I think I can....

[centralo]

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Hey guys. Thanks to everyone who has posted in this forum and made your story/advice available to lurkers like me.

This post could fit within a number of other topics, but I’ve just made the decision to quit my job, enroll in post-bacc, and make life far riskier for my wife and two boys. I feel like I deserve my own post. 🙂

I used to be a professional athlete (snowboarding) and am currently the Director of a snowboard program at a nonprofit sports foundation. I still ride with our high-end team and travel the country coaching them at freestyle competitions (jumps and halfpipe). The work is fun and challenging and it will be very difficult to leave the kids with whom, during the winter, I spend more time with than my own family.

I’ve spent about 10 years getting a BS in gen. sci. (I’m 32 now). During that time I’ve worked full-time, been married, and had two kids. I gave up on my dream of being a doc when I started having kids. I thought it'd be unfair to them for me to commit to so much. Now I'm realizing that life has challenges no matter what I'm doing. I know that I'm made of the right stuff to be a doc, so that's what I'm going to do!

My gpa suffered due to some difficult life issues from ’99-‘03. At the time, I thought that it was more important that I struggle through and get my degree. With hindsight, I can see that I should have taken some time off from school until I was better able to handle to workload. (gpa around 2.9)

I think I'm fortunate though that I didn't take ochem, physics, biochem, or stats in my undergrad classes. This gives me the opportunity to take those now and do well in them. I'll be taking classes on my own via CC and state college. I'll also begin studying for the MCAT this summer.

Anyway, I’m really frightened by this choice. My wife needs to go back to school to get her bachelors. We have considerable financial aid debt already. We're deciding if we should both go back to school, and if not both, which one of us. We just don't know how we'd both find time to study effectively with a 7 and a 2 year old. My wife doesn't make enough money to support us...

Anyway, if you've read this far then this is you 😴 I'll appreciate any feedback or advice that you have.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

It's going to be a long road and an uphill battle. You need to take those prerequisite courses (and maybe re-take some of the science courses that you didn't do well in) and get near a 4.0. You need to do well on the MCAT (try to get around a 35 or higher.) You need to get involved in activities that will provide you with clinical experience, and perhaps, even non-clinical volunteer work. Even then, your chances of getting in will be lower than the national average of about 40%, because your GPA will probably still be below average.

I'm not trying to discourage you -- just trying to give it to you straight. Most of our stories aren't THAT much different from yours, so If this all sounds exciting to you, then, welcome to the Nontrad forum and good luck!

 

[chrisjohn]

The above post summed it up succinctly. Medical admissions favor people with perfect academic careers. Honestly ask yourself if you have the will and or the intellectual horsepower to do what needs to be done. Will is more important than the HP, but raw ability can’t be discounted.

One more thing, a reflection of this and another thread, no one gives a s**t that you are/were a professional athlete. Every non-trad applicant is/was a professional something or other.

 

[oldpro]

Hey guys. Thanks to everyone who has posted in this forum and made your story/advice available to lurkers like me.

This post could fit within a number of other topics, but I’ve just made the decision to quit my job, enroll in post-bacc, and make life far riskier for my wife and two boys. I feel like I deserve my own post. 🙂

I used to be a professional athlete (snowboarding) and am currently the Director of a snowboard program at a nonprofit sports foundation. I still ride with our high-end team and travel the country coaching them at freestyle competitions (jumps and halfpipe). The work is fun and challenging and it will be very difficult to leave the kids with whom, during the winter, I spend more time with than my own family.

I’ve spent about 10 years getting a BS in gen. sci. (I’m 32 now). During that time I’ve worked full-time, been married, and had two kids. I gave up on my dream of being a doc when I started having kids. I thought it'd be unfair to them for me to commit to so much. Now I'm realizing that life has challenges no matter what I'm doing. I know that I'm made of the right stuff to be a doc, so that's what I'm going to do!

My gpa suffered due to some difficult life issues from ’99-‘03. At the time, I thought that it was more important that I struggle through and get my degree. With hindsight, I can see that I should have taken some time off from school until I was better able to handle to workload. (gpa around 2.9)

I think I'm fortunate though that I didn't take ochem, physics, biochem, or stats in my undergrad classes. This gives me the opportunity to take those now and do well in them. I'll be taking classes on my own via CC and state college. I'll also begin studying for the MCAT this summer.

