Applying to health professions school is a long and, for some, stressful process! There is no reason to rush into it if you do not feel ready. Taking a growth year or two can allow you the time you need to approach the application process calmly and methodically, rather than feeling like you’re scrambling or rushing to complete everything.

Our office encourages prospective applicants to apply when they feel like they are going to be able to put their strongest foot forward. If you’re not happy with your personal statement, feel like you’re unprepared to participate in interviews, or simply want more time to work on each component of your application, that is completely fine (the applications aren’t going anywhere!).

If you are unsure about whether or not you are truly ready to apply, we encourage you to visit our website’s Deciding When to Apply page, linked here. You are also welcome to make an appointment with an advisor at any time to discuss what path you'd like to take. Preparing for medical, dental, or other health professions school is hard! Taking time to recharge and reset before beginning your applications, and another academic endeavor, can sometimes be just what the doctor ordered (ha ha ha).

Remember that this is MORE THAN a year-long process, and following the "traditional" application timeline means that you will begin applying during the spring of your junior year.To learn more about the timelines, visit our website's pages about Applying with Our Office, linked here, Primary Applications, linked here, and Secondary Applications, linked here.

We also encourage you to review our Alumni Spotlights, as many of the alumni profiled on our website have engaged in growth years. Their valuable peer insight can be a fantastic way to learn what you might want to do with your time.