University of California, Irvine

A UC campus in Orange County with strong programs in computer science, engineering, and the social sciences.

Irvine, CAUniversity
2026-2027 cycle
Next deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Regular Decision
Essays
1
Prompt
Supplement
Required
2026-2027 cycle
Platform
Not listed
Check official site
Selectivity
25.8%
Selective
Enrollment
28,924
Large undergrad

Build your University of California, Irvine application plan

Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.

Application deadlines

RoundDeadlineStatus
Regular DecisionNovember 30, 2026131 days away

Supplemental essay prompts

  1. Supplement350 words2026-2027

    Students applying to UC Irvine respond to the UC Personal Insight Questions — choose four of the eight prompts and respond to each in 350 words or fewer.

How to approach University of California, Irvine's supplemental essays

Prompt 1 · 350 words

Choose a role before you draft

Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.

Example essay shell

Use this as a blank structure for a University of California, Irvine supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.

  1. Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
  2. Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
  3. Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
  4. End with the contribution you want to make at University of California, Irvine, not a compliment.

Need more help with this application?

Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.

Frequently asked questions

How many supplemental essays does University of California, Irvine require?

University of California, Irvine has 1 supplemental essay listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.

Does University of California, Irvine accept the Common Application?

No — University of California, Irvine uses its own application portal, not the Common App.

What is University of California, Irvine's acceptance rate?

University of California, Irvine's most recently reported acceptance rate is 25.8%.

When is University of California, Irvine's next application deadline?

University of California, Irvine's next listed application deadline is the Regular Decision round on November 30, 2026.

What does University of California, Irvine's supplement essay prompt ask (350 words)?

Students applying to UC Irvine respond to the UC Personal Insight Questions — choose four of the eight prompts and respond to each in 350 words or fewer.

Sources and verification

We prioritize University of California, Irvine's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.

Review official source →