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Undergraduate Success Through Academics and Research (STAR)

Program Benefits

  • Transferable units through Concurrent Enrollment and College Fundamentals classes towards your future bachelor’s degree
  • Intensive academic classes that improve your English fluency and your university study skills
  • Undergraduate Preparation Seminar and Research & Citation courses that are designed to increase critical thinking skills and provide foundation for the process of academic research expected in many top U.S. universities
  • Strategic guidance and assistance with U.S. university applications
  • Comprehensive academic support and individualized advising
  • SAT, TOEFL iBT and other test preparation to help you reach your target score
  • Intercultural conversation experiences with current UCI students who will meet in one-on-one or group conversational settings
  • Introduction to and interaction with the UCI campus, its prestigious faculty, its abundant resources, and its academic rigor
  • Social events and excursions with other international and American students

Program Curriculum

1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter
  • Academic English Reading & Writing
  • Academic Presentation & Public Speaking
  • SAT / TOEFL iBT Preparation Course
  • Undergraduate Application Assistance and College Planning (UAACP) Course

(12 units)

  • Major / General Education Courses
  • Elective Academic Courses

(12 units)

  • Major / General Education Courses
  • Elective Academic Courses

(Minimum 12 units; Up to 16 units with the program approval)

  • Major / General Education Courses
  • Elective Academic Courses

(Minimum 12 units; Up to 16 units with the program approval)

Notes:

1.      The table shows the maximum number of units that are covered by the program tuition.  Additional tuition is required for any additional units or quarters.

2.      Students who are accepted for 3 quarters will be expected to follow the first three quarters of the above curriculum.

3.      High school students who are spending their senior (4th) year in the program will be required to complete a two-quarter “English Literature for Grade 12” course.

4.    Courses are scheduled based on availability; Elective courses include Undergraduate Preparation Seminar, Research & Citation, and College Fundamentals (Calculus / U.S. History). Course equivalent substitutions will be recommended when courses become unavailable.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the undergraduate STAR entry requirements?

To be accepted into undergraduate STAR, as an applicant, you must provide the following documents:

  1. The completed Undergraduate STAR application with a non-refundable $200 application fee.
  2. Copies of your official academic transcripts from Grade 9 to meet the minimum GPA of 3.4 and the academic “A-G” subject completion that is equivalent to 15 units of California high school coursework.
  3. Copy of your high school graduation certificate.
    • If you are currently in high school, please provide a copy of the confirmation statement issued by your current high school with your expected graduation date and year.
  1. Copy of your current passport page that shows your photo.
  2. Documentation for any educational gap between the graduation of your high school and start date of the STAR program you intend to apply.
  3. Copies of English proficiency proof that meet any of the following minimum test scores:
    • TOEFL 71 / 530
    • IELTS 6.0
    • DCE 10-Week ESL Level 5
    • SAT Reading & Writing 530
    • AP English Language and Composition 3
    • IB High or Standard Level Examination 5
    • ACT Combined English/Writing or ELA 21
    • Duolingo Test 95
    • Gaokao/Hui Kao (from China) 85% in both English and Chinese subjects

Note:

  1. TOEFL iBT MyBest Scores and Special Home Edition will be accepted as long as all exams were taken within the past two years.
  2. To send an official TOEFL test score, please select the institution code B166.
  3. International applicants are exempt from submitting English proficiency scores if any of the following circumstances are met:  1) Your native language is English, or 2) You have completed high school in an English-speaking country for at least three years.

UCI Division of Continuing Education reserves the right to deny acceptance to STAR. Applicants who are not accepted into STAR by UCI Division of Continuing Education will be notified in writing.

What is the application process?

  1. Complete the online STAR APPLICATION FORM and pay the non-refundable $200 application fee.
  2. After you have been provisionally accepted into STAR, an official Acceptance Confirmation Letter will be sent to you. This letter is usually sent by e-mail. It will describe the STAR registration policies and request the required Program Deposit of $10,000 USD to be submitted to STAR within 15 days after the receipt of your Acceptance Confirmation letter. You will also need to submit copies of your or your sponsor’s financial statements (e.g., checking or savings accounts) that meet our financial requirements for I-20 issuance. If you are applying as a transfer-in from another US institution, you will also need to submit a completed Transfer Evaluation Form.

(Note: Students who are government-sponsored must provide an official letter of financial support in lieu of the Program Deposit and any additional tuition and mandatory fees to avoid any delay in the application process or enrollment cancellation.)

