Recommendation for Older Applicant

Question

Hi Paul,

I have been working as Derivatives Trader for large banks and most recently independently. I have known for some time that trading was not a permanent career for me. I have saved up enough now to be financially secure and want to pursue my "Dream Career" which lies under the operations mgmt/supply chain umbrella. I have done extensive research (including two professionally administered aptitude tests) and have planned on a switch for several years. I did not know that age was such an important factor until recently. I am currently 36. I am very focused on the position/companies I will target. Please give me your view on the schools I have chosen if I use a professional admissions consultant.

I want to avoid and EMBA because I will be making a complete career switch.

Here is my profile:

Undergrad - NYU/Stern Magna Cum Laude - Economics with honors/Finance

I have completed some postgraduate work in Calc (1-3) and 1 MBA level stats course.

GMAT completed today 1st try 720 w/ 45Q/44V

Here are my proposed choices:

Tepper, Duke, Virginia, UNC, Penn State, Arizona State, Purdue and Indiana University.

If you have any recommendations for additional schools I have overlooked, that would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Brian

Accepted.com · Answer

Brian,

Sorry for the delayed reply; it's that time of the year. With the exception of your age, your profile, at least what you gave of it, looks promising. The age issue is obviously not a deal-breaker but is a hurdle to be overcome. Being super savvy about your goals is one way of overcoming it. One crucial issue you didn't mention is your leadership profile; given your profession you would probably want to have very strong leadership/impact stories from your community/extracurricular life. All that aside, the schools you named are not the world's most selective, which raises your odds as a nontraditional applicant. Duke, Darden, Tepper, and UNC will be the toughest nuts and should conservatively be considered long shots. The others are much more doable. Other strong operations/supply chain programs you should consider are Michigan State, Penn State, and Ohio State.

Good luck,

carswitch · Answer

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate your honesty about prospects when you reply to potential applicants.

Accepted.com · Answer

You're welcome.

rscricket · Answer

Paul,

I posted something similar in Ross app thread...what do you think about my chances considering the age factor? Also I was thinking about Tepper R3...but are you saying that it is not older app friendly?
Thanks!
---------------
I am overwhelmed by how hard it seems to get in! I am 34(!), 730 GMAT, modest EC's.

Is there any reason to feel any hope?

Still struggling with essays:
For challenging time: could I write about accident I had couple of years ago...
For alternate career: I was thinking do they want to see teacher etc kind of thing that is way different or can I say PhD in Engg in a field I can tie with my interest?

Seeing everyone here with scores just as good and younger, why will they take me...I am struggling to answer this one!

-rsc

Accepted.com · Answer

rsc,

I do think Michigan and CMU are friendlier to older applicants than most schools, if you look at the middle 80% of their work experience range. So assuming the rest of your profile stacks up well with their averages, you do have a change despite your age. Otherwise, consider executive MBA programs.

--Paul

rscricket · Answer

Thanks, Paul and excellent book, by the way.

Recommendation for Older Applicant

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards