Medical Schools in Florida

• Florida Atlantic University
• University of Miami
• University of Florida
• Florida State University
• University of South Florida

General Requirements:
(Prerequisites vary depending on the individual university)

• Biology - 1 year with lab
• Chemistry - 2 years with lab
  • Including 1 year of organic chemistry
• Physics - 1 year
• Biochemistry - 1 semester
• Mathematics - 1 year
  • Calculus recommended
• English - 1 year
• Behavioral Sciences - 1 year / 2 semesters
  • Humanities, Psychology, Sociology, Bioethics, etc.

Additional Requirements:

• MCAT
  • Taken no later than September of the year preceding application
• Shadowing Hours
• Interviews
• Volunteering at Hospital
• Extracurricular activities
• Work experiences in medical field
• Strong letters of Recommendations
• Most US Medical Schools use an online application service known as AMCAS.
• For more details, visit the American Association of Medical Colleges

MCATS/GPA:

• FAU
  • Average MCAT: 31
  • GPA: 3.7
  • 64 Slots, about 4,000 applicants
• UM
  • Average MCAT: 32.6
  • GPA: 3.77
  • Science GPA 3.73
  • 150 Slots, about 7,000 applicants
  • Admissions documents submitted by August 1st
• UF
  • Average MCAT: 31.75
  • GPA: 3.71
  • Application start date: June
• FSU
  • Average MCAT: 28
  • GPA: 3.7
• USF
  • No minimum GPA or MCAT requirements, USF uses holistic review of all applications

Labor Statistics:

Almost 100k positions needed across all specialties! Mean wage over 200k.

More information can be obtained by visiting the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statics website.

Pharmacy Schools in Florida

• FAMU
  • Tallahassee, FL
  • Doctor of Pharmacy Program
  • Minimum GPA 2.75
• LECOM
  • Bradenton, FL or Erie, PA
  • 4 year program
    • Also available online
  • 2.7 Science GPA, 3.2 last 60 GPA
  • Minimum MCAT scores: 24
• NSU
  • Davie, FL
  • Pharm.D. and Ph.D. programs
  • Pharm.D. GPA, minimum 2.75; GPA, 2.0 in prerequisites
    • PCAT due no later than January prior to expected matriculation date
  • Ph.D.
    • Minimum GPA of 3.0
    • GRE Scores required
    • 3 concentrations offered
      • Social and Administrative Pharmacy
      • Molecular and Medicine and Pharmacogenomics
      • Drug development
      • All 4 years long
    • Note: Retaken courses will not count toward Ph.D. program requirements
• PBAU
  • Pharm.D. and Ph.D. in Pharmacy
  • Also offers joint M.B.A./Pharm.D.
  • B.S. in Medicinal Chemistry
    • After first year of Pharm.D. program, students receive B.S. in Medicinal
      Chemistry
  • Apply using PharmCAS
  • PCAT scores needed
  • Letters of recommendation required
  • Interviews
    • Only 75 per academic year
• UF
• USF

General Requirements:

• PCAT
  • Pharmacy College Admissions Test
  • $210 registration fee
  • Six sections
  • Offered in July, September, October, November, January and February
• PharmCAS
  • Used for applying to many pharmacy schools
• Required Courses
  • 1 year of biology, w/ lab
  • 1 year of inorganic chemistry, w/ lab
  • 1 year organic chemistry, w/ lab
  • 1 semester physics, lab not required
  • 2 semesters advanced sciences
    • microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, etc.

Labor Statistics:

• Mean wage: $121,710
• Over 15k positions expected by 2026

More information can be obtained by visiting the Pharmacists Occupational Employment and Wages Statistics page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistic website.

Dental Schools in Florida

• Nova Southeastern University
  • 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33314-7796
  • 800-541-6682
• University of Florida
  • P.O. Box 100445, Gainesville, FL 332610-0445
  • 372-273-5955
• LECOM
  • 4800 Lakewood Ranch Blvd., Bradenton, FL 34211
  • 941-405-1500

General Requirements:
(Prerequisites vary depending on the individual university)

• General inorganic chemistry: 8 credit hours, with lab
• Organic chemistry, 8 credit hours, with lab
• Physics: 8 credit hours
• Biology: 8 credit hours, with lab
• Biochemistry: 4 credit hours
• Microbiology or Genetics emphasizing molecular biology: 4 credit hours
• English, Grammar and Composition: 6-8 credit hours
• 4 year program

Applying to Dental School:

