Freshman Admissions FAQ
- 1. How do I check the status of my application?
- Visit the portal (one of our main vehicles for communicating with students once they become applicants and all the way throughout the process) and select the "Login" or "First Time Users" link on the left side of the screen.Please note:You will need your Application ID (a 7-digit number you received in your letter from the processor and in your acknowledgment letter from UC Merced) to claim your UCMNetID and password.2)Select "MyAdmissions" under the Applicant Services tab on the right side of the screen to view your status. 3) Visit the portal frequently to receive important information and updates.
- 2. Who do I contact if I want to take a tour of
UCMerced?
- Come visit us! Schedule a tour with one of our friendly student tour guides.
- 3. How can I get in touch with an Admissions
counselor?
- You may reach us via e-mail at admissions@ucmerced.edu or call (209) 228-4682
- 4. When can I apply to UC Merced?
- The filing period for admission toUC Merced is November 1 through 30 every year for the following fall semester. The filing period for the spring semester is July 1 through 31. Visit our apply page for more information.
- 5. What are UC Merced's school codes?
- UC Merced’s ACT code is 0450 and our College Board Code is 4129. Our financial aid code is 041271. Ourfinancial aid Web site offers helpful resources on financing your education.
- 6. When will acceptance notices be sent out?
- Students will be notified of admission decisions for the fall semester beginning in February of the year in which they apply.
- 7. Can I earn credit at UC Merced by taking
Advanced Placement(AP)Exams?
- Depending on your major, you may be able to earn credit for a score of 3 or higher on Advanced Placement tests. For more information on
Advanced Placement credit, please reference the UC Merced General Catalog.
- 8. When do I apply for financial aid?
- The filing period for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)is Jan. 2 through March 2 every year for the following fall semester. Since financial aid is awarded on a first-come-first-serve basis, students are encouraged to apply early in the filing period. At UC Merced, your FAFSA application also serves as your scholarship application. Students do not have to fill out more than a single form to apply for both local and federal funding.
- 9. Can I change my major after I apply to UC Merced?
- We recommend you apply for the major program you wish to pursue at UC Merced. If you are uncertain about your interest, you can apply Undeclared/Undecided, Undeclared in the School of Engineering, Undeclared in the School of Natural Sciences or Undeclared in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. Applicants and admitted new students may submit one request to change their major before the SIR deadline. If you are an applicant or an admitted new student, please log in to the Change Major Request Form to submit a request for a new major now. Though typically, admitted students remain in the major listed on their offer of admission for at least one semester. After completing their first term of enrollment at UC Merced, students may submit a request to change their major. Note: The deadline to submit a request is 5 business days prior to your SIR deadline.
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Transferring to UC Merced FAQ
- 1. What is the most important thing I should know
about transferring to UC Merced?
- Completion of the minimum admission requirements for the University of California is necessary to your successful transfer. Major preparation is also critical to your success and can give you an edge over other students. Remember we’re the ones who best know what you need to do at your college before you transfer. The sooner you contact us for advice, the better.
- 2. Do I need to choose my major right away?
- Freshmen applicants have the luxury of not needing to decide their major at the time they apply. In contrast, transfer students are required to know, which means the sooner they determine their area of interest the greater their chances of transferring at the desired time. To be competitive, transfer students need to take as many classes for their major as they can before enrolling at UC Merced. For more information please see Major Preparation and Academics.
- 3. How will I know if my classes transfer to
UC Merced?
- Classes transfer if they are essentially the same as courses that are offered for undergraduate degree credit at any UC campus. Specifically, courses should have same or very similar prerequisites, level of instruction and content. If you attend a community college, you can find a listing of UC-transferable courses, including courses that can substitute for UC Merced major preparation and general education courses at http://www.assist.org -- the official repository of articulation for California colleges and universities. We encourage you to contact us if you have questions. All students, but especially students enrolled at four year colleges and out of state institutions can get helpful information by viewing UC Merced’s UCM Transfer Credit Policy statement online.
- 4. What if I want to transfer from a California State
University (CSU) or college from outside
of California?
- UC Merced encourages transfer students from colleges outside California or the California State University (CSU) system. These students will have more difficulty than California community college students in identifying the transferability of their classes and are asked to consult the UC Merced’s Admissions office for advice. If a course is questionable students can submit course syllabi, sample assignments and reading lists to UC Merced’s articulation officer for review. In addition, non-resident and international students are required to achieve a 2.80 GPA or better in their courses.
- 5. What are my chances of getting admitted to
UC Merced as a California Community College
student?
- Community college students in California receive priority consideration for admission to the University of California. Transfer students are so important to the intellectual life of UC Merced. Community college students should take a look at the minimum admission requirements that require a 2.40 GPA or higher for California residents.
- 6. Are math and English important?
- You must complete the English and math minimum admission requirements by the end of the spring term prior to enrolling at UC Merced in the fall. We encourage you to complete these requirements as early as possible since your success in many advanced subjects will be influenced by your performance in these courses
- 7. Do I need to take a foreign language to be
admitted?
- Studying a language other than English can be beneficial but is not required for UC minimum admission requirements. Some UC Merced majors require two years of college-level study in a foreign language and it may be in your best interest to complete this kind of major preparation prior to admission.
- 8. Do I need my associates degree or general
education before I transfer?
- Completing an associate's degree or general education pattern is not required, nor does it guarantee admission to UC Merced or a specific program of choice. Major preparation is key to successfully transferring to UC Merced. The IGETC available at California community colleges is a recommended plan for students who have not decided on a major. Although not required by UC Merced, completing general education (or breadth) requirements can give students a competitive edge over students who have already completed their minimum admission requirements and major preparation.
- 9. Are there any special programs for
transfer students like me?
- Several programs are available for students in California who are interested in transferring to UC Merced. The program most directly related to transfer is UC Merced's Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program. For more information on TAG, e-mail us at transfer@ucmerced.edu. Another example of a supporting program that can provide unique opportunitiesfor students preparing to travel after transferring to UC Merced, is the Education Abroad Program (EAP).
- 10. What calendar does UC Merced follow?
- UC Merced follows a semester system calendar. The academic terms are fall and spring, with summer as an option. All other UC campuses except Berkeley follow a quarter system calendar.
- 11. Can I change my major after I apply to UC Merced?
- As a transfer student, it is extremely important that you prepare in advance for admission to a particular major and submit an application for admission to that major. We encourage you to also indicate an alternate major at the time of application if interested in pursuing an alternate major. For information about transfer requirements and selection criteria for transfer admission to UC Merced, see Major Preparation Requirements and Transfer Selection. If you meet the transfer criteria for the new major your request may be approved. Applicants and admitted new students may submit one request to change their major before the SIR deadline. Additional request will not be considered. If you are an applicant or an admitted new student, please log in to the Change Major Request Form to submit a request for a new major now. Note: The deadline to submit a request is 5 business days prior to your SIR deadline.
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