mbaMissionBrianE wrote:
Hello Schawjibb, thanks for your question.
Yours is a non-standard situation, and I’m not sure there’s really a “right” answer or piece of advice that I could provide you. But, I will give you my opinion.
To your questions:
1. I don’t think your leave of absence will adversely affect your chances, given what you’ve been through. Of course, you will explain the context in the optional essay, but I can’t imagine any admissions committee dinging you for this.
2. I think it depends. What are your reasons for pursuing non-finance work? If you cannot come up with any logical rationale, that move might seem random. If you have a logical reason, then I don’t think it would be a huge problem. You’ve experienced the type of “battlefield” type of trauma that few of us do, so I really think the admissions committee will understand and sympathize.
3. I believe your GMAT score will be good for 5 years (please confirm that). You should sit for the GMAT whenever you’ll be able put in the necessary preparation to score the highest. That said, I’d double-check with your psychologist that studying for the GMAT is not something that would place undue stress on you!
Please let me know if you have any further questions or would like clarification!
Best of luck,
Brian
First of all, I am really sorry, Brian, as I took crazy+long time in replying back to your fantastic reply. I don't know, but somehow I lost this post's update. Add to that I was infrequent in the forum for last two months....
I am considering
mbaMission one of very few admission consultants that I might hinge upon during my MBA-school application stage!!