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UF Health University of Florida
Rehabilitation Science Doctoral Program College of Public Health and Health Professions
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Admissions Overview

Apply to the Program

Identifying a Faculty Mentor

An important component of admission to the Rehabilitation Science program is to identify a potential faculty mentor. Prospective students should review the PhD faculty page to determine which graduate faculty have research interests in line with their own and then make contact to discuss the possibility of collaboration. Prospective students are encouraged to demonstrate a basic knowledge of the faculty member’s work and explain their interest in working with him/her. They should also be prepared to provide a brief description of their background and current curriculum vitae (CV) or resume.

Application Procedure

Graduate applications are submitted through the University of Florida Office of Admissions. The following items are required:

Transcripts

For purposes of the application review, we accept unofficial transcripts. These transcripts should be scanned copies of the official paper versions issued to you by your previous or current institution(s). We will not accept screen shots of your grades from your institution’s student academic portal.

Unofficial transcripts should be uploaded through your Application Status page for each postsecondary institution attended and should match the educational history provided on your application.

Applicants who receive an offer of admissions should arrange to have official transcripts sent to the UF Office of Admissions. If you attended UF as your postsecondary institution, you do not have to order a transcript from the Office of the University Registrar. Official transcripts can be sent to UF in two ways: paper transcript received by UF in a sealed envelope or electronic transcripts sent from your institution directly to UF.

Non-U.S. Academic Credentials

Non-English Transcripts

Transcripts and degree certificates/diplomas not issued in English must be accompanied by a certified, literal line-for-line English translation of the original document. Acceptable certified translations are issued by your institution or a professional translating service. These documents may be unofficial and should be uploaded in the application.

Degree Certificate/Diplomas

Applicants must provide degree certificate/diplomas for degrees conferred/awarded outside of the U.S. These documents may be unofficial and should be uploaded in the application. Digitally uploaded academic credentials must include the same information appearing on an official transcript, including biographical information, institution name, signatures, seals and stamps. They should be scanned or digital copies, we do not accept screen shots

Credential Evaluation

Applicants are required to submit a credential evaluation of academic records for all college coursework competed outside of the U.S.. Evaluation may come from any member of the National Association of Credential Evaluations Services. Credential evaluation is required in addition to transcripts and degree certificates as described above.

Curriculum vitae (CV) or resume

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose (Personal Statement/Professional Goals Statement) is an opportunity to learn more about your goals. For the Rehabilitation Science statement of purpose, please respond to the two questions below. Your response should not exceed 500 words. You can write your essay as a continuous narrative or use headings for each question.

  1. Why are you applying for your PhD? Provide information about the following:
  1. What knowledge and skills do you want to acquire during your education in the UF Rehabilitation Science program?
  2. What are your long-term career goals, and how will getting a PhD in the UF Rehabilitation Science program help you reach those goals? Please include a brief statement about how an identified mentor and their research program helps you reach those goals.

2. Discuss what critical thinking to solve problems means to you. You can do that by:

  • Explaining how critical thinking and problem solving can help you achieve your goals for your career, or
  • Provide an example of how you used critical thinking to identify a need or a problem and generated a solution to address that need or problem.  Your example could be about a school, work, research, clinical/professional practice, or personal situation.

Letters of recommendation

  • The UF Rehabilitation Science PhD program requires a minimum of 3 letters of recommendation.  We will accept up to 5 letters. However, the letters cannot be exchanged once submitted.
  • There are no specific requirements as to who should write the letters of recommendation. Letters will ideally include personal observations from individuals who know the applicant well. We recommend that, if possible, at least one of your recommenders can comment on your academic background.
  • Letters must be written by the recommender. It is not ethical for the letter to be drafted by the applicant, and then provided as a draft to the recommender.
  • Topics that may be addressed in the letter include:
    • Clinical experience (if applicable)
    • Research experience (if applicable)
    • Integrity
    • Work ethic
    • Persistence
    • Response to adversity or conflict
    • Ability to receive constructive feedback
    • Emotional intelligence and maturity
    • Adaptability

Letter writers that are listed in the application packet will receive a recommendation request via email. The email will provide instructions to submit the recommendation via the University of Florida application system. The Graduate Recommendation Form is comprised of two parts:

  1. The “Applicant Rating” where you are asked to score applicant on a number of competencies: competence in chosen field, motivation and diligence, creativity/research potential, intellectual ability and critical thinking, teaching potential, and emotional maturity.
  2. The “Written Evaluation” is the narrative evaluation as described above. 

English Proficiency

All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official evidence of English language proficiency and meet the minimum score requirements. The university does not accept scores compiled from multiple tests to meet English proficiency requirements. Minimum acceptable scores and exemption criteria is available here: https://admissions.ufl.edu/apply/graduate/international. UF’s TOEFL school code is 5812.

GRE Scores (not required)

The Rehabilitation Science Doctoral program does not require the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) for admission consideration. Applicants who voluntarily submit GRE scores may be neither penalized nor advantaged in the admission process on the basis of the GRE scores.

Applicants should contact Laura Quintana with any admission related questions.