Hi -- I realize this advice is probably getting to you a bit late for the second round deadlines, but here are my thoughts in a nutshell: It's actually really simple -- retake the GMAT! Your profile is excellent but also quite common, and while some applicants fear not differentiating enough, the biggest challenge first is to get your GMAT up to the level of your competition, i.e. other 25 year old white male bankers.That level is, in my experience, around 720-730.

Top MBA programs accept a lot of people with your general profile, and you have the edge on GPA and work experience for your age. If your community leadership (politics) is also strong, that means the only thing standing between you and your goal schools is that GMAT. Are you going to let the rest of your life be dictated by that one aggravating test?

I wish I could say test scores don't matter, but that's not what I'm seeing this year.

One other point: you probably want to allow more time for your applications. Creating really competitive applications can take 6 - 8 months of groundwork, research, school visits, relationship-building etc. If you invest the time you need to invest here, you should be a strong contender.

Good luck,
Margaret Strother