MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 25 Jan 2010
Status:Admissions Expert
Affiliations: Founder, Amerasia Consulting Group
Posts: 1081
Given Kudos: 264
Re: Assistance Please on best course of action..
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27 Oct 2010, 21:43
Baker,
Thanks for reaching out and for throwing the kitchen sink - it's always better to have more info rather than less and I can appreciate anyone who takes the time and effort to get out there and get feedback. Your willingness to do what it takes and to take a "no holds barred" approach is good, but right now that energy is misplaced. You don't need to spend a single word explaining your approach to college. For starters, it was light years ago. A ton of water has passed under that bridge and the light bulb has come on since. Instead, what you want to do is tell that story - the light bulb came on when X happened and you've been a machine ever since. Mature, focused, disciplined.
I won't be the first or last person to tell you that part-time programs are probably going to more feasible for you. You yourself say that you are about eight years behind, which would mean that you are 28 in "MBA terms." But will the school see that? Sure, if you hammer that point in your career goals essays. However, that's not the only challenge. The school has to ask: will the recruiters see that? Are you going to fit the hiring mix? I think you can make the case, but it's more of an uphill battle with full-time programs, which are slavishly devoted to placement rates and employment reports. Part-time programs give you all that knowledge and networking that you crave in order to make a difference, but without the burdens of employability expectations. Not sure if you are in a metro area where there are good PT programs (Chicago, LA, the Bay are the best), but that's certainly something to consider. That said, if full-time programs are your aim, I'm not going to be part of the crowd of naysayers. I've seen people get into b-school at ages ranging from 21 to 41 and it's not for me or anyone else to say how various schools will perceive your candidacy. Hey, age is nothing but a number. All you can do is put the best application together that you possibly can (and a 700+ GMAT is critical in that, the CFA helps a ton, clear career goals will be vital, showcasing maturity is key, getting some mileage out of athletics will be nice, etc.), choose the best fit for schools, and let the chips fall where they may. Booth strikes me as a place to look, because they might even help you determine which offering is best. Kellogg, Duke, Anderson, and Vandy are other places at which to take long looks.
I hope this is helpful. Yours is a very interesting case and if you want to get into a bit more, feel free to PM me.
Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti