College Admissions · Grades 8–12 · Irvine and Orange County
College Admissions for Irvine Students:From Grade 8 to the Submitted Application
EDUBUS has organized what Irvine high school students need for college admissions by grade: one roadmap for each of grades 8 through 12, guides and UC admit data for 28 high schools, a UC first-year application guide with a GPA calculator, and libraries of 78 summer programs and 67 competitions. Select the student's grade and high school first, then read the matching content.
College Admissions Roadmaps for Grades 8 Through 12
Each grade has one page that lists what to do this school year, month by month. Dated items come from official websites, and sources are listed at the end of each page.
- Grade8Set the math pathway and choose grade 9 coursesThis monthLearn how the intended high school organizes its courses: which honors courses are open in grade 9, and at which level world language begins.Open the roadmap →
- Grade9Put A-G courses on track and find a core activityThis monthFirst-quarter grades are released. UC requires a grade of C or better in A-G courses; a course with a lower grade must be repeated to count.Open the roadmap →
- Grade10The UC GPA starts counting; choose grade 11 AP coursesThis monthFirst-quarter grades are released. Compare each subject with the target grade, and arrange support early for any subject below a B.Open the roadmap →
- Grade11Grades, testing, and the college listThis monthFirst-quarter grades are released. Compare the current standing with the GPA ranges of target colleges.Open the roadmap →
- Grade12From submitting applications to committing to a collegeThis monthNov 1 and 15: Early application deadlines at many private universities; the date each college publishes governs.Open the roadmap →
Guides and UC Admit Counts for 28 High Schools
Each high school has a guide that sets out its course map, math pathway, AP offerings, and year-by-year UC admit data. The table shows the most recent year of UC applicant and admit counts that UC publishes by source high school. Select a school name to open its guide.
| High school | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Irvine High School | 251 | 191 | 76% |
| Northwood High School | 374 | 312 | 83% |
| Portola High School | 392 | 321 | 82% |
| University High School | 350 | 289 | 83% |
| Woodbridge High School | 259 | 195 | 75% |
| High school | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold O. Beckman High School | 374 | 308 | 82% |
| La Quinta High School | 254 | 205 | 81% |
| Laguna Beach High School | 91 | 58 | 64% |
| Magnolia Science Academy Santa Ana | 25 | 22 | 88% |
| Orange County School of the Arts | 270 | 221 | 82% |
| Oxford Academy | 173 | 137 | 79% |
| Sunny Hills High School | 299 | 233 | 78% |
| Tesoro High School | 213 | 139 | 65% |
| Troy High School | 406 | 343 | 84% |
| High school | Applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sage Hill School | 132 | 116 | 88% |
| TVT Community Day School | 32 | 19 | 59% |
| Pacific Academy Irvine | 28 | 27 | 96% |
| St. Margaret's Episcopal School | 69 | 48 | 70% |
| Fairmont Preparatory Academy | 118 | 104 | 88% |
| Crean Lutheran High School | 159 | 139 | 87% |
| Mater Dei High School | 261 | 171 | 66% |
| JSerra Catholic High School | 132 | 77 | 58% |
| Rosary Academy | 39 | 29 | 74% |
| Pacifica Christian High School, Orange County | 16 | 13 | 81% |
| Servite High School | 80 | 55 | 69% |
| Orange Lutheran High School | 108 | 73 | 68% |
| Santa Margarita Catholic High School | 186 | 125 | 67% |
| Whittier Christian High School | 18 | 9 | 50% |
Fall 2025 admission. UC systemwide figures: a student who applies to multiple campuses is counted once. UC does not publish very small counts, which appear in the table as “—”. The admit rate is the number admitted divided by the number of applicants. Source: UC Infocenter admissions by source school, data downloaded Sep 2026 to Oct 2026.
UC Applications and Target Colleges
The University of California (UC) uses one application for all nine undergraduate campuses, and its rules differ from those of private universities. The pages below cover applying to UC and researching other target colleges.
UC first-year application guide
The timeline for fall 2027 admission, the A-G course requirements, the GPA calculation, the eight personal insight questions, the 13 comprehensive review factors, and admit data for the nine campuses.
Read the guide →UC GPA calculator
Identifies honors courses from the designations on the official UC course list for the student's high school, computes the weighted and capped GPA, and compares it with admit ranges at the nine campuses.
Start calculating →Top 20 US universities
Application requirements, deadlines, and admit data for 22 universities, school by school.
Open the university library →UCLA
Admit data, application requirements, and majors at UCLA.
Open the school page →UC Berkeley
Admit data, application requirements, and majors at UC Berkeley.
Open the school page →Admit data for the nine campuses
Applicants, admits, admit rates, and admitted students' GPA ranges at each campus for fall 2026.
See the data →The eight personal insight questions
A summary of the eight questions, the rules for choosing among them, and the writing advice UC gives.
See the questions →Profile Building, Standardized Tests, and AP
Activities, competitions, and exams each follow their own calendar. The libraries below set out how to register, the deadlines, and the suitable grades for each item.
