35 y.o. looking at T-10 programs, mostly non-business background - thoughts?
I've found a lot of useful information on this forum as a lurker so I wanted to give asking my own question a shot. I'm a 35 year old career changer looking to 1) enter the private sector and 2) work in consulting, preferably at a top firm. I've found that my best hope is going to business school, despite my age, but I firmly believe in aiming high and I would only consider it worthwhile if I were to go to a T-10 school (though some in T-15 are appealing and I would consider them, too).
Background:
BA in social science subject from T-25 school, GPA: 3.25
Masters in social science subject from top Ivy, GPA: 3.25; quant oriented classes were a grab bag, ranging from A- to C- (messed up in a high-level econ class)
Work experience: worked at one of the largest integrated oil and gas firms after college but transitioned to political and comms work, though in strategy and management roles, for nonprofits though part of the work I did as a entrepreneur where I ran my own firm.
I'll be taking the GMAT soon so don't have the score yet.
I've done a considerable amount of research but I'm looking for honest advice about doing an MBA, which programs you think might be suitable for me, and how you think I should approach the application process.
I don't think this plan makes sense for you.
The ideal age is 26-29 upon matriculation. You'll be 36, going on 38 or so when you start your full-time gig.
At MBB, you will start out at the exact same level as the other MBA grads and the direct promotes. You'll go through training and be expected to index(match) client spreadsheets, crank out slide decks and make sure the blue and red little balls align with the icons. Your manager will be 5-8 years younger than you.
And you'll have paid $200k for this privilege. How can you justify this to yourself?
These are good points about entering consulting and I'd be lying if I said they hadn't crossed my mind but the alternative is continuing to do the work that I'm doing now and not enjoying it. But for the sake of argument let's say you're right about consulting - and, honestly, I don't even know if MBB would hire me at my age so my goal was Big 4 or another top non-MBB firm like OW - but I still wanted to do an MBA because I think it can help me make a transition, where do you think my background puts me re: b-school?
OW barely hires MBAs. They prefer to hire young. They're probably the least good fit for you among top consulting firms.
Guys like you are hard to place. There are always a few people your age in business school. But there's always some kind of clear story for them.
Would a strong GMAT put you in the running for the top 15? It depends.
You see, you've got well over a decade of professional experience. Is there evidence that you're a leader? With this much experience, it's no longer about potential. It should be tangible. Why can't you use your network to get back into the private sector? There has to be a really good answer for that. Because someone has to hire you out of business school, and you seem to be aiming for on-campus consulting recruitment.
Honestly, spend $250 to get a GMAT score. Ask again then.
(One of my best friends from b-school was 35 on matriculation and he's doing really well).
Go for it. If you want to consult you’ll need the degree, right? I have a lot of classmates in your age range headed to tier 1-2 consulting shops - most of them veterans or other non-standard background types. They know they’ll have to eat shit (as described above) when they get there but that’s the price of admission.
You’re going to be dead a long, long time. Better to take the shot now while you still have a chance.
Thanks for the encouragement - "You're going to be dead a long, long time" puts things in perspective.
Would you mind sharing what type of program you're in? I didn't know there were that many people my age in any b-school program.
Top 10 program here. Like I said, we have a good number of veterans and people from non-standard backgrounds who are over 30. Even a handful over 35.
Are we heavy on 26 year old consultants, bankers, etc? Yes. Do you need a good story about why you are seeking your MBA later than most? Also yes. Will you be a freak? No. Will recruiters shy away from you? In my experience, most won't and others will go out of their way for you.
The key questions: Does your experience and perspective set you apart from the crowd of mid-20s Ivy/NESCAC grads who don't yet know they want to be when they grow up? If yes, what and why?
Most consulting positions require excellent quantitative skills. Realistically, you might consider other options.
I'm not a mathematician but I'm not bad with numbers. There have just been some classes where I haven't been as studious as I could've been (regrettably) and I got bad grades because of it but I'm happy to work with numbers. I just don't want that to be the only thing I'm doing.
HI Pilisopa,
Your GMAT is going to count a lot, given your distant, but below average grades.
But you also need to be clear about your goals and why you want an MBA now. This is particularly important for older more experienced applicants. Some programs are more likely to consider older applicants if they provide evidence that they are *not *relying on the school's career center to find the a post-MBA job that's aimed at people 10-years younger than the applicant.
So if you want to aim for consulting you should lay the groundwork ahead of time by using your network to meet with people at the kinds of companies you want to work for. Ask for informational interviews. The last thing you want to do is spend $200K and two years pursuing a pipe dream. And that clarity will help you from an admissions perspective.
Finally, I would encourage you to explore the Sloan Fellows programs (MIT, Stanford MSx, LBS) which are aimed at people with 8+ years of experience. These are full-time, one-year programs for people in middle management aiming for senior management so I'm not fully convinced that they are right for you in terms of your goals, although in terms of experience they seem like a fit.
Here are a few resources that should help you:
Applying to Regular MBA Programs as an Older Applicant
MIT Sloan EMBA and Sloan Fellows Programs: Move from Success to Significance
MIT Sloan Fellow, User Experience Expert, and Busy Mom
Thanks for your feedback, Linda! I appreciate your thoughtful answer and the links - the first one was especially helpful.
I've looked at the Sloan Fellows programs, especially MIT's, but like you noticed, I think my circumstances don't align with what they're there for, except for the fact that I have 8 years of management experience. They seem more like accelerated EMBAs than something like what I'd be looking for as a career changer (unless I wanted to continue in nonprofit work, which I am really not interested in doing).
I've definitely got a strong network because of my previous studies in an Ivy grad program as well as my diverse experience so I can certainly call upon people (and have in this process) if I were graduating from a top program but you're right that I don't want to be pursuing a very expensive pipe dream thinking that I'm going to land a consulting gig as a 37-38 year old at a top firm just because I know some people. At the end of the day, I'm not sure it would be worth paying $200K to get a degree when I have to depend on something I already have (my network) to get me what I want (a job in consulting). I know the degree might be what gives me a leg up but if that's all it's giving me, is it unreasonable to think there are cheaper alternatives to getting that same leg up?
pilisopa,
I think you're asking good questions. If your network can open the doors to consulting, do you have the experience and education to land the job? If you do, then I'm not sure you need an MBA. And if you don't, will the MBA make the difference at 37-38? Not sure.
Some of the answer probably depends on the job market. If it's a tight job market, then consulting firms may be willing to go older or hire people they wouldn't hire in a less favorable job market.
pilisopa - As with any MBA candidate, you need to be able to address the questions: Why MBA? Why Now? and Why this program?
Beyond the mid-career executive programs, you might find that you qualify for some 1Y MBA programs like Kellogg 1Y (you need to have taken 4 business classes - stats, operations, economics and marketing) and Cornell 1 year (the fact that you already have a Masters should qualify you). In both of these programs you will be in courses and engaged with the 'regular' two year MBA students.
Your GMAT will definitely be a key here.
References in this article are 2 years old at this point but it may give you some things to think about: Am I Too Old for an MBA?
Wishing you the best on your MBA application journey. Susan
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