UIC: Post-Baccalaureate Admission Program (PAP)

Post-Baccalaureate Admissions Program (PAP)

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION:

The Post-Baccalaureate Admission Program (PAP) provides an opportunity for selected students to participate in a 11-month structured education process that enhances the science foundation. The PAP is divided into three (3) structured Tiers. Each student is provided with a comprehensive assessment of his/her existing learning strategies and skills, and an Individualized Academic Plan (IAP) to improve them. In order to advance in the Program, participants are required to earn a 3.0/4.0 grade point average (GPA) or better in each semester in the Academic Year Program. In order to successfully progress through TIER III and matriculate in the College, participants are required to receive a 70% accumulative final score. Students who successfully complete the minimum requirements of the PAP are offered regular admission to the entering College of Medicine class the following year (i.e., those who begin the PAP program in August 2011 will matriculate to College of Medicine in August 2012 if they successfully complete the PAP program).

APPLICATION PROCESS:

Students who apply for regular admission to the College of Medicine (COM) and are interviewed for regular COM admission, can become candidates for the PAP Program. Students are encouraged to target their application for regular admission to the College of Medicine. There are no separate PAP application procedures. To be given consideration for participation in PAP, an individual must initially apply for traditional admission to the University of Illinois at Chicago-College of Medicine through the American Colleges Admissions Service Application (AMCAS). Students can then become candidates for PAP. Typically, participants are selected in May of each year. Participation in all three structured Tiers is required.

PROGRAM CURRICULUM:

The PAP is divided into three (3) structured Tiers:

TIER I – Academic Year, Part One (August-December)

The coursework in the Academic year portion on of PAP focuses on the participant’s emersion in science course work and other academics to strengthen science foundations Each participant will enroll in approximately 9-12 credit hours per semester of graduate, medical or other academically relevant courses such as Anatomy and Biochemistry. Participant progress will be evaluated at the conclusion of each semester and eligibility to advance to the next semester will be determined. Additonally, students work on non-cognitive skills workshop that provide each student with a comprehensive assessment of his/her existing learning strategies and skills, and an individualized and strategic plan to improve them. These plans are put into practice through structured learning experiences that are designed to enhance skills in reading, test taking, time management, note taking, and approaches study and learning.

If the participant is not eligible to advance to the next phase of the program, an exit interview will be conducted to collect books and supplies, as well as to discuss options for the future.

TIER II - Academic Year, Part Two (January - May)

Tier II continues the science emersion from Part I and builds on each student's background in the basic sciences and then strengthens that background through enrollment in selected upper-division (300-400 level) undergraduate science courses and medical school courses. PAP students enroll for at least 10 credits each semester. Academic support and PAP student activities combine to help promote academic success and refine successful learning strategies.

TIER III- Summer Pre-matriculation Program (SPP) (June– July)

This six-week program enhances participant’s preparation for the first year of medical school by providing academic reinforcement and motivational retention activities. Participants are presented with lecture and laboratory experiences in the content areas and preview courses in Biochemistry, Gross Anatomy, Physiology and Tissue Biology are provided. The courses covered are Neuroscience, Physiology, Anatomy and Biochemistry.

In addition to the academic requirements, participants are expected to attend all workshops, scheduled meetings and other non-academic activities.

The participants who are assigned to the Urbana with a Peoria or Rockford track will participate in the SPP in Chicago .

All questions about the PAP curriculum should be directed to the Urban Health Program Office:

College of Medicine
Urban Health Program
University of Illinois-Chicago

1819 W. Polk Street (MC 786), CMW 145
Chicago, IL 60612
Phone: (312) 996-6491
Fax: (312) 996-3548
Email: UHPCOM@uic.edu