Graduate Certificate in Molecular & Biomedical Sciences

Although [the program] was a difficult experience, it paved the journey to my main goal at the time: acceptance into medical school. I ended up gaining so much more along the way, and I am so thankful for that.

—Amanda Baroutjian, M.D. '22, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Emergency Medicine Resident, Stony Brook University Hospital

The graduate certificate program is the reason I was able to get into medical school. The “golden ticket” opportunity given to students is possible to achieve, and I’m eternally grateful for that opportunity. I learned successful habits that would serve me well for the rigorous programs of medical school.

—Hannah Bearham, M.D. '24, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

To this day, I honestly believe completing the Graduate Certificate in Molecular and Biomedical Sciences was among the best decisions of my life. Though a very challenging program, it set me up for success in medical school.

—Megan Messina, M.D. Candidate, '26, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

The Graduate Certificate Program was one of the best decisions I made to kick-start my medical career. It provided structure, mentorship, and the academic foundation I needed to feel confident heading into my first year of medical school. The habits I built during that year still stick with me today. For the committed individual seeking a stronger grasp of the biomedical sciences and a more competitive medical school application, this program delivers.

—Brendan Condit, M.D. '23, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine

The Graduate Certificate Program (GCP) at FIU HWCOM has provided me with more than just a supplementary educational experience. What felt like a golden ticket into medical school was actually a year of broadening my foundational science knowledge, networking with medical school faculty and leadership, making long lasting friendships, and furthering my passion for medicine. The core science topics we study during GCP no doubt put me one step ahead of my peers in the grueling first year as a medical student and allowed me to focus on career development early on. However, the best part about GCP was going through it alongside peers who eventually became medical school classmates and forever friends. My journey in medicine would not be complete without my time in GCP.

—Fariha Hasham-Mufti, M.D. '22 Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Pediatrics Resident at Inova L.J. Murphy Children's Hospital

When I first applied to medical school and was not accepted to any programs, I felt like I was lost in the woods without a path. The GCP program revealed that path to me. This program, put simply, changed me and my family's life. If you are willing to put in the work, they will invest in you and help you become the physician you know you can be.

—Jake Levine, M.D. '17 Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Internal Medicine Resident at University of Michigan

GCP was truly a turning point in my journey to becoming a physician. It gave me not only the academic foundation I needed to thrive in medical school, but also the confidence and support to believe in my calling. The faculty genuinely cared about our growth and made complex concepts come alive in ways that still stick with me today. I’m now a second-year pediatric resident at the University of Louisville, and I can honestly say I wouldn't be here without the preparation and encouragement I received through this program. It laid the groundwork for everything I’ve accomplished since and reminded me that hard work, faith, and the right support system can take you far. I’m forever grateful.

—Elizabeth Armenis, M.D. '17 Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Pediatrics Resident at University of Louisville School of Medicine

Participating in the GCP program at FIU was a turning point in my journey to medical school. After struggling to find my footing, GCP not only helped me strengthen my academic foundation—it taught me how to learn again. It reignited my passion for medical science and gave me the confidence to believe in my potential as a future physician. One of the most impactful parts of the program was the mentorship I received, especially from Dr. Weiler. Her support, encouragement, and belief in me extended far beyond my year in the program. Becoming a TA allowed me to give back to the GCP community and deepen my own understanding while helping others navigate their own paths. Beyond the academics, the program gave me lifelong friendships. My study group became my second family—we supported each other through every exam, application cycle, and life milestone. To this day, we still keep in touch, celebrating each other’s successes as we grow into the physicians we once dreamed of becoming. GCP was more than a post-bacc program for me—it was the launchpad that helped me rediscover my purpose and build the foundation for a career in medicine.

—Cesar Larancuent, M.D. '24 Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine, Internal Medicine-Pediatrics Resident at Baylor College of Medicine