If I get A's in pre req's and a 35 in MCAT, what are my chances into med school? Will I be even called for a interview?
(I have a 2.5 GPA in other computer related classes)
Does it make sense to talk to admissions counseler at med school this early (I just started pre req's) to see what they look for and to give my background? If yes, how do I start contacting admissions counseler's? Do I call the med school admissions office?
interview depends on gpa/mcat largely, + at least some clinical experience.
scoring a 35 on the MCAT (in 2007) would require that an applicant outperform roughly 94% of every other test taker, given the typical test taker has a science undergrad & over 3.5 gpa and understands that this test is among the most important yardsticks for med school admissions, that's not going to be an easy thing to do.
advanced coursework helps -- my cell & molecular bio course covered quite a few topics tested on the mcat but not covered in my basic bio courses, I've heard the same thing about biochem, genetics, & anatomy/physiology.
yes It couldn't hurt to contact med schools to see what they're looking for and their thoughts on your application, if you speak with more than a handful you'll start to hear some common things that they seek, beyond gpa/mcat/clinical experience, likely you'll hear:
1) desire/motivation for medicine & how you've shown it over the years
2) community involvement, # hours/# years (non-medical)
3) Shadowing experience (essential to some schools, irrelevant to others)
4) Advanced bio coursework (school specific)
5) Leadership experience
6) research experience, medical and/or non-medical
7) how well you can explain ties to/interest in that school
best of luck!