Summer programs, competitions, and research
Top US summer programs
78 programs, each with eligibility, cost, and application dates
Academic competitions guide
Eligibility, format, and current-season dates for 67 competitions
EDUBUS competition training
Beyond the group classes, one-on-one training can be arranged for every competition in the guide
Standardized tests and AP
SAT prep
For students applying to private universities, a first sitting in the spring of grade 11 is recommended
AP courses
Tutoring for 20 AP courses, with the offerings at each Irvine high school
Test date calendar
This school year's test dates and registration deadlines for the SAT, ACT, AP, PSAT, and TOEFL
One plan · 8 services
EDUBUS College Admissions Planning: It Starts With an Initial Assessment
In the planning service, one counseling team writes a single comprehensive plan that places course selection, testing, competitions, research, summer programs, and applications on one timeline. The work begins with an initial assessment.
- Academic FoundationPrivate Tutoring (GPA Package), High School Academic Planning, Standardized Test Planning (SAT / ACT)
- Profile BuildingCompetition Planning, Top Summer Program Applications, Custom Research Projects, Volunteering and Activities Planning
- Application ExecutionCollege Application Service
About college admissions planning →College Essay Boot Camp →Counseling team →
Initial assessment
- Length
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Format
- In person at the Irvine Ivy Center, or online
- Response
- Within one business day of the request
After the assessment, the counselor explains which areas most need attention now and gives a first set of recommendations.
Book an initial assessmentThree Printable College Planning Documents
Available to download after registering the student's grade and a contact method. One registration covers the device.
Four-Year College Timeline for Irvine High Schools
What to do each month from grade 9 through grade 12, one grade per page, with checkboxes, ready to print and keep at the student's desk.
Go to downloads →Fall 2027 admission edition · PDFUC Application Handbook
From A-G courses and the GPA calculation to the personal insight questions and admit data for the nine campuses, arranged in the order of the application.
Go to downloads →Summer 2027 edition · PDFSummer Program Deadline Calendar
The programs in the summer program library on this site arranged into one calendar by application deadline, with grades, eligibility, and cost.
Go to downloads →Latest College Admissions News
All newsIrvine AP Exam Sales Closed: February Adds a $40 Fee
College Board's fall AP ordering deadline is November 13, and fall sales at several Irvine high schools closed in late October. February dates, fees, and refunds.
Federal Transfer Credit Rule Takes Effect July 2027
A new Education Department rule makes colleges publish transfer credit criteria, explain each denial in writing, and allow appeals. What it means for Irvine students.
College Pricing 2026: Look Past the Sticker Price
College Board's 2026 pricing report puts average in-state public four-year tuition at $12,290. This article covers sticker prices, net prices, and California figures.
PSAT/NMSQT Scores Arrive Nov. 5: Reading the Report
Fall in-school PSAT/NMSQT scores release in batches, with many Irvine students seeing scores November 5. This article explains score access, the report and benchmarks.
Early Decision II: Using a Binding January Deadline
Early Decision II is as binding as ED I, with deadlines from January 1 to 15. This guide compares seven colleges and how Irvine seniors can use it.
Irvine Admissions Weekly
Subscribe to the EDUBUS Irvine Admissions Weekly
One email a week that rounds up the admissions news EDUBUS published that week: college application deadlines, standardized testing dates, and Irvine district updates. Every article links to its official sources.
Other Paths to a College Degree
- 01
Community college transfer to UC
A two-year plan for transferring from a California community college to UC, the transfer GPA, and the Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG)
- 02
Applying to US graduate school
Three paths to US graduate programs for undergraduates in mainland China, overseas, and in the United States
College Admissions for Irvine High School Students: Frequently Asked Questions
In which grade should Irvine students start college admissions planning?
For Irvine students, the college application record begins with the grade 9 transcript, and the UC GPA starts counting in grade 10. Grade 8 is the time to confirm the math pathway and grade 9 course selection. EDUBUS college admissions planning serves grades 7 through 12. The earlier the initial assessment takes place, the more easily the courses and activities of the early years connect to the application.
What do admissions readers mainly look at when Irvine high school students apply to the University of California?
When Irvine high school students apply to the University of California, admissions readers evaluate each application through comprehensive review. The UC website lists 13 factors, including GPA in A-G courses, the number of and performance in courses beyond the minimum requirements, the number of and performance in honors and AP courses, the quality of the grade 12 program, and special talents and achievements. UC does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission.
How many students from each Irvine high school are admitted to UC each year, and where is the data?
UC application and admit counts for Irvine high schools are published by UC Infocenter by source high school. The table on this page lists the most recent year of systemwide figures for every high school covered on this site, and each school guide gives applicants, admits, and enrollees by year and by campus.
What is the EDUBUS initial assessment for college admissions in Irvine, and is there a fee?
The EDUBUS initial assessment is a free 30-minute conversation led by an Irvine-based admissions counselor, held in person at the Irvine Ivy Center (730 Roosevelt, Irvine) or online. The counselor first learns about the student's grades and courses, interests and intended major, and testing and activities, and then gives a first set of recommendations.
Sources4 sources · checked 2026-11-11
- universityofcalifornia.edu/about-uc/information-center/admissions-source-school
- admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/how-applications-are-reviewed.html
- admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/first-year-requirements/gpa-requirement.html
- admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/applying-as-a-first-year/dates-and-deadlines.html
Start with an initial assessment, then plan the four years of high school
Leave the grade and high school, and an Irvine-based counselor will be in touch within one business day. The initial assessment takes 30 minutes, in person at the Irvine Ivy Center or online, and ends with a first set of recommendations.
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