Alex: Profile evaluation

I'm completely confused, even from your first post of posting GPA ranges and a list of schools that you could've graduated from. I understand you're trying really hard to be anonymous, but then on top of that your whole path seems a bit all over the place. So you claim to have worked full-time at F100 companies for 4 years, and then some full-time/part-time work at startups, then 2.5 years in the military, did a PhD, finished a BS at 26 (so I'm guessing the 4 years of full-time work experience was before undergrad, or maybe you served in the military then???), and now you're a professor.

In any case, my original post stands. Your chances are slim. And yes, your age does matter - you might not think it matters, but the adcoms do.

Dear Alex,
Thanks for your reply.

My career timeline goes like this:

High school
Military
College (patented a technology, which was very significant to my career progression)
Hired out of school into F100 company to work on technology I invented. 4 years total here. Started as engineer, and rose to lead team of ~50 engineers. Engineering work was research-based.
University recognized research work done in company as significantly contributing to the existing body of knowledge, and granted PhD.
Appointed as junior professor.

Startup work was, as I said, mostly part-time.

So, I have a PhD, and am a professor, but I have not been in school all that long past BSc. I guess you can hold my MSc against me, but the PhD just sort of came out of my work at my company.

I understand what you are saying about age, and I looked into the class profiles for HSW. The median work experience is 4 years.

Of course, I understand that the median is 4 years not because they take in a bunch of people with 20 years of experience. However, I can consistently see that the range is 0-10 years of experience over many years of data.

So, my question to you is: What makes those older applicants stand out? Apparently, there are some of these older candidates every year, so I was just curious if you know why they got in.

Thanks!

Paul

Older folks tend to be military officers, pro athletes, artists, nonprofits, and life sciences researchers (yes, H/S/W have tended to favor the biochem type folks over engineers if there's any PhDs in the class they are usually life sciences folks, not engineers).

In any case, it seems like you're going to apply anyways, so just go for it.

Dear Alex,
Thanks for your replies. Many things to think about. I will try and mitigate some of the negatives you highlighted.

Thanks!

Paul

Hi Alex,

I haven't done my post grads and started working when i was 21 (immediatly post graduation ), worked for 10 yrs and grew from Trainee to Senior Manager.

All these ten years have been spent at one of the top banks and financial services company and , i hve managed teams at leadership role during last 6 yrs.

am a non IT guy aged 31, so how would adcom look at this ? I am posting this question purely for the Age factor.

I understand other aspects of application e.g. gmat score , quality of expe etc are important , but how i am afraid my higher age doesn't me throw out of the competition.

thanks in advance