Second try: please help. Options for non-trad.

Hey everyone,

I had posted earlier with little luck, but I'm going to try to present my question differently in hopes of getting it answered. I think this is the best place for this question, but feel free to let me know if I should move it.

I'm starting on the postbacc journey after having made the 'formal' decision a few weeks ago to finally go for the MD. I graduated a few years ago from a top school, and have a weakish 3.3 in liberal arts. I started college thinking I was going to be a doctor, but felt like I was just doing it for my parents and quit my science courses (although not before getting a C in general chem). I did however manage to get in on three research projects which were very cool.

Anyway, I'm back in my home state now, and am free to be a full time student. I missed the deadline for the postbacc program at my state university, and have a few options now I'm hoping you can help me sort through.

My parents live in a city with a commuter state school. The more 'legit' state school that has a med school is two and a half hours away, and also has a much higher cost of living. I'm considering just doing all my prereqs at the commuter state school and getting those done within a year. Maybe after that, I could get loans to do an SMP at the legit state school.

I don't really want to wait a year to do the postbacc program, although I'm open to advice-- if you guys think that that will significantly help me, I will definitely consider it. I'm just trying to start fresh, I'm prepared to work hard, and I want to aim for the best med school I possibly can. Money is a factor (when is it not?), but I'm prepared to take on more loans.

Any help is greatly appreciated. I hope that I can contribute to advice after having been around the block.

Cheers guys.