I don't go go UTA but volunteering opportunities depend on your transportation mostly tbh. I think as long as you choose less popular volunteering opportunities (hospice over ER volunteering etc) you should have no problem finding organizations who would like your help. Research depends on the PI and the field. In my lab, you would be lost and unhappy if you hadn't taken at least through organic II or microbiology, so it really depends on the place and time. I'd worry less about research as a freshman. And I would recommend ignoring the "pre-med" culture and doing your own thing. All my friends are business and finance majors and I never had a problem with competitive people as a result.