Gap Year(s) Experiences for Applicants to Medical School

The majority of applicants to medical schools take one or more gap years between graduating and matriculating into medical school. There is no single “right” gap year experience, you should pursue an job, graduate degree, or experience that enriches you and helps you gain experiences that are valuable to your professional goals. Most Penn applicants to medical school worked in clinical, biomedical, or policy research, pursued industry positions, worked as clinical assistants or scribes, or pursing teaching positions or fellowship opportunities. Most successful applicants supplement their primary activity with volunteer work in hospitals, private practices, and free clinics or with organizations benefiting homeless people, human rights, and disadvantaged children.