Skip to main content
NextGen MedPrep logoNextGenMedPrep
US Medicine · 2027 Entry

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) Medical School2027 Entry Requirements & Interview Format

Location Irvine, CA, United StatesEstablished 1967Interviews (2027 entry) October 2026–February 2027Decisions (2027 entry) March 30, 2027 (AAMC standard)
Book a mock interviewOfficial course page ↗

Photo: David Eppstein · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

Photo: Alexliwiththe3 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Alexliwiththe3 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Photo: Claudia Caro Sullivan · CC BY-SA 3.0

Start here
Full guide

How to get into UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) medicine

Step-by-step: entry requirements, MCAT prep, personal statement, interview format and the key deadlines.

Open the guide →
Interview guide

Prepare for the UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) interview

Format breakdown, school-specific sample questions, FAQs and prep tips from tutors who interviewed here.

Read the guide →
Overview

About UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD)

University of California, Irvine School of Medicine is a public research medical school in Orange County, California. It was established in 1967, with roots tracing to the California College of Medicine. UCI Med has a strong emphasis on population health, preventive medicine, and serving the ethnically diverse communities of Southern California.

The school benefits from a modern campus, the UCI Health system, and close ties to the Orange County public health infrastructure.

What makes UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) different

UCI's Orange County location provides access to a highly diverse patient population — one of the most ethnically diverse counties in the United States — offering exceptional exposure to immigrant health, language barriers, and cultural determinants of health. The school operates a PRIME program track for students dedicated to underrepresented communities.

UCI is also closely affiliated with the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, a National Cancer Institute–designated program.

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) course & teaching

Integrated curriculum. 4-year MD. The curriculum integrates biomedical sciences and clinical application from Year 1. Years 3–4: core clinical rotations at UC Irvine Medical Center and affiliated community hospitals in Orange County. Distinctive PRIME program track for students committed to serving underrepresented communities.

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) research strengths

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) is strong in these research areas:

  • Cancer immunology
  • Population genomics
  • Neurodegenerative disease
  • Infectious disease
  • Health disparities

How the UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) interview runs

Format: Two virtual one-on-one interviews (faculty and current student) plus an asynchronous Kira Talent video assessment

UCI interviews online: separate one-on-one conversations with a faculty member and a current student, alongside a required asynchronous Kira Talent structured video assessment completed before interview day. The pre-COVID 8-station campus MMI has been retired.

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) intake

Approximately 104 students per year.

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) at a glance

Founded in 1967. Based in Irvine, CA.

Programmes offered:

  • Population Health
  • Preventive Medicine
  • Oncology
  • Neuroscience
  • Health Equity
Entry requirements

What you need to apply to UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD)

Admission overview
Bachelor's degree and MCAT required. California residents receive preference as a UC public school. Commitment to community health and underserved populations is valued. Research and clinical experience expected. Applications via AMCAS; secondary required.
MCAT median
516 (range 511–521)
GPA median
3.86 overall / 3.83 science (BCPM)
Acceptance rate
3.7%
Class size
104
In-state preference
Moderate — some OOS consideration
In-state matriculants
89%
CASPer
Not required
AAMC PREview
Not required
Holistic review emphasis
Population health, diversity, community service, public mission, and cultural competency.
Notes
Estimates from public AAMC FACTS / AACOMAS / ADEA AADSAS / class-profile; verify current cycle.
Specialities offered
Population Health, Preventive Medicine, Oncology, Neuroscience, Health Equity

MCAT, GPA, acceptance-rate and class-size figures are taken from University of California, Irvine School of Medicine's published admissions data. Class profiles are republished each year — confirm which entering class these numbers describe before you rely on them.

Working towards the MCAT score UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) expects? Build a week-by-week plan from your test date — free for the first two weeks.

Open the MCAT planneror see UCAT tutoring
Interview

How UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) interviews applicants

Format
Two virtual one-on-one interviews (faculty and current student) plus an asynchronous Kira Talent video assessment
Interview window (2027 entry)
October 2026–February 2027
Decision date (2027 entry)
March 30, 2027 (AAMC standard)
Tutor insight
UCI MMI stations frequently use population health themes and culturally sensitive communication scenarios. Prepare examples that show genuine engagement with diverse patient populations, not surface-level exposure. As a UC public school, California residency carries meaningful weight, but out-of-state applicants with strong public health or population health credentials are regularly admitted. The class is small, at around 104, so every admitted student is highly visible. Use your essays and interview to convey a clear, specific narrative rather than a generic "caring doctor" story.
Practice

Practise for your UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) interview

PrometheusQuestion Bank621 medicine questions inside

Interview questions matched to UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD)

Two questions our tutors flagged as a strong fit for UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD)’s interview style. Try answering them out loud, then open Prometheus for the model answers and follow-up tips.

HardPanel · MMIQ1

AAMC Core Competency: Resilience and Adaptability Under Failure

You were waitlisted at every medical school you applied to in your first cycle and received no acceptances. In your gap year you completed additional clinical hours, addressed a weakness in biochemistry, and reapplied. You are now being interviewed. An interviewer asks: 'Tell me about what happened in your first cycle and what you did about it.'

How do you respond?

Likely follow-up · How did you identify the specific weaknesses in your first application, and who helped you diagnose them?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
HardMMI · PanelQ2

US Healthcare Ethics: Undocumented Patients and the Healthcare System

An undocumented 45-year-old patient has been managing insulin-dependent diabetes without a primary care provider for years, using emergency departments for acute complications. He has multiple diabetes-related hospitalisations but cannot access Medicaid in your state and cannot afford private insurance. He presents to your federally qualified health centre.

What is your legal obligation to treat him, what care can be funded, and what does this case reveal about the structural gaps in US healthcare for undocumented immigrants?

Likely follow-up · EMTALA requires hospitals to stabilise emergency conditions regardless of immigration status. Does any coverage for undocumented patients exist beyond emergency stabilisation at federal law?

3 expert tips in Prometheus
Open Prometheus for UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD)Browse 1,106 free questions →
Get support

Apply to UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) with confidence

We've helped students into UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) and other US medicine schools — get tailored support for each stage of the application.

MCAT Strategy

Build an MCAT prep plan that hits the median score profile for UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD).

Learn more

Interview preparation

Practise the Traditional interview format with students who interviewed at UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD).

Learn more

Personal statement help

Get your personal statement reviewed by successful applicants.

Learn more
Sources

Where UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD)'s figures come from

Compiled from University of California, Irvine School of Medicine's published admissions material and checked for internal consistency. Not independently re-checked against the official course page for 2027 entry — confirm the figures with the school before you rely on them.

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) — official course page →Entry requirements, interview format and deadlines published by the school itself. The primary source for everything on this page.
FAQ

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) — frequently asked questions

UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) matriculants have a median MCAT of 516. The middle range of matriculants is 511–521. US schools publish medians rather than cut-offs, and committees review holistically — the MCAT is weighed alongside GPA, clinical and research experience, letters of recommendation and secondary essays.

Apply to UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) with confidence

We've helped students turn their MCAT, personal statement and interview prep into offers from UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) and other US medicine schools.

Book a UC Irvine School of Medicine (MD) mock
See all us medical schools