Video: Life of an Application
Now that you've applied to the University of California, what happens next?
Claim Your UCMNetID
You'll need to take this step to be able to view your admission decision.
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If you’re a first-time user, you must claim your UCMNetID and create a password in order to log in. When you get to the landing page, click "Claim Account" on the top right, then enter your email address or mobile number. Check out the video below for a step-by-step guide.
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You'll receive an email once your application status has been updated, inviting you to view your admission decision. Find out more in the "Check your admission decision" section below.
If you need help logging in, contact the Students First Center.
Updating Your Application
Bio/Personal Information
Most personal information (email, mailing address, name, etc.) can be updated by logging back in to your UC application. These changes will be reported to all campuses to which you applied.
Academic/Coursework Updates
TRANSFER APPLICANTS: You must provide your final grades from the previous term and list all courses in progress or planned for the term before you expect to enroll. Your updates will ensure we have the most current academic information available. Even if you do not have any in-progress or planned courses and your record of course grades was complete in your original application, you must log in to your application and complete the Transfer Academic Update. Remember, the sooner you submit your TAU, the sooner our office can process your admission decision.
Priority deadline for fall applicants: Jan. 31 (opens December 15)
Priority deadline for spring applicants: Sept. 30
FIRST YEAR (FRESHMAN) APPLICANTS: UC Merced will not allow updates to your academic information at this time; look for information about how to report academic updates/fall grades when you receive your admission decision. Even then, the Admissions Office will only allow submissions to report courses you had plans to complete but did not complete or courses you did not complete with a C or higher grade.
Extracurricular Activities and Awards or Personal Insight Questions
Updates to these sections of the application are not allowed after submission.
Check your email regularly and respond to any requests from our office
During the application evaluation process, our office might send you communications requesting additional information in order to complete our review. It is very important that you respond to these requests in a timely manner. Make sure our emails are not being routed to your junk mail folder.
Apply for financial aid
Complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or California Dream Act application (CADAA) by the priority deadline and add UC Merced to your list of universities. UC Merced's school code is 041271.
Beginning Dec. 1, you can access the 2025-26 FAFSA at studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa and the California Dream Act application at dream.csac.ca.gov.
Check your admission decision
You will receive an email from our office once your admission status has been updated. The email will invite you to view your admission status at decision.ucmerced.edu.
What happens if I was denied admission?
The Office of Admissions has an established appeal committee composed of three staff members who review all cases. When submitting an appeal to a decision, please provide relevant information that may not have already been available. Information about how to appeal a decision is provided at admissions.ucmerced.edu/appeals.
