system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
PhD with multiple withdrawals- two part question

I'm a senior and I'm wanting to apply for a PhD program.   But my undergraduate transcript is marked by my struggles with my health, including a bout of cancer.   I have a 3.75 GPA on my work, and I have a 4.0 on work related to my field, but I know it looks like a piece of swiss cheese with all those w's.  Good references, writing samples, no problem.  Just the W's.  Do I stand a chance? 

2nd question-if I do stand a chance, how should I address the situation?  Should I mention it in my statement of purpose.  My inclination is to say no- let the statement of purpose be all about selling myself, and add a no longer then one page statement explaining the circumstances behind the W's.   Which is better?   Thanks in advance!
gpt
This is going to sound terrible but schools love stories like yours - they would ant to write about you, "Cancer survivor makes a break through in treatment of X cancer". Do not hesitate to use what you've overcome to help you overcome competition. 

Statements of purpose exist for this reason. They are not a reiteration of your resume. They are chance for your to express yourself at a subtly personal level. Many say no one reads them but if someone reads them, you've got to make sure that its memorable. 

3.75 is not bad at all anyway. you seem to have everything else. Just go for whatever you want. In the end what do you have to lose ?