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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences University of Florida

becoming a competitive applicant

Academics

Academics make up 40-50% of your professional application. Science GPA, cumulative GPA and professional exam scores are considered in the holistic review process. See the keys to building a competitive academics application.

Extracurricular Activities

To build a competitive application, students must demonstrate a thorough understanding of their chosen profession and the healthcare world. To earn this experience, you will need to complete shadowing and clinical volunteering or employment. Along with this, students need a strong foundation in community service, and we highly recommend students gain research experience.

Shadowing

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.

Healthcare Experience

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.

Clinical Volunteer Opportunities


Hospitals


Clinics for Underserved Patients


Additional Sites with Patient Contact
Some of the sites below are in clinical settings, while others are not. However, they all provide opportunities for patient contact. Use your experiences to better understand the challenges that patients and their families face while going through treatment.


Dental Volunteer Sites

Research

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.

Find Research at UF

In addition to the links below, you can look at the Faculty pages on UF department websites to see professors’ research interests.

Additional Research Programs

Community Service

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.

International Opportunities UF does not endorse any programs other than study abroad programs approved through the UF International Center. Private programs, especially programs not listed below, should be carefully researched. Students participate at their own risk and should be fully aware of the ethical issues involved in international volunteer programs. PLEASE review the module on International Experiences on Pre-Health Essentials before participating in any international health-related programs. —Guidelines for Pre-Medical Students doing clinical work abroad
  • DIS – Study Abroad in Scandinavia. Multiple health-related courses and science electives. See a study abroad advisor at the UF International Center.
  • Child Family Health International– Community based programs for pre-health students in global health, health disparities, and international medicine.
  • Peace Corps– A 27 month program offering positions in Health education and support
  • UF Study Abroad– We encourage students to consider any study abroad program as a way to expand their cultural awareness. It does not need to be health-related.
General Community Service Opportunities Please see Gainesville Volunteer, Gators Volunteer, or Volunteer Match for a complete list of opportunities.
Veterinary and Animal Volunteer Opportunities
Professional Competencies

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.

See AAMC Core Competencies.

Student Clubs and Organizations

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.

Use the reflection resources listed by the Center for Leadership and Service to help guide and inform your leadership experience!

International Opportunities

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.

Regional Summer Opportunities

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.


Occupational Therapy

Pharmacology

Physician Assistant

Non-Profession Specific:


Dentistry:


Medicine:


Pharmacy:


Occupational Therapy: