it's true that your commerical banking expereince in a local branch will make it very difficult to get into a top b'school in the states. However, if you are really dedicated to yoru mba dream, you still can improve a chance down to the road. Anyway, it's only your first working year and you can build up your experience the next couple of years. You can either try hard to move to the headquarter, I know each year there are some people from icbc headquarter who will go to top schools. or, try totch into a foreign bank at your city. Then you have more stories to tell. Also, if your goal is to build up long term carrer path, you even can think about to apply a phd or master program, such as economics or finance in the states and then, if you still want, go to apply b'school severeal years later after your graduation. In addition, if your targets includes those second tier schools, i believe you have enough credentials, top school in China as you said, icbc is also a recognized name to some schools. Just try to get a higher gmat and tofel score and you have a very high possibility to get into some schools as long as your essays don't screw up the admission offers. Best luck. | 
