Getting Promoted before B-school?

We all know that business school adcoms want you to demonstrate that you are a high achiever in your area of work. How important is getting a promotion before applying to business school?

I am an analyst at a large well known tech consulting firm. 90% of analysts get promoted after 3 years of work experience. 10% get promoted after 2 years. I am aiming for 2 years, however there is a good chance it will take 3 years. Do you think delaying applying to b-schools a year if I don't get promoted in 2 will enhance my application? Or will it not matter if my recommendations reflect excellent performance and leadership?

I am aiming for top 10. I would rather apply sooner than later because I am already older than most people at my level due to getting a Master's after undergrad.

Thanks in advance.

4 Comments
 

Honestly man, a year is only a year. You could save a little more, get a little more experience, more stuff for essay etc. Is it going to keep you out? Probably not. But its only a year and I think that, all things being equal, the experience associated with X might look a little better than the experience associated with Y. Probably not, but you never know. You're probably only 2 years older than your peers so another year wont kill you. Plus the extra experience may help justify the age difference a bit. (Obviously only a year but still).

If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses - Henry Ford
 

a promotion will increase your admission chances. how much I don't know. will it make a difference I don't know. I'd wait to be promoted though if I was you unless you really hate your job.

 

More importantly than admission chances, it'll drastically improve your exit opportunities after graduation, in my book. Employers love to see grads from great schools with great experience. It'll make all the difference in searching and not finding a job or getting crap pay, or being pursued by prospective employers after finishing your degree.

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