The MBA application season for the 2022-23 deadlines is upon us. The MBA application process is highly demanding, intense, and time-consuming. We regularly receive queries from prospective applicants about their profile, eligibility for their target programs, age, GMAT, GPA, academic gap, employment gap, job switch, second MBA, recommenders, etc.
Starting today, every week, we will post one query along with our response to it. We hope this helps other MBA aspirants with similar concerns about different aspects of their profile.
Here is the first query email wherein the candidate asks questions about his age, GMAT, and GPA.
Questions:
Hello Poonam,
I am an Indian and 32 years of age with 9 years of Operations and Business Management experience with a leading O&G service firm in the Middle East. I plan to apply for a 2-year MBA in Round 1 this year. I did my undergrad at IIT, Kanpur. I have a CGPA of 7.3/10 and a GMAT score of 740 (Q50, V40, IR 8). Can you please help me with your advice on the doubts below:
1. Do my age and experience negatively affect my application, ie is 32 too late to apply at top US b-schools?
2. Should I retake the GMAT?
3. The CGPA of 7.3 roughly translates to 3.3 on a 4.0 scale– how bad will it hurt my application?
Our Response:
Hello, Devender(not real name ),
Thanks for your queries.
Here are my answers in (blue font.)
1. Do my age and my experience negatively affect my application? Is 32 too late to apply at top US b-schools?
The top 10 programs in the US may be a stretch for older candidates, though there are always exceptions. In recent years, two of my students got into the full-time MBA program at Booth and Kellogg at the age of 32. You can go through their debriefs here:
https://myessayreview.com/student-inter ... holarship/
https://myessayreview.com/student-inter ... y-kellogg/
However, as you get out of the top 10 schools, things get more flexible, and you see 30+ candidates there. However, you need to convince the admission committee of your story and career goals and why NOW is the right time for you to pursue an MBA. MER students have received admission into good programs in Canada, India, and Europe with ten years of work experience. Read their debriefs here:
https://myessayreview.com/student-inter ... nceadvice/
https://myessayreview.com/student-inter ... e-35-odds/
https://myessayreview.com/student-inter ... uty-faith/
2. Should I retake the GMAT?
I think you are good with 740. If you want to apply this year, you should focus only on your applications for the next 3-4 months.
3. The CGPA of 7.3 roughly translates to 3.3 on 4.0 scale – how bad is it going to hurt my application?
It should not hurt your application if you explain that in the optional essay. If there were extenuating circumstances ( sickness, family emergency, excessive involvement in extracurricular activities, or simple immaturity) that led to your not-so-great GMAT, explain that in the optional essay. Moreover, you have already demonstrated your academic ability with your 730+ GMAT score, so you don’t need to worry.
I hope it helped,
Poonam
Stay tuned for another MBA query next week.
Related Resources
10 Key Essay Tips with Examples
Success stories of MER students in their own words
Case Studies
Since 2011, MER (myEssayReview) has helped hundreds of applicants get accepted into the top 20 MBA programs (Poonam is one of the top 5 most reviewed consultants on the GMAT Club.)
You may email Poonam at [email protected] with questions about your application for the 2022-23 admission cycle.
This blog was first published in myessayreview.
