solidify,
Your GMAT score and second undergrad GPA make up for your earlier academic weakness, which in any event you have a very interesting explanation for (one that business schools are likely to warm to). Your age is an issue in the sense that it places you in the oldest 10% of most of the top schools, though being among the strongest of the 30+ crowd offset even the age issue. So your 'issues' are not so bad and your music and admissions work will certainly help you stand out. I think you could aim fairly high (top 15), but would want to see your CV/resume before naming names. Feel free to email it to me at
paulbodine@yahoo.com.
--Paul Bodine Consulting, Great Applications for Business School,
www.paulsbodine.com/testimonialssolidify wrote:
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.