uc merced essay requirements

Write well at UC.

Writing effectively is an important part of the undergraduate experience. The Entry Level Writing Requirement is designed to ensure you are prepared to succeed at any UC campus.

How do I satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement?

The University of California’s Entry Level Writing Requirement is a writing proficiency expectation for first year success. The ability to read carefully, analyze what you’ve read, and write effective essays is an essential part of thriving at UC. All students entering UC as freshmen must fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement, either by demonstrating proficiency through qualifying test scores, UC-transferable college English composition courses or by following your campus’s instructions for meeting the Entry Level Writing Requirement.

Visit your campus web page to learn about campus-specific guidelines for meeting the ELWR: UC Berkeley , UC Davis , UC Irvine , UCLA , UC Merced , UC Riverside , UC San Diego , UC Santa Barbara , and UC Santa Cruz .

Note: The ELWR must be satisfied either before beginning courses on a UC campus or during the first three quarters or two semesters of enrollment. Check with your campus if you have questions about the ELWR time limit.

ELWR qualifying test scores

Test score information.

While UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admission decisions or awarding Regents and Chancellor’s scholarships, test scores can be used for course placement after you enroll. If you have a qualifying test score that satisfies the Entry Level Writing Requirement that you have not reported to UC, you can arrange for the testing agency to send your scores to your UC campus. Official scores from testing agencies are due by July 15.

Note: The ACT English alone will not fulfill the ELWR. For the ACT English + Reading scores, the combined scores must come from the same exam sitting.

3 or above on either the AP English Language and Composition exam, the AP English Literature and Composition exam, AP Seminar exam or AP assessment in Research. AP and IB scores should be sent to your intended UC campus by July 15.

International Baccalaureate Exam

Score 5 or higher on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination or 6 or higher on the Standard Level Examination in English (Language A only).

ELWR Qualifying College Courses

Students may also meet the requirement by earning a grade of "C" or better in a UC-transferable English composition course from a college or university accredited by one of the seven former regional accreditation agencies, prior to enrollment at UC. The course must be worth 3 semester or 4 quarter units.

First Year Students

BAC First Year Academic Advising Program
Academic Success
BAC Activities & Experiences Workbook
Changing Major or Declaring Minor

First Semester: Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)

First Semester: GE Spark Seminar
Pre-Law First Years
Taking Classes at Other Schools
UC Merced Email

The University of California Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a reading and writing proficiency requirement intended to ensure that entering first year (freshman) students at every UC campus have the writing skills necessary to succeed in lower division university-level courses.

Fall 2023 admits.

All University of California schools require first years (freshman admits) to complete the UC Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) by the end of their second semester at the UC school.

Fall 2023 admits must satisfy ELWR by the end of Spring 2024.

How to satisfy elwr before you arrive at uc merced:.

Take the UC Merced Writing Readiness Review . This tool helps you engage in a reflective process to determine your placement in a writing course (either WRI 001 or WRI 010).

See this link for other ways to satisfy ELWR.

If you have satisfied ELWR in another way , your official college transcript or official AP/IB exam score must be received at UC Merced by July 1.

Send transcripts to UC Merced, 5200 Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343-5603

IN YOUR FIRST YEAR AT UC MERCED

If you tested into Writing 001, enroll in this course in your FIRST SEMESTER at UC Merced.

You must earn a C or higher in Writing 001 to satisfy ELWR.

After you pass Writing 001 with a C or higher, you will satisfy ELWR and move on to Writing 010.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If you have not satisfied ELWR before you start your first semester at UC Merced, the only way to complete ELWR is to pass Writing 001 at UC Merced with a C or higher by the end of your second semester.

* You are NOT allowed to take an English composition course at another school (community college or 4-year school) to satisfy ELWR after you begin at UC Merced. *

Talk to your BAC academic advisor if you have questions about this important requirement--and plan to complete Writing 001 in your first semester if you need to satisfy ELWR.

OTHER WAYS TO SATISFY ELWR

If you have an AP exam score, IB exam score, SAT writing score, or transferable college composition class that satisfies ELWR , send the official score report or transcript to UC Merced by the July deadline.

Did you complete a college English composition class during high school? Use ASSIST to see how English classes at a California community college transfer to UC Merced.

