum - Vice President of Marketing Born and raised in New Jersey, Scott earned in BS at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and pursued a career in technology marketing. Later, while at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management, Scott met Omari Bouknight from Harvard Business School, and the two of them wrote Your MBA Game Plan. Years later, after a career as a brand manager in the consumer goods industry, Scott joined the Veritas Prep team to oversee the company's marketing and MBA admissions research efforts.

More than 200 clients took the Myers-Briggs test in just the first few weeks the firm offered it, says Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research at Veritas. They can get a report highlighting their strengths and weaknesses in working styles and interpersonal relationships, with nuggets such as "[You] prefer to focus on the task, rather than on the people involved." That insight helps students determine which traits to play up or minimize in their applications, or even what kind of school might be a good fit, says Mr. Shrum.

April 17, 2013 - "Investing time, money and hard work into a higher degree can pay off in the long run, especially when employers are seeking out resumes showcasing analytical abilities and leadership qualities, says Scott Shrum, Director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep." Read More >> How to Decide on a Master's Degree Program March 22, 2013 - "When choosing a program, students should really consider what they hope to gain from the experience and avoid pursuing a program that doesn't actually help them get to where they want to go career-wise, or by taking on more debt than they should before they graduate, says Scott Shrum, Director of Admissions Research at Veritas Prep." March 14, 2013 - "'Making these changes to strip away the veneer only encourages applicants to prepare more,' says Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research at Veritas Prep, an admission consulting firm." February 4, 2013 - "'The degree is designed to help you think more as a manager should - critically, strategically and globally,' said Scott Shrum, vice president of marketing and director of MBA admissions at Veritas Prep, a test preparation and graduate school admissions consulting firm." October 17, 2012 - "There can be an opportunity cost to leaving the work force for a couple of years to earn a graduate degree, says Scott Shrum, director of admissions research at Veritas Prep." August 20, 2012 - "MBA students know that they will need to dress appropriately, but they might not realize how many outfits they will need, says Scott Shrum, director of admissions research at the consultancy Veritas Prep." Read More >> A Critical Guide to MBA Admissions July 16, 2012 - "Scott Shrum, Director of Admissions Research at Veritas Prep, one of the country's leaders in MBA admissions counseling providers, provided a critical checklist for future MBA students." Read More >> 4 Recommendation-Letter Errors MBA Applicants Should Avoid July 6, 2012 - "'I think recommendations are the most skewed; applicants have the largest blind spot for that,' says Scott Shrum, director of admissions research at the consultancy Veritas Prep." Read More >> Business Schools Short on Diversity July 5, 2012 - "Often minority applicants, even those with stellar credentials, aren't confident in their ability to gain acceptance to top programs, says Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research at Veritas Prep, a firm that advises business-school applicants. That is in part due to the dearth of role models who have successfully completed business school, Mr. Shrum says." June 18, 2012 - "That's already enough to convince Scott Shrum, director of admissions research at the admissions consultancy Veritas Prep (which writes a medical school admissions blog for U.S. News), that it's going to be a 'big change year.'" May 18, 2012 - "'Nothing requires you to have an MBA,' said Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at test preparation and admissions consulting company Veritas Prep, who has an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University." March 9, 2012 - "'Holding down a full-time job and taking two or three classes at the same time will put them in a situation where, at any minute of the day, they will always have something they could be working on,' say Scott Shrum, director of admissions research at Veritas Prep." Read More >> Remote MBA Programs: Are They Worth It? February 28, 2012 - "At traditional MBA programs, companies tend to approach students to recruit post graduation. EMBA programs are more ideal for those who want to invest in their existing careers, says Scott Shrum, director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep." Read More >> No More SAT Test Score Requirements? Some Schools Alter Testing Policies December 29, 2011 - "'The state of the art in admissions is always evolving,' says Scott Shrum, director of admissions research at Veritas Prep. 'When one school hits upon a new way to help separate out great applicants from the rest of the pack, or invents a new way to attract more top-tier applicants, its competitors frequently follow suit.'" Online classes allows institutions to increase its student body without having to spend on adding new facilities, says Scott Shrum, director of MBA Admissions Research at Veritas Prep." October 6, 2011 - "'We won't write someone's essays,' says Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research for consulting firm Veritas Prep and himself a graduate of the M.B.A. program at Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management. 'Most of the value we add is in the first half of the process. Schools want more than just 'quant jocks' or single-minded financial experts, said Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research at test-prep and admissions consulting firm Veritas Prep." Placing newly minted MBAs in the ideal job is 'probably the biggest driver of their satisfaction, which translates into alumni giving and involvement down the road,' says Scott Shrum, director of MBA admission research at Veritas Prep, a provider of GMAT test prep and admissions consulting services based in Malibu, Calif." March 14, 2011 - "Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research for Veritas Prep, a California-based GMAT test prep and M.B.A. admissions consulting company, says, 'If you've studied up correctly, you're not going to be surprised' by the new section. Shrum says test takers will also appreciate the inclusion of new mini case studies, which will allow for more creative and open-ended responses." January 16, 2011 - "'Every time an admissions office changes part of their process, it's a sign that whatever they were doing before wasn't working,' says Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep, the admissions consulting company. 'The back half of the admissions office is being moved into the 21st century because the number of applications business schools receive is much larger than it ever has been - especially at top schools.'" Read More >> Operation B-School: Finding the Right MBA Program January 13, 2011 - "'One mistake many applicants make is failing to look at the list of recruiters and job placement statistics of particular schools before applying. Then, when they enroll in the business school, they are disappointed by the job opportunities presented to them,' says Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep, a Malibu (Calif.)-based provider of GMAT test prep and admissions consulting services." Read More >> More business schools embracing do-gooders January 3, 2011 - "Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep, a test prep and MBA admissions consulting firm, agrees. He's seeing more prospective students looking for schools with social entrepreneurship programs, and more business schools expanding their programs. 'It used to be that a business school's social entrepreneurship program was just an office, but now it's often a whole department,' said Shrum, co-author of 'Your MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies for Getting into the Top Business Schools.'" August 9, 2010 - "'Most people who work on admissions committees at top business schools say they read the applicant's résumé before anything else,' said Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep, a test prep and admissions consultancy in Malibu, Calif., in an interview. 'In addition, students and alumni, who conduct interviews with applicants on behalf of the admissions committee, often see the résumé and nothing else,' said Shrum." March 30, 2010 - "'At Kellogg, there will be more scrutiny, with people asking exactly what the students are learning, and if the school is turning out the right types of leaders,' says Scott Shrum, a Kellogg alum and director of M.B.A. admissions research at Veritas Prep, a Malibu-based admissions-consulting firm." Read More >> When, where, and how? January 25, 2010 - "'Begin with the end in mind,' advises Scott Shrum, director of MBA admissions research at Veritas Prep in California. 'If you're an international student, find out how many of the recruiters are generally willing to sponsor work visas.'" November 10, 2009 - "Scott Shrum, director of M.B.A. admissions research of Veritas Prep, an admissions firm in Malibu, Calif., suggests finding ways to make your candidacy even stronger while waiting for a final answer. October 22, 2009 - "Scott Shrum, director of admission consulting research at Veritas Prep, said that the high end GMAT test prep company has received inquiries from three business schools (two of which were not mentioned in the Business Week article) about group rates for test prep for students." May 14, 2009 - "'They won't wait list anybody unless they're willing to

