College of Medicine

Advising and Career Counseling

UCF COM has a comprehensive career counseling program.  The Office of Student Affairs, under the direction of the Associate Dean for Students, has overall responsibility for the advising and counseling system.  We offer the following in advising and career counseling -

1. Beginning in the M1 year, all students receive access to the AAMC’s Careers in Medicine (CiM) program.  This is a four-year, four phase program that guides students through the process of choosing a specialty and ultimately applying to residency. 
2. All students have a faculty advisor in the M1 and M2 year and a core specialty advisor in the M3 and M4 year.  The faculty advisor is primarily responsible for academic advising, and the specialty advisor is primarily responsible for career counseling and academic advising relevant to the clerkship years. 
3. The Associate and/or Assistant Deans for Students are also available to meet with students at any time throughout the 4 year program to discuss issues related to career choice and career planning.  To make an appointment, please contact Shelia Ellison at shelia.ellison@ucf.edu. 

For a detailed description of the Advising and Career Counseling Program, please see the M.D. Program Student Handbook.

Advising and Career Counseling FAQs

• How do I change my faculty advisor?
• How do I change my core specialty advisor?
• How does the specialty advising program work?
• What is our career counseling program?
• I’d like more information about a particular specialty.  How can I learn more?
• When should I choose my specialty?
• How do I request a letter of recommendation for residency?
• How do I request a letter of recommendation for scholarships, summer programs, etc.?
• What is the Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE, formerly known as the “Dean’s Letter”)?

Resources for Applying to Residency

• AAMC Roadmap to Residency: From Application to the Match and Beyond
• Advice on Applying to Residency Programs (2011-2012 Organization of Student Representatives)
• Careers in Medicine
• Don’t Forget to Ask: Advice from Residents on What to Ask During the Residency Interview
• FREIDA Online
• Sample CVs (Curriculum Vitaes)

With any questions regarding the Advising and Career Counseling Program please contact:

Marcy Verduin, M.D.
Associate Dean for Students
College of Medicine
6850 Lake Nona Blvd.
Suite 115
Orlando, FL 32827
Phone: 407.266.1353
Fax: 407.266.1399
Marcy.Verduin@ucf.edu

Manette Monroe, M.D.
Assistant Dean for Students
College of Medicine
6850 Lake Nona Blvd.
Suite 115
Orlando, FL 32827
Phone: 407.266.1353
Fax: 407.266.1399
Manette.Monroe@ucf.edu