I wanted to get some feedback on how the adcoms view work experience if you do not come from a big name company like Google, BCG or McKinsey. I am still a year away from my applications, but I am a little concerned about how my non-profit background will be viewed. I notice a lot of the forum members work for prominent companies. I work in public health research, and in my area the main employers are the local research universities. My current employer is a small local university, and it would be difficult to switch jobs to a more high profile company, plus I am not sure that would be in the best interest of my applications (for getting recommendations).

I am applying next year, so I have time, but the schools I am interested in are very competitive (Booth, Kellogg, Tuck, Yale, Fuqua, Emory). I know admissions is "holistic" but I feel like I have already have a lot working against me. I am an older applicant (36 at matriculation), my GPA is low (2.9 though it was in a hard science and I worked during school), and now I am concerned about my work experience.

I am a female URM, but I know I can't rely on those stats for admissions. I am trying to employ every possible advantage I can - member of Forte Foundation, applying to MLT MBA Prep, and will apply through the Consortium for the member schools. I am also studying my behind off to get a solid GMAT score, and am building an alternative transcript to demonstrate my quant skills.

Is where I work really a big deal, or am worrying over nothing?