Application Preparation

24-36 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Exploring Stage)

• Begin researching different health professions to clarify interests.
• Meet with a GPS Prep Peer Mentor to clarify deadlines and build an initial multi-year planning timeline.
• Complete prerequisite science coursework (biology, chemistry, math, etc.).

• Start gaining experience such as volunteering, shadowing, or working in healthcare settings.
• Join pre‑health student organizations or related campus groups.
• Build relationships with faculty and supervisors for future letters of recommendation.
• Track all hours and experiences in Action Plan. Make sure to reflect upon experiences and begin thinking of ways to showcase their impact in your application.

18-30 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Building Stage)

• Continue prerequisite coursework and maintain a strong GPA.
• Increase clinical, research, or community service involvement.
• Begin preparing for the required entrance exam (MCAT, GRE, PA‑CAT, DAT, OAT, etc.).
• Attend informational sessions, fairs, and pre‑health planning appointments.
• Identify potential programs and review their admissions requirements.
• Continue to update your resume or CV.
• Begin outlining themes and structure for your personal statement and experience descriptions.

12–18 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Mastering Stage)

• Finalize your program list and note all deadlines and exam requirements.
• Take the required entrance exam or schedule it with enough time for retesting if needed.
• Ask for letters of recommendation (give recommenders plenty of advance notice).
• Begin drafting personal statements, experience descriptions, and supplemental essays.
• Update your resume or CV.
• Visit campuses or attend virtual sessions to confirm program fit.
• Draft your personal statement, experience descriptions, and supplemental essays.
• Attend information sessions, campus visits, or recruitment events to confirm program fit.
• Continue tracking and reflecting on shadowing, clinical experience, service hours, and any new accomplishments.

6–12 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Applying Stage)

• Create account or log into the centralized application system for your field as soon as it opens.
• Complete and submit your primary application as early in the cycle as possible, especially for rolling‑admission programs.
• Ensure all transcripts and official test scores are sent to the correct application service.
• Prepare for and complete secondary applications, which may be due within 1–2 weeks of receipt.
• Continue gaining experience and update programs if they accept additional information.

0–6 Months Before Starting the Program (Decision & Matriculation Stage)

• Prepare for upcoming interviews.
• Attend interviews and submit any requested follow‑up materials.
• Review admissions decisions as they arrive and compare financial aid packages, program structure, location, and fit.
• Confirm your acceptance according to program deadlines.
• Complete all onboarding requirements such as immunizations, background checks, technical standards forms, and deposits.
• Arrange housing, transportation, and other logistics for the start of the program.

GPS Prep offers a series of Health Professions Professional School Webcourses designed to support UCF students who are exploring or preparing for careers in healthcare. These online courses provide structured guidance, essential resources, and clear preparation steps to help students understand the admissions process for their chosen health field and build competitive applications.

Students can request enrollment by completing the form below and selecting the appropriate Health Professions Webcourse. To participate, students must be currently enrolled at UCF and have an active UCF email address.

Available Health Professions Webcourses include:
• Pre-Med
• Pre-Physician Assistant (PA)
• Pre-Veterinary (Vet)
• Pre-Physical Therapy (PT)
• Pre-Occupational Therapy (OT)
• Pre-Dental
• Pre-Pharmacy
• Pre-Optometry
• Pre-Podiatry

24–36 Months Before You Want to Start Law School (Exploring Stage)

• Begin researching the legal profession and different areas of law to clarify long‑term interests.
• Meet with a GPS Prep Peer Mentor to clarify deadlines and build an initial multi-year planning timeline.
• Explore majors and coursework that strengthen reading, writing, and analytical reasoning skills (no specific prerequisites required for law school).
• Start gaining relevant experience such as internships, debate or pre‑law clubs, government or policy work, volunteer roles, or leadership positions.
• Build relationships with faculty who may later serve as strong recommenders.
• Track all activities and experiences in your Action Plan and reflect on what you are learning, how you are contributing, and how each experience connects to your interest in law.

18–30 Months Before You Want to Start Law School (Building Stage)

• Continue upper‑level coursework and maintain a strong GPA.
• Increase involvement in internships, campus leadership, community service, or legal‑adjacent roles.
• Begin preparing for the LSAT by researching prep options, taking diagnostic tests, and building a study schedule.
• Attend informational sessions, fairs, and pre-law planning appointments.
• Identify potential law schools and begin reviewing their admissions requirements, including LSAT expectations, GPA medians, and recommended experiences.
• Continue updating your resume or CV.
• Begin outlining themes and structure for your personal statement and optional essays.

