skareti wrote:
Hi,
I am considering going to B school starting fall of 2007. I am an Asian Indian and have been a software engineer, a technical architect and then a techlead over last 11 years.
I have a decent GMAT score (750). However I will be 37 by next fall. What are the top schools where I have good chances of getting in? What are the schools I should avoid? In my favor I have excellent grades in undergrad and grad school. I have been very active in the community and am on the board of a local organization that helps immigrants. I have also successfully started a business from scratch back in India partnering with a couple of my friends from high school. My CEO and other VP's are willing to provide letters of recommendations.
Thanks in advance for your advice.
Kumar,
You may want to consider an executive MBA program if you are not using the MBA to make a career change, since your age is typical for candidates for that degree. Also, part-time programs tend to skew older and also are easier to get into. Among full-time programs the following are more open to older applicants:
1. Queen's
--upper edge of middle 80% is 38
2. Duke, Tuck, Purdue, Babson, Ivey, HEC Paris, HEC Montreal
--upper edge of middle 80% is 34
3. Indiana, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Maryland, Rochester
--upper edge of middle 80% is 33
Avoid schools like HBS, Stanford, and probably Wharton that not only are tougher to get into regardless of age but have recently begun aggressively welcoming younger applicants. Of course, almost all schools will admit a 37-year-old if he or she is sufficiently amazing.
Good luck,