Chances at a T20 B-School

Hi all,

I'd appreciate any feedback, advice and/or guidance you may have for me.

Work Experience: 2 Years in FP&A at an F20

Extra Curriculars: Board Member of a local nonprofit, President of Fraternity at first school

Undergrad: B10/Economics (Unfinished) / B10/B.S.B.A. (In Progress)

Race: East Indian but US Citizen (Born in Canada, raised in the US)

Gender: Male

GMAT: 710 - First attempt. Trying to raise it to 760

GPA: 1.95 at first school / 3.96 at current

Goal of MBA: To move to CRE Development

Target Schools: Anderson, McCombs, Kenan-Flagler, Ross, Johnson, Marshall, Stern

Background: I attended a Big 10 university for three years before being placed on academic recess with a 1.95 GPA and subsequently worked at college bars for the next two years, though I did complete a few internships in politics. My mom had recently suffered a stroke and my Dad was diagnosed with prostate cancer, but laziness was the primary factor behind my fucking up. While I was granted readmission after a year, I was unable to secure financing to cover out-of-state tuition and could not enroll.

In an incredible turn of fortune, I landed a Financial Analyst role (Divisional FP&A) at a Fortune 15 company through a friend of my Dad and was recently promoted to Analyst 2 after just under two years here. I've been a top performer here and can get strong references from my manager, Director and VP, with whom I have the privilege of working closely. I've resumed school full-time through another Big 10 university (online coursework but the diploma/transcript are the same as a brick and mortar campus), have a 3.96 GPA and will be graduating next summer. I've also been a member of the Board of Directors for a local human-services nonprofit for just under a year - I had been involved with it in high school so I suppose it shows commitment to the cause. I have the opportunity to join another and am slightly leaning toward doing so.

I did, however, plead guilty to a misdemeanor DUI from last July and am worried that that may be too much to overcome when considered alongside my earlier failures. I have had no trouble with the law outside of that.

Getting to the point, I'd love to know if I have a decent shot at any top 15 programs if I apply next year with three years of work experience. Based on low GPA/high GMAT acceptance rate information on MBA Data Guru's blog and my desire to move to LA, UCLA and USC are the schools I'm targeting most heavily at the moment. My goal is to break into Commercial Real Estate Development and I've networked my way into regular correspondence with MDs at both Hines and Tishman Speyer, so I'm optimistic that I'd at least have a shot at an Associate interview if I can get into a solid program.

 
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