University of Georgia

Involvement at UGA

Check out the various ways you can get involved at UGA below.

 

Rho Tau Pre-Physical Therapy Club
Rho Tau holds meetings to guide and inform prospective physical therapy students about graduate schools and various professional opportunities.

Minority Science Student Association
The Minority Student Science Association (MSSA) is the University of Georgia’s student run organization for minority students pursuing undergraduate degrees in the sciences. MSSA serves as a network concerning all aspects of the preparation for various professional programs, etc., medical school, dental school, pharmacy school, and various graduate programs.

UNICEF at UGA
This club is a Campus Initiative chapter of UNICEF USA, where we plan events focused on fundraising, advocacy, and education to provide assistance to millions of children around the world.

Pre-Nursing Society
The Pre-Nursing Society helps pre-nursing students at UGA learn more about the nursing profession, connect with other pre-nursing students, and provide guidance with classes to take as well as the application process for nursing schools.

MEDLIFE at UGA
The MEDLIFE Mission: Our mission is to help families achieve greater freedom from the constraints of poverty, empowering them to live healthier lives. We stand to provide medicine, education, and development to low income families everywhere.

oSTEM
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (oSTEM), Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit professional association for LGBTQ+ people in the STEM community. oSTEM empowers LGBTQ+ people in STEM to succeed personally, academically, and professionally by cultivating environments and communities that nurture innovation, leadership, and advocacy.

Pre-Veterinary Medicine Club
We are a student organization on the UGA campus whose members are interested in veterinary medicine (and gaining admission into Vet School). Club activities include guest speakers, volunteer activities, philanthropic events, and field trips.

Alpha Epsilon Delta
The Georgia Alpha Chapter of Alpha Epsilon Delta is the UGA chapter of the National Premedical Honor Society that aims to encourage and recognize excellence in premedical scholarship, to stimulate an appreciation of the importance of premedical education and to use its resources to benefit health organizations, charities and the community.

American Medical Student Association
AMSA is a student-governed, national organization committed to representing the concerns of physicians-in-training. They work to empower all students, regardless of their career goals, with medical and volunteer opportunities, as well as cultivate a positive peer network for members based on their specific academic and extracurricular interests.

Be The Match @ UGA
Be The Match Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the bone marrow or umbilical cord blood transplant they need, when they need it. Members help recruit students for the registry & host fundraising events throughout the school year.

The Christian Medical & Dental Associations
CMDA provides resources, networking and community service opportunities, education and a public voice for Christian healthcare professionals and students.

Donate Life UGA
Donate Life UGA is a newer organization on campus that exists to create a community that embraces organ, eye, and tissue donation as a fundamental, life-giving privilege. We encourage UGA faculty, staff, students, and visitors to register as organ donors electronically, either via the iPhone Health App or www.registerme.org.

Doctors Without Borders
Doctors Without Borders is a student-led 501(c)3 nonprofit registered in the state of Georgia. We are the largest prehealth humanitarian group at the University of Georgia. We provide volunteering opportunities to better our local community, fundraise for the MSF health professionals delivering care to people in need, educate students about humanitarian issues around the globe, and help connect students to speakers and each other in the healthcare field.

Foundation for the International Medical Relief of Children (FIMRC)
To provide access to medical care for the millions of underprivileged and medically underserved children around the world.

Genetic Education Network and Experience Society (G.E.N.E.S)
G.E.N.E.S. was founded to bring together students and faculty interested in genetics and its broadest scope across the University. We will host speakers in patent law, management of biotechnology companies, as well as physicians and scientist from government, academics and industry.

HOSA-Future Health Professionals
HOSA-Future Health Professionals at the University of Georgia is the premier healthcare organization for students pursuing a career in healthcare with a mission to promote career opportunities in the healthcare industry and to better the quality of health services.

Mito Dawgs
Mito Dawgs is an organization here at UGA looking to raise awareness and funds for Mitochondrial Disease Awareness.

