Research Availability as Nontrad without a Science Bachelor's

[Contradition]

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Hello,
I am a nontraditional student (graduated 2020, BA in Philosophy from a CSU with 3.74 GPA, strong upward trend; returned to school 2021 with a DIY postbacc completing prerequisites and major "recommended" courses at local community colleges, 4.0 GPA; 3.83 cGPA between both transcripts). Also of note: Male, ORM, California resident with no strong ties to other states.
Because I'm not currently pursuing a degree and I'm not enrolled in an official postbaccalaureate program, and because I don't have preexisting lab experience or a bachelor's degree in a scientific field, I'm having a very hard time finding any opportunities, even unpaid ones, for research experience. This has just been looking at posted opportunities, though, and I haven't started cold-emailing local PIs yet (I still live near my alma mater, but like I said, I was a Philosophy major and have no networking in its science departments).
I am wondering if anyone here could please help me brainstorm some ways to get into a lab where I can at least do bench work. I really don't think I have a meaningful chance at top 10 research schools anyway, so I don't need a publication, but looking at the MSAR statistics for even lower-tier schools I see 90+% of matriculants with research experience for most of them, so I'm really worried that not having at least something under my belt will hurt my chances even at a primary care-focused school.
Thank you for your time.

 

[gyngyn]

We understand that those who start this path after graduation will have different opportunities.
An application with a focus on commitment to service will not need research "tacked on" just for appearances.
A single strong MCAT will open doors.

 

[Contradition]

We understand that those who start this path after graduation will have different opportunities.
An application with a focus on commitment to service will not need research "tacked on" just for appearances.
A single strong MCAT will open doors.

Thank you for your response, gyngyn. I feel much better about this and will put time I might have spent on research towards better clinical and community service ECs.

 

[Contradition]

We understand that those who start this path after graduation will have different opportunities.
An application with a focus on commitment to service will not need research "tacked on" just for appearances.
A single strong MCAT will open doors.

Hello, and thank you for responding when I made this original post. I have since taken the MCAT and received a 528. I am somewhat concerned about yield protection in this case in a service-oriented application, as that could be a problem with service/primary-care oriented schools while light research would hurt me in "T50s." That's my perception from the outside, at least. I hate to ask for more of your time, but do you have any advice in this situation, or ideas about whom I could ask? Thank you for your time.

 

[gyngyn]

CSU grads are highly prized at the UC's (as well as Stanford and USC).
There are also plenty of places that simply want high MCAT's (e.g. Wash U).
Apply to all of them and you should be fine.

 

[Contradition]

CSU grads are highly prized at the UC's (as well as Stanford and USC).
There are also plenty of places that simply want high MCAT's (e.g. Wash U).
Apply to all of them and you should be fine.

Thank you!

 

[esob]

I agree that research is less important for the non-trad applicant.

 

[Strattera]

I was able to find some minor research though the physician I was shadowing. Additionally most academic hospitals have Research Assistant jobs that can be good experience.