sublimeseas

Hi Everyone, First off, apologies if this has already been covered - I've skimmed the past few months of postings and haven't found anything that matches my thoughts particularly well. I'm a Women's Studies major going into my senior year of undergrad at a major research university that no longer has a sociology department. Through my interdisciplinary coursework (which includes a few classes taught by professors with sociology PhD's) and a two-year independent research project, I've recently come to the realization that I would really like to pursue a PhD in Sociology sometime in the near future. While I have a great deal of experience with ethnography (through the anthropology department), I have next to nothing in terms of sociological theory, research methods, and statistical knowledge. In addition, my haphazard transcript (switching majors/minors, mediocre grades in a few classes, a lot of classes that I think grad school committees would consider 'fluffy', a semester abroad), lack of strong relationships with tenured/tenure-track professors in the social sciences, and admitted lack of focus through undergrad all mean there is a good chance that I wouldn't (and honestly, shouldn't) be admitted into the PhD programs that I would hope to get into this year. I am planning on taking at least a year off to refocus, and so that I can use the entirety of senior year to improve my GPA, take more theory courses (in anthro), and strengthen relationships with potential recommenders. I hope to then apply to an MA program before making the final leap to the PhD. My question is, what can I do in the meantime to help my case? I am exploring Americorps and Peace Corps, but does anyone know of anything specifically sociology-related (i.e. post-baccalaureate programs, fellowships, opportunities for research or service) that can both add to my application and imbue me with a better sense of what it means to be in the discipline? And on a practical, money-saving note, can a non-traditional newcomer like me afford to spend a year or two simply working a regular job ( to save for a master's) while volunteering and maybe taking a few courses at my local university? I know there are many people on this board from a variety of backgrounds who are now pursuing graduate sociology degrees, and I would love to hear people's stories. Thanks!