[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
If you are more than five years above the average student in a top MBA program, you might be thinking: \u201cHow does the AdCom think about me as an older candidate?\u201d<\/em> Or: \u201cIs it going to be impossible or more competitive for me as an older applicant?\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n Note: These align closely with how an admissions committee is evaluating your candidacy.<\/p>\n If you are in your mid-thirties, you likely have significantly more life experience than classmates who are 5-8 years your junior. Similarly, you are further along in your career and have cumulative professional experience that you can share with your classmates. But, what will you learn from them? Will they push you to grow in ways that are meaningful to your personal and professional development? An MBA program is an opportunity to learn with and from<\/em> your classmates. If you aren\u2019t learning from others, you are missing out.<\/p>\n Let\u2019s face it. You are much more mature now than you were in your late twenties. When your classmates are making plans for a beach or ski weekend that involves non-stop partying and late nights, would you join them? MBA programs are an opportunity to develop relationships both in the classroom and beyond the school walls. If you don\u2019t engage socially with your cohort you are missing out on building connections that you can leverage for years to come. I distinctly remember an admissions committee discussion about an older applicant who stood to the side and didn\u2019t engage with any current students or other applicants during his campus visit. Despite his strong profile, he was not admitted.<\/p>\n Companies that recruit at top MBA programs have certain expectations with regard to the job level into which they are hiring. With 5+ years\u2019 experience beyond the average, what sort of role might you be recruited for? Furthermore, even if you are comfortable with taking a step back in terms of seniority in order to make a career change, how will you feel about having a manager who is several years your junior? Do you have the stamina to work the 70+ hour work weeks that are expected of first years out of MBA programs? Admissions committees are considering this as they review your application. If you are one of the lucky older applicants, they might send your materials to the career center for insight.<\/p>\n If you have been out of college for over a decade, chances are that you accustomed to a lifestyle that requires a certain level of income. Perhaps you have a partner. Even a family. Are you ready to give that up and move into a dorm or apartment?<\/p>\n Because MBA programs are managed by business people who are at the cutting edge of education, they are constantly evolving their offerings to meet the needs of their customers. And, more seasoned applicants are in luck! Here are a few flexible options you might consider:<\/p>\n If you live in a major metropolitan area, it is likely that a local MBA program offers evening classes. While it might take you more than two years to complete your degree, you won\u2019t have to relocate, can continue with your job, will have opportunities to engage with students in the full-time program and can leverage career resources to move your career forward.<\/p>\n Quite a few top MBA programs offer weekend programs. Your cohort will likely be local\/regional and include more seasoned professionals than a full-time program. With a smaller class, you will build very strong bonds with your classmates while also gaining access to school-wide resources such as: clubs, conferences, career management professionals and alumni community. Depending on the school, weekend programs may meet just Saturday or Friday\/Saturday.<\/p>\n If you have ~10 years of work experience there are a host of outstanding programs that you should consider. Some, like MIT\u2019s Sloan Fellows and Stanford MSx, are one year full-time programs. Others are a mix of residencies and distance learning that allow you to stay in your current job while earning your degree. Regardless of the format, your peers will be seasoned executives like yourself.<\/p>\n Upon completion of these programs you will get the same MBA degree that your younger peers receive from the full-time format.<\/p>\n Admission to flexible option MBA programs is not as competitive as for full-time programs. In fact, in light of your more robust work experiences, some programs even waive standardized testing requirements.<\/p>\n During your time in the program you will take the same core curriculum and have access to most of the same electives taught by the same outstanding faculty. You will be surrounded by like-minded peers who are more advanced in their careers than the typical daytime MBA student.<\/p>\n Regardless of your age, Stratus Admissions Counseling can help you to identify MBA programs that are the right fit and will move you towards your career aspirations. Keep in mind, that Tom Brady has been playing professional football for over a decade and has earned his spot on the Patriots\u2019 starting roster. He isn\u2019t just trying out for a starting position against players ten years his junior. Who knows, when Tom Brady retires from the NFL, perhaps he will want to pursue an MBA![\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text] The average age of a first year MBA student is 29 – roughly the same as the average of starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Yet, at 39, Tom Brady recently led the Patriots to his fifth Super Bowl win. If Tom Brady can be a successful outlier, so can I…right? If you are more…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":6538,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[378,393],"tags":[655,578,652,653,654,765,764,579],"class_list":["post-6580","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mba","category-mba-profile-specific","tag-business-school","tag-executive-mba","tag-mba","tag-mba-admissions","tag-mba-applications","tag-non-traditional-mba","tag-older-applicants","tag-part-time-mba"],"yoast_head":"\nTHINGS TO CONSIDER AS AN OLDER MBA CANDIDATE<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Peer Learning<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Social Dynamics<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Job Placement<\/strong><\/h5>\n
No Salary<\/strong><\/h5>\n
NON-TRADITIONAL MBA OPTIONS<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Evenings<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Weekends<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Mid-Career Executive<\/strong><\/h5>\n
HOW DO NON-TRADITIONAL MBAS COMPARE?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
The Degree<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Admissions<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Curriculum<\/strong><\/h5>\n