21 percent gain shows strong demand for seats at newest
University of California campus
MERCED, CA— A record number of
freshmanand
transferhopefuls have
applied to the
University of California,
Merced, for the 2010 fall semester, according to
figuresreleased today (Jan. 14) by the UC Office of the President.
The newest UC campus has received more than 12,000 applications,
21 percent higher than last year. Freshman applications totaled
10,594, up 17.3 percent from 9,034 in 2009, while transfer
applications rose 49.5 percent to 1,772 from 1,185 the prior year.
The number of freshman applications alone exceeds the total number
of freshman and transfer applications combined for 2009. Since the
university opened in the fall of 2005, applications have increased
39 percent.
“We are very pleased with the size, quality and diversity of the
applicant pool,” said Kevin Browne, assistant vice chancellor of
Enrollment Management. “It’s compelling evidence that more and more
students want the life-transforming UC academic experience in a
welcoming, innovative environment that they can personally
influence — one that’s unique to UC Merced.”
The five-county Fresno region had the highest percentage
increase in freshman (5.6 percent) and transfer (31.6 percent)
applications to the UC system of all regions, demonstrating UC
Merced’s significant role in expanding access to the UC system for
students statewide and increasing college-going rates among
students in the San Joaquin Valley. Since the fall of 2004, the
year before UC Merced opened, applications to UC campuses from
Central Valley residents have increased 51 percent and admissions
have risen 47 percent (as of 2009).
More than half of UC Merced’s freshman applicants (54.8 percent)
come from families that meet the state’s definition of low-income
family, and 53.2 percent are first-generation college students.
Both percentages are the highest for any campus in the UC system.
“If you are accepted to a UC, money shouldn’t stand in your
way,” Browne said. “Financial aid is available and UC’s new
Blue
and Gold Opportunity Planwill cover your systemwide fees if you
are a California resident whose family earns less than $70,000 a year.”
Those who don’t receive an acceptance letter for Fall 2010
should strongly consider applying for Spring 2011, Browne said.
Applications for spring are due in July.
Important Dates for Fall 2010 Applicants
- Through March 2 - Financial-aid priority application-filing
period for students to submit
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)and a GPA
Verification Form for Cal Grants. UC Merced’s FAFSA School Code is 041271. - March 1-31 - On-time freshman applicants notified of admission decision
- March 1-May 1 - On-time transfer applicants notified of
admission decision - April 17 - Bobcat Day; campus open house for prospective
students and their families - May 1 - Deadline for freshman applicants to submit Statement of
Intent to Register - June 1 - Deadline for transfer applicants to submit Statement
of Intent to Register
