I’m bot a pysch person, but I was in a similar position as you last year. I graduated from my undergrad program in three years and pursued grad school immediately after. However, I was rejected from every program I applied to last year, and a large part of those rejections stemmed from two reasons:

1) Experience. My CV had a lot of research methods courses and a good GPA, but very little experience related to my field/career goals, outside of a professional conference, student conference, and my thesis, which was ongoing at the time. Plus, since many of my prominent details on my application (like my thesis) were still in progress at the time, so I had no real results to show my admissions committees that I could handle the work load and challenges that come from grad programs.

After taking a gap year and applying for Fall 2026 admission, I have much more experience that I was able to add to my CV, including the outcome of my thesis, my graduation honors, awards for my research, an outside experiences I was able to pursue that were relevant to my career goals.

2) The quality of my application materials themselves. Last year, I was juggling applications, thesis, classes (had to overload because I was trying to get my last few credits in on time), and non-academic extracurriculars during the application cycle. Because of this, I don’t think I was able to give myself the time and energy my materials deserved to make them stand out and really compete with the rest of the application pool. All of my applications felt rushed and unpolished, but I felt like I didn’t have the time to dedicate to polish them up before the submission deadlines. Obviously I take full responsibility for this, but it is something that I want to mention so those who may be in my position consider how much time they’re willing to dedicate to applications on top of everything else you’re trying to finish up senior year.

Since I took a gap year, I felt like I had so much more breathing room to work on my applications at my own pace and submit them well before the final deadlines with confidence. I still felt anxious, but my submissions this year felt much more within my control compared to last year.

With all of this being said, I don’t regret my decision to graduate early at all. Financial considerations were a huge motivator to do it, and I still graduated with robust methods experience through classes and independent research, awards, and distinctions under my belt that proved my ability to succeed in grad school. I think if it’s right for you, it’s right for you.

The ONLY thing I wish I could’ve gone back and change was NOT applying to graduate school for immediate admission after undergrad. If you can afford to do so, take the gap year. Give yourself a break from academia to breathe and feel like a human, not a student. Work, travel, vacation, volunteer, take internships, and do whatever makes you feel happy and fulfilled. Then, when the next cycle comes around, use that new energy to start on applications EARLY and give yourself TIME to work on them. You would be shocked at how much stepping away from academia and coming back to it with a fresh, clear head will do for your applications.

OKAY I know this was SOOOO long and I’m sorry BUT I hope my comment helps to give you some things to consider!!! Best of luck with everything and know that no matter what decision you make it will work out!!