Gap Years have become increasingly important for building a strong health professional school candidacy. In the most recent Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) Matriculating Student Questionnaire (MSQ), 73% of entering medical students in 2023 reported taking one or more gap years. Giving yourself enough time to build your candidacy during academic years, over summers, and during gap years is critical. Everyone's journey is different!

*Note: Make sure you do your own research to identify opportunities that align with your interests, values, and work preferences. We have included some suggestions to explore, but there a many ways beyond these suggestions to build a strong candidacy for health professional school.