Tell your Bobcat Advising Center academic advisor if you think you have already taken a college English composition class at a 2-year or 4-year college that might count as Writing 001 or Writing 010.

Do not waste your time repeating a course that you have already completed!

HIGH SCHOOL IN ANOTHER STATE OR COUNTRY

If you graduated from high school in another state or country, your English composition placement will be determined by taking the Writing Readiness Review .

You could also submit an official AP or IB test score or an official college transcript for a transferable college English composition class before the July deadline.

Administration

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apply for admission to uc merced at

Admission requirements, first year (freshmen).

admissions.ucmerced.edu/first-year/requirements

High school diploma or equivalent
UC-calculated GPA of 3.0 or above (nonresident: 3.4)

Required Examinations

ACT with Writing or SAT with Essay

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. Laboratory 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

admissions.ucmerced.edu/transfer/requirements

Minimum Junior-Level Requirements

Complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) units of 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, examinations and all “a-g” courses)
Maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA in all UC-transferable coursework (nonresident: 2.8)**

**Some majors require a higher GPA for admission selection.

Get started on your fall admission application

Submit your fall admission application

Submit your spring admission application

first year admission stats*

3.45 - 3.96, 1020 - 1270, transfer admission stats*, 3.02 - 3.59.

approved TAGs were admitted for the Fall 2019 semester

*Ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students.

Writing Placement

Writing placement frequently asked questions, understanding the who, what, where, when, & why of the writing readiness review.

(For general information about the Writing Readiness Review, please see the Writing Placement homepage of the Merritt Writing Program: https://writingprogram.ucmerced.edu/writingplacement )

Who needs to take the Writing Readiness Review? 

All incoming UC Merced first-year students who have not satisfied UC Entry Level Writing Requirement through appropriate ACT, SAT, AP exam(s), International Baccalaureate exam(s), or a grade of C or higher on a UC-transferable English Composition class taken at a college or university. More information about the ways to satisfy ELWR can be found here: https://admitted.ucmerced.edu/required-documents .

A $53 fee will be assessed to all students completing the Writing Readiness Review. The fee will be waived for any student who qualifies based on financial need. The fee will be billed to your UCM account and payment is due by the start of your first semester at UCM.

Why do I need to take the Writing Readiness Review?

You need to take the Writing Readiness Review for two key reasons:

The WRR assists students in making an informed choice about their initial writing course selection at UC Merced

The WRR provides an opportunity for incoming UC Merced students to fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR). Successful completion of the Writing Readiness Review process satisfies the ELWR requirement , allowing students to choose an accelerated course of study in writing by enrolling directly in WRI 10.

The Writing Readiness Review is a tool that helps you understand what class will be the best first writing course for you: Writing 1 or Writing 10. The WRR will also help you understand what types of reading and writing you will do in your first-year writing courses.

Early findings show that students who participate in the writing placement process have a 7-8% higher pass rate in their first writing courses at UC Merced.

What does the Writing Readiness Review consist of? 

During the Writing Readiness Review process, you will be invited to (1) engage with course materials (readings and assignments) from UC Merced's writing courses, (2) answer questions based on your experiences and confidence with reading and writing, and (3) upload or compose a piece of your own writing that you feel best represents your work. Altogether, you will engage in a reflective process that will help you determine your first writing course at UC Merced - either WRI 01 or WRI 10.

Where do I go to take the Writing Readiness Review?

To access the Writing Readiness Review , incoming students should check their official UC Merced emails for the placement link. Not sure how to access your official UC Merced email? Click here to learn more about how to use your student portal .

When will I be able to take the Writing Readiness Review?

Incoming admits for Fall 2024 can take the Writing Readiness Review beginning on March 1, 2024 . Information about the Writing Readiness Review and other placement exams will be sent via your UC Merced email. Not sure how to access your official UC Merced email? Click here to learn more about how to use your student portal .

How much time will the Writing Readiness Review take to complete?

Expect to dedicate 2-3 hours for the Writing Readiness Review , though you may need more time This survey has no maximum time limit as long as the survey is fully completed by the May 31st deadline.

Help! I can't find the link for the Writing Readiness Review.

To access the WRR, incoming students should check their official UC Merced emails for the placement link. Not sure how to access your official UC Merced email? Click here to learn more about how to use your student portal .

