What Programs Does GAPA Offer for Pre-PA and PA Students?

GAPA (Georgia Academy of Physician Associates) offers Pre-PA and PA students two main things: a structured mentorship pathway through the Pre-PA Engage Program, and student-oriented events including the Challenge Bowl and a Volleyball Tournament. Students can also join GAPA as members, which is the entry point for most of these programs. The sections below cover each offering, who it fits, and how to get started.

Pre-PA Engage Program

The Pre-PA Engage Program is GAPA's mentorship offering for students who are still working toward PA school. According to GAPA's site, it exists so Pre-PA students can "find the mentorship support you need as you navigate your PA journey."

Who it's for: Pre-PA students — people preparing for or applying to PA programs, not yet enrolled.

What it provides: Mentorship support during the pre-PA stage. GAPA frames this as part of its broader student outreach, alongside joining the organization itself.

How to start: GAPA lists the Pre-PA Engage Program under its About/student navigation and directs prospective members to join GAPA. If you're unsure whether you qualify, the membership page is the place to confirm current eligibility and any enrollment steps.

Student Events: Challenge Bowl and Volleyball Tournament

GAPA runs student-facing events that appear in its site navigation under "GAPA Students":

• Challenge Bowl — a knowledge-competition style event for students.
• Volleyball Tournament — a social/team event.

Both are listed as standing student activities rather than one-off items, so they recur as part of GAPA's student programming. The site does not publish dates, eligibility rules, or registration details for these on the pages captured here — check the GAPA Students section or the events calendar for the current cycle.

Pre-PA Fair

GAPA maintains a Pre-PA Fair page, listed alongside the CME Conference and Sponsors/Exhibitors in the events navigation. This is a recruiting/information event aimed at pre-PA students. Treat it as a separate touchpoint from the Pre-PA Engage Program: the fair is an event, the Engage Program is ongoing mentorship.

Membership as the Gateway

Most student programming runs through GAPA membership. GAPA's homepage states it "offers Pre-PA students the opportunity to join GAPA and the Pre-PA Engage Program," and the primary call to action is Join GAPA Today!

GAPA also organizes members by Regions, so regional events and meetups are another way students participate once they've joined.

How to Get Involved

1. Join GAPA — use the "Join GAPA Today!" link on the homepage. This is the prerequisite for the Pre-PA Engage Program and member events.
2. Check the events calendar — GAPA's "Upcoming Events and Activities" section and its full list of upcoming and past events show what's scheduled.
3. Watch the student pages — the GAPA Students section (Challenge Bowl, Volleyball Tournament) and the Pre-PA Fair page carry the student-specific details.
4. Contact GAPA directly — for questions about eligibility or which program fits you, email [email protected].

What to Verify Before You Commit

The pages reviewed here confirm these programs exist and are organized under student and Pre-PA navigation, but they don't state membership fees, student rates, application deadlines, or event dates. Before joining or registering, confirm:

• Current membership pricing and whether a student tier exists.
• Whether the Pre-PA Engage Program has an application or matching process.
• Dates and locations for the next Challenge Bowl, Volleyball Tournament, and Pre-PA Fair.

GAPA's annual CME Conference is a separate, professional-level event (the 2027 Summer CME Conference is listed for July 1–3, 2027, at Sandestin Resort in Destin) — useful to know about, but not a student program itself.