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GPPA Information

GPPA stands for Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions. This UIC program guarantees a select number of incoming freshmen a seat in the professional or graduate program of their choice provided the student qualifies upon completion of his/her undergraduate studies here at UIC. 

  • The students admitted to the program maintain their guarantee through fulfilling a list of Conditions of Acceptance which are requirements to prepare them for their graduate or professional school experience. 
  • The GPPA has a wide variety of programs, although the most popular are in the health areas of Medicine, Pharmacy, Dentistry and Physical Therapy.  Programs exist in the following areas:  Architecture, Graphic Design, Industrial Design, Biomedical Visualization, Accounting, Management Information Systems, Real Estate, Health Information Management, Dentistry, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Nursing, Nutrition, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physical Therapy, Public Health, Urban and Public Affairs. 
  • Although each GPPA program varies in size, curriculum, and design, all of the programs have the advantage of allowing the students to pursue undergraduate curricula at UIC before they go on to their professional/graduate degree. 
  • The programs are not designed as accelerated programs, although some students may finish their undergraduate degree early due to Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate credit.
  • Membership in UIC’s Honors College is required for all GPPA students except those in programs in the colleges of Engineering, Applied Health Sciences, or Urban and Public Affairs, where it is strongly recommended.
  • Approximately 22% of the Fall 2008 GPPA applicants (13% for Medicine, 10% for Dentistry, 48% for Pharmacy) were admitted to the program.

Eligibility and Admission Criteria

  • It is important to note that some of our programs do require Illinois residency in addition to proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency.  Please visit the “Residency” link to determine if this will affect your application.
  • Only freshman applicants are eligible.  The minimum requirements to apply for all GPPA programs are:

Minimum 28 ACT Composite or SAT Equivalent 1240.  We do not ask for the writing sections of either test and we do not consider SAT Subject tests.

A rank in the top 15% or higher is also required if your high school reports an official class rank.  If your high school does not rank, please disregard the high school rank requirement. (If you experienced extenuating circumstances, you may submit a letter or petition with your GPPA application.)

For the Medicine and Dentistry program, proof of U.S. Citizenship or Permanent Residency is required.  Student must also be residents of the state of Illinois for these programs only.  For the Public Health program, students must be residents of the state of Illinois.