University of California, Merced

If you are thinking about applying to UC Merced, the deadline for Fall 2023 admissions is November 30 and the fee for the application costs $70.

Students who apply to UC Merced for fall should hear back from UC Merced by March 1.

UC Merced Admissions Stats at a Glance

Here is an overiew of some of UC Merced's admissions stats.

UC Merced 2022	Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA	3.6
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	17%
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Waitlist	No

University of California, Merced Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for University of California, Merced.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	No	––	––
Early Decision II	––	––	––
Early Action	No	––	––
Regular Decision	Yes	November 30	March 1

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Applying Early to UC Merced?

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UC Merced does not offer early decision or early action.

➡️ Find a list of some top colleges that accept significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

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More on University of California, Merced Admissions

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Transferring to University of California, Merced

Transfer student admissions is moderately difficult.

For Students Waitlisted to UC Merced

UC Merced has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What Does UC Merced Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are are most important in the admissions process. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that put the most emphasis on the admissions factors where you shine.

Admissions Factors at UC Merced

What does UC Merced consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.

Admissions Factor	Level
Academic GPA	Very Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Extracurricular Activities	Important
Talent/Ability	Important
Character/Personal Qualities	Considered
Geographical Residence	Considered
Work Experience	Considered
First Generation	Considered
Recommendation(s)	Considered
State Residency	Considered
Volunteer Work	Considered

Make sure to check with UC Merced for more information on admission factors.

UC Merced Application Requirements

To apply to UC Merced, all applicants must submit the following items. Make sure to check in with UC Merced's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Interview
Transcript(S) of College Record
Standardized Test Scores
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S)
Written Essay or Personal Statement	√
Other Requirements	√			minimum 3.0 high school GPA for California residents
Transcript of High School Record	√

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GPA and Testing

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What GPA Do I Need To Get Into UC Merced?

Students admitted to UC Merced have an average unweighted GPA of 3.6. At UC Merced 17% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At University of California, Merced, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	17%
3.75 and 3.99	14%
3.50 and 3.74	22.8%
3.25 and 3.49	24%
3.00 and 3.24	22%
2.50 and 2.9	0.2%
2.00 and 2.49	––

This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.

Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to UC Merced directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.

An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.

Standardized Test Scores

UC Merced considers standardized tests scores during the admissions process.

UC Merced has a test optional admissions policy. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

What is a Good SAT Score for UC Merced?

What is a Good ACT Score for UC Merced?

Want To Bring Up Your ACT Score? Access ACT practice tests and study tips and see upcoming ACT test dates.

More Information on Transferring to University of California, Merced

For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to UC Merced.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is November 30. Applicants should hear back by April 1.

Transfer students can enroll in UC Merced during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Spring Term

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UC Merced Admissions FAQs

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Can I defer my acceptance to UC Merced?

❌ Students who are admitted to UC Merced must attend in the term they start. Deferring admissions is not encouraged. If you have a unusual circumstance, contact the admissions department.

Does UC Merced accept transfer credits?

✅ UC Merced accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

Does UC Merced accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ UC Merced accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits and Advanced Placement (AP) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to UC Merced?

❌ No, UC Merced is test optional, so you can make the call whether to include your standardized test scores. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you should strongly consider submitting them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is UC Merced's acceptance rate?

✅ UC Merced's acceptance rate is 85%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at UC Merced?

❌ UC Merced does not offer early decision.

Want To Learn More About UC Merced?

To learn more about UC Merced, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

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