Is it O.K. to talk about something that happened eight years ago?
Yes, but you should also — assuming the question allows this kind of answer — discuss how you’ve handled similar situations since then successfully. Q: Are there any particular areas a 38-year-old coming from a successful career in the military should focus on in his essays? A: You have to focus on what you want to do with your MBA. It’s very important for older applicants to explain why they’re going for an MBA now. Now, coming off a military career, that will possibly be somewhat easier for you than for other older applicants. But you still have to be particularly clear on why you need an MBA to achieve your civilian goals. And as a [final note], make sure that your civilian goals are realistic for someone who wants to start a career in his or her early 40s. Q: If being concise is a problem because your story is so good, is it better to censor yourself or be long-winded? A: That’s a tough question! It often depends on the school. Some schools — Wharton, for example — have in the
