University of Florida Pre-Med Program

I've been considering University of Florida for my pre-med track. Any current or former students who can share their experiences with the program, specifically in terms of research and internship opportunities, course difficulty, and overall support?

As a pre-med student at the University of Florida, your experience will be shaped by various factors such as research and internship opportunities, course difficulty, and the support network available to help you succeed.

Research and Internship Opportunities: The University of Florida has numerous research opportunities for undergraduate students. Through the Center for Undergraduate Research, you can find a wide variety of projects to participate in, across different disciplines. Additionally, the UF Health Shands Hospital is a great place to gain valuable clinical experience through internships, volunteering, and shadowing opportunities. Students can also attend career fairs and utilize resources at the Career Connections Center to find internships and other opportunities related to the medical field.

Course Difficulty: The pre-med track at the University of Florida includes rigorous coursework in subjects such as biology, chemistry, physics, and math. Students commonly find courses like organic chemistry and physics to be especially challenging, but the key to succeeding in these classes is time management, staying organized, and making use of available resources like tutoring, study groups, and professor office hours. Keep in mind that you'll also be expected to take classes that fulfill general education and prerequisite requirements, so you'll need to make time to hone your skills outside of STEM as well - your overall GPA is a major factor in med school admissions.

Overall Support: The University of Florida has numerous resources in place to provide support for pre-med students. The pre-health advising office offers guidance on course selection, the medical school application process, and can help you build a strong foundation for your future medical career. Additionally, students are encouraged to join clubs and organizations related to their pre-med interests, such as the Pre-med American Medical Student Association (AMSA). These groups can provide you with a community of peers who share similar goals, as well as connections with medical professionals and alumni for mentorship and advice.

Overall, the University of Florida offers a solid pre-med program, with research and internship opportunities, challenging coursework, and various support networks in place to help you reach your goals. Balancing the demands of the pre-med track with involvement in extracurricular activities and maintaining a healthy social life may be challenging, but the resources and community available at UF can help make the experience a rewarding one.

If you decide the University of Florida is the right place for you to pursue your pre-med studies, consider checking out this blog post from CollegeVine for tips on how to make your application stand out: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-florida-essays. Best of luck with your future academic endeavors!