Hi all, I’m hoping to get some feedback on my chances at M7 and Top 15 MBA programs. I come from a pretty nontraditional background and would appreciate any advice.
Background:
Male, Canadian citizen, first-generation immigrant (moved from South Asia at a young age)
First in my family to attend college
Engineering undergrad from a Canadian university (not target but solid reputation)
Certificates: Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, Scrum Master, and Certified Energy Manager
Work Experience:
8+ years of experience in municipal government (City level) in progressive engineering roles
Lead teams of engineers and unionized staff; act as liaison between public agencies and private companies
Currently a Senior Engineer leading multimillion infrastructure and sustainability projects (EV-readiness, clean energy deployment, etc.)
Personally selected by leadership to develop and lead a Diversity & Inclusion strategy for operational departments—raised engagement from 2% to 20% through targeted outreach
Extracurriculars:
Mentor junior engineers through Canada’s professional engineering association (help with licensing, goal-setting)
Lead a small team that funds and delivers infrastructure projects (wells, homes, schools) in underserved villages abroad—inspired by family roots and personal stories
Stats:
GRE: 337 (Q168, V169)
GPA: 2.9 overall ( Last 2 years/upper division: 3.5)
Age: 33
Goals:
Short term: Transition into MBB or top-tier strategy consulting
Long term: Focus on sustainable infrastructure investing or advisory—especially in equitable, climate-resilient urban development
Appreciate any honest feedback—especially around GPA and age concerns, how to frame my story, and school fit. I know I come from a nontraditional background (public sector + engineering), but I’m hoping to bring a unique perspective. Thanks in advance.