How much does salary info matter?

Question

I teach at an independent school, and before that I did freelance project management in EdTech. Moving to teaching from freelance work was a step down as far as salary was concerned, but it was where I wanted to be. I make over 40k now at my school in NJ, but at my first teaching job a few years ago, I started at 27.5k. It made sense, since I was in a rural area, and the school provided room and board, but will schools look at my meager salary and think I had a crappy position? Or will they understand that I make what I do because of my industry and sector?

CriticalSquare · Answer

Hey there,

Industry and sector DEFINITELY play a role and adcoms understand that. So when they have applicants coming from education or nonprofits - they know they won't make as much as bankers. And they appreciate what you do at that cost. So in the application provide context (e.g. room & board) but salaries are what they are. And your post-graduation salary raise will be HUGE which they like too!

Bhavik

Pottsmi1 · Answer

To piggy back this question, does salary play a role in evaluating work experience within your industry? For example if two people have similar function but one makes $15k more, do you think that weighs in? Maybe along the lines of company selectivity? Just curious.

Thanks!

Thanks!

fxMBAconsulting · Answer

As far as salary playing a role when comparing two people in the same industry and the same job....I wouldn't worry about that. Everyone knows that women typically get offered or negotiate for 15-20% less than men for example. Adcoms also know that different companies have different pay scales. A lower salary may be a sign that you need to up your negotiation skills (and need an MBA more than the person making 20% more than you

!!!!

When I applied to MIT Sloan I was working for a small consulting firm in Rome - my job was very interesting but the salaries in Italy are very low - the adcom never brought it up to me in interview.
I would not worry about salary.

Best of luck!

!!!! When I applied to MIT Sloan I was working for a small consulting firm in Rome - my job was very interesting but the salaries in Italy are very low - the adcom never brought it up to me in interview. I would not worry about salary. Best of luck!

abdc99 · Answer

I don't think they care that much about that in terms of applicant's candidacy. Actually, I think they ask for your salary for the complete opposite of what you think. They only reason in my opinion they ask for it is to later know how much your salary increased from pre-MBA phase. They brag about and get turned on by how much they change people's lives (from 40K to 120k for example). If any, you are a good case to remind them why they want to do what they do. You're completely fine

VeritasPrepMike · Answer

The school will definitely take notice of the industry you are coming from and adjust their salary expectations accordingly. It might actually help you because then the school will be able to demonstrate just how great the ROI of their program is!

How much does salary info matter?

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