Advice Needed About Gap Year

[biologicals]

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[gutonc]

I had to take time off because of family reasons during 4th year so now I'm off schedule. I'll be done at the end of September with all my electives and plan on applying and doing the match for next year but I don't know what to do after September with all the free time. I don't want to apply for a position outside the match.
I could technically graduate in December and just wait for the match results in March and start residency in July or I can take extra electives or do research and stretch my graduation date out until next May. If I graduate I don't know what I can do in the 6 months between graduation and starting residency while paying back my loans.

Which option is better, which option do residency programs prefer?

If anyone has dealt with this situation or has advice it would be appreciated.

Unless you already have a well-paying job lined up for those 9 months, stay in school, stretch it out. That way you will still enter the Match as a US Senior which is generally looked on more favorably than being an independent applicant. You will have time to do lots of electives, maybe some research which could be useful if you're going into a more competitive specialty.

Yes, it will be more expensive and will delay you starting your residency but since you already have to do another semester to graduate anyway and you don't seem excited about finding an off-cycle spot this is the best choice.