• Dental Admissions Tests (DAT): take at least one year prior to seeking admission to
  dental school. The exam costs $385, and can only be taken every 90 days minimum. Completion of at least one year of college level biology and organic chemistry is recommended before taking the DAT.
• High overall last 60 credits Bachelor's GPA and science GPA (3.4-3.7). If credits retaken, will use forgiveness grade.
• Significant prior experience in dentistry (>8 0 hours of observation in a general practice dental office)
• Strong letters of reference
• Interview/Well-developed interpersonal skills
• Evidence of leadership potential, shown through carefully chosen/relevant extracurriculars
• Almost all US dental schools use an online application service called AADSAS: American Association of Dental Schools Application Service

Admission Stats:

• Nova Southeastern University
  • Average DAT: 20.3
  • Average GPA: 3.69
• University of Florida
  • Average DAT: 20
  • Average GPA: 3.61
• LECOM
  • Average DAT: 18.5
  • Average GPA: 3.41

U.S. Dental Schools:

• DAT Mean: 17 out of 30
• DAT High Score: 22 out of 30

For more information, visit dat-prep.com's DAT Scores by Dental Schools in the US and Canada page.

Labor Stats:

• Mean Salary: $174,110
• High employment rates in South Florida
• Over 30k needed by 2026

More information can be obtained by visiting the Dentists Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Florida PA Schools

• Nova Southeastern University
  • Fort Lauderdale, FL
  • Uses CASPA
  • Minimum regular and science GPA 3.0
  • Patient-contact experience preferred
  • GRE scores: upper 40th percentile
  • Add’l requirement: Genetics
  • More locations in: Orlando, Jacksonville, Fort Myers
• University of Florida
  • Gainesville, FL
  • Uses CASPA
  • Minimum regular and science GPA 3.0
  • Medical terminology required (at least 1 credit hour)
  • Cannot use any AP/CLEP courses to qualify
  • 2000 hours /1 year of patient-contact experience
  • No specified GRE score
• South University
  • Tampa, FL
  • Uses CASPA
  • No listed GRE minimums
  • Patient contact experience required
  • No minimum listed
• University of South Florida
  • Tampa, FL
  • Uses CASPA
  • Overall & Science GPA minimum 3.0
  • Average GRE:
    • Verbal: 67
    • Quantitative: 59
  • Minimum 500 hours in patient contact experience
• Barry University
  • Miami Shores, FL
  • 12 credit hours in biological sciences
  • Volunteering/Shadowing highly recommended
  • Interview
  • Medical Terminology course required before matriculation
  • 3.0 GPA

Work Prospects:

• Mean annual wage: $104,760
• Almost 40k positions expected by 2026

More information can be obtained by visiting the Physician Assistants Occupational Employment and Wages page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Florida Optometry Schools

• Nova Southeastern University

M.S. in Clinical Vision Research

• 2 year program
• 45 credits
• Online degree

The primary audience for this degree are optometrists, optometric educators and students, and other healthcare professionals who conduct or plan to conduct clinical vision research in a patient care or academic setting. For more information, visit the M.S. in Clinical Vision Research page at NSU.

Entry Requirements:

• 3.0 GPA
• GRE test (no minimum scores requirement listed)
• OAT (Optometry Admissions Test) - 50% Score or MCAT
• Applications Submitted 1 month prior to entry term desired

Doctor of Optometry Program

For more information, visit the Doctor of Optometry program page at NSU.

• GPA 3.0 or above
• OAT scores of >320 (more info on OAT)
• 4 year program

Special Course Requirements:

Optometry schools differ in their admissions requirements. In addition to the common list of courses under Requirements for Health Professions Schools, most schools require the following courses:

• Biology
  • MCB 3030: General Microbiology (4)
• Mathematics
  • MAC 2233: Life Science Calculus I (3)
  • STA 2023 OR STA 2122: Statistics (4,3)
• Psychology
  • PSY 2012: Psychology 1 (3)

Labor Statistics:

• Mean wage: $119,100
• >7k needed by 2026

More information can be obtained by visiting the Optometrists Occupational Employment and Wages page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Florida Osteopathic Medicine Schools

• Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
  • Apply on AACOMAS
  • Minimum 2.7 GPA
  • 8 credit hours biology w/ lab
  • 8 credit hours inorganic chemistry w/ lab
  • 8 credit hours organic chemistry w/ lab
  • 8 credit hours physics w/ lab
  • 6 credit hours of english
  • Recommended advanced courses: biochemistry, psychology, microbiology, anatomy
  • MCAT minimum score: 24
  • C or higher in all pre-requisites
• Nova Southeastern University
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA
  • MCAT Required
  • Application through AACOMAS- closes January 15
  • Letters of recommendation: 2, one from physician (MD, DO) and from pre-professional committee, OR 3, 2 from science professor, 1 from non-science professor
  • Over 3800 applications per year
  • Apply Early! NSU uses rolling acceptance!
  • Applications open in June, close in March
  • Note: AACOMAS application ends January 15!

