The UCI-IVC Engineering Academy is a partnership between Irvine Valley College and the UCI Samueli School of Engineering. High school senior students who apply to the UCI Samueli School of Engineering and receive an invitation letter from Irvine Valley College are eligible to be in the UCI-IVC Engineering Academy.
Academy Eligibility Requirements:
- Complete seven UC transferable courses, with a grade of C or better in each course:
- Two courses in English composition (Writing 1/1H, Writing 2/2H)
- One course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning (Math 3A/3AH)
- Four courses in at least two of the following areas: the arts and humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, or the physical and biological sciences (IGETC Area 3, 4 or 5)
- Earn a grade of B or better in each of the required major preparation courses
- May be eligible for a certificate and/or associate degree in engineering topics at Irvine Valley College
- Satisfy all of the TAG application requirements and submit a TAG application to UCI and declare a primary major within the Samueli School of Engineering. Information about TAG applications, including forms, application deadlines and qualifications is available online at https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/.
Benefits
- Transfer admission to the UCI Samueli School of Engineering in the following majors*:
- Aerospace Engineering**
- Biomedical Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering Premed
- Chemical Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical Engineering
- Environmental Engineering
- Materials Science and Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering**
- Reserved class seating for major courses such as math, chemistry, physics, and computer science, in addition to writing courses during the first year of enrollment
- Transfer to the UCI Samueli School of Engineering with junior standing status for most students
*Admission to University of California, Irvine (UCI) will be based on your academic performance at Irvine Valley College (IVC) as well as the successful completion of a standard certificate containing UC-transferable engineering courses. Admission into UCI Engineering programs is guaranteed only if all TAG requirements are met for the student’s intended major
**While the Samueli School fully intends to make all of the majors listed available to students in the UCI-IVC Engineering Academy, occasionally certain majors become impacted due to very high demand. Although this is unlikely, you may want to have in mind a second-choice major, particularly if your intended major is Aerospace Engineering or Mechanical Engineering.
Application Process
Prior to completing the steps below, you MUST apply to the UCI Samueli School of Engineering and receive an IVC Engineering Academy Invitation email from Irvine Valley College.
- Apply to IVC and get a student ID number
- Complete the UCI-IVC Engineering Academy Application
- Obtain your unofficial high school transcripts as a PDF. The unofficial transcript looks like the official transcript minus the seal and signature. Your unofficial transcript must include your enrolled classes plus non-weighted total cumulative GPA. Please contact your high school counselor if you need help requesting your unofficial transcript.
- Obtain any official AP credit documentation that you have already earned
- Email the PDF application, UCI-IVC Engineering Academy Invitation Letter, unofficial high school transcripts, and any AP credit documentation to ivcengineeringdept@ivc.edu.
The deadline to submit your application for final consideration is May 1.
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please email ivcengineeringdept@ivc.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
I applied for the Computer Science major at UCI and was denied. Am I still eligible for the Engineering Academy or is it only open to students who applied for the Engineering major? If so, what majors qualify?
Unfortunately, you are not eligible for the Engineering Academy if you intend to major in Computer Science or Computer Science and Engineering. The only majors that qualify are Aerospace Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering Premed, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering.
What are the criteria for getting an Academy Invitation?
High school senior students who applied to UCI Samueli School of Engineering and were waitlisted, live in Orange County, and received an academy invitation from Irvine Valley College are eligible to be in the academy cohort.
Does IVC have a scholarship program that I can apply for?
For more information on scholarships and financial aid, visit IVC Financial Aid Office.
What is the expected cost at IVC, including tuition and books, per year?
Currently tuition and associated fees areabout$1,400 a year at IVC. The cost of engineering books used at IVC varies depending on the course and where you buy them, but can range from $100 to $150 each.There are good deals on Amazon and another option is to buy used textbooks. You can find more information about the cost of attendance at IVC by visiting the IVC Financial Aid Office.
If I complete and maintain my Engineering Academy eligibility and complete the requirements at IVC, are there scholarships available for my attendance at UCI?
You can find UCI Scholarship information by following link provided here. If you have specific questions about scholarships at UCI, email scholarships@uci.edu.
What is the expected cost at UCI, including books and tuition, per year?
Currently, tuition and associated feesareabout$15,600 a year at UCI. The cost of books varies depending on the course and where you buy them. A good estimate would be $85to $250 each for engineering textbooks. There are good deals on Amazon and another option is to buy used textbooks. You can find more information about the cost of attendance at UCI by following the provided link here.
How many classes are not prescribed that I can select?
Pursuing a major in engineering for the Samueli School of Engineering at UCI requires students to complete a prescribed MAP which stands for "My Academic Plan." Participants do have the opportunity to select a few general education courses. Please consult with the UCI-IVC Engineering Academy Counselor to develop a personalized MAP.