What is my best course of action for current situation?

Question

Hey GMAT club. Looking for some advice. I plan on applying to schools in the next 2-4 years. My goal is to be admitted to Top 10 schools. Here's where I'm at:

-I'm turning 26 this October
-Graduated in 2014 from a good (VMI), but not elite school with a Civil Engineering Degree.
-2.9 GPA, all over the map. No big trends except my first and last semesters being my best ones. Grades are like a shotgun spread, some really bad, some really good and I took classes over the summer as well.
-I have spent the last 2.5 years since graduating as an officer in the Navy. I was in flight school, but am now getting out and currently job hunting for something in the private sector.
-Had some leadership roles while in school.

Here are my plans as of right now to make my application as strong as possible:

-Take the GMAT within the next few months to knock it out. I'm shooting for a 750+.
-Do well in my next job. Will it matter where I work for my MBA application? Big place, small place? Or just work really hard wherever I get a job?
-Find some leadership/volunteer opportunity. Volunteer Firefighter? Try to be on a board for something? Start and manage a Meetup group?
-Time permitting, take a finance or management class. Any highly recommended online courses that a top 10 school would like?
-Is there anything else I should be actively pursuing?
-EDIT: I also have an offer from my roommate to go flip houses with him in Atlanta, would this look better for my application than doing civil engineering somewhere?

This site has already given me plenty of info on how to pursue my MBA. Much thanks!

AndreMBAitNOW · Answer

Hi there,

You have an interesting background being a civil engineer and navy. Your GPA is low but it could be compensated with your 750 score and a differentiated application based on management, volunteering and goals after the MBA. We have tips about the application process in our   youtube channel    or you can download our   FREE guide   about MBA application process.
For further information, please don’t hesitate of sign up for a  FREE consultation  where we can answer all your questions.

Best of luck,

VeritasPrepDozie · Answer

Responses to your questions below:
-Take the GMAT within the next few months to knock it out. I'm shooting for a 750+.
-Do well in my next job. Will it matter where I work for my MBA application? Big place, small place? Or just work really hard wherever I get a job?
WORK AT THE JOB THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO MAKE THE BIGGEST IMPACT AND THAT BEST ALIGNS WITH YOUR ST/LT CAREER GOALS POST MBA
-Find some leadership/volunteer opportunity. Volunteer Firefighter? Try to be on a board for something? Start and manage a Meetup group?
FIND SOME VOLUNTEER/EC THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO MAKE AN IMPACT PREFERABLY IN A LEADERSHIP CAPACITY, IF IT ALIGNS WITH A PERSONAL PASSION EVEN BETTER
-Time permitting, take a finance or management class. Any highly recommended online courses that a top 10 school would like?
TAKE IN PERSON IF POSSIBLE, BUT IF ONLINE CHECK OUT THE UCLA EXTENSION SCHOOL - FINANCE, ACCT, STATS, ECON SHOULD SO THE TRICK
-Is there anything else I should be actively pursuing?
-EDIT: I also have an offer from my roommate to go flip houses with him in Atlanta, would this look better for my application than doing civil engineering somewhere?
UNLESS IT ALIGNS WITH YOUR POST MBA CAREER GOALS IT WON'T MAKE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE, A FORMAL JOB WOULD PROBABLY MAKE MORE SENSE IN YOUR APP

What is my best course of action for current situation?

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