BobbyDE wrote:
Hi,
Thank you in advance for looking at my profile evaluation request.
I am currently 30 years old. Due to my commitment I cannot get out of the military until the summer of 2016, when I will turn 33, so I will be 32 at the time of application. I am concerned that being 33 at matriculation will prevent me from being accepted into a top tier MBA program.
About me:
Undergrad: BS in Applied Physics at United States Naval Academy
GPA: 3.34
GMAT: 690 (Q46/V38)
Background
-Following high school, I enlisted in the Navy (3 years)
-I was accepted to and attended USNA
-Surface Warfare Officer (Officer on a warship) where I served as a Division Officer and a Training Officer (3 years)
-I was selected to switch jobs and become an Information Professional where I will work as the head of an Information Systems inspection team (2 years).
Desired programs
-HBS
-Stanford
-Wharton
-Tuck
-Fuqua
-Sloan
My goal behind the MBA is to start a career in Management Consulting or General Management.
I know my GMAT is currently on the low side for the schools I plan to apply to, especially with matriculation over 2 years away. So I plan to take the GMAT again in a couple months (goal 720 or better).
In your opinion, do I have a reasonable chance at getting into these schools at the age of 33?
Hey there,
So bobby in a nutshell, yes you should have a chance. You are really grazing the upper limit of the ages they like to see, buuuut I think that you have a very good story that can work for you (i.e. your military commitment, and then the retraining before you transfer to a civilian career). Plus most schools LOVE military guys, esp with officer training and real leadership, which you seem to have. From what I see here really the main thing to work on is as you yourself mentioned the GMAT. If you can beat a 720 you'll have the best chances you can.
Other than that, since you ARE a bit older, when you eventually do apply, I'd strongly suggest that you apply to more schools rather than fewer. I mean you seem to have a very sweet profile, but who knows whether they will see a fit for you (of course you will also do your best to convince them of your need, of the reasons why you are applying then, and so on).
Other than that, things look great! Keep on hacking away at that GMAT. Thankfully you have plenty of time to work on it,
Good luck,
JF