I'm 33 years and am considering applying this fall to enter a MBA program in Fall 2011. I have an undergraduate degree in political science/economics with a 3.6 GPA from UC Berkeley, a graduate degree in public policy from the University of Michigan with a 3.8 GPA and 9 years of full-time work experience (mostly consulting domestically and internationally in the political/social sector) and want to make a career switch into finance in emerging markets given my strong background in political/social risk. I understand that Harvard and Stanford have and are trending toward younger applicants (mid-20s or below) and that these two schools would be a long shot for me - is this true? If that is the case, Columbia, Wharton and Chicago would be options but will I also be dinged for being an older applicant at these schools? I have a strong story to tell about why a MBA now and will have very strong letters of recommendation. I look forward to your advice.