Anyway, I’m really frightened by this choice. My wife needs to go back to school to get her bachelors. We have considerable financial aid debt already. We're deciding if we should both go back to school, and if not both, which one of us. We just don't know how we'd both find time to study effectively with a 7 and a 2 year old. My wife doesn't make enough money to support us...

Anyway, if you've read this far then this is you 😴 I'll appreciate any feedback or advice that you have.

I think you can do it too, A 2.9 gpa is not that bad and can be brought up to the 3.4 you need.

You need to take your preqs and do very well A's and B's, but A's will get that GPA up. It would be worth retaking any sci needed if you got a D in though.

Upper level Sci courses can also be taken to boost GPA

Once you get into the 3.4 OVerall and Sci gpa zone you are at the low end of acceptance but that is still a good place to be.

Good Luck

 

[Orthodoc40]

no one gives a s**t that you are/were a professional athlete. Every non-trad applicant is/was a professional something or other.

That's not entirely true. The discipline & dedication involved in becoming a professional athlete or musician/performing artist is not something every other professional has shown they have in order to get where they are. Those qualities aren't dismissable as something every other professional has. But first the OP has to prove to the committees that they can swim with the medical school students.

To the OP, I say take it one step at a time with the pre-reqs. See how you're doing with them and juggling everything else, and it should become clear to you as you're going whether it's the right choice for you to pursue.

 

[oldpro]

The above post summed it up succinctly. Medical admissions favor people with perfect academic careers. Honestly ask yourself if you have the will and or the intellectual horsepower to do what needs to be done. Will is more important than the HP, but raw ability can’t be discounted.

One more thing, a reflection of this and another thread, no one gives a s**t that you are/were a professional athlete. Every non-trad applicant is/was a professional something or other.

I find this rude and uncalled for, I know of the story of OLDMANDAVE a mod here and OldPremeds fame who had a 1.2 gpa and if he listen to this kinda stuff would not be a Doctor today. This person had a career and now wants to persue medicine. Sorry but not all of us are T-R-A-D-I-T-I-O-N-A-L . Thats why we post here. Many do not have 3.8 to 3.95 GPA's sorry look at the stats of those who get in, they do not either. 😱

 

[Pemberley]

Don't be discouraged from trying... to execute a well-thought out plan.

However, with your current statistics, if you sacrifice too much financial stability too quickly, gambling too heavily on being admitted no later than the year 20XX) you may put yourself in a bad position.

It will take time to pull up a 2.9 to something that will get you admitted to med school. (My 3.1 from 7 years ago is now a 3.4, but that didn't happen overnight, and I've been pulling in a salary the whole time to stay clear of debt.) Without knowing your family's situation it is difficult to say much. Is it possible for you to take 1 class/term while working, while your wife gets her BS? Afterward, would she be in a better position to support the family while you get your education?

In your position, I would be looking for a middle route between two bad options: giving up your dream, or sacrificing financial stability for a small chance of attaining it.

 

[centralo]

I mentioned my family too, but I don't think that they give me an edge for med school. I only mentioned my career because it is an important part of my life that I'm giving up (this sport has been my life since I was 8 years old).

I'm not even slightly worried about my academic ability. My gpa is a result of some tough times that my wife fell upon and my stubborness to continue with classes through it all.

Unfortunately, my job has no flexibility for schedule conflicts...even if I tried to take classes one at a time. It has to be all or nothing unless I were to find other work.

 

[RxnMan]

That's not entirely true. The discipline & dedication involved in becoming a professional athlete or musician/performing artist is not something every other professional has shown they have in order to get where they are. Those qualities aren't dismissable as something every other professional has. But first the OP has to prove to the committees that they can swim with the medical school students.

To the OP, I say take it one step at a time with the pre-reqs. See how you're doing with them and juggling everything else, and it should become clear to you as you're going whether it's the right choice for you to pursue.

I agree. The docs I work with have always mentioned being a pro athelete as a way to distinguish yourself.

 

[oldpro]

I mentioned my family too, but I don't think that they give me an edge for med school. I only mentioned my career because it is an important part of my life that I'm giving up (this sport has been my life since I was 8 years old).

I'm not even slightly worried about my academic ability. My gpa is a result of some tough times that my wife fell upon and my stubborness to continue with classes through it all.

Unfortunately, my job has no flexibility for schedule conflicts...even if I tried to take classes one at a time. It has to be all or nothing unless I were to find other work.

