Summer Health Professions Education Program: Dentistry

Program Dates: May 10th – June 18th, 2021

The Summer Health Professions Education Program (SHPEP) is a FREE summer enrichment program focused on improving access to information and resources for college students interested in the health professions.

SHPEP’s goal is to strengthen the academic proficiency and career development of students underrepresented in the health professions and prepare them for a successful application and matriculation to health professions schools.

The six-week program takes place on the University of Florida campus, where participants will be provided on-campus room and board throughout this informative experience for students interested in the health science field.

NOTE: The UF Summer Health Professions Education Program for 2021 will take place entirely online due to the ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic.

Health Professions at the University of Florida

UF SHPEP Contact

Jordan Sharpshair, MS
Program Coordinator

Email UF SHPEP
Phone: 352.294.8628

UF SHPEP Social

Applying for UF SHPEP

Application Deadlines

The application for the 2021 cohort will open on November 1st, 2020 and close on February 5th, 2021 at 11:59pm (EST)
Applications are available at the national Summer Health Professions Education Program website
Admissions decisions will be released on March 15th, 2021

Application Requirements

Have a GPA of 2.5 or above
Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or an individual granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
New participant to SHPEP (have not previously participated in the program)
Be a college freshman or sophomore at the time of application (possess less than 60 credits, excluding AP credits)

Other Factors Considered

Student identifies with a group that is racially/ethnically underrepresented in the health professions.
Student comes from economically and educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, however all applications are considered.

Dental Career Pathway

Students accepted in the Dental Career Pathway will:

Produce hands-on projects in a dental simulation lab
Shadow dental students in general and specialty dental clinics
Explore dentistry and its specialties with dental faculty, residents, and students
Participate in a variety of workshops on topics that might include community outreach, interviewing, professionalism, and financial aid
Attend the 2020 Impressions Program, hosted by the College of Dentistry Chapter of the Student National Dental Association
Make connections, bond, and network with students who have similar goals

With 12 SHPEP program sites across the nation, what makes UF exceptional?

The UF Health Science Center is the country’s only academic health center with six health-related colleges located on a single, contiguous campus.

Distinguished faculty and community leaders
Hands-on lab experience
Diversity is a priority | Multicultural & Diversity Affairs at UF | UF College of Dentistry receives INSIGHT Into Diversity 2018 HEED Award
Top tier research facilities on campus | Research at UF
One of the most involved student campuses in the country | Student Life at UF | Florida Athletics

a unique experience on one contiguous campus

UF SHPEP

"This program has been awesome for me. It's confirmed that dentistry is, indeed, the profession that I want to pursue…it was through the opportunities that SHPEP provided."

We stress the importance of interprofessional training in a unique way specific to the UF SHPEP site. Scholars are given the opportunity to participate in a Disaster Drill/Mass Casualty Simulation with the participation of all six health colleges. Health professionals ranging from emergency medicine, pharmacy, county first responders, and various faculty members and students within these six colleges come together to give our scholars a hands-on learning experience with emergency situations.

uf shpep

Mass Casualty Disaster Drill Simulation

*WARNING* Fake but realistic wounds and make-up used during this simulation to provide our University of Florida scholars a hands-on learning experience with emergency situations.

What to Expect at UF SHPEP

Students selected to attend UF SHPEP get an opportunity to gain academic enrichment while also immersing into Gator culture through:

On-Campus Housing
Dining at the Swamp
Free transportation services on and off campus
Potentially free activities for scholars
The general lively spirit of UF’s campus and so much more!

FAQs

Can I participate in SHPEP if I am a junior or senior in college, or if I have already graduated from college? No. SHPEP is exclusively for current freshman and sophomore college students.

I am a freshman and have not received my grades yet. Can I submit my high school transcript? High school transcripts are not accepted. If you are a freshman and you have not received your first semester grades, please allow them to be finalized before you submit your transcripts.

Can the recommendation be submitted by a previous employer or high school teacher? If a recommendation cannot be submitted by a pre-health advisor or college professor within your major, the SHPEP National Program Office will accept one from an employer that is within a health professions field or from a science high school teacher.

I’m applying online and I see medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and public health as my career path choice – I’m interested in another career in health, what do I do? While students select from four main concentrations – Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy and Public Health – selected students will be given the opportunity to learn hands on about veterinary medicine, nursing, physician assistant, and a number of public health professions such as clinical and health psychology, speech, language & hearing sciences, health administration, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. It is at the student’s discretion which concentration they should choose when they apply.

Am I able to participate in SHPEP and attend classes over the summer? SHPEP is a full-time commitment with pre-planned days of curriculum, activities, and rotations. Students’ full participation is required during the course of the program dates. Should summer courses be offered following the program, the student is free to enroll and attend, however attending summer courses during the program is not recommended.

Will meals be provided during my time at UF SHPEP? Dining debit cards are provided to all scholars to use at University of Florida’s dining locations on campus. All dining locations are open seven days a week.

I don’t have health insurance. Is there a UF Health insurance option for successful applicants? If a scholar does not have insurance, a limited insurance plan will be purchased by the UF SHPEP program for that scholar.

Will I have free time to explore Gainesville? Scholars have a full menu of extracurricular activities to enjoy. Possible adventures include: touring UF museums, talent show, kayaking, disc golf, volleyball, swimming, tubing, social gatherings with professional students, bowling, movies, and summer concerts on the plaza.

Is housing provided? Where will I live during UF SHPEP? Scholars stay in dormitories located in the center of campus free of cost.

Should I bring a car? How will I get around? Dorms are a ten-minute walk from the Academic Health Center. Scholars also have free access to the campus and city buses.

Will I receive aid with traveling to Gainesville? Travel expenses will be compensated based on availability and distance traveled.

How does the stipend work? Scholars receive a $600 stipend to be disbursed throughout the program.

Is there a cost to attending UF SHPEP? No. Students will be provided with housing, meals and a stipend that will cover through the six weeks.

Who should I pick to write reference letters for me? This should be someone who knows your academic and personal character. Ideally this should be a pre-health advisor and/or a college professor. If none of these persons know you well enough, a high school science teacher or a local dentist or physician who knows you well is acceptable.

For more answers concerning admissions and all things SHPEP, visit SHPEP’s FAQ page online.