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Took the GMAT this morning and scored a 680 (42Q 40V), with an IR score of 8. I was aiming for 700+. I have scored 46Q is 3 mock exams so was disappointed by that especially. I am requesting an evaluation of my current profile, and recommendations going forward.

GMAT 680 (42Q 40V 8IR)
Undergrad GPA 3.8 Accounting
Passed all 3 levels of the CFA
Age: 24, 25 at matriculation
Work: Small independent Investment Advisory firm in Knoxville, TN. 3 years full time at Matriculation. Also a couple of years as an intern/part-time at same firm while in school.
Undergrad Attended: Small regional liberal arts school. (nothing special)
British Citizen (currently work and live in US on visa)

Extra Curricular: Heavy involvement for 4 years (ending 2 years ago) with the private boarding high school I went to. They have a lot of international students so I helped out in the dorms, as well as being the assistant coach of the HS boys varsity team (all purely as volunteer). Also on a committee of a program, and a chair of another program at the Optimist Club of Knoxville.

My Story: I decided I wanted to live in the US when I was 14. So after finishing HS in England (which happens at age 16), I applied to and enrolled to a private boarding HS in the US. I moved here, on my own, when I was 16. Have since gone through college here and also worked here for a few years now on a work visa.

ST Goals: Investment Banking M&A
LT Goals: Private Equity and perhaps one day PhD and teach Finance when I'm retired from industry.

My 5 schools:

Fuqua
Darden
Johsnon
Ross
Kenan-Flagler

So here is my question, with my CURRENT GMAT score, and information provided, what do you think of my chances at these 5 schools, AND what other schools would you suggest???

I think your story is different for sure in the sense that you came to the US on your own volition. From the point of view of the Adcom they will see you as a UK citizen - so an international applicant which is a small advantage. What surprises me a little bit is that you seem to have pretty much been in TN since you moved to the States at 17 years old. Nothing wrong with TN but seems like a surprising choice for someone from the UK.

What I'm getting from you is that your undergrad institution was 'nothing special', and that you're at a pretty small firm right now, all in TN. The story doesn't seem overly sexy to me at first glance but maybe you've got a dynamic role at work (often the advantage of working at a smaller firm). If you decide to submit the 680 GMAT, I actually think that the bigger hurdle you'll have to overcome is making sure your story is attractive to the Adcom and your goals line up with everything.

GMAT
680 is pretty close to the average at Johnson, Kenan-Flagler so you could look at them as target schools
Fuqua, Darden and Ross would be more reach schools.

Where do you plan on living post-MBA - that may influence your decision. Certainly UNC would keep you in the South and have a good regional reach and brand recognition.

I think I do have a pretty compelling story and reasoning for staying in TN. I 100% want to work in NYC. What schools COULD I apply to this year that might help me reach my ST and LT goals?