Saturday, April 19, 2025

Dining Options:

Bobcat Day 2025 - Presentations

TIME

EVENT

LOCATION

TYPE

School of Engineering Presentation

School of Engineering offers an engaging opportunity for students and families to discover more about the diverse engineering majors at UC Merced. Hear directly from faculty as they highlight the newest majors. Listen and engage with a student panel that will share their unique experiences as engineering students, including their participation in research opportunities and campus activities.

School of Natural Sciences Presentation

The School of Natural Sciences is conducting cutting-edge research, from fighting disease to creating sustainable energy sources. Hear from the Dean and current students how working side-by-side with world-renowned faculty deepens your knowledge. Learn about student resources, academic planning, mentorships, internships, and career opportunities awaiting.

School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts Presentation

Come learn all that the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (SSHA) at UC Merced has to offer! Our broad range of outstanding undergraduate programs prepares students for varied roles as responsible, informed citizens and leaders. The panel of SSHA Peer Navigators, who are current UC Merced undergraduate students, will allow you to ask them specific questions about their experience in SSHA and UC Merced.

School of Engineering Presentation

The School of Engineering offers an engaging opportunity for students and families to discover more about the diverse engineering majors at UC Merced. Hear directly from faculty as they highlight the newest majors. Listen and engage with a student panel that will share their unique experiences as engineering students, including their participation in research opportunities and campus activities.

School of Natural Sciences Presentation

The School of Natural Sciences is conducting cutting-edge research, from fighting disease to creating sustainable energy sources. Hear from the Dean and current students how working side-by-side with world-renowned faculty deepens your knowledge. Learn about student resources, academic planning, mentorships, internships, and career opportunities awaiting.

School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts Presentation

Learn all that the School of Social Sciences, Humanities, and Arts (SSHA) at UC Merced has to offer you! Our broad range of outstanding undergraduate programs prepares students for varied roles as responsible, informed citizens and leaders. The panel of SSHA Peer Navigators, current UC Merced undergraduate students, will allow you to ask them specific questions about their experience in SSHA and UC Merced.

The Heart of the Student Experience

Join us for the "At the Heart of the Student Experience" session, where current students will share firsthand accounts of their experiential education journeys. Discover how extracurricular engagements enrich academic learning, shape career aspirations, foster leadership skills, and fuel active participation in student clubs and organizations. Don't miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and inspiration from our student community.

Study Abroad

Discover how you can make study abroad a reality at UC Merced! In this session, you we will explore diverse global programs, learn how financial aid and scholarships make it affordable, and see how international experiences boost your academics and career. Get the facts, break common myths, and take the first step toward your global journey—your adventure starts here!

On-Campus Student Employment and Internships

You've Committed to UC Merced, What's Next?

Mock Experiment in Political Science Labs (PS) Labs

School of Natural Sciences Lab Tours

Join a 50-minute guided tour of School of Natural Sciences instructional and faculty research labs. 10:00am-12:00pm. Sign up at the School of Natural Sciences' booth at the Information Fair.

How Cognitive Science got a Nobel Prize in AI

Cognitive Science is young and growing field being propelled by advances in AI and neuroscience. Last year, the Nobel prize in Physics was shared with a Cognitive Scientist whose research on neural networks is foundational to the remarkable advances in AI. UC Merced Faculty in Cognitive Science will highlight some of the key breakthroughs that got us here, exciting new directions in the field, and the careers that students pursue as cognitive science majors.

Can you see the invisible? Engineers can!

This lecture introduces three fundamental topics in engineering: modularity (how engineers design complex systems by connecting multiple components together), iterative design (the ability to tune parameters to achieve a desired performance), and an engineering presentation.

Legislative Simulation Demonstration

The Legislative Simulation Course (POLI 109) offers students immersive, hands-on experience in the California legislative process. By role-playing as state legislators, lobbyists, journalists, and executive officials, students navigate real-world policymaking challenges, draft and debate legislation, and engage in political negotiations. 

All Day Activities - Available 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

TIME

ACTIVITY

LOCATION

Campus Information Fair

Explore over 200 tabling events to learn more about clubs and student organizations, summer session opportunities, greek life, cultural groups, sports, academics, health promotions, the university police department, and much more!

Campus Tours

Explore and discover UC Merced. Tours leave from the Welcome Center. The last tour leaves at 2:00 p.m.

Housing Tours

Tours are available at Sentinel Rock, Glacier Point, and Granite Pass. The last tour leaves at 1:30 p.m.

Actions for the Earth: Art, Care, & Ecology

Presented by UC Merced Arts at La Galería

Physics with Phones

A hands-on activity presented by Dr. Dave Rakestraw, Senior Scientist at Lawrence Livermore National Lab

Resources - Available 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Financial Aid

You can speak to an advisor about your financial aid award letter and package.

Statement of Legal Residence, Billing / Payment Options

Meet with an advisor focused on your Statement of Legal Residence (if applicable), billing, and payment options.

Receptions & Luncheons

UC Merced Division of Professional & Continuing Education (PACE) and CalTeach Reception

Are you interested in becoming a PK-12 teacher? UC Merced offers a full pathway with any degree plus an education minor that stack into a preliminary post-bacc teaching credential. Join us for a networking and reception style event in the state of the art CalTeach Learning Lab (SRE 201) from 12-1 to learn more about teacher education pathways.

Chemical Engineering and Material Science Engineering Sweet Treat and Faculty Meet & Greet

Native American / Indigenous Heritage Community - Wide Celebration

We are excited to invite you to Native American / Indigenous Heritage Community Wide Celebration, a special event where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with staff and students
of UC Merced’s Native American / Indigenous community. You’ll meet other incoming First
Year and Transfer students, be introduced to campus resources, have an opportunity to ask
questions and get a head start in networking with future peers!

African American Community - Wide Celebration

UC Merced and other sister UC Campuses strive to increase education opportunities for underrepresented ethnic populations. Bobcat Day, being the biggest calendar event of the year, provides prospective FY and TR students time to check out what the campus offers in a variety of ways: majors, housing, admissions, and financial aid. While checking off those boxes, most ethnic groups want to know if there is an existing community. More importantly, the community is supportive of their students. The African American Community-Wide Celebration will allow students and their families to meet with existing Faculty/Staff, Students, Alumni and Organizations.

You Belong Here: Latino / A Heritage Community - Wide Celebration

We are excited to invite you to You Belong Here: The Latino/a UC Community Welcome Celebration, a special event where you’ll have the opportunity to connect with UC Merced’s vibrant Latino/a community. Meet fellow incoming first-year and Transfer students, engage with staff and student leaders, and get introduced to the many resources that support Latino/a student success. This is your chance to ask questions, build connections, and start creating your community at UC Merced—because you belong here.