What does UCI look for in applicants?
Asked by: Keeley Funk | Last update: January 17, 2026Score: 4.7/5 (57 votes)
UC Irvine uses a comprehensive review process. First-year applications are reviewed for completion of required college-preparatory coursework ("A-G"), demonstrated academic achievements, activities, talents, and skills — all in the context of your circumstances and experiences.
Why is UCI hard to get into?
Academic performance: Your GPA, course rigor (including AP/IB/Honors courses), and class rank play a significant role in the evaluation process. UCI looks for students who have consistently performed well and challenged themselves academically throughout high school.
How does UCI choose their students?
Admissions Selection. UCI seeks to select students who have a demonstrated record of academic and personal achievement.
What are the hardest majors to get into UCI?
While specific acceptance rates by major at UCI aren't published, it's important to note that some majors are more competitive than others. In general, STEM majors like computer science, engineering, and biology tend to be more competitive due to high demand.
What is UCI looking for in applicants?
UC Irvine uses a comprehensive review process. First-year applications are reviewed for completion of required college-preparatory coursework ("A-G"), demonstrated academic achievements, activities, talents, and skills — all in the context of your circumstances and experiences.
How I got into UCI
What are the top 3 majors at UCI?
At the University of California-Irvine, the three most popular college majors students study are Computer Science, Biology/Biological Sciences, General, and Business/Managerial Economics. In fact, the University of California-Irvine grants 729 degrees every year to graduating Computer Science students.
Is UCI or UCLA harder to get into?
Is UCLA or UC Irvine Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into? If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then UCLA is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
What is the hardest major to get into UC?
Computer Science, Engineering, and Economics are the top three hardest majors to get into at Berkeley, followed by Biology and Political Science. The Computer Science program at Berkeley is one of the top-ranked CS programs in the world, so admission there is no small feat.
Does UCI look at essays?
Personal Insight Questions: UC Irvine requires applicants to answer Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) as part of the application. They use these short essays to understand your interests, experiences, and perspectives.
Is UCI or UCSD harder to get into?
If you're looking at acceptance rate alone, then University of California-San Diego (UC San Diego) is more difficult to get into.
How do you get accepted into UCI?
Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission. If you're able to score a 1440 SAT or a 33 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in. For a school as selective as UC Irvine, rounding out the rest of your application will also help.
Does UCI look at extracurriculars?
UC Irvine, like many colleges, uses a holistic admissions process, meaning they look at various elements of your application. They don't focus solely on grades or extracurriculars but consider multiple aspects of your application to get a comprehensive view of who you are as a candidate.
What is UCI academically known for?
The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs.
Does UC Irvine track demonstrate interest?
Contacting our office by email or sending a letter of demonstrated interest will have no impact on your chances of being admitted from the waitlist. We highly encourage you to accept an offer from another university while you await a status update from us.
What is the 9% UC rule?
The Statewide Index identifies California-resident students in the top 9 percent of California high school graduates and offers these students a guaranteed space at a UC campus, if space is available.
What is the hardest major to get into UCI?
UCI's computer science major has only a 5% acceptance rate?! and data science is only 7%! Compared to UCI's overall acceptance rate of 21.3%, STEM majors are a lot harder to get into nowadays.
Why is UC Irvine so popular?
Clean streets, beautiful scenery, and many things to do in OC. UCI has incredible professors from elite universities that care about students. In addition, the university ensures the health, safety, and needs of students by providing all of the resources that you need to succeed.
Why is UCI ranked so high?
In addition, UC Irvine once again ranked No. 9 overall in the subcategory of social mobility, which appraises institutions that enroll and graduate large proportions of students awarded federal Pell Grants – given to undergraduates who display exceptional financial need.
What are the least competitive majors at UCI?
1. Humanities and social science majors, such as history, sociology, and anthropology, generally tend to be less competitive when compared to STEM majors. This is largely due to a smaller pool of applicants and fewer students pursuing these fields.
What famous person went to UC Irvine?
From left to right: Vector scientist Anthony James '73, Ph. D '79; The Freedom Writers Diary author Erin Gruwell '91; Olympic diver Greg Louganis '83; and Broadway actor Teal Wicks '05. UCI alumni are leaders, innovators, dreamers, mentors and game changers.
Why would someone choose UCI over UCLA?
Why would someone choose UC Irvine over UCLA? UCI has one of the best medical schools and their research in health sciences is arguably stronger than UCLA's. Both school's programs and education in biological sciences is wonderful and top-tier.
What is the easiest UC to get into?
1. UC Merced. UC Merced, the newest campus in the UC system, offers a welcoming environment with a relatively very high acceptance rate of 91.7%.
What does UCI look for in transfer applicants?
In order to be eligible for admission to our university, you must meet the following requirements: Complete 60 semester or 90 quarter UC transferable units by the end of the spring term prior to the desired fall term admission with a minimum 2.4 GPA required for California residents.