Hi Gmatoram,
Interesting profile so far! I have some, but not all, of the information I would need to assess your chances for these top MBA programs. I assume you're working on the GMAT now -- a score of 720 or above would be ideal to balance your age, which is on the far end of the curve for acceptance to top business schools. You will, of course, catch the admissions committees' attention with your unusual profile, clear hands-on leadership experience, and international exposure: working for a Japanese maritime company, you will probably be leading ship personnel from many countries, so you'll want to highlight your presentation and cross-cultural skills. Remember, leadership is the #1 driver of admission to top MBA programs, and leadership=
people, so focus on the people you have led in your achievement essays.
Another key factor for you will be your goals: who do you want to hire you post-MBA, what industries, what companies, and why? Be sure you have that clearly stated in your application, so that the schools can easily identify why you are targeting their program in particular.
Good luck!
Margaret Strother
Stacy Blackman Consulting