I'm currently 26 turning 27 at the end of the year. I have an engineering degree from a top 10 engineering school (big 10) with a CGPA of 3.0 (i know really bad)
I worked 3 years for citi as an analyst until I quit in December of 2010. I started my own business in college and that's one of my main reasons why i left the "corporate world".

I actually applied to bschool last year but only to chicago/NW and was denied and wl-denied (bummer). I somewhat miss the colleagues of the corporate world. I mainly work online and through the phone and I have very limited "human interaction" I'd like to get back into it but at a more senior position. I really only want to go to top 10 and maybe top 15 if possible.

I am in no way wanting to do MBA for compensation and i'm not worried about the cost involved. The business i run is netting well into the low to mid six figures and money is not the issue. It's just that since is established now, I kind of feel un-passionate so to say about it and I want to look for something more involved.

I haven't used my engineering degree that much. I did do a co-op for general electric while in school but ever since my last year of school and afterwards, I have been in finance with a dash of consulting. I feel since I'm out of the work force for about a year already it would be difficult for me to find another job that's not entry level.

I think mba would help if i want to do something more senior. My main interests are financial consulting (not sure if that's finance or consulting) and real estate investments(i will probably want to start my own REIT sometimes in the future)

Wondering if MBA is worth the trouble. I'd probably have to get alternative transcript since my 3.0 in engineering probably isn't great (main reason i think i got dinged). Also would probably have to retake the gmat

i have taken it twice 680

and
710 (q 48, v 40)

Although it's not bad, it's low for top 10 given my gpa.

sorry for all the ranting but the basics is i want back into the workforce in finance/consulting of some kind but want a more senior position. My business has no relate-able experience for either one but my previous work experience did. Is MBA best way to go back this route? Would applying for a job and working my way up be better? Should I consider CFA instead of MBA?

Thanks for any thoughts/suggestions

Thanks for the reply. From what I have read and form what I have heard from consultants a high GMAT score helps with low GPA. And my gmat is average at best at 710 so that doesn't really mitigate my low gpa.

Do you think the alternative courses will be enough or would a higher gmat actually be worth it / help? I have horrible test anxiety; i usually get 730-760 on practice exams but I do horribly during real exams.

I have decided 100% to take 2 courses at a local community college to try to develop an alternative transcript but was wondering if that enough. Thanks again for the advice.