Who We Are
In association with the Division of Undergraduate Education (“DUE”) at the University of California, Irvine (“UCI”), the Gifted and Talented Institute (“GATI”) discovers and develops the gifts and talents of academically advanced and hardworking pre-college scholars from all around the world, regardless of background. GATI is the only gifted and talented program that selects students based on the HolisticFramework™ (not just grades and test scores!). GATI serves all eligible learners and families through our summer and year-round programs, which are offered on-campus or remotely.
Once admitted as GATI fellows, students are qualified to enroll into Research or Career programs at UCI. GATI fellows have the rare opportunity to engage in challenging academic research areas and connect the dots to future careers. More importantly, GATI fellows find a safe, welcoming circle of peers, mentors, and teachers who understand gifted and talented students. UCI x GATI is where lifelong friendships are made.
Our Mission
The Gifted And Talented Institute ("GATI") is dedicated to offering a continuum of access to advanced research & future career opportunities for precocious pre-college scholars.
Our Vision
Our vision is to be the undisputed leader in helping precocious students to discover, develop, and disseminate their God-given gifts and talents.
About UCI
About University of California, Irvine (UCI): Founded in 1965, University of California, Irvine (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.
Jumpstart Your Research Career Before College!
Why UCI x GATI?
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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 be GATI scholars will partake in 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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College Credits for High School Students
GATI is the only comprehensive academic program that selects gifted and talents pre-college students based on multiple success indicators (not just grades and test scores!) and offers US college credit(s) for independent research and/or applied innovation in fast growth and future relevant interdisciplinary fields.
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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.
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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 of acknowledgement* 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 gifted and talented 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 publication. UCI x GATI scholars admitted to the Comprehensive Program will have a rare chance to publish their research process and experience on an online 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 accomplished to 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 at GATI.
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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!