Is a Gap Year Before Med School Right for You?

If you’re on the fence about starting medical school right after completing your undergrad and wondering if it’s the best move for you, take a breather and consider this: A gap year before med school could be the missing piece of the puzzle in your journey towards becoming a doctor.

I get it – the thought of delaying your dream of becoming a doctor might seem like a super scary risk, but hear me out. I took not one but FOUR gap years before continuing on my medical school journey, and believe it or not, those years actually set me up for success in ways I never imagined.

So, get ready to start feeling better about your decision either way. I’m breaking down the main factors you should consider as you choose whether or not to take a gap year before medical school. Plus, I’m spilling the tea about my journey to medical school and providing several practical tips on how to make the most of a gap year if you’re planning to take one.

This post is all about gap year before med school.

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Gap Year Before Med School – Everything You Need to Know

How many students take a gap year before medical school?

You’re not alone if you’re considering taking a gap year before medical school! According to the AAMC, the average age of students starting medical school is 24. And almost half of those students, 44.1%, entering medical school had taken a gap lasting one year. Most students reported that they used the time to work in another career or volunteered/worked in research. 

So, it seems like more and more students are opting for a much-needed break while further boosting their resume before taking on the challenges of medical school. Who wouldn’t want a breather after four years of intense college courses before jumping into more studying and stress, right?

Should I take a gap year before medical school?

You may be thinking, that’s all well and good for those 44% of students now entering medical school after their gap year, but is it really something I should do? 

No doubt, the decision to take a gap year before diving into medical school is a big one. It’s totally understandable to feel torn about whether or not to take a moment before taking this big next step.

So, what goes into the decision process for students opting for a gap year before starting medical school? Well, there are tons of reasons for it and a few considerations against it, each one as valid as the next. Let’s look at the pros and cons.

Is taking a gap year bad for medical school?

Medical schools generally view applicants who have taken gap years positively. But only if you make the most of your time off! Here are some key factors to consider when debating a gap year for your own timeline:

• Puts a delay on your timeline. You won’t enter medical school at the same time as many of your peers, and it will take longer to become a licensed doctor.
• Could be a potential waste of time. If you don’t strategically utilize your gap year to improve your application, it could hurt your chances of getting into medical school. Admissions committees look for applicants who have used their time off productively to enhance their skills and experiences.
• May reduce your motivation. You may find transitioning back to a structured academic environment challenging after experiencing freedom during your time off.
• Could cause financial hardships. While a gap year can provide exciting opportunities for personal growth and exploration, you may also increase your spending if you for example decide to go traveling.
• Risk losing focus on your long-term goals. You may become so comfortable in your gap year job or lifestyle that you reconsider your decision to pursue a career in medicine. 

What are the reasons to take a gap year before medical school?

What if I told you that hitting pause for a bit might actually be the best move you could make for your future self? Here are ten ways a gap year can help you better prepare for medical school.

1. Improve your MCAT score. With more time to prepare, you can aim for a higher score on the MCAT.
2. Enhance your extracurricular involvement. Take advantage of additional opportunities to participate in activities that can strengthen your resume.
3. Complete missing prerequisites. Use the extra time to finish any required coursework or retake classes if needed.
4. Boost a low GPA with a science-based master’s or post-bacc program. Consider enrolling in a program that can elevate your academic record.
5. Gain valuable research experience. Explore research opportunities to enhance your knowledge and skills.
6. Earn volunteer hours or work to reduce debt. You gain practical experience in a medically related field.
7. Conduct research on medical schools and career paths. Use the time to gather information and secure strong letters of recommendation.
8. Take a mental health break. Prevent burnout and prioritize your well-being by stepping back from academic pressures, so that afterwards you can start this new chapter with renewed energy.
9. Experience the world. Travel, learn a new language, or engage in international nonprofit work while aligning these experiences with your future goals.
10. Reflect on your career goals. Use this time to carefully contemplate your aspirations and evaluate different paths for your professional future. 

The path as a pre-med can be pretty hard and sometimes makes it challenging to fit all those valuable experiences into your undergrad years. So sometimes the best way to prepare for medical school (and boost your chances of acceptance) can be to give it another year to catch up on any research, volunteering or other experiences.  

My Med School Gap Year Timeline

It may look like I have it all together now, but it didn’t start out that way. I had a long and untraditional journey to medical school which turned out exactly what I needed in the long run. 

Here’s my experience and why, despite the twists and turns, I wouldn’t change a thing about it: 

August 2013

I started college with an undecided major. I knew I would end up picking something in math or science, but couldn’t decide on what to major in yet.

January 2014 – October 2014

Fast-forward to January when I snagged my first job as a waitress conveniently located close to campus. For the next year and a half, my life was a whirlwind of attending classes, riding horses for the equestrian team, and serving tables.

November 2014

The turning point finally came that November. I was tired of getting C’s, a direct result of working way too much and having no time to study. On top of that, I still had an undecided major. 

I remember sitting in my dorm room one night just googling what I could do with my life. That’s when I settled on majoring in chemistry with a premed track. 

Now that I wanted to pursue medical school, changes were in order. I knew that my waitress job was the biggest factor holding me back from earning the grades I’d need if I ever wanted to be accepted into medical school. So, I told my manager that I could ONLY work three days a week from now on, and if they didn’t want to accommodate me, I would quit.

