MidCareer Desire to Transition to Academia

[NewBoston]

I agree with tpb. Your background is far too unique for any good standardized advice. Every so often there is someone with a background that makes the normal quality metrics significantly less useful. I would say embrace everything that sets you apart from other applicants and make sure to highlight these features at every turn. Also, be sure to do your homework and figure out what constitute core classes. If you are not able to compete on par with the math jocks in a required class, you may want to look at another program.

Note: it does not cost anything to start an application, so you might want to probe a few extra schools to see if the application can be slanted towards your background. For example, the MIT application asked for all kinds of information geared towards a more established applicant. Also, it is one of the few b-school programs that explicitly let you indicate if you would like to cover all the costs associated with the program. If financial support is not a deal breaker, you may want to send in a few applications indicating you can/will pay your own way. This may have a profound impact on your chances of admissions.

[haread]

New Boston, thank you for your comments. There is definitely much work to be done and many programs to investigate over the next 90 days.

No matter what happens I think this is going to be an interesting year for applicants.

Although applications are up, admissions have been flat for the past few years.

I actually think the classes will be far more interesting, the backgrounds more diverse, and the applicants more varied than is typical.

I did want to touch on the comments about the most productive research years being 28 - 50.

An alternative analysis says the most productive years are the first 22 years out of a PHD program. So if I get a PHD at 46, that means I will be at my most productive from 46 - 68.

Just in time for retirement (Smile).

I actually plan on working well into my 80's and 90's if possible.

Haread

[rrbangar]

Well said haread. After all it is not just the number of years or present age of the researcher that counts rather it is the quality of research that will be counted.

I am also around 41 and after acquiring 19 yrs experience, i am applying in Fall 2010 for PHd Accounting - Tax concentration. I request our learned contributors to suggest around 50-100 ranked Universities where I will have decent chances of obataining admission with full financial aid.

[auditing]

go for, probably u wont be admitted in a "top rated" university, but I can bet you, that your classes will me much nicer than those kids with no working experience....

[rrbangar]

Thanks auditing. While I do have some idea about the top ranked univ, I want suggestions for UNiv ranked 50th to 100th where I feel I should focus my efforts on. Can any one help by suggesting the list of universities.(50th to 100th ranked).

[haread]

Check out the Financial Times listing of top programs.

You can also search by research output there.

Haread

[parajulibharat]

rrbangar and Haread,

It might be personal, but may I ask you guys why you decided to pursue PHD? How do you justify the idea of doing a phd in mid-career?

All that work experience (may count toward your application, but it will be much much more appreciated if you go out to the industry) and the opportunity costs? You must be making way more than whatever you made right out of school. You worked so hard so many years to be wherever you are and you want to give up all that and want to do a PHD, want to live a student life for 5 years and become a "fresh out of the school job applicant" again.

I am not trying discourage, but I am facing the these dilemmas. May be you all's rationals will help me navigate.

[possible_phd]

There's more to life than dollars and cents. Those of us who have left high-paying jobs and careers for academia have chosen quality of life over quantity of dollars. The life of an academic isn't for everyone, but for those of us for whom it fits, there really isn't a better job around.

[phdhope]

My thoughts:

1. Age is going to hurt you. Many programs want researchers who will build up the reputation of their program or could be counted on as future co-authors. A student 20 years younger simply has greater opportunity to do that.

2. Work Experience- While it is great you have work experience, and it is definitely a plus, it is not a top consideration of schools. Test scores, LORs, publications, coursework, GPA, and interviews all hold equal (or greater) value than work experience in academia.

3. Your accounting finance grades won't matter. However, you must prove you have the potential of being able to do the math of a doctoral program. This is especially relevant since calculus and statistics are usually taught in college and forgotten unless used extensively in the profession. However, quant skills are less impt. for OB than other biz majors....

4. LORs- Hard to say if it is better to ask professors who have not had contact with you for extended period of time or people outside of academia. You will have to evaluate this on a case by case basis.

5. Don't forget the GRE. It is a big factor in admissions.

While I would still try to apply to the best schools, I think you should apply to more mid-level schools.

[haread]

It's funny, the more I read replies to my original post, the more I wonder if some of you youngsters are not afraid of a little honest competition. (Smile)

Remember, each of us is a unique applicant.

Why do you think a younger research has a better opportunity to build the reputation of the institution? Many top programs do not hire their own grad students, so it is equally important to be able to add to the field.

Age and experience adds a whole other area of diversity to a classroom, than a bunch of smart "whipper-snappers" who may not understand why the "theory" falls apart.

I have re-engineered processes, helped my employers make Billions of dollars, and successfully enabled change and brought new technologies to market.

It is a competition after all to get accepted to top programs. Some of us have attended some of the best programs in the world and proven that we have the ability to be both accepted and succeed there. Remember, I only have to get accepted to one.

Our tenacity, experiences, and ability to overcome adversity prove we have what it takes to complete the program of study. With only 50% of PhD candidates actually completing the dissertation phase, I believe I have a much better ROI than many younger applicants.

As an older candidate, I believe my areas of focus for my research will be richer based on my experiences. Theory is important, however practical application of said theory is equally important.

Another factor that you may be discounting, is that if you have already attended top schools (Harvard and INSEAD in my case) it is more noticeable if I were not to apply to programs of the same level.

Mid-level schools may assume that I would not accept their offer, and pass me over. So being stuck in the middle I need to apply to top-tier and mid-level.

In regards to letter of reference's, I have lined up both Academics and Professionals with academic degrees to write letters for me.

Ultimately the admissions committees will make their own decisions.

At the end of the day, my job is to make my package as impressive and competitive as possible.

Good luck to all and let the games begin!!!

PS: I take the GRE on 10/23, I'll let you know how I do. : )

PPS: Here is one of the optional essays on the Stanford application, it shows that academics while primary, are not the only consideration. Life, work experience, race, ethnicity, etc. all can play a role in the decision.

While admission to the Ph.D. Program is based primarily upon superior academic achievement and potential to contribute to management research and education, the Admissions Committee also regards the diversity of an entering class as important to the School's educational mission.

If you would like the committee to consider how factors such as your background, life and work experiences, advanced studies, extracurricular or community activities, culture, race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or sexual orientation would contribute to the diversity of the entering class, and hence to the GSB PhD experience, please describe these factors and their relevance in a separate statement.