Ask Stacy Blackman

Hi -

I'd appreciate a profile evaluation and some help with a decision about my undergrad degree.

I'm 32. I started undergrad in 2001 at a 100-ish ranked liberal arts school, had a 3.5 GPA my first two years and then went downhill because of a number of problems. I was academically suspended in 2005. I tried to return in 2007 while working full-time but decided to withdraw and focus on my career instead.

I was re-admitted to the same college in 2014 and have taken 8-10 classes at a top 10 university for transfer credit. My GPA in all classes since returning is a 4.0. I'm on track to finish my degree this semester. If I complete it, my transcript will reflect a 2.15 GPA (not counting transfer credits, which they do not). If I count my transfer credit grades, my GPA at graduation would be a 2.4.

Since transfer courses won't raise my GPA by much and I have numerous failures and withdrawals from my 2005 and 2007 academic years, I'm wondering whether I should finish my undergraduate degree now or transfer to another college and complete the degree there. If I did that, it would take around 1.5-2 years but my transcript GPA would be a 3.5+ and my career across both schools would be above a 3.0. But, I'm already 32 and that's pushing the high end of full-time MBA candidates.

Professionally, I've been promoted around once a year. I was an analyst at a startup and then a smaller firm, then a project and program manager and now a business development manager. Total work experience is around 8 years with 3 years of management experience in a fortune 500 firm. It was my firm that sent me back to get my undergraduate degree in advance of a possible director-level position.

Practice GMATs have me around a 700. I've been involved in pro-bono consulting work in the arts for around a year, and I led a non-profit in the private sector from 2008-2014.

Looking at full-time programs to get the necessary education and skills to transition into private equity or venture capital, leveraging the business development, operations, and management experience.

I'm looking to at schools like Wharton, Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, NYU, and Fuqua.

Mostly looking for an opinion on finishing undergrad now or transferring/extending to fix the GPA, but also general advice on being realistic about top 5-15 programs and improving candidacy before applying.

Thanks.