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Registration for Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS)

Connecting Alumni To Students (CATS)

CATS is an outreach program supported by the UC Merced Office of Admissions that facilitates alumni participation in the recruitment process of prospective students.

The program's goal is to encourage you, as an advocate for UC Merced as an alumnus, to assist in attracting students with exceptional potential to enroll at the university.

As an alumnus, you provide the one-on-one interaction, personal attention and encouragement that can make the difference with students in your community considering UC Merced. Additionally, alumni are able to convey their enthusiasm about the university; their time spent at UC Merced; the various academic and personal opportunities that UC Merced offers; campus life; and the ability to contribute to the growing prestige of the university. Providing your perspective as a UC Merced alumnus is the most important part of the program. 

 

Following are the goals of the Connecting Alumni To Students (CATS) program:

 
  •  To increase the number of highly competitive and qualified students considering UC Merced at the undergraduate level, and to increase the percentage of admitted students who enroll.
  •  To provide a local information source for inquiring students, applicants, and admitted students and their families.
  • To provide assistance to the UC Merced regional admissions staff.

I would like to assist with the following recruitment efforts (select the events in which you are most interested in participating):

College fairs occur in the fall and spring at local high schools, community colleges and community-based organizations. Alumni volunteers staff the UC Merced table and provide print information and conversation for those considering UC Merced. Volunteers welcome questions from prospective students and family members regarding UC Merced, the admissions process, academics and campus life. Materials and a UC Merced table banner will be sent to the volunteer prior to the fair. Please indicate your preference for college fairs you would like to attend.
Connecting with students in your local area is an important aspect in student recruitment. As a local resident, you are aware of your area’s high schools and commitment to higher education. Alumni volunteers can “Adopt a School” in their hometown or area. The Office of Admissions will send a letter of introduction to the school’s college/guidance office with your contact information. You will serve as a local resource for students, family members or guidance counselors, answering questions about UC Merced, should they arise. We hope that in the spring you can also extend congratulations to admitted students from the "adopted" school as an important way to connect with students and parents. Please indicate the number of schools in your region or area that you would like to “adopt.”
In the spring, the UC Merced Office of Admissions will host regional celebrations for admitted students to learn more about UC Merced and to interact with local alumni, current UC Merced students, faculty and staff at off-campus locations. Your involvement as an engaged volunteer is incredibly helpful to students and family members as they determine to join UC Merced’s community of scholars in the fall. Programs last approximately two hours.
Thank you for joining Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS). As a UC Merced alumni admissions representative, you will play a vital role in helping to recruit the best and brightest students to UC Merced. We appreciate your support and look forward to working with you throughout the academic year.
 
Sincerely, 
 
Juan M. Villegas
Associate Director of Admissions