University of California, Merced

It is moderately difficult to get into University of California, Merced. The university admitted 90% of all applicants in 2022. Last year, 28,895 students applied to University of California, Merced and 25,862 were admitted.

If you are planning on applying to University of California, Merced, the regular decision application deadline is November 30 and the fee for the application is $70.

Students who submit their applications to University of California, Merced for fall semester should hear back from University of California, Merced by March 1.

University of California, Merced Admissions Stats at a Glance

Here is an overiew of some of University of California, Merced's admissions stats.

University of California, Merced 2023	Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA	3.6
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	16%
Admissions Test Policy	Not 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	11 30	March 1

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Want to Apply Early to University of California, Merced?

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University of California, Merced does not offer early decision or early action.

➡️ Discover a list of some competetive colleges that admit 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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Is University of California, Merced Hard To Get Into?

It is moderately difficult to get into UC Merced. UC Merced evaluates applicants carefully based on multiple criteria to decide who to admit, and who to deny.

In 2022, UC Merced accepted 90% of all applicants, about 25,862 from 28,895 applicants.

Schools that are moderately difficult to get into, like UC Merced, accept fewer than 85% of all applicants. At least 75% of all admitted students have GPAs in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT or over 18 on the ACT.

Transferring to University of California, Merced

Transfer student admissions is moderately difficult.

For Students Waitlisted to University of California, Merced

University of California, Merced has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What's Most Important for Getting Into University of California, Merced?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college determines which factors are they consider most important when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and choose schools that put the most emphasis on the areas where you stand out.

Admissions Factors at University of California, Merced

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

Make sure to check with University of California, Merced for more information on admission factors.

University of California, Merced Application Requirements

To apply to University of California, Merced, all applicants must submit the following items. Check with University of California, Merced's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
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 University of California, Merced?

Students admitted to University of California, Merced have an average unweighted GPA of 3.6. At University of California, Merced 16% 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	22%
3.75 and 3.99	18%
3.50 and 3.74	25%
3.25 and 3.49	19%
3.00 and 3.24	14%
2.50 and 2.9	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 University of California, 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

University of California, Merced does not have 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.

More Information on Transferring to University of California, Merced

For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to University of California, Merced.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is November 30. Transfer applications are processed on a on a rolling basis as they are received.Applicants should hear back by April 30.

Transfer students can enroll in University of California, Merced during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Winter Term

• Spring Term

• Winter Term

• Summer Term

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University of California, Merced Admissions FAQs

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Can I defer my acceptance to University of California, Merced?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to University of California, Merced.

Does University of California, Merced accept transfer credits?

✅ University of California, Merced accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

Does University of California, Merced accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ University of California, Merced accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to University of California, Merced?

✅ University of California, Merced is not test optional.

What is University of California, Merced's acceptance rate?

✅ The acceptance rate for University of California, Merced is 90%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at University of California, Merced?

❌ University of California, Merced does not offer early decision.

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