Thanks so much for reaching out to us. Very cool background. If you paint the right picture, you are going to make a killing in the admissions process.
Here are some thoughts on key issues:
1. Go now. You are accelerating rapidly through your career, you are starting your own stuff, you are basically "out-kicking your coverage" to use a football analogy. Not only are you going to face down a certain amount of diminishing returns to keep working, but you might lose your zeal for starting your own things. An MBA is an "appropriateness" degree first and foremost, so if it makes sense for YOU now, then go. As an additional consideration, we've had tremendous success with candidates in the their early-to-mid 20s this year, many of whom fit the same profile: strong numbers, pushing up and through your glass ceiling at work, moving toward entrepreneurial endeavors.
2. The key for you will be conveying all that timing that works in your advantage. It really has to be FIRST, I learned/developed/discovered while making an impact and soaring at work, SECOND, I started to have success on entrepreneurial endeavors, and THIRD, I know I need more knowledge, network, and pedigree to maximize the potential I can clearly recognize in myself.
3. For Why an MBA, it is almost always those three things: knowledge, network, and pedigree. Anything beyond that usually rings hollow, as does a claim that leaves one of those prongs out. You describe your quest for knowledge really well, but don't discount the potential partners/investors/collaborators you will meet in an elite program. Also, there's no shame in stating simply that an MBA from School X is going to help you with key audiences. MBAs are very practical degrees and the more you can speak to the cold, hard truth, the more they appreciate it.
4. If possible, connect your long-term ambition to a personal passion. It will round you out as a person and complete the journey, giving meaning to each stage. If you have a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship, you could probably take your future ventures in any number of directions, but tying them to established interests, skills, and experiences gives it a maturity and gives it all a certain gravity. In other words, it makes it feel less pie-in-the-sky or guess-and-check.
5. Management consulting is a great choice in the short-term ... but would you not consider staying with the current GE venture? You are going to want to deal with that start-up in some way - either your plans to stay involved or your plans to separate. Otherwise, it will beg the question. Returning to something you have already started is a great short-term goal because the school is off the hook with regards to delivering. What I would recommend is going with "I have two possible short-term paths: 1) staying with the business I have started if all goes perfectly, 2) if not, I will pursue management consulting where I can use my skills and experiences to add value to firm clients while also expanding my own view of what works and what doesn't in various ventures. Either goal will feed into my long-term goal of X."
Hopefully this is helpful in getting you started. Email us at
mba@amerasiaconsulting.com. I had one of our managing partners contribute to this post because he's had tons of success with "young" applicants this last go 'round. I would recommend connecting so you can have an initial consultation with him.
Respectfully,
Paul Lanzillotti
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