Am I too old for a FT MBA? What schools can I aim for?

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dianegmat: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 16; Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:33 am

by dianegmat » Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:34 pm

Hi,

I will be 31 years old when I apply for schools and I will be 32 (actually 2 months short of 32, 31 years 10 months) at the time of matriculation.
My GMAT score - 740, Undergrad GPA from a top 10 engineering school - 2.9, Graduate GPA while working full-time - 3.85 from a local university.
Years of experience - 9

I assume I am old for any US school such as Kelley or Emory? What schools in Europe are receptive to older candidates like me? I want to go full-time since I am an engineer vs part-time.

Regards,
Diane

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask Stacy Blackman | Thu Mar 22, 2012 11:34 pm

GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacy Blackman: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 1049; Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:59 pmFollowed by: 113 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 50 times

by Stacy Blackman » Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:38 pm

Hi dianegmat,

You are not too old to be accepted into a top MBA program. Here is a case study of a 37 year old applicant who was accepted into Harvard Business School: https://www.stacyblackman.com/2011/05/12 ... applicant/

If you are interested, we provide free 30 minute phone consultations here: https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/

Cheers,

Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team

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dianegmat: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 16; Joined: Tue Jan 03, 2012 10:33 am

by dianegmat » Mon Mar 26, 2012 9:53 am

Hi,

Thanks a lot for your response. I really appreciate it. I'd like to know if full-time MBA programs at Cambridge, INSEAD and HEC-Paris are picks where I can be competitive at. They seem to have older MBA students and are 1 year programs.

One other program I am looking into is the Part-time Program at Haas.
Could you please let me know if I will be competitive at these programs given my age, experience and scores along with my academic past?

Regards,
Diane

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GMAT/MBA Expert

Stacy Blackman: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 1049; Joined: Wed Apr 26, 2006 8:59 pmFollowed by: 113 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 50 times

by Stacy Blackman » Thu Mar 29, 2012 2:08 pm

dianegmat,

European MBA programs tend to have older students, and the programs you listed have world-renowned reputations.

Although your numbers are strong, I do not know much about your work experience. Remember that business schools are looking to cultivate future leaders, so any management and leadership experience that you can point will be important.

Here is a case study of an engineer who was accepted into Columbia, Tuck, and MIT: https://www.stacyblackman.com/comprehens ... ies/case2/

If you are interested, we also provide free 30 minute phone consultations here: https://www.stacyblackman.com/contact/

Cheers,

Conrad and the Stacy Blackman Team

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Michael@VeritasPrep: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 380; Joined: Wed Aug 19, 2015 9:49 amFollowed by: 7 members; Thanked: 13 times

by Michael@VeritasPrep » Mon Jan 18, 2016 1:17 pm

Don't worry, you definitely aren't too old for most full-time MBA programs. However, what is a greater concern is your academic record. Now a lot of that will be fixed by your great GMAT score, but that will still be an issue at most top schools. However, you might want to consider an executive MBA program also. That will give you a more experienced network that can help you differently than the network you would develop at a typical full time MBA program.

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