Need opinion/assistance on how to proceed...

Question

Resume.

Currently a financial analyst with bank(non-investment bank)
36 years old--GPA @ Cal Poly San Luis 2.7--admitted lack of effort(knew I could get by w/minimal effort) and I plan to address that on essay portion of application.
Have great reference letter from professor @ Cal Poly--PHD from Northwestern...stating my collegiate courses were MBA level(ie..financial engineering-2nd in class) along with his endorsement of my capability to complete top 20 mba program.

Passed all 3 levels of CFA--hopefully this will show intellectual curiosity.

Previously a manager of 9 employees within a bank. Ranked #1 branch out of 99 within copmany in California2009 based on various profitability/sales metrics.(shows experience to effectivley manage??)

Wondering what is needed on GMAT to increase hopes of attending a top 20(if possible institution) Along with anything else I can do to bolster resume....

Intangibles/Oddities(was told they look at this) 
Volunteer @ local Food bank. 
Drafted by 2 professional baseball teams--played collegiate sports Division 1(not sure how this would help-but Im throwing the kitchen sink to get a complete diagnostic)
Ferocious appetite for knowledge(albeit late in life).
Tennis/Golf/Basketball/Baseball

Thanks for taking the time to read...

bakfed · Answer

There's really no magic number that will get you into a top 20 school. As said before, the higher the better. Of course, if you really have to rely on a certain number, 700 is the "magic bullet" that people talk about. In terms of your undergrad grade, I wouldn't stress too much about it. You're simply way way way way way way too far from it. If I were you, I'd take the GMAT and score as high as possible. I'd also take several courses from community colleges or extention classes (i.e. UCLA extension) to show that you do have the intellectual prowess. Your recommendation is great, but it's not going to show too much other than you're a smart person (which is also, no offense, most everyone else's letters anyway). You probably already know this: your age is certainly a factor at 36. You need to clearly show the AdComs why you need this now and what you want to do post-MBA, and make sure that it's an achievable goal. If you're geared only towards an MBA, not an EMBA, the only thing to do is to take the GMAT (and do an alternative transcript if you have the time) and apply. There's really not much else you can do at this point in your life to bolster your chance.

jordanhendrix · Answer

You will need as high of a GMAT as possible for a top 20.

Its going to hard to narrow down schools with out that information.

Letter form professors aren't really the best way to go with B-school.
THey care much more about how you perform professionally. 
If you have one from a supervisor and then one from a teacher that would be better.

Need opinion/assistance on how to proceed...

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