Frequently Asked Questions regarding Atlas & the Magellan Program

What are the differences between Atlas and Magellan?

Atlas and Magellan offer two unique experiences and curriculums to members. Atlas is a full-year commitment and consists of employer networking opportunities through guest speakers, workshops, meetings with Terry organization leaders, etc. Magellan will serve as a one-semester program and will consist primarily of workshops with one or two guest speakers. No one program is more ‘prestigious’ than the other, Magellan is simply catered to teach many business fundamentals while Atlas is better equipped to build on more preexisting business acumen already possessed by students. Additionally, Atlas is for Freshmen and Sophomores, while Magellan is Freshman exclusive.

If I am currently a first-year, should I apply to Atlas or Magellan?

As a first-year you will eligible to apply to either Atlas, Magellan or both. Applying to both will only increase your chances of being accepted to one of the programs and will not hurt your application in any way.

Will I still be eligible to apply to Atlas my Sophomore year if I join Magellan my freshman year?

Yes! Not only are you eligible, but we highly encourage you apply to Atlas your Sophomore year if you decide to do Magellan your Freshman year. Atlas and Magellan are designed to provide very different experiences, so if you complete the Magellan Program, there will still be more to learn through Atlas.

What can I do over the summer to prepare myself for the application cycle for both programs?

While there is no right answer to this question, successful applicants in the past have worked summer jobs, read business-related books, updated their resumes, practiced interviewing, kept up with the news, etc. Ultimately, you should be preparing yourself to be able to answer the simple question from the interviewer, “How did you spend your summer?”.

If I am a first-year, is it alright if I don’t have a lot on my resume? Also, can I have activities from High School?

If you are a first-year, it is understood that you will not have as many college experiences as a Sophomore applicant and that your High School experiences will be your primary experiences up to this point. Freshmen will be compared with other Freshmen and Sophomores with other Sophomores during the application process.

I know I want to be in Terry, but is it alright if I don’t know the exact major I want yet?

Yes! Atlas & Magellan will expose you to careers in each area and will help guide you to finding the major that fits you best. Each major in Terry is represented by one or more members of the Executive Board and you will have the opportunity to frequently ask them questions.

What does the application/interview process look like?

The application for Atlas and Magellan are the same with the exception of one question. After the application period concludes, invitations will be extended to those chosen to interview for Atlas or Magellan. The Executive Board will then ultimately choose the member classes from these interviews.

When applying to Atlas specifically, what kind of applicants are you looking for?

There is no perfect applicant profile, but historically successful past members have expressed enthusiasm to learn and a strong internal drive to become better business students.

What should I do if I have never made a resume before?

If you have never made a resume before, we recommend reaching out to the UGA career center. They provide resume critiquing sessions, templates and general advice. A resume will be required for your Atlas/Magellan application, but there is no required formatting other than it must be one page only.

If I have never done a formal interview before, what should I do to prepare for the Atlas/Magellan ones?

Ask your friends for mock behavioral interviews, practice in front of a mirror, or ask previous members what their experiences were like during their interviews. Practice makes perfect!

If I don’t get accepted to Atlas or Magellan my first year, should I reapply next year?

Yes! While you may only apply to Magellan during your first year, we still encourage you to apply to Atlas again during the Fall your Sophomore year.

If I am a Sophomore by credit hours, can I still apply to Magellan?

Yes! Credit hours do not affect your status as an applicant in any way. Your tenure at UGA will be the determinant for eligibility with each program.

How many members do you normally accept into each program?

There are no set amounts but historically, the Atlas class will consist of around 55-60 members and the Magellan class will be around the same

What is the attire for the interviews and information sessions?

For the Atlas and Magellan interviews, it is expected for candidates to dress in Western Business Professional. For men that will consist of a suit with matching pants and jacket along with a tie and dress shoes. For women, this will be a matching skirt or pant suit and closed-toe dress shoes. If acquiring any part of this dress attire becomes an issue, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Executive Board for accommodations or the SGA Professional Clothing Closet for free rental professional attire. In contrast, information sessions are casual dress events where you can wear whatever you wore to class.