University of California, Irvine admissions is most selective with an acceptance rate of 29% The application deadline is Nov. 30 and the University of California, Irvine’s application fee is $70.
University of California, Irvine admissions officers view a student’s GPA as a very important academic factor. University of California, Irvine admissions officers do not take a student’s high school class rank into account. Learn more about College Compass to see additional academic factors along with other school data.
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The University of California Irvine is ranked third in the US among the universities that receive the most applications. You must be aware of UCI’s acceptance rate, transfer acceptance rate, and admission requirements if you intend to pursue higher education there.
This article offers advice to increase your chances of success as well as comprehensive details on the UCI acceptance rate in 2021. First, let’s have a quick overview of the university.
Overview of the University of California Irvine
One of the most prestigious universities, the University of California Irvine (UCI), receives more than 90,000 applications each year. It is a public institution established in 1965. The university has a suburban setting, spread across 1,475 acres.
As per the 2022 ranking for the Best Colleges in National Universities, the University of California Irvine is ranked #36. UCI is renowned for its expertise in cancer research and neurological studies. The Paul Merage School of Business and the Henry Samueli School of Engineering are two of the most well-known UCI colleges known for their graduate programs.
There are more than 500 student organizations available at the university, including about 50 fraternities and sororities. Students at the university enjoy a beautiful view because it is only 5 miles from the Pacific Ocean. The university offers on-campus residential accommodations to students. Despite the fact that first-year students are not required to live on campus, two-thirds of students opt to do so.
University of California Irvine Ranking
Universities are ranked based on how well they perform for a number of generally recognized indicators of excellence. UCI is ranked 36th among the National Universities in the list.
The following table gives a more comprehensive view of the university’s standing based on various factors:
| Parameter | Ranking |
| A top performer in social mobility | 2 |
| Top public school | 9 |
| The best college for veterans | 15 |
| Best undergraduate teaching | 48 |
| The best undergraduate engineering program | 42 |
| Best innovative school | 40 |
| Best value school | 182 |
What is the UCI Acceptance Rate?
To guarantee a spot in their desired course, applicants to the University of California, Irvine must submit a competitive application. Around 107,957 first-year applicants applied for admission in 2021, and 31,269 were accepted. These data indicate a 28 acceptance rate for UCI in 2021. 96%.
With a low acceptance rate, the University of California Irvine is ranked #12 among the most competitive universities in California. Academically, UCI Admission requirements are exceptionally high. To be admitted to the school, applicants must meet all GPA, ACT, and SAT requirements.
The acceptance rate at UCI for 2021 and 2020 are contrasted in the following table:
| Class | Total applications | Accepted | UCI acceptance rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 |
107,957 |
31,269 | 28.96% |
| 2020 |
100,740 |
26,797 | 26.6% |
UCI Transfer Acceptance Rate
31. 0% of the total student body at UCI are transfer students In 2020 alone, the university received 21,470 transfer applications. Of these applications, 8924 students were selected for admission. These data indicate a 41 percent transfer acceptance rate at UCI. 56%.
The UCI transfer acceptance rate makes the university competitive. Moreover, applicants require a 2. 4 college GPA on a scale of 4. 33 points to boost their likelihood of being accepted as a transfer at UCI The university requests a 3 in addition to the college GPA. 0 high school GPA.
What are the UCI Requirements for Transfer Applicants?
A number of UCI admission requirements for transfer programs must be submitted by applicants. Below is a list of the essential data you must submit to improve your chances of being accepted to UCI:
- Essay
- College transcript
- College GPA
- Personal statement
A minimum number of credits must also be completed by applicants in order to be considered for admission to UCI. Transfer applicants’ odds of admission to UCI are higher when their credit points are over 45.
UCI Requirements for High School GPA
Applicants need exceptional grades to improve their UCI admission rate. Although there is no minimum GPA requirement for applicants, those with poor grades are immediately disqualified by the admissions committee.
According to the information available, a freshman’s average GPA is thought to be around 3. 92 on a scale of 4. It implies that, in order to be admitted to UCI, you must have a GPA that places you among the top A students in your high school. According to applicants’ high school GPA, the following table shows the UCI acceptance rate.
| GPA | UCI admission rate | Competitiveness |
|---|---|---|
| 3.75+ | 79% | Good |
| 3.50-3.75 | 19% | Reach |
| 3.25-3.50 | 1% | Reach |
| 3.00-3.25 | 1% | Reach |
| 2.75-3.00 | N/A | Low |
UCI Requirements for ACT scores
The ACT scores of applicants are a key consideration for admission at the University of California, Irvine. Around 41% of the applicants submitted their ACT scores to UCI admission applications
Only applicants with ACT scores of at least 33 are accepted by the university. This figure makes the UCI admission procedure extremely competitive. Candidates with ACT scores below 30 have a difficult time being accepted by the university. However, the university occasionally accepts applicants with ACT composite scores as low as 22.
