Am I too old for top schools?

BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

This topic has expert replies

Post new topic Post Reply

Previous Topic Next Topic

anoldone: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 1:20 am

Am I too old for top schools?

by anoldone » Sat May 16, 2009 1:42 am

I used veritasprep school selector (https://www.veritasprep.com/selector) and found a discouraging result.

If I use my real age, the selector only gives me schools outside the top 10. But if I use age within the regular age range, the selector gives me all the top 5. Anything else stays the same.

I can improve everything except reversing the clock. So am I really dead for top 10 because I am too old?

I wonder if any consulting service out there has good record with helping older candidates get into top 10.

Quote

Source: Beat The GMAT — Ask an MBA Admissions Consultant | Sat May 16, 2009 1:42 am

Neo2000: Legendary Member; Posts: 519; Joined: Sat Jan 27, 2007 7:56 am; Location: India; Thanked: 31 times

by Neo2000 » Sat May 16, 2009 11:27 am

NOTE: I am NOT an Admissions Consultant

While it would be helpful to know your age, you should take the Veritas Prep tool with a pinch of salt. Two years an Indian gentleman got into Wharton. In the 2yr program. He was in his 50s.

He was able to put together a fantastic reason why he wanted an MBA, why Wharton and why at that age.

And that is all you need to do as well.

Quant Tutor
Track your GMAT Prep Progress

Learn more about me

Quote

myohmy: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 252; Joined: Mon Feb 02, 2009 6:34 am; Thanked: 305 times; Followed by:55 members; GMAT Score:760

by myohmy » Sat May 16, 2009 1:04 pm

I think that calculator's pretty subjective. I changed who evaluated my essay to "professional admissions consultant" and got all top 5 schools.

Quote

Graham: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 270; Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:20 am; Location: Philadelphia & Paris; Thanked: 35 times; Followed by:17 members; GMAT Score:750

by Graham » Sun May 17, 2009 11:24 pm

Dear anoldone,

Age is really just one variable in the MBA admissions process. It certainly needs to be taken into account, but should be done so in combination with a host of additional variables, such as your GMAT result, GPA, caliber of undergraduate program, rigor of ugrad major, amount of work experience, nature of experience, personal traits, leadership skill, clarity and feasibility of career goals, outside activities, quality of recommendations...the list goes on and on.

While it is true that a handful of the top programs have been pushing to 'get younger' in recent years (favoring candidates with 2-3 years of experience), there are still a good number of top programs admitting folks well into their 30's. Of course, like any other variable in the admissions process, the moment that you fall too far from the mean, the more important every other dimension of your profile becomes (to help compensate, etc).

Of course, if you are in fact much older (late 30's/40+), it may be worth considering some EMBA options as well - for both admissions competitiveness and 'fit' reasons (to be with managers who have similar amounts of senior-level experience to share).

If you'd like a more in-depth review of your chances, feel free to post to the Ask Clear Admit sub-forum here and provide your age, etc.

Best of luck,

Graham

Graham Richmond
Clear Admit, LLC
[email protected]
215 568 2590

Stay Informed with Clear Admit!
Read our Blog for daily MBA admissions tips and updates.
Follow us on Twitter for breaking b-school news.
Download our Publications on MBA programs and admissions strategy.
Visit our MBA Admissions Wiki to read and share application insights.

Quote

anoldone: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 1:20 am

I would like to consider EMBA, however...

by anoldone » Mon May 18, 2009 12:00 am

I am a career switcher and I don't have much previous management experience. I am not sure if I am qualified for EMBA or if EMBA will help me achieve my desired career transition.

Another concern is whether I have the level of experience to finish an EMBA when all other students are middle level managers and I am the only one without much management experience.

Quote

Graham: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 270; Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2008 2:20 am; Location: Philadelphia & Paris; Thanked: 35 times; Followed by:17 members; GMAT Score:750

by Graham » Mon May 18, 2009 1:41 am

Dear Anoldone,

Thanks for your reply. These are all fair points - since your career progress to date will certainly help determine which type of program (EMBA vs. MBA) might be best suited.

One additional note: if you are both older and a career switcher, that could raise some concern for the adcoms at top-tier schools. Keep in mind that one of the fears that adcoms have with older applicants is their ability to effectively go through the recruiting process in b-school (employers may prefer to hire the 20-somethings for all those post-MBA analyst type positions). Of course, it all depends on where you are coming from (as well as your target field), but keep in mind that adcoms might be a bit more reluctant to take an older applicant who also needs to make a radical career shift.

As I hinted in my prior post, it would obviously be very helpful (to you and to those of us trying to help you) if you could post your stats here or in the Ask Clear Admit thread. Without knowing your exact age, background, goals, etc, it's virtually impossible to offer much in the way of concrete, tailored advice.

Best of luck,

Graham

Quote

anoldone: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Sat May 16, 2009 1:20 am

Thank you very much

by anoldone » Mon May 18, 2009 5:49 pm

Hi Graham,

Thank you for your advice! I have asked around and the answer is pretty clear. Top schools tend to turn down older applicants. Of course, to boost their selectivity and to be politically correct, they always say age is not a big deal. On the other hand, it seems that MBA consults tend to downplay school selection, or at least not overshooting.

When I was in science graduate school, one of my classmates was a 38 year old mother. She managed to graduate with perfect GPA. I don't know why b-schools claim to promote openness and diversity while practice in an opposite way. Well, this is beyond my control and judgment.