II. The University of Georgia Premedical Studies Program

The UGA Premedical Studies Program assists third and fourth year college students in applying to schools that award the M.D., D.O., D.D.S./D.M.D., O.D., and D.P.M. degrees (physicians, dentists, optometrists, and podiatrists). UGA has talented faculty, well-equipped laboratories and other instructional facilities, plus excellent libraries. However, for students to take full advantage of the program offered, the proper courses must be taken in the proper sequence and with the proper prerequisites. Many first and second year premeds register for classes in the advising program in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, which is designed to ensure that students have the information necessary to make proper decisions while choosing courses in preparation for admission to medical school.  There are capable ‘premed’ advisors other UGA schools and colleges throughout campus. It is also important that all degree requirements be completed without losing credit or having unnecessary complications or delays.

The advising program in the Franklin College of Arts & Sciences is two-tiered. Typically lower division students in Arts and Sciences enter the General Studies Division and remain in the program until they have earned 45-60 semester hours course credit. They then transfer to the department in which degree requirements will be completed. General studies advisors advise freshmen and sophomores, and post-baccalaureate students beginning college premedical science courses. Several general studies advisors "specialize" in advising premedical students, and all premeds not advised in our honors program should regularly register with one of these advisors. After completing certain requirements (outlined in the catalog) and with 45-60 hours course credit (this amount can vary depending on the major, students choose a departmental major and are then advised by faculty members in the department chosen for a major. The Premedical Studies Office and its director, located in Room 207 Memorial Hall, provide additional preprofessional information and supplement the advising of both general studies advisors and departmental major advisors. Routine advisement for the purpose of registration for classes is not handled by the Premedical Studies Office. Other UGA schools and colleges have their own advising systems for their first and second year students.  UGA premedical students initiate contact with the Premedical Studies Office by attending a REQUIRED UGA Premed Group Information/Orientation /Enrollment session.  Attendance of a full session is required before scheduling an appointment. To come late and/or leave early is not considered meeting this requirement, as all the information presented is considered quite important for the student and by the UGA Premed Office staff. COOPERATION is a positive trait for a future physician. Once the "group session" is attended UGA premeds may make an individual appointment in the Premedical Studies Office. Appointments may be made by calling 542-0444, preferably between 9:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. daily.

The Premedical Studies Office will assist in a number of ways in planning for admission to medical school. Liaison is maintained with a number of people and programs concerned with medical school admissions, including the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), the Medical College Admissions Test (MCAT) administrators, the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS), and close contact is maintained with the chairman of the admissions committee or admissions director of several medical schools. This allows for the timely dissemination of information regarding changing policies or requirements for admission. Various registration and application forms are available from this office, including forms for faculty evaluators, which are selected by the applicant. The UGA Office of the Vice President for Instruction has allocated considerable financial and personnel support to ensure that UGA students preparing for admission to medical school are well-advised. All serious premedical students are urged to become familiar with the services available and to make full use of this assistance.
Incoming freshmen and transfer students should attend a ‘group session’ that is held for students in premedicine, typically three times in fall and spring semester and one in the summer. Topics of interest are discussed and questions are answered in what is essentially a group advising session. There are generally three sessions in fall and spring semesters and one in the summer.

All premedical students are urged to check the UGA Premed BULLETIN BOARD on-line at least once each week so that meetings of importance and deadlines will not be missed.  Also, premeds should enroll themselves on the UGA Premedical Studies (AED) Listserv to "get in the loop" and not miss important announcements. Instructions for getting on the Listserv are available on the UGA AED website, and on written materials distributed at the ‘group session,’ and available in room 207 Memorial Hall.

Post-baccalaureate students enrolled in the UGA Franklin College as irregular, non-degree students while completing requirements for medical school admission are cleared for registration via the "1st floor" UGA Franklin College Advising Office (Room 106, New College). Students can make an appointment in the UGA 'Premed Studies Office' to discuss the application process for medical school after they have attended the required "group session."

It should be stressed that the final responsibility for planning the academic program rests with the student and not with an advisor. The advisor should explain the options, including requirements that must be met, but the final decisions as to which courses to take and when to take them must be made by the student. Good judgment will be required, for there are many options available and many decisions to be made. The mature student will have as much information as possible on which to make any decision. One of the best sources of information will be fellow students, particularly those older who have already taken the courses and who are acquainted with the instructors and course content. It is usually a mistake to register for a course with no idea who will teach it and perhaps only a hazy idea of what is covered in the course. The better informed student will usually be in a much more competitive position.
Note: for course pre-requisites: UGA Bulletin. Another useful site is the Franklin College Departmental Syllabi, and the UGA Premed Home Page.