You have some good advice here though, it will take a couple of years at this point to get this together so you get in, GPA and MCAT. Do not rush cause you will make mistakes in doing this if you do, many crash and burn and end up with a mess rushing, "It's a marathon not a sprint".

 

[drglenn08]

I mentioned my family too, but I don't think that they give me an edge for med school. I only mentioned my career because it is an important part of my life that I'm giving up (this sport has been my life since I was 8 years old).

I'm not even slightly worried about my academic ability. My gpa is a result of some tough times that my wife fell upon and my stubborness to continue with classes through it all.

Unfortunately, my job has no flexibility for schedule conflicts...even if I tried to take classes one at a time. It has to be all or nothing unless I were to find other work.

First of all, no one should be telling anyone that no one gives a shi*t about something in their life. Chrisjohn, you're out of control for that.

And centralo, MORE POWER TO YOU! Yes, it should be hard - anything worth having is hard. Wasn't it a long, hard road to being a professional snowboarder? Then, take the same tenacity and go after this. Maybe you can find a school that does evening classes and take classes after work. And online courses too! I don't know about how they rate but I know this university Southern Polytechnical Institute in GA does online chemistry classes and more. Try it out. Look at all of your options to get it done. I'm not saying it won't be rough but I'm sure your kids would rather have a rough couple of years that Daddy couldn't really be around - but when you get it all done, they'll realize it was what was best for their family. My dad was in the Navy and my mom was always at work so my sister and I had to grow up to understand that they were doing what was best for all of us. Anyway, hope this helps. And don't be discouraged - no one knows what kind of fire you have until they feel it =)

 

[cfdavid]

Hey guys. Thanks to everyone who has posted in this forum and made your story/advice available to lurkers like me.

This post could fit within a number of other topics, but I’ve just made the decision to quit my job, enroll in post-bacc, and make life far riskier for my wife and two boys. I feel like I deserve my own post. 🙂

I used to be a professional athlete (snowboarding) and am currently the Director of a snowboard program at a nonprofit sports foundation. I still ride with our high-end team and travel the country coaching them at freestyle competitions (jumps and halfpipe). The work is fun and challenging and it will be very difficult to leave the kids with whom, during the winter, I spend more time with than my own family.

I’ve spent about 10 years getting a BS in gen. sci. (I’m 32 now). During that time I’ve worked full-time, been married, and had two kids. I gave up on my dream of being a doc when I started having kids. I thought it'd be unfair to them for me to commit to so much. Now I'm realizing that life has challenges no matter what I'm doing. I know that I'm made of the right stuff to be a doc, so that's what I'm going to do!

My gpa suffered due to some difficult life issues from ’99-‘03. At the time, I thought that it was more important that I struggle through and get my degree. With hindsight, I can see that I should have taken some time off from school until I was better able to handle to workload. (gpa around 2.9)

I think I'm fortunate though that I didn't take ochem, physics, biochem, or stats in my undergrad classes. This gives me the opportunity to take those now and do well in them. I'll be taking classes on my own via CC and state college. I'll also begin studying for the MCAT this summer.

Anyway, I’m really frightened by this choice. My wife needs to go back to school to get her bachelors. We have considerable financial aid debt already. We're deciding if we should both go back to school, and if not both, which one of us. We just don't know how we'd both find time to study effectively with a 7 and a 2 year old. My wife doesn't make enough money to support us...

Anyway, if you've read this far then this is you 😴 I'll appreciate any feedback or advice that you have.

It seems like you wife is just looking to get her BA/BS. This, arguably, can happen at any time. But, given the long process to med school, during med school, and residency, the situation warrants a bit more urgency on your part. Also, if she's o.k. with it, it may be better for the kids to have someone there, or at least there part time. You would need to keep up your end of the promise, though, if you she agrees to put her schooling on the backburner for now.

If you pull good grades in your pre-req's (shoot for 4.0's and at least 3.5's), that will offset a less than stellar gpa from undergrad. However, you should call a few schools to find out there policy on this. Some may required 16-20 recent courses to overlook past grades.

Regarding financial issues. Anything is doable. Obviously the more you must borrow (and therefore the more debt you undertake), the less you will be able to do, financially, in the future. And you will be paying these debts off for a longer period of time.

That being said, if your family is willing to live a more modest life in lieu of you pursuing this goal, then by all means. If you collectively decide that you don't want to make such financial sacrifices, and for such a prolonged period of time, then there are plenty of other opportunities in healthcare shy of the MD/DO route. Only you and your family can decide this though.