Taking the Writing Readiness Review

What do i need to access the writing readiness review.

The link for the Writing Readiness Review survey will be sent to your UC Merced email (not sure how to access it? Visit here ). When you access the WRR, you will be asked to log on through UC Merced’s single-sign on system, for which you will need your UCM Net ID and password. You will also need your student ID number. You can access the WRR anywhere you have internet access. Again, we strongly recommend using a computer to take the Review.

Do I need to study for the Writing Readiness Review?

The Writing Readiness Review is not an exam, so there is no need to study. During the survey, you will reflect on your past experiences with writing, engage with supplemental class materials, and answer open-ended and multiple-choice questions. You will also be asked to select a piece of past writing or compose a new one for submission.

Do I need a computer to take the Writing Readiness Review?

We strongly recommend students use a computer to take the Writing Readiness Review . Because you will be engaging with a number of supplemental materials, answering open-ended questions, and submitting materials, we do not recommend using your cell phone or other small electronic devices.

How many questions are on the Writing Readiness Review? 

In general, the Writing Readiness Review is made up of 27 multiple choice and 15 open-ended questions. You will also be asked to submit an example of your writing.

Do I have to finish the Writing Readiness Review in one sitting?

No, you do not need to finish the Writing Readiness Review in one sitting as your progress will be saved.

Can I speak with someone to talk about my writing? 

Yes! One important component about the Writing Readiness Review is that it offers an opportunity for students to speak with a writing instructor about their needs as a reader and writer. Upon completion of the survey, you will sent information on how to set up an appointment.

Can I take the Writing Readiness Review more than once?  

There is no reason to take the Writing Readiness Review more than once. After completing the survey, you will be provided with options and opportunities to consult with writing instructors who will support your decision-making process.

How is the Writing Readiness Review scored? 

The Writing Readiness Review is not an exam. Therefore, it does not result in a traditional, formal score. Your responses will calculate a course recommendation based on your responses to a set of questions. This recommendation is designed to help you determine what writing course (Writing 1 or Writing 10) will work best for your development as a reader and writer.

What if I do not agree with my recommended course? 

The Writing Readiness Review offers multiple opportunities for students to decide which writing course will best support their goals as a reader and writer. If you’d like to rethink your decision, please email [email protected] .

I've had accommodations in the past for the SAT/ACT/AP or in my high school. Can I get similar accommodations for the WRR?

We may be able to provide accommodations to you depending on what is needed. Please contact Student Accessibility Services at [email protected] or by completing their web form at https://access.ucmerced.edu/student-accommodation-request .

What if I don't take the placement, miss the deadline, or don't complete the placement process?

Unless you have fulfilled the Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) through another means (see list of ways to meet ELWR here ), you will be placed into Writing 1.

If you feel you had extenuating circumstances that prevented you from completing the exams by the deadline, you may request to take the exams by exception by sending an email to [email protected] .

Extenuating circumstances beyond a student's control could include, but are not limited to the list below. Please note: experiencing and documenting an extenuating circumstance is not automatic cause for petition approval.

Documented death of an immediate family member (spouse, mother, father, guardian, sister, brother, son, or daughter)
Documented major medical issue experienced by the student or immediate family member (designated above)
Documented other extreme circumstances (case by case basis)

These exceptions are approved on a case-by-case basis only and submitting a request does not guarantee that you will be permitted to take the WRR after the deadline. In your request, include the reason(s) you were unable to complete the exams by the deadline, your student ID number, and your UCM email address.

Troubleshooting

What if i can’t access the writing readiness review or do not receive an email, who do i contact  .

Students who have submitted their Student Intent to Register (SIR), will be emailed a link to access the Writing Readiness Review . For those who SIR after June 1st, student data will be uploaded on Fridays and it may take up to a week to gain access. In both cases, be sure to check your UC Merced emails. Not sure how to access your official UC Merced email? Click here to learn more about how to use your student portal .

Please check your email for a message from [email protected] and double-check any Spam folders. If you still have trouble accessing the survey tool or questions about the process, please email [email protected] .

What if something goes wrong while I’m taking the Writing Readiness Review?  

