cavalier wrote:
Hi Linda,
I'm 35, male, have 10 years IT w/e, and scored 730 on GMAT last month. I was initially planning to apply for the part time MBA at a B-school in my region (top 30 in US) this Fall. But now I am thinking about the top 5 - i.e, Wharton EMBA - which means applying for next year.
(1) if I get accepted to the local B-school now and then complete several core courses this year, do I actually strengthen or hurt my chance of being accepted to top 5 schools next year?
(2) what can I do to increase my chance for '06 admission? There are still half a year before R1 dealine at top schools. I am thinking about taking CPA exams. Is this a good idea? Do admission committees care about CPA? Any suggestion is highly appreciated.
To answer your questions:
1) You will hurt your chances in a full-time program by enrolling in a part-time one.
2) Unless your GPA was low or you need a CPA to do what you want to do post-MBA, taking the CPA exams will have little impact on your chances.
The key for an older applicant like you is to have crystal clear and realistic post-MBA career goals. Please see
"MBA Admissions: Application Advice for Older Applicants."
Good luck!