Access and Achievement Program « Students « College of LAS

Access and Achievement Program « Students « College of LAS « Illinois

Access and Achievement Program

Preparing you for a life of achievement

AAP students

Established in 1968, the Access and Achievement Program (AAP) is the flagship student academic service program within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) Student Academic Affairs. LAS AAP provides retention services to LAS declared and undeclared students affiliated with the Educational Opportunities Program and the President’s Award Program at the University of Illinois.

It is designed to provide a supportive learning environment, promote self-advocacy, and promote students’ academic success. We strive to connect students with University resources that will complement their academic talents and will help shape their academic paths and ambitions. Our goal is to prepare students for academic success, graduation, and a life of impact.

Find the latest information about college meetings, deadlines, policies, and events:
Go to the LAS AAP Moodle.

Benefits of AAP

Creating an environment for success

AAP connects you with University resources that will complement your academic talents and will help you shape your academic paths and ambitions. If you have questions, email the office at LAS-AAP-HELP@illinois.edu.

Scholastic achievement honored through award recognition and/or participation in the National Society of Leadership and Success
Systematic monitoring of academic performance
Individualized academic advising and Intensive personal and career counseling
Program-sponsored classes designed for optimal student/teacher interaction
Academic workshops and events
Enrichment and leadership activities
Connections with summer research
- Animal Biology/AAP Summer Research Fellowship
- Summer research programs compiled by the Association of American Medical Colleges
- Stop by the AAP office to see other research opportunities

Who qualifies for AAP

Only students admitted to U of I through either the Educational Opportunities Program or the President’s Award Program are eligible for AAP. The University’s Office of Undergraduate Admissions identifies eligible students for these two programs during the admissions process.

Students may also qualify for EOP consideration through the undeclared component of AAP. Many factors contribute to the review and placement into AAP Undeclared. Some factors include: An applicant's English subset score or math subset score along with the strength of an applicant's high school background, the degree of difficulty of courses selected, the record of academic achievement, and unique accomplishments both in and out of the classroom.

AAP Undeclared is designed to provide assistance to a group of 200 (100 incoming freshmen and 100 continuing) students. These students receive academic support for two years. After students have successfully completed four semesters, they have an admission space reserved in the college and/or curriculum of their choice if they are in good academic standing and have completed the required core courses for admission to that college and/or curriculum.

AAP Undeclared students are assigned a graduate advisor who is a graduate or professional student at the Uuniversity. Each GA is responsible for providing academic, career, and personal counseling to a group of students; each student is required to meet with his or her GA at least once a week. The GAs, along with AAP's director and senior associate director, carefully monitor students' academic progress to ensure their success.

In cooperation with various departments and colleges on campus, AAP sponsors sections of existing courses. These courses are small and allow for extensive teacher/student interaction. Additionally, the instructors for AAP-sponsored courses submit reports frequently on students' progress. We use this information to have tangible conversations centered on additional academic resources, academic progress, and academic options.

The goal of AAP is to provide the students with a home base where they feel comfortable to ask questions, express their concerns, and receive the required support, advice, and encouragement to be academically successful at, and to graduate from, the University of Illinois. In AAP, we not only tell students that they can be successful, but we show them how to be successful!

Fall 2017 AAP Events

Freshmen are required to attend two mandatory townhall plenaries. You must attend one townhall plenary in September/October and one town hall plenary in December. View plenaries for freshmen.

Workshops are also available, targeted to sophomores, juniors, and seniors in LAS AAP. View Achievement Series.

Giving and support

AAP alumni and friends can have an important impact on our students by supporting the program through gifts of time and money. Learn how you can support the program.