How to Apply
Academic and Application Requirements
Applicant Admissions Criteria:
- Hold a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent from an accredited institution with a major appropriate to the proposed graduate program. This degree must represent the completion of a program equivalent both in the distribution of academic subject matter and scholarship achievement comparable to that offered at the University of California.
- Have a satisfactory scholastic average, usually a minimum grade-point average (GPA) of 3.0 (B) is required.
- Provide TOEFL or IELTS test scores (international students only). All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must show evidence of having taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or TOEFL-Internet Based Test or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) examination within the past two years.
PREPARING FOR YOUR APPLICATION
Interested students should review how to apply for graduate study at the Graduate Division website, introduce themselves by email to at least one QSB faculty member with Curriculum Vitae and cover letter, and apply to QSB. Late or incomplete applications are not guaranteed consideration. As of Fall 2020, the QSB program does not require GRE scores. Submitting GRE scores is optional and scores are not used in our admissions rubric. The admission committee will make no assumptions if a GRE score is omitted from an application. Students who wish to pursue graduate studies under the mentorship of a specific faculty member should consult with them before applying.
QSB admits students on the total package of their application, with the understanding that an applicant's GPA can impact decision dates and financial guarantees. Strong applicants will possess the following:
- Research experience, including undergraduate research experience, Master’s degree, and participation in REUs.
- Professional presentations, including poster or oral presentations at campus-, regional-, or national level meetings, including undergraduate-specific meetings.
- Authorship on scientific publications.
- Fellowships and awards, including campus- or regional-level awards, travel awards, national/society level awards, and federal/international grants or awards.
- Contributions to diversity.
- An excellent academic record.
- Strong letters of recommendation.
- Motivation for research as evidenced by statement of purpose and personal history statement.
GRADUATE APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Online Application and Fee
Submit the online admission application. After you have completed the application, make the application fee payment using the online payment system. The application fee is $135 for domestic applicants and $155 for international applicants. Graduate application fee waivers are available for eligible U.S. citizens or permanent residents based on program participation or demonstrated financial need. A fee waiver may be requested on the admission application. Note: if you apply for a fee waiver, do not pay the fee unless you are contacted by the Graduate Division.
transcripts
For the initial review process, upload a scanned copy of all college level academic work including community college, summer session and study abroad, onto your application. If recommended for admissions, official transcripts of all academic work must be submitted in a sealed envelope issued by the originating institution.
gre scores
The QSB program does not require GRE scores. Submitting GRE scores is optional and scores are not used in the admissions rubric. The admission committee will make no assumptions if a GRE score is omitted from an application.
If you choose to send your scores, please note that GRE scores are valid for five years after the testing year in which you tested. The GRE institution code for UC Merced is 4129.
letters of recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. Students applying to the QSB program should obtain at least one letter of recommendation from a person who supervised your research experience. Strong letters will speak to your intellectual ability, character, work ethic, creativity, ability to overcome challenges, and detail the quality of your previous work and potential for future productive scholarship.
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Submit by March 2 to meet priority processing. This form may be filled out online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. UC Merced's federal code is 041271.
TOEFL or IELTS
(international applicants only)
All graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship, whose preparatory education was principally in a language other than English, must show evidence of having taken the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or TOEFL-Internet Based Test or the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) examination within the past two years.Verification of test scores will need to be provided to the Graduate Division. TOEFL test scores must be verified through ETS using code 4129.
Statement of Purpose and Personal History
Strong QSB applicants will clearly communicate their interest and motivation for graduate school, summarize their undergraduate/graduate achievements, state their future academic objectives, and discuss how QSB fits those objectivesin the Statement of Purpose. Your statement will help determine whether your academic objectives can reasonably be satisfied in the QSB graduate program.
The Personal History and Achievements/Contributions statement is required and provides admission committees insight into an applicant’s background, accomplishments, achievements or contributions that are important in evaluating the applicant for graduate study. Relevant information includes educational, familial, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges, or opportunities pertinent to the applicant’s academic journey, and contributions to diversity. QSB admits students as part of a general cohort on the basis of overall fit to the program, including faculty interest. Applications are normally for Fall semester only. Deferrals will be considered on an individual basis, with applications due no later than seven months prior to the beginning of the semester when the student would like to begin graduate studies.
Check the status of your application
Once you submit your application, you will receive an email with a link to check the status of your application.
send required documents
Send required documents to:
University of California, Merced
Attn: Graduate Division, SSB 310
5200 N. Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343