Hi,

I am a Canadian caucasian male aged 32 working in Canada as a senior analyst in corporate strategy consulting at a big 4 firm. I am planning to do an MBA to advance within the firm (unless something striking happens). My profile is as follows:

Academics - Entered a top Canadian Undergrad in BSc Life Sciences, but was pursuing a music career full-time. Grades suffered dearly as I was off for weeks or months at a time, sometimes withdrawing from full years of the program. I didn't even go to my labs (though I received top grades for work I actually submitted) or complete many assignments or examinations. Did a BBA at a verrrry non-target low-tier university in Canada several years later.
First Undergraduate GPA: 2.83 BSc in 11.5 credits (unfinished). Second undergraduate BBA GPA: 3.7 equivalent (my guess in conversion. scored a perfect 100 in first year stats to boost my confidence).

GMAT: 760 (Q50, V42) done in one shot in 2nd year of BBA program with 9 days prep. Can re-do, no problem if score expires.

Work Experience - Right out of high school I started tutoring pro-bono and switched to undergraduate admissions consulting both volunteering and for private school clients to support myself during school and my music career. Was the touring bassist and marketing/PR manager for a rock band for 7 years and was told by bandmates and others in the business that I should study commerce. In order to pay for it, I worked for 2.5 years in Canadian equivalent of TSA (worked to Management in 1.5 years), but gave up route to Operations Manager in order to start my BBA. Post-BBA, entered big 4 firm as an analyst. Might have had slight knock at top firms, but unreputable institution killed most chance of that.

Extracurriculars - As stated before, tutored and secured admissions and scholarships for many underprivileged students over the years. In my first undergrad I founded a Jazz Combo/Club, playing at local jazz hotspots. At the BBA undergrad, I founded the campus business council overarching all business groups and founded the consulting club. I also won some case competitions and ran GMAT tutoring sessions.

MBA Goals - I plan to either advance at my firm or secure a senior position at a higher-profile firm. I have an entrepreneurial tinge, though, so if something bites me, I will pursue that full-out, despite my age.

Concern - Fairly obvious: Terrible first go at reasonable undergrad. Unreputable second undergrad. Advanced age with arguably little advancement relative to age-cohort peers due to years in band.

Targets: As high as I can reach. Drive is no issue.


Thank you very much in advance.

S.

That's very interesting, Mili, and thanks for the reply.

Well I will probably state that it wouldn't really be worthwhile to go to one of those "safety" schools. I could apply to the more reputable Canadian schools here in Toronto (Rotman, Ivey) in case of dings at Top 10-15.

What do you think would most correlate with my chances at top-10 schools? Would it be my enthusiasm for a certain goal or what compelling stories I can draw from my experiences?

Thank you,

S.