As a pre-med student who is taking a gap year before medical school, there are so many factors that contribute to making a gap year worth it. A productive gap year can significantly increase your chances of getting into med school, and shouldn’t be looked down upon. I know that many pre-med students and their families may view it as a disappointment that they aren’t yet ready for medical school. However, it is completely normal and can be a great thing! About 74% of medical students took a gap year(s). Gap years have been increasingly common due to rising admissions expectations, and students need more time to gain meaningful experiences, such as needing more clinical experience, volunteer hours, etc. Here are some key things to prioritize during your gap year to make the most of that time.
- Consider a master’s program, post-bach, or retaking pre-requisites
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For those of us who want to pursue a career in medicine but may have a lower GPA, considering retaking pre-requisite classes may be a good option to boost our undergrad GPAs. Additionally, taking a post-baccalaureate program can significantly increase your GPA, as post-baccalaureate programs will add more grades to your undergraduate coursework. This will likely boost your GPA since they are still considered undergraduate-level courses. The record of a postbacc program can also show an upward trend in academics, and there are many postbacc programs explicitly designed for pre-med students. Similarly, a master’s program, or an accelerated master’s program, will also show academic upward trends and enhance your application. Master’s programs will not alter your undergrad GPA, but will give you a completely new Master’s GPA. This option tends to be better for students with a decent science GPA, but maybe a slightly lower overall GPA. Master’s programs can also be specifically designed for pre-med students, offering leadership and research opportunities that can improve your overall application.
- Prioritize a job in patient care
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Having patient care hours is vital when applying to medical school. A few of these jobs are EMTs, MAs, Phlebotomists, PT assistants, CNAs, and Medical Scribes. Having experience working with patients and learning clinical skills will make you a stronger applicant. Most schools tend to look for applicants with above 150 hours, and competitive applicants have 300-500+ hours. This demonstrates that you are comfortable in a medical setting and can envision yourself advancing in the field, as well as understanding the importance of patient care. It also helps you learn more about the field in a hands-on manner.
- Shadowing
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To fully understand the medical field, shadowing is a great opportunity. Many medical schools look for students with a minimum of about 30-40 hours of shadowing experience. Obviously, the more the better. Observing different specialties and healthcare workers during their typical workday helps us, as students, to gain a better understanding of what we want out of our careers. Maybe one profession or specialty you thought you’d love isn’t what you thought it would be like. Or one you weren’t as interested in before becomes your new top choice in specialty.
Additionally, consider shadowing healthcare professionals who aren’t MDs or DOs. Maybe you shadow a nurse or physical therapist and realize that maybe the job of a physician isn’t for you. And if you really want to be an MD or DO, you will gain insight from other professions to answer interview questions such as “Why do you want to be a physician and not an NP or another profession?”
- Volunteer in your community
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Many medical schools, especially DO schools, include in their mission statements a commitment to making healthcare accessible to everyone. Because of this, they love to see students who volunteer in their communities. If you can volunteer in a hospital, that is amazing, but also make sure to volunteer for your local nonprofits and people in need. Sometimes, helping people before they need hospitalization and preventing that type of intervention is even more impactful than being in the hospital itself.
- Research
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Similar to volunteering, many medical schools, especially those offering MD degrees, look for experience in scientific research. Participating in research demonstrates that you can comprehend complex scientific literature and data, and possess many characteristics that these schools look for. In research, you need patience, resilience if an experiment doesn’t go well, and critical thinking. By participating in research, you can also get great letters of recommendation from your supervisors, or the doctor or professor leading the research project. And don’t worry if the project doesn’t get published, any experience in research is just as valuable!
- MCAT prep and research your schools
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Prepping for the MCAT can take on average 4-6 months, so a gap year is an ideal time to do so. Just make sure to plan when you want to take your exam and leave a little time before your applications open, so you can retake the exam if needed. Also, consider purchasing an MCAT prep course if you think it would be beneficial for you. If you are taking the post-bacc or master’s degree course during your gap year, look into the resources your schools have. They sometimes offer MCAT prep to help pre-med students.
Also, ensure you understand what each medical school is looking for in an applicant. Some prefer applicants with extensive volunteer experience and patient care, while others prefer research students. Additionally, make sure you understand each school’s mission statement and its core values. With this information, you can tailor your approach to each school in interviews.