So many options! What to do with my time?

[premed0329]

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Hello Everyone,

I've been reading these forums for the past few months now and have been trying to gain insight on what my various options for the next couple years. I'm a senior at UIUC and will be graduating in May.

History-
Stellar HS student (but who wasn't?)
Illinois State Scholar
HORRIBLE College student (Major GPA: 3.0)
-Major: Molecular and Cellular Biol
-Minors: Business, Math
-MCAT: 28, and re-take TBA in April
-83rd percentile in November 2008 NMAT
-Various leadership positions on campus (demonstrated ability to lead)
-2 years research experience in bioinformatics lab
-4 years work experience in Home Health Agency (Medical Billing) in HS
-3 years as assistant to Prof in the UIUC M1
-Not too much "clinical experience"

Health screenings, hospital volunteering (only got to answer call lights or stock the rooms), shadowing
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-Great LORs from people that know me very well

I applied this year, but because of the obvious reasons, I haven't gotten any good responses. I've been working on alternate plans, but have no idea what I should do. I want to apply after a year of doing something after I graduate in May... I'm interested in a lot of things and just want to show the AdComs that I'm serious about medicine and health.

Options:
-Biotech (ex. Abbott) FT & Continuing Ed

Pros: Experience and opportunity in case I do not get in on the second attempt; raise that uber low GPA; time to volunteer on the weekends; crankin up my bank account!

Cons: I feel like Biotech really isn't something that med schools look at, but maybe I'm wrong... any insight on this?
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-Research & Continuing Ed

Pros: Enhance research experience and get to know another person who could write a rec

Cons: Does anyone really learn to love sitting at a bench all day and night only to find out that they have to repeat their experiments? Not to mention, publications are tough to get by... and there is relatively no pay (only enough to pay bills).

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-Volunteer Oriented (ex. AmeriCorps) FT & Continuing Ed

Pros: Altruism. I actually do enjoy volunteering and have received a few service awards in my past (for more than 300 hours in a year, lol). I also feel that this is something that could enhance my application as a whole.

Cons: Again, I need to eat and be able to pay my bills.

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-Standard EMT or CNA FT & Continuing Ed

Pros: Clinical experience
Cons: Virtually doesn't render any opportunities if I don't get in on the second attempt... :-/
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I'm not going to sit here and tell you all of my lame excuses of why my GPA is so low because that is not the attitude that will get me into med school. I am trying so hard to focus on what I have to do to get in, carefully planning each step of the way.

I really have no idea what to do. I've been going to various info sessions and just attended a biotech job fair that will hopefully land me some interviews, but honestly, I have no idea what to do! Someone please help!