Hi. I came to the Grad Cafe a few years ago looking for an answer to this very question. I saw lots of comments about taking a chance even if you are in your 40s but I remember having some difficulty finding any advice on getting into a great program at a great school if you are older. I was thinking that the older you are the less likely you are to be admitted to the higher ranked schools, but, thankfully I was wrong!!
Without giving too many specifics, I will say that I got admitted to a top 10 school at least according to the QS ranking (top 15 or so in other rankings). For my program specifically, it was a top 3 school in QS (other rankings show it between 1-3).
I hope the above inspires others to take a chance and apply. I was 46 when I applied and got accepted so getting in when older IS possible.
I hope this helps others who have the same doubts I had.
Thank you Grad Cafe for inspiring me to take a chance!
mpre2021 got a reaction from still-blue in Am I too old for grad school?