The admissions committees look at everything. GPA, grades in individual classes, LOR's, healthcare experience and shadowing, etc. What you lack in one area you might make up for in another. C's in physics might not be the kiss of death if other grades are better or other parts of your application reflect better on you.
I do agree that if you weren't accepted first time around that you need to do something to improve your application, whether that's improving your grades, improving your GRE or MCAT scores, gaining experience, or some combination of these.
Experience is never a bad idea and can certainly go on the plus side of your application. Again - less than stellar parts of your application MAY be balanced out by being more of a standout in other areas. One thing you do NOT want to do is do nothing. If you get denied the first time, and do absolutely nothing in the ensuing year since you got turned down except feel sorry for yourself and dring beer and apply again, I can promise you you'll be denied again. Take some classes, re-take the exams, work, whatever. You can't just sit and watch the world go by and hope for the best without making some effort.
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