Located in one of the nation's safest master-planned cities, the University of California, Irvine (UCI) is a premier public research powerhouse best known for its high academic rigor, exceptional value, and groundbreaking contributions to environmental sustainability. Prospective students are particularly drawn to its top-ranked programs within the Donald Bren School of Information and Computer Sciences, the Henry Samueli School of Engineering, and its highly competitive biological sciences and pre-med tracks. The campus culture blends a relaxed Southern California vibe with a highly collaborative student experience, centered around the park-like, circular campus layout where students gather in the expansive Aldrich Park. Distinctively, UCI stands out for its championing of social mobility and its quirky, beloved mascot, Peter the Anteater, whose famous "Zot!" battle cry unites the spirited campus community.
Wikipedia:The University of California, Irvine is a public land-grant research university in Irvine, California, United States. One of the ten campuses of the University of California system, UCI offers 87 undergraduate degrees and 129 graduate and professional degrees, and roughly 30,000 undergraduates and 7,000 graduate students were enrolled at UCI as of Fall 2024. The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity" and had $609.6 million in research and development expenditures in 2023, ranking it 56th nationally. UCI became a member of the Association of American Universities in 1996.
Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.
This school does not appear to use the Common Application. Check the school's admissions website directly for essay requirements and application instructions.
See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.
Scout builds a personalized college list — reach, match, and safety schools — tailored to your profile, grades, and goals. Get financial aid estimates, scholarship guidance, and deep dives on every school.