Need Advice - Career changer with family, Gap year?

[mrbrowncanmoo]

I am hoping to get some advice/guidance as to how to focus my time/energy right now and for the gap year.

I will be applying to medical school in a few short months for matriculation in fall of 2013. Here are my stats and a brief summary of my background:
-3.8 cGPA, 3.88 sGPA, 34 MCAT; varsity athlete in undergrad with leadership roles and other ECs during undergrad
-Attended a military academy - graduated in 2005 and was commissioned as an officer
-Medically disqualified from community I had selected and was honorably discharged after 1 year of active duty service
-Pursued career in business and worked in corporate america for 3 years
-Decided to pursue medical school and enrolled in post bac program
-Worked for over 1 year as a scribe in ER
**During this time, my husband and I had a baby!
-We moved to a different geographic location recently due to my husband's new orders (he is active duty military)
-Since moving, I have been volunteering in a clinical research lab with hopes of gaining research experience and the small chance of getting published (though to be honest, I am not sure how valuable/meaningful this experience actually is because the lab seems more geared toward PhD/grad school oriented students - but I happily took this opportunity as a former colleague who is now a medical student gave me the introduction to the head of the lab)
-I am working from home as independent contractor for a writing gig making a little bit of money
-Will begin volunteering at a university hospital this month

I am feeling a little lost now with regard to how I should approach this coming year while I'm applying to schools. I really dont have a mentor I can go to and be honest with and ask these sorts of questions.

My questions are:

*Should I focus on finding a job? (Our son has awesome affordable daycare through military so this is not an absolute must - especially since I am making some money through the writing gig). My concern with finding a job is that I will need to have some flexibilty to hopefully attend interviews next year and will probably need to travel and take time off to do so. And also, selfishly, I am enjoying spending time with my son and would love to continue to do this before I begin medical school
*Is it worth it to try and do a CNA training program or phlebotomy course to get a job in a clinical setting? I would ideally love to continue scribing but there are no programs close to where I live, so that is not an option.
*Should I concentrate on shadowing different specialists? And if so, how do I go about doing this?! I am hoping to start shadowing a primary care doc - perhaps I could ask her...
*If I don't have a regular job during the gap year, will that be looked down upon by ADCOMs as in "what in the world have you been doing lately"?
*I'm worried that whatever else I do to help improve my application will be considered "too little, too late" since I will be submitting applications in June. Is there merit to my anxiety in this regard?
*And lastly, any advice on how to find a mentor? Since we moved, I find this difficult because in order to have a mentor, I would ideally like to build a relationship with someone and I haven't had much time with people in our new geographic location.

Sorry for the huge amount of info here... Thank you in advance for any and all feedback and advice!!

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[DrMidlife]

*Should I focus on finding a job? (Our son has awesome affordable daycare through military so this is not an absolute must - especially since I am making some money through the writing gig). My concern with finding a job is that I will need to have some flexibilty to hopefully attend interviews next year and will probably need to travel and take time off to do so. And also, selfishly, I am enjoying spending time with my son and would love to continue to do this before I begin medical school

You don't need to be employed to improve your med school app.

*Is it worth it to try and do a CNA training program or phlebotomy course to get a job in a clinical setting? I would ideally love to continue scribing but there are no programs close to where I live, so that is not an option.

I vote no. These entry level jobs don't outrank scribing, for med school admissions consideration. That said, I personally regret not taking the phlebotomy course when I had a chance.

*Should I concentrate on shadowing different specialists? And if so, how do I go about doing this?! I am hoping to start shadowing a primary care doc - perhaps I could ask her...

Ask everybody, take advantage of every opportunity. Assume you'll hear a lot of "I can't" and don't take it personally, just move on.

*If I don't have a regular job during the gap year, will that be looked down upon by ADCOMs as in "what in the world have you been doing lately"?

You've been keeping busy. Lots of adcoms are parents, and most will think you're smart to stay flexible while you can.

*I'm worried that whatever else I do to help improve my application will be considered "too little, too late" since I will be submitting applications in June. Is there merit to my anxiety in this regard?

I think your app is going to look great. Fill the time until June with the activities you've already planned.

Don't even think about looking at posts in the pre-allopathic forum if you want to manage anxiety.

*And lastly, any advice on how to find a mentor? Since we moved, I find this difficult because in order to have a mentor, I would ideally like to build a relationship with someone and I haven't had much time with people in our new geographic location.

As with shadowing, take advantage of opportunities as you see them. Ask everybody, don't get hurt feelings. You'll have different mentors in med school and as you start choosing a specialty, so you don't have to invest a ton of effort into this year's mentor.

Multiple opinions on how to do things (how to get into med school, how to prepare, how to study, how to game residency) is the best risk prevention strategy. That goes for whatever you see here on SDN: when you see the same factoid multiple times from sources you've seen act reliably elsewhere, then give it consideration.

The big thing I don't see in your list is location. It's normal to apply to 25 schools, because acceptance/rejection can be completely arbitrary. You can't plan on getting accepted where you live now (you can hope, you can maximize your chances, but you can't plan on it). You can't move to another med school without great difficulty if he gets stationed elsewhere. Similarly you can't plan residency location.

It's never too early to get started on your personal statement or on your letters of recommendation. You can also open an AMCAS app now, to see what you're in for. Order transcripts early. Try to submit your complete app as close to June 1 as possible.

Best of luck to you.

 

[mrbrowncanmoo]

Thanks so much for your thoughtful reply DrMidlife! As for location - we have been through this discussion multiple times and after much thought and prayer, we have decided it's best if my husband gets out of the military. He will be submitting his resignation and transitioning to a civilian career by the time I start school. Thankfully, we will be able to move together as a family where I am accepted! Now my husband and I just need to discuss/agree and finalize a list of schools I will be applying to (I would like to aim for 25-30 and be sure I have a good range of schools). I realize, as you mention, that the application process can be a total crap shoot. *Thank you again for your help and advice. I will certainly take to heart your advice about finding a mentor. I have learned you cannot take things personally but I will be more proactive and keep asking! Thanks again!!

 

[PostHaste]

I think you got some good advice from DrMidlife. I just wanted to put in a word of encouragement. It sounds like you've got a good application. Best of luck to you and your family!

(Oh, and I second the bit about making sure to get on the transcripts early. What a PITA those were...)