January 2015 – May 2015

I went from working about 36 hours a week to 15 hours MAX! In the second half of my sophomore year my grades improved significantly – no more C’s! I still, of course, was on the equestrian team, but it was all much easier to juggle now that I wasn’t working six days a week.

June 2015 – July 2016

The summer of 2015 marked the exact moment I became HOOKED on the idea of applying to medical school after shadowing an orthopedic surgeon. During my senior year, I continued to get better grades, volunteered at hospitals, shadowed abroad in Spain, took the MCAT (was super happy with my score), and applied to medical school!

However, I was SO dang clueless and made countless mistakes that I didn’t give myself a great chance of getting accepted. I applied late and only to four schools. Had the most cringe-worthy essays. I didn’t have clinical experience. And the list goes on and on. 

August 2016 – May 2017

The application cycle ended with one interview at Case Western, where I was waitlisted. It wouldn’t be until the following summer, July 2017, that I would know for sure if I would be pulled off. I was in “limbo.” Since I was in the same boat as one of my best friends in college, we skipped graduation and decided to live in paradise, a.k.a. San Diego, while we figured out our lives. 

July 2017 – October 2019

Well, I didn’t get pulled off that waitlist. As a result, I spent the next few years taking unexpected detours. I stayed for a while in San Diego, where I worked as a lab tech. But after six months, I moved to the Bay Area for grad school to continue my upward trend in grades. But after two quarters, I couldn’t continue financially. So, back to San Diego I returned. 

Since I was at a total loss on how else to improve my application, I spent a year and a half doing nothing related to reapplying. 

After I moved to Seattle with my boyfriend and took a job that I totally hated, I finally hit my breaking point. But it was the best thing! That horrible job lit a spark. It completely reignited my desire to work towards my future.

November 2019 – August 2021

In the span of one year, I quit the job I hated, started working as an EMT, retook the MCAT (my first score tragically expired), and researched the hell out of how to apply to med school the RIGHT WAY this time! I left absolutely no stone unturned and improved every single factor in my control to give myself the best chance of success when I applied the second time. 

Today

Well, today I’m happy to report that I’m a fourth-year medical student, and I am over the freaking moon at where I’m at in this season of my life. 

The obstacles, the sacrifices – the stress of retaking the MCAT during COVID, spending an ungodly amount on mock interviews, and most of all, taking a chance on a big scary dream despite all the doubt – all of it was WORTH IT! I took a leap of faith, fought through uncertainties, and emerged stronger on the other side.

So to anyone questioning their path or facing roadblocks, let this be your sign to keep pushing forward. The hard work, the doubts, the struggles – they all pave the way to your dreams if you trust in the process, believe in your journey, and keep striving. 

What to Do During Gap Year Before Medical School

Taking a gap year doesn’t (and shouldn’t) mean you’ll spend all your time slacking off, and it doesn’t have to result in falling behind. Quite the opposite! A gap year is a fantastic chance to gain valuable life experiences that can actually make you a better physician in the long run.

Consider spending your gap time wisely by choosing the following activities and experiences.

• Take additional coursework. If you need to fulfill prerequisites for medical school or boost your GPA, consider enrolling in premed postbaccalaureate programs, taking extra classes, or pursuing a master’s degree.
• Get more clinical experience. Strengthen your medical school application and confirm your passion for medicine by seeking clinical positions as a medical scribe, EMT, hospital volunteer, or any position in a medical setting.
• Prepare for the MCAT exam. Take the time to adequately prepare, although don’t make it your sole focus.
• Reflect on “why medicine.” Spend time contemplating your reasons for choosing a medical career to help improve your personal statement and interview preparations and to keep you motivated.
• Build healthy habits. Start developing practical study skills, exercise routines, healthy eating habits, and good sleep patterns during your gap year, so you’ll be a pro at maintaining balance once in medical school.
• Learn money management. Practice budgeting and financial planning skills to support yourself during your education and beyond, using tools like budgeting worksheets to get organized.
• Explore interests outside of medicine. Dedicate time to hobbies or activities unrelated to medicine to relax, recharge, and maintain a well-rounded life. These breaks are crucial for your mental and physical well-being. 

Pre-Med Gap Year Jobs 

Working in healthcare before med school can be a fantastic opportunity for your gap year, like I did as an EMT. It gives you valuable hands-on experience and insights into the medical world. Plus, it can seriously boost your pre-med resume and provide valuable material for your personal statement and secondary essays. But figuring out which job to go for can be a bit overwhelming. 

In my post 7 Best Pre-Med Jobs for Clinical Experience I’ve put together a list of some awesome healthcare jobs that are perfect for premed students and anyone taking a gap year before medical school.

Here’s a quick list of the clinical jobs I cover in detail in my post.

• Emergency Medical Technician
• Certified Medical Assistant 
• Phlebotomist
• Certified Nursing Assistant
• Medical Scribe
• Home Health Aide
• Dialysis Technician

If you’d rather spend your gap year focusing on a job outside of the medical field, in my post 10 Premed Gap Year Jobs (Beyond Clinical Experiences), I list and explore the following non-clinical job ideas, from working as a nanny to freelance writing.

Final Thoughts on Navigating the Gap Year Dilemma

So, is a gap year before med school right for you? Well, that’s something only you can decide. Everyone’s circumstances are different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Ultimately, the decision to take a gap year before medical school should be based on your individual goals, priorities, and readiness for the challenges ahead.

But remember, it’s not just about taking a break – it’s about investing in yourself and setting yourself up for success in the long run. Good luck on your journey!

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