The New Age Tyranny at HBS: 28+ need not apply???
Sandy, what is the basis for you saying that HBS is taking younger students?
HBS AND AGE: IF YOU ARE ~28 AND IN BANKING, PE, CONSULTING, OR WORK FOR MNC, YOU GOT PROBLEMS. HBS has been trending younger for the last 3 years, and now has two programs [one focused on college seniors and other 2+2 focused on JUNIORS] which are geared to get admit kids after two years of work experience, soooo, that is Exhibit A. But their efforts have not stopped there: one of the things I mull over, and quite frankly, mull over and over, is what happened to my own clients in Round 1, and what trends exist in interview invites for Round 2. After trying to figure out surprising results like dings and WL for really strong clients, it hit me, there was a real age bias in that group, they seemed to be 28,29, and over. Military is one exception to this rule,and see below about extradordinary cases. One amazingly powerful statistic was the subset of kids who were reapplicants, and had in fact been interviewed last year: this was a small group, but it turned out to be a DEAD ZONE –none of reapplicant kids 28+ who had been interviewed last year were even interviewed again (except one extraordinary case with bigfoot intervention=accept). Younger reapplicants were successful along historical lines. I then reanalyzed something I usually only ponder momentarily: kids who got in, who surprised me a bit, e.g. had less powerful stats and stories, claimed interview did not go well, etc. Again, not a super large group, BUT THEY WERE ALL 25-26. TWENTY-FIVE IS THE MAGIC NUMBER. HBS will reach for a 25 year old, and turn away quickly from a 28 year old. Dunno what they do w. 27 year olds. And obviously, there are always both EXTRAORDINARY exceptions (older kids w. unique accomplishments, e.g. high govt positions, Rhodes Scholar, etc) and even one or two normal exceptions, but ANYONE trying to figure out HBS interview patterns, or accpet patterns, needs to start with the knowledge that AGE is as impt as any other stat in determining outcome. The fact that most kids on HBS R2 thread do not report age is a real oversight, and I’d be interested if everyone who has received an invite, just posted back w. their age–THIS ALSO IS TRUE AT STANFORD. PERHAPS EVEN MORE SO. As much as Wharton is in the doghouse these days for Hodara-gate, one must give them credit on one issue which is even more important: the give 28+ year olds a fair break, something NOT TRUE at H or S. Sure, 28+ bankers and consultants will continue to get into H and S, there are always exceptions, even normal ones, but the trend to me towards 25 year olds seems very, very strong.
If you did not in to Hor S, it may help to look in a mirror,but if that does not tell you anything, look at your driver’s license.
February 27th, 2008 at 10:32 am
Absolutely agree!
1. Check out the facebook group for HBS class of 2010. Eveyrone in there
is Class of 06. If you can trust the “thin slice” of information, this is a good predictor.
2. I am a 28 year old on the WL. Very solid story, interview, etc… Low gmat though (640). But still built my own company and now in consulting as manager. Lots of stories to tell, but agree that they might veer towards younger people because “they have less acquired vices” – as a current MBA told me.
3. Perhaps they will even out the group in terms of age in round 2… or perhaps I will just go to Chicago GSB where I have been accepted!
February 28th, 2008 at 9:17 am
thanks, great crack about ‘less acquired vices’ like experience and wisdom–I dont think this will even out in Round 2, based on invites, etc.
February 28th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I’m a 31 year old applicant to one of the aforementioned schools, and find your take on the age aspect interesting. I thought that it might not matter as much in my case because I actually graduated in 2000, so my “resume age” (ie, years out of school) is 29, but I guess that is still “old” as well. Funny, because when I was two years out of college working for a startup, in NO WAY could have told you why I wanted an MBA (at the time I didn’t want an MBA, actually). Regardless of what happens, I am very happy to have taken the extra time to spend 5 years working in Latin America, learning 2 languages, starting a company and recognizing exactly what I want to do and precisely why I need an MBA to do it. In my sector (developing world social enterprise) I feel like I am far from “too experienced”, and am shocked that these schools would be so interested in pulling kids with so little experience. IMHO, I would really have to wonder if somebody applying for an MBA right out of college is doing it just to punch a ticket or because it seems like the “right” thing to do, rather than because they have a clear idea of how it will help them further their career (except in rare cases). In my case, I have competitive stats (760/3.6 top lib. arts school, economics major, unique work experience, good community service/ECs), but I trust that the ADCOM will be the best judge of fit, and ultimately I want to go where my background and the program compliment each other the best, regardless of rank. I do find the trend very curious though- what is the reason/justification for this? I would think that it would undermine the educational experience and take away from the “diversity” that these schools claim to covet. Sorry for the long take on this…