The Application Process

Hi,

With 8 years of experience (9 years when I start the program), am I too "old" (32) to apply to Full Time US pgms?
I'm thinking about HBS, Stanford, MIT...

Anyone knows students/alumni who attended such schools at a similar age (33+ at start of the program)?

Thanks for your replies.

Vincent

No, you're not too old. I'll be 34 with 10 years of work experience by the time I (hopefully) enter a full-time program in fall 2011. Some schools are known for favoring older applicants with more work experience, though I don't know which ones.

I have to wonder if older applicants may have an edge considering the age range of some programs I've seen shows 35 at the high end.

tohin wrote:With 8 years of experience (9 years when I start the program), am I too "old" (32) to apply to Full Time US pgms?
I'm thinking about HBS, Stanford, MIT...

Hi tohin,

As you have discovered, you are at the upper end of the age spectrum for many schools. EssaySnark doesn't think you're "too old" for a standard full-time MBA program, however different schools definitely have different patterns in terms of ages of who they accept. Of your three schools listed, MIT generally prefers people with a little more work experience (average age 28), while Harvard has trended much younger in the past (average age 26 but inching up from recent years).

The age range of students at any school can be deceiving because while they may have one or two students at the upper end -- even as old as 40+ -- the majority of students will be under 30. This is true at any school. Columbia, Wharton, Tuck, NYU and Haas are known to prefer 3-5 years of work experience. HBS says to apply when you're ready; they care less about chronological age and more about quality of achievements and demonstrated leadership skills. EssaySnark hasn't seen many people over 30 be successful at HBS. Columbia has been encouraging some "older" candidates (above 32 or so) to consider their EMBA programs instead, which are sometimes a better match. Part-time programs also are often more open to "older" candidates (30+).

This isn't meant as a discussion of all schools that prefer applicants at different ends of the age spectrum but is just some info to think about as you consider the schools. Bottom line is that the same exact profile will often have a different outcome at different schools simply due to age of the applicant.

But no, you're by no means "too old"!!! You should definitely consider applying if this is the right time. Good luck with it!

Hi Tohin,

I agree as well that you are not too old to apply to top-tier US programs. One of my clients last year was 32 when he applied and was admitted to Kellogg. One of my good friends at Harvard Business School was 35 when we were in school (although that is the exception). You will be on the older side for many of the top schools, but by no means are you "too old" to apply or be admitted.

Good luck!
Kaneisha

Hi Tohin,

8 yrs is about the top edge of the experience range that most schools publish in their class profiles. I think you have nothing to worry about.

I'm a 32 yr old, 10 yr experience person applying this fall for a fulltime. I have seen this trend of many schools now moving into the EMBA/ weekend MBA courses and trying to market or force fit deemed 'older applcants' into these courses.

However I am interested in a immersed full time MBA experience and asked several schools about their take on my candidature. Some schools like Darden told me they don't see me as a good fit since their age range or exp range is much lower. I did speak to a Darden alumni prior to speaking with the adcom and the alumni told me she knows several batchmates with the same number of experience as me. So it is pretty confusing for people in this special category that the MBA world in the US has created !

I have no idea if it was a coincidence, but at the event that the Darden adcom talked to me, they announced a new global EMBA program for 'older applicants' !

I did add 2 and 2 together to think this is a market they are actively creating! I don't mind institutes creating a market, I do think they should not be force fitting people into it!

Good luck!