It was a combination of a competitive academic environment and unifying community values that attracted the newest class of pre-medicine majors to the University of Georgia.
Brody Hare, who had perfect attendance for 13 years, took 15 AP classes and finished ninth in his class at Coffee High School in Douglas, Georgia, said UGA’s plan to open a School of Medicine in 2026 was not a big factor in his decision.
“I was coming to UGA either way… my whole life I wanted to go to UGA, so when I got in — I’m going,” Hare said.
Although UGA has a historically competitive application process, with the class of 2028 boasting statistics such as an average high school GPA of 4.13, the class of 2029 has upped the ante. The new first-year class presents an average SAT score of 1365 and an average GPA of 4.17.
Bella Villano, with a perfect 4.0 GPA and SAT score, said some other competitive schools, such as the University of Virginia, did not give the ideal support, but she felt that at UGA, she would be lifted up, rather than having to compete with everything.
I love that environment,” she said.
The University of Georgia has drawn students from both in and out of state, with many students crediting the work-life balance. Being challenged in your courses and laying the groundwork for a future career are at the forefront of most first-year students’ minds.
However, students said they were looking for a university that could accommodate a social life and support them outside of the classroom as well.
Lilly Arenas, a first-year pre-med student, said she was deciding between UGA, the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina.
I wanted that extra support, so when I got into the honors college, I was like, ‘OK, perfect!’” she said.
Drew Renner, Laney George, Tatum Akers, Camden Brown and Fiona Sturgeon are journalism majors in Reporting II.
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