If there is an unexpected problem during your engagement with the survey (internet disruption, or other technology concerns), know that your progress will be saved and you can finish the survey at a later time. If you experience technology concerns that cannot be resolved, please email [email protected] .

Other - Waitlists, Summer Bridge, Summer Edge, and More

I am on a waiting list for another campus. should i take the writing readiness review .

Yes. If you are considering attending UC Merced, you should plan to take the Writing Readiness Review . Our survey is designed to help prepare you for success in college-level writing courses.

If you decide to attend another campus, you will likely be required to take that campus’ placement exams. Your UC Merced Writing placement will not be sent elsewhere. Please contact your intended campus for more information.

I plan to transfer to another UC campus. Does the WRR satisfy the other UC campus ELWR?  

There is no guarantee that other UC campuses will accept the WRR results as ELWR satisfying, although they may decide independently to do so. If you decide to attend another campus, you will likely be required to take that campus’ placement exams. Your UC Merced Writing placement will not be sent to another campus. Please contact your intended campus for more information.

I plan to participate in the Summer Bridge program. Do I need to take the WRR?

No, students accepted into Summer Bridge do not need to take the Writing Readiness Review . Students who apply to but are not accepted into the Summer Bridge program will be given the opportunity to take the WRR at a later time.

I plan to participate in the Summer Edge program. Do I need to take the WRR?

Yes, students who participate in Summer Edge should take the Writing Readiness Review.

I have a question not answered here. What should I do?

Please email [email protected] .

Return to: Writing Placement

Administration

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Equity, Justice and Inclusive Excellence
External Relations
Finance & Administration
Physical Operations, Planning and Development
Student Affairs
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University of California, Merced 5200 North Lake Rd. Merced, CA 95343 Telephone: (209) 228-4400

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UC Merced Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are UC Merced's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

GPA requirements
Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into UC Merced and build a strong application.

School location: Merced, CA

This school is also known as: University of California, Merced

Admissions Rate: 89.5%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at UC Merced is 89.5% . For every 100 applicants, 90 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet UC Merced's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

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Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

UC Merced GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.64

The average GPA at UC Merced is 3.64 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.64, UC Merced requires you to be above average in your high school class. You'll need at least a mix of A's and B's, with more A's than B's. You can compensate for a lower GPA with harder classes, like AP or IB classes. This will show that you're able to handle more difficult academics than the average high school student.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

UC Merced hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to UC Merced will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

UC Merced SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1080

The average SAT score composite at UC Merced is a 1080 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes UC Merced Competitive for SAT test scores.

UC Merced SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1030, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1350. In other words, a 1030 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1350 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:


		510	690
		500	660
		1030	1350

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

UC Merced has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that UC Merced requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that UC Merced will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1030, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

UC Merced ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, UC Merced likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 20

The average ACT score at UC Merced is 20. This score makes UC Merced Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 20, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 20 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to UC Merced, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 20.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Free eBook: 5 Tips to 4+ Points on the ACT

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

UC Merced considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 1030 SAT or a 20 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
50-80%: More likely than not getting in
20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of UC Merced here.

Application Requirements Overview

Common Application Not accepted
Electronic Application Available
Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
Letters of Recommendation
Interview Not required
Application Fee $70
Fee Waiver Available? Available
Other Notes Minimum 3.0 high school GPA for California residents required for freshmen

Testing Requirements

SAT or ACT Not used if submitted
SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
SAT Subject Tests
Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

Subject Required Years
Foreign Language 2
Social Studies
Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

Offered? Deadline Notification
Yes November 30 March 1

Admissions Office Information

Address: 5200 Merced, CA 95343
Phone: (209) 228-4400 x4400
Fax: (209) 228-4244
Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in UC Merced, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to UC Merced.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than UC Merced. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Location	SAT Avg	ACT Avg
Tuscaloosa, AL	1225	26
Athens, OH	1174	25
Denton, TX	1160	23
Arlington, TX	1160	23
Long Beach, CA	1145	23
Fort Myers, FL	1135	29
Pullman, WA	1125	23

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for UC Merced, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Location	SAT Avg	ACT Avg
Lawrenceville, NJ	1100	23
Greensboro, NC	1097	25
Fredonia, NY	1090	24
Montclair, NJ	1086	21
San Marcos, TX	1080	23
Atlanta, GA	1067	22
Statesboro, GA	1067	21

