The University of California – Irvine (UC-Irvine) was founded in 1965. UC-Irvine is ranked in the top 50 National Universities by U.S. News Best Colleges. The university is a leader in cancer and neuroscience studies, due in part to its partnership with UC Irvine Medical Center. It is known as a “Public Ivy” and was ranked in the top 20 best-value public colleges and universities in the nation by Kiplinger. It was also ranked 16th among “The 100 Happiest Colleges” by The Daily Beast.
Mission/Vision
As described by the university, “UC-Irvine combines the strengths of a major research university with the highly personalized experience of a small college. Over four decades, we have become internationally recognized for efforts that are improving lives through research and discovery, fostering excellence in scholarship and teaching, and engaging and enriching the community…. Our actions and interactions are governed by a set of core values: respect, intellectual curiosity, commitment, integrity, empathy, appreciation, and fun. These values allow people to transcend limitations and create something greater than themselves. We are proud that – at UCI – we live these values every day.”
Campus Setting
The University of California – Irvine’s campus is located in a suburban setting in Orange County, California. The Pacific Ocean is just five miles away, offering recreational activities such as surfing, boating, and more. Initially known as a commuter school, UC-Irvine is evolving into more of a residential university. More than seventy-five percent of first-year students live on campus and the university has been expanding on-campus residential options.
Academics
The University of California – Irvine offers over 80 undergraduate degrees and 98 graduate and professional degrees. Some of the most popular majors are in the fields of biological sciences, engineering, social sciences, physical sciences, humanities, health sciences, and social ecology.
Athletics
UC-Irvine teams are known as the Anteaters; the student body is known as the “Antourage.” UC-Irvine teams participate in the NCAA’s Division I, as members of the Big West Conference. Men’s sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo; women’s sports include basketball, cross country, golf, indoor track, soccer, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and water polo. The men’s volleyball team has won four national championships in seven years.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Annual tuition at the University of California – Irvine is affordable for California residents and expensive for non-residents. Financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, on-campus employment, and loans is available for qualified students. Please see the school’s website for the most current tuition and financial aid information.
Accreditation
The University of California – Irvine is regionally accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Admissions
Admissions to the University of California – Irvine are selective, with an acceptance rate of approximately 37 percent. Applications must be received by the end of November for the following year.
All applicants should meet the following minimum requirements: Complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (a-g courses), with at least 11 finished prior to the beginning of senior year of high school, earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (3.4 for non- California residents) in these courses with no grade lower than a C, and take the ACT Plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test by December of senior year of high school. In addition, applicants must file a completed online application and the $70.00 application fee.
For more information about admissions to the University of California – Irvine, contact the school directly at:
Admission Office
UC IRVINE
Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools
260 Aldrich Hall
Irvine, CA 92697-1075
Phone: 949-824-6703
FAX: 949-824-2951
