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NinjaScout
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MBA Help - medical leave Updated on: 14 Mar 2024, 15:59
Originally posted by NinjaScout on 02 Feb 2024, 17:13.
Last edited by NinjaScout on 14 Mar 2024, 15:59, edited 1 time in total.
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Hello,

I am applying for an MBA. I took a medical leave for about a year due to an injury at work. However, I am not sure if I need to disclose it because I am concerned about discrimination.
Anyone else ever been in the same situation? Can you guys provide suggestions.

Thanks!­
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MBA Help - medical leave 02 Feb 2024, 20:26
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NinjaScout:

Yes, you need to disclose this information, but you won't face any discrimination.

There are plenty of examples where applicants have to take leave for personal matters whether that be directly impacting them or another close to them (that requires their attention.)

You may want to use the optional essays afforded to you to describe this problem with clarity and brevity. It'll depend on how the rest of your application is structured, but it should absolutely not have a negative impact on your chances.

We're happy to discuss in more detail if you want professional help.

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MBA Help - medical leave 02 Feb 2024, 20:43
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Admissionado I'm noticing that in some of the forums it is recommended to not disclose if you are still employed. For example this post:

https://gmatclub.com/forum/profile-eval ... l#p3132933

The injury has resulted in a serious disability and I'm really not comfortable disclosing it in the application process. I was employed and paid (approximately 80% of my income) throughout the period of my leave.

What are the circumstances under which we should keep the information private vs. disclose it?
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MBA Help - medical leave 03 Feb 2024, 05:02
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NinjaScout
Hello,

I am applying for an MBA. I took a medical leave for about a year due to an injury at work. However, I am not sure if I need to disclose it because I am concerned about discrimination. Technically, I am still not working because of the injury but I plan on using my other leadership and extra curricular activities to fill that gap.
Anyone else ever been in the same situation? Can you guys provide suggestions.

Thanks!
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NinjaScout You should disclose your true circumstances, especially with regard to your medical situation. You will not be discriminated against. If it helps you, I have close friends who have gotten into top 5 schools globally after maternity breaks and under critical medically related employment gaps. On the plus side, you are currently on medical leave. Once you indicate this, the school will consider the information in your resume, essays, and CVs from before your leave of absence.

Our insecurities surface when we fear being judged. The job gap can be a dreaded topic of conversation for job seekers and MBA applicants alike. Optimistically, however, the gap can also be seen as an opportunity to pursue passion projects or activities that give meaning to our lives. We have worked with applicants who have taken a very long career breaks and they probably did not have an MBA in mind when they decided to take time out. However, the conviction to stay productive and learn new skills during the break was of great benefit to the MBA profile for all of them.

if I were in your shoes, I wouldn't just limit the discussion of the gap to the optional essay. Instead, I'd integrate it into other essays, explaining the rational/reason and perhaps adding more in the extracurricular activities essays, outlining the activities I pursued and the growth and development of perspective I experienced during that time. I personally believe that being proactive in speaking about an area that could raise questions, is a better way to manage this in B school applications.


Feel free to connect should you need professional guidance.

Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD alum, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/ | Message: +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com
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MBA Help - medical leave 04 Feb 2024, 13:59
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NinjaScout:

Look carefully at that post. That person was talking about 4-5 weeks of leave. You are talking about a year. That's a major difference.
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MBA Help - medical leave 05 Feb 2024, 22:49
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NinjaScout
Hello,

I am applying for an MBA. I took a medical leave for about a year due to an injury at work. However, I am not sure if I need to disclose it because I am concerned about discrimination. Technically, I am still not working because of the injury but I plan on using my other leadership and extra curricular activities to fill that gap.
Anyone else ever been in the same situation? Can you guys provide suggestions.

Thanks!
Show more
­NinjaScout,

As rightly said above, disclosing your medical circumstances can work in your favor. It's all about how you show it to the Adcoms in your applications.

Feel free to connect with our MBA experts for a free consultation who can understand your profile better and position your situation effectively. 
Our MBA consultants have helped ample applicants not only secure an admit, but also receive good scholarships. You can schedule a free call here.

You can also connect with the team via call at +91 7780769732