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for UC Merced, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If UC Merced is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Location	SAT Avg	ACT Avg
El Paso, TX	1040	20
Sacramento, CA	1035	19
Northridge, CA	1030	19
Kingsville, TX	1030	20
Fresno, CA	1010	19
Hayward, CA	992	19
Union, NJ	990	20

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UC Merced Featured on The College Tour

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Required Documents

This page will give you information on the various items that may appear on your checklist as required items. When the Office of Admissions receives a checklist item, your checklist on UC Merced Connect, called "My Checklist," will be updated to reflect receipt of the item. The item will show as "Received not yet Reviewed" and will stay that way until we receive all required items and complete our review (usually during the month of July).

Processing Time

Please allow time for our office to receive and process your transcripts and test scores. It usually takes about two weeks from the time you order your document until our office receives it. We will then update your checklist within 2 business days of receipt. If your items are not showing as received, please check with the sender to confirm your order has been fulfilled and obtain an estimated shipping date. If it has been longer than three weeks, please see common issues in each area below to ensure smooth processing.

Transfer Credit Entry

Processing time: The Office of the Undergraduate Admissions evaluates all transfer work for new undergraduate students. This process may take 8 to 10 weeks. Transfer work will appear on your unofficial transcript approximately 10 weeks from the date of receipt.

On this page:

Approved Transcript Providers

Required Final College Transcript(s)

Required high school transcript(s).

Official Advanced Placement Exam Scores

Official International Baccalaureate Exam Scores

Official ACT plus Writing Assessment, SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Test Scores

Entry Level Writing Requirement

Official toefl and ielts exam scores, approved electronic transcript providers.

Our current approved electronic senders include the following:

National Student Clearinghouse

*Senders that process through the SPEEDE server.

Credentials Solutions/eSCRIP-SAFE

Electronic senders that involve delivery via email are not typically approved vendors. Please confirm with your sender to determine if they are delivering via email or a different method.

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Required final college transcripts must be electronically delivered via an approved vendor, delivered via a postal service directly to the Office of Admissions by colleges and universities you attended or be delivered by a postal service from you in the original sealed, unopened envelopes from those institutions. Complete transcripts must be received by the deadline listed. Arrange for all documents to be sent to UC Merced Office of Admissions, 5200 N. Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343-5603.

If you have questions about this process, contact the Office of Admissions at (209) 228-7178 or [email protected] .

To view a complete listing of documents our office has received, select "My Checklist" in your student portal . If you did not complete coursework at a school that is listed in your checklist, or you will not be able to send the required transcript, contact the Office of Admissions at [email protected] or (209) 228-7178.

Common Issues

Transcripts received are displaying personal information that doesn't match your application record. Send us an email to [email protected] with the information on the document and we will attempt to match the record.

Transcripts sent via e-mail are deemed "unofficial" and cannot be accepted.

Required high school transcripts must be electronically delivered via an approved vendor, delivered via a postal service directly to the Office of Admissions by colleges and universities you attended or be delivered by a postal service from you in the original sealed, unopened envelopes from those institutions. Complete transcripts must be received by the deadline listed. Arrange for all documents to be sent to UC Merced Office of Admissions, 5200 N. Lake Road, Merced, CA 95343-5603.

If you have questions about this process, contact the Office of Admissions at (209) 228-7178 or [email protected] .

To view a complete list of documents our office has received, click on "My Checklist" in your student portal . If you did not complete coursework at a school listed in your checklist, or you will not be able to send the required transcript, contact the admissions office at [email protected] or (209) 228-7178.

NOTE: Final official high school transcripts must include a date of graduation including month, day and year. If our office receives transcripts without a graduation date, or with coursework indicated as "in progress," they will be considered incomplete, and you will be required to request a complete final official transcript. We will update your checklist to display an incomplete transcript item with a brief description of the issue. Please work with your school to fix the issue and resend the document.

Common issues

Official advanced placement (ap) exam scores.

Required Advanced Placement (AP) exam scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the College Board. Do not send your personal copy of your AP exam scores to our office, as we cannot award credit from a student grade report.

Final official AP exam scores must be received in the Admissions Office by the posted deadline. To have your scores sent, visit the College Board website and request that they send your scores to the University of California, Merced (school code 4129).

