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kaashi
Joined: 06 Mar 2014
Last visit: 21 Nov 2021
Posts: 25
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 1
Concentration: General Management, International Business
Schools: CBS '17 (A) Ross '17 (II)
GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V41
WE:Investment Banking (Finance: Investment Banking)
01 Apr 2014, 03:16
Kudos
Bookmarks
I have been bothered with this question for some time now and have posted on a few forums to seek some views. While I have received some feedback, I want to solicit the views of GMATclub members on the same.
I am planning to apply to US B-schools (Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, Stern, Columbia, Booth, and Anderson) and INSEAD in 2014 (intake of 2015). Following is a brief of my profile.
Undergrad: Top 5 Indian engineering institutes [GPA: 6.5/10]
Post graduate diploma: In management from Indian Institute of Management (considered as MBA equivalent in India, though technically not an MBA and many opt for subsequent MBAs from top US schools) [GPA: 3.2/4.33]
Work experience:
2 years in analytics, advising clients primarily in the US with roughly 1 year of work experience in the US. Prepared a proprietary tool which increased the client revenue by c.USD 100mn
3 years in investment banking – analyst/associate in one of the top M&A advisory businesses in India (at one of the largest International banks in India), focusing primarily on cross-border M&A transactions. Concluded deals include India’s largest capital/debt restructuring (USD 5bn) and acquisitions/divestment (USD 500mn)
GMAT: 760 (V51, V41), IR-8, AWA-6
Achilles’ heel:
(1) Age,
(2) poor GPA in undergrad,
(3) deteriorating GPA in post-grad (from 3.5 in first year to 3.2 in second, while remaining in top 10% of class),
(4) already an post-grad in management from IIM
Key concern:
I will be turning 30 in Jan-2015. By the time I join the class, I will be 30 already and 32 on graduation. So, the question is, am I too old for an MBA from top US schools? While I do not firmly believe in the bias towards younger applicants, speaking with many of friends in such schools has led me to somewhat accept that there may be some bias.
In addition, my GPA in undergrad is low, would a good gmat mitigate that?
Request, your views and feedback on this.
I am planning to apply to US B-schools (Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, Stern, Columbia, Booth, and Anderson) and INSEAD in 2014 (intake of 2015). Following is a brief of my profile.
Undergrad: Top 5 Indian engineering institutes [GPA: 6.5/10]
Post graduate diploma: In management from Indian Institute of Management (considered as MBA equivalent in India, though technically not an MBA and many opt for subsequent MBAs from top US schools) [GPA: 3.2/4.33]
Work experience:
2 years in analytics, advising clients primarily in the US with roughly 1 year of work experience in the US. Prepared a proprietary tool which increased the client revenue by c.USD 100mn
3 years in investment banking – analyst/associate in one of the top M&A advisory businesses in India (at one of the largest International banks in India), focusing primarily on cross-border M&A transactions. Concluded deals include India’s largest capital/debt restructuring (USD 5bn) and acquisitions/divestment (USD 500mn)
GMAT: 760 (V51, V41), IR-8, AWA-6
Achilles’ heel:
(1) Age,
(2) poor GPA in undergrad,
(3) deteriorating GPA in post-grad (from 3.5 in first year to 3.2 in second, while remaining in top 10% of class),
(4) already an post-grad in management from IIM
Key concern:
I will be turning 30 in Jan-2015. By the time I join the class, I will be 30 already and 32 on graduation. So, the question is, am I too old for an MBA from top US schools? While I do not firmly believe in the bias towards younger applicants, speaking with many of friends in such schools has led me to somewhat accept that there may be some bias.
In addition, my GPA in undergrad is low, would a good gmat mitigate that?
Request, your views and feedback on this.
01 Apr 2014, 07:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
Hi there,
It's still possible to get an MBA at age 30 so don't be discouraged! However, as I'm sure you know, the average age is much younger for most of the US schools you listed - all of these schools do however admit a very small percentage of applicants who are older - so really that just means your chances are more slim.
You have a good profile and even though your GPA is not very strong, it can definitely be mitigated by your strong GMAT - great score by the way! Or even be compensated by other quant skills you demonstrate in the workplace.
You did mention INSEAD where the age average is much higher so 30 is definitely less of a concern there (or consider IMD as their ave age is quite high). Though you didn't mention these schools below, Yale, USC Marshall, UCLA Anderson, and MIT Sloan admit more in the 30+ range.
For older applicants, admissions committees are really looking for a good reason from you on why you want to pursue an MBA now and why 'so late'. For example they might consider someone who's been in the military and you are now looking for a major career change, hence need an MBA. Or maybe you've been doing a PhD therefore started your career later than others. Or you just can't move any higher in your organization without an MBA and/or you really want to change careers. These are common situations of people in MBA's that are 30+
Either way, don't wait any longer. There is still hope!
Best,
It's still possible to get an MBA at age 30 so don't be discouraged! However, as I'm sure you know, the average age is much younger for most of the US schools you listed - all of these schools do however admit a very small percentage of applicants who are older - so really that just means your chances are more slim.