6–12 Months Before You Want to Start Law School (Applying Stage)

• Create or log into your LSAC account and ensure your Credential Assembly Service (CAS) profile is complete.
• Submit applications as early as possible in the cycle, since law schools use rolling admissions and early applicants often receive stronger consideration.
• Ensure all transcripts and official LSAT scores are sent to LSAC.
• Complete all required and optional essays.
• Continue gaining experience and update schools if they accept supplemental materials or significant new achievements.

0–6 Months Before Starting Law School (Decision & Matriculation Stage)

• Prepare for any interviews (not all JD programs require them, but some do).
• Attend interviews and submit any requested follow‑up materials.
• Review admissions decisions as they arrive and compare financial aid offers, scholarships, program strengths, location, and long‑term fit.
• Confirm your acceptance according to school deadlines.
• Complete all onboarding requirements, including deposits, forms, seat confirmations, and financial aid documents.
• Arrange housing, transportation, and any other logistics needed before starting law school in August.

GPS Prep offers an online Pre‑Law Professional School Webcourse to support UCF students who are exploring a career in law or preparing to apply to law school. The course provides structured guidance, key resources, and step‑by‑step preparation strategies to help students understand the law school admissions process and become competitive applicants.

Students can request enrollment by completing the form below and selecting Pre-Law as their Webcourse. To participate, students must be currently enrolled at UCF and have an active UCF email address.

24–36 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Exploring Stage)

• Begin researching different fields of study, degree types (MA/MS vs. PhD), and potential career paths.
• Meet with a GPS Prep Peer Mentor to clarify deadlines and build an initial multi-year planning timeline.
• Develop your research interests through campus offices, such as the Office of Undergraduate Research or Honors Undergraduate Research.
• Start gaining relevant experience such as research assistantships, internships, teaching roles, or professional employment.
• Build relationships with faculty who may later serve as strong recommenders.
• Track all activities, research involvement, and professional experiences in your Action Plan and reflect on your developing interests and skills.

18–30 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Building Stage)

• Continue upper‑level or major‑related coursework and maintain a strong academic record.
• Increase involvement in research, internships, or professional roles tied to your intended graduate field.
• If required for your field, begin preparing for standardized tests such as the GRE, GMAT, or field‑specific exams.
• Attend graduate school information sessions, fairs, conferences, and pre-grad planning appointments.
• Begin identifying programs and faculty whose research areas align with your interests (critical for PhD programs).
• Update your resume or CV, especially with research or professional accomplishments.
• Begin outlining themes for your Statement of Purpose (SOP) and writing sample (if required).

12–18 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Mastering Stage)

• Finalize your list of programs and note key differences in deadlines, required materials, and faculty fit.
• Reach out to potential faculty mentors (for research‑intensive programs) to introduce yourself and inquire about openings in their lab or research group.
• Take the required entrance exam or schedule your exam date with time for potential retakes.
• Ask for letters of recommendation (provide documents and timelines to your recommenders).
• Draft your statement of purpose, research statement, and writing sample as applicable.
• Update your resume or CV to highlight research, academic projects, presentations, and publications.
• Attend virtual or on‑campus recruitment events to confirm academic and professional fit.
• Continue documenting and reflecting on your academic, research, and professional growth.

6–12 Months Before You Want to Start the Program (Applying Stage)

• Create accounts or log into the application portals for each graduate program.
• Submit applications as early in the cycle as possible, especially for programs that offer rolling admissions.
• Ensure all transcripts and official test scores are sent to the correct application platforms.
• Finalize and upload your statement of purpose, writing sample, CV/resume, and any required supplemental materials.
• Continue gaining relevant experience and update programs if they welcome additional materials or achievements.

0–6 Months Before Starting the Program (Decision & Matriculation Stage)

• Prepare for interviews (more common in PhD programs and competitive master’s programs).
• Attend interviews and submit any requested follow‑up documents or updated CVs.
• Review admissions decisions as they arrive and compare funding packages, stipends, tuition waivers, program structure, faculty mentorship, and location.
• Accept or decline offers according to program deadlines (note that PhD programs often have a national decision deadline around mid‑April).
• Complete onboarding requirements including background checks (if required), enrollment forms, and financial aid steps.
• Arrange housing, transportation, and other logistics before beginning the program.

Students are encouraged to explore the wide range of graduate programs offered at UCF, including admission requirements, degree options, and application deadlines. 

GPS Prep supports UCF students who are exploring graduate‑level education or preparing to apply to graduate school. We provide structured guidance to help students understand the graduate admissions process, identify programs that align with their goals, and develop strong, competitive application materials.

Typically, 2–4 letters from faculty, supervisors, clinicians, or employers who can speak to academic ability, professionalism, and readiness for graduate‑level work.

Students should request letters well in advance and provide resumes, statements, and deadlines to assist their recommenders.

A professional summary of education, experiences, skills, leadership roles, research, clinical hours, presentations, publications, and volunteer work.

