So, Just curious if anyone has had any experience with the effect being an officer in the military effects MBA applications, and how it looks on a resume. Previous job experience with large pension/endowment of university, CFA L2. Thanks guys
Military experience is a HUGE plus on your apps for bschool especially if you’re an officer. In my opinion, military experience trumps almost anything out there that your competition has accomplished. Military experience crafts you into being a natural leader. Bschools want proven leaders and it’s something they try to teach but, as we all know, it really cannot be taught in a classroom.
Chuckrox8 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Military experience is a HUGE plus on your apps > for bschool especially if you’re an officer. In > my opinion, military experience trumps almost > anything out there that your competition has > accomplished. Military experience crafts you into > being a natural leader. Bschools want proven > leaders and it’s something they try to teach but, > as we all know, it really cannot be taught in a > classroom. Agreed!!! Discipline, leadership, integrity and ethics. If you’re an officer then you’ll get full marks in these 4, clearly sets you apart from other applicants. On top of this if you ace GMAT then that’s a really strong application.
Can’t speak to the application side, but I know the former military officers were the most sought after candidates coming out, particularly if they were service academy graduates.
No to be rude or disrespectful but all the army people I’ve meet went the basic… high school -> army -> lifer or high school -> community college -> dropout -> army in their off-time they just play video games and use their army and status to hookup at bars/clubs. these people joined the army so they can pay rent without ever picking up a textbook after high school
^ that’s probably true for the most part, but there are some bright eggs who went to ivy league or regular undergrad, went to army, then got into top 3 MBA programs. I work with 2 of these guys, 1 is a HBS MBA, and the other was a Rhodes Scholar.
BiPolarBoyBoston Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > No to be rude or disrespectful but all the army > people I’ve meet went the basic… > > high school -> army -> lifer > or > high school -> community college -> dropout -> > army > > in their off-time they just play video games and > use their army and status to hookup at bars/clubs. > these people joined the army so they can pay rent > without ever picking up a textbook after high > school These guys generally don’t become officers.
Thanks guys, much appreciated. I was just debating it as I did my undergrad at a top school in Canada, I work managing large University endowment/pension and I am curious what officer experience would look like. It has been on my mind since highschool, but I chose finance instead at the time. I just wanted to make sure it wouldn’t HURT my career choice in the future to join, and i think the positive response says a lot.
Military people are hardly uncommon in B-school. So you will likely be competing against many other applicants who are in the “Military bucket” It all comes down to your execution and how do you position yourself. Check our gmatclub.com for more info. Good luck!
Thanks. Would this ‘bucket’ be a better bucket to be in than the non-military bucket?
I’m thinking about doing the army reserves while working and doing CFA. Might help MBA chances,.
TDIGZ Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks. > > Would this ‘bucket’ be a better bucket to be in > than the non-military bucket? Better than the dreaded “Indian IT Male” bucket, for sure. I have no military background so I can’t tell you more. But I have seen military type at all top schools. I think many of the military type tend to be older and the B-Schools appreciate the leadership experience you bring to the table. So it will certainly be advantigious, but by no means you will get a easy ride into HBS (or any other school for that matter) solely because of it. The name of the game is how you position yourself so you can stand out from the legions of other applicants who have similar background and “stories.” Take your time to craft quality essays, tell your story, and explain how your life experience makes you unique.
TDIGZ Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Thanks. > > Would this ‘bucket’ be a better bucket to be in > than the non-military bucket? All else equal, yes.
Personally I think you are looking at military service the wrong way if you’re thinking of doing it just to primarily differentiate you from your competitors in the MBA application process. Yes, military officers are sought after, but there are many who apply to the top business schools each year and they *are* compared against one another. I say go for military if that’s what you really want to do and you’re confident you can excel in that environment, but don’t let it define your MBA path.
Numi, thanks for your post, but I must have been unclear. As I said in one of my previous posts, I was curious how it played into applications because I would not want it to hurt my chances. For someone with a decent job already to take on a part-time military career may cause some employers/admissions dept. to ask why, and if it’s the best use of one’s time. That being said, I agree with you. Someone signing their life to God and country for a better looking resume doesn’t have all their marbles.
Yes, I’ve seen plenty of military people with crap grades and mid 600 GMATs who make it into the M 7 schools. Military is basically the URM for b-school.
mp2438 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > ^ that’s probably true for the most part, but > there are some bright eggs who went to ivy league > or regular undergrad, went to army, then got into > top 3 MBA programs. I work with 2 of these guys, 1 > is a HBS MBA, and the other was a Rhodes Scholar. Just like everything else, it’s all about context. We all know plenty of Ivy MBAs who a few fries short of a happy meal, but I’ve also met service academy vets with whom I wasn’t impressed, and even one Rhodes Scholar who was a pretty dim bulb. They’re all the exception, but they’re still out there.
Wow, NakedPuts; you must be a gen-yoo-wine BSD to be saying that. Or maybe a pompous D.