Our Pathway Programs

Undergraduate Programs

Medical Mentorship & Shadowing Program

Through learning modules and mentorship, the Medical Mentorship Shadowing Program (MMSP) provides participants with a deep understanding and preparedness of the activities and requirements needed to be a successful candidate for the M.D. program at the UCF College of Medicine and other medical institutions. The MMSP connects students who have a strong academic record and a passion for medicine with faculty members and community physicians for insightful discussion and experiences. We believe that mentor relationships, when paired with facilitated learning sessions, will help qualified students better prepare themselves according to medical school admissions requirements and inspire them to pursue a career in medicine or another health-related profession. 

Applications Are Now Open For:

In-person MMSP Program (For UCF Pre-medical Students only) Applications for 2026/2027 will open this summer

MMSP Virtual Webinar (Open to all pre-medical students, master’s students, gap/growth year students): https://forms.office.com/r/wq8cb0vBMB

Summer Research Program

The Summer Research Program offers six paid research positions for students participating in the UCF Medical Mentorship and Shadowing Program (MMSP). This opportunity allows selected students to gain hands-on research experience while working alongside faculty and mentors in a supportive academic environment. 

Participants will build foundational research skills, explore areas of interest within healthcare and medicine, and strengthen their academic and career pathways.  

Applications open in spring. 

K-12 Programs


High School Students: Health Leaders Summer Academy July 13-17, 2026

Registration is closed and our camp is full for 2026!

Thank you for your interest in the annual University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine (COM) Health Leaders Summer Academy (HLSA). Active planning for the HLSA starts at the end of February.

Academy Dates: Monday July 13 – Friday July 17, 2026

We are delighted to offer the Health Leaders Summer Academy (HLSA). This program is a hands-on, educational summer experience for high school students that have a strong passion for pursuing a career in medicine. The goal of the HLSA is to support students, particularly those from low-income high schools and communities, and those who will be the 1st generation in their family to go to college.  The program supports students to achieve their future educational goals in their areas of interest and connect with healthcare providers from a broad range of backgrounds and specialties. The program will present opportunities to learn about health-centered education tracks and programs at UCF, tour various university campuses and facilities, and engage in hands-on clinical activities designed to increase interest and awareness in the health professional workforce. 

Priority will be given to students who will attend all 5 days.

Eligible students are entering grades 10, 11, or 12 and academically secure with a minimum 3.0“unweighted” grade point average (GPA) or better.

The 2026 Health Leaders Summer Academy (HLSA) application is now closed.

Please check back in February 2027 for next year’s camp.

Find out what you get to do! Link to the 2026 HLSA Itinerary

You will receive a notice of admission from our team. Once you have been admitted, please submit payment or all financial documents indicating you qualify for financial aid.

Questions should be directed to Dr. Michael J.L. Smith, Director – michael.smith@ucf.edu

    Medical Research Summer Camp

    The Medical Research Summer Camp (MRSC) is a new pathway initiative created to expand early exposure to careers in medical research, innovation, and scientific discovery. The inaugural MRSC pilot is being launched in partnership with select high schools and community organizations with longstanding relationships with UCF, beginning with Cristo Rey Orlando High School. Participation in this first cohort is limited to 17 highly motivated students, each of whom has been interviewed and selected based on demonstrated passion for medical or clinical research.

    This pilot program is free of charge and includes daily lunch and snacks. MRSC is designed to immerse high school students in the world of biomedical inquiry through:

    • Hands-on lab experiments: guided activities that introduce core scientific techniques and experimental thinking
    • Public health data analysis: real-world datasets that help students explore population health trends and research methods
    • Mentorship: direct engagement with UCF faculty, researchers, and medical students
    • Career exploration: structured guidance on academic pathways, research opportunities, and future professions in medicine and science

    The MRSC aims to cultivate curiosity, build foundational research skills, and empower students, especially those from historically underrepresented backgrounds, to envision themselves as future contributors to scientific discoveries and healthcare innovation.

    Healthcare Horizons

    Healthcare Horizons connects current UCF College of Medicine students with high school students through a partnership with ELEVATE Orlando, providing early exposure to pathways in medicine and healthcare. 

    Through a combination of virtual and in-person sessions, medical students share firsthand insight on undergraduate preparation, the medical school application process, and their experiences in medical education. The program also features guest speakers, including community physicians, and offers mentorship opportunities with both medical students and practicing physicians. 

    Participants engage in hands-on learning experiences and have opportunities to explore UCF College of Medicine facilities and learning environments, helping them better understand the journey to a career in medicine. 

    UCF STEM Summer Middle and High School Programs

    The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers a variety of exciting summer programs for students interested in STEM fields. Camp Connect provides broad exposure to multiple engineering disciplines, including electrical, industrial, mechanical, civil, environmental, aerospace, and computer science. This program immerses students in engineering activities and offers tips on preparing for a college degree. Lastly, the Summer Institutes are intensive programs for gifted and high-achieving students interested in Computer Science, Competitive Programming, Mathematics, and Geo Explorer (GIS). These programs combine hands-on, individualized instruction with outstanding instructors to maximize learning. For more information, visit their respective websites. Click here for more information.