I've been doing some research for MBA programs and I am not sure what I should do so maybe somebody could help.

I just turned 40 years old. I've had a bit of an up-and-down career - I was a newspaper journalist and then when the newspaper cut my job I began doing freelance writing for the web. I've been doing that for maybe 5 years now and I have a solid client base. I'm at the point now where I have too much work and often have to sub contract out to other writers.

But I am really craving being on a career path where I'm growing and learning. I'm open to switching into a different field if it means more opportunity for growth.

I have considered a couple of options:

1. I could do an online MBA, and basically continue to do the work I'm doing. This is relatively low risk, because I'd still have an income while doing the program. It might be a lot of work and I know that these programs are not *cheap* but I'm sure I could swing it.

2. Do a full time MBA. This is honestly what I would like to do because it seems like it would be more lucrative and open more doors in the long run. But this obviously carries a bit more risk and I'd most certainly have to take out loans to cover my studies, plus I wouldn't be able to work for two years. If it meant I could get out of the program making $100,000 or more, though, it would be worth it.

I'm a bit wary of (1) my age, since I would be much older than most students, and (2) the GMAT scares the shit out of me, since I haven't done any math since I was 18.

Maybe there's somebody out there who has been in my situation? I'd love to hear stories - both successes and not-successes, so I can better make my decision.

I had the same choice a took an on campus executive MBA which allowed me to change job twice and get part of the full time experience, including one semester full time. Your age does not matter. To the schools but some employers will prefer younger people. Aim for schools with a higher average age, perhaps?

The GMAT is not a big concern. It is high school math and you can learn it. School won't expect the same quant score from you as from someone with a different work background.

That's somewhat of a relief on both counts, thanks for sharing. Two questions at the risk of being impertinent: how were you able to fund your studies? And have you seen good ROI after completing the program?

I funded it through salary sacrifice, and almost doubled my salary during the EMBA. It worked very well for me.

Hi Duncan, I am 36 and I will try the MBA in Esslingen, Germany... I've read several posts about this program, but my question is regarding my age: maybe it doesn't match this particular program... the average age in Esslingen's MBA is 27-28 years
the reasons why I choose this program only are: 1) work again in Germany: I worked in Germany 3,5 years, mainly in industrial sales, and I speak German well (my level is B2); 2) I want to focus my career in Industrial Sales or Service and I want to get a specialization in Industrial Marketing (one of the cores in this MBA); 3) I have accomodation in Stuttgart, very near to Esslingen: actually I've studied in Stuttgart and know both cities and the surrounding area; 4) price: I have almost no savings for a more expensive program;

do you think this MBA will help me to reach my goals?, so far the German job market is fine, but I will be almost 39 by the end of the program... the last semester is in a company which is a job possibility

It sounds like a viable plan.