NOTE : After four years, the College Board archives AP exam scores. Archived scores can take several months from the date of your request to reach UC Merced, so make sure to request archived scores well in advance of posted deadlines.

TIP : When requesting your scores, be sure to indicate ALL test dates and exams taken. Check your copies of the student score reports you receive to make certain you indicated the correct code for UC Merced. AP exams taken in your senior year are sometimes not received until late July. All first year students will see an AP score item display on their checklist. If you did not take an AP or International Baccalaureate exam, you are not required to submit test scores.

Exam reports received are displaying personal information that doesn't match your application record. Send us an email to [email protected] with the information on the document and we will attempt to match the record.
We received exam scores but, your academic advisor only sees some but, not all scores. College Board might have more than one account for you and only sent scores for one account. Contact College Board and have them merge your accounts and resend the scores.

Required International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the International Baccalaureate Organization. Final official IB exam scores should be received in the Office of Admissions by the posted deadline. To have your scores sent, visit the International Baccalaureate website .

Official ACT with Writing Assessment, SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Test Scores

Note: SAT and/or ACT scores are not required for most applicants; scores are still accepted to meet the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).

Official exam scores for the ACT plus Writing Assessment or SAT Reasoning Test must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the testing agencies. Additionally, if you took SAT Subject Tests to show your mastery of academic subject areas, your scores must be sent to our office by the College Board . Final official scores must be received by the posted deadline.

To request your ACT scores, visit the ACT website and provide them with UC Merced's school code, 0450.

To have your SAT Reasoning and/or SAT Subject Test scores sent, visit the College Board website and provide them with UC Merced's school code, 4129.

TIP : Applicants are advised not to use Score Choice when sending their scores to the University of California. Exercising the Score Choice option may prevent UC Merced from receiving all of your official scores.

Exam reports received are displaying personal information that doesn't match your application record. Contact the UC Application Help Desk to see if they can locate your scores and link them to your application
We received exam scores but, your academic advisor only sees some but, not all scores. College board might have more than one account for you and only sent scores for one account. Contact college board and have them merge your accounts and resend the scores.

The Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) is a graduation requirement for the University of California.

Students can satisfy the ELWR by achieving a qualifying score on one of several other examinations:

30 or better on the ACT, English Language Arts; or
63 or better on the ACT, English Plus Reading; or
30 or better on the ACT, Combined English/Writing (last administered June 2015); or
680 or better on the SAT, Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing*; or
680 or better on the SAT Reasoning Test, Writing (last administered January 2016); or
3 or above on either Advanced Placement Examination in English; or
5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Higher Level English A1 exam); or
6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Literature exam (formerly known as Standard Level English A1 exam); or
5 or above on an International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A: Language and Literature exam; or
6 or above on an International Baccalaureate Standard Level English A: Language and Literature exam
completion of the equivalent of UC Merced’s WRI 001 at another institution prior to matriculation
through their course selection after completing the Writing Readiness Review (WRR).
completion of WRI 001 at UC Merced

*UC will accept a score of 680 or better on the SAT, Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing to satisfy the ELWR on a pilot basis, beginning with new students entering UC in fall 2018. The pilot will remain in effect until a new policy is adopted by the Academic Senate.

The ELWR must be satisfied within the first year of enrollment at UC, preferably by the end of the first semester. UC Merced encourages students to satisfy this requirement by taking an approved college course during summer prior to enrollment. You can enroll in Writing 001 at UC Merced or earn a minimum grade of C or better in a UC-transferable English composition course completed at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university and accepted by UC Merced’s Office of Admissions.

If you have not completed the AWPE and need to satisfy the ELWR, the exam will be administered the morning of the second Saturday in May, at testing centers throughout the state. In early April, you will receive a letter directing you to the test center at which you must take the test.

TIP: Prior to your admission term, you can satisfy the ELWR by taking a California Community College course identified as one that satisfies IGETC Area 1A in the articulation database at www.assist.org . You must earn a minimum grade of C or better and complete the course prior to your admission term to satisfy ELWR.

Any student who has not satisfied the ELWR should work with an academic advisor during New Student Orientation to register for an appropriate writing course.

