lost on chances/where to apply. plz help

This forum made possible through the generous support of SDN members, donors, and sponsors. Thank you.
Started going to UC Berkeley in fall 2008 in a hard science major. Had to withdraw--mother wasnt doing well health wise. Went back home.
Got my phlebotomy license in the meantime and worked as volunteer in pub health clinic
Returned to Cal summer 2009. Graduated from UC Berkeley in religious studies (something i was passionate about and good at) in may 2011.
Worked in phlebotomy lab for 2 years during time at Cal, almost 30 hours week while taking 18 units at a time to graduate early (financial reasons).
Graduated with 3.43 cumulative gpa
Took SOME of the reqs for medical school at Cal, but still need to finish. I couldnt finish them all because they were time consuming and I needed to have a job and graduate early.

Recently enrolled at a CSU close to parents to finish up my reqs and be close to my family at the same time. Doing well so far--3.8 sci gpa. Have not taken Ochem yet

From time practice tests i take on my own in MCAT prep books, it looks like I can achieve a 35 fairly well (excellent test taker) Thinking of taking a prep course this coming summer to boost score.

Other facts about me:
interested in family practice and working in underserved communities
first-generation college, first-generation american
mother's illness big motivator to get into medicine
christian


I really dont know how else to boost my application and I have no idea where to apply. Please help
It's a little early to be thinking about where you want to apply, TBH, especially without an MCAT score. You're getting 35's on full length practice exams without taking ochem?

Your GPA is a little low but an excellent MCAT score and a strong upward trend will help adcom's get over that. Also, a strong sGPA will help too.

How are your withdraws listed on your Cal transcript? Are they just normal withdraws or withdraw failing or what?

How's your non-clinical volunteer experience, research experience, and shadowing?
 
just because i havent taken ochem doesnt mean i havent studied it extensively on my own time. i've been doing mcat prep on my own for 3 years now so please dont be skeptical of my practice score. im good at both science and standardized testing 😛

my transcript just says "withdrew fall 2008" that's all.

I dont have nonclinical volunteer experience considering i spent the majority of my time actually working to you know, earn a living and pay for my school tuition.
 
just because i havent taken ochem doesnt mean i havent studied it extensively on my own time. i've been doing mcat prep on my own for 3 years now so please dont be skeptical of my practice score. im good at both science and standardized testing 😛

my transcript just says "withdrew fall 2008" that's all.

I dont have nonclinical volunteer experience considering i spent the majority of my time actually working to you know, earn a living and pay for my school tuition.
um ok. Well you need to have some sort of volunteering experience, you know, if you want to go to med school
 
My biggest issue is that from what you have given us, your app is pretty light on EC activities. You need more altruistic work in there man. Volunteer at a non-clinical like others have mentioned. Some medically related volunteering would also be a nice addition to supplement your experiences in a phlebotomy lab. Adcoms will understand that you need to work, but they will see many applicants who hold down a full time job, go to school, do research and volunteer all at the same time. Just saying that work and school takes up all your time is not sufficient of an excuse. 2 hours/week would be better than nothing. You also need some physician shadowing. Get at least 50 hours there.
 
Top