Rejection from medical school can be difficult because of the time and effort that is put into the application. However, don’t give up! There are many benefits when it comes to a gap year.

During your gap year, you can carry out research, do some volunteering or work in a field that is related to medicine. It is an opportunity to be able to strengthen your application to medical school. You can enhance your personal statement, get a higher score in your UCAT and do some more interview prep. This article will discuss whether gap years are accepted by medical schools and the main benefits.

Do medical school accept applications from students who have done a gap year?

Of course! Medical schools accept gap years. Some medical schools offer the degree with a deferred year so you have the offer before taking a gap year. There isn’t a limit to the number of a gap years you can take too.

Improving your medical school application

It can be difficult to apply to medical school alongside all your academic requirements. A lot of the application process takes place during studies. Taking a gap year helps to ease the pressure as you have more time to focus on the UCAT, your personal statement and interviews.

One thing you could do is re-assess how you did in your initial application. Check where you went wrong and where you could improve. A few things you could do is ask for feedback from your interviews, check the medical school requirements again and apply to your strengths. Some medical schools focus more on the UCAT so require higher score whilst others focus more on your GCSE grades. You can learn more about how to stand out in your medical school application here.

Things to do during your gap year

There are many things you can do during your gap year. Here are a few:

• Work in a field related to medicine
• Get work experience abroad
• Volunteering
• Research
• Earn money to help you get extra funding for medical school
• GP placement
• Hospital placement
• Work in a private clinic

It is important that you demonstrate what you did during your gap year in your personal statement and in your interviews. You can do this by reflecting on the skills you have gained. Ensure to keep a diary of all your experiences so that you don’t forget the activities you did during your gap year!

To sum up, gap years are a great way to improve your medical school application, learn a new language, visit a new country and discover the areas you love in medicine. Don’t give up! You can even get 1 ON 1 mentoring with Future Doc to help you with your application!

Written by Naa-Dromoh Quarshie