Hi friends,
It's a common observation that Business schools all over the world are prefering younger candidates. Admission for aspirants who are in 30 - 35 years category with experience from 6 - 12 years is getting tougher. Actually such students are considered too old for an MBA and too young for an Executive MBA. What do you think is the best solution for such candidates?
Please also mention the schools, you think are interested (or consider actively) in such candidates in US, Europe and Asia.
I am sure a lot of candidates must have felt this way (or would be in the same boat). Hence any observations/feedback/comments in this regard are gratefully welocme.

Thanks and regards,
Ram

Hi Ram,

My advice would be to look for a list of target schools and then find the age range of all of them. There are many many B-Schools aorund the world, and if you have a good profile, no matter of age.

For instance, in Europe, IMD has an MBA which is very exclusive and most of the class is around 30s-35s, so you would fit very well. But, of course they are very demanding regarding the quality of the applications.

Which kind of experience do you have? Where are you from? Your GMAT? Your career goals (sector/ geograph)?
These are important questions that you should provide to the forum in order to receive more feedback.

SingleSpain

Hello Ram,

your information is very usefull in order to understand your position.
As you mention, your profile is the most common for Indians applicants, but you should higlight your candidature not only for the "facts and numbers" but also for your quality and potential as a future manager.

I would choose a pool of schools, at least 5 (if your target is Europe) as your chances of being accepted are higher. Also note that this year with the Financial Crisis, many people will consider to apply to a B-School than a non-crisis year.

Also, UK Schools, as you may see at their web pages, tend to have a more senior profile.

My preferences in the UK: LBS, Oxford, Cambridge, Crainfield, Manchester.

If you consider Spanish Schools, I may also give some kind of advice (IE, ESADE, IESE).

HEC and RSM are also very good choices.

Regards,

SingleSpain

Hi Ramdi,

Yes, is a bit late, but I would try to apply to some of the schools that may give you a good feedback regarding the timing (ask admit com of each school).

Regarding Spanish Schools:
a. Yes, learning Spanish is a must. Many people start from scratch and that's up to you how much you can learn. At least you should have an interest for the language.

b.Consultancy. Few foreign MBAs end working in Spain for consultancy because salaries are lower than in the UK or US and also because consultancies for their Spanish offices tend to hire Spanish people. IESE is the one´s that have more MBAs ending in Consultancy, but is a 2 years program. Esade has also 1 Year which should be good for a profile like you -mid 30s. Then, IE has the International MBA and the Domestic MBA, where the only interesting for you is the International.

Regarding Insead, of course is one of the top in Europe, and very well considered for Consultancy, probably you will find there many MCks or BCGs for their MBA and then they come back to their company. Regarding the comparison with HEC, Insead is the most global of both (for countries like India is more well known) and the alumni has a more extensive presence worldwide than HEC. But HEC has a also a very good reputation and is not very expensive as others.

Regarding EMBA /MBA, I would recommend a fulltime MBA if you want to change your career (as you mentioned). Normally, very few EMBAS are career changes, because is nos very easy working and studying and also thinking in new companies.
Another interesting factor is the 1/2 years program dilema. In the case of the 30s, a 1 year is probably a better decision.

I recently did an MBA at RSM and was over 30 when I entered. You will find that in the USA the average age at the programs is 26-28 but in Europe it is 29-31 at most programs. Given this, you are a better candidate for a European MBA program. Anyone with 8 years or more experience can go for an executive MBA program also, depending on the program. Be very careful about choosing an MBA program. Do not go to RSM -- a quarter of the students can't speak proper English, the professors are awful (2/3rds are flown in from other places since they are cheaper -- many came from the third world), the career centre hardly functions and very few people got good jobs, and the school is very badly run.

For full-time MBA programs, the ones that are really worth it in Europe are IMD, INSEAD, and LBS and maybe Cambridge, HEC (but only for jobs in France), and some of the Spanish schools (but only for jobs in Spain). Beyond that, the MBA programs are probably not worth the cost plus time out of the job market.