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Reasons for Taking Time Off Traditionally, there was one way of preparing for and applying to medical school. As undergraduates, students would major in the sciences, take the MCAT in their junior year, and then apply to medical school as seniors, so that they would go directly from their undergraduate college into medical school. In recent years, this approach has changed in many ways. First, students no longer are expected to major in a scientific discipline. Moreover, students now have the flexibility to take “time off” between college and medical school. In fact, every year now, the majority of Penn applicants to medical school have finished their undergraduate work and are choosing to take at least one year off. There are many reasons for taking time off. Sometimes, students really need an extra year or two, in order to take additional courses and improve their academic records. If, by the time you reach the end of your junior year at Penn, your grades do not meet the standard expected by medical schools, you should consider doing more course work in the sciences before applying. This may entail taking classes after you graduate from Penn—either through a post-baccalaureate program, or by taking courses ad hoc and paying by the credit, or perhaps by doing a master’s degree in Biology or a related field. Some students make the mistake of submitting an application to medical school, despite having a string of weak science grades on their transcript, under the presumption that they have “nothing to lose.” This is not true, actually. There is a lot at stake in applying to medical school, and applying hastily can hurt you in the end. Medical schools can be very critical of re-applicants. If you are unsuccessful in applying once, when you attempt a second time, the medical schools will need to see a reason to think differently about your candidacy and to not reject your application again. Re-applicants therefore have a tough hill to climb. The bottom line is this: you should only apply to medical school when your academic credentials are in good shape, and if you need additional time to pull up your grades, take it! Students also choose to take time off for other, non-academic reasons. Some want to do a fellowship abroad, like the Fulbright; some get involved in public service organizations like the Peace Corps or Americorps. Others want to earn some money before medical school, and will work for a couple of years as research technicians, consultants, investment bankers, teachers, etc. A few pre-meds have even pursued once-in-a-lifetime opportunities, including preparing for the Olympics. Some students take time off because they are not convinced that medicine is the right choice for them. They may want to explore another career, or just spend some more time working in a health care setting, before committing themselves to the medical profession. This is a very wise thing to do. Medical schools do not look down on applicants who investigate other career options; nor do they frown on students taking additional time to learn about medicine before submitting their applications. They want students to make well-informed decisions! Regardless of the specific reason, taking time off before medical school can allow you to either gain life experience or enhance your academic preparation—both of which will make you a stronger applicant in the end.
© Career Services, University of Pennsylvania. Not to be copied or distributed without permission.
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