Applications increase by 15.4 percent over previous year
MERCED - Interest in the University of California, Merced, continues to grow, according to application statistics released today by the UC Office of the President (www.ucop.edu/news/studstaff.html).
More than 10,000 students have applied to the UC's newest campus, which is 15.4 percent higher than last year. This gives UC Merced the sharpest gain in the UC system of applications received by the Nov. 30, 2007, undergraduate deadline, nudging slightly ahead of the Davis and Santa Barbara campuses. In fact, the number of freshman who applied to UC Merced this year - 9,084 - exceeds the total number of applicants received last year - 8,818. Over the last two years, applications to the university have increased 16.1 percent.
"It is tremendously gratifying to hear that more and more students are interested in our campus and the outstanding educational experience it provides," UC Merced Chancellor Steve Kang said. "I am confident that we will see healthy and diverse growth in our student population once again this coming year."
As of fall 2007, UC Merced had a total student population of 1,871 students. Campus officials expect to have 2,500 students enrolled in fall 2008.
SYSTEMWIDE COMPARISON
Compared to the UC system's gain of 9 percent and 8.5 percent, respectively, UC Merced has seen growth in the number of freshmen and transfer applicants. With a 13.2 percent increase over last year, the campus has the fourth-largest gain in freshmen applicants. Transfer applications increased by almost 37.7 percent
"The increase in transfer applications is a direct result of our admissions staff working hard to develop relationships with students interested in transferring and community college staff," said Kevin Browne, assistant vice chancellor of enrollment management. "We consider this a huge vote of confidence from transfer students and our colleagues in the community college system."
The news of the rise in applications comes at a time when some UC campuses might decide to hold down their enrollments because of budget cuts. However, since UC Merced has the green light for growth, qualified applicants won't have to be turned away.
"Every single student space in the UC system is precious," Browne said. "UC Merced is doing its part to make sure every qualified student who wants a UC education gets the opportunity to have one."
REGIONAL DATA
Combining all in-state undergraduate applications received by Nov. 30, 2007, UC Merced saw the most significant growth in those from Los Angeles (29 percent), the San Francisco Bay Area (28 percent) and San Joaquin Valley (19.2 percent).
The number of freshmen applicants rose since last year by:
• 23.7 percent from the Southern Central Valley (Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Kern and Tulare counties);
• 19 percent from the Riverside/San Bernardino area;
• 15.5 percent from Sacramento;
• and 14.8 percent from Northern Central Valley (Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties.
The number of transfer applicants rose since last year by:
• 70.6 percent from Orange County;
• 62.5 percent from the Southern Central Valley (Fresno, Inyo, Kings, Kern and Tulare counties);
• 44.5 percent from Los Angeles;
• and 42.9 percent from Sacramento.
GRADUATE DATA
As of Jan. 28, UC Merced had received double the number of applications from prospective graduate students compared to last year. More than 290 students applied for graduate programs, 162 of whom were international applicants. As of this time last year, the campus had received 120 graduate applications. There is space to grant admission to 40 graduate students for fall 2008.
"We attribute this increase, particularly in the rise of international applicants, to the increase in faculty, the growing breadth of our programs and our faculty's heightened Web presence," said Samuel Traina, acting vice chancellor for research and dean of graduate studies.
According to fall 2007 enrollment data, there are 120 students currently seeking graduate degrees at UC Merced.
IMPORTANT DATES FOR FALL 2008 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
• Feb. 15 -- Application deadline for graduate student admission
• March 1-31 -- On-time freshman applicants notified of admission decision
• March 1-May 1 -- On-time transfer applicants notified of admission decision
• April 19 - 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
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