I still remember the summer of 2019 like it was yesterday: paying $350 in rent, sharing a room with a college classmate, and grinding out secondary applications on my laptop. At the time, I could hardly have envisioned another semester of full-time coursework ahead, and the time off to enjoy life after receiving my first acceptance was nothing short of blissful, despite it being during the peak of the COVID pandemic. Looking back, I'm glad I had that year to reflect, listen to podcasts, and grow as a person. On the other hand, sometimes I wish I had sped things along and gotten myself to attendinghood one year sooner. Taking a gap year is a complex decision, with no “correct” answers. My goal with this article is to clarify the main variables you should consider when making your own decision.
It’s competitive! Therefore, take your best shot when you are ready. Medical school applicants have increased by 6.3% from 2014 to 2023, while available seats grew just 2.6%, making admissions more competitive. Fewer than half of applicants are accepted. In 2024, acceptance rates were 44.6% (MD) and 42.3% (DO); some leading MD schools accept under 5% of applicants. The average accepted student has a 3.7–3.8 GPA (MD) or 3.5 (DO) and an MCAT score of 511–512 (MD). If your stats are lower, you might benefit from extra time to improve. Reapplicants also have a much harder time getting in. Over the years, I've seen a handful of applicants enter the cycle with the mindset that they can just reapply next year. Based on years of application counseling, I sense that this type of thought process is harmful. Reapplicants are about 40% less likely to be accepted than first-time applicants. Go in with the mindset that you have one shot to get it right.
Gap years are becoming very common. Most students (about 73% for the 2023 entering class) now take at least one gap year before starting med school. The average starting age is 24. Taking a gap year is now the norm and can make you a stronger applicant, both academically and experientially. What is driving the trend toward longer gap years? It’s getting harder to build a competitive application within four undergrad years. As the MCAT ages and preparation materials improve, average scores go up. Likewise, as more students take gap years, the average number of research, volunteering, and clinical experiences increases. It’s a snowball effect, if you will.
Are your stats competitive? Evaluate whether your GPA and MCAT are competitive (about 3.7+ GPA and ~512 MCAT for MD programs). If not, a gap year offers time to improve your stats with additional coursework or focused MCAT prep.
Is MCAT timing comfortable? If you haven’t taken the MCAT yet, will studying feel rushed if you apply this cycle? If there's one thing I can tell you, it's that the MCAT is the most important factor on your entire application. One attempt is better than two. Only you know how much time you need to prepare properly. If you think it will be a tight schedule, that's a strong reason to consider taking a gap here.
Would you benefit from a full transcript? Will you complete all required courses before applying? Taking a gap year allows you to have all grades on your transcript and can showcase improvement if you had a slow academic start and want to demonstrate the upward GPA trend.
Do you have adequate clinical & research experience? If you lack significant experience (e.g., hundreds of hours in clinical/research settings), consider using a gap year to strengthen your application. Activities like working as a scribe, EMT, or research assistant can bolster your credentials and provide quality material for essays/interviews.
Are you burned out from academics? Assess your energy. If you’re burned out, a gap year can help you regain motivation and prevent future burnout in medical school. If you thrive on momentum, reflect on whether you’re ready to go straight through. Medical school will be the most significant academic challenge of your life. Consider if starting that challenge in August is a good idea.
Any lingering uncertainty about pursuing medicine? Not 100% certain about medicine? Use a gap year to gain additional clinical experience and clarify your commitment, rather than rushing into med school. Don't take this decision lightly; it comes with significant costs if it's made for the wrong reasons (e.g., debt, opportunity cost).
Taking a gap year before medical school offers many advantages that can make you a stronger, more well-rounded applicant. Extra time lets you boost your GPA and MCAT score, gain valuable clinical experience, conduct research, pursue another degree or certification, and develop leadership skills and tangible achievements. Even having time dedicated to crafting applications can lead to higher-quality submissions. All of that seems obvious. More importantly, you’ll have the unprecedented opportunity to hang out with friends, travel, read, and restore hobbies to a degree that is unlikely to occur once you start your career. I worked at a restaurant waiting tables, and loved it. This type of real-world exposure was invaluable in my opinion. It allowed me to recharge and avoid burnout, making the transition into medical school smoother.
Potential downsides include delaying the start of a medical career, risk of losing academic momentum, social isolation, and the need for good planning to avoid an unproductive year. Ultimately, whether to take a gap year or apply directly depends on your academic, experiential, financial, and personal readiness. Success can come from either path, but a gap year is most beneficial if used intentionally to address application gaps, achieve personal goals, and ensure preparedness for the demanding journey of medical school.
If your answers to the questions above did not raise any beige or red flags, then go for it. I'm envious of my colleagues in residency who will be attending before the age of 30. There's definitely a payoff. However, if you're someone who can't confidently say your application is competitive, or if you have other personal or life considerations that might make a gap year more beneficial, talk to people you trust, including your Premed advisor if you have one, and make sure your final decision is made only after careful consideration. I’m rooting for you.
