Firstly, welcome to the realm of non-traditionals.
*insert maniacal laughter*
I commend your bravado, and I think you're probably going to do quite well. I, too, am a non-traditional student. But, you have a bit of an advantage as you are already immersed in the sciences. Your application will be strong what with your research background. So, let's get you into MCAT mode!
Now, there are a few different avenues you can take:
1) You've got the means and the time (and the balls) to crank out the pre-reqs in one year. It's challenging, but I know of many people that exhausted themselves completely and still came out OK. You study now for the MCAT and continue to match up your current class curriculum with the study aide for the test right next to it. Then, you take the test in April. It's a lot of work, but if you can, it would be the quick route.
2) You're a little short on time, and cash flow, to not work for an entire year. Not a huge problem. You'll just have to slow down your course work to two years. Many post-baccalaureate programs (including Harvard's....*cough* shameless plug for my program) offer classes at night to allow its students the flexibility to work, volunteer, research, ad nauseum. You have some more time to think like an MCAT victim and to really solidify your new-found knowledge.
Regardless of which path you choose, it may not hurt to become acquainted with the medical industry with some form of patient contact. That can be volunteering, or heck, switching your research background into a clinical trial for a bit.
🙂 Good luck!
