The LAS Access and Achievement Program (AAP) is the flagship program for students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences affiliated with the President’s Award Program at the University of Illinois.
AAP provides a supportive learning environment, offers solid academic support, promotes leadership and self-advocacy, and identifies opportunities for outreach, research, and scholarship. Through AAP, you'll be prepared for academic success, graduation, and a life of impact.
AAP connects you with University of Illinois resources that will complement your academic talents and will help you shape your academic path and ambitions.
Classes designed for optimal student/teacher interaction
In cooperation with various departments and colleges on campus, AAP sponsors sections of general education courses characterized by smaller class sizes and highly experienced instructors. The classes are designed for enhanced opportunities for student/teacher interaction.
Personal counseling and individualized advising
Advisors and counselors in AAP will meet with you regularly during your first few years at Illinois. They are here to help you succeed! They will help orient you to campus and will monitor your progress to ensure that you are staying on track for graduation. They also offer guidance in securing financial aid and student employment and provide access to information on career development and graduate school.
Academic workshops and events
One-on-one meetings and group workshops will help you navigate campus while enhancing self-advocacy skills and promoting academic success. They cover topics such as drop-in hours, the Counseling Center, first-year plenary sessions, schedule review, paths to degree completion, and much more.
Outreach and leadership activities
Program activities offer you an opportunity to build upon peer relationships, solidify skills in communication, learn and use resources, and serve as ambassadors for AAP and the College of LAS.
Connections with summer research
Engagement in research can be a cornerstone of an education that prepares you for success beyond college. AAP offers programs like the SIB/AAP Summer Research Fellowship, where motivated undergraduate biology students can get hands-on research experience. Each fellowship amounts to about $7,000 and supports students while they engage in full-time field and laboratory work over the summer.
Only students in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences admitted to the U of I through the President’s Award Program or the Educational Opportunities Program are eligible for placement into AAP. The University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions identifies eligible students during the admissions process.
President’s Award Program
The College of LAS uses the same criteria adopted for the university as a whole, which you can view on the system academic affairs website.
Educational Opportunities Program in the College of LAS
Students at Illinois high schools where at least 67 percent or more of families are eligible for the National School Lunch Program may be considered for admission to the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences through the Educational Opportunities Program (EOP). EOP seeks to enroll students with diverse talents.
Students qualify for EOP consideration if they rank in the upper half of their high school class and have a competitive academic record. Students may also qualify for EOP consideration through the “undeclared” component of AAP; as undeclared students, they have up to two years to identify and gain admittance to a campus major of choice.
As a student in AAP undeclared, you'll be able to explore majors throughout the College of LAS, all while receiving personalized support and advising.
AAP undeclared is designed to provide additional academic assistance to AAP students. As a student in AAP undeclared, you'll be assigned an advisor who will provide academic, career, and personal counseling and will assist you in preparing for the curriculum of your choice.
You'll also enjoy all the benefits of being in the AAP Program, from academic workshops to summer research and more.
"I was admitted to the University of Illinois under the Access and Achievement Program. It was because of this program and its caring staff members that I was able to flourish on campus."
"I was admitted to the University of Illinois under the Access and Achievement Program. It was because of this program and its caring staff members that I was able to flourish on campus."