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Perec
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 24 Nov 2016, 08:12
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I'm in doubt do I need to write an optional essay. And if yes, what should I cover?

As far as I see, my major issue is age, I'm 32...
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 24 Nov 2016, 08:49
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While it depends on the school, if the essay is truly optional then there has to be a reason for writing it. Your age is not a reason though. However I would need to know the school before advising you.

Good luck!

Best,
Scott
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Perec
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 24 Nov 2016, 12:47
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PersonalMBACoach
However I would need to know the school before advising you.

My primary target is University of Washington: Foster.
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 24 Nov 2016, 19:45
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Unless you have something specific to write about, I would not write just to discuss your age
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 24 Nov 2016, 20:55
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Perec
I'm in doubt do I need to write an optional essay. And if yes, what should I cover?

As far as I see, my major issue is age, I'm 32...


While I agree that you should not write an optional essay to just point out your age, but in my opinion, you can use it to say why you need an MBA at this point in life, (why not earlier). You can also address why the two year full time program makes more sense for you (and not eMBA or other MBA formats).

You can also add a few lines about how your depth of experience will enable you to contribute to 1-2 program features in a major way.

If you get a chance to cover these in your main essays, then you won't require the optional.
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 24 Nov 2016, 21:42
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Perec
PersonalMBACoach
However I would need to know the school before advising you.

My primary target is University of Washington: Foster.

Nothing to write for that application. Focus on the other strengths of your application!

Best,
Scott
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Perec
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 25 Nov 2016, 03:35
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Thank you all, for your thoughts.


Let me ask other question without creation of a new topic. Foster and many other schools ask for 2 mandatory, yet 3 max recommendations. How should I approach this 3rd optional one?
I have number of good people, who ready to write me a recommendations (ex. former colleague and B-school alumni, my current manager, my current skip level manager, ...). Isn't many recommendations look suspicious for the admission?
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 25 Nov 2016, 15:44
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I don't think many recommendations that fit under the rules will come across weird. If you are going to go with an additional recc just make sure it is showcasing a unique/different side of you that is not being told from your other to reccs
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32 years applicant. Should I write an optional essay 26 Nov 2016, 07:07
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As pointed out, the third recommendation should add value. It should either bring in new facets about you or support earlier ones through different experiences. Second, if the third recommender doesn’t have insightful examples to support the answers, then it’s better to stick with two quality recos. And, yes, age can become a factor.
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