MBA Admissions Consultant
Joined: 26 Dec 2008
Posts: 2457
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Re: non-traditional profile eval. help, thanks!
[#permalink]
03 Jun 2009, 14:23
You are an example of a "non traditional" candidate -- which means that age really isn't going to be a factor, even at schools like HBS. Also, Wharton isn't really looking for super quant types anymore than any other school.
There is a good and bad being a non-traditional applicant (like everything, there's a good and bad...). The good is that you'll stand out no matter what. And in a good way - you seem to have done well with your business career thus far, and in an area that isn't really "corporate". In other words, if you were a 35 year old guy with an established traditional corporate career (Fortune 500 company, etc.) then it'll be a much tougher sell for full-time. In your case, a full-time MBA can be a strong complement to your business experience, allowing you to transition into a corporate career (the need is easier to justify compared to another guy who already has a corporate career).
The bad is that you are an unknown quantity precisely because you're unique. It's harder to benchmark you vs other applicants. Are you an "oddball" candidate that can fit in. Diversity matters, but this isn't a reality show where they want people who could potentially disrupt or become alienated from the rest of the group because of how different they are. The key is coming across as "different, but still being able to fit in with the b-school culture").
On balance, as a result it's much harder to predict, because for candidates like you it becomes even more subjective -- one person's gem is another person's dirt. The b-school admissions process is more akin to dating than it is to "admissions" - they can accept or reject you for any reason or no reason -- and if you're different, it can become pretty random.
So my suggestion for folks like yourself is to apply to a wide range of schools - and don't be surprised by the results (i.e. you get dinged at Georgetown, but in at Wharton).
HBS, Wharton -- stretch
Kellogg, Booth, UCLA -- sweet spot
Georgetown, Olin -- safety
Good luck