How to Get Into University of California Irvine School of Medicine: The Ultimate Guide

California is one of the meccas for med students in the U.S., home to a whole lineup of top-tier universities packed into one state. And the University of California Irvine School of Medicine (UCI SOM) is no exception. Located in sunny Orange County, UCI SOM blends world-class research, early clinical immersion, and a strong emphasis on community-based healthcare.

Thinking of applying? That’s a strong start. But at UCI SOM, test scores and grades alone won’t carry you far. What matters just as much is your alignment with the school’s values: service, innovation, and equity.

In this guide, you’ll learn:

• An Overview of UCI SOM’s Curriculum for MD Students
• University of California Irvine School of Medicine Tuition Fees and Scholarships
• Required Premed Courses at UCI SOM
• How Hard Is It to Get Into UCI SOM? Requirements for Applicants
• UCI SOM Admission Statistics, GPA, and MCAT Scores
• How to Write Strong UCI SOM Secondary Essays
• University of California Irvine School of Medicine Letter of Recommendation Guidelines
• University of California Irvine School of Medicine Eligibility Restrictions
• UCI SOM Application Timeline

Without further ado, let’s dive in!

An Overview of UCI SOM’s Curriculum for MD Students

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.

Phases of UCI SOM’s Curriculum

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.

• Phase 1: Foundations of Medical Science (MS1–MS2) – Students develop a deep scientific and clinical base through anatomy, physiology, pathology, and molecular biology, paired with early exposure to clinical skills, ultrasound, and simulation. Interwoven into this phase are community engagement experiences and behavioral science modules.
• Phase 2: Core Clinical Clerkships (MS3) – Beginning in May of the third year, students rotate through internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, OB/GYN, pediatrics, psychiatry, and neurology. These clerkships take place across the UCI Health system and its community partners, supported by Clinical Foundations III and radiology instruction.
• Phase 3: Advanced Clinical Training (MS4) – Students personalize their learning with electives, ICU and sub-internship selectives, and emergency medicine rotations. Clinical Foundations IV prepares them for residency, alongside USMLE Step 2, interview season, and a final intersession transition course.

Let’s take a look at the school’s tuition fees and scholarships.

University of California Irvine School of Medicine 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:

• First-year students: $49,525.91
• Second-year students: $53,139.71
• Third-year students: $53,139.71
• Fourth-year students: $48,527.34

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.

Types of Scholarships and Financial Aid

UCI evaluates scholarship candidates holistically, meaning they consider academic achievement, financial need, leadership, service, and lived experience.

These are the main forms of support:

• Merit-Based Scholarships – Awarded based on academic excellence, leadership, and service achievements.
• Need-Based Scholarships – Based on financial circumstances and FAFSA (or California Dream Act) information.
• Distinguished Scholarships – Automatically considered through the UC application (Regents’ Scholarship, Chancellor’s Excellence Scholarship or the Directors’ Scholarship)

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.

Required Premed Courses at UCI SOM

Anyone applying to medical school needs to start by meeting the academic requirements. At UCI School of Medicine, these prerequisites are designed to ensure you’ve built a strong foundation before entering a demanding curriculum.

You’ll need to complete each required course with a letter grade of C or higher, and all coursework must be taken at a U.S.-accredited institution. Only lecture-based classes are accepted, so lab, seminar, and research courses do not count. 

Write it down: All prerequisites must be finished by July 15 of the year you begin medical school.

If you’re unsure whether a course qualifies, UCI encourages applicants to email medadmit@hs.uci.edu with the course title, number, description, and the name of the institution.

Here’s what you’ll need to have completed:

• Biology – (3 semesters / 5 quarters) - One of these courses needs to be upper-division and taken at a four-year school. Courses that focus on behavior, evolution, plants, or animals won’t count—even if they fall under the biology department. AP credit does not apply here.
• Chemistry (4 semesters / 6 quarters) - This includes general/inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry. UCI will accept one term of general/inorganic chemistry with AP credit, as long as you scored a 4 or higher and it appears on your transcript or comes from the College Board.
• Physics (2 semesters / 3 quarters) - One term can be covered with AP credit (score of 4+), with the same documentation rules as above.
• Humanities – 1 semester / 1 quarter - This could be a course in literature, history, philosophy, art, or a language. Again, one term can be satisfied with AP credit, provided the score is high enough and properly documented.

