trojanviking

I had a question about switching fields and how PhD admission committees look at GPA when a candidate has switched. I am looking at Electrical Engineering PhD programs. As an undergraduate I was a biology major and I got a 2.935 overall GPA. Unfortunately, my father was diagnosed with terminal cancer and passed away three years later my junior year. I went to school in a different state than where my parents lived and I had to fly back often and couldn't focus on school. I understand, however, that this low GPA was my fault and it was my fault that I didn't do enough to get a better GPA. I realized somewhere in the middle of my junior year to the beginning of my senior year that I did not want to focus on biology; but rather, create devices that people could use (some of which could hopefully interface with biological systems). So, I enrolled in a master's program with a post-bacc bridge where I take the undergraduate electrical engineering classes that are required to complete the master's degree. Currently, I have a 4.0 in this program (for all classes) so far. I was wondering if someone could shed some light or some insight on: 1) How PhD admission committees would evaluate my GPA. 2) I also am trying to figure out what schools I would like to apply to and I was wondering if anyone has an opinion as to whether I my "GPA situation" would preclude me from admissions to certain "top ranked schools" (i.e. Stanford, MIT, UIUC, etc). I am trying to figure this out because I would rather not waste the admission committees time and my money by applying to those schools. Thanks so much for your help and insight! It is much appreciated!