What do I need to do?

[vmc303]

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I graduated from an Ivy League school with a philosophy degree a few years ago. I'm taking my pre-reqs at a local state university and I'll be done by the end of the spring. By the time I finish, my overall GPA should be around 3.5-ish, with a science GPA of close to 4.0 (compiled as a post-bac). I'll take the MCAT this April, and I expect a score in the high 30's -- I've always done very well on standardized tests.

I'd like to apply next fall, for the fall of '07, but my concern is whether I'll have enough "soft factors" to make myself a compelling candidate. I'm taking a full course load right now and working part-time in a hospital administrative setting (i.e. non-clinical). I won't have any time for volunteering until this summer. I'll have a full year off next year to do whatever I can to strengthen my application, but by that time, most of the applications will already have been sent out.

My weaknesses are clearly a low overall GPA and very limited medical-related EC's. Strengths (should be) a high MCAT, straight A's in my post-bac science courses, and a somewhat unique undergrad background. What else do I need to do to give myself a solid shot at some schools? If I apply without the ever-important volunteer work, will I get blown out of the water next fall? And with a pretty packed schedule for the next several months, what more can I be doing now? I'm not gunning for Harvard or Johns Hopkins or anything -- just a spot at my state med school.

Thanks for any advice.

 

[NapeSpikes]

Especially for us nontrads, we have to show that we really want to do medicine and know what we're getting into. If you have no clinical experience by the time you submit the amcas in early summer, schools may indeed blow you off, despite other credentials. It's not definite, but they may.

A year, however, will leave you plenty of time to attain quality clinical experience, so would you be willing to apply one year later (for Fall 2008). I think that would maximize your chances. If that is out of the question, would it be possible to quit your current job and find a clinically-related job instead? That way, by the time you apply next summer, you'd have half a year of clinical experience, at least.