Best Pre-Med Schools In Florida (*Key Info*) [2021]

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Setting yourself up as early as you can when trying to get into med school is very important. If you’re based in Florida (or interested in going to school there), choosing one of the best pre-med schools can certainly help.

In this article we’ll cover:

  • The best pre-med schools in Florida (based on reputation and alumni)
  • How important it is to attend a good pre med school in Florida
  • What pre-meds going to school in the state can do to be more competitive

Being a med student myself, I know how valuable it can be to think about each of these questions. Getting into med school is tough, the right information can help you give a small advantage.

Ready to learn more? Let’s go!

Contents show

Before we get into the best pre-med schools in Texas, you might be interested in what’s on offer in the surrounding states. Check out our guide; Best Pre-Med Schools in the USA for more information.

Best Pre-Med Schools in Florida

University of Florida

Location:Gainesville
National University Rank:30
Average SAT score:1310-1470
Acceptance Rate:37%
Tuition:$6,380 (in-state)/$28,658 (out-of-state)
Private/Public:Public

University of Florida boasts a long-established premed reputation with undergraduate research, EMT, and scribe opportunities.

It’s competitive (the 2018-29 cycle produced the most undergraduate school applicants to Doctor of Osteopathic Medical Schools in the whole of the U.S. (source)), but it’ll set you up for medicine well.

UF has strong professional mentor support and top educational instruction. The school ranks #30 in National Universities and #49 in Best Undergraduate Teaching, according to U.S. News. It spends over $500 million a year on life sciences R&D.

It’s fall 2019 acceptance rate was 37%, the average SAT score of applicants was between 1310 and 1470. UF has a very large chapter of the American Medical Student Association to also get involved with.

UF’s Medical Honors Program (MHP) is an accelerated 7 year B.S./M.D, program intended for undergrads who have demonstrated “superior scholastic ability, commitment to serving others and personal development” during their first two academic years of enrollment at a 4 year accredited science-degree-granting institution.

DETAILS

University of South Florida

Location:Tampa
National University Rank:103
Average SAT score:1170-1330
Acceptance Rate:48%
Tuition: $6,410 (in-state)/$17,324 (out-of-state)
Private/Public:Public

Pre-Medical Sciences is not a major at USF but a track students can declare when considering what major to choose.

Popular science majors for pre-health students at the college include Biomedical Sciences, Biology, Medical Biology and Chemistry. Common non-science majors include Health Sciences, Psychology and Public Health.

The school ranks #103 in National Universities and #71 in Best Value Schools, according to U.S. News. The acceptance rate stands around 48% with the average SAT score ranging from 1170 to 1330.

USF has several medical clubs including UEMSA and PAMSA for pre-meds to get involved with. A particular favorite course recommended by alumni is biochemistry ran by Dr. Kenyon Daniel (source).

DETAILS

University of Miami

Location:Miami
National University Rank:49
Average SAT score:1270-1440
Acceptance Rate:31.8%
Tuition: $53,682
Private/Public:Private

UM offers pre-professional health advising to students aspiring to study medicine, dentistry, chiropractic, and more. The school also has 9 registered student organizations housed within the Office of Pre-Health Advising and Mentoring (including Minority Women in Medicine, AMSA, and 100 Strong).

UM ranks #49 in National Universities and #89 in Best Value Schools, according to U.S. News. The acceptance rate stands around 31.8% with the average SAT score ranging from 1270 to 1440.

The college’s affiliation with Jackson Memorial Hospital provides plenty of opportunities for extracurricular and clinical experience.

DETAILS

  • Name: University of Miami
  • Location: Coral Gables, FL 33146
  • Phone: 305-284-5176
  • Contact: prehealth@miami.edu
  • Website: https://welcome.miami.edu/

Florida State University

Location:Tallaahssee
National University Rank:58
Average SAT score:1200-1340
Acceptance Rate:36%
Tuition: $6,507 (in-state)/$21,673 (out-of-state)
Private/Public:Public

FSU doesn’t have a premed or pre-health major but common selected majors for those interested include Biology, Biochemistry, Chemistry, and Exercise Science.

