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aerien
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Profile Evaluation Request 01 Mar 2013, 18:14
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You have the stats to get into any school. What I don't see here -- and something that is actually more important than scores -- is why you need an MBA and what you want to do with your career.

To me, it sounds like you're only looking into this because you think it will be free. Money is great and all but do you want to stay in the type of consulting that you currently do (typically if companies give you $$, they want your time in return post-MBA)? Do you want to do something else? Are you looking into the volunteer/non-profit opportunity because you're interested in or because you think it'll look good on your app? (Will you not to do it if someone here says it won't improve your app?)

My advice to you -- take some time to figure what you want out of your career and your MBA experience, and if an MBA is a degree you actually want to pursue. After that, research what programs will get you to where you want to go.
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Profile Evaluation Request 01 Mar 2013, 19:44
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Having career goals that align with an MBA is certainly a necessary impetus, so I appreciate your concern. I did not explicitly explain my interest in the scholarship because I thought the reason was rather self-explanatory; after working for only two years, I do not have the financial means to pay for my MBA, and I would rather not go into debt. If I only cared about money, there would be simpler avenues. It wouldn't make much sense for me to waste two years of my life, as well as take on the opportunity cost, for an education I did not believe I needed.

That being said, I am interested in staying in the type of consulting I currently do, which is why I am keenly interested in this scholarship. Naturally, I have done my research on the program offered by my firm and understand the stipulations. Yes, a scholarship means returning for two years post-MBA. And yes, I find those terms to be agreeable.

Finally, I am genuinely interested in the volunteer/non-profit opportunity - MBA or not. If someone here said it wouldn't improve my application, however, I would not feel pressured to do it before going to business school. I was merely trying to figure out the best timing.

Though that wasn't the advice I was originally seeking, thank you for offering a different perspective. I sincerely hope that I do have the stats to get into any school.

aerien
You have the stats to get into any school. What I don't see here -- and something that is actually more important than scores -- is why you need an MBA and what you want to do with your career.

To me, it sounds like you're only looking into this because you think it will be free. Money is great and all but do you want to stay in the type of consulting that you currently do (typically if companies give you $$, they want your time in return post-MBA)? Do you want to do something else? Are you looking into the volunteer/non-profit opportunity because you're interested in or because you think it'll look good on your app? (Will you not to do it if someone here says it won't improve your app?)

My advice to you -- take some time to figure what you want out of your career and your MBA experience, and if an MBA is a degree you actually want to pursue. After that, research what programs will get you to where you want to go.
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Profile Evaluation Request 01 Mar 2013, 20:11
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I'm just one person, but I think your age won't do you any favors. You sound really green as far as this is concerned. You say you've done your research into the scholarship which is great. But if you do want to stay in consulting and you've done your research, you should know which schools are good for consulting in your area and which aren't as good a fit for you. You don't need to ask us where to apply (with no starting point at all) -- that's a personal choice, one which is guided by career goals, yes, but also encompasses many other factors.

You ask multiple times if your age will hurt you in the process, if you should gain more work experience. While those are questions all younger applicants have at some point in the process, if you're asking those questions still, then imo you're not ready to apply. Now, there's still time before next year's applications are due, and your job when/if you apply is to convince the adcom that you're ready -- you certainly don't have to convince me to gain admission. But you do need to do your research, and honestly I just don't think you're there yet. Work a few more years, gain some more experience -- it might pay off for you. If you disagree, which you probably do, go ahead and prove me wrong. Good luck!
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Profile Evaluation Request 01 Mar 2013, 20:29
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I should probably rephrase my fourth question. I'm not asking anyone to tell me where to apply. That's obviously a very personal choice, and I don't intend on having a stranger dictate the direction of my life. Yes, I have other factors in mind besides my career goals; I was merely addressing the concern you highlighted in your first post. My fourth question is specifically aimed at understanding what tier of school I have a chance at. I'm well aware that business schools specialize in different areas. I've read people's opinions, including your post comparing different programs. I'm fully capable of doing my own research. That's not what I'm here for.

My questions are geared towards how to get into business school, not how to choose one. Indeed, that is why I am interested in knowing if, historically, age has been a factor in gaining acceptance. The same goes for my questions around work experience. I would like to know if having less than three years of work experience is viewed negatively, just as a low GMAT score would be.

Perhaps I'm not ready to apply, and perhaps I sound "green." But that's a different issue that I'll figure out on my own.

Thanks again for your opinion. Gaining more experience is a valid point, something that I'm strongly considering, so I'm not sure why you thought I'd disagree with that.

aerien
I'm just one person, but I think your age won't do you any favors. You sound really green as far as this is concerned. You say you've done your research into the scholarship which is great. But if you do want to stay in consulting and you've done your research, you should know which schools are good for consulting in your area and which aren't as good a fit for you. You don't need to ask us where to apply (with no starting point at all) -- that's a personal choice, one which is guided by career goals, yes, but also encompasses many other factors.

You ask multiple times if your age will hurt you in the process, if you should gain more work experience. While those are questions all younger applicants have at some point in the process, if you're asking those questions still, then imo you're not ready to apply. Now, there's still time before next year's applications are due, and your job when/if you apply is to convince the adcom that you're ready -- you certainly don't have to convince me to gain admission. But you do need to do your research, and honestly I just don't think you're there yet. Work a few more years, gain some more experience -- it might pay off for you. If you disagree, which you probably do, go ahead and prove me wrong. Good luck!
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aerien
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Profile Evaluation Request 01 Mar 2013, 20:36
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Average age at most schools is 27. You can do the math.

Is a younger age a negative; is it harder to gain admission as a younger applicant? It depends on the applicant and the school. Some schools are more open to younger applicants and others are not. Some people apply at 22 and get in everywhere, other people apply at 22, 23, and 24 (or even 28, 29, and 30) and get dinged every year. At the end of the day, you have to be ready for bschool, and you have to show adcom you're ready in your application.
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Profile Evaluation Request 01 Mar 2013, 23:36
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I see. It's good to know that age isn't a factor, though there may be a correlation between youth and an inability to demonstrate readiness.

aerien
Average age at most schools is 27. You can do the math.

Is a younger age a negative; is it harder to gain admission as a younger applicant? It depends on the applicant and the school. Some schools are more open to younger applicants and others are not. Some people apply at 22 and get in everywhere, other people apply at 22, 23, and 24 (or even 28, 29, and 30) and get dinged every year. At the end of the day, you have to be ready for bschool, and you have to show adcom you're ready in your application.
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