Harvard/Stanford/Columbia age

Question

This question has probably been asked a few times. Upon entry if I get a place for 2012. I will be 30. Will this hinder my application to the top schools.

I've read that columbia should be ok. But schools like HBS and stanford will make it difficult. It takes time to prepare an application and costs a fair amount. So before targeting any schools I wanted to see if it's worthwhile.

UK candidate.
8 years work exerience
Investment Banking 6 years
Entrepreneur 2 years
Undergraduate Degree Upper Second equivalent to GPA 3.3-3.8 there is no exact measure. Schools like LBS in the UK ask for a upper second.
Good extra currilcular activities
2 referees have indicated I will get a strong reference, looking for a third

My other option is to do a 1 year MBA in europe Insead/Oxford/IMD/LBS(2 years)

But only if these institutions are worth the cost.

cheetarah1980 · Answer

Hi GMatt! I'm an older applicant as well. I will be 32 at matriculation. However, that's not going to stop me from applying to programs that I think suit me. Are schools going younger? Yes. But that's also a function of more younger people throwing their hat in the ring to apply. You can't control your age, but you can control your application. If you give schools a reason to take you then you've got just as good a shot as any. I don't think anyone can really evaluate your chances based on your profile alone. If you can show a clear career vision, explain why an MBA and why NOW, and show your unique candidacy then your age is simply a data point, not a determinant. If you look at the age ranges for schools you do see it extend into the mid-late 30s. While these people may not be majority, they found a way to not let their ages be an obstacle. If you can reach out to them to see how they navigated this process and what they think got them the YES that could help you out too.

gmatt11 · Answer

Thanks you make some good points. I'll try to reach out to students who entered schools in their 30's. As the websites of the institutions offer very little data. The one's I have seen seem to be from a military background on the HBS website. Stanford doesn't seem to show any data and hear they are the most restrictive. But saying that you're right if you feel you have a shot why not take it. It's better then wondering what if. I'll have to make sure I get a good GMAT first as can't give them any excuses to reject me. How long did you study for the GMAT

cheetarah1980 · Answer

I took the exam on May 21, 2011 after studying for about 3.5 months. I'd actually started studying in August 2010, but I really didn't have all the right materials at the time and my methods were kind of haphazard. I put the GMAT on the backburner when I got a promotion and transfer in October and didn't pick it up again in earnest until January. I enrolled in a Veritas Prep class from March-April and then studied on my own for another month before taking the test. The best study aids I used were the Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides. Hands down the best books when it comes to teaching content.

jordanhendrix · Answer

wait so you have a 2.1 gpa? if so...
i would advise about looking at other schools, not trying to be a downer but 2.1 is an auto ding at most schools even out of the top 15

gmatt11 · Answer

I should have explained. This is not a GPA, I'm in the UK so it's an upper second.

jordanhendrix · Answer

ok good, most people here still wont know what that means and for US schools it will most likely need to be converted to a GPA, do you have that or perhaps an estimate? if so edit your first post and I''' bet you get some better replies
thanks

gmatt11 · Answer

I've done a search online and american institutions say there is no exact equivalent as different institutions compare it differently but it can range from a 3.3-3.8

Jerz · Answer

I wouldn't worry too much about the conversion. Most schools' adcom will be familiar enough with the grading conventions in the UK to understand what an upper second is.

gmatt11 · Answer

They have taken students from allover the world so am sure they understand what the different grades mean.

I'm more concerned about the age issue and if my profile fits for a top school

Cooper52 · Answer

When I first started looking into bschool WAY back in 2002 I was told I was too young. So I went out and worked and somewhere along the way some schools started to favor younger candidates. Just this week, I saw an article about HBS getting older.

All this says to me is that the "age factor" is a fad. Go back to school when you're ready. I don't think I could have contributed to a class at 25. I've got a few more years of experience now at 32 and I feel like I'm finally in a place that would allow for the growth that business school will bring.

Let's teach these youngins how it's done!

Posted from my mobile device

matticusfinch · Answer

I was accepted to the HBS class of 2013, and will turn 30 one month into the program. All of the information I read, and the comments I received from people on here, suggested I was too old. Don't let your age stop you from applying - it may not be a help to you at H/S/W, but it isn't a deal breaker at all.

With that said, Dee Leopold recently released an overview of the HBS class of 2013 split by undergrad / previous program graduation year. From the graph you get a good idea of the age / graduation year of the majority of students: https://www.hbs.edu/mba/admissions/blog.html. The odds may be lower for older applicants, but it is by no means impossible.

jordanhendrix · Answer

i mean really whats the harm in applying, 100% give it a shot, the hell with what anyone says! best of luck

Alchemist1320 · Answer

I will be 31( if I get admits this year) when I join my dream courses

I might try one more time if unsuccessful....I agree with an ealrier post....age can be worked out if you really have a case...personally....I was such a waste till 25....

so buck up all oldies... :-)

EBM · Answer

One of my former commanding officers was accepted to Kellogg and he turns 36 in a few months. So nothing is impossible.

Izvos · Answer

https://www.hbs.edu/mba/perspectives/class-statistics/ https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/mba/admissi ... ile-p.html https://www.businessweek.com/bschools/ra ... umbia.html see schools profiles

enkie · Answer

Dont let age hinder you in moving forward with your applications. I will be 32 at matriculation. One of the admissions consultant said something that really resonated with me. He said that hbs is intentionally skewing young as it seems to be their strategy to distinguish themselves from other top schools. In other words they are looking for early achievers. He said that stanford is not so much intentionally skewint young as. It just happens to be a product of self selection and circumstanced.

Given that info' I crossed hbs off my list and am keeping stanford for r2.

Another example. My mom got her mba at age 45 at a top 25 program. So age was not a ding factor.

Posted from my mobile device

Given that info' I crossed hbs off my list and am keeping stanford for r2.

Another example. My mom got her mba at age 45 at a top 25 program. So age was not a ding factor.

Posted from my mobile device

enkie · Answer

Apologies for typos. F-ing phone keyboard.

Posted from my mobile device

eskimoroll · Answer

I'm 30, non-military, and I'll be starting at HBS this fall. Your age doesn't completely disqualify you and actually HBS skewed just a bit older this past year (average age is now 27). While your odds of getting into any of these top schools tends to be fairly low, age won't be what keeps you out or gets you in. You just need to have a great story to back up why this is the right time in your life/career for an MBA from those schools.

gmatt11 · Answer

Thanks for the replies. I'm going to put an application in, have to make sure I get a good score on the GMAT first.

From the replies it sounds like the odds get slimmer but it is possible and the main schools it's an issue for are HBS and stanford. Stanford has a small class and from what I have read seem more picky.

Those applying, good luck in your applications.

Harvard/Stanford/Columbia age

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