top of page

Resources > Gap Year Planning

Gap Year Planning

Many applicants may find themselves taking a gap year between undergrad and PA school. Used well, it's one of the most valuable years you'll have, and for many applicants, it's the year that turns an underprepared application into a strong one.

 

There's no single right way to spend a gap year. This page walks through the most common goals people use one for, so you can build a plan around what you actually need.

A gap year may be a good idea if:

  • Your patient care hours, GPA, or prerequisites aren't yet competitive

  • You haven't had time to shadow a PA, or want broader exposure to the profession

  • You need to retake a course or improve your GPA trend

  • You want to save toward the cost of applying and attending

  • You're not fully certain PA is the right path yet, and want real clinical experience to confirm it

Use your gap year for:

Clinical Work

A full-time clinical role, such as a CNA, EMT, medical scribe, or medical assistant, builds patient care hours quickly and consistently, which reads well to admissions committees. Full-time, sustained clinical work in a single gap year can add more meaningful hours than years of part-time work during school.

Academic Strengthening

If your GPA or a specific prerequisite grade is holding your application back, a gap year gives you room to retake courses without the pressure of a full class load. This is also a good year to complete any prerequisites you're missing.

​

Some applicants use a gap year, or several, to complete a formal postbac or a related master's degree, which can meaningfully strengthen GPA . This is a bigger commitment than most other paths, both financially and in time, so weigh it carefully.

Extracurriculars

Hours in leadership, volunteering and community service, teaching, or research can help improve the strength of an application. Certain programs place greater emphasis on these within their mission statement, so be sure to check target program requirements.

Financial Preparation

Applying to PA school is expensive between CASPA fees, program supplementals, travel for interviews, and eventually tuition. A working gap year can meaningfully ease that burden.

Building your plan:

Audit

Before deciding what to do with the year, get clear on what your application actually needs. Are your hours low? Is your GPA trend weak? Is a specific prerequisite missing? Make note of what aspects need strengthening or are missing altogether.

Set Goals

Set specific, achievable goals for yourself, such as "earn 1,500 PCE hours as a PCT in the emergency department."

​

Identify a clear endpoint for yourself. If your goal is to apply next cycle, make the decision early so you can plan accordingly and stay on track.

During your gap year:

  • Keep a running record. Track your hours, dates, responsibilities, and specific moments as they happen. You'll need this information for CASPA and your personal statement.

  • Keep building relationships for letters of recommendation. 

  • Consider your "why PA." Notice what you're learning about patient care, about the profession, and about yourself along the way.

  • Reassess your program list. A gap year is a natural point to revisit which programs you're targeting, now that you know more about your own priorities and competitiveness.

bottom of page