Guaranteed Entrance Programs
The University of Louisville offers guaranteed entrance into professional programs for qualified incoming first-time freshmen undergraduate students.
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Learn about our Guaranteed Entrance Programs
Students who complete the GEMS program are automatically admitted to UofL's School of Medicine if they maintain a 3.4 GPA, score at or above the national mean on each section of the MCAT and fully participate in program activities. As a GEMS participant, you enjoy the advantages of an unparalleled hands-on experience in the medical community. GEMS participants can:
- Build relationships with medical school faculty, administrators and students
- Accompany physicians on rounds and observe surgeries
- Participate in selected programs that strengthen academic preparation, encourage research and/or introduce the practice of medicine
- Attend meetings of professional medical organizations
- Develop friendships with students who share similar goals and interests
Requirements to Apply:
- 30 ACT or 1360 SAT
- 3.75 GPA
- First-time in college student
- Submitted application to the University of Louisville.
- Submit your GEMS application through your Application Gateway, under the Competitive checklist tab. Please note: this program will only appear in your competitive checklist tab if you meet the minimum ACT/SAT and GPA requirements to apply.
- A complete application includes:
- One essay concerning how you arrived at this point in your life and career decision-making, including plans and goals for the future (400 words or less)
- Two letters of recommendation (one high school principal or counselor and one science or mathematics teacher)
- Resume including all extracurricular activities, honors and awards
- Be a resident of Kentucky (Special circumstances may be considered when a student’s parents are transferred out of the state due to a military or government commitment*)
Application to GEMS due December 15.
*Absent special circumstances, high school students who are residents of the state of Kentucky but are attending a high school outside of the state are not eligible to apply to the GEMS program. Special circumstances may be considered when a student's parents are transferred out of the state due to a military or government commitment.
Students who complete the ULEAD program are automatically admitted to UofL's School of Dentistry (ULSD) if they score above the national mean on each section of the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) and maintain a 3.5 cumulative and science GPA. ULEAD students belong to the UofL Pre-Dental Society, attend ULSD meetings and conferences, participate in community service activities, interact with mentors, attend summer pre-dental programs and more.
Requirements to Apply:
- 30 ACT or 1360 SAT
- 3.75 GPA
- First-time in college student
- Submitted application to the University of Louisville.
- Submit your ULEAD application through your Application Gateway, under the Competitive checklist tab. Please note: this program will only appear in your competitive checklist tab if you meet the minimum ACT/SAT and GPA requirements to apply.
- A complete application includes:
- One essay concerning how you arrived at this career goal, your journey to this point, and your goals for the future (1,000 words or less).
- Two letters of recommendation (one must be from a science teacher)
- Resume
- Documentation showing a minimum of 12 hours of dental practice observation in a general dentistry setting included on resume
- Meet and maintain minimal technical standards.
Application to ULEAD due December 15.
To Apply:
- Complete your Take Flight Application or apply via the Common App.
- Log into your Application Gateway and look for GEMS or ULEAD under the Competitive tab. Please note: these programs appear in your competitive checklist tab if you meet the minimum ACT/SAT and GPA requirements to apply.
Application Deadline

I chose UofL because it was the only school I looked at that had the specific intersectionality between STEM and humanities that I wanted in a major: Bioethics, a mixture of health and ethics. Plus, I wanted to be part of the amazing GEMS Program that guarantees entrance into UofL's School of Medicine.
