Who We Are

University of California, Irvine (UCI) x Gifted And Talented Institute (GATI) is a truly global initiative that identifies and develops the talents of academically advanced and hardworking pre-college students from all around the world, regardless of background. We serve all eligible learners and families through our research and counseling, as well as our gifted and talented summer, online, and partnership programs.

Once a student is bestowed the honor of being a UCI x GATI scholar, she/he is qualified to enroll into all the academically advanced programs curated for the gifted and hardworking learner. UCI x GATI scholars have the rare opportunity to engage in challenging academic research areas and connect them to real world application. These are experiences that pre-college students won’t get anywhere else. More importantly, UCI x GATI scholars find a safe, welcoming circle of peers, mentors, and teachers who understand gifted and hardworking students. UCI x GATI is where lifelong friendships are made.

Our Mission

The Gifted and Talented Institute (GATI) Global, as the world leader in summer projects, research, and education for gifted pre-college students around the globe, is dedicated to offering a continuum of access and opportunities for optimizing college and career success.

Our Vision

Offer an inspirational, transformative experience to innovative, passionate youth around the globe.

About UCI

About University of California, Irvine (UCI): Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, and innovation. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 222 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $5 billion annually to the local economy.

In addition to being one of the nation’s top research universities, UCI is doing the most for the American dream according to The New York Times index. Gillman believes that world-class education should be available to all talented, hardworking students, regardless of background. The realization of Gillman’s philosophy at UCI, and at other academic institutions that model UCI’s system, is a reminder that great universities can be the most powerful engines of social mobility ever created.

As one of the world’s most innovative and forward-thinking academic institutes, UCI is also proud to be the first in many things, including the first university to create a varsity esports team. The mission of UCI is to discover and disseminate knowledge through research, teaching and creative expression in acclaimed academic programs. The creative boundaries are endless when our eminent professors and faculty get together with top students and mentor them in the arts and music, the humanities, the social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business and the health professions.

Boost Your Talent

through Research and Innovation!

Why UCI x GATI?

01/

College-Level Research

If you are interested in pursuing a future career in medicine, engineering or any of the sciences, then mastering the research process is a must. High school students selected to become UCI x GATI fellows will learn in a college-level research process. This experience isn't just fancy tours of high-tech labs; we are talking about you being matched with an actual university research team, using state-of-the-art equipment and interacting daily with college students, graduate students and/or post-docs.

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Real Relationships with Mentors, Staff, Faculty and Students

Teaching and mentoring is our calling and our students mean everything to us. That's why we keep our faculty/mentor-student ratio low. Our mentors genuinely care about their mentee's success and happiness. Most students become good friends with their mentors because we intentionally cherry-pick each mentor for their passion for mentoring. Become friends with a distinguished mentor, not just on social media, but in real life.

03/

Letter of Recommendation

We understand that it can be difficult for high school students to find a special person to vouch for their talents and hard work. Thanks to our amazing mentor-student ratio and many opportunities to get to know program directors, research coordinators, and Visioneers, you will be able to build relationships with them naturally. At the end of the program, it will be painless for you to ask for a recommendation letter from those you built strong relationships with. You also get a letter* from the Dean of the Division of Undergraduate Education stating what you have accomplished during the program. (*Please note that the Dean's letter cannot be submitted on the college application.)

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University Certificates

Proudly show off your newly minted University of California (UC) Certificate to your family, friends, and teachers. It demonstrates to world that you not only got accepted into one of the most selective high school summer programs, but more importantly, that you successfully completed a rigorous and advanced interdisciplinary 21st Century Skills program designed for future leaders in science and innovation.

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Publication Opportunities

Very few high school students get the honor of having their written work featured on a national platform. UCI x GATI scholars admitted to the Comprehensive Program will have a rare opportunity to publish their research process and experience on an online virtual journal or offline magazines for students. It’s super prestigious and certainly once in a lifetime opportunity!

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Prep for College & Career

You will have more to write and show-off in your college application or life story than you will from any other pre-collegiate program. You will meet-greet, work-sleep, and eat-drink with your team; your teammates will be from all over the globe; you will experience advanced and innovative research; you will regularly meet with your very own distinguished mentor; you will pitch your research/ideas to a panel of judges and faculty members; and you will receive personalized road-mapping on how to translate all that you did for colleges, employers, and family/friends.

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Global Friendships

One of our core missions is to "Bring the World to California and California to the World." Thus, we make a pointed effort to select at least half of our high school fellows from outside the USA. Innovation requires the convergence of multiple angles and perspectives. The next cure for cancer, for example, might be discovered simply because high school students from Korea, South Africa, and Germany met and became friends in California.

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Southern California Paradise

Minutes from the Happiest Place on Earth (Disneyland), Hollywood and beautiful beaches, UCI x GATI fellows get to spend two-weeks in absolute paradise. It’s no wonder why according to rankings, UCI is #1 campus for beach lovers! This means that UCI x GATI fellows will not only work hard, but also play/relax/enjoy hard!

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UC Family Prestige

With 10 campuses all over California, the University of California (UC) system is the most prestigious and distinguished circuit of public schools in the world. Did you know that among all of them, UCI receives the most number of applicants (“ZOT! ZOT! ZOT!”). Hands-down considered the most innovative of the UC's, UCI is also home to one of the best college esports teams, the best engineers and the most innovative scientists + doctors in the world. Once enrolled into UCI x GATI, you become a part of this illustrious UC family!

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Pi Beta Kaapa Jr Honor Society

Students who are enrolled into UCI x GATI’s Comprehensive Program will have the distinct honor of submitting their graded papers (from their summer research process) and being nominated to Pi Beta Kappa Jr, an American academic honor society that celebrates the academic works and achievements of the top 10% of gifted and talented pre-collegiate students around the world. Pi Beta Kappa Jr champions freedom of thought and advocates the pursuit and benefits of liberal arts and sciences education.