This guide is intended to provide you with information about preparing for the following post-baccalaureate health professions: Allopathic Medicine, Chiropractic, Dentistry, Optometry, Osteopathic Medicine, Podiatry and Veterinary Medicine. Brief information is also provided for those interested in pharmacy, physical  therapy, occupational therapy and the physician assistant program.  Included is information regarding required courses, standardized tests, and application procedures. It is recommended that all pre-health professions students read this guide, especially Sections I and II, early in their program.  As you enter your junior year (the year students typically begin planning for application to professional school) it is suggested that you review Sections III, IV and V. If you still have questions unanswered after reading this guide, please feel free to meet with a pre-health professions advisor in the Academic Advising Center at the University of Florida. You may make an appointment with a pre-health professions advisor, after reading the Pre-Health Handbook, by calling (352) 392-1521 and pressing 204.

SERVICES FOR PRE-HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENTS

The Office of Health and Legal Professions Advising (OHLPA), located on the second floor of the Academic Advising Center, provides several services to preprofessional students which can greatly assist in preparing for, and applying to, professional school. The Office’s services include preparation of the Health Professions Handbook, an extensive library of chiropractic, dental, medical, optometric, osteopathic, podiatric, veterinary, pharmacy and other health profession programs.  The library also consists of periodicals and program listings for summer research and volunteer opportunities.  OHLPA also provides  first year and transfer student orientation sessions, central collection and transmission of your letters of recommendation, and workshops about such topics as application procedures and interviewing.

It is your responsibility to acquaint yourself with the requirements for professional school. In addition to this handbook, the OHLPA offers a number of information sessions to keep preprofessional students informed.  All preprofessional students, particularly those in the first or second year, should attend one of the general Health Professions Information workshops . Sophomores should meet with an advisor to discuss major plans and to determine whether they are on track with the professional school requirements. Juniors, or other students in the process of applying to professional school, should attend the workshops on the application process which are offered each spring. Students uncertain about their situation, or having individual questions regarding preparation for professional school may make appointments to meet with the health professions advisor.

All students are expected to check the OHLPA bulletin board at least once a month in the preprofessional library, on the second floor of the AAC, since new information is posted as soon as it arrives.