WELCOME!
The UC Transfer Initiative Program (UC TIP) was created to increase the number of UC eligible transfer students from the San Joaquin Valley region who enroll at a University of California campus.
We support transfer students through the application and enrollment process by providing transfer advisement, opportunities to explore majors and transfer options, and increased access to resources and tools.
We are part of the UC system-wide Transfer Prep Community College Program, which supports economically and educationally disadvantaged students, as well as those from geographically underserved areas in California.
TRANSFER ACADEMY PROGRAM
Transfer Academy is a 3-day, 2-night residential program at UC Merced for all current community college students who are interested in transferring to a UC campus. During the program, students will have an opportunity to meet with Admissions representatives and receive feedback on their admissions eligibility, live in a UC Merced residential hall, learn about research opportunities, network with transfer students, and much more!
Students must complete a UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) profile to fully participate in Transfer Academy events, especially appointments. Please be sure to include all courses that you have taken as they appear on your transcript(s) and include courses that are In Progress (IP) and Planned (PL).
Transfer Academy 2026
Dates: Friday, July 10 through Sunday, July 12, 2026
Location: UC Merced Campus
Priority Registration Deadline: June 5, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. PDT
This program is free of cost, and housing, meals and program supplies will be provided to all participants.
Requirements:
- Be enrolled and currently attending a California Community College
- Have completed at least 15 transferable units at a California Community College
- Have completed at least one UC-transferable English or math course with a C grade or higher
- Have a Transfer Admission Planner (TAP) with an updated "Coursework" section
Spots are limited, and students are encouraged to apply by the June 5 registration deadline.
Antoinette Lee
Psychology
Antoinette has an inspiring story as a transfer student at the University of California, Merced, who found a sense of community and resources to pursue her dream of becoming a pediatrician. With challenges that led her to drop out of her first college and move across the country, she transferred to UC Merced and found the school meant for her.
With the help of academic counselors who evaluated her transcript to ensure she was on track with the courses she needed for her intended major, she was ecstatic to receive her acceptance letter from UC Merced. As a transfer student, she found her sense of community at the Transfer, Returning, and Veterans Student Services, or TRV, where she met fellow transfer students and enjoyed various activities. Click the video above to hear her story.
UC TIP STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Name: Shaun Flannigan
Hometown: Mariposa, CA
Community College: Grossmont College
Major: Mechanical Engineering
UC Merced Class of 2020
Name: Celeste Galvez-Prado
Hometown: Hawaiian Gardens, CA
Community College: Cerritos College
Major: Sociology
UC Merced Class of 2022
Name: Antoinette Lee
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
Community College: San Joaquin Delta College
Major: Psychology
UC Merced Class of 2022
