Does Age matter for an MBA?

Question

Hi

was wondering what peoples opinion are with the range or the cut off age to do an MBA? is 30s too old or is it more like mid 30s?

Thanks

OasisGC · Answer

Hi,

Depends on lot of aspects

1) Which school do you want to mba from - ideally add 3 yrs to the average of the school and you are older applicant for school, but its not end to the world, you will have to have strong reason to pursue mba, your essays must carry the concrete reasons for doing mba

2) EMBA is a good options

3) some specialized programs

In summary, there is no problem with your age ( upto 35 ) till and untill u can justify. else it will be an uphill battle

Good Luck

subhashghosh · Answer

cedric7, please read my review. I too was worried too much about age earlier, and it all proved to be a false fear

. I'm very much willing to encourage 30+ people to apply to the B-Schools!

cedric7 · Answer

@subhashghosh - thats good to know! do you have a link to your review?

subhashghosh · Answer

Yes, please click on the "My Reviews" button in my profile.

rajeevrks27 · Answer

For veterans 30 + is the general age to apply for..

cedric7 · Answer

@subhashghosh - good review thanks for the recommendation

@rajeevrks27 - cool i wouldnt think of myself of a veteran just yet lol...but i am glad that there is no talk of it being un heard of.

dzodzo85 · Answer

I believe that age should not be a hindrance for attaining an MBA, but there should be desire and determination present in the individual that wants to achieve it. That is just my belief. I have a few more years to go before I turn 30.

cheerose · Answer

I hope 30+ isn't too old; this coming from a 42 year old!

Posted from my mobile device

jonnyh · Answer

I think this may be a little bit overblown as an issue at most schools. I am 30 and will be 31 at matriculation, but I was accepted at every school I applied to except for HBS (which, I have read, is maybe the one school that cares a great deal).

cedric7 · Answer

i am beginning to think so as well after doing a bit more reading, glad that you were able to get in no problems. may i ask which school you decided to go for?

jonnyh · Answer

Still trying to decide. My fiancee is working in New York so it may be Stern. If I can convince her that Philly is really the sixth borough, then maybe Wharton. I love Yale as well. Tough decision, but these problems are preferable to those I had expected.

cedric7 · Answer

tough decision for sure but all good schools, I guess also not easy when you have someone else to consider as well.

Sundy89 · Answer

Good lucks to you.Go the school you love for MBA.

zpotm · Answer

I will be giving my gmat next month on May 23rd. Have around 2 years of Work ex & planning to apply for the next year. (till then work-ex will add up to 3 years)

Now, the real issue. 
I am 23 yrs old & very keen to do MBA next year....... I hope i am not too young .....or am I???

OnclePierot · Answer

@subhashghosh 
I couldn't see the link to your reviews in your profile. Maybe it has something to do with my settings. Could you please post a link to your review regarding the topic of MBA and Age?
much appreciated

Zynga · Answer

I posted the same question a while back and got a lot of very interesting and informative answers. Heres my old thread : age-30-does-it-affect-your-admit-chances-123236.html

subhashghosh · Answer

@OnclePierot, I've kept my review hidden for a while. Please PM me with your queries.

MBADecoder · Answer

Cedric, so long as an MBA at this time is aligned with your career goals, the age should not matter. Infact many US b-schools have their average age ranging around 28 years, while the trend in European b-schools is towards older applicants (compared to US B-schools).

In case you think you may be a misfit in a younger class, you can look at Executive MBA options or the Sloan Fellowship programs for senior managers (Stanford, MIT, LBS)

MBADecoder · Answer

@bbharuka - as long as you are able to show career progression, leadership instances (outside work if not in your job) and a fit with the b-schools you are applying to, your age will not come in way. Additionally, they would like to see how you can contribute to the collective class learning.

Does Age matter for an MBA?

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