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.
MMSP Applications Are Now Open For:
MMSP Virtual Webinar (Open to all pre-medical students, master’s students, gap/growth year students): https://forms.office.com/r/wq8cb0vBMB
Knights of PreMedicorum
Founded in 2025, the Knights of PreMedicorum was established with a bold and unifying vision: to create a collaborative council that brings together all premedical student organizations at the University of Central Florida (UCF) under one shared framework. Guided by the expertise and recommendations of the UCF College of Medicine (COM) Office of Access, Belonging and Community Engagement team, the organization serves as a central hub for communication, leadership, and professional development, ensuring that aspiring physicians across campus receive consistent, accurate, and meaningful guidance on the pathway to medical school.
Through this collaborative structure, the UCF COM is able to share a unified message with the council’s governing body, which is then disseminated across participating organizations and their members. This model fosters greater alignment among student groups, strengthens partnerships with the College of Medicine, and creates a more connected and supportive premedical community.
The Knights of PreMedicorum is committed to expanding access to impactful opportunities and resources that prepare students for success in medicine and healthcare. These opportunities include:
- Networking events with physicians, healthcare professionals, and medical school leaders
- Exclusive tours and informational sessions at the UCF College of Medicine
- Mentorship opportunities with medical students, faculty, and healthcare professionals
- Information on scholarships, research experiences, and clinical engagement opportunities
- Academic enrichment and professional development workshops
- Leadership development programming designed to strengthen essential skills for future healthcare professionals
- Mental health, wellness, and resilience initiatives that support student well-being
- Webinars, panels, and workshops focused on MCAT preparation, medical school admissions, and applicant competitiveness
For more information or to enroll your premedical student organization, please contact Dr. Michael J.L. Smith michael.smith@ucf.edu
K-12 Programs
Future Success: Pathways to Healthcare
Future Success: Pathways to Healthcare is a year-round educational outreach program for students in grades 8–12 interested in exploring careers in healthcare and preparing for college. The program connects students with educational experiences, resources, and professionals to help them explore their interests and plan future pathways in healthcare. Future Success helps students build confidence in navigating their academic and career journeys while providing early exposure to the opportunities available across healthcare.
Through the program, students have opportunities to:
- Explore healthcare careers: Learn about healthcare professions, medical education, and the many academic and career pathways available.
- Prepare for college: Receive college readiness and admissions guidance and learn about scholarships, research, volunteer, and enrichment opportunities.
- Build leadership and professional skills: Strengthen communication, leadership, networking, and other skills that support future academic and career success.
- Connect with healthcare and university resources: Engage with healthcare professionals, faculty, educators, mentors, and university resources through webinars, school and community outreach, and interactive experiences.
High School Students: Health Leaders Summer Academy (HLSA) June 21-25, 2027
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, June 21 – Friday, June 25, 2027
The Health Leaders Summer Academy (HLSA) is an engaging, hands-on summer enrichment program designed for high school students who are passionate about pursuing careers in medicine and the health professions.
The mission of HLSA is to inspire, educate, and empower the next generation of healthcare leaders. Special emphasis is placed on supporting students from underserved and low-income communities, as well as students who will be the first in their families to attend college.
Throughout the program, participants will explore a variety of healthcare careers, connect with physicians, researchers, medical students, and healthcare professionals from diverse backgrounds and specialties, and gain valuable insight into the educational pathways that lead to successful careers in medicine and health sciences.
Students will have opportunities to:
- Learn about health-focused academic programs and career pathways at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine.
- Tour university campuses, educational facilities, and healthcare environments.
- Participate in hands-on clinical and healthcare-related learning experiences.
- Develop leadership, communication, and professional skills.
- Explore topics related to medicine, public health, research, and community health.
- Build meaningful connections with mentors, healthcare professionals, and peers who share similar aspirations.
Through immersive learning experiences and exposure to real-world healthcare settings, HLSA aims to increase awareness, interest, and participation in the health professions while helping students develop the confidence, knowledge, and skills needed to achieve their educational and career goals.
Health Leaders Summer Academy (HLSA)
Inspiring Future Healthcare Leaders Through Education, Exposure, Leadership, and Opportunity.
The HLSA is now open to students from all 50 U.S. states and territories, but priority is given to students who will attend all 5 days and reside in Orange County, Seminole County, and Osceola County, Florida.
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 pilot program created to expand early exposure to careers in medical research, innovation, and scientific discovery. The inaugural MRSC pilot is being launched in collaboration with partner high schools and community organizations.
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.
We hope to expand opportunities for more students in coming years. Please check back in February 2027.