Alpha Epsilon Delta Pre-Health Honor Society, the world’s largest organization committed to premedical scholarship, is seeking new members for spring semester.

UT’s Beta chapter is now one of 171 branches that brings students together who are pursuing careers in the medical field. AED recognizes achievement in premedical education, promotes communication between students and medical professionals, and uses the intelligence of its members for the good of the community. Members of the Beta chapter volunteer at the local Ronald McDonald House and have been involved with other philanthropic organizations such as The National Kidney Foundation.

“(It’s) a chance to learn from your peers and doctors in the community about how to become a medical professional,” Greg Spencer, AED president, said.

Spencer, a senior pre-dentistry major, deemed the honor society as a prominent national organization.

“I personally joined because it gave me some direction and upperclassmen to talk to about the process of getting into a medical professional school,” Spencer said.

AED offers its members a variety of services, such as a panel of judges who talk about what extra curricular activities they are involved in and internships they have had so that students can create well-rounded resumes. Interviews with career services also benefit hopeful scholars.

The honor society is an opportunity for students, both undergraduate and graduate, to connect with their peers through programs and events related to their major.

“They are learning about other alternatives in health professions that may be beyond just medicine,” chapter adviser Mary Anne Hoskins said.

Hoskins believes that the honor society is beneficial to students.

“Students have the opportunity to network with one another and get ideas from one another about how to prepare and study for the MCATS,” Hoskins said.

AED kicked off its spring semester Tuesday night with a Teach for America event in the UC. There they talked about their national convention that will be held in Cincinnati this March. Alpha Epsilon Delta’s national chapter, the Tennessee Beta chapter and the College of Arts and Sciences have teamed up to make the trip more affordable for members. Students who wish to attend the convention may contact Hoskins for more information.

Membership to AED requires that each student be a pre-health major and have three full semesters of college coursework complete. Students who do not meet the 45-hour requirement are given an opportunity to pledge the organization and attend meetings. A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20 and a math and science GPA of 3.20 are also required.

Students who have met the national GPA requirement still have the opportunity to apply as a full member for the Spring Semester through the end of next week. The application can be found on its UT website, http://web.utk.edu/~aed/joining.html, and should be submitted to the Arts and Sciences Advising Office in 313 Ayres Hall.