The Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, is a highly sought-after program that offers aspiring students a unique and accelerated pathway to a career in the medical field. Designed for high-achieving students with a strong commitment to medicine, the GPPA program provides a direct route to the University of Illinois College of Medicine. With a strong commitment to academic excellence, diversity, and community engagement, the program equips students with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the challenging yet rewarding field of medicine.
GPPA Medicine was my first opportunity to discuss patient cases within these realms, analyzing readings where physicians had to balance the tenets of doing no harm, alleviating suffering, and preserving patient autonomy. I am excited to carry these insights with me as I prepare to begin medical school, utilizing them will help me understand the art and science of medicine.
Three Programs — Three Admission Decisions—One Application Heading link
Typical Class Profile Heading link
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45 Class size
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3.85 Average GPA
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700 Applicants
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Why UI COM GPPA Medical Scholars Program? Heading link
Our students say that the GPPA Medical Scholars Program supports their passions beyond their coursework. The University has community partnerships and programs to support students’ academic, research, and extra-curricular goals. The success of our graduates also influenced their decision to choose GPPA Medical Scholars Program. In addition, they cite four distinctive attributes that set us apart from other BA/BS-MD program:
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Location
The University of Illinois College of Medicine GPPA Medical Scholars Program thrives in the vibrant city of Chicago. Our campus is located just two miles from downtown, granting students easy access to a variety of amenities. From diverse dining options to renowned cultural attractions like Millennium Park and world-class shopping on State Street and Michigan Avenue, the city offers a wealth of experiences. Additionally, our proximity to the medical district ensures students have direct connections to the University of Illinois Hospital and other clinics, allowing for valuable intellectual and social opportunities. With convenient transportation options, students can enjoy the best of both big city opportunities and the charm of local neighborhoods.
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Structure
Our program, a part of the College of Medicine, ensures a strong foundation in sciences and medicine for our students. This enables future physicians to develop a comprehensive understanding of diseases and apply that knowledge from research to patient care. As a renowned medical school, the University of Illinois College of Medicine leads groundbreaking research in various areas. Notable projects include the development of a prostate cancer vaccine, exploration of brain disorders’ neurophysiological basis, and islet cell transplantation for diabetes treatment. The college has received significant funding, including a recent $7 million grant from the National Institutes of Health for infertility research. In the past year, the college obtained $146,418,792 in sponsored research funding. Our aim is to foster an open, inquisitive, and inclusive learning environment.
One outstanding aspect of our program is the opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration. Students have the chance to engage with diverse fields such as business, management, marketing, humanities, biological and biomedical sciences, engineering, and psychology. This interdisciplinary approach opens up a wide range of possibilities for our students’ academic and professional growth.
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Size
The small size of our student body – 35 on average per class – will allow you to establish life-long relationships that will provide you with a network of mentoring and support. You will be known by your classmates and your GPPA faculty, and you will join a vast renowned alumni family. The large scale of the University of Illinois means you have so many more resources including a large selection of major, course, and extra-curricular offerings. Being part of the University of Illinois College of Medicine, the GPPA Medical Scholars Program partakes in its many resources as well.
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Community
The small size of our student body contributes to a collaborative and tight-knit student body. Our students become a GPPA Medical Scholars Program family and come in every variety, bringing diverse intellectual and social contributions. Together, they form the GPPA Medicine community, which is filled with alumni and renowned faculty, leaders who willingly share their gifts with one another.
UI COM Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) Medical Scholars Program Heading link
The University of Illinois College of Medicine Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) Medical Scholars Program commenced in 1996.
Students are encouraged to explore their passions and permitted to major in an array of offerings. It is common to find our students majoring in non-science disciplines including the social sciences and humanities based majors. Although it is not mandatory for graduates to attend the University of Illinois College of Medicine, over 80% of our graduates continue their training at the University of Illinois College of Medicine and others attend other top tier schools. Our GPPA Medicine alumni are found in distinguished institutions throughout the country.
MIssion Heading link
Mission
The GPPA Medical Scholars Program in the College of Medicine embraces the values and principles of a liberal arts education, and facilitates an excellent undergraduate liberal arts or engineering education enriched by special College of Medicine (COM) programs focused on the scope of medicine and healthcare in the context of the evolution of the social contract and its relation to the profession of medicine.
Competencies
- To learn critical thinking skills including clarity of expression and logical precision.
- To learn to determine and prioritize what is important to think about and act upon.
- To acquire basic medical education knowledge and understanding central to the training in medical education and career in medicine.
- To embrace and lead self-wellness and discovery by exploring and becoming knowledgeable in the areas that will help oneself lead an enjoyable life (such as, but not limited to: literature, music, arts, athletics, theater, etc.).