Aspiring medics can expect professional advice from FSU Medical School in their preparation for applying. One-on-one advising exists in addition to the Summer Institute (a one-week residential program designed for students committed to healthcare careers), Honors Medical Scholars, Pre-Health Advising, and more (full list available here).

FSU ranks #58 in National Universities and #123 in Best Value Schools, according to U.S. News. The acceptance rate stands around 36% with the average SAT score ranging from 1200 to 1340.

DETAILS

University of Central Florida

Location:Orlando
National University Rank:160
Average SAT score:1170-1340
Acceptance Rate:36%
Tuition: $6,368 (in-state)/$22,467 (out-of-state)
Private/Public: Public

The University of Central Florida is another recommended school for students interested in health careers in Allopathic Medicine, Chiropractic Medicine, Dentistry, Osteopathic Medicine, Physician Assistant, and more.

There is no dedicated premed or prehealth major but instead interested students major in subjects like Biomedical Sciences, Psychology, and Interdisciplinary Studies.

The school ranks #160 in National Universities and #141 in Best Value Schools, according to U.S. News. The acceptance rate stands around 36% with the average SAT score ranging from 1170 to 1340.

UCF’s Department of Biology has a Biology-Preprofessional concentration that is well designed to assist students in gaining admission and succeeding in professional health programs. Biology majors at UCF also stand to benefit from the 48 Hour Rule, something that can help massively with studying for the MCAT.

UCF has several useful professional organizations for inspiring doctors to consider getting involved in. There is a premedical-AMSA chapter for med school aspirants and Pre-SOMA for students interested in osteopathic schools. Club events include visits to health professional programs, visits with faculty, and shadowing opportunities.

DETAILS

Final Thoughts

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to high-level preparation for med school in Florida.

Whatever major you choose, the connections and opportunities at these colleges will give you all you need to help put together a sparkling application.

You’ll still have to put in the time of course, but you’ll have lots of support should you wish to.

Related Questions

Is it important to attend a good pre med school in Florida?

Having a good school on your med school application can certainly make you more competitive. Doing well at any of the colleges recommended above shows you have the academic ability to do well.

How much your school actually contributes to your chances of becoming a doctor is open for debate.

Probably the biggest factors are your GPA, your clinical experience (shadowing, working, etc), your extracurriculars, and how well you’re able to communicate your suitability when it comes to application essays and interviews.

To say the strength of your candidacy comes solely down to where you picked up your pre-med major would be incorrect.

What college in Florida has the best medical program?

The best medical school in Florida, according to U.S. News Ranking (Source), is the University of Florida College of Medicine. You’ll need an average GPA of 3.91 and an average MCAT of 516 to compete for one of its 137 places.

Other high scoring med schools in the state include:

Of course, the benefit of going to one of these schools (besides the high-quality education) is that you’ll never be too far from a beach!

Related: Easiest Medical Schools To Get Into In Florida (3 Examples)

What can I do to improve my application as a pre med in Florida?

One of the best ways to level up your med school application is via extracurriculars.

In Florida, you have a bunch of clinically relevant medical/hospital volunteering opportunities to take advantage of.

These positions are organized and very useful for obtaining letters of recommendation (LOR’s), shadowing opportunities, and other important networking connections.

Check out our medical volunteering guides for Orlando, Jacksonville, Tampa and Miami and South Florida.

You can also look into relevant pre-med jobs like scribing, EMT, and phlebotomy available in the state.

Related: 4 Physician Shadowing Opportunities In Miami!

What is the hardest/easiest college in Florida to get into?

The hardest college to get into in Florida, based on its 27.1% acceptance rate, is the University of Miami.

The University of Florida and Florida State University are the next most difficult. This is based on SAT ranges and acceptance rates.

Going by those same metrics, Florida Gulf Coast University is one of the easiest.

What major should I choose as a pre-med in Florida?

The best advice is to choose a major you stand the best chance of scoring a high GPA in. That, along with your MCAT score, is one of the biggest factors med school admissions boards take into consideration when filtering applicants.

That often means going for something you’re most likely to enjoy. That way motivation to study (and score well in tests) isn’t so much of a problem.

You don’t have to necessarily enroll as a pre-med to get into a reputable med school.

Related: What’s The Easiest Pre Med Major? (Read This First!)

If you found this article useful, make sure you check out the rest of our pre-med guides…