A few final notes: UCI SOM does not accept IB credit. Also, Pass/Fail grades are accepted, but only for coursework taken during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Feeling lost in the application process? Send us a quick form—we’ll get you moving in the right direction, fast.

How Hard Is It to Get Into UCI SOM? Requirements for Applicants

Let’s be clear upfront: getting into UCI School of Medicine is highly competitive. And while the school doesn’t list official GPA or MCAT cutoffs, there are a few baseline requirements you’ll need to meet just to be considered.

Let’s go through the essentials.

To apply, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or DACA recipient with a valid employment authorization document.
• Complete all required coursework by July 15 of the year you plan to matriculate.
• Submit your application through AMCAS, and if selected, complete UCI’s secondary application within 30 days of receiving it.
• Pay a $120 non-refundable application fee.
• Provide letters of recommendation, including one from a science faculty member.
• Be applying for first-year admission only. UCI SOM does not accept transfer students.

But here’s the part that matters most: UCI SOM isn’t just evaluating your academics. They’re looking for students who can become thoughtful, engaged physicians. And that means going beyond transcripts and test scores.

They want to see:

• Real-world clinical experience, whether through volunteering, shadowing, scribing, or patient-facing work.
• Consistent community engagement, especially in diverse or underserved settings.
• Leadership, whether in formal roles or through personal initiative.
• Cultural awareness and the ability to collaborate across differences.
• Genuine motivation for a career in medicine, backed by action—not just words.

UCI doesn’t use a formula to decide who gets in. They review applications one by one, looking for people who match their mission and are prepared to serve California’s diverse communities.

Now that you know who they’re looking for, let’s take a closer look at the numbers behind the incoming class.

You might be thinking, “I’ll strengthen my app with solid premed activities”—but are you choosing the ones that actually make a difference? In this video, we go over the activities med schools are tired of—and what they really value.

UCI SOM Admission Statistics, GPA, and MCAT Scores

Every year, thousands of students apply to UCI School of Medicine. Most won’t make it past the first stage. That’s not to say they’re not qualified, but it highlights just how selective this school really is.

Let’s take a look at what it means to stand out in one of the most competitive applicant pools in California.

In the most recent cycle, UCI SOM received 6,929 applications for its MD program. From there:

• 4,131 submitted secondaries
• 491 were invited to interview
• 273 were offered admission
• 114 matriculated

That puts the acceptance rate at just 3.9%. And among those who did make it in, academic performance was strong across the board:

• Median cumulative GPA: 3.94
• Median science (BCPM) GPA: 3.89
• Median MCAT score: 516

It’s worth saying clearly: these aren’t minimum requirements. These numbers reflect the academic level of those who succeed.

If your GPA and MCAT are close to these medians, you’re in a solid position academically. But remember: UCI is not looking for perfect applicants. They’re looking for future physicians. That means showing evidence of resilience, maturity, and a commitment to communities.

In the next section, we’ll focus on how you bring that story to life, starting with your secondary essays.

Have med school blogs scared you with all those terrifyingly low acceptance rates? Don’t worry—in this video, we break down what those numbers really mean and how to figure out your actual chances.

How to Write Strong UCI SOM Secondary Essays

Let’s say the obvious: secondary essays aren’t just another box to check. They’re, in fact, your best chance to offer something no transcript or test score ever could: your perspective. This is where admissions committees start to understand how you think, what you value, and what kind of future physician you might become.

Here’s what makes a standout response:

• Start with what’s real. Don’t try to impress. Don’t write what you think they want to hear. Instead, give them something honest, something grounded in your actual life.
• Don’t dodge the hard stuff. The usual challenge or failure prompt at UCI SOM isn’t a trap—it’s a chance. The strongest essays don’t avoid discomfort; they work through it, showing how you responded and what changed in you afterward.
• Turn stories into meaning. Anyone can say they’re resilient or compassionate. What sets you apart is the story that shows it without you having to say it at all.
• Respect their time. Admissions officers read thousands of applications. If your essay doesn’t bring something specific and valuable to the table, it’s better to leave it out.