Priority is given to applicants with ACT scores of 33 or higher when making admission offers. Therefore, it would be preferable to have an ACT score higher than 33 if you want to increase your chances of admission to UCI.
The ACT score and its attractiveness to UCI are shown in the following table:
| ACT score | UCI admission rate | Competitiveness |
| 33+ | 44% and above | Good |
| 29-33 | 30-44% | Above Average |
| 26-29 | 21-30% | Below Average |
| 23-26 | 15-21% | Reach |
| Below 23 | Below 15% | Low |
UCI Requirements for SAT Scores
Another important consideration for admission to the University of California is applicants’ SAT scores. Typically, the university favors applicants who score in the top 20% of SAT test takers. Therefore, applicants must achieve a minimum SAT score of 1430 on a scale of 1600 in order to meet the UCI requirements for scores.
It is difficult for applicants with SAT scores below 1330 to receive an admissions offer. However, the university does occasionally accept applicants with SAT scores as low as 1130. When considering the highest SAT score when granting admission, UCI ranks 12 in California.
The acceptance rate for UCI based on SAT scores is shown in the following table:
| SAT score | Acceptance Rate | Competitiveness |
| 1430+ | 42%, and above | Good |
| 1330-1430 | 30-42% | Above Average |
| 1230-1330 | 20-30% | Below Average |
| 1130-1230 | 13-20% | Reach |
| Below 1130 | Below 13% | Low |
What are UCI Admission Requirements?
According to the UCI acceptance rate 2021, the following criteria form the basis of the UCI admission requirements:
- Academic GPA
- Standardized test scores for SAT and ACT
- Course rigor and Class rank in high school
- Supplemental essay
- Applicant’s involvement in extracurricular activities
- Letters of recommendations
Some other factors include:
- Talent or ability of the applicant
- Work experience
- Personal qualities or character of the applicant
- Volunteer work done by the applicant
What does UCI look for in an Applicant?
The University of California is very clear about the requirements for applicants. The following are the main elements that the university takes into account before admitting applicants:
- Class difficulty: UCI admissions officers take into consideration the actual classes that applicants have taken as well as the degree of difficulty of those classes. The following table lists the prerequisites for these classes:
| Course | Duration |
| English | 4 years |
| Laboratory Science | 2 years |
| Visual and performing arts | 1 year |
| college-preparatory elective | 1 year |
| Foreign language | 2 years |
| History | 2 years |
| Mathematics | 3 years |
Additionally, UCI encourages applicants to enroll in honors, IB, or AP classes because of how challenging they are for students. You should take these courses if your high school offers them since they will help you secure a spot at UCI.
- Grades: Simply enrolling in challenging courses won’t assist you in the UCI admissions process. You also need to score well in all the courses. Your overall GPA is another crucial factor considered by UCI. To demonstrate to the admissions committees that they are capable and engaged in their coursework, applicants must have a GPA at UCI that is higher than average.
- Extracurricular activities: You show enthusiasm and leadership skills by participating in extracurricular activities. This is an important factor that UCI takes into account when deciding who to admit.
UCI evaluates the following characteristics through an applicant’s involvement in extracurricular activities:
| 1. Achievements, special talents, and awards |
| 2. Applicant’s leadership experience |
| 3. Notable achievements or experiences of the applicant that can be valuable to the campus |
- Above and beyond your grades and test results, the university wants to know about you. Therefore, they include essays in the application process. UCI is primarily interested in learning about you as a person, your motivations for applying to the university, your long-term objectives, and how you can connect those objectives to the courses you select.
We hope you are fully aware of the requirements for admission, the acceptance rate, and how to increase your chances of being selected for UCI. Although the university is extremely competitive due to the UCI acceptance rate in 2021, you can get a spot there with the right coursework and effective application.
What are the Steps to apply to the University of California Irvine UCI?
Step 1: Click here to apply: https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply-now.html
Step 2: To begin, click “start your application.”
Step 3: Create an account
What is the minimum GPA to get into UCI?
3. 0 GPA, you must earn a 3 in each of the 15 required “A-G” topic courses. 0 GPA (3. No grade lower than a C and a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or 4. for non-Californians).
Does UC Irvine is considered a Tier 1 school?
Yes, UC Irvine is a Tier 2 institution. The other Tier 2 institutions are UC Davis, UC Davis, and UC Santa Barbara.
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FAQ
What GPA do you need to get into UCI?
GPA Requirement You must receive a 3. 0 GPA (3. a grade of C or better in each of the 15 required “A-G” subject courses with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (or 4. for non-California residents).
Is it harder to get into UCLA or UCI?
The acceptance rate at UC Irvine is 28. 8%. For every 100 applicants, 29 are admitted. This means the school is very selective. You have a good chance of being admitted if you meet UC Irvine’s requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other application requirements.
Is UC Irvine difficult to get into?
The University of California, Irvine was established in 1965 and is one of the top 10 public universities in the country. It is a member of the esteemed Association of American Universities. S. News & World Report.