You have a good profile and even though your GPA is not very strong, it can definitely be mitigated by your strong GMAT - great score by the way! Or even be compensated by other quant skills you demonstrate in the workplace.
You did mention INSEAD where the age average is much higher so 30 is definitely less of a concern there (or consider IMD as their ave age is quite high). Though you didn't mention these schools below, Yale, USC Marshall, UCLA Anderson, and MIT Sloan admit more in the 30+ range.
For older applicants, admissions committees are really looking for a good reason from you on why you want to pursue an MBA now and why 'so late'. For example they might consider someone who's been in the military and you are now looking for a major career change, hence need an MBA. Or maybe you've been doing a PhD therefore started your career later than others. Or you just can't move any higher in your organization without an MBA and/or you really want to change careers. These are common situations of people in MBA's that are 30+
Either way, don't wait any longer. There is still hope!
Best,
01 Apr 2014, 08:43
Kudos
Bookmarks
kaashi
I have been bothered with this question for some time now and have posted on a few forums to seek some views. While I have received some feedback, I want to solicit the views of GMATclub members on the same.
I am planning to apply to US B-schools (Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, Stern, Columbia, Booth, and Anderson) and INSEAD in 2014 (intake of 2015). Following is a brief of my profile.
Undergrad: Top 5 Indian engineering institutes [GPA: 6.5/10]
Post graduate diploma: In management from Indian Institute of Management (considered as MBA equivalent in India, though technically not an MBA and many opt for subsequent MBAs from top US schools) [GPA: 3.2/4.33]
Work experience:
2 years in analytics, advising clients primarily in the US with roughly 1 year of work experience in the US. Prepared a proprietary tool which increased the client revenue by c.USD 100mn
3 years in investment banking – analyst/associate in one of the top M&A advisory businesses in India (at one of the largest International banks in India), focusing primarily on cross-border M&A transactions. Concluded deals include India’s largest capital/debt restructuring (USD 5bn) and acquisitions/divestment (USD 500mn)
GMAT: 760 (V51, V41), IR-8, AWA-6
Achilles’ heel:
(1) Age,
(2) poor GPA in undergrad,
(3) deteriorating GPA in post-grad (from 3.5 in first year to 3.2 in second, while remaining in top 10% of class),
(4) already an post-grad in management from IIM
Key concern:
I will be turning 30 in Jan-2015. By the time I join the class, I will be 30 already and 32 on graduation. So, the question is, am I too old for an MBA from top US schools? While I do not firmly believe in the bias towards younger applicants, speaking with many of friends in such schools has led me to somewhat accept that there may be some bias.
In addition, my GPA in undergrad is low, would a good gmat mitigate that?
Request, your views and feedback on this.
I am planning to apply to US B-schools (Wharton, Harvard, Stanford, Stern, Columbia, Booth, and Anderson) and INSEAD in 2014 (intake of 2015). Following is a brief of my profile.
Undergrad: Top 5 Indian engineering institutes [GPA: 6.5/10]
Post graduate diploma: In management from Indian Institute of Management (considered as MBA equivalent in India, though technically not an MBA and many opt for subsequent MBAs from top US schools) [GPA: 3.2/4.33]
Work experience:
2 years in analytics, advising clients primarily in the US with roughly 1 year of work experience in the US. Prepared a proprietary tool which increased the client revenue by c.USD 100mn
3 years in investment banking – analyst/associate in one of the top M&A advisory businesses in India (at one of the largest International banks in India), focusing primarily on cross-border M&A transactions. Concluded deals include India’s largest capital/debt restructuring (USD 5bn) and acquisitions/divestment (USD 500mn)
GMAT: 760 (V51, V41), IR-8, AWA-6
Achilles’ heel:
(1) Age,
(2) poor GPA in undergrad,
(3) deteriorating GPA in post-grad (from 3.5 in first year to 3.2 in second, while remaining in top 10% of class),
(4) already an post-grad in management from IIM
Key concern:
I will be turning 30 in Jan-2015. By the time I join the class, I will be 30 already and 32 on graduation. So, the question is, am I too old for an MBA from top US schools? While I do not firmly believe in the bias towards younger applicants, speaking with many of friends in such schools has led me to somewhat accept that there may be some bias.
In addition, my GPA in undergrad is low, would a good gmat mitigate that?
Request, your views and feedback on this.
Soooo, to answer your main question: Nope. 30, is not too old. For HBS/Stanford it is a wee bit old, as they do like their students young, but even in most US programs the average age is about 27-28. So two years over is normal. In Europe, (like INSEAD) you are pretty much exactly at the mean age. So there you go! Not too old! (although you may want to change your school list a wee bit. Having All three H/S/W might be a bit challenging if you don't add a few more schools)
Hope this helps!
. Most US schools are aware that PGDM is an MBA and that students in India can go for an MBA with no work-ex.
) 
