April 29, 2025
Written By
Michael Minh Le
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You’ve been eyeing UCF College of Medicine for a while now. Maybe it’s the Florida location, maybe it’s the school’s reputation. But somewhere between dreaming of wearing that white coat and hitting “submit” on your AMCAS, the doubt creeps in: Do I actually have what it takes to get in?
This article breaks that uncertainty down. We’ll cover the current UCF Medical School acceptance rate and the average GPA and MCAT of accepted students. Plus we’ll cover the nitty-gritty on how to actually get in. Think real secondary essay prompts, interview format breakdown, and more.
At Premed Catalyst, we know exactly what separates applicants who get in from those who don’t because we’ve done it. And now we’re sharing exactly what we did with you. We put together a free resource that shows you what top-tier applications actually look like. You’ll get 8 real AMCAS applications that earned acceptances to top programs like UCLA and UCSF.
If you’re serious about UCF, start by seeing how successful students did it. Get your free resource here.
For the 2025 entering class, the University of Central Florida College of Medicine (UCF COM) received 4,970 applications, but only 120 students matriculated.
That puts the UCF College of Medicine acceptance rate at 2.41%. That means for every 100 applicants, only about 2 or 3 make it in.
And if you're applying from Florida, your chances are a bit better. About 70% of UCF’s matriculants are in-state students, even though Florida residents made up less than half the total applicant pool.
Let’s talk numbers. While UCF COM has academic requirements, the reality is that successful applicants come in well above them. Here’s the baseline:
But here’s the truth: most students who get an interview are scoring significantly higher than the baseline. UCF doesn’t publish exact averages, but competitive candidates often have:
To apply to UCF COM, you’ll need the following coursework:
Advanced coursework in genetics, cell biology, comparative anatomy, and statistics is recommended but not required. Applicants from all academic backgrounds are welcome, but non-science majors should consider taking additional science classes to stay competitive.
The UCF College of Medicine M.D. program accepts applications only from individuals who are U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or designated as asylees by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS). Applicants with permanent resident or asylee status must provide finalized INS documentation (such as a green card) before their application will be reviewed.
UCF COM uses a holistic review process, so it’s not just about numbers. Here’s what this AdCom is looking for:
With a strong emphasis on innovation and technology, UCF COM’s curriculum reflects a modern approach to medical education that prepares students to become competent, compassionate, and system-savvy physicians.
The four-year MD program is structured around the integration of three essential domains:
During the first two years (pre-clerkship phase), students complete a series of integrated, system-based courses. These bring together:
Simultaneously, students are introduced to Health Systems Sciences, which are threaded throughout the curriculum. Topics covered include:
In the third and fourth years, students transition into core clerkships, selectives, and electives across various specialties. These are supported by:
UCF emphasizes lifelong learning and professional development, culminating in a final-year capstone experience that prepares students for residency and real-world practice.
In addition to the core MD curriculum, UCF offers several dual-degree pathways, including:
The program is also enriched by the Burnett School of Biomedical Sciences, which serves nearly 3,000 undergraduate majors and supports research collaboration across disciplines.
Want to learn about other med schools in Florida? Check our comprehensive guide.
For the academic year 2024-2025, tuition and associated fees at UCF College of Medicine are as follows:
These amounts include tuition and mandatory fees such as capital improvement, financial aid, activity & service, athletic, transportation, health, technology, and equipment fees.
Some additional estimated costs include:
Thus, the total estimated cost of attendance comes down to:
It’s important to note that tuition and fees at UCF College of Medicine are reset annually and may vary by academic year. The length and structure of the academic year differ depending on a student’s class level.
While the academic year is treated as a full term for planning purposes, tuition is billed semi-annually, helping to distribute financial obligations more evenly throughout the year. Tuition is billed in two equal payments each academic year. M1 and M2 are due in August and January, whereas M3 and M4 are due in May/June and January.
UCF COM offers a range of financial aid packages, including:
If you want to learn more about all of them we suggest you take a look at the UCF COM’s website.
Getting into the University of Central Florida College of Medicine isn’t just about having strong stats. It’s about showing that you’re the kind of future physician UCF wants to train. With an acceptance rate of just 2.41%, you’ll need more than a solid GPA and MCAT score to stand out.
Below, we break down exactly how to craft a competitive application for UCF COM, from your personal statement to your secondary essays, and everything in between. Each section will focus on what UCF specifically looks for.
Your personal statement isn’t just an essay. It’s your narrative. It’s your opportunity to show UCF who you are, what you care about, and the kind of doctor you’re becoming. While your GPA and MCAT might get you past the initial screen, your story is what makes the AdCom stop and take notice.
But here’s the key: a strong personal statement doesn’t just tell. It proves.
