For Workshop dates, please refer to the Calendar of Events
We offer a variety of workshops to educate you and disseminate information pertinent to Pre-Health students. There are several workshops, which include information for first and second year students, competitive application information, small group application preparation, writing personal statements, the interview process, the application process, summer medical and dental opportunities, volunteer and research and much more!
These workshops are held in a variety of locations and most healthcare professions workshops are held at least once each semester in the academic year. You will need to register for each workshop you attend. If you need to cancel your reservation, please inform us 24 hours in advance so another student can attend.
See our 2020 Virtual Pre-Health Kick-Off & Involvement Fair information.
See our 2021 Centralized Application Services (CAS) Event.
Registering for Workshops
Some of our Pre-Health workshops are live and require registration, which you may do on our workshop registration page. A full list of our available workshops, including online workshops, is below.
Online Workshops
Pre-Health 101 Workshop
This workshop is geared towards first year and second year students who, for the first time, are interested in going on to professional health care programs of medicine, dentistry, optometry, chiropractic, pharmacy, veterinary and podiatric medicine. This workshop is designed to ensure students have learned the basic information and can begin meeting the requirements for a competitive application. Topics include:
- PH Advising Info at UF
- Academic Expectations
- Prerequisite courses
- Semester plans and resources at UF
- Characteristics of a Competitive Applicant
- Health care experience opportunities
Academic Tips
Application Workshops
If you are planning to apply to professional school for the next application cycle, watch the application workshop specific to your profession. We also offer live workshops on AMCAS/AACOMAS, AADSAS, and CASPA during the SPRING semesters, usually in April. In the workshops below you will find out about the following:
- Timing of application
- Centralized and online application services
- Secondary (formal) applications
- Letters of recommendation
- Personal statements
Specific Workshops
Are You a Competitive Applicant?
This workshop will examine what professional schools are looking for in applicants, and will help you assess your own strengths and weaknesses. We will also discuss how to move forward once you’ve decided whether or not to apply in the upcoming application cycle. You may use our Pre-Health Assessment worksheet in conjunction with this workshop.
Choosing Schools
This workshop will also take a look at criteria to be considered when selecting professional schools. Such topics as mission statements, location, curriculum, grading will be explored.
Growth Year Planning
This workshop is for students who are considering taking one or more years off after graduating. What should you do during that time? What are your academic and non-academic options? When should you apply? The links mentioned in the workshop can be found on our Growth Year Planning page.
Impacts of COVID-19 on the Future of Medicine
Are you concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on your future career as a physician? Do you have questions about how the pandemic is affecting the application process, medical education, clerkships and rotations, residency, and the future of medicine overall? If so, please join UFCOM faculty members, admissions officers, current medical students, and the UF Pre-Health Advising Team for “The Impact of COVID-19 on the Future of Medicine,” a panel-based discussion on these issues that was recorded via Zoom September 2020.
Letter of Recommendation
A brief workshop about the types of letters you will need when applying to professional schools.
Motivating and Inspiring Your Journey to Medical School (Keynote Address by Dr. Ryan Gray)(MP3, 66 MB)
Dr. Ryan Gray is a former Flight Surgeon in the United States Air Force. Ryan graduated from the University of Florida with a B.S. in Exercise and Sports Sciences and received his M.D. from New York Medical College. After graduating from medical school, Ryan completed his internship through a Tufts Medical Center transitional medicine program at Lemuel Shattuck Hospital. Ryan is the publisher of MedicalSchoolHQ.net and OldPreMeds.org and the podcast host of several podcasts on the Meded Media network. He is also the Director of the National Society of Nontraditional Premedical and Medical Students.
Pre-Health Study Abroad Information Session
This workshop will talk about what study abroad experiences look like, why you should consider studying abroad as a pre-health student, timing considerations, academics and coursework to take abroad, and what types of health and science programs are available. The session will conclude with steps to take to plan out a global experience.
Professional School Interviews
This workshop assists students to prepare for professional school application interviews. Topics such as: what to wear, how to prepare, typical questions, etc will be addressed.
Résumés and Letter of Recommendation
This workshop will look at how to construct a Pre-Health résumés for the purpose of sharing the résumé with recommenders and in preparation for the application process. Find out what professional schools are looking for in a good letter of recommendation. Learn how to ask for letters of recommendation and understand what is meant by a strong and supportive letter. Samples of letters of recommendation will be provided for review and discussion. Only those students applying in the upcoming application cycle to medical, dental, optometry, pharmacy veterinary, podiatry, physician assistant schools may attend this workshop. Students considering applying to the Junior Honors Medical Program (second year) or the Combined B.S.-D.M.D program (first year) may also attend.
Writing Components of Health Profession Applications
Learn how to work with application content, writing components, and additional personal characteristic descriptions that professional schools are looking with their application processes. You’ll also learn more about creating your own Personal Statement, including how to professionally detail aspects of your values, strengths, goals, knowledge, experience, and empathy.