Step-by-Step Timelines
The following is a generic timeline for students planning
a career in the health professions or natural sciences. You
should plan to meet with an advisor once a semester to help
plan your course loads and application timeline. The best
time to meet with your advisor is generally after the midterm.
To make an appointment with a
science or health professions advisor, call 813-974-6957.
Freshman Year
Fall Semester
Spring Semester
Sophomore Year
Fall Semester
- Looking for a job? The
Career Center can help you find both on and off-campus
opportunities.
- Begin researching Summer Enrichment or Research programs. Visit summer.html for
links to some programs.
Spring Semester
- By now, you should have chosen your major and completed
your general education requirements. Talk to your advisor
to make sure you've satisfied the CLAST requirement and
to see if you are eligible to apply for your AA degree.
- If you're interested in doing research in your major, talk to
your professors and advisors about research opportunities here
at USF. Some information is available at summer.htm.
Keep in mind that most projects require a two semester commitment
in your junior or senior year.
Junior Year
Also see hptimeline.htm for
more information
Fall Semester
- Research schools for professional and graduate programs.
Consider what programs interest you most, locations,
residency restrictions, and admissions requirements as
you start to narrow down your choices.
- Request printed materials/catalogs from the schools.
- If you're planning on entering the workforce after
graduation, contact the
Career Center for information about workshops, resumes,
experiential learning, etc.
Spring Semester/Early Summer
- Begin requesting letters of recommendation.
- Request a copy of your transcript from the USF Registrar.
You should review your transcript to ensure there are
no errors present before you forward it to the schools
and/or employers you are pursuing.
- Register for/take required test (MCAT, DAT, GRE,
etc.).
- Begin completing your applications (including essays).
For most health professions programs, the best time to
submit your application is
EARLY in the summer
- Visit apply.htm for
an overview of the health professions application process.
Senior Year
Fall Semester
- Prepare for interviews. Visit your advisor and interview.htm for
helpful tips.
- Complete your resume. The
Career Center can help.
- Apply to graduate programs.
Consult with your professors and advisors in preparing
your application.
Spring Semester
- Apply for graduation within
the first two weeks of the semester.
- Apply for employment. Utilize the Career
Center's resources.
- Research financial aid and scholarship options at your
post-baccalaureate institution.
Other points to Remember:
- Not all students will follow this timeline exactly.
Depending on your major and your course load each semester,
you may end up slightly ahead or slightly behind of
this schedule. Students pursing health
professions and those pursuing graduate
school will also have varying schedules. Pre-pharmacy students
who plan to transfer to pharmacy school after completing
their requirements should meet with an advisor to
plan their individual timeline.
- The health professions schools do not care what you
major in; only that you take the courses they require
for admission. Consult an advisor to discuss the sequencing
of your courses, ensuring you meet prerequisite courses,
and the different majors available to you.
- Besides GPA and your test scores, all programs require letters
of recommendation from at least two professors. Start
establishing relationships with your faculty now so you can ask
for letters of recommendation later.
- To keep up with current requirements, be sure to sign
up for to receive email information from the Health Professions
List-serv. Visit listserv.htm to
sign up!
