The College of Architecture and the Arts is pleased to offer the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions (GPPA) for talented high school students. During the Fall semester of 2003 highly motivated and academically qualified high school students admitted to the college will be guaranteed admission upon completion of their undergraduate studies to one of the following professional programs: Master of Architecture , Master of Fine Arts in Graphic Design or Master of Fine Arts in Industrial Design. The Master of Architecture degree program is accredited by the National Architectural Accrediting Board (NAAB). The Master of Fine Arts degree programs in graphic design and industrial design are accredited by the National Association of Schools of Arts and Design (NASAD).

The minimum application requirement for application to GPPA is an ACT score of 28 or an SAT-I score of 1240 and a high school rank in the top 15% of the applicant’s graduating class. Admission to GPPA is competitive, based on each professional program's requirements for ACT or SAT score, high school percentile rank, preparatory course work, and other criteria. As a GPPA undergraduate student, you will be expected to meet course and performance criteria specified by the professional program which may include: specific courses, special seminars and other activities, grade point average, and time for completion of requirements. Some programs also require periodic reviews and interviews to monitor your progress and certify your continued membership in GPPA. Applications are accepted from October 15 through January 15; decisions will be announced by March 15.

Students admitted into the Bachelor of Architectural Studies curriculum must complete the high school pattern 2 requirements. Students admitted into the Bachelor of Fine Arts curriculum must complete the high school pattern 1 or 2 requirements. Students must submit an official University of Illinois at Chicago GPPA application to the Office of Admissions and Records. Students must also submit a GPPA application. This program is highly competitive and based on academic merit. Notification of admission will be given upon review by the participating unit upon review of completed applications. Students may request a deferral of admission into the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions for one year with a written request and approval from the College of Architecture and the Arts. Students will be required to complete all official admissions procedures and submit all relevant documents for future consideration. For additional information on admission criteria, students should contact the College of Architecture and the Arts Student Affairs Office at 312-996-3353.

Students are required to enroll in the Honors College Program and complete the Honors activity of HON 222 every semester while in attendance. The Honors College Program offers GPPA students intellectual challenges that will help them prepare for the rigors of graduate studies through focused individualized work on independent projects. Students must maintain a 4.25 grade point average in all major courses as well as their UIC cumulative grade point average. GPPA students must also complete all major courses in their curriculum and meet the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies or Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design or Industrial Design. Students must complete their undergraduate degree programs within five years from the first term of official registration in the College of Architecture and the Arts to maintain eligibility in the Guaranteed Professional Program Admissions.