Yeah, I had shadowed a D.O. a few years back, but I felt that since it had been so long, I should probably shadow another D.O. for a LOR. I did that in the fall, so Dec. was about the earliest that I could get everything in. I wish that I would have done it last spring. If I don't get in the traditional route, I would be more than happy with the Bridge. If that isn't in the cards, I will definitely reapply around June. All I could do then would be to go through the reapplication process and get a job.
I didn't decide I wanted to pursue medicine until my junior year of undergrad at OU. I basically had to start all over when I switched my major to zoo: biomed. Began with a 2.96 gpa (after 2 years of undergrad) and after 4 more years of undergrad, got it up to 3.44 and 3.28 science. Then I went went to OUHSC and am finishing my MPH this semester with a 3.72 gpa. My MCAT isn't that great, 23Q. But we'll see. If they don't let me in this year, they will see me again next year. I have gone too far to give up. 🙂