Would love your thoughts on whether or not I can get into a great program.

M36. 2.74 GPA BSME from San Jose State University. 12 years of startup experience growing various companies and then started a VC fund in Asia. Lots of failed companies sprinkled in between, plus volunteer work with Founders throughout my career. Have lots of references from cofounders, investors, department heads at SJSU (I still volunteer a lot), and some managers. Haven't attempted the GRE yet. Thoughts? Thank you!

upliftingfunny
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If you don’t apply, then your chances are zero. If you apply, you may have a chance. Your chances increases depending on who writes your recommendation. Happy weekend

likehelpful

I got my masters in a state college and all they cared was that I have the money to complete the course and won’t fail (make them look bad). I did not even need to take GMAT/GRE. Just needed 3 recommendations letters, resume and 2 interviews with the program director. Since my company paid for it, I had two managers and a director write my recommendation. Submitted an exaggerated resume and lied my way through both interviews. Took me 5.5 years (2016-2021) to finish the 2 year program 😆😆

smartfunny

If it makes you feel any better, I started my MBA at H/S/W at 33 yo. eMBA felt like was within reach but I knew I’d much prefer the full on MBA.

like

Plan to return but I’m keeping my options open. Keen to pivot industries

Need gre but probs not unless u do exec. We need way more info

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Thank you! What kind of info can help?

Depends on which great program.
I honestly think its late for normal MBA and you will have to try form exec MBA.
Your Age and GPA are of concern. While I have heard of people getting accepted at the age of 35, they are outliers of the program. Full time MBA cares about the employability of the students, which helps their rankings. Certain jobs want younger folks and thus will make it harder for you. And so the school is very likely to put a big emphasis on your age. Second is the GPA, which also plays a big role. Below 3.0 and you are looking at a 750+ to get into a T15 program (assumption as you stated great program). Also most/all students will be younger than you and you might also feel a bit out of place.

This all changes when you consider an exec MBA. Everyone is of your age/older. GPA does not carry much weight, more so your job experience. Plus EA test is required not the GMAT.

like

What schools are you applying to Op?

You didn’t define “a great program” and didn’t include some things that factor into your candidate profile (race-maybe you’re white or Asian, reason for low GPA, sense of impact/career success, goals, and whether potential recommenders [just 3 max] are recent within past 2-3 years).

There are always a handful of older candidates in full-time programs, but they are often military veterans, international students coming from other countries for MBA, or in European programs that typically skew older.

Keeping the above in mind, your application is an exercise is mitigating your weaknesses and amplifying strengths in three general categories: academic ability, leadership potential, professional success, and awareness/care for others beyond yourself.

You’ll need to mitigate the weakness related to academic preparedness given low GPA from a non-target school.
You’ll need to mitigate weakness of being ~37 years old at matriculation, carefully walking the line of having accomplished a lot given 12 YOE, but not hitting a career ceiling, and justification for needing the MBA.
You’ll need to highlight the strength of your professional maturity with clearer career goals and readiness to explain what will happen to your VC fund when you go to school.
You’ll need to highlight that you are engaged in volunteering and will be engaged outside of the class, which is often a concern for older candidates.

I’d recommend you look at EMBA programs or even the one-year MS programs for people with 10-15 YOE.

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