I'm faced with debt, just like most other pre-meds (I start in August). My personal (no family to consider) feeling is that I'm willing to live more modestly in order to go all the way to become a doctor. I won't be driving the best car, and I won't be living in a big home for many years after I finish residency etc. No big deal.

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

One more thing, a reflection of this and another thread, no one gives a s**t that you are/were a professional athlete. Every non-trad applicant is/was a professional something or other.

I think you spoke too soon. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but you came across as pretty abrasive. I think his snowboarding past will be a great asset in the application process. By becoming a successful athlete, he has demonstrated that he can maintain a high level of commitment while striving for a difficult goal.

 

[Poety]

1. snowboarding is the coolest sport behind skydiving - I say you get an "in" iwth that one 😉

2. It takes a great deal of dedication to become a professional athlete so MAKE SURE YOU DISCLOSE THAT. Its that type of drive and dedication to one thing that adcoms love!

GOOD LUCK! you'll be great 🙂

 

[MiesVanDerMom]

you mentioned you hadn't taken stats yet. that's a good one ot take online. i'm taking it online right now. it's not a very hard class, so you could possibly take it while still working. that's about all i have to add i guess. best of luck! 👍

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I think you spoke too soon. I'm not sure if it was intentional, but you came across as pretty abrasive. I think his snowboarding past will be a great asset in the application process. By becoming a successful athlete, he has demonstrated that he can maintain a high level of commitment while striving for a difficult goal.

While chrisjohn's comment MAY have been a bit rude and abrasive, as you say, I think it was right on. Many non-trads are professional <somethings>. Becoming a professional <anything> requires discipline, etc. (all the qualities that you mention.) If I were the OP, I wouldn't count on the fact that he was a professional athlete to overcome his otherwise lackluster application (See my previous post.)

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

I also doubt it would completely overshadow an inadequate application, but it will certainly be an asset. Every little thing helps, right? And while I hate to minimize anyone's achievements, I think becoming a professional snowboarder takes a little more commitment than becoming, say, a professional carpet cleaner.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I also doubt it would completely overshadow an inadequate application, but it will certainly be an asset. Every little thing helps, right? And while I hate to minimize anyone's achievements, I think becoming a professional snowboarder takes a little more commitment than becoming, say, a professional carpet cleaner.

Real bad example. In my neck of the woods, those carpet cleaning guys usually own their own business. To start a business, hustle for customers, bust your ass cleaning people's disgusting carpets, etc, takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

You might argue that that experience isn't all that relevant in terms of a career in medicine, but I would argue that the training involved in being able to go down a mountain on a snowboard (let's assume better than anybody else in the world) is pretty much equally irrelevant.

We may have to just agree to disagree.

 

[oldpro]

I also doubt it would completely overshadow an inadequate application, but it will certainly be an asset. Every little thing helps, right? And while I hate to minimize anyone's achievements, I think becoming a professional snowboarder takes a little more commitment than becoming, say, a professional carpet cleaner.

Really? A professional athlete is like a carpet cleaner?

🙄

 

[Orthodoc40]

Real bad example. In my neck of the woods, those carpet cleaning guys usually own their own business. To start a business, hustle for customers, bust your ass cleaning people's disgusting carpets, etc, takes a lot of hard work and dedication.

You might argue that that experience isn't all that relevant in terms of a career in medicine, but I would argue that the training involved in being able to go down a mountain on a snowboard (let's assume better than anybody else in the world) is pretty much equally irrelevant.

We may have to just agree to disagree.

There are different types and levels of dedication involved. Blanket statements about dedication being the same for everyone who's a professional anything are inaccurate. If you've never taken something to this level, you would think they are the same thing, but believe me, they are not.

 

[Beau Geste]

I noticed that Mayo likes to boast about the backgrounds of their med students - some are marathon runners, some overcame hardship to be the best in their class, etc., etc. And Mayo is one of the best medical schools IMO.

As a professional snowboarder, you bring a very interesting background to the "table" so to speak. You are someone who has shown enough dedication at something to be considered a professional. And, while it's true that many non-trads are considered "professionals" in the sense that they provide(d) professional services for pay, how many can say they were THAT good at their job to be recognized as one of the best (which is what professional athletes are).

