That's nice that you have an in at two local universities! However, if you don't want to do Md/PhD they may not be the best fit for you. I would recommend making your app as strong as possible so that you have chances at other out of state (oos) schools as well. So let's talk about that app.
Regarding your research, 2 semesters past + 3 semesters before you graduate = plenty of research experience to apply. I would suggest that you make an effort to get your name on a publication (doesn't even have to be first author) and/or submit an abstract and go to a conference to present your work. I know you said that your group presented at ACS, but that is different than you presenting. With five total semesters of research you should be able to openly discuss your work and your contribution to the research group's overall project. Work on getting your name on something published, even if its only an abstract.
As for you gpa: When you enter your transcripts into amcas, you are required to select from a drop down menu the kind of class you are entering. For example, if you took BME ###: Transport Phenomena, you would classify this as and engineering course and it would count only into your cum gpa. But any course that is MAT, PHY, CHM, or BIO are all fair game for boosting your sgpa. You can take additional classes in any of these areas to raise your sgpa, but usually you should try to show that you can do better in an upper divisional course in an area that you have a less than stellar grade in. Not a must, but better than not. Also, rather than just taking random science courses to raise your gpa, I recommend taking classes that interest you and that have material that will be covered in med school. For example, biochem, immunology, and anatomy (congrats you've taken this one already), etc. are good classes to take. The reasoning is that you will be crazy busy in med school and if you already have seen some of the material, you will learn it and understand it better the second time around, which will ultimately make you a more knowledgeable physician.
Working as a CNA in a pediatrics office is good! But what did you do there? Working the front desk doesn't count as shadowing. I assume your obvious ambition and charm won over the MDs working there and they let you follow them around a bit? You want to be able to answer questions like "what was one instance where you were really impressed with medical services provided?" and "was there ever a time when you thought a situation could have been handled differently?" Also, it is best to shadow more than one field to show that you have a breadth of clinical experience.
Lab assistant and preschool teacher work should definitely be included on your app. You want to look like a well rounded person with tons of experience in many areas. You should show that you ventured out to explore other areas than medicine and you are a better more knowledgeable person because of it! So yes, these EC should be included. What else do you have? What do you do for fun - as in do you have an hobbies? Hobbies/interest areas, such as being part of a club, sports, art, etc., are great to show you are a real person and plus they help make your interviews more conversational. Your interviewers have interests too. It's nice when you can relate because it eases the interview a bit. Leadership activities are pretty big must as well. On you app you must have these four things to list in ECs: Clinical, Volunteer, Leadership and Research. But you also so have diversity as well (tutoring, hobbies, publications, whatever).
Oops! I didn't read down to number 4 yet. Yep, Americorps is great for volunteer work
When it comes to doing your ECs, you should show extended commitment (i.e. volunteered 4hrs/week for 2 yrs). If you did something for inconsistent blocks of time, average the time per weeks for your application. Remember to not embellish time committed to much. You shouldn't be spending more time per week at your ECs than there is time in a week.
Anyways, hope this helps!
