E-mails back and forth

Last week I started to send emails to the B-Schools in my "wish list" in order to determine if I won't be eliminate because of my age or previous MBA. Fortunately, most of them don't regard these facts as disadvantages.

The summary is this:

B-Schools that don't have any problem regarding either age of applicants or previous MBA

• Wharton: You can read directly from http://forums.prospero.com/wh-wharton/messages?msg=18556.4. Try this post as well: http://diaries.wharton.upenn.edu/PostDetails.asp?RecordID=2437
• Harvard: They don't use age as a criteria for applicants and allow applicants with previous MBA.
• Columbia: Having previously completed an MBA at another institution will not necessarily decrease your chances of acceptance. As for your age, age is not a factor in admissions decisions. Our age spread for the entering Class of 2006 was 21-43.
• Schulich (Canada): They don't have any problem with that.
• London Business School: An MBA from another school will not be a disadvantage to applying for London Business School MBA, however, you will need to explain in your application the reason why you are seeking London Business School MBA. Again, we do not have age barrier to the London Business School admissions process – admission is purely on merit of the candidate.

Replies with special comments

• RSM Erasmus: The policy at RSM is not to accept candidates who already have a MBA, but we do evaluate on a case to case basis. As long as you clearly state in your essay why you deem it necessary to undertake another MBA programme and specify why you want to obtain the degree from our school.
• Stanford: Certainly, work experience such as yours would contribute to the class. We would welcome your application. Some candidates with more experience find our Sloan Program more attractive than the 2-year MBA so you might wish to consider that as well. Information can be found at http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/sloan/. (By the way, they don't eliminate applicant with previous MBA either.)
• Chicago: I would first let you know that already having an MBA is a concern. The committee may wonder what you missed from your first one. You will have to do a very convincing job explaining the need for a 2nd MBA. (About age: age range of 2006 class reaches 39 years)

Still waiting for reply

• INSEAD (France & Singapore)
• NYU (Stern)

One important thing is that I must state convincingly in my essays why I need to take another MBA, what I expect for it and how it fits in my long-term and short-term career goals. Anyway, my B-Schools list is getting in shape.