CVs are more common for PhD and research-oriented programs, while resumes are often used for master’s or professional degrees.

A narrative describing academic background, goals, motivations, and career aspirations.

Statements of purpose are primarily academic and research-focused, while personal statements emphasize identity, experiences, and motivations.

Prompts may include diversity statements, leadership reflections, ethical scenarios, or program-specific questions.

Health‑professional programs often require numerous secondary essays.

Common in digital media, humanities, social sciences, and communication fields.

Demonstrates analytical thinking, writing ability, and readiness for graduate-level scholarship.

Official transcripts from all colleges or universities attended.

Some programs require prerequisite coursework to be completed by the time of application; others allow in progress courses.

May include exams such as the GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT, DAT, OAT, PA‑CAT, or other field‑specific tests.

Scores must be sent directly from the testing organization to the application service or institution.

Not all programs require tests (e.g., many master’s programs have become test‑optional).

May be one-on-one, group, MMI (Multiple Mini Interviews), or recorded virtual formats.

Required for most health programs and increasingly common for competitive master’s and PhD programs.

Identify programs that align with your academic interests or intended specialty.

For research-based graduate programs, look for faculty whose work aligns with your interests.

Research average admitted student profiles, including GPA, test scores, and experience.

Understand acceptance rates and how your qualifications compare.

Consider using “reach”, “target”, and “safety” categories as appropriate.

Review mission statements and educational philosophies.

Determine whether a program emphasizes community engagement, research, leadership, advocacy, or other specific values.

Health and law programs often weigh personal alignment with their mission.

Compare tuition (in-state versus out-of-state), fees, cost of living, and financial aid availability.

Investigate scholarships, assistantships, fellowships, or loan repayment programs.

Understand how funding differs between master’s, PhD, law, and health professional programs.

Consider geographic preferences, climate, distance from home, and local opportunities.

Explore the surrounding community for clinical sites, internships, externships, or clerkships.

Think about lifestyle, transportation, and campus culture.

Review program length, cohort models, clinical or practicum requirements, and part-time versus full-time options.

Determine whether the program offers online, hybrid, or in-person instruction.

For PhD programs, examine lab structure, cohort size, and funding guarantees.

Look for academic advising, tutoring, writing support, professional development, and mental health services.

Explore mentorship opportunities, diversity and inclusion initiatives, student organizations, and community-building programs.

Graduate Assistantships provide financial support in exchange for part-time work within an academic or administrative unit.

Common Roles:

• Teaching Assistantships (TAs): Support instructional activities such as leading discussion sections, grading, or assisting faculty.
• Research Assistantships (RAs): Support faculty research projects; duties vary by field.
• Administrative/Program Assistantships: Support academic programs, student services, or administrative offices.

Common Benefits:

• Tuition remission or waiver (full or partial)
• Bi-weekly stipend
• Health insurance subsidy

Eligibility Requirements:

• Enrollment in a graduate program
• Minimum GPA (varies by institution)
• Ability to commit 10–20 hours/week

Fellowships are merit-based awards that support academic work without requiring employment duties.

Examples of Fellowship Types:

• University-sponsored graduate fellowships
• Research or discipline-specific fellowships
• External fellowships from national foundations or agencies

Benefits May Include:

• Full tuition coverage
• Stipend for living expenses
• Research funding
• Travel funding for conferences

Scholarships are financial awards based on merit, need, or specific criteria such as discipline, background, or service.

Sources:

• Universities or academic departments
• Private donors or foundations
• Professional organizations

Typical Uses:

• Tuition support
• Books/supplies
• Study abroad expenses

Grants are non-repayable funds typically awarded for specific research projects, academic pursuits, or financial need.

Common Grant Categories:

• Research project grants
• Need-based educational grants
• Travel or conference presentation grants

Fee assistance programs help reduce or cover mandatory university fees, test fees, or application costs for eligible students. These programs are often based on financial need and can significantly lower out-of-pocket expenses.

Common Types:

• Application Fee Waivers: Offered by universities for students with financial need or participation in qualifying programs.
• Test Fee Assistance: Support for exam fees such as GRE, MCAT, LSAT, or other standardized tests.
• University Fee Relief Programs: Assistance with student activity fees, technology fees, or other required institutional charges.
• Program-Specific Fee Waivers: Certain academic programs offer fee reductions for qualified applicants.

Eligibility May Include:

• Demonstrated financial need
• Participation in federal aid programs (e.g., Pell Grant eligibility)
• Enrollment in pipeline or access programs
• Supporting documentation (e.g., income verification)

Some students obtain funding through on-campus or off-campus employment.

Examples:

• Federal Work-Study positions
• Peer mentoring or tutoring roles
• Administrative support roles in campus offices