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, and meetings with Terry organization leaders. Magellan serves 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. Magellan is solely for first-year students.

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 are selected for Magellan your Freshman year. Atlas and Magellan are designed to provide 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, and kept up with the news. Ultimately, you should prepare yourself to answer the question from your 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?

As a first-year, it is understood you will not have as many college experiences as a sophomore applicant and your high school experiences will be your primary experiences up to this point. Freshmen will be compared with other Freshmen, and Sophomores will be compared 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, and our recommended template is the Corsair resume format.

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 of 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 70 to 80 members and the Magellan class will be around 55 to 60

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, a suit with matching pants and jacket along with a tie and dress shoes is expected. For women, a matching skirt or pant suit and closed-toe dress shoes is expected. 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 what you wear to class.