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JohnLewis1980
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 10:45
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Hi everybody!!

Let me introduce my self. My name is Juan Luis, I'm from Spain and I'd like to do a MBA in USA.

I'm starting the process, i.e. preparing the GMAT, looking for the appropriate program, etc. However, there is a big question in my mind (just one?? no! dozens of them, but this is the most important jejeje)

What is the best age to start a MBA program? Nowadays, I'm 28 years old, and I think I'll be 29 when I start the program. That means that I'll finish it when I am 31

Is that too old??

Thanks a lot for your support.
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 10:58
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As a 29 year old in the program you'll probably be only marginally older than most people at most schools. In most cases, internationals at US MBA programs tend to be a little older than their US classmates.

I'm starting my MBA at 31 and I'll not be the oldest person in my class by a long shot!
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kryzak
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 11:03
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28-29 is a good age. Schools like Haas and Kellogg will have a lot of people around that age. I'll be 31 when I start, and I'm definitely one of the older people, but not the oldest. Don't worry about the age thing if you're under 30. :)
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 11:05
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and i am 24.. .. i think the best age is when you feel you are ready.
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Thank you so much for your opinions!

To be honest, I'd not like to be the oldest in my class :oops:

Regards
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 11:50
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There's no "best" age to start an MBA; it's really a personal thing and depends on when you are ready based on your experiences and goals. There are some people who are at the right age to apply at 21 and others at 32. As has been mentioned, at 29 you'll be on the older end of the scale, but certainly not the oldest in the class.
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 11:57
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I think you'll have the highest ROI if you start after you have about 3 years of experience. 3 years is generally the minimum cutoff for most selective post-MBA jobs, and obviously you're going to have the highest ROI the earlier you start.
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 12:28
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I think the ROI argument is probably true, but not necessarily relevant, particularly for someone who is already 28 or 30 or whatever. their age at this point is a sunk cost - as are any foregone returns. So why think about it?

And Juan, while a lot of respondents said you're on the old side, it probably matters a bit where you go. The average age of all students in my class is 29. As others have said, if you divide out the internationals and domestics, the international students tend to be older. Either way, you're not going to be the geezer.

No te preocupes.
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There's obviously no right or wrong answer to this question. But you are definitely NOT too old to be applying to b-schools.
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25-26.

Old enough to date the B School/Graduate Student females and also young enough to date the undergrads.

:)
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gmatclb
25-26.

Old enough to date the B School/Graduate Student females and also young enough to date the undergrads.

:)
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Thread winner.
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gmatclb
25-26.

Old enough to date the B School/Graduate Student females and also young enough to date the undergrads.

:)
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LOL :) Do you mean that the female population in b-schools/ other grad schools is not statistically older than 26? Or is it ok for a 25-year-old-dude to date elder girls? :wink:
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aaudetat
their age at this point is a sunk cost - as are any foregone returns. So why think about it?
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LOL! I feel like the Titanic right now after that comment. :wink:
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kryzak
aaudetat
their age at this point is a sunk cost - as are any foregone returns. So why think about it?

LOL! I feel like the Titanic right now after that comment. :wink:
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Take heart, Kry. The Titanic was a beautiful ship (before she went down).
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700willdo
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reading this thread I suddenly feel very old although I will only be 28 when I start the MBA program this fall!!!!!! Oh how I wish I could just turn back a couple of years :oops: I guess the ideal situation is to be old enough so that you are under 30 by the time you graduate
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700willdo
reading this thread I suddenly feel very old although I will only be 28 when I start the MBA program this fall!!!!!! Oh how I wish I could just turn back a couple of years :oops: I guess the ideal situation is to be old enough so that you are under 30 by the time you graduate
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You're all young! I'll be 34 when i matriculate :p 35 when i finish, because its an 18 month course.
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gmatclb
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nick_sun
gmatclb
25-26.

Old enough to date the B School/Graduate Student females and also young enough to date the undergrads.

:)

LOL :) Do you mean that the female population in b-schools/ other grad schools is not statistically older than 26? Or is it ok for a 25-year-old-dude to date elder girls? :wink:
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I mean it's pimp to date older girls. :)

At least when we're under 35. When we hit 35, then it becomes pimp to date the young ones. lol
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Best age to start a MBA 21 Apr 2008, 23:17
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Well, I think as some of you: the best age to start a MBA is when you feel ready. Nevertheless, from certain age maybe it's better to apply for an EMBA, isn't it?
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Best age to start a MBA 22 Apr 2008, 00:45
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togafoot
700willdo
reading this thread I suddenly feel very old although I will only be 28 when I start the MBA program this fall!!!!!! Oh how I wish I could just turn back a couple of years :oops: I guess the ideal situation is to be old enough so that you are under 30 by the time you graduate


You're all young! I'll be 34 when i matriculate :p 35 when i finish, because its an 18 month course.
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thanx toga for the very consoling words. :wink:
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700willdo
reading this thread I suddenly feel very old although I will only be 28 when I start the MBA program this fall!!!!!! Oh how I wish I could just turn back a couple of years :oops: I guess the ideal situation is to be old enough so that you are under 30 by the time you graduate
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If it makes you feel better, I think 27/28 is the ideal age. not too old, not too young.
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