Please evaluate my re-application chance

[quote="patrickpui"]Hi Paul,

I was denied by a number of top programs last year. At this point, I am considering reapplying at the age of 33 but not sure whether it is worth the effort. Your opinion is very much appreciated.

I am considering re-applying to Wharton, Columbia, and perhaps Chicago. I am also thinking about Tuck, Hass, and UCLA.

GMAT - 720 (46 in Quant and 44 in Verbal) and 6.0 in AWA on my second attempt.

I received my undergrad degree in History from Georgetown with a 3.2GPA. Then I received a fellowship sponsored by Georgetown and National Chengchi University (one of the top school in Taiwan) to do non-degree grad study in International Trade for a year. 85/100 for grade with an average of 80 being the cut off for an A.

5 years of working experience in Asia (Hong Kong, China, Singapore) in banking and strategy consulting. Last job in HK was a failed Internet venture.

After one year off to study advanced level Chinese and volunteer work, I moved back to the US. I have been working with a major investment bank for 3.5 years (first in operations and now in trading). I am leading a team of five trade support staff while learning more about trading derivatives on a trading desk.

During my undergrad and grad studies times, I work part-time jobs and had various internships (US Agency of Int’l Development, C-SPAN, and an investment bank).

When I was in Hong Kong, I was the club treasurer for the GU Club in Hong Kong for more than 3 years. I also volunteer for an elderly-focused organization that managed out-reach program during my unemployment period. I am currently volunteering as a tutor for children who are affected by HIV (themselves or families). My new role is to function as a trainer for new volunteer tutors.

My goal for MBA is to focus on international business and finance. I have two sets of goals
1) Strategy consulting in financial services and then run a financial services company in Asia
2) Move into investment management and perhaps start my investment/advisory firm in the future.

My concerns are
1) my age and change in location/career, which hurts my title (some concerns were raised about my career progress and career goal)
2) relatively low GPA from a top school in the US
3) failure to gain admissions to the top 7 program last year (I was admitted to a top 15 program last year. Have I reach my “maxâ€