WashU STL DBBS unique applicant ?s

[JenAnn]

I am a bit of a non-traditional applicant...

-military spouse, so only applying to WUSTL because we will be stationed in STL

-mom to 2 toddlers

-I have had a 6 year career as a science educator in both high school and community college. I am currently working on a study that is set to start soon, but we are still waiting on funding to come through, so no hands-on lab experience at this time (but I do have a good recommendation from the PI). 

I have good undergraduate and very good graduate (masters, non-thesis) GPA. I feel like I am a strong candidate for most schools due to my maturity, teaching career, and academic record. HOWEVER without research experience, I don't know if I am competitive enough for a school like WashU, but its my only option for now. I am looking for advice on what I can do over this next year to boost my application. We live in a small town because of my husbands military career and won't be moving to STL until next summer. Research opportunities are hard to come by here. I have managed to get probably the only research job in this town in a virology lab (which should show an admission board my motivation and persistence) however funding is slow and I am worried that I won't have a ton of hands-on experience or publication by the time I am applying. 

What can I do to boost my application if I can't get research experience?

Any other moms out there? Has your experience helped or hindered applications/interviewed? I truly believe having kids makes me a far better candidate because my motivation, decisiveness, and time management are far better than what I would have been applying when I was right out of undergrad. 

Any other advice? 

 

Thanks all!