What are the UC Merced admissions statistics like?

I'm curious about UC Merced and I want to know the admissions stats like acceptance rate or average GPA. Are the stats pretty competitive compared to other UCs, and how should I prepare my application?

In terms of admissions statistics, UC Merced tends to be on the less competitive end of the UC system. For the Fall 2024 freshman class, the acceptance rate was 89%, which is significantly higher than many other UCs. Also, the average unweighted GPA for admitted students was about 3.6. For comparison, UC Berkeley, one of the top UCs, had an acceptance rate of about 11% and an average GPA of 4.22.

That being said, every college application requires thoughtful attention. For UC Merced, although standardized test scores are not considered (due to the UC system's test-blind policy), strong academic performance is still crucial. Taking rigorous coursework, ideally including AP or IB classes, if they're available at your school, is also beneficial to show your preparedness for college-level coursework.

On the UC application, you'll have to answer Personal Insight Questions. This is your chance to showcase your individuality and share your personal stories. Try to avoid cliché essay topics - instead, focus on unique experiences that highlight your personal growth, challenges overcome, or goals. Remember that UC Merced, like all other UC schools, is interested in a wide array of student qualities such as leadership, initiative, and perseverance which can all be elaborated in your essays.

You'll also want to highlight your extracurricular activities. UC Merced, like all colleges, values students who commit to activities outside of the classroom. These can be clubs, sports, work, volunteering, or anything else you do outside of school time. The most successful applicants often participate in a range of 8-10 extracurriculars but are deeply involved in a few, showing a quality over quantity approach. Remember, UC schools use the four tiers of extracurriculars to assess your activities, so including a few Tier 1 or Tier 2 activities can be beneficial to your application.

Remember to apply within the UC application filing period, which is October 1 to November 30. Have your application elements rigorously reviewed and make sure you're conveying your best self in all sections. Best of luck with your application!