I'm 33 - Am I too old for applying for MBA in US?

Question

Hi All,

This is my first post !! Feels Happy & Great to be part of GMAT Club !!

I'm planning to apply for MBA in the US for 2015 Fall in take, for which I will start applying by end of this year.

I'm a Project Manager in a US based company (currently in South India) & wish to take up MBA to reach to senior management positions quickly & handle that position effectively.

My question (and my worry!) is: I will be 33 when I apply for MBA, and will have 11 years of progressive experience in IT !!

Am I too old for MBA? Will my applications be considered in the first place (or) be rejected out-right ??

Please let me know.

Based on the responses I will have to decide whether or not I should plan for GMAT & MBA.

Many thanks in advance.

Ram

ashkul123 · Answer

Hi Ram

I am also on the other side of 30 and I am only looking at 1 year programs (mostly European and Indian MBA programs).

From what I have seen on the forums, if you are Indian IT male and 30+, then it is not a very good situation to be in for US programs as they tend to attract a far more younger crowd.

I would say, start the process with an open mind and you may be surprised

.

All the best !!

. All the best !!

RRamkumar · Answer

Hi Ashkul, Thanks for your response. Sure, I will have an open mind while applying! From what I have read, I think anything can happen...

But I will definitely give a shot & see what happens... Even if it is a reject from all B-Schools, atleast I will happy I did a sincere attempt. But I hope atleast one B-school should be accepting my profile - I need to find out which is that. Hoping for the Best. Ram

ashkul123 · Answer

Hi Ram

What I meant was to be clear in your mind about what you want. In my case ,one of the biggest factors is that I wish to go back in the job market within a year so not looking for traditional 2 year programs. There could be a lot of other reasons about which you need to think and then take a call.

selection/rejection will come at a much later stage

bb · Answer

Hello and welcome to GMAT Club!
There is a variety of applicants who have been able to get in at the age of 30 or older. It is getting tougher as you approach 35.
There are a number of discussions about this with this blog perhaps being the most prominent by one of the members: https://mbaover30.com/ (he is an applicant turned admissions consultant)

shagalo · Answer

The best thing in USA that they have no age limit for education. You have to meet other requirements such as TOEFL and GMAT to be accepted in any school.

Posted from my mobile device

bb · Answer

Yes... but bschools won't take you past a certain age or at least they have not done that for the Full Time program and instead push you out into the EMBA.

prodizy · Answer

Hey Ram,

I have almost identical background as yours. I also have my own startup(I contribute on a part-time basis). I am 32 and going through the ordeal this year. All dings in the first round. I have slight hopes on the second round outcome. I have a GMAT score of 700 and did a decent job with essays. But so far, no luck.

Some unsolicited advice :

1. It's going to be very tough. Manage your expectations. Someone once told me that getting into a top US business school is a two year process for Indians.
2. Get a stellar GMAT score. I think a lot of people underplay the role of GMAT in the admissions. A very high GMAT will probably make the adcom take an another look at your essays,
3. Write stellar essays(this is going to take the maximum amount of time). 
4. Why MBA story has to be perfect. Career goals should be crystal clear and make sense. By looking at the resume and essays, the adcom should know why you want an MBA and how you will flourish with it.
5. Play the round strategy properly.

I know all of these things in the hindsight. This sounds easy to execute, but it's a lot of hard work. One idea is to look at 1 years programs in Europe. They are relatively easy to get into and age is not going be a major issue there.

First step for you is to understand why you need an MBA clearly(not just getting senior management position). Start looking at the linked profiles and get a clear understanding of your career trajectory post-MBA. Explore post-MBA careers paths. Talk to current students and alumni.

If you are committed and strong, I don't see any reason why you won't make it just because you are 33. But the path is difficult and at the end of it you will come out as a better person. All the best!

Thanks,
Prodizy

honchos · Answer

Boss does age creates an issue in Top B school? Beacuse Harvard doesnot have an EMBA

subhashghosh · Answer

I think age will not be that big a problem if you can present a stellar profile and convince the Adcom as to why you want to go for an MBA now. I was also in your shoes in 2012, and I got through in several places.

honchos · Answer

Even Harvard says age is not an Issue in USA as far as admission is concerned.

prodizy · Answer

There are many factors, I think.

1. It depends on the career goals. Careers such as consulting might prefer slightly younger candidates.
2. International students might have a tough time compared to US citizens due to visa issues.
3. It might also indicate you have taken a lot of time to be here(there could be younger candidates with similar accomplishments etc.) 
4. Schools like Darden, HBS, Stanford are known to prefer younger candidates
5. And with the EMBA programs, the schools might want to push the older candidates in that direction...

Thanks,
Prodizy

honchos · Answer

Is it also True for Public administration studies as in Harvard Kennedy school, which is also a part of Harvard University-Schools like Darden, HBS, Stanford are known to prefer younger candidates

prodizy · Answer

Hey, I don't know. Even the information I posted above is not first-hand. It is based on my research on the web.

Thanks,
Prodizy

honchos · Answer

Though I am not that old but still I have send an email to Harvard Business school.

prodizy · Answer

I wouldn't worry that much. And I don't think adcom would say they prefer younger candidates. Being clear with goals should help as Subash pointed out.

Thanks,
Prodizy

honchos · Answer

https://poetsandquants.com/2012/09/06/at ... -in-vogue/

prodizy · Answer

I am quoting from the above article you shared

=== I would not get my hopes up over that figure, however, if you are from consulting, banking, or PE. They are not looking for aged types from those villages because it usually means burn-out, dementia, or you just got fired.” === Thanks, Prodizy

honchos · Answer

What if one is from NGO, World Bank etc.

prodizy · Answer

Exactly, it all boils down to career goals and the applicant profile I guess.

Thanks,
Prodizy

I'm 33 - Am I too old for applying for MBA in US?

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