<p>I'm a student who qualifies as "non-traditional". My first B.A. was from Vassar, where I had a generous scholarship and a 3.4 overall GPA (Philosophy major/German minor). After Vassar I worked as a biomedical grant writer at The Rockefeller University, where I fell in love with science and biomedical research. I took courses in an MA program at The New School while I was working as a grant writer, but I moved before I could finish the degree. A family member became sick and I was needed, so I dropped everything and moved to be with them. At the same time, I had been longing to go back to school and become a clinical researcher, so I figured I'd take the move as an opportunity to start a second bachelor's (B.S. in Bio) in my hometown.</p>
<p>So here's my current situation: I'm in my late 20s. I'm at a SUNY school taking the science courses I need to get into a PhD program. My GPA is 3.75 and will likely get higher after this semester's grades come in. I'm in love with microbiology (neurovirology in particular), and I even received a semi-prestigious award and a grant to conduct my own microbiological research. My advisor thinks this research will get published in a microbio journal if all goes according to plan. I have a pretty unique story, but I don't know if it will help or hurt in PhD admissions.</p>
<p>I would LOVE to go to UPenn. They have an excellent stable of microbiologists, including a few researchers in neurovirology. </p>
<p>Do I have a shot? Anyone have suggestions about what I should do to up my chances?</p>