Q: What does AED do?
We are involved in a number of different volunteering opportunities. We as AED would like to enhance your premed experience as much as possible by offering a range of different opportunities you can get involved in. Some places we volunteer at include:
- Ronald McDonald House: Low-income housing for pediatric patients and their families, many of them from out of town. Our volunteering activity includes cooking dinner for and interaction with the residents of the house.
- Cedars Nursing Home: Bingo with elderly residents.
- Creciendo Juntos ("Growing Together"): This community group reaches out specifically to Latinos in the community. We have participated with them at help fairs and observed health screenings and nurse-patient interactions between Latinos and health-care providers.
- Piedmont Hospice: Includes intense training session; learn how to interact with and learn from end-of-life stage patients in a unique palliative care setting.
In addition, we are also offering surgery viewings at the UVa hospital for members that show commitment and interest to AED by coming out to meetings and participating in volunteering activities. In the past, we have also sponsored various panels throughout the year, such as a medical student panel and medical school admissions' panel.
Also, every two years, the AED National Office sponsors a National Convention that all members are welcome to attend.
Q: What is the difference between AED and other premed groups on Grounds?
One key difference is that AED is a nationally-recognized premed honor society. That means that being a national AED member will appear on your official transcript. However, that also means that we are selective in who can be a national member. We also consist of a relatively smaller group of students and we believe that this is advantageous because it allows our members to be more involved in volunteering opportunities, as well as closer interaction with the officers.
Q: How can I join AED?
Just come out to our meetings, participate in volunteering activities, and pay your dues! There are two forms of AED membership: 1) associate 2) national membership. Anyone can be an associate member as long as you pay the semester dues of $10. National membership requires having a minimal 3.2 cumulative and 3.2. BCPM (Bio, Chemistry, Physics, Math). Go to the Membership Section for more information.
Q: How and when can I apply for national AED membership?
A: Applying for national membership takes place only once a year, during the spring semester. You must have a minimal 3.2 cumulative and 3.2. BCPM (Bio, Chemistry, Physics, Math). Go to the Membership Section for more information.
Q: Some of the premed groups offer discounts for Kaplan test prep courses. Does AED offer the same?
Yes; all dues-paying AED members (associate and national) will receive a $100 discount from Kaplan MCAT courses. Please mention at the time you sign up for the course that you are an AED member, as retroactive discounts are hard to come by.
Q: Which surgeries can I see at the
You are able to see just about any type of surgery you wish: cardiac, neurological, general, and orthopedic. The only surgery we are not allowed to see is total joint replacement because increased infection rates to the patient increase with the number of people in the OR.
