Preparing for the University of Central Florida College of Medicine interview

Scoring a University of Central Florida (UCF) College of Medicine interview is a major achievement—UCF looks for doctor-leaders who understand not just medicine, but Florida’s unique health landscape, local needs, and the rapidly shifting social and policy winds that shape care in the Orlando metro area and beyond.

This guide gives you an edge: you’ll find a detailed overview of UCF’s interview process, deep dives into the Florida health policy battleground, hyper-local and statewide current events, and the social issues shaping care in Central Florida. You’ll end with the most likely UCF Med interview questions, all so you walk in as prepared—and as authentic—as possible.

1. UCF Med Interview Structure: What to Expect (and Why)

UCF College of Medicine interviews are known for being a blend of open-file traditional interviews and group Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) stations:

• Traditional Faculty/Student Interviews: Usually two evaluators (faculty and/or senior medical students), who have read your application. These are conversational, but expect depth—a balance of “Why medicine?” and UCF/Florida-specific questions.

• MMI-style Group Activities: Typically 6-8 MMI stations, each assessing ethical reasoning, collaboration, and situational judgment. These might involve role-play with standardized patients or ethical problem-solving in Florida-relevant scenarios.

• Themes: Leadership, adaptability, diversity and inclusion (especially in Florida’s medically underserved areas), and awareness of local and state health systems. Pay attention to health care innovation, social responsibility, and community service.

Insider Angle:

UCF is purpose-built to address Florida’s physician shortages and health equity gaps. Interviewers will probe how you align with their mission, serve diverse communities, and tackle real-world challenges facing Central Florida.

Interview Prep Tip: Practice explaining “why UCF and why Florida,” be ready to reference settings and issues unique to Orlando, and use real Florida examples in situational responses.

2. Florida’s Healthcare Policy: Where Tourism Wealth Meets Deep Disparities

1. Medicaid Non-Expansion & the Coverage Gap

Florida remains one of 10 states rejecting ACA Medicaid expansion, leaving 1.1 million Floridians uninsured. UCF COM’s HEAL (Health Equity, Advocacy, and Leadership) Clinic directly addresses this by providing free care in Parramore—a historically Black neighborhood where 32% lack insurance.

2. Abortion Access After SB 300 (2023)

Florida’s 6-week abortion ban (effective May 2024) has turned Central Florida into a critical access point. UCF OB-GYNs now train students in “tele-abortion” laws, as 65% of Florida counties have no abortion providers.

3. Opioid Crisis & HB 807 (2024)

Florida’s new “Stopping the Mortal Opioid Problem” (STOP) Act limits opioid prescriptions to 3 days for acute pain. UCF’s Addiction Medicine Division partners with Orange County EMS on naloxone distribution—a program that reversed 342 overdoses in 2023.

Tip: Mention UCF’s Florida Health Policy Laboratory when discussing systemic solutions. Example: “I’d collaborate with Dr. Judy Simms-Cendan’s team studying Medicaid gaps in Osceola County’s Puerto Rican diaspora.”

3. Current Events & Social Issues: The Central Florida Lens

Local Flashpoints

• Mental Health & Tourism Workers: 43% of Orlando’s hospitality workers (Disney, Universal) report untreated anxiety/depression. UCOM’s Project CARE deploys mobile clinics to theme park employee housing.

• Climate Health: Red tide algae blooms (worsened by warmer Gulf waters) caused a 200% spike in Orlando asthma ER visits in 2023. UCF’s Climate Change and Health Resilience Initiative is a national model.

• Aging Population: The Villages (90 miles north) has the highest STD rate among seniors. UCF geriatrics fellows lead sex education workshops at retirement communities.

National Issues with Florida Stakes

• Immigrant Health: 29% of Orlando’s population is foreign-born. UCF’s Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) status drives programs like “Salud para Todos,” offering bilingual diabetes care in Pine Hills.

• Gun Violence: Florida’s ERs saw 1,832 firearm injuries in 2023. UCF trauma surgeons pioneered the “Orlando Protocol” for mass casualty triage—a likely discussion topic.

Tip: Reference UCF’s Harvest Time International partnership, which distributes free medications to farmworkers in Apopka.

4. The 5 Questions University of Central Florida College of Medicine is most likely to ask during your medical school interview

1. “Why UCF? How does our ‘Focus on Community’ track align with your goals?”

2. “Describe a time you advocated for someone from a different cultural background. What barriers existed?”

3. “Florida ranks 49th in mental health funding. Design a cost-effective intervention for rural Volusia County.”

4. “How should physicians address vaccine hesitancy in Central Florida’s Haitian community?”

5. “You notice a colleague making dismissive comments about a homeless patient. What do you do?”