April 29, 2025
Written By
Michael Minh Le
Subscribe to the Premed Catalyst Newsletter
You’ve been thinking about applying, but the UCI School of Medicine acceptance rate has you wondering, “Am I actually competitive?” Maybe your GPA isn’t perfect. Maybe your MCAT score isn’t where you want it to be. Or maybe you just don’t know how your story stacks up against thousands of other applicants.
This guide will show you what it really takes to get into UCI. We’ll break down the acceptance rate, average GPA and MCAT, their curriculum, secondaries, interview style, and what makes UCI unique as a med school. More importantly, you’ll learn how to position yourself as a standout applicant.
At Premed Catalyst, we know how overwhelming the med school application process can feel. We’ve been through it. That’s why we created a free resource with 8 real AMCAS applications that earned acceptances to top programs like UCSF and UCLA. See what works, reverse-engineer your own app, and start building your competitive edge for UCI.
Get your free resource here.
For the most recent application cycle, the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine (UCI SOM) received 6,929 applications. Out of those, only 114 students matriculated.
That makes UCI SOM’s acceptance rate approximately 1.65%. To put that in perspective, that means out of 100 applicants, only about one gets accepted.
And on top of that, UCI SOM shows a strong preference for California residents. Here’s the breakdown:
Let’s look at the numbers: the median cumulative GPA for accepted students is 3.94, with a median science GPA of 3.89. The median MCAT score? 516.
For comparison, the national average GPA for med school matriculants is around 3.77, and the average MCAT is roughly 511.7. In other words, successful UCI SOM applicants are outperforming the national average by a significant margin.
That said, UCI SOM doesn’t list any official GPA or MCAT cutoffs. But applicants with significantly below-average scores. Think GPAs under 3.3 or MCATs below 505 are generally not competitive.
To be eligible for admission to UCI School of Medicine, applicants must:
UCI SOM requires the following coursework (completed at a U.S.-accredited institution with a grade of C or higher):
Note: UCI SOM does not accept IB credit. Pass/Fail grades are only accepted for courses taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.
From the very beginning, students at UC Irvine School of Medicine are immersed in clinical thinking, hands-on learning, and community-based care. The school’s iTEACH curriculum—short for Technology-Enhanced, Activity-Coordinated, Humanistic—blends foundational sciences with real-world applications from day one.
At UCI SOM, the goal isn’t only to build future doctors with great board scores but also to train physician-leaders who understand science, think critically under pressure, and connect deeply with the diverse communities they serve.
That final mission isn’t just a statement—it’s part of the University of California’s DNA. At UCI SOM, diversity and inclusion show up in the student body itself: 68% identify as women, 33% come from underrepresented minority backgrounds, and 26% are classified as underrepresented in medicine (URiM).
So, before you even hit submit, ask yourself: where in your story do UCI’s values show up? That alignment shouldn’t just be stated. It should resonate through every part of your application.
The iTEACH curriculum unfolds in three integrated phases, guiding students from scientific grounding to advanced clinical responsibilities. Each year builds on the last through anatomy labs, clerkships, and electives tailored to your future specialty.
Let’s take a look at the school’s tuition fees and scholarships.
There’s no way around it. Medical school comes with a significant cost. And UCI SOM ranks among the higher-priced institutions, making it a substantial financial commitment.
That’s why having a clear view of the numbers—and the financial aid options available—can help you plan ahead and focus on what really matters: your education and future as a physician.
Here’s what tuition and fees look like for the 2024–2025 academic year for California residents living off-campus:
The thing is, tuition is just one piece of the puzzle. The full cost of attending UCI SOM includes housing, food, books, transportation, and personal expenses.
Let’s break that down:
On top of that, students in their clinical years must budget for Step 1 & Step 2 exams, professional attire, and, eventually, residency applications and travel.
Medical school is expensive, but fortunately, UCI SOM provides several financial aid options to help ease the burden.
UCI evaluates scholarship candidates holistically, meaning they consider academic achievement, financial need, leadership, service, and lived experience.
These are the main forms of support:
While considering costs, it is also true that UCI SOM is dedicated to keeping medical education accessible. Their financial aid team actively helps students navigate funding options, limit debt, and find scholarships that align with their goals.
Now that we’ve covered the numbers, let’s move on to what really matters before applying: your academic preparation.
