rodrigoj wrote:
hunterashmore wrote:
rodrigoj wrote:
Hi, I just got the invite today, kind of surprised as I was told that I was too old for HBS (I'm 31).
I live in Brazil and while I know that HBS says that interviewing off-campus doesn't hurt your chances, do you guys think that doing an on-campus interview might in some way increase the odds of being accepted?
Thanks!
out of curiosity, who told you that you were too old (I'm also 31, btw).
I don't think it hurts your chances per se, but I felt being on campus helped. Not just from an interview standpoint - you can do a class visit, tour campus and Boston, and get a feel for the type of people you will be surrounded by for the next two years. That whole experience made me even more sure that HBS is where I want to be, and I honestly think that kind of excitement helps when you interview.
I have a few friends who are my age but have already graduated from their MBA at a top 5 schools, and they told me that my odds were very slim due to my age. I realize they probably aren't the most knowledgable people on the subject...
I leaning heavily towards going to campus despite the costs, and what you said makes perfect sense if you get excited about the program that enthusiasm will most likely help in the interview.
Thanks again!
Average age at top MBA programs is mostly a function of average age of applicants. Think back to your freshman year courses at undergrad--probably didn't have many 22 year-olds sitting next to you, right? That's because most people applying to undergrad are in the 17-19 age range.
Same deal for MBA programs. Most "traditional" applicants to top business schools finish undergrad, head to a big-name bank or consulting firm, and get on a track that leads them to business school 2-4 years later if they're a top performer. If someone has been at Goldman or McKinsey for 8 years and hasn't been admitted to business school, then it's probably because they haven't stood out (relative to their peers) to the extent necessary to impress an adcom. So when they're applying at the age of 30, it raises some red flags....namely, "why didn't this guy start his MBA 4 years ago?"
Non-traditional applicants (engineers, entrepreneurs, military, Teach for America, etc.) aren't on the same standard career timeline, so they're not "penalized" for applying later in life.