The medical school admissions process has become increasingly complex in recent years, with applicants seeking ways to strengthen their candidacy. One notable trend has been the increasing popularity of gap years, ie, years inserted between college and medical school to pursue additional experiences. Gap years were once a rarity, but recent data from the Association of American Medical Colleges show nearly two-thirds of matriculants taking gap years.1,2 Only about 25% of the entering class at Harvard Medical School in 2024 is coming directly from college. While there are many reasons for pursuing a gap year, there are increasing concerns about their benefits, especially as they increase the length of training, which is progressively growing due to increasing specialization.