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futurestudent
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how to explain unemployment gap to admissions committee? 15 Jan 2013, 12:56
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Last year around march i quit my job at a retail store in order to take some time off to study for the GMAT

After two months I planned on reapplying to my position (as my old manager promised she would hire me back as soon as I came back) .... However after 2 months I did not get the desired score I wanted and I cancelled my exam before taking it.

I planned on studying for an extra 2 more months and to take the exam again. Unfortunately, I had some family problems during this time, and soon these 2 months ended up being much longer.

In total, I have about 9 months of unemployment. I've already signed up for my gmat and will be taking it in 3 weeks....

I understand that all these bad decisions are 100% my fault and there is nothing more I can do about it, but is there any thing I can do to make this huge unemployment gap not look so bad to business schools and future employers?

I will also reapply for full time positions as soon as I take my exam.

Please advise. Thank you
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CobraKai
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how to explain unemployment gap to admissions committee? 15 Jan 2013, 13:46
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futurestudent

I understand that all these bad decisions are 100% my fault and there is nothing more I can do about it, but is there any thing I can do to make this huge unemployment gap not look so bad to business schools and future employers?

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I had an employment gap right after college. Usually, there's somewhere on the app where you can explain this (other than an optional essay). Whatever you do, don't make excuses. Own it and tell the adcom what you were doing in this period. It had also better be something better than "I quit my job to study for the GMAT," because almost all applicants are able to hold down a demanding full-time job while studying for the GMAT. Did you do any volunteer work? Maybe you can explain the family situation that occurred (to the adcom, not here).

Best of luck!
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futurestudent
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how to explain unemployment gap to admissions committee? 15 Jan 2013, 14:11
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no volunteer work unfortunately.

just studying for gmat.... i guess all i can talk about is my family situation .... thank you