Cornell / Johnson - 03-02-2023 | Clear Admit ApplyWire

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March 1, 2023 4:55pm ET

Applying: Cornell / Johnson, Duke / Fuqua, UNC Kenan-Flagler, Yale SOM

Intake Year: 2025

Pre-MBA Career: Fire service

Post-MBA Target Industry: Asset Management, inc. HF, Family Business Companies: Blackrock , Goldman Sachs , JP Morgan Asset Management

GPA: 3.5

Years of Work Experience: 15

Location: South East

Post MBA Location: East coast

Notes:

Very non-traditional route. Have worked in the Fire service for all of my adult life. Moved to the east coast to be closer to family and am in the midst of a career change. Attending school as an adult at a top 5 public university. Will be in my early 40s by the time of application. Not targeting M-7's and have the finances to fund MBA endeavor without loans. Understandably my age will be of concern. To mitigate that as best as I can I am involved in on-campus activities and have a track record of promotions. Long term goal would be to work with pension funds for first responders and eventually start my own fund geared toward police/fire/military. Much more to say about my background story if there are specific questions. I understand it's very rare for someone of my age/background to apply to full-time programs but my question is are the schools I've mentioned within reach if I maintain my 3.5-ish GPA and get a strong GMAT? I know for sure no one will have an application like mine! that has to count for something... I hope. Thanks in advance.

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Show Comments (8) Last: March 15, 2023

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 Are you currently completing your undergrad, full time? So all your work experience will be prior to completing your degree? Is the plan then to go directly to your MBA, or work again, then apply? Do you have any finance-related experience in your profile, to date? Yes, your profile is unorthodox, which will present challenges. A key aspect will be “fit”. Is it doable? Sure, but quite challenging. Would you be willing to dip a tier lower, if necessary? (0)

non-traditional-approach Likes Earned: 4 Yes, I am currently enrolled full-time and have taken a leave of absence from work. A bit complicated, I understand. Correct, all my work history will be prior to completing my undergrad degree. I am considering a full-time program as all my previous work experience has been in the fire/EMS service and would like to leverage the network of a full-time program. I don't think, at this point, and given my lack of business experience, an EMBA online program would provide me the opportunities I am hoping to achieve. As far as fit, I am attempting to address this by being active at my current university and am involved in extracurriculars. If necessary, I have no issue dipping to a lower tier if you think the schools I mentioned would be less willing to admit an older applicant with my background. I appreciate your response. (1)

alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 Well getting a super GMAT, and maintaining a strong GPA will be key. Showing impact and growth at work will be important. I’d seek out 1-2 programs from the next tier. (1)

grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1237 Thanks for sharing your unusual background! I tend to agree with Alex: posting REALLY strong numbers is likely going to be the best way to quiet some of the concerns about your unorthodox path to date. I do think adding some schools from the next tier may make sense as well. I also think you will need to think carefully about how your experiences to date have prepared you for your post-MBA career....and that's were the jump from working with the Fire Service over to Asset Management feels a bit abrupt (or certainly more abrupt that a move into some sort of local government consulting or operations type roles - where your transferable skills may be more readily apparent). I do understand your desire to go full-time, in light of your career shift, but it's going to require casting a fairly wide net I suspect. Best of luck in your quest!
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non-traditional-approach Likes Earned: 4 Thank you both for responding and for your advice. I have family alumni connections at a couple of the schools on my target list, not sure how much, if at all, that helps my case. I'm still new to this game and attempting to figure it out the best I can as I go. In response to Graham, consulting isn't off the table. That's also a path of consideration, I just didn't want to take up too much time and make a lengthy post. I agree that a path into Govt. or private sector consulting may be an easier bridge to gap than into wealth management. I assume I will be viewed similarly to a military candidate by ad-com, which makes perfect sense. I still have some time to figure it out and will check back in as the time to apply gets closer. Big fan of the podcast and am always interested to hear about older candidates' MBA journey. You guys don't feature them often, the law of averages I suppose, but I'm hoping my story may resonate with some "non-traditional" candidates in the future. Thank you for the service you provide and keep up the good work. (2)

grichmond Verified User. Likes Earned: 1237 The military analogy here is very apt; so much of the advice you see around those candidates will likely apply. I'm glad there is some flexibility with respect to your goals. Also, so glad to hear that you enjoy the podcast! Perhaps Alex will select your profile for discussion next week... :)
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alexbr4 Verified User. Likes Earned: 1676 More details on this candidacy in this episode of Wire Taps: https://www.clearadmit.com/2023/03/mba-wire-taps-281/ (0)

non-traditional-approach Likes Earned: 4 Thank you both for discussing my profile on the podcast! I’ll continue to be an avid listener and will update you guys when the time comes to start applying. (1)