Am I Too Old To Attend An MBA Program?

by Stacy Blackman Consulting, Mar 23, 2011

It wasnt too long ago that everyone wondered whether they were too young to pursue an MBA program. Older candidates seemed destined to better contribute because of their experience.

In recent years, top business schools such as Stanford and HBS have said that they are taking a closer look at younger candidates, and in some cases would are even consider applicants with no work experience. The primary thought behind this was that some applicants would have attained so much success after only a few years that they would not want to go back for an MBA degree. Some candidates are ready for business school right after graduation; some have started a company while in school, played a strong role in a family business, or gained relevant experiences in other areas. However, although there are business schools that are considering less experienced candidates, this does not mean that younger candidates overall are more likely to be accepted.

Younger applicants will have obstacles to overcome. They will need to work harder in their application to show that they have the focus and maturity required to succeed in an MBA program. They will also need to prove that they have enough experience to contribute to an incoming class. Business schools are looking for real experience, not just students who subscribe to the Wall Street Journal. Finally, younger applicants will need to show an admissions team that they have a strong reason for returning to school so soon after graduation.

Likewise, older candidates will have obstacles to overcome. Older candidates will have to show that it is the right decision to pursue business school at this late stage in their career. They will also have to show solid growth in their career. They should demonstrate that they have progressed, that they have confidence, and that they were able to contribute at work. A 38-year-old candidate who has spent over a decade in the same position without showing progression will have a hard time being admitted to a top MBA program. This is not because of their age. Rather, it is because they may have not shown growth during that time.

Regardless of whether you are young or old, if you can achieve what is written above, you will have a good chance at getting into a program that is right for you, and you should not be concerned about your age. Your age should never be the sole deciding factor of whether you should apply to business school.

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