Think about it - there are many golfers, but how many will be Tiger Woods? There are many physicians, but how many will be physician of the year? There are many aviators, but how many will be astronauts?

I think it's a big plus to your application that you are/were a professional snowboarder. But, in light of keeping it real, it's not enough to overshadow your 2.9 GPA. With A's in your post-bacc courses and fulfilling the other parts of the application process (ECs, shadowing, etc.) and doing well on the MCAT, you will have a great shot at medical school.

I applaud most for being up front with you, but it sounds like some might be jealous enough to downplay your achievements.

 

[remo]

It's a cool background to have and it will set you apart from being applicant #40987235 when they review your app. However, it will only help once the rest of your app is in line with everyone else. Lots of non-trads think their "life experience" should put them ahead of trads with similar or better numbers but it just doesn't work like that. Focus on getting a 4.0 post-bac first. That is the most important thing you can do for yourself at this point.

 

[chrisjohn]

Gee, this thread has gotten out of control!

Now to set the most important misconception straight concerning my original post; to the OP, you can matriculate and I hope you do! My only intent in posting is that someone may benefit from my experience. If I had a dollar for everyone who has told me they were going to medical school, I’d be richer than Bill Gates. A gut check isn’t wrong. It could save a lot of grief.

What I was doing for all you sensitive types is taking a shot at getting the OP to realize that the application process is MUCH more complex than saying, “I was a bada** at X, so accept me.” Why set some one up to fail by letting commonly held delusions remain intact?

Yes, I know this a gross over simplification.

It is critical to realize that for MOST, there are always exceptions, the work required to overcome a < perfect under graduate GPA is going to be enormous. Personally, it amounted to eight years finishing undergrad, grad, while working as a full time research assistant. Individual cases are different, but nontrads need to be HONEST with themselves concerning the sacrifices required.

As to the issue of professional athletics… It’s medical school, thus the focus is on academics. Yes, if you’re Lance Armstrong, I bet you could matriculate based on your career. Medical schools are looking for students who can complete the program. How do they separate the sheep from the goats? By looking at transcripts and MCAT scores! Athletes push themselves PHYSICALLY. Exceptional physical prowess and work ethic may or may not transfer to an academic program. Why do you people have such hard time with this idea?

Have you read some of the other threads concerning what careers nontrads had before embarking on their quest for medical school? Impressive, to put it mildly. A lot of us have things that we’ve accomplished that rightly should be touted, just don’t let arrogance creep in.

In summation the only thing you have to do is work hard. Hard, really hard.

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

We may have to just agree to disagree.

Hey, sounds good. 🙂

 

[Beau Geste]

The OPs post didn't sound like he was banking on the snowbaording aspect to guarantee a spot. He's just telling you about himself.

I agree with the other poster - concentrate on grades.

BUT, when interview and essay writing comes, adcoms will be more interested in the snowboarding aspect than the generic student.

 

[Sol Rosenberg]

I applaud most for being up front with you, but it sounds like some might be jealous enough to downplay your achievements.

Give me a break

 

[Beau Geste]

Give me a break

You must be one of them 😉

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

Really? A professional athlete is like a carpet cleaner? Do you know how degrating you sound? How about how unspeacial a LAB ASSISTANT is that helps the real researcher on a research project? I guess you also think some one who was a home health aid for lets say 5 years is also insignificant? Only they gave direct paitent care and learned how to humanly interact with people in a health care setting while the reasearch assistant was in a lab. If I ever get a chance to be on any ADCOM in the future I put more wieght in the hands on with patients way more than the nonhands on because a Big part of medicine is hands on.

As far as professional accomplishments think about your self and if you really should be putting down someone else. 🙄

Gear down big shifter. Who exactly have I put down? You've missed the point entirely. I never said professional carpet cleaners were insignificant. I've done my share of unappreciated jobs- hell I spent a year cleaning pigeon ****. If someone wants to tell me being a professional pigeon **** cleaner doesn't take as much perseverence as becoming a professional athlete, then I'd wholeheartedly endorse their statement. And just because they say that doesn't mean I'm a failure in every aspect of my life. It simply means that being a poo cleaner didn't take a terribly large amount of dedication.
And by the way, you jump my sack about degrading and insulting the significance of carpet cleaners, yet retaliate with an equally degrading statement about everyone who has done research assistant work. 👎

 

[oldpro]