Omega Tau Pre-Occupational Therapy Club
Omega Tau is a network for pre-occupational therapy students. We host monthly meetings in which we host speakers including occupational therapists, graduate program admissions counselors, current students, and others who are knowledgeable about the field to provide insight and advice to members.

One Health Club
One Health is the collaborative effort of multiple disciplines working — locally, nationally, and globally — to attain optimal health for people, animals, and the environment. One Health Club was designed to facilitate open discussion and collaboration between various disciplines studied at UGA to implement positive change in the local community and abroad.

Pre-Dental Society
The purpose of Pre-Dental Society is to provide a forum for students interested in the field of dentistry. Through guest speakers, community service, and camaraderie we will help each other ace the DAT and become the strongest applicants possible.

Pre-Optometry Club
This organization is a pre-professional organization specifically focused on the field of optometry. Our members are those on the pre-optometry track and want to pursue a career in optometry.

Pre-Pharmacy Society of UGA
Pre-Pharmacy Society of UGA is an organization for students who plan on pursuing a career in pharmacy or have interest in pharmacy and wish to learn more. Our monthly meeting are announced via the listserv, Facebook page, and posters ahead of time.

Pre-Physician Assistant Club
The purpose of the Pre-Physician Assistant Club is to unite Physician Assistant career bound students for the purpose of fostering professional, educational, philanthropic, and social interests.

Undergraduate Neuroscience Organization
The Undergraduate Neuroscience Organization is a group of undergraduate students at the University of Georgia who are focused on the field of neuroscience in undergraduate school, graduate school, and beyond.

Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO)
Experience in scientific research is highly recommended by many admissions committees for the academically strong student. This type of experience is essential for a person who aspires to a career in academic medicine / research, but it is very useful for any premedical student. Many undergraduates develop an interest in pursuing research as a career while participating in projects in the laboratory of a faculty member. CURO is a great resource for students looking to get involved with research conducted by faculty.

In addition to the numerous organizations on campus with which students can get involved, there are a variety of off-campus opportunities as well.

Hospitals and Clinics
Beyond test scores, professional schools also want students who have experienced the day-to-day realities of healthcare and evidence of their passion for working with people. Below are resources to help guide you toward volunteer opportunities in hospitals and clinics.

Non-Medical Involvement Opportunities
Admission committees want to see involvement outside your comfort zone in the community. Find a couple “side projects” you are passionate about and really get involved in them. Commitment and depth of involvement is more important than having many experiences.

There are a variety of educational and experiential opportunities during the summer, including fellowships, research programs and internships. Deadlines for these programs typically begin at the first of the spring semester, so early application submission is encouraged.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH), a part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the nation’s medical research agency—making important discoveries that improve health and save lives.

NIH’s mission is to seek fundamental knowledge about the nature and behavior of living systems and the application of that knowledge to enhance health, lengthen life, and reduce illness and disability.

NIH’s main campus is in Bethesda, Maryland. “NIH is made up of 27 Institutes and Centers, each with a specific research agenda, often focusing on particular diseases or body systems.” Their scientists conduct research on the main campus and as various locations across the country and aboard. To learn about NIH see the links below.

EL Internship Program (ELIP)

Are you a pre-health student looking to earn EL credit for your clinical experiences?

The EL Internship Program is an approved EL non-credit activity that when successfully completed enables students to meet their Experiential Learning graduation requirement.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Secure an internship that aligns with your pre-health intention.
  • Internships with for profit companies must be paid.
  • Must be in good academic standing.
  • Work at least 45 hours over a minimum of 6 weeks.

Below you will find a few pre-approved health-related Experiential Learning options. If you do not see your experience listed, you can look under the Find My Experience section here. If you do not see your organization and your experience meets the ELIP eligibility criteria, click here and complete the suggested form at the bottom of the page. Someone from the office will reach about details and next steps.

Non-Course Options

For more information on the EL Internship Program click here.