I'm going to be applying to U-M Business School and am currently feeling
a bit intimidated.  I spoke to a woman in the admissions office who seemed
less than wildly enthused about my choice to spend 12 years out o the
workplace and rear my kids instead.  I had been under the impression that
Michigan was eager to bring able women into the school, but if they're
going to just look for women who are already well along a management track, I'm
going to be cut out of the opportunities.  I wouldn't want it to be just
an "affirmative action" move on their part -- I consider myself quite able --
but I hadn't had that choice of mine disrespected in a long time; it took
me aback.  Is there anyone with any thoughts, reflections, experiences?

8 responses total.

Applying to graduate school is often an intimidating experience, and I believe,
especially so for someone out of the "market" for awhile.  Let me start by
telling you I had been out of the market for 15 years when I applied to
graduate school and if I had let intimidation and rejection get me down, I
would not have my doctorate now.  Dont let anyone put enough of a damper in
your quest to induce you to stop.  I have been told that the Michigan School of
Business is quite elitist and old fashioned in many ways.  Dont let that defer
you.  And, you must consider that the woman you spoke to in the admissions
department was 1) a personality disorder, or2) had had a bad day.  Dont let
that defer you.  See if its possible for you to connect with someone who is on
the staff of the business school prior to submitting your application. Use
whatever networking technique you can to get connected to someone.  Then have
that person go over your application to make sure you have said what the
admissions committee wants to hear. (without lying of course).  And the botom
line is, if the U of M rejects you, find another school to get what you want or
another way to get into the U of M (e.g. take some classes as a
non-matriculated student and get to know the professors and 1) get very good
grades, and 2) impress the professor with your personality and your drive. 
Then apply again.

Hope this is a  little helpful.

Thanks for the encouragement.  I'll keep on keeping on, but was
taken aback, I guess.  I've been lucky to have a friend who has worked in
the admissions office there, and has given me helpful input about what
ground I need to cover.  You'd think that they'd catch on that business
wants more able women, and so culling MBA's from those already in 
management is not providing MORE women, but just retreading the 
ones already out there.  No offense intended, BTW, to those already
out there.  

I think its important to remember that the business school at U of M is
different from the business world out there.  I have been told that the
school of business is habited by elitist individuals who do not work in
the real world, but rather in an ivory tower.  This was told to me not
in reference to women or minority applicants but in reference to their willing-
ness to consider accepting older, no-traditional students (e.g. those of
us who are unable to return to school full time and who can devote 100%
energy to their studies.  Now, the individual who told me this, could be
misreading the intent of the admissions dept., or the info could be out of
date, but as it happens, he worked full time and went to school only at night.

This response has been erased.

Actually, the business school has a specific night part-time
program for employed folks.  But, you're right, generally the U
schedule follows the traditional full-day format.  Suits me fine, but
that's because I'm "just a mom".

How can one control sexual urges until marriage?

You cant control urges, only the behavior you exhibit in conjunction with
an urge.  

Now that's what I call big-time drift.

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