AlexMBAApply wrote:
B-school adcoms tend to like Peace Corps folks, so it'll be an asset in your case. Also, quite a number of the Peace Corps folks don't have actual business experience before b-school. In fact, quite a number of incoming MBA students don't have formal business experience -- engineers, researchers, military officers, Peace Corps, other nonprofit, etc. so having biz experience isn't a necessity at all.
Where it can be more of an issue is in the recruiting process for post-MBA jobs, where it'll be a harder sell for some companies/recruiters who will prefer someone who does have some corporate experience.
In any case, what I suggest is to apply with your Peace Corps experience - if you don't get in, then apply years later with some other biz experience under your belt.
Thanks Alex,
I just finished looking at your website and it has some interesting material. What caliber of school do you think I should be applying to? I do not come from top undergrad but I do have significant experience studying and working internationally as well as a score of extracurricular activities. My gut instinct tells me that I could push myself into one of the Sweet 16 schools, but that it would be bit of a stretch to apply to the Elite Eight (+ Big 2 Intl) and especially the Top 3 unless I went out and did something truly extraordinary for a couple years after the Peace Corps. I think more realistic options would be Thunderbird, the University of South Carolina, GWSB, etc.
So how far of a stretch is it to apply to Elite 8 schools with my experience, what would I have to do to make myself a better candidate for them, and what do you think of the Thunderbird and University of South Carolina business programs as schools where I would get a good education regardless of its 'brand'. I should note that I am especially interested in International MBAs and working in developing economies, especially in sustainable business ventures that contribute to third world countries' development. And I'm not hung up on going to a top school, but I do want to get the best education that I can that is within my reach.
Thank you again for your help, I recognize that you generally charge for your services so I am deeply grateful.
Best,
Brian