Help me develop a long-term business school prep plan

[kjm84]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the forum. I've spent a couple hours lurking, and I think this forum is a terrific resource. First a little background. I'm graduating from North Carolina State University in May with degrees in computer and electrical engineering. My long-term career goals include working in a upper-level management role for a large, technology-oriented company. I think that an MBA is prerequisite for achieving my goals. I hope, with your input, to develop a 4 or 5-year plan for getting into a great business school. My top choices are (in order) Duke, UVA, UNC.


Educational Background

I'll be graduating with an overall GPA of 3.25. I don't think this number represents my best work. My senior year GPA will be around a 3.6, and I think this is a fairer indication of what I'm capable of. Here are my questions:

1. Is my GPA low enough to warrant the development of an "alternative transcript"?
2. If so, what classes should I take? I have a B average in three calculus classes I've taken.
   
3. I understand that NCSU isn't exactly an elite institution. Will admissions committees hold that against me?
   
4. Also, will admissions committees consider the fact that my senior year GPA is significantly better than my overall GPA?

Post-undergraduate Work Experience

I've received several job offers, and I've narrowed my options down to two. The first opportunity is with a large corporation with a mediocre reputation. The position involves rotational assignments and heavy emphasis on leadership development. The goal of the program is to develop lower and middle-level managers. The second opportunity is with a stellar corporation that has the reputation of hiring extremely bright and capable employees. This company is a consistent market leader within every niche it competes. However, this second position doesn't emphasis leadership development like the first. Question:

1. Based on the limited information I provided, which job opportunity would look best to admissions committees?

GMAT Preparation

I've already decided to take formal GMAT prep classes. Questions:

1. Is it better to take the GMAT soon after graduating, or should I wait a few years?
2. Is it possible to extrapolate my GMAT score from my SAT score (1400)?

Extracurriculars

In college I was in a social fraternity (as opposed to academic or service), and I played intramural sports. From what I've read, admissisons committees don't really consider undergraduate extracurriculars, so I guess that doesn't matter. Questions:

1. After college, I plan to continue playing team sports. Is this a plus?
2. What other extracurriculars do admissions committees like to see?

I realize this is a long post and I'm asking a lot, but I would really appreciate any insight you guys could provide. Thank you!

Keith