University of California, Merced is the newest UC campus formed in 2005. It was founded “to address chronically low levels of educational attainment of the region.” It ranks amongst the top 100 national universities. It is the only university in the US to have LEED-certified buildings. It is based in Merced, California, and has a campus area of 815 acres. It has more than 8,800 undergraduate students and 696 graduate students. The student-to-faculty ratio at the university is 19:1 and most classes have only up to 20 students. The most popular programs offered at UC Merced include Biological Sciences, Psychology, Social Sciences, etc. More than 99% of students hail from California. It has the largest number of students coming from low-income backgrounds and under-represented ethnic groups in the UC system. Getting admission to UC Merced will require you to apply with a well-crafted application. Here is all you need to know about the requirements. 

English Proficiency Test Requirements

The English proficiency test scores in your application will establish that you have a good command of the English language to keep up with the challenging curriculum at UC Merced. All international applicants who are non-native English speakers or did not have it as the primary language of instruction in school are required to submit their scores:

• TOEFL 
  • Internet-based test: 80 or above 
  • Paper-based test (completed before October 2017): 550 or above 
  • Revised paper-delivered test (completed after October 2017 or after): 60 or above
• 6.5 or above in the IELTS academic
• 115 or above in the Duolingo English Test (Fall 2021 and Fall 2022 only)

Note: The UC won’t accept English proficiency test scores of more than 2-year-old.

ACT/SAT Requirements

UC Merced will not consider your ACT or SAT scores in the admissions or scholarship process. So, submitting them is optional. If you choose to submit them, they may be used as an alternative method of determining minimum eligibility or course placement purposes after your enrolment. The university has laid down no minimum score requirement. The scores mentioned below are indications of what you should aim for.

Tuition Fee and Cost of Living

Like the other campuses of the UC system, attending UC Merced as an international student is expensive. The living costs will vary according to your lifestyle choices. Below mentioned figures are just an estimate. Refer to the official website for exact values.

The conversion from USD to INR has been made with $1=₹75. The cost may vary with changes in the exchange rate.

Application Portal

You can apply to UC Merced through the UC Application. Visit the given link to access the application portal.

https://apply.universityofcalifornia.edu/my-application/login

Personal Insight Questions

As the name suggests, these questions in your application will provide UC insights into your unique personality. This helps the university know your background, challenges, creative side, etc. You’ll have to answer any 4 out of the 8 questions displayed with a word limit of 350.

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time. 
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem-solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admission to the University of California?

Application Deadlines

Conclusion

UC Merced is the first research university of the 21st Century. Along with high academic standards and research facilities, it is also one of the sustainable universities in the country. It has witnessed rapid growth in a short period. Notable organizations offer UC Merced graduates a starting salary of $36,000 a year. It also has over 200 student organizations to facilitate your holistic development. 

Being a part of the UC system and a top-ranking public university, UC Merced is hard to get in. It has an acceptance rate of 84 percent. Getting admission will require you to focus on minute details in your application. This is where UniRely mentors, already studying at UC Merced can help you. UniRely also has a bunch of free useful tools like Uni Comparison, Uni Videos, Uni List, etc. that you can explore. Sign Up and get in touch with your mentor now.