Application:

• Centralized Application Services: AACOMAS for osteopathic medicine
• MCAT required

Labor Statistics:

• >40k positions expected by 2026
• Mean salary over 200k

More information can be obtained by visiting the Osteopathic Occupational Employment and Wages page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Nursing Schools in Florida

• College of Nursing - Florida Atlantic University
  • 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, FL 33431
  • 561-297-3000
• College of Nursing - University of Florida
  • 1225 Center Dr, Gainesville, FL 32603
  • 372-273-5955
• College of Nursing - Nova Southeastern University
  • 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33314
  • 800-541-6682

General Requirements:
(Prerequisites vary depending on the individual university)

For a DNP:

• MSN From Accredited Program, GPA > 3.0
• GRE Scores
• Nursing License

For a MSN:

• Bachelor's degree, preferably in nursing, GPA > 3.0
• Nursing License

*Check each individual program you are applying to for specifics, these are only general guidelines. However, most programs will require a Nursing License.*

How to become an RN:

Two methods: Examination and Endorsement

• Examination works best for those with a nursing degree
• Endorsement works for those with prior experience
• See more information at Florida Board of Nursing website.

Labor Statistics:

• Mean Salary: $75,000
• High employment rates in South Florida!

More information can be found by visiting the Nursing Occupational Employment and Wages page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Radiography Programs in Florida

• Bethesda College of Health Sciences
  • 3800 South Congress Avenue, Suite 9, Boynton Beach, FL 33426
  • 561-737-7733, ext. 84792
• Palm Beach State College
  • 4200 Congress Avenue, Lake Worth, FL 33461
  • 561-967-7222
• Broward College
  • 3501 S.W. Davie Road, Davie, FL 33314
  • 954-201-6694

Common Requirements:

• Transcripts Submitted to institution
• Required Course: Anatomy & Physiology 1&2, 2 English Courses (recommended completion of statistics and one other mathematics class)
• Personal essay describing interests in the field

Certification Exam Statistics:

• All prospective radiographers must pass the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists (ARRT) certification
• Broward College 5 Year pass rate: 95%
• PBSC 5 Year pass rate: 95%
• Bethesda 5 Year pass rate: 86.2%

Labor Statistics:

• Median Salary: $61,240
• Over 20k needed by 2026

More information can be obtained by visiting the Radiologic and MRI Techologists Occupational Outlook Handbook page on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics website.

Middle School Teacher & High School Teacher

Become a Certified Teacher in Palm Beach County School system

Steps to become a certified middle or high school teacher:

• Begin application
• Pay a $75 Application fee
• Send official transcripts of education to FLDOE address provided on site
• You will receive a statement of eligibility, if eligible, you can receive a temporary certificate that is valid for three years once you have been hired by a school
• You can find open positions by searching within the school district
• You must also have your fingerprints processed by the school district you wish to teach in.

Become a Substitute Teacher

• You must have at least 60 credits
• No central application online, recommended to call your local school to find out if
• substitute positions are available
  • For example ADHUS/FAUHS has forms in the front office to apply

College Instructor

Palm Beach State and Broward College Adjunct Positions:

• Adjunct positions for anatomy and physiology, biology, microbiology, and more
• Palm Beach State College Jobs
• Broward College Jobs (Most positions for online teaching)

Other Education Opportunities

Teaching Intern at FAU High

If interested, please send resume to Dr. Amy Tift at  amytift@fau.edu  before the beginning of the semester. 

Teaching Assistant Positions

Graduate students that receive teaching assistant positions receive a tuition waiver and stipend.

For TA opportunities please contact:

• Dr. Bridget Smith bstatler@health.fau.edu  for Biology TA positions on Boca Campus 
• Patrick Ande  pande@fau.edu  for Chemistry TA positions on Boca Campus 
• Sheryl Van Der Heiden  SVANDER1@fau.edu  for Biology TA positions on Davie Campus 

• Ph.D. Programs
• Post-Fellowships
• National Institutes of Health (NIH)
  Most positions are out of state, i.e. the National Heart, Blood, and Lungs Institute in Bethesda, MD. However, many positions are available and provide valuable experience in research and in working in a government laboratory.
• National Institute of Science and Technology
• Center for Disease Control and Prevention
  The CDC’s headquarters in Atlanta, GA provide various temporary and permanent postdoctoral fellowships, and give excellent experience and opportunities to those interested in research into communicable diseases.
• Lab Technician
• Research 

• Medical Administration
• Health Policy
• Health Law
• Biotech Careers
• Pharmaceutical Scientists

Connect with FAU Alumni Ambassadors from the list below. Many may be able to assist you by sharing job opportunities in their field or offering guidance and mentorship.