Double-O, I am in the same boat as the original poster anliz, and I have done some cold-calling. I'd like to pass along to both of you what I hear from admissions people in a few of the schools:
* The guy answering the phone at CCOM claimed that a postbacc won't demonstrate practical experience, and said he'd prefer someone who did a good job with pre-req courses on a part-time basis, while gaining practical experience (shadowing, volunteering, something clinical).
* A very nice woman at KCOM told me the opposite; that a postbacc would be intense and tough enough to show a real commitment to med school. Not that experience isn't important too, just that a part-time approach to the pre-req courses wouldn't show the ability to hack a heavy courseload.
* The admissions counselor at AZCOM told me that quality is much more important than quantity when it comes to both the classes and the experience. He also recommended I make a plan and get moving on it, rather than taking my time: I drew an inference that non-trads have extra advantages but also extra obstacles (as if we didn't know).
* PCOM's counselor summed it up very nicely: all they really care about in terms of pre-req courses is that they not come from a community college. Only four-year institutions are okay, and the school's reputation counts also. I think that's a bias that is fairly prevalent.
The other note about PCOM is that they have a post-bacc there, but it's aimed at those who are looking to strengthen their existing GPA in the sciences (or salvage a really lousy one). Apparently PCOM's post-bacc is a good destination for those with low MCATs, who are pumping up for the following year. The post-baccs I (and, I think, anliz) am looking for would be those for people who just don't have any science in the mix.
Check out the thread I started (called "Newbie Needs Advice") for a discussion of post-baccs.
Editoral comment: I happen to know a few CC instructors who decided on that path rather than big 4-year schools because they have a major love of teaching, don't like huge overcrowded classes, and enjoy having their genius rewarded with tenure at the age of 27. There are surely some very excellent science classes to be had at the 2-year schools. But I can understand how the need to draw a line and make a policy would mean that med schools insist on pre-reqs coming from 4-year schools.
