Initial Assessment:

[thumpin_termis]

Hi guys. Thanks for all the hard work. I was just wondering what my chances for maybe top 15-30 schools would be.

- GPA, major, school
School: University of Southern California
Major: B.S. Information Systems
Minor: Economics
GPA: 3.45

- GMAT with breakdown
660: Q44/V36. Still waiting for AWA (I got a 5 in my AWA last time, and I don't think it'll deviate too far from that this time around).

- resume highlights, including company name, job titles and promotions (my real concern here)
After graduating, I started as a computer programmer at a small web development firm. Did that for a year, then I really started jumping countries and started doing various things. I worked as an academic coordinator for an English school in Korea (and managed to help the start school from scratch -- an enrollment of less than 10 students to more than 300 students enrolled by the time I left).

I also worked for a very small mountain town's board of Education in Japan, teaching English to rural-area children (i.e. public schools with a student population of less than 20) and to the townspeople.

All during those times, I also translated Korean<->English books (I translated 40+ volumes of published graphic novels).

Needless to say, I don't have the McKinsey-type business experience. I'm the adventurous type and never really did settle into the "career mode" (though I can get excellent recommendations from my employers). However, I really enjoyed my international experience and want to pursue my studies in international business and try to work for a Multi-national corporation or a consulting firm. Would this type of spin on my story work? (And that's what I really want to do!)

- extracurricular involvements
I have been volunteering my time with the local Asian Heritage Foundation here in Calgary and helped them put up many events for the Asian-Heritage month. I also plan to put some time towards the Calgary Immigration Society here.

- awards, patents, publications, etc...
Nothing of recent, but I have been on the Dean's list a total 6 times during undergrad years, am a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, and am a recipient of honors for superior achievement award in Economics by the social sciences department.

- interesting personal facts - countries lived in, challenges faced, unusual interests
I'm currently living in Canada, my 4th country after Korea, US, and Japan. (Unfortunately, I'm here supporting my wife's career objectives, so no serious work experience has been gained while I've been here for the past 10 months as I had to wait for my permanent residence application to go through. I've only been translating at home during the time. However, I will get the residency tomorrow(!) and will look for another serious job that may help before I enroll for Fall of 08 or later.)

I'm fluent in English and Korean, and I can get by in Japanese.
Was a semi-professional motorcycle racer in Korea. Ranked #7 in my class in all of Korea. Was also a club-level racer a long time ago in California, ranked #3 in class.

So with all that, my main questions are:
1. Do you think I can put a good enough spin on my various international experience for getting into top 30 business school?
2. I'm turning 31 this year, which seems to be a bit on the high end for many top full-time MBA programs. Will this be a factor?
3. I'm looking at schools such as:
Duke (long shot)
North Carolina
Georgetown
Wake Forest

And two other schools outside US,
University of Melbourne
Australian Graduate School of Management

Will I have any shot at these schools, or do I need strengthen some additional factors?

The post turned out longer than I thought! I'd appreciate any comments.

[Amy]

Hi thumpin_termis,

You have a nice realistic list of schools, and I think you have a good shot overall.

I always advise my clients to write about their real goals in business school applications. Sincerity is very important, and the best essays really communicate a passion for a specific career path. Therefore, I would definitely suggest that you write about your real goal and I think you can make a case that your background will be helpful towards those goals (and demonstrates your interest in international work). So the answer is yes, I think you can spin it.

Your age is not ridiculously out of bounds, and shouldn't be a huge factor. It may be a factor for you, since you will be recruiting for the same jobs as the 26-29 year olds you are in school with. I find that older applicants (especially married applicants) may accomplish their goals just as well in a part-time program, so I would encourage you to think about that.

I would think seriously about your next career move. You say you are interested in business, but your background shows some creative and educational interests. You have the luxury right now of choosing a job that will start you on the path to your future goals (your experience before school matters!), so I think now is the time to do some soul searching on that.

Good luck!

Amy

[thumpin_termis]

Thank you very much Amy. Your thoughts are very much appreciated.