A 38-year-old applicant with 15 years of progressive work experience, strong financial ties (~1.5 crore in assets plus liquid cash), and an eye on an MBA at Trinity Western, UCW, or University of New Brunswick under SDS asked whether age would be a weak point in the file.
- A strong GMAT score widens your options. One member suggested that a GMAT score around 550 would open up a broader set of university choices beyond the three initially considered.
- Not all target schools need GMAT/GRE. Another member pointed out University of New Brunswick specifically requires GMAT or GRE in addition to IELTS — worth confirming per-program, since requirements vary even among similar-tier schools.
- University of New Brunswick was the favoured pick among the three. Members reasoned it has a stronger ranking than the other two options, easier part-time job access, and — being in Atlantic Canada — better PR pathway odds for an applicant in this age bracket compared to Ontario or BC.
No member directly addressed whether age itself weakens a study permit case; the thread's practical takeaway instead focused on picking a program/region that plays to the applicant's strengths (financial stability, work experience) and matching GMAT prep to the chosen school's actual requirements.