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APPLY TO UC MERCED

How to Apply

First-year and transfer students: The Fall 2026 application opens August 1st! 

 

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

Important Reminders:

  • You do not need to submit the SAT or ACT. UC Merced will not use them for admission or scholarship selection. 
  • You are not required to submit transcripts to apply; however, having a copy of your unofficial records is a good idea to help you complete your application.

APPLICATION FEE AND WAIVERS

  • The cost to submit your application is $80 per UC campus ($95 for international and non-immigrant applicants).
  • You can make your payment either by credit card or by mail; just follow the instructions in the application.
  • Once your application has been submitted, you are expected to pay for all your campus choices, even if you cancel your application at a later date. The application fees are non-refundable.

UC will waive application fees for up to four campuses for qualified students who would otherwise be unable to apply for admission. The fee waiver program is for United States citizens, permanent residents, and applicants eligible for AB540 benefits.

  • Fee waivers can only be applied to four campuses, regardless of their source (e.g., UC, CollegeBoard/SAT).
  • If you apply to more than four, you must pay $80 for each additional choice.
     

HOW TO APPLY FOR A FEE WAIVER

You can see if you automatically qualify for a fee waiver within the application.

  • Enter your family size and income in the “About you” section. You will see if you’ve qualified for an application fee waiver when you select your campuses in the "Campuses & majors" section (a message will appear on that page with real-time feedback about how many campuses you can apply to for free).

 

 SELECTING A MAJOR

You can view our majors here. UC Merced offers a number of programs to help prepare you for your future goals.

  • At UC Merced, we understand that you might not yet know your chosen field of study as a high school student, so we encourage you to select a major that you are interested in pursuing or just apply undeclared.
  • Selection as a Freshman applicant is not based on your major. You'll have the opportunity to work with your academic advisor to switch your major in the future.
  • Admission as a transfer applicant is based on your major preparation and changing your major is not encouraged and may not be possible after your admission.
 

HELP, TOOLS, AND TIPS

APPLICATION APPOINTMENTS

Our admissions staff are available for one-on-one appointments to assist you with applications throughout November. Whether it's a question about your Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), academic history, or if you'd just like someone to review your application before you hit submit, we're here to help.

Schedule an Appointment

PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS 

Need help on your Personal Insight Questions? View our PIQ Video below!
You can also download this handy PIQ guide for First Years or Transfer applicants.

 

OTHER RESOURCES

 

Need Help or Have Questions?

UC Merced Office of Undergraduate Admissions

Call: 209-228-7178

Email: admissions@ucmerced.edu