When it comes to optional essays, only respond if your answer adds depth. Don’t write just to fill the space. A focused, thoughtful application beats a bloated one every time.

We’ve said this many times before. At the end of the day, strong secondary essays should feel like conversations. They help the reader understand not just who you are now, but who you’re becoming, and why you belong in medicine.

University of California Irvine School of Medicine Letter of Recommendation Guidelines

Since they want to understand how you engage with the world around you, admissions officers aren’t just reviewing your grades. That’s where letters of recommendation come in. They help paint a picture of who you are when you’re not the one telling the story.

Here’s how to make sure those letters count:

• Choose people who know your work – Of course, this one follows. UCI strongly recommends that at least two letters come from senior faculty who’ve seen you perform academically. Beyond that, look for people who’ve worked closely with you, whether in clinics, labs, or volunteer settings. What matters isn’t their title. It’s that they can speak with real detail about who you are and how you showed up.
• Make it easy for them to write well – Don’t just ask for a letter. Even the professors who liked you most have busy schedules—and dozens of students to remember (and to forget). Help them out. Give them a quick snapshot of who you are: your résumé, your personal statement, a few key moments that mattered. Remind them of that patient you connected with or the time you quietly stayed behind to fix what no one else noticed. Those are the details that make a letter feel honest and unforgettable.
• The context matters – Great letters don’t just list what you’ve done. They show where it happened and why it mattered. Whether it’s in a lab, a clinic, or a tough group project, they highlight how you think, lead, and adapt in real-world settings. That’s what helps admissions committees see not just your strengths, but how they show up when it counts.
• Avoid vague praise – Same rules as secondary apply to your letter of recommendation. Letters that say you’re “hardworking” or “punctual” don’t move the needle. You want your recommenders to be specific. What did you do that stood out? What was the impact? What made them remember you?

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.

Let’s move to the next section: what it takes to actually be eligible for UCI SOM in the first place.

University of California Irvine School of Medicine Eligibility Restrictions

We’ve already gone over the basic requirements to apply to UCI School of Medicine. But before you get too far into the process, let’s bring back a few firm restrictions that can’t be worked around.

To be eligible for admission to UCI SOM, you must fall into one of the following categories:

• U.S. citizen
• Permanent resident (green card holder)
• DACA recipient with a valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD)

This school also accepts applicants through the WICHE Professional Student Exchange Program (PSEP)—a regional agreement that allows students from certain western states without medical schools to apply under special provisions.

Does the University of California Irvine School of Medicine accept International students? UCI SOM only accepts international students through official exchange agreements. Currently, the only active partnership is with Jichi Medical University in Japan.

These guidelines are few, but absolute. Before moving forward, make sure you meet every one of them.

Let’s close this guide by taking a look at how the application timeline actually unfolds—and what to expect at each step.

UCI SOM Application Timeline

Here’s what the application cycle looks like from start to finish:

• May – AMCAS application opens
• July – UCI begins sending secondary invitations
• August to March – Interview invitations are sent out
• August to April – Interviews take place
  September 30 – Last eligible MCAT test date for this cycle
• October 1 – FAFSA opens
• November 1 – Primary AMCAS application deadline
• November 15 – Transcript submission deadline to AMCAS
• December 1 – Final day to submit secondary applications
• October to May – Admissions decisions are released (typically ~2 months post-interview)
• February 19 – “Plan to Enroll” option opens in the AAMC portal
• March to August – Scholarship notifications go out to eligible students
  April 15 – Deadline to hold no more than three acceptances
• April 30 – “Commit to Enroll” option becomes available
• July 1 – UCI SOM “Commit to Enroll” deadline
• August (first week) – Orientation begins

Final Thoughts: Your Path to UCI SOM Starts Here

UCI School of Medicine isn’t just running through numbers. They’re looking for future physicians who are thoughtful, community-driven, and ready to lead.

Need support along the way? Premed Catalyst offers personal coaching to help you write stronger essays, organize your application timeline, and present a compelling case for admission.

Start today, and bring your story to life.

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