  1. After you have signed the acknowledgment form that is part of your Acceptance Confirmation letter, and STAR has received your required program deposit, you will receive an official Letter of Acceptance (LOA), Form I-20, and Welcome Packet. With the Letter of Acceptance and Form I-20, you will be able to submit a request for a student (F-1) visa from the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your area.
  2. You will have 30 days to pay the balance of the program tuition and fees. Confirmation of enrollment must include full payment of tuition and fees.

Please see Registration Policies & Deadlines for cancellation and postponement requests.

Can I still apply to STAR if I am not sure that I meet your entry requirements?

UCI Division of Continuing Education is committed to serving students from all diverse backgrounds.  While the acceptance preference will be given to students who have met our minimum acceptance requirements, we recognize individual circumstances and offer a comprehensive review of every applicant.  Thus, students who do not meet our minimum acceptance requirements are still encouraged to apply.  It is important that students provide additional information (e.g., resume, community service, awards and achievements, and extra-curricular classes and activities) to demonstrate their unique circumstances.

What are the criteria for a student to advance each quarter in STAR?

Below are key selection criteria are taken into consideration for program advancing

  • Score at least 85% in every CE or P/NP class offered by your program.
  • Maintain a B average or Cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Comply with the program policies (e.g., in good academic standing) at all times
  • Has TOEFL 80, IELTS 6.5, SAT Writing & Language 31, SAT Reasoning Verbal 680, AP English 3, or ACT combined English / ELA 24, AE placement level C, or ESL level 7 by the last day of the current quarter

Students who meet the above key selection criteria are expected to follow the program curriculum or their designed study plan.  When students fail to meet the above key selection criteria, our academic advisors will provide alternative academic preparation courses, such as College Fundamentals or Academic English to assist the student in making progress and maintaining their full-time status.

Is this a full-time program?

Yes.  To attend this program full-time, you are required to obtain a student visa (F-1).

Can I study in the program without a student visa (F-1)?

Yes.  It is possible.  Please contact us so we can better address your questions.

What are the available program dates?

Please visit PROGRAM DATES for available intakes.

What are the program tuition and fees?

Please visit our TUITION AND FEES page for more information.

What are the requirements for completing the program?

Program Completion clearance will not be granted for a student with an outstanding debt to UCI DCE, any outstanding misconduct charges, or unsatisfactory completion of all program requirements.

Which colleges and universities have offered admission to students who have successfully completed the program?

View the list of schools that have offered admission to our STAR students since 2011. Moreover, upon successful completion of the program, STAR students will receive our program assistance and recommendation in applying to the Honors Program at our partner college, Irvine Valley College, which offers many benefits, including: transcript recognition, guaranteed/priority transfer acceptance consideration, dedicated scholarships, and access to UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP), the UCI Honors-to-Honors Program, and other transfer partnerships with participating HTCC colleges and universities, across the U.S.

Do you provide any airport pick-up service or student housing?

Yes.  Please visit ARRIVAL & HOUSING for more information.

Who should I contact if I have any additional questions or am ready to apply?

Please contact us or download the undergraduate STAR APPLICATION.

Completion of undergraduate STAR does not guarantee admission to undergraduate programs at UC Irvine or any other post-secondary institution.  Admission to these programs is controlled by that institution’s policies and admission standards.

Undergraduate Preparation - Freshman Entry


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PROGRAM COST

9-month tuition: $39,800 USD

12-month tuition: $55,500 USD

Approximate total cost for 9 months: $66,400 USD, excludes airfare

Approximate total cost for 12 months: $82,100 USD, excludes airfare

*Please note the program length is based on a student’s admissions eligibility

UPCOMING START DATES

Winter 2021Dec 16, 2020
Spring 2021Mar 23
Fall 2021Sep 22
  • Programs
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International Programs
University of California, Irvine
Building CE-3 #234
Pereira at Brandywine
Irvine, CA 92697 USA

ip@ce.uci.edu
1-949-824-5991
1-949-824-8065
Directions

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Winter Break Office Closure: Dec 19 - Jan 3

During UCI’s winter recess after December 18, DCE Student Affairs and Student Services will be available (9am-1pm Pacific), December 21 & 22 at (949) 824-5991. You may also email ip@ce.uci.edu and we will respond as soon as possible. We will resume regular hours of 9am-4pm, on Monday, January 4, 2021.

Request information about Undergraduate Success Through Academics and Research (USTAR).