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Five Signs You May Need a Gap Year Before Applying to Medical School
Articles
July 8, 2025
The journey to medical school is intense, and for many students, the pressure to apply immediately after undergrad can feel overwhelming. However, taking a gap year can be a strategic and transformative decision. If you’re feeling unsure about your next step, here are five compelling reasons why a gap year might be exactly what you need before applying to medical school.
You Need More Clinical or Research Experience
Medical schools want to see a demonstrated commitment to medicine. If your resume is light on clinical shadowing, patient-facing roles, or research, a gap year is a valuable opportunity to fill those gaps.
Choose experiences that are meaningful and allow you to reflect on your fit for a career in medicine. Spending time as a medical assistant, scribe, or research coordinator can help you better understand the profession, solidify your interest, and strengthen your application.
Your GPA or MCAT Score Could Be Higher
Academic metrics matter. If your GPA is borderline or your MCAT score doesn’t reflect your true ability, a gap year can give you the time to boost your credentials. This might mean retaking courses, pursuing a post-baccalaureate or master’s program, or dedicating focused time to studying for a retake of the MCAT.
Remember: It’s better to apply once with a strong application than to rush and risk being rejected.
You’re Burned Out
Undergraduate life can be a whirlwind of exams, extracurriculars, volunteering, and part-time jobs. By senior year, many pre-meds feel exhausted. A gap year gives you time to recharge, reflect, and enter medical school with fresh energy and a healthier mindset. Medicine is a marathon, not a sprint—you’re allowed to pause and breathe.
In fact, being able to recognize when you need to step back will serve you well once you begin your medical career, where burnout is a major problem facing the profession. Mental wellness now means better resilience later.
You’re Unsure if Medicine Is Truly Right for You
Taking time to step away from the academic grind can help you re-evaluate your goals. A gap year spent working in healthcare or exploring other interests might reaffirm your desire to become a physician—or it might reveal a different path that fits better. Either way, it’s better to know before committing to the long and costly journey of medical school.
Clarity now can save years of regret later. Our previous article on questions to ask when you’re in doubt about becoming a doctor can help guide your thinking on this issue.
You Want to Strengthen Your Personal Narrative
Medical schools seek more than good stats—they want people with stories, maturity, and insight. A meaningful gap year can help you develop a unique perspective and enrich your personal statement. Whether you’re teaching underserved students, traveling for global health work, or doing community outreach, experiences during this time can shape your “why medicine” in powerful ways.
Your story is your strength. Use this time to live it.
Gap Years Are Common
A gap year isn’t a delay—it’s an investment. In fact, the Association of American Medical Colleges reports that 74.3 percent of new medical students in 2024-25 had taken at least one gap year (table 2) before applying to medical school.
Whether you use your gap year for growth, preparation, or self-discovery, taking time between undergrad and medical school can lead to a stronger application and a more confident you. Don’t be afraid to step off the traditional timeline. Sometimes, the scenic route is the one that takes you exactly where you need to go.
The journey to medical school is intense, and for many students, the pressure to apply immediately after undergrad can feel overwhelming. However, taking a gap year can be a strategic and transformative decision. If you’re feeling unsure about your next step, here are five compelling reasons why a gap year might be exactly what you need before applying to medical school.
You Need More Clinical or Research Experience
Medical schools want to see a demonstrated commitment to medicine. If your resume is light on clinical shadowing, patient-facing roles, or research, a gap year is a valuable opportunity to fill those gaps.
Choose experiences that are meaningful and allow you to reflect on your fit for a career in medicine. Spending time as a medical assistant, scribe, or research coordinator can help you better understand the profession, solidify your interest, and strengthen your application.
Your GPA or MCAT Score Could Be Higher
Academic metrics matter. If your GPA is borderline or your MCAT score doesn’t reflect your true ability, a gap year can give you the time to boost your credentials. This might mean retaking courses, pursuing a post-baccalaureate or master’s program, or dedicating focused time to studying for a retake of the MCAT.
Remember: It’s better to apply once with a strong application than to rush and risk being rejected.
You’re Burned Out
Undergraduate life can be a whirlwind of exams, extracurriculars, volunteering, and part-time jobs. By senior year, many pre-meds feel exhausted. A gap year gives you time to recharge, reflect, and enter medical school with fresh energy and a healthier mindset. Medicine is a marathon, not a sprint—you’re allowed to pause and breathe.
In fact, being able to recognize when you need to step back will serve you well once you begin your medical career, where burnout is a major problem facing the profession. Mental wellness now means better resilience later.
You’re Unsure if Medicine Is Truly Right for You
Taking time to step away from the academic grind can help you re-evaluate your goals. A gap year spent working in healthcare or exploring other interests might reaffirm your desire to become a physician—or it might reveal a different path that fits better. Either way, it’s better to know before committing to the long and costly journey of medical school.
Clarity now can save years of regret later. Our previous article on questions to ask when you’re in doubt about becoming a doctor can help guide your thinking on this issue.
You Want to Strengthen Your Personal Narrative
Medical schools seek more than good stats—they want people with stories, maturity, and insight. A meaningful gap year can help you develop a unique perspective and enrich your personal statement. Whether you’re teaching underserved students, traveling for global health work, or doing community outreach, experiences during this time can shape your “why medicine” in powerful ways.
Your story is your strength. Use this time to live it.
Gap Years Are Common
A gap year isn’t a delay—it’s an investment. In fact, the Association of American Medical Colleges reports that 74.3 percent of new medical students in 2024-25 had taken at least one gap year (table 2) before applying to medical school.
Whether you use your gap year for growth, preparation, or self-discovery, taking time between undergrad and medical school can lead to a stronger application and a more confident you. Don’t be afraid to step off the traditional timeline. Sometimes, the scenic route is the one that takes you exactly where you need to go.