University of California Irvine School of Medicine Admissions, Tuition & Student Feedback

School Overview

Degrees: MD
Ownership: Public Non-Profit
Program Length: 4 years
Total Enrollment: 90
Founding Year: 1967
Accreditation Year: 1961

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SDN Insights

Cost of Attendance: $454,520

Estimate repayment

Estimated loan burden for UCI using 4 years of in-state tuition, $1,500 annual fees, $3,000 monthly living expenses, government-derived local cost-of-living adjustment, $1,000 loan fees, and an 8.5% interest assumption.

Cost of Living: High-cost city

Irvine, CA is about 1.45x higher than the national average for cost of living. In the debt estimate, the government-derived local cost adjustment raises the living allowance from $3,000 to about $4,350 per month, mainly reflecting rent, food, transportation, and day-to-day expenses. Compare this with your own housing plan before treating it as exact.

Environment: Urban

Despite limited walkability, the area surrounding UCI offers good biking infrastructure, making it easier for cyclists to get around. Students who enjoy biking as a primary mode of transport will find the area more accessible than it might seem at first glance.

Interview Feedback

Overall, applicants ranked the school in the top 27% of interviews, indicating it is moderately regarded. They found the interview generally impressive with a low stress level and felt they did well.

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Secondary Essays for UCI

1. Motivation and Fit

What personal accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

2. Motivation and Fit

Please describe to the Admissions Committee a challenge or disappointment you have overcome and what you learned about yourself from that experience.

3. Community, Diversity, and Equity

Do you identify as being part of a marginalized group socioeconomically or in terms of access to quality education or healthcare? If so, please describe how this inequity has impacted you and your...

4. Motivation and Fit

This essay is only for applicants that have already received their baccalaureate degree. Please clarify for the Admissions Committee your activities since receiving your undergraduate degree.

5. Motivation and Fit

MSTP: What research accomplishment are you most proud of and why?

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About the School

The University of California, Irvine School of Medicine, established in 1896, is a leading institution dedicated to advancing medical education, research, and patient care. With 24 departments encompassing basic science, clinical, and translational research, the school offers a comprehensive medical education. The faculty comprises over 1,900 members, including full-time and volunteer clinical educators. In the 2024 admissions cycle, the school received over 6,500 applications for 114 positions, reflecting its competitive nature. The median BCPM GPA for admitted students was 3.89, with a median MCAT score of 516.

Curriculum

The curriculum at UCI School of Medicine is designed to provide a rigorous and comprehensive medical education. Applicants are evaluated on their academic achievements, research involvement, healthcare exposure, and community service. Attributes such as dedication, reliability, altruism, leadership, and interpersonal communication skills are highly regarded. Special consideration is given to applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds and those demonstrating potential to work with medically underserved populations, particularly the Latino community in California.

Facilities

The school's primary clinical facility is the UCI Medical Center, a 411-bed teaching hospital located in Orange, California. This center has been recognized among the nation's best hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 20 consecutive years. The medical center offers a full scope of acute and general-care services, including specialized programs in cancer care, digestive diseases, heart health, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedic surgery, primary care, surgery, and women's health.

Demographics

The UCI School of Medicine is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment. Among the 512 MD students, 33% are from underrepresented minorities, and 68% identify as women. The school actively seeks to recruit and support students, faculty, and staff whose backgrounds reflect California's rich ethnic and cultural diversity. This commitment extends to training students to work effectively with underserved groups, particularly the Latino population in California.

Last Updated: Sep 24, 2025