UC Merced Acceptance Rate?

Hey everyone, I'm starting to create a list of colleges to apply to, and I'm really interested in UC Merced. Can someone share their acceptance rate with me, please? And any tips on making a great application for UC Merced?

Hey! UC Merced's acceptance rate is approximately 88.3% as of recent data. While this acceptance rate may be relatively high compared to other UC campuses, it's still essential to have a strong application.

Since UC Merced is test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle, your GPA and course rigor are crucial components of your application. Focus on maintaining a high GPA and taking AP, IB, or Honors courses if available at your school. Also, ensure that you complete the A-G requirements, which are the minimum set of courses needed for admission to the UC system.

Additionally, the UC application requires you to write four Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) out of a possible eight prompts. These essays offer an opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, and passions.

When selecting your prompts and crafting your responses, aim for a balanced representation of your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal growth. Highlight unique aspects of your character and demonstrate self-reflection. For in-depth advice on tackling the UC PIQs, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-california-essays

Extracurriculars are another key factor in your application. UC Merced, like other colleges, is looking for students who have made meaningful contributions to their school or community through their interests. Aim for depth and leadership in a few activities rather than spreading yourself too thin. It's better to be highly involved in a few extracurriculars rather than having only minimal involvement in many.

Lastly, keep an eye on application deadlines and submit your application on time. The UC application filing period is from October 1 to November 30. Good luck with your application!