It’s not enough to say you’re compassionate, resilient, or committed to service. Your experiences are your evidence. Did you spend months volunteering at a free clinic? Shadow a doctor who shaped your view of medicine? Lead a campus health initiative that challenged you in ways a classroom never could? Those are the moments that make your narrative real.
Letters of recommendation are a key part of how the AdComs evaluate your readiness for the rigor and responsibility of medical training. They want to hear from people who’ve worked closely with you and can speak to your academic ability, character, work ethic, and potential as a future physician.
Here’s UCF’s specific requirements:
If you're submitting more than three, make sure each additional letter adds something new. Redundancy doesn’t help your case.
Below are the 2024–25 UCF COM secondary essay prompts, along with advice on how to approach each to reflect your authentic voice, align with the school’s values, and stand out.
Prompt: Medical school demands significant personal sacrifices… Can you describe how you have prepared yourself for these sacrifices and how you plan to maintain a healthy work‑life balance while managing the responsibilities of a medical student? (750 characters)
How to approach: This prompt tests whether you understand the emotional and time demands of medical training and whether you're resilient enough to handle them. Briefly share a concrete experience (e.g., balancing part‑time work and full‑course load, caring for a family member, or juggling leadership and academics) that taught you tough lessons. Then, describe specific coping strategies you’ll use at UCF, like structured scheduling, self‑care routines, or campus wellness resources.
Prompt: Recount an experience from your academic or personal life where you actively collaborated with others to achieve a common goal… How will you apply this collaborative approach in future medical education and practice? (750 characters)
How to approach:
UCF emphasizes teamwork in its small-group, facilitator-led curriculum. Choose a story that highlights your role in achieving a shared objective, like leading a research team, organizing a community health fair, or volunteering in a clinic. Explicitly connect how the skills you demonstrated—communication, delegation, empathy—will translate into successful collaboration in UCF’s clinical simulations, Community of Practice rotations, and patient-centered care.
Prompt: We often hear that students want to pursue medicine to help people. Why medicine—and not another helping profession like nursing, social work, or education? (750 characters)
How to approach: Be specific. Explain what sets medicine apart for you, whether it's the scope of scientific inquiry, patient continuity, or the interplay of complex decision-making. Use a personal example, like a conversation with a physician that inspired you, or an experience where you saw the meaningful influence of diagnostic reasoning. Your answer should reflect thoughtful self-reflection.
Prompt: Tell us something integral to who you are that we wouldn’t know from your application... (personal background, challenges, culture, socioeconomic status, etc.) (4,000 characters total; includes Y/N self-disclosures)
How to approach: Use the character space to give UCF insight into what has truly shaped your identity, values, or motivation. If you check “yes” to any sensitive Y/N questions (academic struggles, disciplinary actions, criminal charges), address them transparently and briefly in the same essay. Then pivot into a deeply personal narrative. Perhaps your experience as a first-generation student, overcoming financial hardship, navigating cultural barriers, or caring for a sick relative, has prepared you for medical school and patient care.
Prompt: Please share with the Admissions Committee why you are specifically interested in UCF COM. (500 characters)
How to approach: This is your “Why UCF?” moment. Mention one or two distinctive aspects of UCF’s program (like the FIRE research curriculum, Orlando clinical training opportunities, or commitment to serving Central Florida) and align them with your goals and experiences. A strong answer might connect your prior community health work in Orlando with UCF’s Community of Practice model, or how the FIRE program supports your interest in health disparities research.
UCF uses the Multiple Mini Interview (MMI) format, which means instead of one long conversation, you’ll rotate through 6–8 timed stations, each with a brand-new prompt and a brand-new evaluator. The whole thing is virtual as of the latest cycle, but that doesn’t make it easier, just different.
Here’s what you can expect:
Applying to the University of Central Florida College of Medicine involves a structured, multi-step process that begins more than a year before matriculation.
UCF also offers an Early Decision Program (EDP) designed for highly qualified applicants who are committed to attending UCF if accepted. To be eligible, applicants must:
EDP applicants may only apply to UCF College of Medicine and must withdraw all other medical school applications upon acceptance.
Let’s be real: not every med school is a fit for every applicant. UCF College of Medicine has a distinct culture, a focused mission, and a curriculum built for a certain kind of student. So before you hit submit, it’s worth asking, “Is this actually the right place for me?”
If you’re serious about staying in-state or simply want to compare your options, it’s worth exploring what other medical schools in Florida have to offer.
Each school brings something different to the table: mission, curriculum style, campus vibe, clinical training opportunities, and competitiveness. Check out our in-depth guides below to get a clear picture of how each one stacks up.
Miami Miller School of Medicine
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine
Reading about what UCF wants is one thing. Seeing how real students actually got in is another.
That’s why at Premed Catalyst, we put together a free resource that gives you exactly that: 8 real, successful AMCAS applications that earned acceptances to top med schools, including UCLA and UCSF.
Get your free resource here.
