becoming a competitive applicant

There are many paths to gain shadowing experience. Students can reach out directly to clinicians in clinics, hospitals, and other settings to inquire about shadowing. Keep in mind that you should shadow general practitioners as well as specialists in your chosen field. Shadowing is typically sporadic, a few hours over the course of a week or weeks. Students may also consider MediGators or MDU4003 to gain remote shadowing experience. (add links)

Clinical experience can be through volunteering or employment. To be considered clinical, students should work directly with patients as a member of the healthcare team. While many of our students are interested in volunteering with UFHealth, keep in mind that Gainesville has many different clinics and hospitals. Unlike shadowing, clinical experience should be long-term, over multiple semesters or years.

While research isn’t required, we strongly recommend Pre-health students pursue research experience. We find that students have the most success in getting involved with research by using their network. Go to office hours and talk with your professors and TA’s, many are doing their own research. Students can also utilize their undergraduate coordinators and the Center for Undergraduate Research database. (add links). Research does NOT have to be health or core science related.

Community service gives students an opportunity to show their interests outside of health. Utilize your community service hours to show your passions outside the classroom. Community service should be long-term, over multiple semesters and years.

Throughout your application, you will highlight the professional competencies you have illustrated. Keep in mind that you can illustrate several competencies in individual roles. An example may be that as a volunteer at the Equal Access Clinic you illustrate teamwork by working as a part of a clinical team and gained cultural awareness and humility by serving patients of varying socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds.

In your time at UF, look to join (or develop!) student clubs and organizations that echo your passions and interests. The possibilities are endless! Student clubs and organizations also offer students the opportunity to demonstrate leadership, and can be found utilizing UF’s Gator Connect student organization database.

International experiences enable students to gain awareness and appreciation for other cultures that benefit both the student and future patients. Many pre-health students think they won’t have time to go abroad, but for most students it’s possible to do so not only in the summer, but also for a semester or a year. It’s not at all necessary to participate in a health-related program, however, there are options available if this is what you’re most interested in, including opportunities to do research abroad.

Summer opportunities provide students the opportunity to develop the competencies needed for professional schools during the “slower” part of the academic year. They can also be developmental opportunities for clinical exposure and networking.

Non-Profession Specific:

• Summer Health Professions Education Program
• Mayo Clinic CRISP

Dentistry:

• UF Impressions Program

Medicine:

• AAMC Summer Undergraduate Research Programs
• Rutgers Cancer Institute Summer Clinical Research Internship Program

Pharmacy:

• Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Program

Occupational Therapy:

• AOTA Institute for Future Scientists in Occupational Therapy
• AOTA Special Interest Section Student Internship Program