8 years of work experience - a disadvantage to apply in US? - The Beat The GMAT Forum

8 years of work experience - a disadvantage to apply in US?

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[email protected]: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:36 pm

by [email protected] » Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:49 pm

I'm an Indian female working in IT. I plan to give GMAT shortly and to apply in Round 2. I already have 8 years of work experience. I still need to improve my score from 650s to 700s. Is it too late for me to apply for schools in US, I mean, is my years of experience a disadvantage?
If I take some more time to improve and if I postpone my application to next year Round 1, will it be even more disadvantageous to me?
Should I push myself and target for this year Round 2

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Source: Beat The GMAT — The Application Process | Fri Nov 21, 2014 4:49 pm

GeneralEducation: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 334; Joined: Thu Jan 10, 2013 4:40 amFollowed by: 12 members; Location: India; Thanked: 51 times; GMAT Score:770

by GeneralEducation » Sun Nov 23, 2014 4:25 am

Hi,

Since you have 8 years of solid experience, you have many things to showcase in your essays compared to other applicants so you are at the right stage of your career and applying to top B-schools this year will definitely yield you good results. Your decision also depends on what kind of schools you are targeting, most of the US b-schools are interested in knowing how you can contribute to the classroom with your experience. The next step for you is to exhibit confidence, explain about your professional growth till now, including your achievements, contributions at workplace. Remember for older applicants there is always chance to get in to the very top programs, so your age should never be the only deciding factor of whether to apply to US business school. You can also try B-School Selector tool by clicking here https://goo.gl/LVWTay

Regards,
Manish
www.genedmba.com

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[email protected]: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:36 pm

by [email protected] » Sun Nov 23, 2014 8:52 am

Manish, Thanks for the encouraging reply.

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Gowri@CrackVerbal: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 123; Joined: Fri Nov 09, 2012 2:34 amFollowed by: 9 members; Location: Bengaluru, India; Thanked: 46 times

by Gowri@CrackVerbal » Thu Dec 04, 2014 5:14 am

[email protected] wrote:I'm an Indian female working in IT. I plan to give GMAT shortly and to apply in Round 2. I already have 8 years of work experience. I still need to improve my score from 650s to 700s. Is it too late for me to apply for schools in US, I mean, is my years of experience a disadvantage?
If I take some more time to improve and if I postpone my application to next year Round 1, will it be even more disadvantageous to me?
Should I push myself and target for this year Round 2

Hi Vani,
8 years is definitely not a disadvantage. Unless your are planning a complete career switch after 10 years of experience, this is unlikely to cause a problem for your admissions.

Now, coming to whether you should apply in round 2 or in round 1 next year - the decision depends on whether you will be able to juggle both your GMAT prep and your applications (I am guessing, to multiple schools) in the 4-5 weeks you have left, assuming you are looking at US schools.

There are people who have managed and others who have not. You are the best judge.

If you are looking for help with improving your score, let me know. We have a fast track GMAT course this month for students in your position (4 weeks to get your target score!).
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[email protected]: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:36 pm

by [email protected] » Fri Dec 05, 2014 1:08 am

Thanks Gowri!

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[email protected]: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:36 pm

by [email protected] » Fri Dec 05, 2014 1:09 am

Could I have experts' opinions please!

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CriticalSquareMBA: Legendary Member; Posts: 1088; Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pmFollowed by: 52 members; Thanked: 171 times

by CriticalSquareMBA » Fri Dec 05, 2014 7:12 am

I will say two things that don't quite go hand in hand. Yes, 8 years as a female in IT will make the process slightly more difficult. But then again we had a 35 year old female from IT interview with a bunch of Top 20 programs this year in R1. Is that common? No. But is it possible? Yes. You're a bit younger so it isn't out of reach just yet.

As for R2 vs. R1, this is a question that comes up every year. If you apply this year, you'll be stretched really thin (as will your recommenders). You'll struggle to improve your GMAT and put forward 3 - 5 apps. And then if you get dinged, you'll be a reapplicant anyway. So is it possible? Yes. If you have professional help, that'll make it much easier. But if you don't, just know what you're getting into. Very few people at this stage of R2 can pull off both apps and a retake at the same time.

But no one on this forum can make this decision for you! I hope that helps!

Bhavik

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MBAPrepAdvantage: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 810; Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:12 pmFollowed by: 35 members; Thanked: 127 times

by MBAPrepAdvantage » Mon Dec 08, 2014 12:21 pm

8- years experience is not normally considered a disadvantage for international MBA school applicants who tend to be older. However, the quality of your work experience is expected to be commensurate to the greater number of years of your work experience.

