Should I even apply? please help

[Numeral]

Lately I've been seriously thinking about applying to b-school, but sometimes I feel like I'm not up to the standards that the schools I like have, so here is my profile and please be honest.

I'm Venezuelan, 30 years old, 2005 Major in Comp Sci (local school) with a terrible GPA (barely above minimun passing grade), i haven't taken the gmat
my experience
(1 and 1/2 years)project leader, IT infrastructure coordinator (for British American Tobacco)
(1 year)project leader, local Microsoft gold partner
(2 years)IT coordinator for a small IT Services company

I also have done some IT Consultant work for my local comunity public administration.

as to why I'd like to have the oportunity to do an MBA its basically because I want my desicions to have a greater impact in my work and in my comunity but when the time comes I'd like to have developed my skills as a manager so that I can be not only a leader but a good manager.

schools i'm interested: Columbia University, NYU, USC, Boston University

[Scottie@VeritasPrep]

Your GPA and GMAT scores definitely impact how competitive you will be as an applicant. If your GPA is low then you should consider creating an alternate transcript by taking classes that will demonstrate your ability to handle MBA level coursework. You also need a very strong GMAT score. Once you've crossed those hurdles then you obviously need to create a strong application package (LORs, essays, interview prep, etc.)

[Numeral]

Your GPA and GMAT scores definitely impact how competitive you will be as an applicant. If your GPA is low then you should consider creating an alternate transcript by taking classes that will demonstrate your ability to handle MBA level coursework. You also need a very strong GMAT score. Once you've crossed those hurdles then you obviously need to create a strong application package (LORs, essays, interview prep, etc.)

the thing is that over here we cannot take college level classes unless we enroll for a major, the LORs shouldn't be a problem, My IT Director said he was up for it, i have a very good idea about what i want the reader to get out of my essays depending on the subjects of said essays, the rest would be to work on them.

thanks for the quick answer if there's anything else, please let me know, i think i'm going to start prepping for the GMAT in jan 2010

[Numeral]

Quick question,

I'm trying to pick schools that are near or in a big city (I'm a city rat as they say because i need the dynamics of a big city. BUT I've heard schools like Columbia and NYU are very finance, consulting, banking oriented when I'm really interested in coming bck to British American Tobacco or to another fast moving consumer goods company (Unilever, Nike, Coca Cola, Golden Arches etc.) so either Operations, general management and leadeship, marketing will be the focus of my MBA if/when I go back to school.

I'm a making the right choices about the schools I'm picking?