Low GPA Profile Evaluation

Hi All,

This is probably early for me to be soliciting feedback, but since I have a big hurdle to overcome, I'd like to know if I'm wasting my time.

I'm 32, ~10 years of work experience. For 6 years I was a self-employed commodity trader at the Chicago Board of Trade trading futures and options. I then shifted into the tech world where I was an Account Manager for a very major tech company where I worked with other major players in the tech landscape. I can easily demonstrate growing responsibility and international exposure. My resume can show that I busted my ass the minute I graduated.

My letters of recommendation will be recent, glowing, and one will come from a prior manager. They're great writers and can attest to my work ethic, growing responsibility, and again, international exposure to the tech landscape.

I have not yet taken the GMAT. My recent practice exam gave me a 630. I am shooting for a 720-740, and I know I can reach that. I will not stop until I do. I've been improving, and I know where my weaknesses are. The only reason I haven't hit a 720 yet is that I just have not yet covered everything I need to know. With enough time and practice, I will get that range.

That big hurdle I mentioned? A 2.65 GPA from a decent enough but far from ivy league school. The reason? I partied instead of studying. I was in a major I had no interest in (Biology.) I was alone and out of the house for the first time ever so I played video games, drank, joined a fraternity, etc. Frankly it's shocking I did as well as I did. Toward the end I kind of got my act together and switched to a Finance major. My grades still suffered because I still had not studied a day in my life. I think my final semesters were about 2.8-3.0. But the damage had been done.

That was over 10 years ago. I'm a hard worker. I'm a respected employee and I have the resume to prove it. I'm hoping that a high GMAT score will tell the story that I can excel academically.

My #1 school right now is Oxford Said. FT ranks them at 33. Economist at 75. So this isn't me having dreams of A top 5 program. This is me being realistic. Not only that - it honestly does fit what I am looking for in a school. 1 year program outside of the US that still has some name recognition and pays attention to the tech world. I also love that it gives a nod to social justice and focuses a lot of its courses on business ethics.

I know there is a sliver of hope of getting in here, and I know I have to be top notch on everything outside of my GMAT. So my question is this - before I dump more time into the GMAT, more money into prep, and even thinking about hiring an admissions consultant, will an adcom even open my application when they see my GPA?

Appreciate the thoughts!