Required TOEFL or IELTS examination scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admissions from the exam agency. Final official scores must be received by the posted deadline.

To request your TOEFL exam scores, visit the TOEFL website . To request your IELTS scores, visit the IELTS website . Have them send your scores to:

Office of Admissions University of California, Merced 5200 N. Lake Road Merced, CA 95343-5603

TOEFL Exam reports received are displaying personal information that doesn't match your application record. Contact the UC Application Help Desk to see if they can locate your scores and link them to your application.
IELTS Exam reports received are displaying personal information that doesn't match your application record. Send us an email to [email protected] with the information on the document and we will attempt to match the record.

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Telephone: (209) 228-4400

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University of California Merced

Jun 09, 2024

2022-2023 Catalog

2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Web:

UC Merced’s General Education program will engage you with the values, practices and contributions of a research university, which provide a framework for integrative learning. We do this within the context of the culturally and economically diverse Central Valley. In tandem with the major and the co-curriculum, General Education supports your development of the Hallmarks of the Baccalaureate degree. It nurtures the spirit of critical inquiry, building your knowledge of various fields, cultures, and perspectives. General education fosters collaboration, communication, and ethical action. It empowers you to share your learning and skills to address the local and global challenges of an interconnected, changing world.

University of California Requirements University of California Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)/Analytical Writing Placement Exam

To succeed at UC Merced, you must be able to understand and to respond adequately to written material typical of reading assignments in first year courses, including being able to structure and develop an essay that uses written English effectively. Students must satisfy the ELWR requirement by the end of the second semester of enrollment at UC Merced. Failure to complete this requirement in the time allowed will result in a hold on a student’s registration. For more information about the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR) for all UC-Admitted first year students see .

Students can meet this requirement by scoring:

at UC Merced with a grade of C or higher.

* UC is accepting a score of 680 or better on the SAT, Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing to satisfy the Entry Level Writing Requirement on a pilot basis, beginning with new students entering UC in Fall 2018.

The requirement can also be met by earning a grade of C or higher in an acceptable English composition course offered by a college or university.

Comprehensive information about the University of California Entry Level Writing Requirement and Analytical Writing Placement Exam is available at .

University of California American History and Institutions Requirement

As a candidate for an undergraduate degree at UC Merced, you need to demonstrate knowledge of American history and of the principles of American institutions under the federal and state constitutions.

You may meet the requirement by completing specific courses or earning a certain score on an examination. Transfer students are urged to complete the requirement before they enroll.

You may satisfy both the American History and American Institutions requirements in the following ways:

Lower Division Common Course Requirements I. Spark Seminar or .

The Spark Seminar must be completed with a C- or better, prior to the start of the third regular (Fall/Spring) semester. Students may enroll in Spark Seminar either the Summer before or after their first year, subject to course availability.

Additional options for fulfilling the Spark seminar requirement are also expected to be offered on a very limited basis starting in the Spring semester of the 2021-2022 Academic Year. Please check the General Education website ( ) for more information.

Units: Units: II. Written Communication Units: 4 III. Quantitative Reasoning Units: 4 Units: 4 Units: 4 Units: 4 Units: 4 Units: 4 Units: 4 Units: 5 Units: 4 IV. Language : Passing the campus-administered Foreign Language test demonstrating proficiency equivalent of one year of college foreign language. Upper Division Common Course Requirements I. Crossroads Course

A complete list of courses that satisfy this requirement can be found

II. Writing in the Discipline

A complete list of courses that satisfy this requirement can be found

III. Culminating Experience

A complete list of courses that satisfy this requirement can be found

Approaches to Knowledge I. AREA A: Natural and Engineering Science

A complete list of courses that satisfy this requirement can be found

II. AREA B: Social Science, Arts and Humanities

A complete list of courses and experiences that satisfy this requirement can be found

Intellectual Experience

Courses taken to achieve Intellecutal Experiences must be taken for a letter grade and may not be taken on a pass/no pass basis unless the course is only offered on a pass/no pass basis. You must complete all courses with a C-or better.

The required Intellectual Experiences are:

1. Scientific Method

A complete list of experiences that satisfy this requirement can be found .

2. Literary and Textual Analysis

A complete list of experiences that satisfy this requirement can be found .

3. Media and Visual Analysis