Breaking into Private Equity

I have a question about breaking into Real Estate Private Equity...

I currently reside in Chicago and my professional background is in Financial Analysis in the Public sector and Consulting in the Government and Aviation industry. I have gained some Real Estate consulting experience while working with one of our aviation clients. I'm currently still this assignment and it began a year ago.

My goal is to join a Private Equity Real Estate firm in Chicago to create value rebuilding urban areas and tackle issues like affordable housing etc. domestic and international.

I know it is very hard to land a PE role especially if you do not have Pre-MBA previous PE or IB experience. What should I focus on (besides the application process) to get into PERE since I plan to start my MBA in the Fall of 2019?

The schools I am considering: Booth, Wharton, Harvard, UW-Madison, UNC Chapel Hill, Stanford, and Columbia

a) focus on getting a PERE (or PE) Pre-MBA internship (even for no pay) b) wait and try to get into IB/PE internship after my first year of MBA school? c) obtain a general Pre-MBA internship for operational RE experience d) PE financial analysis training I really don't know much about these external training programs e) other advice...