TheComeBackKid
A little worried about my work experience/age. Multiple people say you
HAVE to have 48 months of WE, no more or less, to get into HSW. That puts the average candidate's age at 26.
At matriculation, I will have 66 or 78 (if I have to reapply) months of WE; this puts me well over the "average"... Should this be a concern? If so, how much of a concern is it?
Even assuming you mean only the FULL-TIME, 2 year MBA programs, "no more/less than 48 months to get into HSW" is JUST PLAIN WRONG. Strongly suggest stop listening to misleading advice. All you have to do to look for PROOF is to see the class profile of the incoming class from HSW (on their websites)
Will it be a concern?
All things equal, I would call the higher age and the higher WE a weaker factor; that said, since your WE is excellent, your stories may actually turn out to be super strong. AGE, OR GMAT score, OR <Fill in any other factor> is just ONE of the many factors that the schools look at to gauge your desirability/ admissibility.
So, overall your chances at admissions will really depend on how you package your overall application, and interest in the program. Hope that Helps.
TheComeBackKid
I also took five years to complete my undergrad due to a medical issue. This means I will be 28 or 29 at matriculation... Again well above the average age.
STRONGLY depends on the reasons, AND your GRAPH of grades. This last year, a client from an OVER-REPRESENTED majority was admitted despite a LESS THAN 2.5 GPA, at a no-name school, with an 80K scholarship.
TheComeBackKid
I ask this as I have received a strong job offer and have to sign by Monday night (June 05). This job would require me to stay on for three years to keep my equity. bschool has always been my #1 goal, so I don't want to sign the contract if it will negatively affect my chances. I would greatly appreciate insight on this before I sign my contract.
There are many options you have (which you do NOT seem to have even thought about).
So to recap my questions:
1) Does 68 or 78 (on a reapply) months of WE hurt my application to HSW/top M7?
2) Does 5 years of undergrad due to medical reasons hurt my application to HSW/top M7?
3) Does my age of being 28 or 29 at matriculation hurt my application?
I am a white male from the US
WE: 2.5 years at a boutique investment bank and (expected) 3-4 years as a co-founder of an institutionally backed search fund (>$5M TEV).
Extracurriculars: I have great extracurriculars as I am on multiple advisory boards at my undergrad and have others.
School/GPA: west coast state school(unranked)/3.7[/quote]
I hope all the answers provided above help. For a deeper, personalised profile assessment, and to ask any questions, please message me on LinkedIn. Since you seem to be in an URGENT situation, happy to do a call today itself so, you can decide accordingly.