I had decided where I wanted to go to Business School in my Jr. year of College. I took the GMAT (ATGSB at the time) and did extremely well. I had a decent GPA (3.4) and applied early (and to only one) school. Was accepted and entered Graduate School at age 20. Still pleased that I did so even though I work in a different field today after subsequently obtaining a Ph.D.
Chris Carlsonof VA2:39PM July 06, 2011
The decisions to accept younger applicants seem to be more about economics than preparedness. When I applied to business school many years ago, the schools were trending toward accepting students with more years of work experience. I applied to an MBA program directly from college and thought that my experiences with startups in Silicon Valley would carry me through. At that time, the curriculum in my MBA program relied heavily on cold calls and big company experience. It was only after I spent a summer at Citibank that I really felt that I could understand and contribute to the program. My decision to go to business school directly out of college was ill-timed. Although it's been a couple of decades since I finished my MBA program, I still think that the time between the rigors of an academic load in college and the rigors of an academic load in an MBA program allows for a greater contribution to the MBA program and a stronger appreciation for its value.
Stacy Blackman launched her MBA admissions consulting company in 2001 and has since helped thousands of clients gain admission to the most selective business schools in the world, many with merit scholarships. Blackman is the author of The MBA Application Roadmap: The Essential Guide to Getting Into a Top Business School, and has published a series of online guides which contain in depth guidance on the admissions process at top schools. Blackman has degrees from both the Wharton School of Business and the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. Got a question? E-mail her at strictlybusiness@usnews.com.
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Chris Carlson of VA 2:39PM July 06, 2011
Pamela Ellis of CA 1:41PM July 01, 2011