Hoping you can help me in seeing what I can achieve.

Male, 24, Planning to apply in 2014, Canadian (Persian)

Undergrad - Bachelor of Commerce, Major in Marketing Management. School Ranking: ARWU World 201-300. Top 10 in Canada. Top 3 Comprehensive in Canada.
GPA: This is where things get interesting. Overall 2.75 GPA. Last two year: 3.55 GPA. Last year: 3.85

My first couple of years at undergrad were abysmal. I essentially wrote mid terms and finals. Did not attend classes, no assignments. I was going through some stuff: Personal problems coupled with financial issues (had to defer payment for several semesters), which amounted to health issues. However, I do not want to use this as an excuse. All of this could have been avoided if I had matured and understood what I was doing. Not taking responsibility for my actions led me into the mess, and I am not about to do it again. In my last two years, I smartened up. (You can call it life altering circumstances, but really, it was me finally understanding that I had the ability to turn everything around.) I started caring about my work, going to classes, and committing myself to classes while working 20 hours a week. I actually managed a 4.0 in a class (Theory of Finance) which had a class average of 1.3.

Work experience: 2 years to date, 4 years by application time. After turning things around, I managed an internship in between my 3rd and 4th year as a Marketing Intern. My first job out of school was for a think tank of sorts in Toronto (conferences, reports). I began as a Marketing Researcher, and was promoted to Marketing Project Manager within 2 months. I resurrected a failing brand/project, and launched two successful ones which are now pillar programs at the company. In my time there, I also managed the sales team for 2 months while the company was looking for a new sales manager. This included coaching, pep talks, interviewing, and hiring. Met a number of influential people in this position, and opened up a conference in New York City.

After a year, I received a call from the company in which I had done my internship and decided to jump ship. My current company is an engineering/manufacturing firm based out of Germany. Company has 29 production sites around the world and 40 sales/marketing offices around the world. (700m euros in sales) In my role, I wear two hats: I handle all marketing activities in Canada (campaign development, media planning and buying, coming up with creative, and handling trade shows.) I also work in the Business Development function, handling Western Canada. In this role, I advise engineers, consultants and architects. Am in charge of the western budget with the ASM for West Canada. There has been talks with the President that I move into a solely marketing role in a year or two as we keep expanding in Canada.


Career Path: Marketing and marketing strategy is really my passion. I have my reasons why I am in this line and plan on staying in it. I would like to start working with a consumer facing brand, and the long term goal is to eventually start an Agency with the people I meet along the way.


More details: Ran my own business for a summer (hard to prove this though.) Played soccer throughout high school (Don Boscoe NCAA Showcase MVP). Avid reader. I know that I need to step up my extra-curriculars if I am to have any chance.

Now that that's over (sorry for the length), here is what I need help with:

1. Can I make up for my overall GPA?
2. What should I aim for in my GMAT?
3. Should I take a calculus/statistics course to show my proficiency?
4. What schools should I look into based on my profile? Is Kellogg a pipe dream? Is Kelly achievable? Are there any under-the-radar Marketing programs which are known and respected in the industry?

Thank you in advance for taking the time to review this.