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N19
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Need advice on whether I should pursue MBA exam preparation 20 Mar 2025, 13:28
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I am 36 years old female. I have 10 years of experience in intellectual propoerty research and I want to change my career path now, which can only be possible through a strong course.

I want advice on whether it is worth pursuing an MBA at my age? Will the colleges accet my application, as then only will I invest in preparing for GMAT or GRE.

I could not pursue MBA earlier as I had a baby at 30 and it kept me busy for years with a full time job. Now that my son is 5 years old, I can devote time to upskill myself.

Also, do suggest good colleges which will likely take candidates like me.

Thanks in advance.
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TheRedPen
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GMAT 1: 760 Q51 V42
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Need advice on whether I should pursue MBA exam preparation 20 Mar 2025, 22:01
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N19
I am 36 years old female. I have 10 years of experience in intellectual propoerty research and I want to change my career path now, which can only be possible through a strong course.

I want advice on whether it is worth pursuing an MBA at my age? Will the colleges accet my application, as then only will I invest in preparing for GMAT or GRE.

I could not pursue MBA earlier as I had a baby at 30 and it kept me busy for years with a full time job. Now that my son is 5 years old, I can devote time to upskill myself.

Also, do suggest good colleges which will likely take candidates like me.

Thanks in advance.
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Hi N19,

Strong work experience is highly valued by MBA programs. However, with 10 years of experience, you are on the higher end compared to the average (~5 years) for top-tier MBA programs, which may present a challenge. It will be crucial to clearly articulate and justify why now is the right time for you to pursue an MBA.

Additionally, ensure you highlight your strong leadership skills, career growth, and the impact you've made in the workplace. Use specific examples and quantify your achievements with data to effectively demonstrate your contributions. Securing strong letters of recommendation from individuals who can speak to your leadership abilities, work ethic, and potential will also be beneficial.

You may also consider Executive MBA programs, which are designed for more experienced professionals.

Feel free to schedule a complimentary call with our MBA consultants for a more detailed discussion. You can also connect with them via call or WhatsApp at +91 7780769732.
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Need advice on whether I should pursue MBA exam preparation 30 Mar 2025, 22:33
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Hello N19,

While it is a bit late in the day, you still can target European 1 year programs as well as Executive MBA programs around the world.

Your chances will depend on how well you articulate why you need an MBA at this point, the reason why you are pursuing it a bit late in the day, and how it aligns with your future goals.

Should you have any follow up questions, please feel free to get in touch with us for a free profile evaluation session.

Good luck!
N19
I am 36 years old female. I have 10 years of experience in intellectual propoerty research and I want to change my career path now, which can only be possible through a strong course.

I want advice on whether it is worth pursuing an MBA at my age? Will the colleges accet my application, as then only will I invest in preparing for GMAT or GRE.

I could not pursue MBA earlier as I had a baby at 30 and it kept me busy for years with a full time job. Now that my son is 5 years old, I can devote time to upskill myself.

Also, do suggest good colleges which will likely take candidates like me.

Thanks in advance.
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Need advice on whether I should pursue MBA exam preparation 31 Mar 2025, 05:25
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N19
I am 36 years old female. I have 10 years of experience in intellectual propoerty research and I want to change my career path now, which can only be possible through a strong course.

I want advice on whether it is worth pursuing an MBA at my age? Will the colleges accet my application, as then only will I invest in preparing for GMAT or GRE.

I could not pursue MBA earlier as I had a baby at 30 and it kept me busy for years with a full time job. Now that my son is 5 years old, I can devote time to upskill myself.

Also, do suggest good colleges which will likely take candidates like me.

Thanks in advance.
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First of all N19, I want to appreciate you for your dedication, not just to your career but also to your family. Balancing a full-time job while raising a child is no small feat, and I, personally, am a big fan of resilient women like yourself (we have a few in MBA & Beyond family who are now admitted to some of the top B-Schools, and I would love to connect you with them). Adcoms value candidates with emotional maturity who can bring stellar balance to personal and professional life. Yours is a story worth telling!

To address your main concern, is it worth pursuing an MBA at 36? The answer is a resounding yes! Business schools today actively seek candidates with diverse professional backgrounds, maturity, and leadership potential. Your 10 years of experience in intellectual property research make you a strong candidate, especially for MBA programs that value expertise in technology, innovation, and strategy.

Moreover, many top business schools have a significant number of students in their mid-to-late 30s, you may just need to identify the right value-fit schools for yourself where you truly belong (I would love to brainstorm with you on these).

Will colleges accept your application?
Absolutely! Many top MBA programs welcome experienced candidates looking for a career shift. You will need to have a very compelling answer for ‘WHY MBA NOW’ in your application.

Recommended Schools for You
Here are some great MBA programs that value career changers with strong experience:
  • INSEAD (France/Singapore): One of the best programs for career changers, strong focus on diversity.
  • Oxford Saïd (UK): Values non-traditional backgrounds and has a strong focus on innovation.
  • Cambridge Judge (UK): A great choice for professionals from research-intensive backgrounds.
  • ESADE (Spain): Highly flexible and welcoming to career changers.
  • IE Business School (Spain): Offers a strong, customizable program for mid-career professionals.

Let me know if you need help narrowing down schools or structuring your MBA application strategy. Wishing you the best on this exciting journey!

Paridhi Singh
CO-FOUNDER AND CMO, MBA and Beyond
paridhi@mbaandbeyond.com
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Need advice on whether I should pursue MBA exam preparation 31 Mar 2025, 06:23
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Hi N19 , You need not worry about anything. I have been mentoring candidates nearing 40, year after year, to get into their target B-schools. The chances look decently good for the top Indian programs ISB, IIM A, and B as well, so do not ever feel it is too late if you have put your mind to learning. Just make sure you work with a mentor who can help you understand how your long career and experiences in a specific domain can be extrapolated to unravel strengths that future employers, after the completion of your MBA, would be interested in. That’s the most challenging part and the most important exercise that needs to be undertaken during the preparation of your application.
Feel free to discuss in detail to get a cursory understanding of your prospects.



Best wishes
Aanchal Sahni (INSEAD MBA alumna, former INSEAD MBA admissions interviewer)
Founder, MBAGuideConsulting
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aanchal-sahni-83b00819/ |WEBSITE: https://mbaguideconsulting.com/| Message(WA): +91 9971200927| email- mbaguideconsulting@gmail.com­


N19
I am 36 years old female. I have 10 years of experience in intellectual propoerty research and I want to change my career path now, which can only be possible through a strong course.

I want advice on whether it is worth pursuing an MBA at my age? Will the colleges accet my application, as then only will I invest in preparing for GMAT or GRE.

I could not pursue MBA earlier as I had a baby at 30 and it kept me busy for years with a full time job. Now that my son is 5 years old, I can devote time to upskill myself.

Also, do suggest good colleges which will likely take candidates like me.

Thanks in advance.
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