Scott Shrum, Author of "MBA Game Plan: Proven Strategies For Getting Into The Top Business Schools" and Director of MBA Admissions Research for Veritas Prep We will hear from Scott Shrum who is the Director of MBA Admissions Research for Veritas Prep. His book is Your MBA Game Plan, " Every part of your application needs to do at least one of two things: it needs to show how well you fit with the school or it needs to show how you stand out from other applicants; How you're somehow different and unique. Scott Shrum is now the Director of MBA Admissions Research for Veritas Prep. Scott, what is the focus of your book, Your MBA Game Plan? Scott Shrum who got his graduate degree from Kellogg and is now the Director of MBA Admissions Research for Veritas Prep is the author of Your MBA Game Plan. Scott, what kind of applicant is best suited to read your book? Scott, what are some common misconceptions? What would you like listeners to take away, Scott? And wrapping up, Scott Shrum the author of Your MBA Game Plan. Scott, you say it's not that daunting a process. "There's no magic formula. There's no secret sauce.

Nov. 14, 2006 - Scott Shrum and Omari Bouknight, co-founders of MBA Game Plan were featured today in an interview with Janet Nakano of MBA Podcaster. "Similar to MBA Game Plan, MBA Podcaster has rapidly achieved a wide following due to the tangible benefits that subscribers receive," said Scott. Jun. 21, 2006 - Scott Shrum and Omari Bouknight, co-authors of Your MBA Game Plan and co-founders of MBA Game Plan were interviewed today by Karen Schweitzer of About.com. The in-depth interview highlights Scott and Omari's reasons for writing Your MBA Game Plan, their decision to launch the first essay and resume evaluation service, and some tips on how write quality essays and resumes. "About.com has an expansive list of channels, which feature an incredible amount of information," said Scott. Mar. 12, 2006 - Scott Shrum and Omari Bouknight, co-founders of MBA Game Plan were featured today in an interview with Jeffrey Gangemi of BusinessWeek titled, "They'll Help Tone Up That Essay. "The interview with BusinessWeek is noteworthy, as Scott and I concocted Your MBA Game Plan on the BusinessWeek Forum back in 2001," said Omari. Feb. 10, 2006 - Scott Shrum and Omari Bouknight, co-founders of MBA Game Plan were interviewed today by Janet Nakano of MBA Podcaster. Those competing for a position must have top-notch interviewing skills in order to succeed," said Scott Shrum, MBA Game Plan co-founder. "Scott and I are delighted to see our book utilized by the Migrant MBA Project," said Omari Bouknight, MBA Game Plan co-founder. Oct. 18, 2005 - MBA Game Plan co-founder Scott Shrum today presented "Developing a Game Plan for Success" to the Midwest Asian Affinity Business Network of State Farm Insurance. Speaking to an audience of 40, Shrum presented a tactical framework and strategies that successful applicants have employed to get into to business school programs. "This was a tremendous opportunity to discuss the positive impact an MBA can have on one's professional career as well as to present a roadmap to obtaining admission to business school," said Shrum. "We're excited to introduce this new service to business school applicants," said Scott Shrum, MBA Game Plan co-founder. Written by Scott Shrum and Omari Bouknight, recent graduates of Northwestern University's Kellogg School of Management and Harvard Business School, Your MBA Game Plan pushes beyond old-line application books by showing applicants how to develop application strategies that are uniquely their own, and increase their chances of success by doing so.