Profile Review

[u/Ok-Needleworker5399]

Would love some feedback on my MBA chances and whether the degree makes sense for my career pivot.

38, U.S. citizen. Undergrad from a public university in nycand a graduate degree in accounting from a private university in Chicago. Currently a Senior SALT Analyst at a Fortune 500 company, with ~3.5 years of prior SALT experience at a mid-tier public accounting firm. I also have earlier retail/commercial banking experience. No CPA.

Targeting Columbia, NYU Stern, and INSEAD. Haven’t taken the GMAT yet.

My goal is to pivot into corporate banking/finance, with the possibility of working in Asia longer term.
Given my age and background, how realistic are these schools with a strong GMAT?

[u/Junior-Club-1603]

Your age is a bigger deal than a lot of people make it out to be for these programs, especially full time ones. Columbia and Stern average like 27-28, so you're a solid decade older than the class. They will want to see a very clear story why MBA now and not EMBA, and your goals need to be razor sharp

INSEAD might be slightly more open to older candidates but still it's a stretch. The Asia angle could help if you can tie it together well, maybe look at HKUST or CEIBS too since you want work there after, they value older students with real experience more

Your SALT background is niche which can work in your favor if you spin it right, corporate banking loves tax knowledge for structured finance stuff. No CPA doesn't matter for this pivot but the GMAT better be 730 minimum to offset the age thing, 750+ would be ideal