Stats/Math/Data Science MS/PhD profile evaluation

[barkbarkimawolf]

General questions: I am a nontraditional student and because of personal issues I have a low GPA. I am not sure if I will be accepted to these programs. However, the previous spring and summer semesters I have managed to get straight A's (5 are in major) and I am looking at stats, math fin and data science MS straight after graduating this Spring. I am wondering if I have a shot at the following programs. Another option is that I can wait and reapply next year or after working for a few years for similar/PhD programs in statistics or biostatistics. 

Undergrad Institution: Public Research University T20 
Major(s): Statistics and math
Minor(s): None
GPA: 2.4 (2.9 major, 4.0 last two sems: most likely the same for my remaining semesters)
Type of Student: domestic male

GRE General Test: 170/165/5
GRE Subject Test in Mathematics: Might take if strongly suggested but would rather not haha
 
Programs Applying: MS in Stats/Math/Data Science or reapply for similar/PhD programs after a break from education (listed below)

Research Experience: 

• REU 2021 -  Topological Data Analysis on Financial Time series (more like a tutorial, no publication but presented an analysis report)
• Research project involving making an LLM AI for digitalizing documents for Sri Lankan Govt
• Currently attending MC methods seminar hosted weekly by my professor (idk if this counts but very well known guest lecturers)

Awards/Honors/Recognitions:

Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Member of an organization doing AI projects for areas that are underserved

Letters of Recommendation: 

1. Statistical Learning Professor -  pretty active ML researcher, very strong rec (what I think will get me past the screening)
2. Stochastic Processes Professor - I am not sure how well known he is but it should be a strong rec. He can speak on the issues I had minimally
3. Regression Methods Professor - He can speak on my personal issues pretty well. I am not sure if it is necessary, or I should use the other rec below
4. AI Project leader - can speak on how ambitious I am and how fast I learned some of the topics. I am a heavy contributor in our projects.

Math/Statistics Courses: Calculus I-III, Differential Equations, Elementary Diffeq, Advanced Calculus for Engineers (PDE's in physics), Analysis I-II, Number Theory, Stochastic Processes, Probability Theory, Math theory of statistics, Stat sequence, SAS Computing, Bayesian Inference, Statistical Learning, Regression Methods, Experiment design, Multivariate analysis, Linear Algebra sequence, Data Wrangling, Intro to computing
 

Applying to Where:
UC-Berkley- Data Science/MFE
Columbia- Math Fin/Data Science/MFE
NYU- Math FIn/ Data Science/MFE/Biostats
Cornell - DS/MFE
CMU - DS/Comp FIn
NCSU - DS/Math Fin
George IT - DS Math fin

Home Uni - Stats/DS/Biostat (pretty safe since my department knows me. Notorious to one or two profs but many understand my issues and have seen me progress through them)
Any northeastern school suggestions would be appreciated!

Any Miscellaneous Points that Might Help: I took coursera classes and have certs in SAS, Python, R, SQL, and Tableau.

I think I have a good explanation for my transcript if given the opportunity. I am just afraid my app will just get tossed and I would rather not waste the money if I should just wait until next year. Any help or guidance is appreciated. I only started thinking about graduate school during my summer semester so, I am not sure if I am doing this whole process right hahaha...
So there is two different ways I can go about this. That is, I can apply right now for these programs or I can wait a few years. I also believe the programs are less selective if taken part-time, so I can also do that while I work. My ultimate goal is to do a PhD in Stats/Bio stats. I am really interested in stochastic processes/calculus, machine learning and I would like to apply that in computational biology (like genomic or epidemiology) or in finance.