snatchlock

Ok, so lurker for a while, but this forum has helped out a lot. Here are my scores (I've realized none of the practice scores matter except for the GMAT Prep) Kaplan: 670, 660, 670, 600 PR: 730, 660, 690 Kaplan Online: 720 MGMAT: 630, 740, 710 GMATPrep: 740 (V: 41, Q: 48) (some repeats) 730 (V: 42, Q: 47) (some repeats) Re-install: 730 (V: 42, Q: 48) (a lot of repeats) 760 (V: 43, Q: 50) (a lot of repeats) Actual Gmat (today!) 750 (V: 44, Q: 49) Damn I'm excited!

All- I'm looking for a realistic assessment of my chances of making it into a top 20 MBA program. Here's a quick background on me: 1) Graduated from an Ivy League school with a degree in Industrial Engineering, with a low GPA (2.8). My freshman year was high (3.6), but my father was diagonsed with lung cancer my sophmore year and passed away. From then on the grades dropped after I had to start working 25-30 hours a week for school. 2) I joined a well-known strategy consulting firm after college, who took a chance with me, even with my low GPA. I've been a star performer there, consistently ranking higher than my peers above me. I've been there for 5+ years, and they have offered to pay for my MBA. 3) I've tried to show my grades in college are not indicative of my quantitative abilities, by taking the Level 1 CFA and passing. I haven't taken my GMAT yet, but on my practice ones, I score about 700. 4) I'm going to perform volunteer work in Africa by working with an NGO that helps women with HIV/AIDS. I'll be helping them develop an long term strategic plan and also performing some microfinancing activities. I'm taking a leave of absence from my job and I'll be there a total six months. I'd like to use my MBA to use learn more about how to use my business skills in international development. I think I have a good story, but am I being realistic about a top 20 school? Any help would be appreciated or advice would be greatly appreciated. PS: Also, how do I talk about my college experience without sounding like a sob story every adcom has heard?