[spaceboy]

Hello David,
I would love some advice before I start my GMAT and business school journey.

Education:
B.S. in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering Cornell University (3.0 GPA)
Master of Engineering in Operations Research and Industrial Engineering Cornell University (3.3 GPA)

Background:
- 9 years total experience. For the last 7 years, I have built deep supply chain "IT" implementations experience with demand planning applications. (1 year big five,1 year startup, 4 years software vendor, 3 years midsize consulting firm.)

Weak extracurriculars
(Married with 1 year old daughter if she counts as an EC activity)

Target:
700+ GMAT and NYU, Columbia, Sloan, Cornell, Wharton, HBS (top NE school) or bust. At this point in my career, I've done most of what I want to do in my current field. I'm interested in changing careers. At some point I'd like to start my own company so I'd probably specialize in product management... other interests include asset management/real estate/entrepreneurship/vc.

1) I'm currently a supply chain (IT) consultant (manager level) with deep technical and functional expertise in demand planning. I'm considering taking a job now as an IT application manager at a local company that could use my DP/S&OP knowledge. I would do this to take on more management and project management responsibility and enhancing my deep demand planning knowledge from the client's perspective. I want to do this in order to have better quality of life (not travel anymore and see my 1 yr old daughter every night), to study for the gmat and to apply to bschool.

Is this a wise decision if I plan to apply to bschool for R1 '09 next year? Any negative implications if I choose to do this? Is it preferable to have recommendations from current employers, and thus should I stay with my current job? Is it more advantageous in any way to be working in consulting vs industry at the time of application?

2) I don't really have any extracurricular activities. Can I "deflect" this due to extensive travel and increased responsibilities with my 1 yr old daughter? Does real estate "investing" count as an extracurricular activity/hobby?

3) Any other quick tips for my profile? For example, am I too old? What are good reasons for applying this "late" in my career?

Thanks in advance