I'm new to this site and I'm grateful I found it. I now spend hours and hours just reading the insights offered by some very knowledgeable individuals. I however, have a question of my own.

Arrived in the US in 1997 from a war torn country in east Africa. I attended High school in the metro area where the drop out rate was one of the highest in the nation. I ended up dropping out! Got a full time job and supported my sick father in Africa. Long story short, I got my GED and enrolled in a community college. I did terrible to the tune of 2.54 GPA in my freshman and half of my sophomore year. I took a break from that and went to visit my father in Africa. I started my own family and got a job as a sales manager at intercontinental hotels in their corporate accounts department. Stayed there for 4 years. Position was eliminated due to the economic meltdown of 2008.

I started a small online retail business selling electronics. I ran that as a part time business and ran it for two years, successfully. Two major suppliers went out of business in 2010, and I was forced to fold. I then remembered how much people in east Africa loved American consumer electronics. I got all my savings together and purchased electronics and took it to Africa. I sold it successfully and made a good profit margin on the deal. I needed more capital to invest in more products to make my trips worthwhile. Unfortunately at this time, no banks would loan me money, at least not for a business venture in Africa. I decided to put this business idea to the side and pursue my education.

I transferred to a "not yet known" four year public college. The newest four year public college since GA state university. Its called Georgia Gwinnett College. It is by the way a four year accredited public school. Its just new, started in 2006. I enrolled as a sophomore and transferred 47 credit hours from my community college. Here is where I did my turn around. My last two years in this school, my junior and senior year, after declaring my major, I maintained a 4.0 GPA and remained on the president's list since my first semester. I will now graduate with an overall GPA of 3.52. Not great by any means, but much better than 2.54. My major is accounting. The accounting program at this school has a good reputation.

I plan on studying my butt off for the GMAT and I'm shooting for a score of 720-740. Does a high school drop out who turned his life around, currently serving his community as a police officer, stand a chance at getting into a top 10 or even top 20 MBA program? Given my family background and history and my plan to go back to Africa and a play a critical role in developing Somalia's financial infrastructure, do you think I have a shot, or will my past finally bite me in the butt?

Thank you all in advance,

Anyone with a story this interesting DEFINTELY has a chance at a top school. With a top GMAT you will be well on your way to a Top 25 in my opinion. Your story is incredibly interesting, and shows true hardship, dedication, and determination. This is what great MBA essays are made of.

I would recommend working long and hard on those essays and GMAT, and you could definitely shoot for the stars.

Good luck!
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