Gear down big shifter. Who exactly have I put down? You've missed the point entirely. I never said professional carpet cleaners were insignificant. I've done my share of unappreciated jobs- hell I spent a year cleaning pigeon ****. If someone wants to tell me being a professional pigeon **** cleaner doesn't take as much perseverence as becoming a professional athlete, then I'd wholeheartedly endorse their statement. And just because they say that doesn't mean I'm a failure in every aspect of my life. It simply means that being a poo cleaner didn't take a terribly large amount of dedication.
And by the way, you jump my sack about degrading and insulting the significance of carpet cleaners, yet retaliate with an equally degrading statement about everyone who has done research assistant work. 👎

Nope did not degrade Lab assistants, I compared that experience to hands on with Patients and how I feel ( I'm allowed for an opinion) that the hands on is worth more than helping with research. This is my opinion. So some one who helped with research I think still needs the hands on too.

As far as what I said about carpet cleaners, Uh you missed what I wrote, I was trying to say you can't compare the two and that the Professional athlete was significant,

It looked like to me you were saying that a Professional athlete was like a carpet cleaner, if that was not what you meant then I'm sorry.

We should be able to have a debate on ideas here right?

BTW I edited the original post and changed it. I can see it taken wrong too.

 

[GoJoeyMojo]

Gotcha. Misunderstanding. I think we're actually saying the same thing- it's just that whole lack of tone on internet posts...

 

[FDoRoML]

Wow. Seems like some of you are feeling feisty. 😀

To the OP:
Your situation with family is a tough one. How far is your wife from her BA/BS (I mean classes, or #credits)?

I also had a rather low GPA in UG when I began this journey. It took a 3.88 GRAD and a 3.99 Post-bac UG GPA (30 cr), PLUS over two years of shadowing, PLUS ramping up my research to get several publications in time for the reapplication period. I applied unsuccessfully in 02/03 and took a few years to get in more classes, bring up the MCAT, etc.

Many of my post-bac credits were done in the evenings and on weekends. In fact, I've been working full time through this whole thing and am not quitting until one week before I start med school this August. Either you or your wife could certainy do this method, but I recommend it more for her than you. Some med schools are still in the ice age concerning distance ed (I did some online courses) and I had to hear about it at interviews. Silly, since the top schools in the nation offer online and distance options... but physicians are old school and rather elitist (at many med schools... no flaming here!!).

If you want any info on the distance stuff, PM me. I was able to complete 56 credits in one and a half years WHILE working 40-50 hrs/wk to get my bachelor's. I'm not saying it was easy, but it's good to know about your options (life experience credit for certain careers or certifications-- depends on what she does for a living).

Oh, and yes, I got interviews at med schools from middle and upper tier... so you will be able to pull yourself out and make a go at it. It will not be overnight, and you will need ot have a very good game plan.

FD

 

[chrisjohn]

I've been working full time through this whole thing and am not quitting until one week before I start med school this August.
FD

Ain't it the truth? Monetary constraints! Hey hey, interest rates went up for financial aid too. Ah to take the summer off...

Life is a series of filters. Make it through a filter, and have new problems. But I love the new set of problems. 🙂

 

[FDoRoML]

Life is a series of filters. Make it through a filter, and have new problems. But I love the new set of problems. 🙂

Oh so true... I've made it through the low pass filter... then the high pass filter (by changing my center frequency and bandwidth, of course)... and somehow managed to squeeze through the 0.02um filter (how else could you describe prep and applications for med school??). I'm not sure what type of filter is next in the stage, but I certainly look forward to it. Having to make it through med school is a good problem to have, as far as I'm concerned! Viva la filtracion! 👍
🙂

 

[Doctor Bagel]

Actually I think the op's odds are pretty good because being a professional snowboarder is pretty d@mn interesting. I bet you money his interviewers will just want to talk to him about that -- if he comes across as nice, friendly and relatively humble, I'll bet he'll get in. Sure, being a professional athlete is not more virtuous or hard than being a professional or another variety, but schools like students who are different. My state school was thoroughly unimpressed with my relatively boring professional background, but they seem to like people who have "cool" backgrounds. It sucks, but I've seen that it's the reality of the med school admissions process.

Anyway, to the op, even though you might have to quit your current job, it might be a good idea to get another more flexible job while taking one to two prereqs at a time. Maybe you can get some training to do something medically-related. You'll probably take a pay cut, but at least you won't be paying for everything with loans. Good luck!