Hi! Not being sure where to post this query, I thought I might put this post here!

I am an MBA aspirant and was prepping for GMAT regularly until very recently. I used to work in Afghanistan for around 1.5+ years in an INGO and a US Govt Contracting Farm as an expat. In early December 2011, there was a suicidal attack in a religious gathering of Shi'a people in Kabul that hit a death toll of 54 lives. The place where the bomb blasted was just 200-300 meters away from my office compound. After this incident my psychological/mental health was very adversely affected. Soon after that I left my job in Afghanistan and came back to my country 25 days ago.

Coming back home, when I visited my psychologist/counselor, I was advised to take a recreational time-out with my family and friends for a while as I was (according to my psychologist) going thru" severe mental trauma". Since then, I am staying around without joining any job, and passing quality times with my family and friends.

These days, I am feeling much better mentally, and am not feeling I am having anymore "severe mental trauma". However my psychologist still wants me to pass most (!!!) of my time with my family for "some" reasons. But she (the psychologist) nodded that I may resume my study in full-fledge if I want. Good to mention here, I was preparing for my GMAT to enroll myself in a top-ranked B-School since May 2011 with some minor breaks. And, I am planning to getting into an MBA school in 2013 or 2014.

Now I have decided that I will not join any jobs in next few months! During this time, I want to pursue one of my long cherished dreams: Establishing Book Exchange Clubs for the children [we DON'T HAVE ANY formal book exchange clubs in our country; all we have are the book shops] in the close around localities (not for business purpose, at all). I assume that this will keep me engaged for next 3-4 months. Side-by-side, I will get children's company what will help me heal my "mental trauma". While running after all these, I hope I can manage some quality time for my GMAT prepping as well.

Having told the backgrounds, may I request you to put your opinions regarding the following issues:

1. If I don't join a job for next 3-4 months while establishing Book Exchange Clubs for the children, will it adversely affect my chance of getting into a good MBA school.

2. Will doing a complete different (entrepreneurial) task/function other than Finance (I have around 3 years of experience in Finance function) hurt my professional experience stream?

3. Given that I am planning to enroll myself into a B-school around 2/3 years later, do you think am I sitting for GMAT much early?

You response is highly appreciated!

Thanks!

First of all, I am really sorry, Brian, as I took crazy+long time in replying back to your fantastic reply. I don't know, but somehow I lost this post's update. Add to that I was infrequent in the forum for last two months....

I am considering mbaMission one of very few admission consultants that I might hinge upon during my MBA-school application stage!!