Gap Year vs. No Gap Year

3 min read

As pre-med college students near their final undergraduate years, they are confronted with the decision of taking a gap year(s) before starting medical school. Taking a gap year means you don’t begin medical school right after finishing undergraduate school; instead, you would take time off in between to explore opportunities, medicine-related or not. Some people take more than one year off, but it’s really up to the person and what best suits their future. This article will outline reasons why you might want to apply to medical school right away as well as the benefits of taking a gap year(s).

Benefits of No Gap Year(s):

Become a Doctor Sooner

One of the most obvious benefits of not taking a gap year is that you will complete your medical training in a shorter amount of years and become a doctor sooner. Especially if you have long-term goals or financial restrictions that require you to follow a strict timeline and finish medical school within a certain time, then consider applying before and during your senior year of undergrad.

Consistency

If you want to be a person who wants to keep consistency and continue your education without any major interruptions, then a gap year might not be for you. Students often find themselves losing their academic rhythm after being away from the classroom for a long time. If this is you, you may find it more sensible to apply straight into medical school and complete your training sooner.

Possibly a Money-Saver

Gap years can be opportunities to save up money for the cost of medical school tuition. However, some students may want to study abroad or take on an unpaid internship, both of which may actually cost you more money long-term than if you had applied straight into medical school. It is completely okay to not have a concrete plan for your gap year(s), but it is important to plan out how you will support yourself financially while you are not studying. If you feel like you will be in significantly more debt before going to medical school after a gap year(s), you may want to reconsider taking one.

Benefits of a Gap Year(s):

Improve MCAT

One of the most common reasons people take a gap year is to not have to study for the MCAT during undergrad or to improve their MCAT score. The MCAT (Medical College Admission Test) is the standardized test administered by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and most medical schools in the United States take it into consideration when assessing their applicants. Students in college are usually worried about keeping up their GPA, and they don’t find sufficient time to study well for this exam before graduating.

Improve GPA

Another reason students might want to consider taking a gap year is that they want to improve their GPA. According to The Princeton Review, a competitive GPA for medical school is around a 3.71. If you want to complete certain medical school requirements or strengthen your GPA, you might opt into a post-baccalaureate program or a science-based master's program.

Research experience, volunteer, and shadow

Students may also not have had the time to research or delve into other extracurricular activities as much as they would have liked to during their undergraduate years. Although medical schools place a big emphasis on GPA, volunteering hours and clinical exposure (and research experience, if that interests you) are impactful components of your application. Demonstrating that you understand the day-to-day work environment and routine a doctor has to follow through your gap year internship/experiences is a great way to showcase your commitment to a career in medicine.

Take a break

A gap year doesn’t always have to be all about strengthening your medical school application in a direct way. If you have the flexibility, you may just want to take some time off to relax and unwind before continuing onto the next stage of your medical training.

Decide if Medical School Is the Right For You

You can take the time to reflect on whether medical school is the right choice for you. Devoting your time to studying for the MCAT or volunteering in a hospital might give you a different perspective of what a doctor’s life is like and whether you would like to continue the medical path. Furthermore, taking a break from school might inspire interest in other career paths.