As long as you can prepare a quality application and improve your test score, I would not recommend waiting another year. Once you hit the 30-year old mark, your chances start to diminish. If, however, your application will suffer in rushing then consider waiting.

Good luck,

Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
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www.mbaprepadvantage.com

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[email protected]: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:36 pm

by [email protected] » Thu Dec 11, 2014 12:54 am

Thanks Bhavik and Michael for your replies.

I've decided to wait till next year R1 because I'm sure I won't do better by rushing.

Thanks,
Vani

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MBAPrepAdvantage: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 810; Joined: Thu Jun 16, 2011 1:12 pmFollowed by: 35 members; Thanked: 127 times

by MBAPrepAdvantage » Thu Dec 11, 2014 7:16 pm

Best of luck!!!

Michael Cohan
MBAPrepAdvantage Founder & AIGAC Board Director
305-604-8178
www.mbaprepadvantage.com

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manyaabroadtpr: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 321; Joined: Mon Feb 17, 2014 9:04 pmFollowed by: 13 members; Location: B 7/2, Okhla Phase-II, New Delhi - 110020; Thanked: 41 times

by manyaabroadtpr » Thu Dec 11, 2014 7:19 pm

[email protected] wrote:I'm an Indian female working in IT. I plan to give GMAT shortly and to apply in Round 2. I already have 8 years of work experience. I still need to improve my score from 650s to 700s. Is it too late for me to apply for schools in US, I mean, is my years of experience a disadvantage?
If I take some more time to improve and if I postpone my application to next year Round 1, will it be even more disadvantageous to me?
Should I push myself and target for this year Round 2

Hi vani,

You should only apply when you feel prepared whether round 1 or round 2. Higher number of years of work experience is not exactly a disadvantage but yes the school is really interested in knowing your story behind the number. As long as you present a strong application specially your goals then it can in fact work in your favour.

Wish you the best.
www.manyagroup.com

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[email protected]: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:36 pm

by [email protected] » Wed Dec 17, 2014 12:45 am

Thanks.

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CriticalSquareMBA: Legendary Member; Posts: 1088; Joined: Thu Apr 18, 2013 3:29 pmFollowed by: 52 members; Thanked: 171 times

by CriticalSquareMBA » Wed Dec 17, 2014 6:47 am

You're very welcome!

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Vincent Ho-Tin-Noe: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 34; Joined: Thu Aug 29, 2013 11:01 pmFollowed by: 1 member; Location: USA, France, Philippines; Thanked: 8 times; GMAT Score:750

by Vincent Ho-Tin-Noe » Sun Dec 28, 2014 2:24 pm

[email protected] wrote:I'm an Indian female working in IT. I plan to give GMAT shortly and to apply in Round 2. I already have 8 years of work experience. I still need to improve my score from 650s to 700s. Is it too late for me to apply for schools in US, I mean, is my years of experience a disadvantage?
If I take some more time to improve and if I postpone my application to next year Round 1, will it be even more disadvantageous to me?
Should I push myself and target for this year Round 2

I had nine years of work experience when I received my offer letter from HBS... as a round 3 applicant.
It took a lot of hard work, but I received offers from 6 top programs, and was wait-listed at 1. No dings.
At HBS, many of my classmates were well into their 30's actually. I wrote about this last year:
https://www.mbaadmissionsadvisors.com/too-old-for-hbs/

You've received pretty good advice from experts earlier, but I thought you'd be interested in my story.

All the best with your application.

Vincent

PS: I was a career switcher too...

Vincent Ho-Tin-Noe (HBS '13)
CEO and co-founder
MBA Admissions Advisors LLC
www.mbaadmissionsadvisors.com

Get an immediate assessment of your odds at top MBA programs, try our algorithm for free: https://www.mbaadmissionsadvisors.com/mb ... algorithm/

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[email protected]: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 9; Joined: Tue Apr 09, 2013 1:36 pm

by [email protected] » Wed Jan 07, 2015 2:28 am

Thanks Vincent.

I had searched the web but couldn't find an encouraging thread on aged applicants for top schools in US. A reply from you, a HBS alumnus, has not only given me hope but also cleared my doubts on whether it would make sense for me to aim at top schools in US.

Now, I'll wake up from dormancy, resume my preparation, take up GMAT soon and get back to you.

Thanks much!!

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