Student Life

UCI School of Medicine, set in beautiful, balmy Orange County, is a vibrant and supportive environment where students from all walks of life work with world-class physicians and scientists in an atmosphere designed to help them succeed.

Our students are active in myriad student interest groups and organizations. Many of them also strive to make a difference in our communities, both locally and globally. Our students also have access to some of the best cultural and recreational spots in the United States.

Recreational opportunities

We are minutes away from prime fishing, surfing, sailing and scuba-diving in coastal waters that are swimmable nearly eight months out of the year. Winter skiing and snowboarding are a little more than an hour away in the Angeles and San Bernardino national forests. Cycling and jogging paths crisscross the county, and there are many public golf courses and tennis courts to enjoy.

Cultural and social venues

Orange County offers top-flight drama, symphonies and dance at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, and there are many venues for the thriving music scene. Major museums and other arts centers are just an hour to 90 minutes away in Los Angeles and San Diego. The border city of Tijuana is just two hours away by car.

Orange County also is home to Disneyland, California Adventure and Knott’s Berry Farm, as well as to major league baseball and hockey teams.

In short, there are a multitude of exciting opportunities both on and off campus for you to explore in your time here at UC Irvine School of Medicine.