PRE-PROFESSIONAL
SERVICE ORGANIZATION
at the University of Florida
UF's oldest and most prestigious Pre-Health organization.
The healthcare industry is not defined by any one narrative; it is not restricted to one method, nor can it be narrowed down to a single career track. Healthcare is a complex network of stories woven by the countless individuals who comprise it. Every field of health has a part to play in the rest, and every prospective healthcare professional will one day come to realize this.
The Pre-Professional Service Organization is a prestigious student-run service organization that provides exceptional undergraduate pre-health students with a glimpse of this interconnected future. PSO uniquely caters to students of all pre-professional tracks, including but not limited to (pre-) medicine, physician assistant, nursing, veterinary medicine, dentistry, physical therapy, occupational therapy, pharmacy, and more. By fostering such a distinguished atmosphere of diversity and inclusivity in pre-health, PSO promotes the same connectivity found between healthcare fields. We offer members numerous professional development resources, volunteer opportunities, social events, and more. Every year, we participate in UF Relay for Life, which is our primary philanthropy.
PSO is comprised of highly driven students who demonstrate remarkable levels of academic achievement, humanitarianism, professionalism, and personal character. Members are selected from a competitive applicant pool on the basis of the aforementioned qualities. As a result, PSO has earned and maintained an excellent professional reputation within the Gainesville community, holding close ties with Shands Hospital, the V.A. Medical Center, and the University of Florida Colleges of Medicine, Dentistry, Physician Assistant and Veterinary Medicine.
Our organization is a family, and the bond between all members lasts a lifetime. By providing career insight through numerous service, social, philanthropic, leadership, and professional development opportunities for its members, PSO cultivates future leaders of the healthcare industry.
YOUR FUTURE IN HEALTHCARE BEGINS HERE.
BULLETIN
3/25/21: Members - the 2021-2022 PSO Presidential voting is closing at 9pm! Sign in to access the link.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
HOME BASE
For the majority of our members, PSO is their "home organization". College can be overwhelming, but PSO provides resources, advice, and social support for every unique step of the way.
NETWORKING
Current PSO members enjoy access to many former members, now graduate students or professionals, who are happy to offer advice, resources, and opportunities.
OBSERVERSHIP PROGRAM
PSO offers a member-exclusive shadowing program to its students. For Fall 2020, the program will be completely virtual.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
PSO members enjoy practical skills workshops, seminars, keynote speakers, student panels, and more in order to better prepare them for their careers as healthcare leaders.
ACADEMIC RESOURCES
PSO has a large collection of class resources, including study guides and other documents. Members receive discounted
prep courses with The Princeton Review, and free practice exams.
PERSONALIZATION
PSO caters to all pre-health tracks, and we maintain personalization by organizing our meetings into phases. Everyone receives the individualized attention and guidance they need.
PHILANTHROPY
PSO prides itself on being a top contributor to UF Relay for Life every year. Our members are essential to this accomplishment.
SOCIAL PROGRAMS
PSO prioritizes personal wellbeing. We offer programs to promote integration and social interaction, such as Mentor-Mentee, and Partnership Dates.
SERVICE EVENTS
As a service organization, PSO offers its members countless opportunities for volunteerism and involvement in the community.
SCHOLARSHIPS
A major portion of member dues and application fees are put right back into our member's pockets through our member-exclusive scholarship program.
JOIN PSO
THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST!
Spring 2021 applications are now CLOSED.
Admission to PSO requires the submission of a written application along with a payment of an application fee. Competitive applicants will be invited for an interview with the Board of Directors, and the most qualified interviewees will be offered a place within PSO.
Please visit the Frequently Asked Questions area for further details.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility Requirements
Membership Requirements
To be considered an active member, you must pay $25 dues every semester ($15 for Fall 2020; see Covid-19 Modifications) and participate in a minimum of 2 service, 2 social, and 2 philanthropy events. Members must attend all 5 general body meetings, and are required to obtain volunteer hours (15/semester for new members, 30/semester for returning members). Relay for Life is also a mandatory event for our organization.
Covid-19 Modifications
For the Fall 2020 semester, PSO will be operating virtually. All interviews, meetings, and a majority of point events will be conducted remotely via Zoom. Dues have been reduced to $15, and application fees have been reduced to $10. Members are NOT required to physically be in Gainesville to participate in PSO.
What makes a competitive applicant?
We are seeking students who share PSO's mission and are familiar with what we do and offer. Competitive applicants will demonstrate a strong commitment to service and promote the wellbeing of their community. Desired qualities, expressed through personal essays, include volunteerism, teamwork, integrity, leadership, academic excellence, respect, and cultural competence. Applicants should be creative and genuine in their essays; the prompts are purposely vague. We want to know YOU. We have no preference for writing style or format, but applicants should spend time on their essays to ensure they are compelling and free from error.
How do I know if PSO is right for me?
PSO, above all else, is a service organization. Our members regularly engage in activities that benefit their communities, both healthcare related and non-related. PSO is an inclusive organization that fosters diversity and interconnectivity between health professions. You will interact with students following other pre-professional tracks as well as your own, which gives you a first look at the collaborativity existing in healthcare. We maintain a highly supportive environment; our members are always more than willing to share advice, resources, and positivity.
