Older re-applicant

[phantomrider]

I am 49 years old and enrolled at Chicago Booth as a graduate student at large in my first class. I was denied admission after enrollment and attending class as a graduate student at large. My undergrad GPA was 3.36 in electrical engineering and I have 25 hours of MBA credit at Northern IL. University with a 3.7 GPA. My score on the GMAT was 630 with a 48Q and a 31V. The test environment was very noisy and distracting and I had to guess on the last six questions in both sections. I was scoring in the low seven hundreds consistently on practice tests before D-Day and have the capability to improve my mediocre score. I have 12 years supervisory and management experience at Nucor Steel. What are my odds at getting in at Booth or Kellogg as a part-timer or the weekend program compared to the executive programs ? I have always been a very determined individual that never gives up on anything that I desire. I am in the planning stages for the second go-around What are my best options?

[Paxton Helms - Kaplan]

Wow. Interesting profile and, yes, I would say that you are very determined!! Let me see if I can help you out some with your questions.

What are my odds at getting in at Booth or Kellogg as a part-timer or the weekend program compared to the executive programs ? I have always been a very determined individual that never gives up on anything that I desire. I am in the planning stages for the second go-around What
are my best options?

My quick take is that your odds of getting into the Executive MBA program are better than your odds of getting into the part-time. Remember that the part-time program is really targeted to the same age/experience demographic as the full-time; the only difference is that you are, well, part-time.

The EMBA, given that it is more geared towards senior execs, is probably much more up your alley.

I'm curious: why is the part-time or weekend program more appealing to you than the EMBA program? Are you concerned about the quality of your work experience? Are you worried about fit?

In terms of the GMAT, if you think you can score in the low 700s then, yes, by all means go for it. A GMAT over 700 is a very nice credential to have and if you can make it happen go for it. In the future, if you have to guess on that many questions, it may make sense to cancel your scores and then re-take as soon as you can.

Finally, and I think it goes without saying, ace the classes that you are taking as a graduate student at large.

Let me know your further thoughts and let's keep talking--

Paxton