RE-Application vs UCLA & NYU

Good sir,
I don't think there is a clear and easy answer here. I mean MBA vs. Job. An MBA will give you the perspective you need to do what you wish, and will definitely broaden both your network and your horizons, but I don't know how to compare that from the advantage your job would bring. And honestly, YOU are probably the best placed person to know that as you have access to all the details. Two things which might help out though: Given your age you are at a crucial point for US MBAs. If you stick it out with your job three years, it may be a bit on the late side for US MBAs. However on the other hand, Asian and European MBAs would still be well within range.

The one thing I'm not sure if that if you take this job it will give you such a colossal advantage. It might if there is some MAJOR leadership opportunities available for you (which DOES seem to be the case) Otherwise, even if it is a move up, your profile is likely to stay similar.

And anyhow you'll always have EMBAs open to you

Let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions,
Best,
JF

[/quote]

Good sir,
I don't think there is a clear and easy answer here. I mean MBA vs. Job. An MBA will give you the perspective you need to do what you wish, and will definitely broaden both your network and your horizons, but I don't know how to compare that from the advantage your job would bring. And honestly, YOU are probably the best placed person to know that as you have access to all the details. Two things which might help out though: Given your age you are at a crucial point for US MBAs. If you stick it out with your job three years, it may be a bit on the late side for US MBAs. However on the other hand, Asian and European MBAs would still be well within range.

The one thing I'm not sure if that if you take this job it will give you such a colossal advantage. It might if there is some MAJOR leadership opportunities available for you (which DOES seem to be the case) Otherwise, even if it is a move up, your profile is likely to stay similar.

And anyhow you'll always have EMBAs open to you

Let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions,
Best,
JF[/quote]

Hi JF,

Thanks for the insight.

So a few things that may help your analysis and thereby recommendation:

1) I am currently 29. I will only be in this role for 18 months. which means if I re-apply, I will re-apply this September (Age 30) and Matriculate in September 2018 (Age 31) and Graduate May 2020 (Age 33).
2) If I am not too old, I would like to re-apply. I believe I have a strong enough candidacy to get thru at Kellogg, Booth, Tuck or Ross. And being in round 1 should help - correct?
3) The new job as MD/Country manager would be huge jump in terms of responsibilities and impact - just to give you a analogy - I would be 5-8 years younger than anyone else in this position industry wide, I'd be responsible for establishing offices, hiring talent, setting up infrastructure for engineering/documentation/drafting work and even testing facility. There would be targets and bonuses set up for new sales and market expansion - and the revenue generated from my impact would be directly associated with my work, instead of a knock-on affect as is typically the case with mid-management roles.

It's going to be hard to say no to this job tbh. But I will if I can determine I can't get into Kellogg and Booth aapplying at the age of 30 (matriculating 31).

What do you think?

bb10

Good sir,
I don't think there is a clear and easy answer here. I mean MBA vs. Job. An MBA will give you the perspective you need to do what you wish, and will definitely broaden both your network and your horizons, but I don't know how to compare that from the advantage your job would bring. And honestly, YOU are probably the best placed person to know that as you have access to all the details. Two things which might help out though: Given your age you are at a crucial point for US MBAs. If you stick it out with your job three years, it may be a bit on the late side for US MBAs. However on the other hand, Asian and European MBAs would still be well within range.

The one thing I'm not sure if that if you take this job it will give you such a colossal advantage. It might if there is some MAJOR leadership opportunities available for you (which DOES seem to be the case) Otherwise, even if it is a move up, your profile is likely to stay similar.

And anyhow you'll always have EMBAs open to you

Let me know if you have any other thoughts or questions,
Best,
JF[/quote]

Hi JF,

Thanks for the insight.

So a few things that may help your analysis and thereby recommendation:

1) I am currently 29. I will only be in this role for 18 months. which means if I re-apply, I will re-apply this September (Age 30) and Matriculate in September 2018 (Age 31) and Graduate May 2020 (Age 33).
2) If I am not too old, I would like to re-apply. I believe I have a strong enough candidacy to get thru at Kellogg, Booth, Tuck or Ross. And being in round 1 should help - correct?
3) The new job as MD/Country manager would be huge jump in terms of responsibilities and impact - just to give you a analogy - I would be 5-8 years younger than anyone else in this position industry wide, I'd be responsible for establishing offices, hiring talent, setting up infrastructure for engineering/documentation/drafting work and even testing facility. There would be targets and bonuses set up for new sales and market expansion - and the revenue generated from my impact would be directly associated with my work, instead of a knock-on affect as is typically the case with mid-management roles.

It's going to be hard to say no to this job tbh. But I will if I can determine I can't get into Kellogg and Booth aapplying at the age of 30 (matriculating 31).

What do you think?

bb10[/quote]

bb10 - sorry for the late response. It's been a bit crazy fielding round 2 outcomes, helping clients with picking schools, all first world problems.
IMO, this job has the potential to turn your profile from great to excellent, and if it is related to the consultancy you plan to start, I would just go for it, and explain your decision in the optional/additional information. Schools often say they are more inclined to accept older applicants if they articulate why. Not that 30 is so old.

It really does sound like a golden opportunity, and the kind of job people go to business school to get.

I think you might need to pass or request deferment with UCLA & NYU - neither of them really speak specifically to your goals. Would feel differently if you were interested in tech or IB.

But most importantly, I think 1.) you would feel a sense of missing out on the job and 2.) a sense of missing out on going to a what you consider to be a better program. So, while it's not ideal to apply at 30, it's worth the risk. I believe this experience will make you a lot more valuable to your peers, and the age factor will be offset by the unique contribution/diversity perspective. I realize you won't be super deep into the job by the time you write your essays, but I think the adcom will understand how this will add value to what you bring.

So - of course up to you - but I think you would be living with some regret should you accept one of these offers, if I am reading you correctly.

What do you think?

Well, it seems to me you already have your answer in hand

Given the huge advantages of being MD, and the fact that you will be 30, I feel like you can safely go for the job with a concrete plan to go for the MBA after the 18 months. Which is nice becuase it also gives you almost two years to WORK on making an amazing profile and filling in any gaps.

You can get into Kellogg at age 31, so don't worry about that

Good luck! And let me know what you ultimately decide,
Best,
JF

Really tough situation here. I firmly believe in going to a place that you are really excited about. It seems you may not be really excited about matriculating to NYU/UCLA and feel you may be able to secure admission to a more prestigious school next year. You know the risks of foregoing an offer but if you don't feel excited about your options your new work experience will certainly boost your profile. I would also re-evaluate the rest of your profile to determine if there are any other issues that may have prevented you from success at your other target schools