Best Plan of attack?

[Dr McGee]

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After some time of evaluating my career goals, I have decided that I want to pursue medical school. I graduated in 2003 with a degree in Biochemistry, however, my GPA is subpar for med school standards, 3.1. Therefore I have accepted the fact that it will almost be impossible to attend an allopathic school, and even osteopathic will be quite difficult. Since I graduated, I have been working in an academic research lab at a large state university doing cancer related research. Also, I teach intro biology lab and discussion sections (3 classes per week). In college I tutored latino children, was a member of habitat for humanity, and held leadership roles in clubs and organizations to promote and embrace foreign cultures. I want to take the MCAT in April 2006 and plan to begin preparing soon. I know I need to perform very well to stand any chance in attending school in the US. I am in the process of looking for a new job where I would have patient contact. I have an upcoming interview at a leading med school for a position as a Project assistant, where I would have extensive patient interaction. I also want to do some volunteering (i dont know where would be the best or what looks the best to adcoms) and will be shadowing a doctor. I was just curious as to whether this sounds like a legit plan or if I am kidding myself that I would be able to get in in the states. Ideally I would like to get into a program relitively close to a city, so PCOM, Touro, Western, CCOM and NYCOM are my top choices. Any advice to help me build a competitive application would be aweseom. However, I do not want to do a post bacc.

 

[oldManDO2009]

Every applicant has his/her unique attributes that make them an attractive candidate to a medical school. That said, I would focus on clinical experience that has patient contact and physician participation so that you can get some awesome LOR's from a couple of doctors attesting to your dedication and clinical abilities. Finally, do great on the MCAT and apply to a lot of schools. I can't see why you would not get in. I think the biggest difference between candidates is their clinical experience, all of us come with a science background (required for admission) and an MCAT score. So the best way to stand out of the crowd is to have the exceptional clinical experience IMHO.