Thank you so much for sharing this! I'm currently in a similar situation: 2.7 uGPA, biochem major, straight Cs, secured research position at umich for a year after graduation and I'm applying to their MPH program for the fall of 2018. Although there was an enormous extenuating circumstance during my undergraduate career, I'm only going to briefly mention it but otherwise admit full responsibility. So I must ask, what in particular (in regards to your "pitching your story" to JH masters) maximized your chances? My GRE scores are good-ish, experience is good, LORs will be strong but I'm having a hard time referencing my undergrad GPA to adcoms.