UCI reports highest growth in freshman applications in UC system
UC Irvine is the fastest-growing UC campus when measured by the number of freshman applications for the academic year beginning in fall 2014. Data released by the University of California Office of the President today show an overall increase of 9.6 percent in freshmen petitioning to attend UCI, and when transfer applicants are added in, UC Irvine comes in fourth in the system with a total of 82,450 applicants.
Irvine, Calif., Jan. 17, 2014 – UC Irvine is the fastest-growing UC campus when measured by the number of freshman applications for the academic year beginning in fall 2014. Data released by the University of California Office of the President today show an overall increase of 9.6 percent in freshmen petitioning to attend UCI, and when transfer applicants are added in, UC Irvine comes in fourth in the system with a total of 82,450 applicants.
The campus also reported the highest increase over last year in the number of in-state freshman African American applicants (+242) and Chicano/Latino applicants (+1,161).
“The growing number and increasing diversity of our applicants reflects UC Irvine’s burgeoning reputation as a campus of first choice, and where students can engage with world-renown faculty,” said Brent Yunek, assistant vice chancellor for enrollment services. “Our campus leadership is dedicated to excellence in academics and research, but also in developing the whole person by teaching character and providing opportunities for leadership. That nurturing spirit resonates with our students.”
Application statistics also indicate a strong interest from California resident students. While the percentage growth in state freshman applicants was relatively flat systemwide (+0.6%), UC Irvine saw a 4.2 percent increase – the largest gain of all campuses. First-generation applicants comprised 49.6 percent of the total (+0.6 percent) and low-income students represented 44.7 percent (+1.5%).
Average GPA for freshman applicants was 3.76, up from 3.74 last year. Average combined SAT for Critical Reading, Math and Writing was 1708, up four points from last year.
About the University of California, Irvine: Located in coastal Orange County, near a thriving employment hub in one of the nation’s safest cities, UC Irvine was founded in 1965. One of only 62 members of the Association of American Universities, it’s ranked first among U.S. universities under 50 years old by the London-based Times Higher Education. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Michael Drake since 2005, UC Irvine has more than 28,000 students and offers 192 degree programs. It’s Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $4.3 billion annually to the local economy.
Media access: UC Irvine maintains an online directory of faculty available as experts to the media at http://communications.uci.edu/for-journalists/experts/. Radio programs/stations may, for a fee, use an on-campus ISDN line to interview UC Irvine faculty and experts, subject to availability and university approval. For more UC Irvine news, visit wp.communications.uci.edu. Additional resources for journalists may be found at communications.uci.edu/for-journalists.
