In highly competitive admissions processes, students often find themselves considering a gap year—a period between undergraduate graduation and medical school matriculation. Gap years serve various purposes: addressing application weaknesses, exploring opportunities beyond academia, or engaging in research endeavors.

The decision to take a gap year should be tailored to individual circumstances and aspirations. No universal guideline dictates who should or shouldn't take a gap year. To address application shortcomings, several options merit consideration:

Pre-Health Application Timeline

First-Year Students

As a first-year student at Rensselaer, your primary focus should be on building a strong academic foundation. A solid academic record not only ensures a smooth path to your preferred graduate school but also provides the knowledge base necessary for success in future coursework and entrance exams.

Medical Schools

Students considering apply to medical school generally must meet the following course requirements. Please keep in mind that these requirements can change depending upon which schools that you apply to, and these are general recommendations. It is imperative that you research the schools you are applying to in order to meet any additional requirements that school may have.