PaulBodine wrote:
bb10,
Whether you are 30 or 31, you will be in the oldest 5-10% of your cohort, so a few months' difference is not decisive and 'advanced age' is hardly a red flag. That said, UCLA and NYU are strong schools so if, taking the long view, an MBA will help you achieve your goals better than this new position (you called it a 'potential offer' so it sounds somewhat tentative), then I would pursue the MBA and pass on the new position. If the new position gives you the big step forward you were seeking from the MBA (country manager is a big deal in terms of responsibility) then I would take the position. I would not assume that the new position (though impressive) will necessarily move the needle at programs that are better than UCLA and NYU. It may or it may not depending on other factors (such as your applicant pool). Finally, keep in mind the 'optics' / ethics of committing to a new role that you intend to leave in 16-17 months. Good luck.
--Paul Bodine, Great Applications for Business School,
https://www.admitify.com/testimonialsbb10 wrote:
Hello all,
I have admits from UCLA and NYU - dinged after interview at Booth and Kellogg. No interviews from Tuck and Ross. All this was ROUND 2 - so I believe I may have a better chance in round 1.
but I have a potential offer as MD/Country Manager for a Oil and Gas company - I would be setting up operations in India.
Obviously its a really big opportunity but I will be 30 this year (2017). if i re-apply, i will 31 at Matriculation. The new job would be huge interms of the impact i can create and potentially strengthen my candidacy - but would be age work significantly against me?
Any and all opinions welcome!!
Thanks Paul - appreciate your insight.
Yes the offer is not 100% in place yet. But should it become - it will be hard to turn down. As you mentioned, the new job would be post MBA level general management position, and also in line with my long term goal of starting my own engineering consutancy (setting up offices/facilities/talent/market - all big learning expereince).
There are no issues ethically (without going into the details, the CEO of the company was a recommendor for me in this cycle), so just clarifying that.
That said, if the new job, early round application dont move the needle either way, I guess getting on with the MBA is better.
BUT, if my chances are not hurt by additional 12 months of grey hair - i think i can make it into Kellogg/Booth/Tuck.
So essentially that's the key point - everything else being equal, will being 30/31 hurt my chances significantly? (sorry I know you answered this already, but given the further clarifications, I was wondering if there was any additional thought)
Thanks again
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26 Mar 2017, 06:39
