admission requirements
first year (freshmen)
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Students must earn a 3.0 minimum GPA (3.4 for non-residents) in all "a-g" courses. Only the grades earned in a-g subjects in the tenth and eleventh grades—including summer sessions— are used to calculate the UC GPA.
A minimum of 15 yearlong high school courses ("a-g")
a. History/social science – 2 years required b. English – 4 years required c. Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended d. Science – 2 years required, 3 years recommended e. Language other than English – 2 years required, 3 years recommended f. Visual and performing arts – 1 year required g. College-preparatory elective – 1 year required
transfer
Minimum Junior-Level Requirements
- Complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) UC-transferable units by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment
- Earn at least a 2.4 GPA in UC-transferable courses (nonresident: 2.8)*
- Take no more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units as Pass/Not Pass
- Complete the 7-course pattern by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment, earning a C or better in each course
- Complete the courses required for your major
Minimum Lower-Division Requirements
- Enrollment at a college or university after high school graduation and fewer than 60 semester (90 quarter) UC-transferable units completed prior to enrollment at UC Merced
- Meet requirements for the University of California upon high school graduation (required GPA and all “a-g” courses)
- Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all UC-transferable coursework (nonresident: 2.8)*
- Complete the courses required for your major
Spring into UC Merced - Early Transfer Opportunity
Want to get a head start on your college career? The University of California, Merced is inviting transfer students to join our Bobcat family earlier in their education.
Learn more: admissions.ucmerced.edu/early-transfer-opportunity
* Some majors require a higher GPA for admission selection.
aug. 1
Get started on your fall admission application
Oct. 1 - Dec. 2
Submit your fall admission application
july 1-31
Submit your spring admission application
aug. 1
Get started on your fall admission application
Oct. 1 - Dec. 2
Submit your fall admission application
july 1-31
Submit your spring admission application
First Year
Admission Stats*
3.42 - 4.04
GPA
*Ranges represent the 25th to 75th percentile of admitted students.
#58
among all U.S. universities*
On the Map.
Off the charts.
#18
among all U.S. universities**
*U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges Rankings, 2024 | **Wall Street Journal, 2024