Getting into UC Irvine School of Medicine isn’t just about hitting academic benchmarks. It’s about showing that you’re the kind of future physician who aligns with their mission. Yes, the numbers matter. But so does your story, your experiences, and how clearly you’ve shown a commitment to serving others, especially California’s diverse and underserved communities.
Your personal statement is your narrative. Your experiences are your proof.
If you say you care about immigrant health, then show us the years you spent volunteering at free clinics or translating at health fairs. If you say mentorship drives you, then point to the underclassmen you’ve guided or the program you started. In short: don’t just claim a value. Prove it with lived experience.
Once your primary application is submitted, the secondary essays are your opportunity to demonstrate how your experiences align with UCI School of Medicine’s mission.
Here’s the prompts from the 2024-2025 cycle and how to address them.
1. What personal accomplishment are you most proud of and why?
Use this essay to highlight a moment where you showed initiative, resilience, or impact, especially if it connects to your path toward medicine. Avoid vague or generic wins. Instead, choose a story with clear stakes and outcomes. Whether it’s starting a community health initiative, leading a research project, or overcoming personal odds, make sure you explain why it matters to you and how it reflects your readiness for medical school.
2. Please describe to the Admissions Committee a challenge or disappointment you have overcome and what you learned about yourself from that experience.
This is your chance to show maturity, grit, and self-awareness. Don’t just describe the obstacle. Walk them through how you responded to it, what you learned, and how it changed your behavior or thinking moving forward. Avoid sugarcoating or martyrdom; the key is to be real about the setback and clear about your growth. Choose a challenge that shows emotional depth or professional development.
3. (Optional) 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 community.
If this applies to you, this prompt is a powerful opportunity to show lived experience and resilience. Be honest and specific. Explain how those inequities shaped your worldview, created barriers, and motivated your pursuit of medicine. You’re not being asked to prove your hardship; you’re being invited to share how your identity and environment have prepared you to care for underserved populations, something UCI deeply values.
4. (For applicants who have completed their undergraduate degree):
Use this space to make your gap year intentional. List your activities or reflect on them, but either way, the message should be that your time since undergrad has been purposeful. Whether you’ve been working, researching, traveling, or caregiving, show how those experiences built your readiness for med school. If you’re still in undergrad, lay out your current commitments and plans in a way that reinforces your momentum.
UC Irvine School of Medicine requires a minimum of three and a maximum of five letters of recommendation. These letters play a crucial role in helping the AdCom understand who you are beyond your metrics. They offer a window into your character, work ethic, and potential as a future physician.
Here’s what you need to submit:
All letters must be submitted through AMCAS Letters Service and should be on official letterhead with a signature.
Here’s how to make sure those letters count:
At the end of the day, a strong letter of recommendation adds depth, texture, and credibility to your story. The best ones don’t just describe who you are. They explain why that matters.
Here’s what the application timeline looks like from start to finish:
UC Irvine School of Medicine is best known for its commitment to community-based care, its mission to serve California’s diverse populations, and its integration of innovative technology into medical education.
As one of the first schools to adopt a fully iPad-based curriculum, UCI isn’t afraid to evolve. It’s also closely tied to a thriving academic medical center in Orange County, one of the most medically underserved yet demographically rich regions in California.
UCI SOM is especially strong in primary care, community medicine, health equity, and public service. If you’re passionate about working with underserved communities, interested in population health, or drawn to advocacy and systemic change, UCI is likely a strong match.
But let’s be clear, if your goal is to match into a hyper-competitive specialty with a heavy research focus at a top-tier academic hospital on the East Coast, UCI might not be the best strategic fit. It’s not known as a research powerhouse compared to places like UCSF or Stanford. Research opportunities exist, but they’re not as deeply baked into the school’s culture or national reputation.
If you're considering UCI, it’s smart to explore how it compares to other medical schools in California. California is home to some of the most competitive and mission-driven medical programs in the country. Whether you're focused on primary care, research, or a specific community, there’s likely a school in the state that fits your goals and background.
California Northstate University
Let’s be real: knowing that the UCI medical school acceptance rate is 1.65% can feel paralyzing. You might be wondering if your stats are enough, if your story is compelling, or if you’re just one of thousands aiming for the same spot.
That’s why we put together something different: a free collection of 8 real AMCAS applications with personal statements, activities, and secondaries. It’s the exact materials that got students into schools like UCSF, UCLA, and other top programs. You’ll see what above-average looks like and how people built cohesive stories so you can do the same.
Get your free resource here.
