MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 26 Dec 2008
Posts: 2457
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: Law Enforcement to MBA
[#permalink]
21 Nov 2010, 12:48
You certainly are a non-traditional applicant.
And in your case, "standing out" really isn't going to be an issue at all. You can't help but stand out.
The schools you mentioned are all within range. However, what is *crucial* is being able to convey in your essays and interviews that you are familiar with what it's like in b-school; that you understand what you're getting yourself into, that even though you have a very different background compared to most MBA students, that you won't feel out of place.
In other words, your biggest challenge is showing that you fit in. If you haven't already, I would visit a few of the schools, not for brownie points, but for your own education to get a feel or sense for what b-school students are like. And hopefully that knowledge will seep into your essays.
What adcoms will be trying to get a sense from you is this -- will you feel completely out of place working in an MBA study group that includes investment bankers, consultants, engineers, etc.? Are you able to translate the practical street-smarts from your position into an unrelated career path (business) -- which aspects of your experience/skills will be relevant, and which will not be relevant? You want to be able to show that you know the difference.
In all honesty, you'll be a wild card, because it really comes down to a judgment call on the adcom's part whether you can fit in or not. All you can do is do your best on the applications, and hope that what you've been able to convey is convincing enough.